The Path Before Me

It's Time to Say Goodbye

2011-05-18T10:48:00.000-04:00

Well, as it says in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens". I feel like the season of The Path Before Me Blog is over. I feel like there are lots of things that I am not doing well and blogging is one of them. I just want to craft and not feel like I have to write about it. I just want to enjoy my kids and my family and not feel like I have to chronicle it all. Blogging was fun when I started 2 years ago and I have really enjoyed it, until recently. It's become hard for me to get on and even enjoy the other blogs that I follow because I then feel pressured to write something at my blog. That's not how it should be. I am not saying that I will never write a in a blog again but I am going to close this one down and have a good blogging rest. When it feels like I could enjoy it again then I might come back.

So thank you to all the followers who have left me nice comments and have entered my giveaways. I enjoyed sharing this time with you.
Ciao!

Mother's Day Pictures

2011-05-16T20:11:00.000-04:00

It's been over a week since Mother's Day and I am just now getting around to looking at these pics of me with my boys. Not one of these pictures is "perfect" as far as everyone looking at the camera, or lighting and all that. But all I see is my life. Constant action. Being a Mother is my greatest joy and I am so thankful for these beautiful boys that I get to watch grow. I am still in awe of the gift of my children. God is so good.

Car Craft Tutorial - Scoop Ball

2011-05-10T09:03:00.001-04:00

I know you shouldn't run with scissors, but are they allowed in the car for crafting purposes? Probably not too safe. However, I made sure to tuck them snuggly in my purse when I was done with them so they wouldn't become a projectile in the event of an accident. Although my purse would probably be pretty deadly.
Anyway, this is not a post about car and passenger safety. This is a post about crafting on the go. I've been wanting to make this scoop ball game for awhile and have had the 1/2 gallon milk carton's taking up space on my counter for too long. So I decided, that it could be done in the car on the way to Josh's baseball game.

15 minute drive. 15 minute craft.
Cost: less than $5.00

Scoop Ball Supplies

2- 1/2 gallon plastic milk cartons, rinsed and dried
1 roll of fun Duct tape
scissors
small ball

Before you leave the house cut your milk cartons in half horizontally about 3 inches from the bottom of the handle. Regular scissors cut this for me.

Begin taping at the cut edge by folding the Duct tape over into the inside. You may need to snip at the inside corners in order for it to have a good fit. My son Caleb picked out this flaming Duct tape. There are so many fun designs and colors to choose from.

Then I just wrapped it around the carton and I did one strip around at a time. So I would cut after I had gone around once and then start on the next strip.

I used smaller strips for getting around the handle. I had lots of wrinkles in my tape, it did not go on smoothly, but I tried. However, I think it still looks pretty good.

Repeat the process with your other carton and then find a ball that will fit inside without getting stuck. This one worked okay but I think we are going to try to find one just a bit smaller.

To play scoop ball you need two players. The object of the game is to toss the ball using your scoop and to catch the ball using your scoop (like Lacrosse?). You can make up your own point system and rules. We just like to toss it back and forth and then increase the distance for a challenge.

My New Toy

2011-05-09T10:41:00.002-04:00

This is the new toy that I had mentioned a couple of weeks ago. I haven't been able to play with it as much as I would like but that's how it goes. For those of you who don't know what this is, it's a Silhouette. A digital dye-cutting machine. It cuts through all kinds of paper and vinyl. It will even cut through material. I've done a few simple things with it, such as making tags for teacher treats. But I've also done some fun sewing projects with it too. Here are some of the things I've been doing.

I used the pennant design to make the size I wanted and then I cut it out and used it as a pattern to make the pennant on this bag.

I did the same thing with this rocket. I used the Silhouette to cut out the design which I then used as a pattern for this applique.

Again, I used an apple pattern from the silhouette to make this applique.

I used the vinyl to label my Sugar and Flour Containers. I love the vinyl!

Here's a tray I bought at The Goodwill Store for 45 cents! It no longer had any of the ribbon but, I have tons of ribbon so no biggie.

I used a black and white ribbon and then printed out "To Do" in black vinyl on the Silhouette. Now I have a To Do List on my craft cabinet door. I just used sticky Velcro dots to place it there.

I found these dry erase crayons at Michael's and they are fantastic! The boys use them on their dry erase boards and I don't have to worry about marker stains.

The crayons worked perfectly to make my list. All this was done for under $2.00! The Good Will and the YMCA can sometimes have some good finds!

All in all, I am diggin' my new toy! I am excited about using it for scrapbooking next weekend!

Looking Forward

2011-05-07T17:02:00.003-04:00

Well, this week was full of just about one thing, cake pops. I spent all my extra time working on building a display for 100+ cake pops and then in the making of 150 cake pops. It's the biggest order I have ever done and I learned a lot in the process. However after finishing those on Friday afternoon and then making 30 cup cakes for a shower that was this morning...I'm not taking any orders this coming week. I need a cake break. So this week I'm looking forward to NO cake!

There they are folks! 127 of the 147 cake pops...3 of them didn't make it. It might be a little tilted on top, but I think it turned out pretty great!

The blue color was really hard to make.

The customer ordered white and navy, with silver sprinkles.

I don't think the blue was quite navy but it was close.

I did two cake pop bouquets for door prizes.
This was the small one.

And this was the larger one.
I had fun doing the 4th of July theme!

I know I promised some tutorials and I will start making good on that promise this week. I have lots of new followers and I am glad that y'all haven't left me yet!

Stick with me...there's good things comin'!

Winner of Elmer's Craft Supplies!

2011-05-02T17:12:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! We have a winner for the Elmer's Craft supplies! Thanks so much to all who entered!

The winner is:


Emilee said...: I'm your newest follower.
emileenreynolds@yahoo.com
Congrats to Emilee! She has been contacted and has 72 hours to send me her information. If I don't hear from her by then I will pick a new winner. Thanks again everyone!

Tutorial's Coming Soon!

2011-05-02T16:51:00.000-04:00

Want to know how I did this? I'll be doing a tutorial this week.

Don't worry, you don't have to be an artist...

How about making an applique? This one's on a bib.

I'll show you from start to finish how to go from fabric to finished applique.

I also learned a few tips and tricks on using iron-on vinyl.

I'll share with you how to make a vinyl easy wipe-off bib.

Only a basic sewing knowledge is required, that's the only kind of sewing i do!

So stay tuned to check out these projects (and more)!!

Egg Hunt

2011-05-02T16:39:00.001-04:00

Here are a few pictures of the boys getting to hunt the plastic eggs. I still think it was a dog that ate the eggs hidden the first time but so far we have no proof of how the eggs disappeared. You can read that story HERE.

Anyway, the boys had fun and we had fun watching them!

I had to get the boys to pose retrieving the eggs...

they were way to fast at grabbing them for my slow reflexes!

Simon wanted to open each egg because at his previous hunt there was candy inside. However, Momma didn't put candy in these eggs! I think he was disappointed.

I love Caleb's expression, he's so excited that he found an egg!

Searching....

Found one!

Josh

Caleb

Simon

Winner of Headband from Smile Like You Mean It

2011-04-30T18:36:00.001-04:00

Thanks to all you guys who entered for the chance to win the headband from Smile Like You Mean It. I am excited at the response that I got from having such a great sponsor and giveaway! If you have an Etsy store or are a consultant for your own business and would like to sponsor a giveaway here on my blog, please send me an email.
moehend at yahoo dot com

And now, drum roll please...

Random #33 who was:

ani hearts japan said... I added her shop to my faves as Ani hearts Japan on etsy.

Congrats to Ani, she has been emailed and has 72 hours to contact me with her info. If not then I will pick another winner.

Thanks again everyone and thank you Katie for such a great giveaway! The code : PATHB4ME for 20% off can still be used at the Smile Like You Mean It Etsy shop. Use it quick though because it expires on Monday! :)

I'm Sponsoring a Giveaway!

2011-04-27T19:49:00.001-04:00

I know I said I was taking a break, and I am, but I had to let y'all know that I am one of the many sponsers at a huge giveaway going on at Angie's Angel Help Network Facebook Page . So go check it out and enter all the great prizes in her giveway! The Path Before Me Etsy Shop is sponsoring a prize of the "C is for Cookie" tote bag! All the directions for entering are there at her page! Good luck!

Winners will be picked when she reaches 2500 fans so go like her and then tell your friends! :)

Taking a Break

2011-04-25T10:12:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to leave y'all a note to say that I am taking a little blogging break for this week. I'll be back to announce the winner of the Headband from Smile Like You Mean It on the 30th. I have a lot going on and I have a new toy that I want to play with! Have a great week!

The Disappearing Easter Eggs

2011-04-24T13:38:00.002-04:00

The day before Easter, three little boys sat out on their porch and dyed 12 eggs. The eggs couldn't absorb the dye fast enough for these guys, as they wanted an instant result so that they could stick the next egg in.

There were green, pink, blue and purple colors to dye them.

And fun rabbit ear tongs for grabbing the eggs.

One of the boys became very upset when he was told he could not splash in the colored water!

