Hiccup in Our Plan

Over the weekend, Mark and I decided, that we needed to start our Christmas shopping. This whole "3 girls to look after," has really pushed us to plan ahead. We know that our days of "last minute shopping," are well behind us.

I've had some toys in mind. And books. That I know the girls will enjoy. We don't just give our girls toys, we also give them items that they can use to learn with. And some useful items. We like to keep it well rounded.

Along with this, I've been leaning towards giving the girls more thoughtful gifts. Handmade items. Just one of kind things. Not only do I think it's more meaningful. But I want to support local, and handmade shops.

So I took to our computer last night. And I started to order various things. Let me tell you, that little "Christmas for the Girls" folder, really came in handy! I got about half of the items order. Thank you Mark, for thinking ahead! We'd been saving money. And it just all sorta lined up last night.

Except, there is that 1 item that I really wanted. I've wanted it for Elena, for probably over a year. And I ALWAYS have my fingers crossed, that it's "in stock." Until last night. When it wasn't!!



I was crushed!! Probably more so, because there is nothing left in this cute, little Etsy shop. And that just makes me so sad. I'm going to contact Mrs. Ruby Ellen. Hopefully, we can get this dollhouse, and doll made. You know, before Christmas. Now that I really have my heart set on it. Is anyone else thinking about Christmas? Or is it just us? A

Our Home Smells Like Heaven!!

I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned our weekly "Family Dinners" before. Mark's family has always had "Family Dinners." Always! I'm pretty sure it was his abuelita that started them. The entire family meets on Friday nights. Everyone pitches in, and we enjoy a meal together.

When Mark's abuelita was alive, they were always at her house. Well, almost always. It didn't matter that you had to drive an hour out of town. That's where we went. And even when we were teens, it was a fun place to be.

The guys would practice baseball or their roping. Yes, it was a family activity. They'd also help out with the Ranch. Cleaning, and feeding the animals. Whatever needed to be done. Us gals, we'd cook. And we'd help clean the house. Anything we could do.

These days, the dinners are usually at my in-laws' house. Which is another fun place to be. Again, everyone goes over. Aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, and tons of kids! From time to time, we also have friends like Lola and her parents there. :)

And every week, we all have a different responsibility. Some to bring the meat for the main dish, some for desserts, maybe a side dish. My MIL likes to do lots of cooking. She usually handles the main dish. And we all help with everything else.

This week, I'm supposed to be taking a dessert. First of all, until an hour ago, I forgot it was Friday. Can we say "Mommy Brain?" Mark sent me a text, "Do we need to take some dessert plates too?" Good thing he remembered!

So I headed to one of my new favorite food blogs. And the first thing I saw, was this Banana Nut Cake. Um, ya! This is what I'm baking.



Beyond the comment, "That cake is just stupid good," I was sold at Banana Nut. Banana Nut Bread was the food I craved the most while pregnant. All 3 times! Heck, who am I fooling, Banana Nut Bread is just a favorite of mine.

A total bonus, I had everything on hand. Being that our family of 5, eats 2+ bundles of bananas a week, I knew I could make this right away. As I type, this cake is baking away. And our home smells amazing! I just hope I don't eat it, before we get to our dinner tonight! :) A

Brilliant!!

I was wondering around Pinterest earlier. Just looking for things, to make our lives a little simpler. I think our older 2 girls, are ready to be a little more independent. And well, I could use any help I can get right now.

This idea, just blew my mind! Maybe because I've got my hands full all the time. And it's summer. The temps are through the roof! And my girls drink water all day. It's not a bad thing. But it makes for a lot of time at the fridge. And in the cabinets. That why this idea is just brilliant.



Magnetic cups. I just bought a bunch of cups at Albertson's. On clearance! Cute and all. For 10 cents a piece. Tomorrow, I'm heading out to buy some magnets. Then, we will all have our own cups. Right on the fridge. Because in this weather, well we can't get enough ice water! A

Now That There's 3...

I LOVE my girls. But now that there are 3, life is just a bit more complicated. I turned to Mindy for some help. Sunday mornings have always been a bit stressful. We're trying to get to church on time. With kids, it gets a bit more complicated. But with 3, I'm finding, it's a little overwhelming.

My big girls, don't like Mark to comb their hair. They'll let him, get them dressed. Even fed. But I have to comb their hair. And Sofia, she's got to eat. Something else, that Mark can't help with.

