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A Crocheting, Knitting, Sewing, Scrapbooking, Crafty, Digi Scrap, Deals,Organizational, Recipe, Crazy Thoughts, Insight into my Chaos, Mommy Blog

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Family Home Evening-Intro

So I've decided to attempt to add sharing our Family Home Evening Lessons for all, to hopefully help inspire ideas for your own F.H.E. nights.

I love having Family Home Evening! In our family it is a nice way to dedicate at least one day a week as "Family Day." We figure while this isn't a big deal now since everyday is practically family day, it's a good habit for our family to have for when the kids get older and they actually want to leave...oh oh wait! Monday is Family Night! (See how that works?)

So this post is our intro post into F.H.E. (family home evening) Burt Family Style!

First, we like to mix things up sometimes we have a lesson, sometimes we just go out and do something together as a family, sometimes we just work on craft projects together. Do what works best for your family as long as you do it TOGETHER. For us this works, our kids are all little (6, 4, 3, and 9 months) and have little attention spans so hammering home a lesson every week gets a little tired for them and for us.

Second, for us it has worked well when we do have a lesson to tailor it to the needs of our family that particular week. For example, if we've had a hard week of naughtiness in our house we might have a lesson on obeying, honoring your mother and father, or maybe on doing your part to make a happy home.
Another example, my brother in law just recently left for his mission, for our kids this is a new concept and something they didn't quite understand. So for F.H.E. we had a lesson on Missionaries, what they are, what they do, and we had the kids write a letter to him at the MTC.
We often will do craft projects that coincide with Holiday's or Birthday's that might be coming up, or we'll take the kids to do something fun that maybe they've been asking to do.
And of course when in doubt pick a gospel lesson! We do throw in a gospel principles lesson I would say 2/4 F.H.E.'s at our house.

Third, the key to lessons is to keep them short and simple, keep them age appropriate, keep your kids involved, throw in an activity and always, ALWAYS end F.H.E. with a TREAT!!

Fourth, get organized and get the whole family involved. The reasoning for this is twofold, one if you get everyone involved not only are they more excited for F.H.E. it also holds more meaning for them because they were involved. Second, it takes all the pressure off of you. Don't let F.H.E. be a one woman show, and don't take on all the burden. For me I've come to learn that when the burden of F.H.E., falls solely on me it becomes more of a chore...and more of a chore that I end up not looking forward to. Having everyone hold a certain responsibility is a game changer. The best way I've found to do this is to get some kind of F.H.E. board. There are printable versions such as the one here, and there are also wooden boards you can find such as the ones here or chalk board ones like this. Or make your own. However you do it, DO IT!

Finally, here are a list of great resources that I frequently quite regularly to help me find inspiration for my lessons:

1. A Year of F.H.E. (they are on my list of favorite blogs, she is awesome, lessons are free, and if you want you can follow her lesson plan for the entire year!)

2. LDS.org

3. Scriptures 4 Kids

Maybe in my next post I'll show you my giant Family Home Evening Binder...it's a whopper!

Good luck with your own F.H.E. adventures and please feel free to share any great resources or tips/tricks that you use to make your Family Home Evenings go off without a hitch!

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It's Going Sew-So-Books!!!

Yay I love getting packages!

(oh what oh what could it be???)

So as you all know I'm on a quest to teach myself how to sew for once and for all in an effort to be self sufficient and stop hounding the people around me to sew up my projects. I vowed to teach myself how to sew because I have a hard time learning from others, click here to hear the gory details on that if you dare.

As part of my quest I decided I better get some kind of teaching/learning materials and not go at this blind...that would not turn out well.
(Surprise!)

So I ordered me up some books to help lead my way on this sewing adventure!


Here's what I got:

One Yard Wonders

Sew Serendipity

and
Link
Simply Sublime Gifts

I can't wait to look through them and pick my first projects!

Stay Tuned!


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Two-fer Tuesday-Two Confessions

It's that time again...Time for Two-fer Tuesday!
(Woot Woot!)

Today I decided since it's been a while that I'd share two confessions...(Da Da Da)

These are 100% true confessions, but they are nothing too profound or deep...they're mostly just so you can get to know me a little better...

