So...yay!

Yay for finishing cleaning lists!
I am almost done with my quest to clean my house in 5 weeks :)
Next week will be main bathroom & kids' bedroom.

To-Do list for the weekend:
- get out & wash baby seat & baby swing
- upload family videos onto computer - we will need blank tapes for new baby!
- play outside (perhaps at the park) with Daughters
- home date with Husband
- clean out freezer & take inventory (Freezer Meals on Saturday! I need to make room & organize!)

So...Let's Explore

I found another great blog that I just subscribed to.
Let's Explore is full of great ideas for crafts to do with kids. LOVE it!

I especially love this idea since First Daughter loves to paint and is learning her letters now. I suppose we could also make shapes for Second Daughter, since she is learning those now.

So...pretty cool, and random

So you know how I won the giveaway on Sherbet Blossom? I just noticed that my winning random integar was 16.

16 was/is/always will be my jersey number (back from my sports days) and I hold it very dear to my heart :)

Guess it's still bringing me some luck!

So...tomorrow's list

Remaining cleaning list for master bed/bathroom:
- clean shower done
- clean bath tub done
- clean window/blinds/window sill in bathroom done
- vacuum bedroom done
- wash sheets done
- wipe bedroom floor boards done
- wipe doors/door knobs/light switches (perfect for Daughters!) done
- straighten bookshelf done
- clothes to DI done

Hopefully I can get most of this done tomorrow, but for sure I can do it by Thursday. Yay for another Friday off!

So...this may not get done...

Today's cleaning list:
- clean shower
- clean bath tub
- wipe down blinds & window sills in bath/bedroom done (almost)
- clean mirrors & glass in bath/bedroom done (almost)
- put away all shoes done
- straighten nightstands done

This list may not get done today. In fact, it may not even get started. It is already 2pm, I haven't started this list, and I start teaching in 2 hours. We'll see what happens... Good thing there's always tomorrow!

So...write club

I did one of the write club prompts today:

01. describe your daily routine from sun up to sun down. use only nouns.

I have realized that my days are rather boring and extremely repetitive. Lots of "kids," "diaper," "food," etc. etc. (I did throw in "love" there a few times)
Maybe I just need to expand my vocabulary :)

So...I WON!

YAY!!!
My first time winning a blog giveaway and it is PERFECT timing!

Third Daughter will actually be getting something NEW to wear :)

I chose these two styles - the Crossover strap in those exact colors, and the One Button Loafers in brown with pink trim. I can't wait!

Thank you Sherbet Blossom for hosting this awesome giveaway and thanks Forever and a Day

for making such CUTE baby booties!

WSMGS Pick of the Week (a little late)

"Freedom" - from Braveheart
In honor of Oscar weekend.

So...writing

Sorry so many posts today...I guess I'm making up for lost time!

My friend shared this post with me today and I'm so glad she did! I love writing and want desperately to be a better and more inspired writer. I know I'm not very good at it (yet!), but writing relaxes me and helps me make sense of my thoughts and feelings. I have found that I am happier and more emotionally stable :) when I am writing regularly - whether it is in my journal, on my blog, emails/letters, or making lists. That is one of the reasons I enjoy blogging so much - it literally helps me function better when I write down and share whatever's on my mind or whatever I have been working on. I am a talker, and when I'm home all day with only a 2 & 4 year old to talk to, I can become rather unpleasant. Writing/blogging is how I can "chat" my way through the day.

I love the idea of the write club and I want to try and do it!

So...finishing touches

So, I've finally decided on the finishing touches for the Daughters' bedroom. Right now, the walls are painted pink & brown, with a white chair rail. I finally made their comforters this Christmas, which also have pink/white/brown patterns. I've have wanted to incorporate butterflies somehow into the scheme, but haven't figured out the best way.

Here's what their bedroom looks like now to give you a visual:

I recently found these at Target and am so excited to get them! I think they will be perfect!

