Life Changes!

Over the past 8 months or so, my life has changed in so many ways.  First and foremost, my dad passed away in July.  He fought hard, but it still breaks my heart everytime I think of it.  I still can't believe he is really gone.  I feel like he is just away on vacation and he will walk through my front door to play with boys.  I was there when he passed away.  I can still remember what I was feeling and what I saw.  I'm not sure I will ever forget.  I'm glad I was there for him; just wish I could block out the memories of that morning.  Last year, when he was given two weeks, I made a decision on what I wanted to do to keep his memory alive.  I wanted to make a t-shirt quilt from his t-shirts.  I presented the idea to him and he loved it.  We talked about it a lot over the last year.  He was really excited about it.  He was afraid the boys wouldn't remember him and felt the quilt would make them ask questions.  Tyler has talked about my dad a lot over the last couple months.  I think my dad has visited him several times.  It makes me happy to think of him still being here and seeing what is happening.  I only received a few t-shirts which means the quilt probably will never happen.

Andrew started kindergarten.  I really dreaded him starting; however, he has transitioned well.  Actually, he loves it.  He goes to our neighbors house before and after.  I really feel they have helped him to stay focused.  Plus, this has opened several other doors for us.  I've met several nice families in and out of the neighborhood.  Our families seem to mesh well and that gives us another opportunity to be active. I'm excited for our future and to see how the friendships progress.

I decided to start completing items on my bucket list.  At the top of my list was to read the bible.  The minimal experience I had with the bible, I knew I wouldnt' be able to just read and understand.  I wanted to read and actually understand the bible.  One day, I was discussing this item with one of my neighbors.  And it changed my life, literally.  She told me the creative way her church was exploring the bible.  Her church was using the book "the story" to read through the bible.  I decided to go a few weeks ago (even got a close friend to join me whose kids are the same age as my boys) and we haven't stopped.  I look forward to the weekend now, but to explore the next chapter in the book. I NEVER thought I would EVER say that and actually mean it.  But I do.  I love it.  I feel great when I'm there and I never even look at my watch.  Amazing.  Jason doesn't know what to do with me.

Xoxo,
Jen  

Long Break - OvEr! (well hopefully anyway)

WARNING!!  WARNING!!  PIC HEAVY!!  **had a lot to catch up on!

I took a break - a six month break.  I'm not sure what happened, but life.  I want to keep blogging so I have to make it a point to post!!  The last six months have been crazy!  Here is a quick summary:

-June 2012:  my dad was told he had two weeks to live.  I spent as much time as I could with him.  Turns out, he is more stubborn than anyone I know!  Cause he is still alive and going strong!!  I'm so proud of him. He has survived through so many things which should have killed him, I'm not sure I'll ever be prepared to lose my dad.  I'm a daddy's girl - all the way.

-July 2012:  *I hosted my SIL (my husband's sister) baby shower.  It was an airplane themed with the colors blue and brown.  My wonderful neighbors helped me make the tissue balls (can't think of the name - ha ha!),

*My brother and sister-in-law welcomed a handsome healthy little boy to our family, Leland.  I love his name! 
*Colton's 1st Birthday Party!  The theme was "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.  My wonderful neighbors helped me make the invitations and all the wonderful decorations. 

Caterpillar cake made from cupcakes and a small cake!  I placed it on a piece of cardboard wrapped in white tissue paper.  The ears and legs were hand-drawn by my awesome neighbor!  (They also made and decorated the cupcakes and cake!)

Some of the decorations...

 

All decorations made using a cricut!!

I'm thinking I took these pictures after the party cause the Colton cupcake is missing a "wiggly" eye!  :)

A book for everyone to sign! And the favors were adorable!! My neighbors helped me make thank you bags. The main sheet says "happy 1st birthday Colton! -thank you!" and there were M&Ms inside! Tied with a bow!

 

-August 2012: *Andrew's fifth birthday party was batman themed.  AMAZING!

Homemade banner with lots of bats everywhere!