Finally the eggs were dyed and put into the fridge to await the next days hunt.

The morning came with Easter baskets filled with surprises.

The boys took their time looking at each and every thing and

each piece of candy was held up and requested to be eaten.

After dressing in their super cute tie shirts that their awesome Mom made for them, the boys headed out the back door for an egg hunt. The awesome Mom had hidden all twelve of the eggs out in the yard for the boys to find. She made sure that she remembered where she hid each one.

The boys ran around looking for the eggs and as they ran past two hiding spots, the Mom wondered why the boys didn't see the eggs. She began to realize that none of the eggs were where she put them. They were no where to be found. The boys were ahead of her and so she hollered (because she is from Texas), "Did you guys find any eggs yet?!" and there were replies of "NO!" from all.

Every single egg was gone! There was not a trace of an egg. No broken shell. No fleshy egg part. Nothing. The awesome Mom looked at the awesome Dad and they questioned one another about where the eggs could have gone. It seems that they had just disappeared!

The conclusion was made that an animal, probably a dog, sniffed them all out and gobbled them up! The doggy wouldn't know that it had ruined the three little boys egg hunt. It would have just thought, "Yummy eggs! This is the best day ever!" Not realizing that later, he/she would be paying for the massive egg consumption... which the awesome Mom secretly hoped would be paid out on the owner of the dog for letting the dog run loose.

On the way back to the house, one egg was found.

Just lying in the grass. One little blue egg with a damaged side

from what appear to be teeth marks.

Thankfully the awesome Mom and Dad had plastic eggs and the
boy were able to hunt eggs after all. And everyone was happy

....except the dog.

Featuring You Friday - Dreaming In Color

2011-04-22T11:21:00.000-04:00

Well, it's Friday and I have a great blog to feature today! Dreaming in Color is the blog of a really crafty chick, Deneen. I am always inspired by this crafty gal's projects. Here are a few that I really love.

She made her own silverware drawer dividers using paint sticks!

This is a project I want to do!

How about this outdoor chandelier?

Take a look at how she turns this

Into this!

So happy Good Friday everyone! I hope you enjoy spending time with your family this weekend and that this Easter is a sweet time of rejoicing in the fact that He is risen!

Wildflowers & Whimsy: Skye Reve Fabrics Giveaway

2011-04-21T14:27:00.001-04:00

Wildflowers & Whimsy: Skye Reve Fabrics Giveaway

Check out the above link to win this bundle of fabric!

Click on the picture and go right to Skye Reve Fabrics to check out their other goodies!

Wordless Wednesday - MOPS Easter Egg Hunt

2011-04-20T10:48:00.001-04:00

Recipe of the Week - Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

2011-04-20T10:34:00.004-04:00

This is an easy and tasty soup to make. My husband helped me decide which seasonings to put in and I think the flavor we came up with is very homey and comforting.

Ingredients

4 cups of water
1 lb of chicken breasts
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 chicken boullion
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp sage
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp of seasoned salt
pepper to taste
1 pkg of egg noodles, cooked

Put everything in the crock except the noodles. We used frozen chicken breasts and set the crock pot on high for 4 hours and then turned it down to low for 2 hours.

By the end of the 6 hours your chicken should be so tender that you can use a spoon to kind of cut and shred your chicken right there in the pot. Of course if you want really tiny pieces than you can scoop the whole pieces out and cut them up on a plate and put it back in after you cut it to your liking. Don't forget to remove the bay leaf.

Place a cup of cooked egg noodles in your bowl and spoon your soup over the top. Yummy!

The Path Before Me Etsy Store Grand Opening

2011-04-19T13:58:00.000-04:00

I realize that my store has been open since the beginning of this month but I haven't really done much to promote it and so I am really going to try to start doing that. I am having fun making the stuff and I am going to take a blogging break all next week so that I can play with a new toy I got for an early Mother's Day gift. So you will be seeing some of the product of my play coming up in the month of May.

So if you order ANYTHING from my Etsy store today or tomorrow you can enter in the coupon code: GRNDOPN for FREE shipping. How's that for a grand opener?!

Enjoy!

Tote I added just today!

Giveaway - Elmer's Crafting Supplies

2011-04-18T20:11:00.004-04:00

**GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED**

I won all these supplies from Elmer's and I can't remember which blog hosted the giveaway! I'm so sorry, if it was you will you please let me know?!

Anyway, look at all that stuff! Some of that I will definitely use but some of it I would like to giveaway. Would you be o.k. with that?

This is the prize pack that I'll be giving away to one winner. A retractable X-ACTO knife, a circle cutter with mat, a box of clear photo corners and a box of silver photo corners. Pretty cool, huh?

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory entry

~Follow me on Google Friend Connect. The button is in the sidebar on the left. Leave me a comment letting me know you follow. Please leave your email address in your comments so I can contact you!

Xtra Entries

For 1~Follow me on Networked Blogs and leave me a comment letting me know.

For 1~Like The Path Before Me on Facebook and leave me a comment letting me know.

For 1~Enter any of my other giveaways and leave me a comment letting me know.

For 3~Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment letting me know.

**This giveaway ends on May 2nd at 5pm EST. The winner will be chosen via a random number generator and will be contacted by email and will have 72 hours to reply before a new winner will be chosen. I won these products and I am conducting this giveaway on my own. **

Burlap Throw Pillows

2011-04-17T22:52:00.000-04:00

I had red throw pillows on my bed but they really don't go with the decor any more. So I bought some muslin and covered the pillow and then made a case out of burlap. I stenciled on a design and there you go. Took me a couple of hours and cost me less than $10! I really like the way they turned out.

I didn't know if I should wash the burlap before making the pillowcases. I am wishing I would have now...it kind of stinks and there is a crease that may be permanent in one of the pillows. I had never worked with burlap until now though. So I am learning as I go.

Giveaway - A Beautiful Headband from Smile Like you Mean It

2011-04-16T08:00:00.012-04:00

**GIVEAWAY HAS NOW ENDED**

Hey everyone! Are y'all ready for a giveaway?! I am, so here we go! This giveaway is for a beautiful headband from Smile Like You Mean It. If you win, you will get to pick your headband from one of these 3 choices.

A big beautiful flower. This one kind of looks vintage country.

Is that a style? Either way, I love the button in the middle!

Beautiful double flowered headband.

I love the small touches of green in there.

If two flowers are not enough for you, then how about three?!

I love the bigger pearl accents in this one!

Katie, the crafter behind all the beautiful pieces at Smile Like You Mean It, wanted to say "Hi" to y'all so here is a little note from her to you:

Hi, Everybody! I'm Katie from Smile Like You Mean it!! I'm so glad to be apart of this giveaway today. Every day I try to find things that make me happy and get me to smile. Smile Like You Mean It means finding things in life that make you happy and genuinely cause you to smile. I try to find things every day that reach that goal. And, if I'm having a bad day, then I like to create things that make me smile. I'm excited to be giving away one of these pretty headbands and hope it will make you smile when you wear it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Along with the giveaway Katie has provided a 20% off discount code for The Path Before Me readers! Just enter the code: PATHB4ME at her Etsy store, Smile Like You Mean It.

Here's the nitty-gritty for the giveaway:

Each entry must be given as a separate comment. Please leave your email address with each comment so that I can contact you.

Mandatory Entry (This must be done first!)--
Follow The Path Before Me on Google Friend Connect. Follow button is in the left side bar.

Extra Entries--Leave a separate comment for each

1 entry--Follow Smile Like You Mean It on Google Friend Connect.

1 entry--Take a look at the Smile Like You Mean It store and let me know in your comment what your favorite item is.

1 entry--Add Smile Like You Mean It to your Etsy Store favorites and let me know you did in a comment.

1 entry--Follow me on Networked Blogs (Button is on the left).

1 entry--Enter any of my other giveaways.

1 entry--Like The Path Before Me on Facebook.

This giveaway ends on April 30th at 5pm EDT. A random number generator is used to select the winner. The winner will be contacted via email and will have 72 hours to respond before a new winner will be drawn. Winner's information will be given to Katie who will send you the headband of your choice!

Featuring You Friday - Aubrey Plays

2011-04-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

This weeks featured blog was brought to my attention when I won a prize at Tatertot's and Jello for a laptop bag made by Aubrey Plays. I just got my finished bag in the mail yesterday and I am so pleased with it. Aubrey and I emailed back and forth about material options and colors. I also got to pick out the design, so I chose an owl. He's super cute! I even asked for a quirky quote to be put inside the bag and she followed through beautifully with that. Aubrey makes all kinds of cute bags and totes. You can check out her blog HERE and her Etsy store HERE.

Here's my win!

Whoo! Whooooo!

That is my quirky quote. To explain, my PeePaw said that he thought the words in Help Me Rhonda went "Since you've been away I've got owls poop'n in my bed" instead of "since she put me down I've been out doin' in my head". Hahaha! Now whenever I see an owl I think of that!

We are the Yankees!

2011-04-14T18:26:00.000-04:00

Josh had his second practice last night and he got his uniform too! A shirt, a cap and some socks. We bought him some baseball pants and we will be looking for some cleats tomorrow. Hopefully, he will get to play in his first game on Saturday, so far the weather man is calling for rain. I know there will be one disappointed little boy if it is rained out.