Then, I want to hang three picture frames similar to this one -

(probably with a different matte that can hold a larger picture) with sepia photos of each one of our girls. They will hang by thick ribbon (white with brown poka dots probably) on the wall above the crib. Above will be written in brown vinyl lettering "Dreams really do come true..." in some cute, whimsical font.

I think after that the room will be done. OH! Except I do want to paint the walls inside the closet. I know that may sound strange, but we have taken the doors off the closet in their room and it has wonderful built in shelves. Painting the backs of each shelf/cubby will make it feel less like a closet and more part of their room (I think). At the very least it will make it cuter!

I also had this great find at Target:

I bought a very similar blanket for McKenna this time two years ago. It is the same material, same color, only with dark brown butterflies instead of birds. It is her favorite blankie! I was excited to find this similar blanket for our new baby. Perhaps it will be her favorite too.

So...back to cleaning ;)

This week I will be cleaning the master bedroom/bathroom. This area has been the most neglected during my pregnancy, mostly because nobody hardly ever sees it, but I know this is the area that I will appreciate being clean the most once baby gets here. So, here we go!

Today's cleaning list:
- put everything away in the bathroom done
- clean bathroom counter done
- clean bathroom floor done
- clean toilet done
- wash towels done
- stock TP done
- take out garbage done
- put away baby clothes done
- fold laundry done

Tomorrow's list:
- clean shower
- clean bath tub
- wipe down blinds & window sills in bath/bedroom
- clean mirrors & glass in bath/bedroom
- put away all shoes
- straighten nightstands

So...busy, busy

So, this has been the reason for my lack of posting all weekend...

bassinet before...

with sweet baby McKenna

bassinet after!

This was a VERY ambitious sewing project for me. I have never really done anything like this, and I'm not sure if I will again anytime soon :) . I've been wanting to recover our bassinet for a long time now, so it feels good to have it done.

Now back to cleaning! ;)

So...buck-stretching tacos

Ok, so I know tacos are not the most costly dinner, but I'm always looking for ways to get the most meals out of the food that I buy and to save money anywhere I can on groceries. Now, the pricey part of tacos is definitely the ground beef (well, and the cheese, but you don't need to use very much, so it's not very costly). Tonight I added black beans (super cheap) to the meat, which not only made more taco filling, but required less meat (less money) and they were delicious! I was thinking, you could also add rice (super cheap) and maybe even corn to add more nutritional value. I'm liking where this is going...

So, what I made tonight was:

Tacos
3/4 lb. ground beef
1 can black beans
1 taco seasoning packet
3/4 c. water

Spoon filling onto warm tortilla. Top with your favorite toppings and/or sauce. Yum!

I even thought the tacos tasted even better than plain 'ole regular tacos.

**What I do also to save on time, (since I usually have less than 30 min. after lessons to prepare a meal) I cook all of my ground beef the day I buy it and then freeze it in approx. 1/2 lb portions. I can then put the frozen meat straight in the pan with the seasoning and water until it's defrosted and fully cooked. Takes about 10 minutes. I also freeze my tortillas and grated cheese. I just take them out before I start teaching lessons, or around lunch time, and they are ready to go for dinner. I am ALL ABOUT pre-prep and freezing ingredients, or even whole meals. Saves SO MUCH TIME!

So...last cleaning day this week

Yay for finishing cleaning lists on time! This week has been successful so far. I've actually been finishing my lists each day. Today we have some friends over to play with the Daughters and it's actually working out nicely - I am able to get some uninterupted cleaning done. Now, what the playroom will look like at the end of the day...that's a different story. Perhaps tomorrow's cleaning list will be CLEAN PLAYROOM :)

Today's cleaning list:
- straighten coat closet done
- wipe floorboards in family room/entry way/hallway done
- vacuum hallway done
- clean vents in hallway done
- wipe down front door done
- organize music done
- clean windows & window sills done
- wipe blinds done
- laundry: darks done

Once this list is complete the family room/entry way/hallway will be DONE!

