I was helping to host a baby shower for a dear friend and I have to tell ya that I found a recipe on Pinterest for Raspberry Lemonade cupcakes (they looked delicious)...and it got me thinking WOW the recipe was...well not difficult...but way more effort than I wanted to give! SO I bought a box of lemon cake mix...mixed it as the directions called and baked them in cupcake liners! I let them cool over night with a towel covering them and the next morning...



I took a container of cream cheese frosting (you can make your own cream cheese frosting too, in fact I have a super easy delicious one I use on my cinnamon rolls you can find HERE!) and then dumped in about 3 spoon fulls of blackberries (I used the frozen kind that I thawed out to be able to use the juice as the food coloring!)


Turn your mixer on low speed. When you see the mixture clumping into the whisk be sure to use a spatula and scrape out so that it mixes evenly.



Then turn your mixer on high for a few seconds to mix well!




The Blackberry Lemonade cupcakes turned out DIVINE! You could even use a wee bit of lemon zest in your batter to make more "homemade" if you want and top your frosting off with a fresh berry!



I was excited to have a chance to use my cake stand that I showed y'all how to make before! (tutorial is found HERE!)



My girl Erica loves food just about as much as I do! Whenever she sees me she asks what I am making and what I am cooking! So I made my Farmhouse Chicken Salad Sandwiches for her using one of my fave display boxes and wrapped them individually in wax paper for guests to easily take! (Recipe is HERE!) I used country potato bread instead of my go to cheesy crusty bread as it was easier for everyone to eat!




Lots of fun and memories to be shared! It was an honor to shower her with love! I just adore Erica! She is the truly the hands and feet of Jesus and such an amazing person to be around! We actually met while pregnant with Mush (my #3 Ava Faith) and her 2nd child William and we bonded even more the day we walked into Hearts at Home at church and there she was standing hair frazzled, unslept, pj's peeking from her cardigan and she looked at me the same way...without a bra on and she laughed and said "I just realized I came in my slippers! I totally forgot to put on shoes!" She is a crack up and a sweet heart to boot!



Have a blessed day!

Ever have one of those days where your life flashes back to high school? I will be honest...I rolled with the "popular" crowd my first few years of high school. Dated a football player and was captain of the cheer squad. Felt like I was on top of the world. But then my world came tumbling down when my parents decided it was time for me to attend the school in the town we lived. The school was tiny. We didn't even have a street light! I remember going to the lake with my friends JUST the Summer before and we all snickered and laughed about THANK GOD we don't go to THAT school. Well. Eat my words, that very next school year. I was placed in the school. An outcast. A nobody. Status from my other school didn't matter here. They had all been together since the came out of the womb. My first year was tough. I fought back tears on a daily basis. I was the new girl with big ears. The tiny one. I was picked on, teased and felt left out. It took what seemed like forever to make friends. Some kids were mean up till graduation. Back biting, teeth gnashing, hardcore and crude. Life will always be filled with those people. But we push past and look forward and life is so much better than you think. Once I got to know people it became home. They are who shaped and molded me. They helped me to become stronger and step out of my bubble. Funny thing is when you get together after all these years later...people grow up. You start to hear more apologies and can laugh out loud about the things that you felt were your world. And then there are the few that never really change.



Now fast forward to the days that unfold. Some days I feel like I am still struggling to survive the cliques. I have my core group of friends, I have my friends I hang with any chance we get and then you have friends that you roll with the same crowds but never feel like you fully break down that barrier wall. You know the type that when they say "hi" doesn't feel sincere? You try desperately (not sure WHY!) to always be on there good side, always smile and sincerely strike up conversations but you don't feel as though they wanna really give you the time of day? All the fears from high school come back: Is there something in my teeth? Do I smell? Am I not good enough for you? Did I do something wrong? And although it really shouldn't matter. You shouldn't hold your breath and you should just move on and say "whatever! YOUR the one missing out!" you still can stop the feelings of hurt creeping back up.