This is coach pitch baseball. Josh never played T-ball. I hope he won't be at too much of a disadvantage because of it. In my opinion he is doing well though. I think it will be lot's of fun to watch him.

He practiced playing second base. He did pretty good. We need to work on him throwing without doing the whole wind up before every throw though. Perhaps he will be a pitcher next year!

He did good at batting practice. All the kids seem to inch further and further past the plate with each swing.

And on a side note, when it has been raining, there are many muddy puddles out at this park. Here's one that someone found straight away.

Yep...slipped and fell right on his hiney into the mud puddle. YUCK!

Luckily, by the time we were ready to leave, it had dried and he could be dusted off with no problem!

Sneak Peak at Saturday's Giveaway!

2011-04-14T16:11:00.000-04:00

See my new headband?! I love it! I'll be giving away one starting on Saturday and the giveaway will run until the 30th. So come back Saturday....

If you want to see the headbands you will be choosing from you can head on over to The Path Before Me's Facebook page. While your there you can "LIKE" me and then you will be one step ahead for the giveaway.

Also, am I too old to be wearing a headband like this? See the gray hairs? It's been a few since the last dye job!

Wordless Wednesday - Walking Sticks

2011-04-13T08:53:00.000-04:00

Walking Sticks or....

a stick horse!

Thanks Papa and Grandi!

Being a Parent: It Can Be Overwhelming --Part Two

2011-04-12T10:01:00.000-04:00

So I've been doing a lot of thinking about why being a parent can be so overwhelming. In the first post I explored expectations. Do you have them, are they realistic and how do you determine if they are realistic? If you missed it you can read that first post HERE.

I find that along with expectations, one of the other things that I have trouble with is making comparisons. I make too many comparisons, which lead to me feeling like a stressed and overwhelmed parent. I know that making comparisons is not wrong. We do it every day whether consciously or not. We compare one shirt to another when we are trying on clothes. We compare one cereal to another for ingredients and nutrition information. We compare prices and features of different vehicles before making a purchase. We do a lot of comparing and most of it is smart. We are being wise, thrifty and responsible in our comparing.

Then there is the comparing that is NOT so wise. The kind of comparing that can lead you to believe you are a big failure and cause you to think you will never have what it takes. The kind that Satan loves to lead you into and cheers you on to go farther and farther. He wants you to compare until you covet.

Comparing yourself with others. With other women, other Moms, other parents, other wives, other (insert your favorite profession here) and so on and so on. We should look to other people and feel inspired by their accomplishments. We should take pride in what another person can achieve. We should NOT feel like we are "less than" just because we did not do what they did, say what they said, or whatever. I am an original, you are an original. We are all of the same design but we all have different strengths, weaknesses, fears, joys, passions, desires, etc.... We can not live our life feeling bad about what strength(s) we don't have. We need to find our strengths and cultivate them and rejoice in the life and the path that God has put us on. Then we will truly be able to be inspired and have that pride when we see others successes.

This is so hard for me. I think because it is much easier for me to complain about what I want, then it is for me to do the work and strive to be the best me that I can be. I can want to be you. I can try to emulate everything you do. Could I succeed? Well, it might look like I was. However on the inside I would be miserable and all because I wouldn't be me! I would be a fake me. It's work and it is not easy but it is better than being fake.

We all do parenting differently, it's good to get tips from one another and to be sound boards for learning. We are all on a learning curve. None of us knows exactly what we are doing at all times. That's okay. So that being said, I have to realize that what works at my neighbor's house may not work at mine. And just because it didn't work does not mean that I failed. It means, I learned. I learned what didn't work and so I can then move on to try something else.

Something else that I find myself doing, is a kid comparison. You know what I'm talking about. You think to yourself, "Well at least my kid doesn't do that!" or, "Why does my kid not know how to do that yet?" If you are the parent of more than one child, then you will find that those comparisons include comparing your own kids! I have learned that there is just NO comparison when it comes to each child. Each child is different and grows and learns in different ways and at different paces. It's great to have a statistic that gives you an idea of when different milestones should occur. Those kinds of things are important to watch, to make sure that there are not any serious issues with your child's health that need to be addressed. However, no matter the health of the child or how many milestones they have achieved or not achieved, that child is a special individual and needs to be encouraged in the strengths that you see in them.

I have realized, that I can play a big part in creating a healthy self-image and confidence in my children. For example: If they hear me say, "Susie plays the piano so beautifully. I'm sure you would be that good if you would just practice more." Basically they hear, " You need to practice because your piano playing stinks." Instead, I need to applaud their efforts and encourage them with praise.

How do we keep from doing these things? I think we have to take it day by day and realize that we are not going to instantly stop making comparisons. I think that we have to look to The One with whom there is nothing that compares. " 'To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?' says the Holy One" Isaiah 40:25. By putting him first and trusting in Him for the things that he has given to me as promises in my life I will find it hard to make comparisons.

Winner of Jelly Bean Packets

2011-04-08T21:53:00.000-04:00

Congrats to Emilee! Random #36

Emilee said...

I love cadbury cream eggs.

Your dozen Egg-a-lopes will be coming to you soon! Thanks for responding to my email so quickly!

Thanks to everyone for entering my giveaway! I'll have another one coming up sometime next week, so stay tuned!

Also the Egg-a-lopes are available to purchase at my Etsy shop! Check them out!

Featuring You Friday - Sisters of the Wild West

2011-04-08T16:36:00.000-04:00

I didn't do a Featuring You Friday post last week because, well, I forgot. But I remembered this week, and I have a great blog to share with y'all! Sisters of the Wild West has a lot of great tutorials for crafts and some awesome furniture redos. These ladies are talented and they have an Etsy shop with a lot of fun stuff. Go check them out and enjoy!

By the way, they are giving away this cute purse! But they have a tutorial up for you to make one of your own if you don't win!

Fun Sheep Craft

2011-04-08T16:05:00.008-04:00

This is a fun craft to do with your kiddos. It does require supervising and with my two year old I had to help a lot. But they are so cute and I just love how they look on my table.

Supplies needed:
Styrofoam egg
cotton balls
Elmer's school glue
scissors
wooden skewer
white paint
googly eyes
black paper or ribbon

Start by pulling your cotton balls in half. Then put some glue on your Styrofoam egg and then press a cotton ball into the glue.

We were using about that much glue per piece of cotton.

Keep gluing and adding cotton balls until it is completely covered.

Caleb didn't want to get his hands sticky with glue so he let me hold the egg, while he carefully pressed on the cotton balls.

Now for the legs. Take a bamboo skewer and paint it white. Then cut it apart into smaller pieces. Cutting them to however short or tall you want your sheep to be.

Push the skewer pieces into the Styrofoam.

Then glue on your googly eyes and then a little triangle of black paper or ribbon for the nose.

The ears are just little balls of cotton about this big.

Glue on the ears and say, "BAAAAAA!"

Didn't they turn out cute?!

I couldn't resist making a black sheep to hang out with them!

There they are in the grass, making a sweet centerpiece for my dining table.

I had to share this picture of Simon with fuzzy, cotton fingers. He was a little concerned.

Wordless Wednesday - Nests

2011-04-05T21:32:00.000-04:00

Twine and Clothes Pin Bulletin Board, Memo Board, What Do I Call This Thing?

2011-04-05T15:32:00.018-04:00

My fridge always seems to collect "stuff". It's not junk, because they are all things that are important. School calendar, school lunch calendar, baseball game schedule, missionary prayer cards, Save the Date cards, etc...

I wanted to have some other place to put some of these things where A.) they weren't hidden away to be forgotten, and B.) they would almost seem like decoration while they were hanging out.

I spent around $11 on my supplies and here is what I came up with.

I bought a large picture frame out of the markdown bin at Michaels. Just the wooden frame, no glass. This was the most expensive piece, $8.00. It was already a color that worked for me so I didn't have to paint it. Bonus!

I bought a roll of hemp twine which is kind of expensive but I didn't use the whole roll. I've got plenty left for other projects.

I gathered my staple gun (fully loaded), hot glue gun (2 sticks of glue), a ruler and scissors.

It was a beautiful day yesterday. A little windy, but beautiful. So I set up to work outside. That way the boys could play and I could craft and keep an eye out to make sure they didn't wander away.

To begin with I had to measure the width and the length of my frame. Then I had to do my least favorite thing: Math. (Sorry Nana) Since I was going to be weaving a net of twine across my frame and I wanted it to be even, I had to figure out what would divide evenly into my two measurements (or as close as I could get them to). What I came up with was 2.5" for the height and 1.25" for the width. That meant I needed: 7 pieces of twine spaced 2.5" inches apart, to go across the height and 17 pieces 1.25" apart, to go across the width. I wrote it out on the frame back so I could remember.

I cut all my twine pieces out first.

Then, using my ruler, I measured out where each piece of twine should be attached.

I marked all sides and made sure that they matched up, going across.