The kids had capes made out of trash bags and masks.  The trash bag capes were the biggest hit.  I took big black (or maybe they are a dark green) trash bags.  Cut down the seam on each side and the bottom.  I ended up cutting about 12 inches off the bottom as they were too long for 4-5 year olds.  The tie part of the trash bags were used to tie the cape around!  It was awesome!  The kids decorated their masks and capes.

-November 2012:  Tyler's 3rd Birthday party! It was safari themed.  I'm not sure why I don't have more pictures.  The kids had some safari crafts all with stickers. 

Dirt Cake

 

-December 2012:  My wonderful hubby was put to the test and built two AMAZING things for our house.  Check it out!!

*First Project

This was the first thing he we made!  It's a shelf hanging in our hallway.  It reads:  Children hold our hands for a while, our hearts forever.  I did the vinyl work.  Turned out awesome!

*Our next project was a new shelving unit in our family room.  We needed something to mainly hold the box for cable. 

On New Years Day, we went searching for items to place on our shelf.  Turns out, we found an awesome antique gone crazy shop.  It's the kind of shop you have to know what you want and ask for it.  If not, it's too packed with stuff to just look through.  We ended up getting two coke cases (bottom left and upper middle right), the lantern (upper middle left) and the jug (upper center) all for less than $50. 

-January 2013:

*We moved to our current house October 2011.  Jason and company painted the whole house from ceiling to floor within a week of us moving in.  The only room not touched was the powder room.  It was covered in wallpaper.  I didn't mind the wallpaper, so he touched it up for me and we left it alone.  We finally figured out what we wanted to do with it.  We wanted a"pallet wall" behind the toilet.  I'm not sure how I found the blog post, but as soon as I showed it Jason, we made up our mind.  Here is the after:  (I'm sorry - I failed to take the before, but imagine wallpaper from floor to ceiling in a maroon color with flowers)

I'm pretty sure that sums it up until this past weekend.  My next post will be all about V-Day!

Birchbox!!!

I love the beginning of the month.  I also dislike the beginning of the month.  Majority of our bills are due in the beginning of the month.  BUT, I also get a nice treat in the beginning of the month:  Birchbox.  I love it!!  The Birchbox website states:  "Birchbox is the best way to discover new grooming, beauty and lifestyle products. Sample top products from high-end brands, get expert advice, buy new favorites and earn points with every purchase". 

It all started when I found out my third was a boy.  I wanted a girl so bad!!  I couldn't wait to do all the girly things with my daughter.  But as luck would have it, I had the most precious little baby boy.  Colton is the most amazing little boy EVER and I would not change him for anything.  I am 98% sure Jason and I are done having kids.  I knew I needed to keep the "girly" in me so I promised myself I would keep up with my hair/nails and stay abreast of all the girly things in life.  So hard to do with 3 little boys and a husband!!  Then I found Birchbox.

I've received a few nail polishes, face wash, lotions/creams, make-up, hair products, and even accessories!  I will start posting every month a picture of each of the items and a review later in the month once I've had a chance to try them. 

May Birchbox:

Presentation is everything!!  Birchbox really has that down!  I usually hope for make-up or hair stuff.  I tend to not like the higher priced face wash.  I don't mind lotions.   The extra this month was the XOXO post card.  It's cute.  I'm not sure when I'll use it though.  I'll have to get creative. 

From left to right:  Ojon Volumizing Shampoo, Color Club Nail Polish in Disco Nap, Algenist Eye Renewal Balm, and Dr. Jart face cream.


Birchbox always provides a brief description with price for full size bottle.  I always go right for the price - is that wrong?  For example, the eye cream is $65 for a full size.  I completed a survey in the beginning explaining I don't spend a lot of money on make-up, hair stuff...  Even if I liked the product, the chances of me purchasing the product are slim.  I made the mistake of not looking on the website to see how to use the product a few months ago.  So, I'll be researching that tomorrow!  :)

Product I'm most looking towards trying: THE NAIL POLISH!!  I'm siked.  I love nail polish.  I've started a collection.  Okay - who cares if my collection only has 5?  Everyone has to start somewhere, right??  Because of Birchbox, I actually started using Zoya nail polish most of the time.  I like the colors and the easy way the nail polish glides on my nails. 