Tomorrow's TO-DO list:
- pack for hospital
- pack kids stuff for when baby comes

So...baby bootie giveaway

As you may remember from a previous post, I am in love with cozy knit items for baby, especially hats & booties. I was so excited to see this giveaway on one of my favorite blogs Sherbet Blossom. I hope I win! It would be just in time for our new little baby to enjoy.

So...day two

I really am enjoying the gradual cleaning of our house, and I think Husband is too. Yesterday he even commented on how good it smelled in the family room (due to the lemon fresh dusting spray :) ). AND, the Daughters even had fun helping me dust. It feels good to have our house clean, but it also feels pretty good to have some help doing it and have everyone appreciate it along with me!

Today's cleaning list:
- clean mirrors & glass done
- wipe mantle & fire place done
- wash entry way mat done
- clean entry way floor done
- vacuum under cedar chest done
- hang violin picture done
- throw away old magazines done
- laundry: whites done

Tomorrow's list:
- straighten coat closet
- wipe floorboards in family room/entry way/hallway
- vacuum hallway
- clean vents in hallway
- wipe down front door
- organize music
- clean windows & window sills
- wipe blinds
- laundry: darks

Unless I find more things that need cleaning in the process, I might actually be done with the family room/entry way tomorrow.

So...cleaning the family room

This week will be the family room/entry way.

Today's cleaning list:
- dust furniture done
- dust stuff on the shelves done
- wipe piano keys done
- clean couch cushions done
- vacuum under couch cushions done
- vacuum done
- clean TV screen done
- fold laundry done
- vacuum vents done

Tomorrow's cleaning list:
- clean mirrors & glass
- wipe mantle & fire place
- straighten books done
- wash entry way mat
- entry way floor
- hang violin picture
- laundry: whites

So...yum

Have you tried these?! YUM!!!

So...Birthday/Valentine's breakfast

Husband shares his birthday with Valentine's Day which is really fun. How perfect that the person that I LOVE the most was born on the day of celebrating love?!

Husband is not much of a breakfast person, but when he does eat breakfast he loves eggs & toast. I made this special version of Eggy-in-a-Bready this morning for him:
(sorry the pictures aren't great)

cut out heart shaped holes in bread with cookie cutter

crack open egg in center of bread

and there you go!

Eggy-in-a-Hearty :)

I used the center heart pieces to make heart-shaped cinnamon toast for the Daughters - one of their favorite breakfast foods, especially First Daughter.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

I've been meaning to get picture up of these Valentine's crafts we have been working on, but I lost the memory card for my camera and have been waiting for the new one to come in the mail. It finally came! Just in time for Valentine's Day.

Valentine's for the Daughters.

Instead of buying more stuffed animals (which the Daughters LOVE, but seriously how many little animals can we have in this house?!) I decided to make stuffed letters for them that match their comforters they got for Christmas. I was trying to figure out what to do with all the leftover fabric.... I think they turned out pretty cute and they seem to really like them.

These were the Valentine's that First Daughter made for her preschool class. It was a fun & easy project that we could do together and I think they turned out pretty cute. Again, a great use for leftover paper. I knew there was a reason I was collecting all those scraps :)

So...bummed

I was SO excited to surprise my kiddos with these cute Valentine's prizes tomorrow, but mine DID NOT turn out like the ones in the picture. BUMMER!!! The crayons kind of melted together into a new, not so cute, color. And, they didn't come out of the pans so easily. I borrowed the trays from my friend, which is another bummer - I hope I can get them cleaned! If not, she will be getting new trays for Valentine's Day tomorrow :)

Anyway - super cute idea, but no success from me on this one. Good thing I have another prize planned for tomorrow.....

WSMGS Pick of the Week

"Kissing You" - Desiree
Happy Valentine's Day!

So...done and done

Phew! I actually did it. I completed my kitchen cleaning list for this week - junk pile and all - so that I can have tomorrow off. Wahoo!

So...disclaimer

By the way -
I am not very good at keeping my house clean :)

So...I think I can, I think I can...