Next, I put some hot glue on a mark and then pushed the end of the twine into it.

After that side had set, I stretched the twine across to the mark directly on the other side. Attaching that end with hot glue as well.

I continued to go down the row until I had all the twine rows going across horizontally.

I then started on the lines that would be my vertical rows. Turning the frame where my horizontal rows became vertical, I began the same process as before for attaching the twine. Except, I wove the strands through the others. Just a over under pattern.

Alternating with every new piece added. Like a tennis racket.

After all the twine was attached, I went back and doubly secured each one with a staple. I love my staple gun! It's so fun!

Then I decorated some clothes pins. See, I used the twine here too.

I also made some with chalkboard circles. Fun huh?

Then I hung it up and transferred some of my "stuff" over from the fridge. I'm really liking my less-cluttered fridge. I can't say de-cluttered because well, I've got lots of "stuff".

Recipe of the Week - Jelly Bean Cupcakes and Cadbury Cupcakes

2011-04-04T11:34:00.021-04:00

I tried out two different cupcakes using the same batter from the Chocolate Chip Cupcakes recipe, just minus the chocolate chips. They are both great but I'm partial to the Cadbury option because one, it's chocolate and two, it's Cadbury eggs!

Jelly Bean Cupcakes

Make your cupcake batter according to the directions at the link above.

Cut up about 1 cup of jelly beans into quarters, or smaller if you want.

Add the beans to your batter and fold them in.

Fill 3/4 way and bake as directed on linked recipe.

Cool and then frost with your choice of frosting. I chose a creamy vanilla for mine. Top with some whole jelly beans or even some chopped ones. Enjoy!

Cadbury Cupcakes

Make your cupcake batter according to the directions at the link above.

Buy the mini Cadbury eggs. They come in packs of 12. Peel off the foil.

Coat the eggs in flour.

Fill your liner about 1/4 way full and then place a floured egg in the center.

Fill the rest of the way and make sure that the egg is completely covered.

Bake as directed in linked recipe and when cooled frost with your favorite frosting. I used the same frosting as I did for the Jelly Bean Cupcakes because I made these at the same time. Generously top with sprinkles or some other fun candy.

Jelly Bean Packets to Egg-a-lopes

2011-04-03T13:32:00.000-04:00

Thanks to my good friend Becky M. I now have a cuter name for the Jelly Bean Packets...Egg-a-lopes! Thanks Becky! I love it! The giveaway for a dozen is still going on until the 8th. But if you would like to go ahead and get some now you can purchase them at my Etsy shop The Path Before Me.

$2.50 for a dozen and only $2.00 shipping!

Did you know I had an Etsy shop? You didn't? Well, I hope you will check it out and let me know what you think. If you look in the side bar on your left there is a link that will take you right there!

Winners of Orphaned NO More Bracelet Giveaway

2011-03-31T21:33:00.000-04:00

We have our winners!

1. Lesli who said...

I like spring has sprung!

2. The Knapps who said....

I like the Garden Medley

3. AMY who said...

I like the Love and Faithfulness Bracelet best.

The winners have been notified. Congratulations to them and thanks to all the rest of you fabulous friends who entered the giveaway!

I love Giveaways!

2011-03-31T09:47:00.000-04:00

I won a giveaway from My Four Monkeys and it came yesterday! Lately, I've been entering a lot of these giveaways and it is paying off. I have been on a winning streak! You can too! Check out my Giveaway Links tab and go enter some giveaways!

A $10 Target gift card, a frisbee and 5 boxes Retro General Mills cereal!

See the boxes, these are the boxes I remember from my youth. My family loves cereal and this will keep us in stock for the next couple of weeks! Thanks My Four Monkeys! Simon really enjoyed all the packing that came in the box too!

Wordless Wednesday - New Shoes

2011-03-30T07:00:00.004-04:00

Josh

Caleb

Being a Parent: It Can Be Overwhelming --Part One

2011-03-29T19:09:00.000-04:00

I've been doing some learning lately. I wanted to work my lessons and thoughts out here. I hope you understand that I don't wish to offend anyone so please don't offend me with any ugly comments. This is my own personal space to write out my thoughts and feelings. If you don't share in my beliefs and they offend you, then just don't come read my blog anymore. But I hope you will because I really want to share how awesome my lilfe is with God in it. Or rather how awesome my life is when I am in God. Anyway, just going to be thinking out loud here. I'd love for you to think out loud with me.

Do you ever get overwhelmed at the immense responsibility you have as a parent? I do. To be responsible for my child's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health is stressful. And I think you can multiply that stress by the number of kids you have. And if you don't have a support system, if you are doing the parent thing solo, then I think you can quadruple that stress amount! Bottom line. It's stressful for all of us. But what you do with that stress is what matters.

I really think some of our stress has a lot to do with our expectations. Our unrealistic expectations. There are so many voices out there, and they are all screaming for our attention. It's great to get others opinions, to get tips from those who have gone before us. However, they may not work for you. I used to go into a situation with an opinion or two in one hand and several tips in the other. If none of them worked for me, well I felt like I failed. I had tried, why didn't it work? Well, I have learned that just like everyone is different; there are different solutions to the same problem. Like many math problems, you can get to the same answer by a multitude of different ways.

Always, make sure the opinions and tips you are getting line up with God's word, the Bible. "Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart." Job 22:21-22

How about your parents (the grandparents)? What role do they play in your expectations? Do you feel that there are expectations that they have for you and your parenting skills that you just can't live up to? Are they real expectations or imaginary ones? I am the queen of imaginary conversations. I have this whole conversation between me and whoever, in my head, and then I get myself all worked up with real emotions, over a very unreal conversation. Then my real relationship is filtered through the fake reality. That's not good. I know this and I have been working on it. I've come a loooooonnngg way.

I have learned that communication is key when it comes to this. My parents are not the same people they were 31 years ago. They have changed and developed as people, just as I have. So my past experiences with them are just that. Past. I shouldn't get worked up trying to meet an expectation that has carried over from my childhood. For example, maybe your Mom stayed home with you until you went to Kindergarten. However, you work and your children go to daycare/preschool because your household needs two incomes. Should you assume that your Mom expects that you should be staying at home with your kids too? No. Just ask.

We have also been fed the ideas, "You can be whatever you want to be.", "You can do whatever you want to do." and "You can have it all." All that stuff, feeds our stress. You can not be whatever you want to be, you can not do whatever you want and you can not have it all. Now before you start getting really mad at me, please keep reading so I can explain.

You can not be whatever you want because you need to be whatever God wants. If you aren't in line with Him and what he wants you to be then there won't be the fulfillment of "being". You will strive and strive to be what you want and never reach it. Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails."

You can not do whatever you want because God wants you to do what He asks. It's selfish and self-serving and no one is truly happy when they are just thinking about themselves. Look at Jonah. He didn't want to go to Nineveh even though God asked him to. He did what he wanted and tried to run as far away from Nineveh as he could go. Did it work? No. Was Jonah happy while he was doing what he wanted? I really don't think so. I mean not unless he really always wanted to be eaten by a big fish.

You can not have it all. You can have many God given blessings. Things that God has promised his believers and followers. But if you are looking to have all that the world gives and all that God gives. You can't. Matthew 6:24 says it well, "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You can not serve both God and money."

So what can we do to help alleviate some of the stress that comes with being a parent?

We need to constantly reevaluate our expectations. Our expectations for ourselves as parents and for our family as a whole.

Are they realistic within the boundaries of Gods word? Because if they are, then those expectations should be freeing and not stressful.

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 2:22-24

Spring Snow

2011-03-28T16:56:00.000-04:00

This weather is crazy! It was so nice at the beginning of last week and now at the beginning of this week it snows all morning! I know that there are places where people are tramping through the snow and it's well below freezing. I'm not complaining, I just don't like being teased. I also hope it didn't kill off all the beautiful daffodils that have been cropping up everywhere. Oh well, I guess it just gives me a little more time to do my pedicure before I can put on my flip flops!

I've Been Featured at Tatertots and Jello

2011-03-27T12:45:00.000-04:00

I was featured in a Great Ideas--Easter post at Tatertots and Jello. Not once but TWICE! Oh my, I am so excited! She featured:

Jelly Bean Packets

Jelly Bean Sugar Cookies

Thanks Tatertots and Jello!!

Recipe of the Week - Jelly Bean Sugar Cookies

2011-03-26T21:35:00.020-04:00

Jelly Beans are yummy! As a kid, I used to love picking through the beans to pull out my favorite colors. I always liked the purple, pink and red ones. I did notice that there were no black or white jelly beans in the bags of beans I bought. Maybe there are in some of the different brands. I don't like them anyway, but have they stopped making them?

I wanted to make some fun desserts with these colorful beans and so here is one that I came up with! After I made these I looked online to see if there were more recipes for Jelly Bean cookies, and there are! I will put the links up at the bottom of the post.

For these cookies you will need:
A good sugar cookie recipe or a good sugar cookie mix (I recommend Betty Crocker's).
Jelly Beans (about 1 cup)

First I cut up some jelly beans. I tried to chop them with my food chopper but that didn't work. I found that using a knife was the best method.