I don't want a fake friend. I don't even want to be acquainted with one! If you want to be my friend then be there. Be real! When you smile and say HI...mean it. With all sincerity, whole heartedly. Like you mean it! 


I am NOT by any means saying that I am perfect. Cause Lord knows I am not. I am just saying lead by example and when you speak to others...think about YOUR little girl and the kid at school that is talking to them. Do you lead by example? Next time you see someone think about the way you make them feel. Do you leave them with a smile on their face...or do you leave them with a crack in their exterior? Too many cracks cause a foundation to crumble.

Depart from evil and do good. - Psalm 34:14



I have a challenge for you this week. DO something for someone you hardly know or haven't taken the full opportunity to get to know better. Be there and be a friend.

Even a child is known by his doings. - Proverbs 20:11

And when the world gives you lemons remember: God is Love. -1 John 4:8 We need to go out into this world and live & love like Jesus. Even Jesus loved the lepers, the prostitutes and those our society dub unworthy! Our childrens eyes are always watching. Their ears are always listening. Lead by example!

Now go out and be awesome!

This video is awesome! If you haven't watched it...here is your chance!


I would love to hear what you think!

When Emily Grace told me she wanted a Bubble Gum Pink and Rainbow themed birthday party I was GIDDY with excitement! I mean really??! How fun is that! I searched Pinterest and found a cute pic of a cupcake that was light blue (sky colored) with a rainbow candy on top...again NO tutorial! Aaaack! So I made me up myself!


I used Cherry Chip cake mix and Cherry chip frosting! Found the cupcake holders at Micheal's. I made the cupcakes the night before and also frosted them the night before! The morning of I used white frosting and multi colored sour band candy (cut so about 2"...any longer and they fall flat!) I used a decorative frosting bottle and squirted the white frosting down and then stuck the rainbow down...then squirted over the top and made look "puffy" for the cloud! I then did the same to the other side! The candies took me forever to find! I went to sweet factory at one location and they didn't carry them but called another location who DID! BUT I made them and the kids loved them! That was all that mattered!

When I saw a picture of these on Pinterest they were elaborate and adorable (but of course NO tutorial!) so I decided HECK I can do this! Bring on the chocolate! I will tell you I found it much more complicated than I would have expected due to the fact the oreo's like to fall apart and slide off the stick the second you stick them in the chocolate! But we had fun with them anyhow and I dipped them as Emily Grace went to town on the sprinkles! I will tell you we had not 1 leftover...so they must have been good!


First you will need:



and then you will:




Make sure that you hold BOTH sides of the cookie and slowly push the lollipop stick in place about 1/4 to 1/2 way into the cookie.



Fill a sauce pan ONLY 1/4 of the way full with water and bring to boil. Meanwhile take a metal pan (make sure fully metal!) and stick over your saucepan.




I used white chocolate as I wanted the rainbow theme! Dump 1/2 of the bag of chocolate (we used a whole package of oreo's) and about a tsp of oil (canola, vegetable etc). Stir until fully melted.



Chocolate will be creamy and smooth. Remove from heat and with the help of a spatula cover your oreo's. Don't worry if they fall apart, just make sure both sides are covered (careful chocolate is HOT!) and place them on parchment paper to set up...if broken just smooth some more chocolate over the cookie. I then let Emily Grace cover in sprinkles! I let them cool fully on the counter top (about an hour) and then when they were hardened I placed them on a plate (gently!) and stuck in the fridge!

I decided I needed MORE rainbow...and since I was late in planning the rainbow party I had to do small touches...last minute! I love the idea of each birthday have SOMETHING have the "age" they are turning! SO I bought a wooden 5 at Joannes and used the same glitter glue I had used to decorate the birthday candle  (from THIS post!) I was well on my way and only needed sequins!


Easy items! I laid parchment paper down so I could easily scoop up the leftover sequins (I love me some craft items and hate the thought of wasting them!!)



I worked in sections like this length using my finger to rub the glitter glue all over the area (sides etc!)