All of this, has led to me, throwing on a maxi dress, sandals, and putting my wet hair, in a bun. I've got a cardigan in the car, at all times, for just this reason. And we still get to church, as the bells begin to ring. :(



This week, I found this video. Watched it 5 times. Laid out everyone's clothes. Saturday afternoon. And set the alarm. 2 things happened Sunday morning. One, we got to church with 5 minutes to spare. Two, I felt better. My hair was combed. I had a chance to throw on some lipgloss. And I felt confident. Put together. Thank you Mindy, for the idea. It may not seem like a lot, but it definitely changed, my now crazy Sunday mornings! A

Lamb of God

I recently came across the blog, Dreams into Plans. Jen's blog is just amazing!! She shares such nice things. Things, that make my heart sing. And bring a smile to my lips. Like this printable.



The second I seen this, I knew that I had to print it out!!! Not only is it my style. With all the fun colors. But it speaks to my soul. Makes me think of my religion. And I just knew, we had to add it to our Easter decorations.

I printed this out out last night. And happened to have a pretty, Spring frame. A pink one!! That I put it in. And added this beauty, to our mantel. Go visit Jen. I promise you, you won't be disappointed!!! A

Yum!

I'm sure, that you know about my love of Nate Berkus!! He hangs the moon for me. :) I know, that if we were to meet in real life, we'd be immediate BFFs!!

I've never missed a day of his show. Ever!! That's why, this news, saddens my heart!! But we must go on. And I hope Nate, will find a new home, on TV. Very soon!!

But back to his show. I've seen Katie Lee make French Onion Soup. 3 times!! And you know what, I finally buckled to the pressure. It just looks so good. And come on, if they've showed this particular show 3 times, it must be delicious!

I searched high and low for the recipe. And could not find it!! Not anywhere. But the video, is right here. I watched it. Three times, and scribbled out some notes. That's what we had for dinner. Tonight. And my family soaked it up!! There is not a drop left. And I made a HUGE pot. There's only Mark, our 2 daughters, and me. I don't know who ate the most. :)

This is definitely one of our new favorite recipes. I'll be making it, many times in our future!! What an easy, and delicious meal this was. Now, I must confess something. I knew, Mark would want a little something more. So I warmed him up, some leftover pot roast. Again, this meal, was a home run! In our house, that's a great thing!!



Between, I just adore Katie!! She is so cute. And all her recipes are yummy. I picked up her cookbook one day. I found it at Dollar General. And I said, what the heck. The best $5 I've spent!! I've made almost everything in this cookbook. And I haven't been disappointed. A

Making Memories

I'm a really big fan of Rice Krispies Treats!!! My mom can attest to that. I remember one day, hearing about them. And making her go to the grocery store. For all the supplies. I think I was in elementary school. :)

We made them that afternoon. And ever since, it's been one of those treats, that I just love! Since I've been married, I've varied my Rice Krispies Treats. Added things to them, like candy, nuts, dried fruit,various marshmallows. Lots of things!! And they are just too darn good!

At one point, I wouldn't allow Rice Krispies, marshmallows, or anything to do with my favorite treats, in our home. At the time, I needed to lose 10 lbs. And it just wasn't happening, with these bad boys in the house!!

I think last year, was the first year, that I heard about these eggs. It might have been 2 years ago. I can't remember. But I saw the commercial on TV. I kept saying, I'm going to try those. Well, it never happened. :(



Last week, I saw that commercial again. And I got an idea. Over the weekend, I just knew, that we had to at least try these. I picked up the supplies on last Friday. While grocery shopping. Yum! I was so excited!! And last Saturday, after nap time, we went all out!

Two hours later, we had a nice stack of eggs. I'll be it, Mark and I, made 99% of them. But that's our job. :) Elena and Ofelia were so excited, with all their hard work!! It was such a fun project. One that I hope, becomes a tradition in our family. :)

And all those Rice Krispies eggs, were happily eaten!! Not all by us. Although, we did have our fair share. But I took them with us, to my parents' house Sunday. They had us all over, including my siblings and their families, for dinner. It was super yummy!!

I'm hoping, to make these one more time. For Easter. But with my due date so close to Easter, I'm just not sure. We'll have to play it by ear. Maybe instead, I should whip some up today, during nap time. For our weekly Family Dinner. :) A

Etsy I LOVE You!!

I should tell you something. I spend way too many hours on Etsy. After my girls are fast asleep. I shop the clearance racks, to buy cute things on Etsy. I like buying things for our home, our girls, and to give as gifts.

Mark laughs, when he sees me, pull out my laptop. He knows, I'm going to be doing some shopping at Old Navy, eBay, or Etsy. Once in a while, I'm searching for crochet patterns. Between, don't you think, there are always better sales on Old Navy's website, than in their stores?