1. I am not a movie lover...far from it...I actually kind of really don't like movies... in general.
I know this is really weird...people always look at me funny when I tell them..."Movies? Who doesn't love a good movie?"
Me.

Don't get me wrong, I love myself a good comedy or chick flick but what gal doesn't?
Besides those two genres (and even within those I'm picky), count me out.

I'm not really sure why this is? I just don't get it? It's not real. It probably wouldn't happen in real life, what's the point? On top of that if I've seen a movie once I rarely, if ever want to see it again. I have a great memory and I already know what's going to happen. Why see it again? The ending isn't going to be different...right? That doesn't happen does it?

I guess maybe I'd rather live in reality then in fantasy?

...and I'm just spitballing ideas here, it may also just be that I'm completely nutz!
(I'm leaning toward the latter.)

Okay on the subject of "reality", that brings me to my second confession:

2. I LOVE Reality T.V.
(did you see that one coming?)

I'm addicted to reality T.V. it's a sickness...I can't get enough! I can't help it they suck me in.

I know you can make the claim that reality T.V. isn't in fact REAL, but I don't care...I can't stop watching!

I've got a looong list of the shows I watch from the guilty pleasure kind that you hide from your friends, to the super cool ones that I don't feel bad if someone were to see it recorded on my D.V.R.

So you get a good read on how deep this addiction goes here's a list of the "Reality" shows I'm in to, and these are just the ones I can remember I'm sure there are more that I've forgotten.

Guilty Pleasures:

Real Housewives
(ALL OF THEM, Orange County, Atlanta, Jersey, Beverly Hills, New York, Miami...)

Jerseylicious

Klohe and Lamar

Keeping up with the Kardashians

Courtney and Kim/Klhoe take...(where ever they may be that season)

Big Brother

Giuliana & Bill
(I'm bummed though because it doesn't look like it's coming back)


Less of a Guilty Pleasure more Awesome:
Top Chef
Biggest Loser

Next Food Network Star

Next American Restaurant
Amazing Race

The Voice

America's Got Talent

Extreme Make-over Weight Loss Edition (new one!)

The Little Couple

Cake Boss

Cupcake Wars

Say Yes to the Dress
(all the editions)

I know there are soooo many more that I'm spacing on right now but hey that gives you a little preview anyways...Don't judge me...it's awesome and you know you're watching too!

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

Winner Winner What's For Dinner


Our Menu For The Week:

Monday: Three Cheese Tortellini in sweet basil marinara, Cheesy garlic bread swirls

Tuesday: BBQ Shredded Pork Sandwiches & Homemade French Fries

Wednesday: Creamy Chicken Taquitos, Melted Beans & Spanish Rice

Thursday: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Friday: Out to Eat...My Baby Boy its turning 6 (I can't believe it!) and has requested "Hawaii Noodles" (Rumbi) for his birthday feast! What can I say, the boy loves noodles!

Saturday: Easy Potato and Bacon Breakfast Casserole-gone/eat out/reserve lunch and dinner

Sunday: BBQ Chicken, Garlic- Herb Scalloped Potatoes, Garlic-Herb-Butter Grilled Sweet Corn

Weekly Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake

Ok, if you're still with me and you haven't passed out from the shear shock of seeing meals actually planed to be cooked on the weekend, (yea, the weekend...madness I say!) let me explain myself...

The hubster got together and talked and we decided to tweak our weekly menu threefold:

1. We will plan a grand breakfast feast for Saturday mornings

2. We will plan a Sunday dinner on the nights that we are not visiting family

3. We will plan a weekly dessert (on top of the F.H.E. treat we plan every week which I will also start sharing in our F.H.E. posts that I am also going to start soon) Whew I've got a lot to do!

I hope you like our changes...it does include more recipes so that's always good, hope you find some inspiration for your weekly menu and as always

Happy Cooking!


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Thursday, May 26, 2011

New To The Shop!


I'm introducing a new feature post that I hope to run every Friday showcasing the new items in the shop! I try to add 3-4 products every week or so, so I'm thinking it would be fun to just highlight the newbies every now and then!