Aren't they pretty? I love all the colors and it smelled so good. Jelly Bean potpourri...

Make your sugar cookie dough. I just used a sugar cookie mix from Betty Crocker. LOVE, her sugar cookies! I made the cookies according to the package directions and then dumped in some of my cut up beans. Stir and then bake as directed.

Ta-dah! Yummy Jelly Bean Sugar cookies!

You want to go make some now, don'tcha?

Here's those links I promised ya!

Lemon and Orange Jelly Bean Cookies

Extreme Oatmeal and Jelly Bean Cookies

Winner of Huggies Pull Ups Prize Pack

2011-03-25T17:22:00.000-04:00

The Huggies Pull Ups Prize Pack winner was selected via a random number generator and the number is 25!

AMY said...

networked blogs follower 2 Amy Witherstine awitherstine at gmail dot com

Congrats to Amy! I have sent her an email and she will have 48 hours to contact me.
Thanks to all who entered!

Jelly Bean Packets Tutorial and Giveaway

2011-03-25T17:15:00.028-04:00

Here is a great way to spread a little Easter candy love!

I'm calling them Jelly Bean Packets but I don't really like that name.

Got any suggestions for me?

These would be great for your kids to give to their classmates or for favors at an Easter themed party. You can win a dozen of them. Giveaway instructions are at the bottom of the post.

And now, here's a tutorial just for you!

Supplies:

tissue Paper (any color you like)

pen or pencil

an egg shape to trace

Jelly Beans

hot glue gun, fully loaded

Fold your tissue paper in half so you only have to trace and cut once for each egg. Trace your egg shape onto your tissue paper. I used a cookie cutter but I am sure that there are some patterns online.

Then cut out where you traced and you will have two eggs.

Bead a line of hot glue around the edge of one of the eggs.

Line up the other egg on top and press into the glue to seal.

Glue around the other side, making sure to leave a jelly bean-sized opening. Then put your beans in. I could only fit 5 jelly beans in each egg. Of course you will be able to fit more if your egg pattern is bigger.

There you go. Jelly Bean Packets.

Nope, still don't like the name. Somebody help me out!

How would you like to win a dozen tissue paper Easter eggs filled with Jelly Beans?

I'll give away one of my readers a dozen of these treats!

Please leave your email address with each comment/entry!

Mandatory entry(1):

Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite Easter candy is.

Extra entries (1 for each):

Follow me on Google Friend Connect (GFC) and leave me a comment telling me you did so.

Follow me on Networked Blogs and leave me a comment telling me you did so.

Enter another one of my giveaways and leave me a comment telling me you did so.

Think of a name to call these (other than Jelly Bean Packets) and leave me a comment.

Check out my T-shirt Redo post and leave me a comment.

This giveaway is open to US residents and will end on 4/8/2011 at 5pm EST.

Featuring You Friday - Diary of a Crafty Lady

2011-03-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

Looking to get inspired with some great craft tutorials? This blog is for you! Diary of a Crafty Lady has a whole lot of fabulous tutorials just waiting to be tried. Here are a few of my favorites.

Headboard to Bench

Quiet Book

Pop Can Key Chain

I've had lots of fun looking at all her stuff. I hope you will too!

THE WORD for Encouragement

2011-03-24T14:53:00.003-04:00

Do you know someone who could use a kind word, an uplifting reminder or a verbal hug? Is it you? I know I do! Every day, please. God's WORD is filled with those reminders. It's amazing how a biblical truth spoken into your life by the reading of the Bible, or by the lips of a dear friend, can give a boost to your faith. I've been encouraged a lot lately and I must say I am glad to get it. I needed it a lot. Now I want to share it. Share the love! I'm going to be sending some encouraging words to some friends and family in a fun and cheap way. Here's how:

THE WORD in a mini frame. Yes, you are right, a framed verse is not an original idea. But I just wanted to pass on a reminder that we CAN take the time to do something special to show the people we love that we care about them. The frames were $1 and I printed out the verses from my computer and did a little cutting. It's something super easy and fast but it's nice looking and fun. As I made them I said a prayer for the person who will be receiving them. The verses I choose were ones I felt especially drawn to for them. I hope that they will feel encouraged, special and loved.

Having a scripture setting out at home is a good way to keep our minds on the things of God.

(I think I should have scripture wall paper. Does anyone know where to get that?)

I put this one beside my bed in hopes that it would turn my mind toward things above at the start of my day.

How do you encourage those you love?
Would you like to share your ideas?

Link up your ideas

T-shirt Redo

2011-03-24T09:26:00.009-04:00

What shall we do with the shrunken sweater?

Early in the morning.

(sung to the tune of What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor)

That's the tune I was singing yesterday as I pondered what to do with one of my mistreated sweaters. I'm not the best at taking care of them. After some careful thought and consideration I decided to cut it up! Yep, into strips. I turned those strips into rosettes and then sewed them onto a plain white t-shirt that I had. I didn't do the best sewing job and I am pretty sure someone more skilled could have done better but I like it and I'm a gonna wear it!

I felt a bit naughty when I was cutting it up...

I have guilt issues.

But I don't feel guilty now because I can still wear my sweater.

Hopefully my cruddy sewing job will hold and I won't have fix it after each wear!

I still have some of the sweater left.

Any ideas on what I could make with it?

How about this...best answer wins a prize. Not sure what yet but it will be fun and something handmade by me.

And just for fun!

Wordless Wednesday - Pink Tree

2011-03-22T21:31:00.000-04:00

Caleb Lost His First Tooth

2011-03-21T18:29:00.001-04:00

Well Caleb lost his first tooth and then he really lost it! It was loose this morning and then this afternoon while on a walk it came out...on to the road some where. So we will be writing the Tooth Fairy a note explaining this and instead of his tooth going into the pocket of his new tooth pillow, the note will. I assured him that the Tooth Fairy would understand and would still give him a surprise. When he told Grammy about it on the phone he said that his tooth fell out because I (Mom) forgot to let him brush his teeth this morning!

What a cutie!

Tooth Fairy Pillow Tutorial

2011-03-21T15:10:00.024-04:00

Yep! That is a loose tooth! Caleb came to me this morning and showed me that the tooth is pretty much out. It's just hanging on by the gums in the front. This is Caleb's first loose tooth and he is also the first of our boys with a loose tooth. I bet it will be out by tomorrow.

Mainly because he can't quit wiggling it!

Since he is the first, I knew I wanted to make him something special to help him feel at ease about the loss of his tooth. I looked online and found so many cute tutorials for Tooth Fairy pillows. I wanted something simple and so I used the tooth pattern at mmmcrafts and just made a simple tooth pillow with a little pocket on the front.

I think it turned out super cute!

Want to make one of your own?
Here are some easy step-by-step instructions.

1. Pick out 2 different fabrics.
One for your tooth and one for your pocket.

2. Print out a pattern for your tooth. It prints on 8x11 size paper so your material just has to be big enough to fit two. For the pocket, I just used a scrap of blue jeans left over from another project.

3. Take the material for your pocket and cut it a little over 3 inches wide.

4. Cut your pocket to be 3.5 inches tall.

5. Press a small seam on the edges of your pocket.

6. Fold your material in half and then place your tooth pattern on top of the material. Pin it down, making sure to pin through both layers of fabric.

7. Cut around pattern. You should now have two teeth.

Compose

8. Position your pocket on the front side of a tooth. Pin it in place.

9. Stitch around the side, bottom and then side of the pocket.

10. Place both teeth together, right side to right side. Pin in place.

11. Sew around tooth leaving a hole at top to flip it out.

12. Turn it out and then start stuffing the tooth with cotton fill.

13. You can use your scissors to push it down into the roots.

14. Using a whipstitch, close the hole and then fluff your pillow.

15. Give it to a cute little one with a loose or lost tooth!

Here are some more tutorials for Tooth Fairy Pilows. They are all different styles and all very cute!

mmmcrafts
Sew, Mama, Sew
Crafty Carnival
Gen X Quilters
Mountain Mama

First Day of Spring 2011

2011-03-21T10:15:00.000-04:00

It doesn't really feel like Spring yet. At least not to me. Not when it's still below 60. However, it is looking like Spring. There are flowers blooming and things are starting to turn green again! Yay! Troy even mowed on Saturday! He hasn't been able to do that since the Fall. On Sunday we made an effort to welcome Spring.

We visited the ducks at the VT pond and tried to feed them.

They didn't come flocking like they usually do.

They climbed the "climbing tree".

Then we headed over to a shop called

Rita's where we got FREE Italian Ice's.

I got Mango flavor. Troy got Orange Creme.

Simon got lemonade. Josh and Caleb both got Cotton Candy.

They were really yummy but it was hard to eat since it

was so cold outside. I think we all got brain freeze!

One of their favorite things is to put money in the parking meter. I love their expressions in this picture! Clowns!

Then the boys (including Troy) all got haircuts at Sport Clips.

Simon did not do well. But it's cut!

Here are some daffodils that were growing at the pond.

They seem like a popular flower here. They sure are cheerful!