Product I'm least looking towards trying: face cream.  I've never been a big face cream person.  Apparently, this cream is a 4 in 1.  It is a moisturizer, serum, sunscreen, and skin-perfecting tint.  Do you know what else is a 4 in 1?  My son's crib.  Or maybe it's a 3 in 1.  Either way, I'm not so sure of products boasting about having multiple benefits.

Craziness.

Even though I haven't posted in over a week, it doesn't mean I haven't been thinking of the blog world!  It has just been crazy!  Okay, here is what's been going on:
Movie Reviews -
"Dinner for Schmucks" Not really sure what to say.  In fact, words can not describe this movie.  Best part is noticing Jeff Dunham in the movie! 
"One for the Money" My mom, BFF, SIL, MIL, and SIL's MIL (got all that?? BFF = Best Friend, SIL = Sister in law, MIL = Mother in law, & SIL's MIL = Sister in law's mother in law!  he he!!) all went.  We have all read the Janet Evanovich series and LOVED them!  Well actually, BFF and I listened to them.  I was disappointed, but liked it.  Some of the cast just didn't seem right.  By the end of the movie, I was okay with the staff.  My favorite?  Lula. The boxer dude was exactly what I pictured - scary!  I was most looking forward to Morelli and Ranger (prior to knowing who plays them).  I'm still not 100%, but they might grow on me.  So far, the book was much better!!!
Dinners -
Have I mentioned I {heart} pinterest???  I've We've made two meals found on pinterest.  How do they look??

Crunchwrap Supreme!

Oh my goodness!!  Crunchwrap Supreme made in my house?!?  I didn't have to go into town!  Woo hoo!!! 

French Dip Crescents

I fell in love with french dip sandwiches from Quiznos.  I never imagined they could be made at home!  It was so easy that Jason even made it!  We have NO leftovers from either meal.


The crunchwrap supreme's were so simple - I couldn't believe it.  I thought, this is not possible.  It is not going to turn out.  I browned 1lb of ground beef and added a taco season packet.  I warmed the tortilla's in the microwave for a minute.  Spread about a tablespoon of sour cream on the warmed tortilla and top with some ground beef and cheese in the center.  I used velveeta cheese (as opposed to shredded cheese or nacho cheese).  I would have loved to try nacho cheese, but I can never figure out where to find it in the store!!  Place a layer of tortilla chips, then lettuce and tomatoes.  Wrap it up and put on a skillet (face down).  Brown it up!  It was amazing. 

Hubby loved it!!

Colton was NOT very happy; he wanted some!

The french dip crescents were just as amazing!!  I can't tell ya if we did anything different, because Jason made it!!!  The au jus sauce was a packet mix.  AMAZING! 

 I love Andrew's purple thumb from school! 

Poor Tyler couldn't get the thumb part right and used his index finger instead!  I love these little guys!

New Beginnings:

We decided it was time to put our boys in a new school.  It all started a while ago when we started discussing preschool for our oldest.  I didn't know what to do - both Jason and I work full-time.  Did I really want to go to two drop offs in the AM??  I dreaded the decision.  I really don't like change; I like a schedule and knowing what's going to happen next.  But I knew I had to do something, so we've been looking and asking for MONTHS!!!  Finally, we found a school who offered us everything - one drop off, school programs, reasonable pricing (through a reimbursement program), and close.  The boys met the teachers and we loved everyone.  I wasn't sure if we would be able to get them all in at once (ages 4, 2, and 6 months), then we got the phone call.  ALL OF THEM CAN GO!!!  Woo hoo!  So, we arranged it all, and they started this week.  Monday and Tuesday only for a few hours, but today - ALL DAY!  I'm nervous.  I've already called a few times and of course, they are great!  Can't wait to get back into a routine!!