Birthday Party!

This past Friday, my baby turned 3. I can't believe that she's that old! On Saturday we had a birthday party for her. With our kids included, we had 12 kids there! Luckily, the weather was perfect for an outdoor party. (It snowed 6inches the next day!)

McKenzie wanted a Dora theme, so she got one! Check out the pics of her fun day!


The cake was provided by CakesbySugarPlums and was DIVINE!


We colored "Backpacks" and made Door hangers. We had yummy cupcakes and amazing cake (for the adults ha ha!). We opened presents, and hit open a pinata!

"Swiper" stole our cupcakes, so we had to go on a scavenger hunt to find them! After sending the kids all over the yard, following clues and finding prizes, they were led into the house to get a cupcake!

As we started to sing "Happy Birthday", McKenzie threw herself on the floor and had a tantrum! We had to stop mid-song! It had been a long day even before the party had started!




It was a great day! Thanks to the friends and family that came or sent gifts!

Monday Madness

Last week was crazy in my house. Mark was gone to CA for training, so I took the week off of work. It would have been a terrific full-time mom week, where I would have been able to play happily with my kids all week...if I hadn't had other plans. I had lots of orders, that I'm still trying to catch up on. I was also planning a birthday party for my 3yr old McKenzie. (Pics to come!) So, the week ended up being frantic and stressful.

Today, I am back at work, but dreaming of a relaxing soak in the tub. And you know how much I "love" baths! What does that tell you about my week? :)

Here are a few of the wonderful bath products from Etsy that I have tried, or would love to try!


I would love to try this shampoo/conditioner set from MeaCulpaBodyandBath

I've posted about Satinpetalsoap before, but she still gets my vote for best Whipped Soap!


I just tried lotion from ShineYourHineySoap, and loved it! Her whipped soap is wonderful too!


If you want lip balm, lotion, or soap, check out Pegasussoaps!

Interview with a 4 yr old

I've seen this "kid interview" done on other blogs, and thought I'd ask my boys what they knew about me! Not terribly hilarious answers, but fun all the same!

Here is Michael's Interview. He is 4.


What is something mom always says to you?
Put your underwear on. (He was just potty trained in December, and doesn't always like to get re-dressed!)

2. What makes Mom happy?
Eat Dinner

3. What makes Mom sad?
When we play in our bedroom when it's bedtime

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Being silly. (He then commented that my handwriting was not very good.)

5. What was your mom like as a child?
No answer

6. How old is your mom?
Three I ask, really? He nods yes.

7. How tall is your mom?
"This Tall" He says, pointing from my feet to my head

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Eat Dinner

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Play outside (umm...nope. Usually too much to do INSIDE)

10. What is your Mom very good at?
Playing on the computer. (oops)

11. If Mom became famous what would it be for?
Cowboy. (I have no idea!)

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Do stuff. Cleaning. (Well, that's true. Not that I'm bad at it...I just have 3 little ones who follow behind me...)

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Clean up. (But obviously, I'm not good at it, so I'll probably get fired...)

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Apple

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Jesus (awww...)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Woody (I don't even want to know...)

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Walk

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Dark hair, eyes

19. How are you and your mom different?
I'm a boy, and you are a girl. Oh, I'm a man.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Hugging.

He had a hard time coming up with some of the answers, but it was fun to do! Go see what YOUR kids know about you!
Tanner's interview coming soon!

Front Page twice!

I was on the Front Page of Etsy twice today! Of course, I missed both, but I was able to see them on another website.

Here they are! (Click on them to make them bigger!)




Here is the link to see all the treasuries I've been in! What wonderful treasury curators! http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?w=779551%40N24&q=doubledippedsweets&m=pool

Thanks for good people.

My dear, dear husband has been at me for months to join facebook. He even made me a special avatar! I finally gave in last night and joined. What resulted was an amazing journey down memory lane. Facebook pulled up all the people who went to my high school, and it was so much fun to go through them and see old friends (now looking much different!).

As I looked back, I realized how lucky I am to have had such a wonderful, full life so far. It's been full of friends and family, of life and celebration. Now, don't get me wrong, life has brought it's fair share of trials, heartache, and tears, but overall, I can say that I've had a great life.

No worries...just reflection today...no terminal illness or near death experience to report! It sounds like I'm writing my obit!

There is a part in one of my favorite movies where the daughter asks her mom if she's had any regrets in her life. Her mom says no. When questioned further, she says that she has learned from all of her regrets. (13 going on 30)

The only thing I regret is not keeping in touch with my friends of the past. Not only High School and College, but also all of the wonderful people I've met in all the 9 places we've lived in the last 9 years! (not kidding) PLEASE, if you read this blog, and know me from the past, please respond! Maybe I'm just getting sentimental in my old age (not that old!), but I've learned so much from everyone that I've ever come in contact with.



So, I dedicate my musings today to all who have touched my life.

For my High School friends. I hope we can get back in touch and rekindle a friendship. Life was different then, but I hope to recapture some of those carefree days!

For my College friends. I miss you. There are some of you who became life long soul mates, but we've separated. Let's find each other again.

For all the hundreds of wonderful people we've met over the last 9 years as we've moved. I miss you, I love you, and you have made a difference in my life. We've moved from Provo, to Orem, to San Jose, to San Leandro, to Salt Lake, to Orem, to Lehi, to Salt Lake, and now to Sugarhouse (Salt Lake). I'm always touched when I think about the people I've met along my path. We may not have had fortune, or fame, but we had FRIENDS. And that is the best word of all.