Well, I found a new shop. That I'm in love with!! Purdy Things. This shop, has the most amazing pieces!! And I want one of each. :)



Elena would just love this purse, to pieces!! Those are our favorite colors. And her love of birds, just makes this, an obvious choice. Let's not forget, she doesn't leave home, without her purse!!



Ofelia would look like a doll in this!! Perfect for our hot summer weather. I could see her, running through the sprinklers, in this little outfit!!



And I'd love this, for our new daughter. :) How cute would that be? The Very Hungry Caterpillar, is one of my favorite Children's books. This would be perfect, for newborn pictures!!

I restrained. I just added these, and about another 100 things from this shop, to my favorites. :) But I can't stop thinking, about all these beautiful things. I've got just over 2 months, to ponder these buys. I might just cave!! A

Just Happy

Saturday was my birthday. I don't think it's a special day. I've always been funny about my birthday. I think, that's why I make such a big deal, out of my daughters' birthdays. :) But I have this amazing husband. That likes to spoil me. And our daughters. This year, he was extra sweet! To his extremely pregnant wife.

First came breakfast in bed. Which was delicious! Our daughters joined us. With special little gifts, that they made with Mark. My heart was so full of love. As they snuggled with me. And told me, that God sent them to me. Just because he loves me. I'd have to say, God loves me so much, that he sent me, these precious little girls to love!

Mark then drove me to my favorite spa. Where Cam was waiting for me. And we spent the entire day, getting pampered! Oh it was heaven. I got my hair cut, a magnificent prenatal massage, and a mani-pedi. Honestly, it was just what I needed. And before that day, I didn't even know it!

When Cam dropped me ff at home, I was so happy. And relaxed. I didn't expect to walk into a quiet house. With a delicious dinner waiting for me. And all my favorite movies. Yes, the perfect quiet night. With the man I love!

I still can't believe that Rems and Cam watched our daughters until this morning. Or that we literally spent the most incredible weekend alone. At home. Not doing much. Just enjoying each other's company. Much like we did, when we first got married.



Mark is the kind of husband, that will always make me feel, like that 16 year old girl. Who's heart raced, the minute she saw him. He'll always protect me. And our family. Most importantly, he'll always be here for us, and love us.

I got some amazing presents. I got a fun treat, of going to the spa. Amazing meals cooked all weekend. But the one gift, that my husband can't wrap up, he gives me every day. His love. And that's all I need! A

Say It Ain't So!!!!

My boyfriend got cancelled! I just read about it here. And it saddens me so! The Nate Berkus Show, is probably the only show, that I watch regularly. I know. Call me a nerd! But I love me some Nate. There are so many good ideas, recipes, and sources that are shared. I will surely miss my daily date with Nate! A

Love This Hairstyle!!

I just love the YouTube channel, Luxy Hair. Leyla and Mimi are so talented! And beautiful sisters. Stunning really. I stood up late last night, just watching all these videos. This one, for a "Messy Bun" just grabbed my attention!



We have a wedding to go to. Next weekend. I just couldn't imagine, how I was going to do my hair. I know, it's going to be insanely hot! On top of that, it's outside. In the back of my mind, I knew, that I wanted to wear my hair up. This hairstyle, is just perfect for that!

Bonus, it doesn't look too complicated. I've got the perfect headband too! I should probably practice a few times. Before Saturday. Because we've all been there before. 2 kids to get ready, a husband that is ready to go, and we're sitting there. In a robe, part of our makeup done, and our hair in rollers. Yes, I'm going to practice. Because this is the perfect way, to wear my hair. For a hot, summer wedding! A

I'm Gonna Get My Craft On!!!

Last night, I got a little lost. In the world of YouTube!! Isn't that the way it works? YouTube just sorta sucks you up. And you lose hours of your time. I feel like it works like this. Anyway, I was catching up on all my favorite YouTubers. And I was so excited when I came to Jen's page!!



This is such a good tutorial. Honestly, I almost bought a wipe case, some burp clothes, and a little blanket on Etsy. It's still in my "favorites." I'm not going to tell you the seller. Because now that I think about it, $100 for this set....is just nuts!! The blanket is just a receiving blanket. With a little fabric letter sewn on it.

But I'm so excited about this discovery!! I'm not crafty. At all! But even I, can figure out how to glue some fabric, on a wipe case. Especially, since Jen does it all on camera!! Now I need to go buy a glue gun and some fabric. This is so exciting for me! I'm going to be making one of these for our baby girl!! :) A