With each section I added on the sequins as I went! I will not lie...they do wanna come off even after it dries BUT I figured for one day I couldn't complain! Again I am passing this item to my bestie for her daughters party! So really it got some good lovin'!



And this is how I displayed it! (you can find the framed pic HERE!)

Another easy item to add to our very fun Rainbow themed party!

For Emily Grace's Rainbow themed birthday party I decided I didn't like the "rainbow" candles you could buy at the store...so I bought these:


First cover your candle with the glitter glue...I globbed lots on (I did one side one day...let it dry over night and then decorated the other side...just an FYI up front!)



Strategically place your jewels on so it fully covers your candle!



Then VOILA! A gorgeous rainbow jeweled candle to adorn your cake! (yes I designed the cake!)

My husband is 1/2 way across the U.S. and although my house is still full it feels empty. Or maybe its just me? The only words I can use to describe it are: lost puppy! That would be me! I despise to be away from him for more than a day! He makes me heart giddy and puts a smile on my face and honestly getting to talk just a few times in a day is merely not enough!


I truly am a lucky girl though! I asked my mother in law if she would want to stay with me and my babies while he was away...I was thrilled to hear her say YES! I know for some people they think...a week ALONE with my Mother in Law...DUM DUM DUM! Nope! I am completely blessed! I truly believe you not only marry your spouse but his family as well! I ADORE my in law's! My brother in laws are my brothers and my married in sister in laws...well they are sisters! We do not need the "in law" title. We are family!

We had Emily Grace's 5th birthday party on Saturday! SO much fun was had, despite the fact I was up till 1:30 in the morning the night before coughing so hard I was sure I was going to crack a rib! You know the type of coughing that you feel like you just bench pressed 200 lbs because you neck and shoulders feel like they are the size of a line backers? I felt HORRIBLE! But I did not want to spoil my sweet angel's day! I squeezed in a doctor apt literally an hour and a 1/2 before the start of her party! I was freaking out as I watched the clock tick on my fancy shmancy phone! Of course the doctor was running late, but when she saw me and asked how the kids were and I said "well, Emily Grace has a party at our home in less than 2 hours" she rushed me through the apt where we found out I have a super bad infection. Although you may not have a stuffed up nose, did you know you can still have a sinus infection? 3 prescriptions later I am still currently under the weather! BUT we pulled off Em's party with out a hitch (will post details later as I have yet to upload the pictures...totally not like me!)



Today was spent lounging around the house. Ugly Target gauchos from 5 years ago and all! I am so glad no one showed up to our house cause they would have gasped at my outfit! Jan was sweet enough to play trains with Noah and push Emily Grace on the swings while I tried to re-coop! Ava Faith spent the day making faces at us and if we didn't give her the reaction she was looking for...well then she has figured out how to scowl which gives her another reaction! We have watched a few movies (Midnight in Paris was good and Arthur was stupid with a few good parts!), caught up on Greys Anatomy, loaded Facebook on her phone as well as Word with Friends (she is just as addicted as I am now and we laid across from each other playing on our cell phones...each other...until 11:45 p.m.!)

I am still not feeling that great and found someone to cover me at work tomorrow night so I can re-coop! I am looking forward to a few more days of laughter, smiles and time spent with the amazing women that raised the best husband a girl could ask for. I normally don't sleep well when Paul is gone, but with Jan here I have been sleeping like a baby!



And who knows...maybe tomorrow Noah will finally decide YES I DO want to potty train (oh had I not shared...we are STILL working on this! lol! He is one stubborn little turkey!)

Make each day a blessed one!

I thought it would be really neat to make a large framed "meaning" of Emily Grace's name! We were very adamant about why we wanted to name her what we did. We had never met a mean Emily before and God was gracing our lives with a girl! I used my Memories Suite program that there is a direct link to with a special code on the side of my blog page! I have so much fun with this program! Here is a little teeny tiny thing for the party! Next I need to go decorate the cake candle...yep you heard that right!