So, I'm still chugging away in the kitchen, losing a little bit of steam, but still going. I want to finish today so that I don't have to do any cleaning tomorrow. My plan is to focus on a room/area each week. If I can finish early in the week then I get a free day or two. Wouldn't that be nice?! The kitchen obviously has taken quite a bit of time, but I don't think the other rooms will take as long. The kitchen is the biggest room in our house and there are many many things that get dirty.

Today's cleaning list:
- mop kitchen floor done
- clean toaster done
- clean kitchen blinds done
- clean kitchen sink done
- go through junk pile done
- clean out mudroom done
- fold laundry done

With guests coming this afternoon, there's a good chance this list won't be completed. Oh well. I'll just do what I can! Then again, guests coming always means extra motivation to cleanup!

So...still cleaning...

So, I almost completed my kitchen cleaning list from yesterday. No surprise, I didn't get to the junk pile. That is why the junk pile is even there in the first place...I continue to ignore it :) I have accepted that there is no way I can finished cleaning the kitchen today so I have extended my kitchen cleaning for one more day.

Today's cleaning list:
- mop kitchen floor
- wipe down outside of dishwasher done
- wipe down outside of fridge done
- wipe kitchen floorboards done
- clean kitchen windows & window sills done
- clean microwave done
- clean toaster
- wipe down chairs done
- fold laundry done

Tomorrow's list:
- clean kitchen blinds
- clean kitchen sink
- go through junk pile
- clean out mudroom
- fold laundry

We'll see how today goes. Perhaps I will get some of tomorrow's tasks done as well.

**add to shopping list --> more bleach!

So...beautiful, amazing, fabulous, breathtaking, etc. etc.

I came across this photographer today while surfing friends' blogs and...

WOW!

I ABSOLUTELY love her work and am dying to hire her to take shots of my kids!

So...cleaning list

I'm trying to get my house clean before baby gets here (in 5 weeks). I'm thinking that if I start now it might actually be done by then :)

Today's cleaning list:
- clean stovetop done
- clean oven done
- wipe down counters done
- wipe down table, & stools done
- wipe down high chair done
- wipe down outside of cupboards done
- go through junk pile
- fold laundry done

Tomorrow's list:
- mop kitchen floor
- clean sink
- wipe down outside of dishwasher done
- wipe down outside of fridge
- wipe floorboards
- clean kitchen windows & window sills
- clean microwave
- clean toaster
- wipe down chairs
- fold laundry

I am hoping that the kitchen will be done tomorrow, but that list looks kind of long to me {sigh}. We'll see how it goes :)

Can I just say that bleach is my new best friend? Not only does it clean beautifully and make me feel a lot less like I am surrounded by germs and scum, it smells fabulous! Probably (definitely) one of my favorite smells. LOVE it.

So...LDS humor

I found this blog with hilarious LDS cartoons on it. Check it out - it's pretty funny.
This one especially made me laugh.

The Te of Piglet - Benjamin Hoff

This book was an interesting read. Before reading this I didn't know much about Taoism or about the Chinese culture. I still don't know much, but I have a small glimpse. This book related the ideals of Taoism through the characters of Winnie the Pooh, specifically Piglet. Piglet symbolizes the Virtue of the Small, an important aspect of Taoist beliefs. I definitley appreciated the overlying analogy through familiar characters. I think I was able to pick up on a lot more than I would have otherwise. And, I think a lot can be learned about people in general by reading this book. The virtues and characteristics of each Winnie the Pooh character, and their perspectives on the world, can be related to the people in my life, especially myself.

I definitely recommend this book. It is the sequel to The Tao of Pooh. I want to read that too.

Here are some quotes:

If one wants positive results, one must be positive, and that goodness persistently applied will always triumph over evil, even though it may seem to take a good deal of time doing so.

Transforming negative into positive, you work with whatever comes your way. If others throw bricks at you, build a house. If they throw tomatoes, start a vegetable stand. You can often change a situation simply by changing your attitude toward it. For example, a Traffic Jam can be turned into an Opportunity to Think, or Converse, or Read, or Write a Letter. When we give up our images of self-importance and our ideas of what should be, we can help things become what they need to be.

