Craziness!

Things around here have been crazy!

I have been busy redecorating around the house ('cause I can't live in a space that doesn't make me happy - I'm an artist, that's what I do!), making an Easter outfit for Levi (because I think it will be fun to make my kids have coordinating outfits - don't judge me!), making Easter goodies for Elli ('cause I can't pay for anything anymore - I'm cheap and into this handmade/do it yourself thing), trying to make myself a skirt (again with the not being able to pay for anything because I can make it myself - nor can I find anything in the store that I like and it's taking forever, but I love it), tripling the time I am spending at appointments from my car wreck (which I don't mind too much because it involves some extra massage therapy!), cleaning up the outside ('cause I am SO ready to plant flowers), my in-laws were in for a week, Levi turned 4 months old, I probably picked up a little part time job at a local rental company with a good friend of mine and for a man I know doing bridal designs, party stuff and helping with corporate events (it's been fun so far - and I need the money!), AND I am helping to redesign some rooms in my church (before Easter, I must add, and it's a little crazy! But I love to do it, so I'm good with that).

Pics soon.

A big one is coming!

In 18 days I will be turning 30! Are you kidding me?

*Sarcastic tone and hands waving* No more crazy twenties living! I am kidding myself. I have 2 kids. No crazy lifestyle here. I had to grow up a long time ago.

Seriously though. Everyone says how great the 30s are, how much more comfortable you get with yourself, how you can handle things better, and that sort of stuff. I could really go for some of that right about now. I think I may be looking forward to my 30s because other than my kids being born, my twenties kindof stunk.

For my family who is reading this, or anyone who said to them-self "I think I'll get Jess something for her birthday" (Haha) - all I want is a someone to cook me a meal and then send me off to IKEA for a shopping spree...kid free preferably, but the odds of that are slim.

Couldn't leave the boys out!

I made Levi a onesie with a tie on it to wear to the adoption party we were going to this evening for some friends of ours who finally got to adopt the little girl they have been fostering for a long time. (Yay!) It's SO CUTE! I jokingly told Mike that I could make one for him so they could match - and he thought that was a great idea :) Funny :) So here's my boys and their new clothes.



Now mama needs something new....

Bubble Skirt!

I love the snow, but I am so over it! I am itching to get outside and get my hands into some dirt and plant flowers here at this new place! Now that we have had sunshine for two days for the first time in 4 months, I am really anxious for Spring! Since I can't get outside yet because it is still freezing (though today and this week it'll be in the 50s!), I am getting into projects here inside.

That being said, this morning I had a sick, sleeping baby, and anywhere from 30-45 minutes before he wakes up. I also had spring-y scrap material and a little girl that needed a new skirt!

Yes, I know, I should have done the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed, put laundry away, showered, or done something productive like that. But, when that's all you do all of the time?! I needed a break.

So, let's get sewing!



I came up with this! A bubble skirt!


I had no pattern, just a measuring tape and a 3 year old who thought that when I took her measurements was the perfect time to twirl and pose. I've had this going on in my head for a while since seeing a few tutorials floating around on the 'net, and planned on taking pictures to chronical my steps, but as I stated above, I have a half hour and didn't take the time. Maybe on the next one! But usually I sew 'close enough' and with the attitude of 'I can fix it if I mess it up, let's just get it done.' So, I'm not sure photographing my steps for you would do much anyways...eh, I'll try in anyways. But, I digress...




"Elli, I just want you to know that you have the coolest Mom in the world."

"I wish my coolest mom would hurry and finish my skirt."

I am pretty pleased with how it turned out, an I think E likes it too :)

I think I might need one for myself.... Hmmmm....

Three Cheers for Granola!!

Since I delivered Levi, I have not been able to eat cold cereal. I just can't do it! And I was a huge fan of cereal! I could eat it for every meal! The variety! The sweet goodness of Golden Grahams, the perfection of Cracklin' Oat Bran, the guilty pleasure of Captain CrunchBerries. I love them.

Or at least, I used to.

Now, I have no desire at all to eat them. The thought of pouring milk on cereal and eating it almost makes me sick. Let's have a moment of silence for the lost moments of eating bowls of cereal and reading a good book at the breakfast table. ...........

So, that being said, I have not been eating breakfast. I am starving! (yet somehow I've managed to gain weight) So in an effort to eat the most important meal of the day, and not get sick while doing it, I decided that I want to make some granola. Also delicious for breakfast, only with yogurt instead of milk. For some reason, it's different in my mind and I think I can handle it.

Only, I forgot to buy yogurt today, so.....

I made 2 different kinds of granola tonight. They are awesome :) I thought I'd share.

Chica-chica-boom-boom Granola

(While making this one you have to chant 'Chica-chica-boom-boom, Will there be enough room?' My daughter's latest favorite book and chant)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup honey

5 cups oatmeal

1/2 cup dry milk

3/4 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

1-2 cups mixed dried fruit

3/4 cup coconut

Mix brown sugar, oil, and honey in saucepan. Heat until sugar is dissolved.

Combine dry ingredients in a large GREASED cake pan. (Make sure you grease it, or all of your sugar mix sticks to the pan and not your oatmeal!)

Pour sugar mix over the dry mixture and mix well. (Chica-chica-boom-boom, Will there be enough room?)

Bake @ 375 for 1o minutes stirring half way.

Mix in fruit and coconut well, then stick back in the oven for 5 minutes.

Cool and enjoy!

Goodness Gracious! Granola

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

5 cups oatmeal

1/2 cup dry milk

2 1/2 tsp cocoa powder

1 cup of chopped walnuts

Mix brown sugar, oil, honey, and peanut butter in a saucepan. Heat until sugar is dissolved.

Combine dry ingredients in a large GREASED cake pan. (Make sure you grease it, or all of your sugar mix sticks to the pan and not your oatmeal!)

Pour sugar mixture over the dry mixture and mix well.

Bake at 375 for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.

Let cool and enjoy!

(I think this would be good with dried banana chips in it....if you like that sort of thing, which I don't, but I think it would be good anyways!)

3 months old already!!

It seems like just yesterday I was blogging that Levi was turning 2 months old...and now here he is at 3 months old! How does time manage to fly by so quickly? He's getting so big and just brightens my day every time he smiles at me :)