Caleb's First Soccer Game

2011-03-21T09:59:00.000-04:00

Caleb played his first soccer game on Friday evening. He did really well and so did his little team. They were all so cute! They didn't get their jerseys in time for this game but hopefully before this Friday we will have them. Their color will be turquoise and I don't think they have a name yet. There was talk of Lions and maybe The Storms? Troy is coaching and this is his first season as head coach. He assisted when Josh played last year and I am so glad that he is able to do this with the boys. He doesn't have an assistant yet but hopefully he will have some help next week. Josh helped him some. But, I'm to busy chasing Simon around to really help much. Two year old little boys don't really like watching...they would rather do. He made it a personal goal to kick over every cone and marker! Arghhhh!

Weekly Giveaway Linkys

2011-03-20T23:35:00.001-04:00

Just in case you haven't seen it already, I have made a page that shows the different places where you can go and find giveaways to enter. It's a tab right under my header. There is one that says, "Home" and then one that says, "Giveaway Linkys". I will add to the list as I find more but those are the ones I follow. And speaking of giveaways, I have two giveaways going on right now. Check out the top sidebar to your right and you will find links to both of them. Good Luck!

FYI - I just won something pretty cool. I'm not going to share what it is yet because when I get it I will be posting about it! Entering giveaways really does pay off!

Back to the Future

2011-03-18T20:32:00.003-04:00

How cool is this?!

We spotted this tonight, on the way home from Caleb's soccer game. We followed him to get a good picture, because we are dorkie like that.

If I had a De Lorean my plate would say, "Gr8 Scot"!

If you are the owner of this car and you are reading this....will you please take me for a ride?!

Featuring You Friday - Sun Scholars

2011-03-18T11:07:00.001-04:00

This is a great blog for finding great crafts and learning activities to do with your kids! So many fun ideas and she hosts a blog party on Fridays, called For the Kids Friday. Many bloggers link up their Kid friendly activities and recipes. It's a great resource. You can click on any of the pictures in this post to check it out!

She made some of these fun edible birds nests. I love the way she set one in these branches for a pretty picture. I've made these with the kids before and they are fun to do. With the first day of Spring being the 20th this would be a great snack to celebrate the day!

Simon's First Trip to the ER

2011-03-17T10:50:00.001-04:00

Simon got to take a trip to the ER last night after hitting his chin on the table, causing his teeth to go through his bottom lip. After 3 hours of waiting we finally got one little stitch in his bottom lip. I was told the cut on the inside would heal fast. It was not a fun experience, for him or for me. It was my first experience to have one of my kids need stitches. I know it probably won't be the last, but I pray it is.

The poor baby went to bed with a grape popsicle mustache and a dose of Tylenol.

This morning I noticed he has red dots on his cheeks and temples. I guess they are from his screaming. My shoulders and neck hurt from tensing up with him and holding down his arms and legs. Which was something I didn't want to do, but there were not enough nurses available to help. I hate being the bad guy. But of course he came right to me after it was over and I held him and snuggled him and we cried together.

Welcome Spring Wreath

2011-03-16T22:14:00.018-04:00

When I think of rainbows; I think of promises, Spring and friends. So making a rainbow colored wreath for my front door was the perfect way for me to get into the swing of Spring. I bought yarn of every color of the rainbow and started with the red, wrapping it around my styrofoam wreath. I tried to keep the sections of color even as I went. I don't think I did a great job at that but it still turned out looking good.

Keep it tight as you wind and push the strands together. I tied them off at each section, making sure my ties were on the back side.

I hung it up but realized it needed something more.

I made this little cloud sign using cardstock, which I sent through the printer to get the greeting. Then used Mod Podge and glitter around the edge.

Welcome Spring!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Leprechaun Puppets

2011-03-16T17:36:00.000-04:00

Huggies Pullups Prize Pack Giveaway

2011-03-15T12:11:00.004-04:00

This giveaway is now closed!

I hosted a Pull Ups Potty Dance House Party and I have a prize pack to giveaway to one of my readers! I've used Pull Up's with the older boys when they were potty training and I am fixing to be using them again with the 2 year old! Good Times!! If you need some help kicking off your potty training than this is a great prize for you to win. Here is what you will be getting:

- 1 coupon for a FREE package of Pull Ups Jumbo pack (expires 6/30/2011

-A coupon booklet with several fabulous coupons for Huggie's products

-A Potty Training Success DVD

-1 coloring page

-1 sheet of stickers

-A Potty Dance Matt

and

-A card with a code for 5 Enjoy the Ride Points

Mandatory Entry:

Follow me on Google Friend Connect. Button is in left sidebar. Then leave me a comment telling me you did so. If you are already following me than leave a comment telling me so!

**Mandatory entry must be done before the extra entries.**

Extra Entries

2 entries - Follow me on Networked Blogs. Leave me a separate comment for each entry.

1 entry - Enter my Orphaned NO More Bracelet giveaway. Leave me a comment letting me know you did so.

1 entry - Leave a comment on any one of my other posts and leave me a comment letting me know you did so.

5 entries - Blog about this giveaway and link back to my post in yours. Leave me a separate comment for each entry with the link to your post.

Giveaway ends March 25, 2011 at 5pm EST.

**I received this prize pack from House Party and Huggies and no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Contest only open to U.S. residents.

Lucky Shirts

2011-03-14T15:11:00.004-04:00

These guys are MY lucky charms! Aren't their expressions hilarious! I HAD to make them some shirts to wear for Thursday. I think they turned out pretty durn cute!

I purchased Josh and Caleb's shirts at Jo Ann's Fabrics, along with some material for the shamrock and some iron on letters.

I started off by washing everything and finding a shamrock pattern online. Here is the Shamrock Pattern I used. Then I ironed on a piece of Heat n Bond to the back of my material. Following the package directions. I then traced out my shamrock on the paper covered material. Then cut it out. I peeled off the paper and placed my shamrock on the shirt and then ironed it on according to the package directions. Then I sewed around the edges with some green thread. I then cut out the letters to spell "Lucky" from my iron on letter sheet. Then I placed them on my shirt and ironed them on according to the package directions. The directions are super easy to follow. And that's it! Took me about an hour to make 3 t-shirts.

I just used a shirt that Simon already had for his. But since his shirt was white and the letters were white, I had to put his word on his shamrock. So his just says "Luck" so that it would fit nicely. This was before he hit his head on the door knob. Understandably after that he wasn't happy and he was done taking pictures.

Painting With Colored Ice

2011-03-14T14:53:00.004-04:00

This is a fun activity to do on a warm day. Our day wasn't incredibly warm but, warm enough to melt our ice paint. We colored water with food coloring and then poured it in an ice tray. Then before the cubes set up we stuck popsicle sticks into the cubes. After they were frozen I loosened them by setting the tray's bottom in warm water. Then we took them outside to paint on paper I taped to the fence. It was fun!

Giveaway - Orphaned NO More 3,000 Bracelet Campaign (3 winners)

2011-03-12T12:17:00.003-05:00

**This giveaway is now closed**

This is a family who is in the adoption process for a little girl in China. The 3,000 bracelet campaign has recently been passed on to them and so they are at the very beginning of their journey. You can check out their blog to see all the beautiful bracelets that are handmade by the family. I fully believe in supporting those who feel called to adopt and who are looking for a way to do so financially. It's an expensive undertaking, financially and emotionally . But so worth it!

Now for the giveaway:

I've purchased 3 bracelets (bracelets #61, 62 and 63 of 3,000) and I will give away a bracelet to 3 of my fantastic followers.

Spring Has Sprung

Love and Faitfulness

Garden Medley

Mandatory Entry:

Leave me one comment telling me which of the 3 patterns you would prefer to win.

**Remember to leave your email address with each comment.**

Extra Entries:

2 entries - Follow The Path Before Me on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me a comment telling me you did so.

1 entry - Follow The Path Before Me on Networked Blogs.
Leave me a comment telling me you did so.

5 entries - Make a bracelet purchase from Orphaned NO More and forward me the email with your purchase confirmation. moehend@yahoo.com
Leave me a comment telling me you did so.

3 entries - Blog about this campaign and link it back to my giveaway and the Orphaned NO More Blog. Leave me a comment with the link to your post.

Giveaway ends on March 31st 2011 at 5:00pm EST.

**I did not receive anything for this giveaway. I purchased these bracelets in support of the Orphaned NO More campaign and I am giving them away in order to spread the news of a great family who needs your support.**

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Saturday Giveaway Linkys

2011-03-12T10:39:00.001-05:00

Here are two giveaway linkys that I peruse on Saturdays:

Mommy2twogirls

Freckleberryfinds

Don't forget to read all the rules and good luck to you!

I Do It My Self

2011-03-12T06:35:00.002-05:00

There is a 2 year old asleep in my bed right now. He's snuggled next to my hubby, all warm and toasty under the blankets. He inserted his squirmy little body in between us sometime around 4:30am. During his squirming around he left his lovie towards the end of the bed and when I retrieved it for him, he told me "I do it my self!" So he put the lovie back in it's former location and then retrieved it himself.