Is "good" necessarily good? is "bad" necessarily bad? It's considered good to be beautiful, but many people through being beautiful have ruined their lives and the lives of others. It's considered bad to be unattractive, but because of being unattractive, many have come to concern themselves with matters more important than surface appearance and have gone on to make something Special of themselves - in quite a few cases becoming Beautiful in the process....Unattractiveness, illness, and weakness have many valuable lessons to teach to those willing to learn from them.

So...three wishes

I wish...

1.) that my house would be magically clean from top to bottom, including the removal of all of my junk & clutter

2.) that my sister lived close and we could play whenever we want!

3.) that I will wake up tomorrow and have it be March 17th :)


**maybe if I'm extra good I will get my wishes....ok, maybe just one....?

Sunday Thoughts...LOVE

Our lesson in Relief Society today was about Elijah and the Restoration of the Sealing Keys. Great lesson. We had a new teacher today and she is phenomenal. She teaches with the Spirit and obviously puts a lot of thought and spiritual preparation into her lessons.

Her focus today (appropriately) was about love. Love for our families - both here and those who have passed on. Being sealed to our families, those who we love the most, is the greatest gift. And the ordinances and covenants that we make on this earth, for ourselves and for those who have passed, make it possible for us to be together. Wow! This is one of my favorite principles of the gospel.

The part of her lesson that touched me the most was a story she shared about her daughter asking her why she always had to call her, why she always had to visit her, why no one reached out to her first. Obviously the teacher was emotional when sharing this experience. How heartbreaking that would be to hear your own daughter ask why she had to call you, why you didn't reach out to her first. Her point in sharing this story was to express that Elijah's prophecy - "turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to the fathers" - does not only apply to temple work and geneology, which we normally associate that scripture/prophecy with. Our hearts and love need to turn to our loved ones that are still living and breathing as well. We shouldn't take advantage of our relationships and the fact that we have each other now. The greatest love, charity, and service we can give can happen right within our families. LOVE that thought and LOVE that we had this lesson this week right before Valentine's Day.

So...projects and major multi-tasking

So, last night I confessed to Husband that I am feeling a bit exhausted and that maybe I should try to do less. Maybe if I plan on not doing anything in a day then I won't feel so guilty about it. Lately, my body has been telling me to slow down and has been reminding me that I am 8 months pregnant. Yet, my mind doesn't seem to understand or comply.

So, here I am, my first day of "doing nothing." So far today I have:
1) made "K" and "M" pillows for the Daughters to match their comforters
2) finished sacrament meeting books to occupy the Daughters during church and hopefully teach them to think about Jesus
3) compiled and burned on a DVD our family slideshow from 2005 - 2008
4) removed clothing from the Daughters room that no longer fit them
5) collected all of First Daughters preschool papers and put them in her binder
6) collected and organized Daughters' artwork and compiled into another binder
7) helped First Daughter make Valentine necklaces for herself and friends.

Hmm...maybe I'll try again to "do nothing" tomorrow....

WSMGS Pick of the Week

"I Will Love You" - Fisher
One of my favorite love songs ever.

So...fun!

Another find on Make & Takes - this cute Valentine's tic-tac-toe game. I love she comes up with such easy, yet brilliant ideas for kids crafts!


Again, I can make this craft with supplies I already have. LOVE that!

So...comment trouble?

Has anyone been having trouble commenting on my blog? If you are still having problems, please let me know and I'll try to figure out what's going on.

If you are having trouble you probably won't be able to comment on this post, so...
email me at jensen1018@gmail.com

So...cute

Check out these super cute (and super easy!) hats on Make & Takes. This would also be another cute baby gift idea for a baby born this month, or a fun craft to do for your own family. LOVE it!

So...quotable

There is no growth in your comfort zone, and there is no comfort in your growth zone.

Our friend is living in Germany right now and heard this quote during testimony meeting yesterday. He shared it on his blog and I LOVED it.