I try to add new products to my Facebook page, as soon as I get them done, so if you are one of my faithful Facebook followers you get to preview these items first (YAY!!) If you're not a faithful follower but you wanna be since it's got AWESOME perks click here and their may just be a special discount code when you visit the store tab and become a fan!

No worries if you are already a follower, you can visit the store tab and get your discount code too! (let's hear another YAY!!!) Hurry though because this code will only be available for a limited time!!

Now-- on to what's new in the SHOP!
So???
What do you think?

We've got pettiskirts, tutus, floppy summer hats, headbands, two new newsboy versions, adorable new sandals, and a super cute owl purse...Oh MY!
(are you winded? I'm winded just thinking about it)

If you want a closer look at any of these little lovlies, please take a cyber stroll down to my shop at check them out!!

Oh and also I wold love to hear what item is your favorite, and what you might want to see more of?
(Pretty Pretty Please)

Have a fantastic weekend!!


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Monday, May 23, 2011

Two-fer Tuesday-Two Random Thoughts

Two-fer Tuesday!

So today I have two random thoughts for you that have been rattling around my brain the last few days.

1. Why can I ask the hubs to take care of an errand for me over and over again to the point where I have to "lose my cool" (trust me it's not a pretty picture) for it to get done?
Yet I make one call to him to let him know our TV, a.k.a. his one true love (it's okay I made my piece with it a long time ago) is on the fritz and in 5 minutes (probably less actually) he's all of a sudden Johnny on the Spot and handling his business??

(It's more of a rhetorical question...sadly I know the answer to this one.)

2. For the first time the other day I heard someone (Marti Skold...Good Things Utah for you home-towners) refer to "Target" (yes, the glorious store) as the "Bullseye Boutique" (rolls right off the tongue doesn't it?)

WHY, I ask is this not catching on as fast as I would like it too?
...and for that matter what the heck ever happened to Bullseye the puppy?

Anyone out there have anything equally random floating around in their head or am I the only one slightly off kilter?

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Winner Winner What's For Dinner


Here is our Menu for this week. Enjoy!
Link
Monday: Sausage Stuffed Shells, Twisty Garlic Breadsticks

Tuesday: Herbed apricot pork loin roast, Mashed potatoes, Green beans

Wednesday: Chicken Flautas, Spanish Rice, Melted Beans

Thursday: Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Chili, Cornbread

Friday: Meatball Subs, French Fries

Sat/Sunday: Gone/Leftovers/Reserve/Eat Out

Hope you find something yummy for your dinner table!

Happy cooking!



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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Two-fer Tuesday-Two Favorite Deal Sites

Loving me some Two-fer Tuesday!

Almost as much as I love DEALS!
(see I love Deals!)
Today I decided to share with you guys two of my favorite deal sites, because as we know I'm a tad obsessed with Deal Sites...I can't get enough...who can though? They ROCK!

So I saw a report the other day on these deal sites, click here to see it.

If you're lazy like me, or in a hurry here's the low down on it:

Basically use common sense. If it's not something you need or in my case REALLY REALLY (yes you have to use "Really" twice) want, or something you think you could find cheaper else where- DON'T BUY IT!
Because nothing is worse than throwing money out the window...right??

So the first deal site I wanted to share is one of my all absolute FAVES! Almost daily I want to partake of their wonderful goodies, but I'll have you know that I do have some self control and I actually don't buy as often as I would like to...which is literally almost everyday!

I'm addicted to groopdealz and I'm working to hopefully be featured there soon! It's part of my world domination plan...(insert evil laugh for effect)

In all seriousness if you haven't already, check them out!! You too will become one of the many groopdealz addicts just like me!

Just to give you a taste, here are some of their latest deals that have been featured:
How flipping cute are these?
Ok...Have them...Love them!
Oh yea that's right...shameless plug or featured good deal? Ha! Both!!
Adorable!
This one I'm kicking myself for not buying...how to die for is this necklace?
So groopdealz right?

AWESOME...check it out!!

This second deal site I wanted to mention...for two reasons...
1. It's called Two-fer Tuesday so there has to be a Two to my One
and
2. It's simply TOO MUCH FUN!