I framed this in a matted large white frame and will place it on the cake table! The decorations for her party are very simple as she had 2 requests: Bubble gum pink and rainbows! Easy enough! Of course now that I am a few days away I have thought of a MILLION more ideas I wish I had time to do! Oh well! She will still be thrilled to bits!

I can't believe this little girl will be 5 tomorrow...makes me tear up!

Today I am having one of those self pity parties...you know the kind where your hair is bugging you cause its going flat on half of your head and the other part is tickling your shoulders just to the point of it annoying you. You bend over and your jeans slowly slide off your butt (NOT complaining about the 45 lbs I have lost SO far in 2011 after the birth of Mush...but still an annoyance in the utmost!). Somebody peed in my cheerios (not really just seeing if your still reading!). Once again I have been plagued with a head cold. A down right NASTY head cold. I am miserable and I don't have time to be slowed down! Funny thing I drank a Grande Java Chip Frappe yesterday (have I told you I am a Starbucks junkie? Its my vice!) and because of the combo of the cold medicine I was all jittery! Good thing was I am a teacher at Gymboree Play and Music (hence why I have had a crazy last month...I worked like crazy mad hours...in return missed my angels like crazy!) and I have 3 VERY active evening classes (I teach at night so I can have as much daytime with my kids as possible!). Helped burn off the jitters!





This post isn't to be negative this is just to show that despite how we are feeling (menstrual cramps and all!) we need to intentionally find good...somehow! Yesterday I took my kids to a Gymboree class (yep we attend as well!) and just watching their pure joy in playing, exploring made my day a little brighter! Tickling my kids till they are laughing so hard they are making strangers in line behind us at Joannes laugh...brings a smile to my face! I want to dwell in this pit. Wallow a bit. But really I must turn to the gifts that God gave me and find hope and happiness in my day! Even if that means bribing them with fruit snacks and a movie to take a nap...just so you can have an hour of pure, enjoyable, relaxing...silence!

Make today a great one!

I had a few friends ask me for our Chex mix recipe and I promised I would post it...finally...here it is!


4 cups Corn Chex
4 cups Rice Chex
2 cups plain mini wheats
2 cups Gold Fish
1 1/2 bags Bugles (we love us some Bugles!)

Toss together in a large bowl...

Melt 13 Tbsp of butter or margarine in a microwave safe dish. When melted mix in:

4 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 tsp Seasoned salt
1 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1 tsp Onion powder

Whisk together and pour over your mess that is awaiting you in the large bowl!

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Pour entire mess into an ungreased LARGE roasting pan! Bake 1 hour stirring every 20 minutes. When finished lay out two layers of paper towels and let cool usually about 20 minutes. Put in an airtight container to store! Voila! Easy peasy and YUMMY to boot!




(as you can see from the background...we had a "slob on Bob" day! Meaning...stayed in pj's ALL day...played paper dolls and just relaxed!)

I know...I know! I have been so busy I have neglected YOU, my friends! But I do have to say my life has been ridiculously crazy lately! On top of it...my (going to be 5) year old's birthday is THIS week! OMG! To top it off I am JUST starting to plan things out! Yep. Been that busy!

We escaped this weekend to my parents house in the mountains. While we were there I brought along a novel I have been meaning to sink my teeth into! To be honest, I usually get side tracked when I read and put it down for a few months weeks and then try to "get back into it"! This time I chose Room written by Emma Donoghue (you can find a link HERE!)



OK after you read the book the above clip will send chills down your spine! Totally NOT kidding! I read it in 2 days! I couldn't put it down! ME! Mama of 3!

The book is narrated by 5 year old Jack. It is about him and Ma and revolves around room. It was gripping, eye opening, freaky, sad, happy, literally made me jump outta my seat! At times I actually teared up! I don't wanna say too much without giving the whole book away...but DO go find it at your library, on Amazon, at your book store (are there any left?!) wherever you can! I bought my copy at Costco (now this was like last year...but hey, you never know!)

Read the book and then tell me what you think! GREAT book!