Simon is not my first 2 year old. I've done this before. I've watched in amazement as little 2 year old humans, who needed you to do so much for them, start doing things on their own. They want to put the lid on their sippy cups, put on their shoes, peel their banana and climb into and out of the car by themselves. Not well, at first. There are spills, mess ups, accidents. And that is okay because I realize that those are part of the process. They take pride in the doing. I carefully watch over this process and guide when I can.

Being the guide, I set the limits. Like last night when Simon came into the living room, pulled out the piano bench and climbed up. I asked, "Are you going to play the piano?"
He said,"No, I need a tissue."
He was pulling out the bench so that he could stand on it to reach the tissues on TOP of the piano! Did Mom have issues with that? Yep. I got up and handed him the tissue box, explaining that it wasn't safe for him to stand on the piano bench and that I would help him get the tissues. His response was, "I DO IT MY SELF!" So I placed them on the keyboard part of the piano and told him he could get them from there. That wasn't good enough so there was a mini tantrum.

So this morning when Simon said, "I do it myself," I was a little irritated. But what I heard was, "You do that too!" I know who it was that was talking to me. It was the Holy Spirit and he was calling me out! What he was telling me is that I've not been asking for help lately. I've been trying to do everything myself. I've been trying to do it all in my power and I am failing. Big fail. Big mess.

God is good. He is kind and faithful and loving. He will let me learn from my mistakes--IF I will let me learn from them. However, there are some mistakes He really wants to protect me from. Just like my two year old and the piano bench. Simon could have stood on the bench and reached the tissues just fine. But just as easily, he could have lost his footing and fallen, hitting his head on the piano or floor. I didn't want him to learn that way. There are some things that he can learn without actually making the mistake himself. I can too.

It says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I don't have to carry the burden of my failures, my sins, on my own. He wants me to find rest in Him. To learn from Him. If I am yoked with Him then I have to work with Him. Not against Him. If I am failing, feeling heavily burdened, then I have taken off the yoke. I can't wear the yoke and drag Him along. That doesn't work. I can't go a different direction then Him while wearing the yoke. That doesn't work either. I'm either yoked or I'm not.

Can I learn while wearing the yoke? Sure. He says I will. Will being yoked keep me from making huge mistakes that I will regret? I think so. I think He can teach me without me making those mistakes. Just like my two year old, I don't have to fall off the piano bench and injure myself in order to learn a lesson. Might there be a tantrum if my pride rears it's ugly head and I feel like I know where I should go and what I should do, but he's leading me in a different way? I'm sure there will be. I'm only human.

Who knew that God would choose Simon to talk to me and to teach me a lesson at 4:30 in the morning?! Not I. But I am so glad He did!

Featuring You Friday- Meet the Dubiens

2011-03-11T21:17:00.001-05:00

Meet the Dubiens is a new blog that I just came across and decided to share with you all. She is sharing so many fun things like her St Patrick's Day lunch pictured above. Click on the picture and it will take you right to her blog. She has a new fun lunch every Friday! Awesome! She has some great kids craft ideas. I love all things with handprints or footprints and she has several cute craft ideas using them.

Every Friday I will feature a new and fantastic blog that I have come across. I hope you will have fun exploring new blogs with me!

St Patty's Day Recipe - Over The Rainbow Pudding Dessert

2011-03-10T12:18:00.011-05:00

I've been seeing lots of pretty Rainbow pudding cups out there in blogland. Jello ones too. I am amazed by all the talented folks who are sharing there creations. I thought this dessert up and hoped it would be tasty and different. Guess what? It is! I'll share the recipe with you and if you make it and blog about it then please link it back to me. Also, I would love to have you leave a comment with the link to your post so that I can check it out!

Over the Rainbow Pudding Dessert

Ingredients:
- 2 large boxes of Vanilla Pudding or White Chocolate pudding mixes
- 6 cups of milk
- food coloring
- 1/2 package of graham crackers, crushed
-1/4 cups chopped pecans
-6 T of melted butter
- whipped topping
- chocolate gold coins

Make your pudding according to the package directions. Then divide evenly into 6 bowls. Add a different color of the rainbow to each bowl. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. I used Vanilla pudding and it was a yellowish color to begin with so it made my blue a little "blue-green". I think the White Chocolate pudding would make for a truer color spectrum. Just so you know. Put your bowls in the fridge and let the pudding set.

While the pudding is in the fridge start making your crust.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. There are 2 packages

of graham crackers in a box. Crush 1/2 of a package

of graham crackers and place in a bowl.

Add 1/4 cup of chopped pecans.

Melt 6 T of butter and then add to

your graham crackers and pecans.

Stir it all together.

Press your graham cracker mix into the bottom

of an 8x8 baking dish. Put into 350 degree oven for

8 to 10 minutes or until browned on top.

Once browned, let the crust cool completely.

After crust is cooled, begin layering your pudding.

I started with purple and worked that way but you

could start with red if you wished.

Work to spread evenly, with a light hand.

Now that you have it all layered. Cover it with foil

or plastic wrap and place it in the fridge over night.

Don't forget to have your

Pirate Helper clean out the pudding bowls.

When you are ready to have your dessert, pull it out of the fridge and let it set for a couple of hours to make cutting it easier. Just before cutting, cover the top with clouds of whipped topping.

Once you have your piece cut and on your plate

you can place your gold coin in your whipped topping "clouds".

Enjoy your dessert and look out for little thieves

who might want to steal all your gold coins!

Thursday Giveaway Links

2011-03-10T11:20:00.000-05:00

Several bloggers host links where you can link up a giveaway for all to see. Don't have a giveaway to link up? Do you just want to earn some fun stuff? Then just head on over to these hosts and then choose the giveaway you want to enter. Just make sure you read the rules for each individual giveaway! Everyone requires something different. There is almost always a mandatory entry which you have to do first and then you can do the bonus entries. And ALWAYS leave your email address with each entry!

This past month I have won:
A Chugginton DVD
A pack of homemade cupcakes from an Etsy shop
A coupon for a free package of Hefty paper plates
A handmade Valentines card (which I gave to the Hubby) and gift tags

Here is your links to get started on your journey to free stuff.

Give-It-Away Thursday at Piece of ME

**I did not receive anything from these bloggers for posting this. I just wanted to share with my fabulous readers!**

Pipe Cleaner Carrot Pen Tutorial

2011-03-09T15:57:00.030-05:00

Carrot pens! I am so happy with the way these turned out. You could make them for yourself or for gifts and it takes all of 5 minutes to do. I haven't looked to see if there are any other tutorials out there for this but I thought about making them with yarn and then decided to try the pipe cleaners instead. I may try the yarn later. If I do, I will let you know how it goes!

Supplies for one carrot pen:
-a simple ball point pen with no lid on or clicker
-8 orange pipe cleaners
-1 green pipe cleaner
-scissors

Start by taking your pen and wrapping your orange pipe

cleaner around and around your pen.

Wrap tightly and closely. This is about 3 pipe cleaners.

When you get to the end of your pen work your way

back up making sure that your start each new

pipe cleaner over the end of the last.

You should have 2 layers of pipe cleaners on your pen.

Take your green pipe cleaner and fold it in half

and then fold it in half again. This will be your carrot greenery.

Uncurl a little of the orange pipe cleaner

and twist it around the bend in your greenery.

Then push it down on the end and twist a little

more to make it stable. If you want to use hot glue

to permanently hold it place you can.

That's it! You are done! Have fun writing with your carrot pen!

**I'm not left handed...it was just easier to take the picture with my right hand!**

Wordless Wednesday - Caleb Face

2011-03-09T08:32:00.000-05:00

Recipe of the Week - Baked Tilapia with Mango Salsa

2011-03-07T20:49:00.006-05:00

This is a healthy and tasty recipe that the hubby and I recently tried. I think you could tweak the salsa recipe to match your tastes. I did just a little bit. Troy thought it had a little too much onion, so next time I will put even less and maybe try a pinch of salt and sugar in there too.

Ingredients:
2 mangos, chopped
1 small red pepper, chopped
1/4 of red onion, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
2 limes squeezed
1 1/2 pounds of tilapia fillets
butter
salt and pepper, to taste

I left the onion out of this picture...but it's too pretty not to share it anyways.

Mix all the chopped ingredients together in a bowl.

I only used maybe 1/8 a cup of chopped cilantro.

Squeeze your limes into the bowl.

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking dish with foil.

Spray with cooking spray. Place fish in the dish and sprinkle

with salt and pepper. Then dot with butter.

Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Until fish flakes easily.

Before serving, top your fish with some

mango salsa or put it on the side if you prefer.

Bubbles

2011-03-07T11:42:00.003-05:00

I bought the boys some new bubbles. The Crayola color bubbles. They looked like so much fun...and they are. Just messy fun! The color did come out of everything, shoes, skin, clothes and porch.

Caleb has the green bubbles. The bubble mixture is thick
and it splatters when you pull the wand out and it gets
everywhere. See the green splatters in front of him.

See the green bubbles.

Josh is blowing the orange bubbles. You probably can't
see this, unless you click on this picture to make it big,

but this shot captured the orange dripping from the stick.