Beyond the Rack...
Have you heard of it?
I only came across this site recently. I can't really remember how I came across it, but the awesome part is that I did and that it's super fun!
Beyond the Rack is great because they feature top brand names (you know those ones you read about celebs wearing, buying, using that you only dream about...well me anyways) and they feature them at steal prices...most of the time.
I have come across some products which at 50% off are still only a dream, but they do offer tons of great affordable (for normal people), deals on great name brand products. Like these for example:

Loving this Joan Vass striped tee for under$20
Or check out this Valentino tie for under $50
Come on who couldn't use these Dav boots (under $20) in their next rainstorm? Seriously are those not too cute?

Both these sites I absolutely love and frequently stalk on a daily basis!

Are you with me?

Check them out for yourself but beware that you may walk away with a lighter wallet, a happy heart and something new and pretty headed to your mailbox!

Happy Deal Hunting!


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Winner Winner What's For Dinner


I swear that someday I will get this all figured out and pull myself together...I vow to from this week on get this post to you bright and early Monday mornings...after today of course.

Here is our Menu for this week:

Monday: Chicken Alfredo, Broccoli

Tuesday: 3 Cheese Baked Ravioli

Wednesday: Tacos, Refried Beans and cheese

Thursday: Creamy Tortellini Soup, Twisty Buttery Garlic Breadsticks

Friday: Pizza

Sat/Sun: Leftovers/Eat out/Family Visits

Enjoy!

Happy Cooking!
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Monday, May 9, 2011

Two-fer Tuesday

Yay for Two-fer Tuesday...on Tuesday!
(Hey it counts I got it in under the wire!)

Today's Two-fer is Two Random thoughts from my crazy little head:

1. Have I officially crossed into crazy land now that I not only have a week to do list, but also a daily to do list, and that I have actually started grading them before I go to bed??
(Less then a 50% check off rate =eso no es bueno)

2. When are you too old to stick your gum on the side of your coke can when you eat because you're saving it for later or because you're working on a chewing record?
(ok I really want the answer to this one)

(images courtesy of google images)

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Winner Winner What's For Dinner


Better late then never here's our dinner menu for this week, it's a family favorites week...enjoy!

Monday: Creamy Pork Chops, Carrots, Supreme Buttery Biscuits

Tuesday: Melt in Your Mouth Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Baked Broccoli (it'll change your life)

Wednesday: Tasty Lemon Chicken, Au Gratin Potatoes

Thursday: Gone

Friday: Pizza

Sat/Sunday: Gone/Reserve/Eat Out


Happy Cooking!

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M.I.A.


Did you Miss ME??

Well I think it's safe to say that I have been M.I.A. this last week!!

What's up with that, am I right??

First off, let me say that I am sorry for being Missing in Action with not even a word...so not cool and let me assure you that I am feeling like a total bum!

There really is a reason, that I was gone last week, and it's a decent reason (at least I think so), I was busy busy creating this

My LilliBean has a new home!!

I know it's not as adorable as our old site, but for a few different reasons moving our store home to this site was a much better option for us...at least right n0w...

It does offer a few fun new features. For one the gallery has been replaced, and we can now show different product views right when you click on the product (that's fun right??)

I also think the checkout process runs a lot smoother on this site then it did on the last site.

OH and do you recognize this banner?
I especially liked this aspect!

The new site is done, everything has been moved, everything has been updated, products are a million times easier to add to the new site so I'm able to get those items up super fast (that's a HUGE improvement!) and...

I'M BACK AND READY FOR ACTION!

I've got some fun stuff in store for this week, so stay tuned and again my apologies for last week!! You guys are the best, and if you haven't already

GO CHECKOUT MY LILLIBEAN'S NEW HOME!

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Monday, May 2, 2011

Winner Winner What's for Dinner


Here's our menu for the week:

Monday: Southwestern Beef Wraps, Melted Beans, Mexican Rice

Tuesday: Crock pot BBQ Sandwiches, chips, deviled eggs

Wednesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Thursday: Italian Crock pot Chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans

Friday: Make your own Flatbread Pizza Pie!

Bonus Recipe: Tomato-Basil Cream Sauce
use with spaghetti and pizza!

Hope you find some inspiration for your own dinners this week!
Happy Cooking!

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