Caleb was proud of the bubble he caught.

Josh was making big bubbles.

Yes. Josh is trying to eat the bubble. Silly boy!

E-Mealz Helps With Dinner

2011-03-04T11:44:00.000-05:00

I joined e-mealz in in January and I have really enjoyed the ease of having some new and yummy recipes every week. They give you a new meal plan for every week. A meal with the sides and the instructions for how to make it. They also give you a shopping list for that week!

I don't make every meal because sometimes we just make a frozen pizza or I want to make a different recipe. But it is so nice to be able to have some new easy things to try. Last night we had Orange chicken and it was super easy. Chicken Breasts, 1 cup of orange marmalade, 1 T of Soy Sauce and 1 T of Liquid Smoke. Baked for 30 minutes!

I read a post on their blog today and thought I would share it with you other busy Mom's!
Baseball and the Disapperance of Dinner: Just Say NO to the Fast Food Dugout!

I have a boy starting baseball in April and I am not sure what days or times his games will be yet. I have heard from other mom's of baseball players that it can make a week night hectic. This article was really helpful in preparing my mind for what I can do to be proactive in my family's dinnertime. It's one of my favorite times of the day. I love listening to them talk and share the stories of their day.

If you think this is something you would like to try you can click on the E-Mealz button located on the left side of my blog and check it out! Also, if you do sign up please go through this button to do so. I get a referral credit!

Paid to Post?

2011-03-04T09:32:00.001-05:00

I've recently joined a couple of sites that will connect you to advertisers who will pay you to write a blog post and basically advertise for them. They are supposed to be products or services that will compliment the content of your blog. So far I have had leads from a couple of advertisers and the ones that have accepted me are not really things that I am interested in writing about. Simply because I don't really have any real practical knowledge on the topics.

So what do y'all think about this concept? Lot's of blogs do this, I just don't want to turn my blog into something that is not mine.

Should I start a different blog for this kind of thing? Have a personal blog and a "professional" blog?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

E A T Sign Tutorial

2011-03-03T10:25:00.008-05:00

I've seen lot's of variations on this sign and so I thought I would come up with my own. I have some records that I've been wanting to craft with and I thought they would be excellent for this project. I included a tutorial on how I made mine, just in case you wanted to make one of your own.

1. I purchased these wooden letters from JoAnn Fabrics. I used acrylic paint in the color Espresso. I brushed on 2 coats.

2. While the letters are drying gather your records. One for each letter and wipe them down with a damp cloth. Mine were a little dusty.

3. Gather your other supplies: 3-12x12 pieces of decorative scrapbook paper, an Exacto knife, Mod Podge, a paint brush, newspaper to lay it all out on, and a mat that you can safely cut on.

4. Take your record and brush a coat of Mod Podge onto one side. Then paint a coat onto the backside of the decorative paper. Place your record (glue side to glue side) onto the middle of the paper.

5. Turn the record over and using your hand smooth out the paper from the center out to the edges.

6. Let the paper dry a little bit so it will be easier to cut.

7. Using your exacto knife cut around the record leaving about an inch of paper all around.

8. Using your exacto knife make slits in your paper from the outside of your record to the end of your paper. Make these all the way around.

9. As you can see, by cutting the slits you have made little tabs. Brush on some Mod Podge at the edge of the record and then one by one fold the tabs down onto the record.

10. After you have glued down all the tabs let it dry for a bit.

11. Lay out your paper covered records and place your letters on them to figure out placement.

12. Once you know where you want them use a glue to put the letters on. I used Elmer's but you could probably use Mod Podge and it would work just as well. I think hot glue would be too bulky.

13. I used big paper clips for my hanging hardware. I just bent the big loop out from the small loop a tad. I marked on the record where they should be glued.

14. I used hot glue to stick the paper clip to the back of the record. I just pushed the small loop into the glue and then let it dry.

15. When everything is completely set and dry then you can hang them on the wall!

Recipe of the Week - Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

2011-02-28T19:34:00.006-05:00

This recipe comes to you courtesy of my newest cookbook, Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. This is an awesome recipe and I think you and your family will enjoy the lightness of this cupcake and of course everything is better with chocolate chips! You can frost these but I chose not too and I don't regret it. Martha pairs them with a dark chocolate frosting. But I have to say, they taste wonderful with out frosting. Like a fluffy chocolate chip cookie.

Ingredients:

3 1/4 cups plus 1 T sifted cake flour (not self-rising)
4 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 T pure vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 T milk
1/2 cup plus 6 T (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 3/4 cups sugar
5 large egg whites, room temperature
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together 3 1/4 cups cake flour, the baking powder, and salt. It does say to sift your cake flour, but I did not. I guess it's up to you. I will try it next time to see if I like it better.

Stir the vanilla into the milk to combine.

With an electric mixer on med-high speed,

cream butter until smooth. Adding the sugar

in a steady stream, beat until pale and fluffy.

Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches,

alternating with two additions of milk mixture,

and beating until just combined after each.

In another bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed,

whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form (do not overmix).

Fold one-third of the egg whites into the batter to lighten.

Gently fold in remaining whites until just combined.

Toss chocolate chips with remaining tablespoon of cake flour.

This keeps your chocolate chips from sinking to the bottom.

Gently fold the chips into the batter.

Divide batter evenly among lined cups,

filling each three-quarters full.

It filled 2 regular sized muffin tins and...

a 24 count mini muffin tin too!

Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester

inserted in centers comes out clean and the tops are

springy to the touch, about 22 minutes. Transfer tins

to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes.

Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature,

or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

Fabric Giveaway at Happiest When Crafting

2011-02-24T13:08:00.000-05:00

There is a giveaway for some cute fabric going on at Happiest When Crafting!

I love fabric and I would love some FREE fabric!

Head on over and enter. It's her first giveaway so show her some love!

Bouncing Bears

2011-02-24T11:31:00.001-05:00

On Wednesdays, Caleb and Simon are taking a class at the rec. center called Bouncing Bears. It is an hour of kids running around playing in a bouncy house, blow up slide and with all kinds of balls. At the end there is some parachute time with bubbles and dancing. The boys are loving it and it wears them out for the rest of the day! Their little faces are all red and sweaty by the end of the hour but they ask to go back every day.

Squirrel Underpants

2011-02-22T09:18:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my good friend, Amanda, I got a good laugh when I got the mail on Friday. I thought I would share it with you all. You aren't imagining things...those are indeed squirrel-sized underpants!

Here is the back view!

Here is a close up so you can actually read what it says.

I love that, "naturally occurring indecent exposures"! Thanks for the chuckle Amanda!

If you want to get your squirrels some underpants you can go to squirrelunderpants.com and order some!

Recipe of the Week - Mall Pretzels

2011-02-21T11:17:00.003-05:00

This was the first time for us to make our own pretzels and I found this recipe on allrecipes.comand it was really easy to follow. They turned out very tasty too. Turns out none of us knew how to twist a pretzel so Troy had to look up a tutorial on how to do that.

You can go HEREto learn how to twist a pretzel properly. It's amazing how you can be taught how to do almost anything from the internet!

Ingredients

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/8 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup bread flour

2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

2 tablespoons baking soda

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast,

brown sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water.

Stir in flour.

Knead dough on a floured surface

until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

Place in a greased bowl, and turn to coat the surface.

I just used Pam to spray the bowl.

Cover, and let rise for one hour.

Combine 2 cups warm water and

baking soda in an 8 inch square pan.

After dough has risen...

cut into 12 pieces.

Roll each piece into a 3 foot rope, pencil thin or thinner.

Twist into a pretzel shape. This was me messing around

with the dough before we looked up the tutorial.

Dip into the baking soda solution.

Place on parchment covered cookie sheets,

and let rise 15 to 20 minutes.

Bake at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) for

8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with coarse salt,

garlic salt or cinnamon sugar. We used cinnamon sugar this time.

Josh

Caleb

Simon

Sick Leave

2011-02-16T10:48:00.000-05:00

I've been sick. Lucky for me I have an awesome husband who has been able to help when he is home from work. I have been functioning in "survival" mode and now my pile of projects has grown and the house is less than clean. I hate being sick for the very reason that it stresses me out to see everything all backed up. So I'll be playing catch up for the next week and that may mean that you won't hear from me for a little while. Of course, several of my projects are sewing projects, so you may see those on here.

Clean laundry...waiting to be folded.

Dirty laundry...waiting to be cleaned.

Projects waiting for the kid's nap/bed times.

The saddest thing is that I think my baby may be getting my cold. Poor Simon.

Bus Rider

2011-02-09T19:01:00.000-05:00

Josh has been begging me to ride the bus to and from school for quite sometime. Since he's only in Kindergarten and Troy and I are usually available to take him and pick him, I didn't think it was necessary. However, he has worn me down and I have to admit it's kind of nice not to have to get the other two kids loaded up to drop off or pick up. He is on the same bus as 3 other kids in his class and it is all elementary age kids. It's amazing to see how much he's grown up and I am so proud of him. Sometimes I just wish that he wasn't so independent.