For the wonderful on-line friends that I have met. What a odd world the internet is. In my EEAT team alone, I have so many close friends that I've never even met! Some of us chat daily, and support each other not only in business, but in home and family, in weight loss, even in study.

And mostly, for my family. They are always there, no matter the storms. I can't count how many times my dear BIL has helped us move, or my In-laws have babysat and helped us. I can't count the hundreds of phone calls and thousands of prayers from my dear parents. For the love and friendship I have with my Aunts. For the love and friendship I have with my dear sister, brothers, and Mark's sisters and brothers.

Above all, for Mark. For Tanner. For Michael. For McKenzie. Life would not be worth living without these precious gems in my life.

I have been richly blessed, and I pray that I have made a difference in some of your lives.

Go out today and be a difference in the lives of those around YOU.

Wordless Wednesday

St. Patty's day sale!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Double Dipped Sweets is celebrating by offering Buy One Get One FREE in my etsy shop! Sale ends Wednesday the 18th at Midnight MTN time!

Come order your first item (or 2, or 3), then just write what you want free in Notes to Seller! Easy!

Come visit right now!

Prayer

I believe in the power of Prayer. I believe that prayers are not only answered, but rejoiced over. I believe that prayer can change lives and alter people forever. Here is a wonderful quote and story on prayer that I read today, and thought I'd share.

http://cominsense.wordpress.com/tag/prayer/

Family Prayer Is Powerful

Posted: 16 Mar 2009 01:00 AM PDT

“Family prayer is a powerful and sustaining influence. During the dark days of World War II, a 500-pound bomb fell outside the little home of Brother Patey, a young father in Liverpool, England, but the bomb did not go off. His wife had died, so he was rearing his five children alone. He gathered them together at this very anxious time for family prayer. They ‘all prayed . . . earnestly and when they had finished praying, the children said: “Daddy, we will be all right. We will be all right in our home tonight.”“ ‘And so they went to bed, imagine, with that terrific bomb lying just outside the door half submerged in the ground. If it had gone off it would have destroyed probably forty or fifty houses and killed two or three hundred people. . . . “ ‘The next morning the . . . whole neighborhood was removed for forty-eight hours and the bomb was finally taken away. . . . “ ‘On the way back Brother Patey asked the foreman of the A. R. P. Squad: “Well, what did you find?”“ ‘ “Mr. Patey, we got at the bomb outside of your door and found it ready to explode at any moment. There was nothing wrong with it. We are puzzled why it did not go off” ’ (Andre K. Anastasiou, in Conference Report, Oct. 1946, 26). Miraculous things happen when families pray together.”
James E. Faust, “The Lifeline of Prayer,” Liahona, July 2002, 68


Prayer can brighten up anyone's day. It can be a mode of meditation, and silent thanksgiving, or a joyous song of love.

How has prayer changed your life?

I've been immortalized in soap!

HeathensHearth...gotta love these girls! They were the winner of my Valentine's day gift basket, and have become good online friends through etsy.

They created a line of Etsy-inspired soaps, and honored me by giving me a soap all my own!

Here it is! The DoubleDippedSweets all natural Goat's Milk soap!
Here is the caption from THEIR BLOG

"The DoubleDippedSweets: Renowned for her heavenly caramel and chocolate coated pretzels, 2lb double dipped apples, and other mouthwatering goodies, what better scent could there be than the ice cream that makes everyone happy: Neapolitan! Three Layers of soapy goodness in Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla."



Check out their blog to see all of their etsy friend soaps!

I was on the Front Page!

I was on the Front Page of Etsy today! This is a big deal, since it helps you get seen. Everyone aspires to be on the front page!

What makes this time so special, is that the treasury that I'm in is AWESOME! I saw it before it was on the FP, and thought it was so clever and original. Here it is!
(Click on it to make it bigger!)

My new kitchen!

A week before Valentine's day, and the rush that went with that, our kitchen was remodeled! Here are before and after pics! The "after" is not the final, as the kitchen hadn't been painted yet. I cleaned the kitchen to take new pictures today, and then realized that Mark had the camera with him on his trip! So, this is what you get!

BEFORE:


BEFORE:


DURING:


DURING


AFTER! DOESN'T IT LOOK PRETTY?


THE night it was done, I cleaned like a mad women and started in on this valentine's day mess! I ended up doing roughly 800 Pretzels and about 10 dozen Oreos!

Edible Art Team GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to all readers! Team EEAT has joined forces with the Spring Fling giveaway from The Sits Girls to offer you some fantastic goodies!

PRIZES

2 winners will split the goodies up above! Winners announced on March 16, 2009

Here is what you do:

Visit our main website: Edible Art Team and take a look around! Click on all the yummy pics, drool a little...just find your way back to this blog to comment or to the Team Blog!

You can get extra entries by:
*Following either blog. Make sure you leave a comment saying that you are following!
*Blogging about us on your blog! Leave a comment with your blog address!

Have fun!

Spring Cleaning!

Don't Forget to Clean Your Computer Screen~

I know you don't clean your screen very often and it is hard to do the inside, so here(http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf) is my present to you.

Have fun!

Here are some serious cleaning tips!
*Baking Soda: Clean tubs,toilet,and tiles with baking soda and a brush dampened with water.

*Vinegar: Dip an old toothbrush in vinegar and use it to clean off mildewed grout between tiles.

*Lemon juice: Put the juice on a sponge and wipe shower doors to remove soap scum.

*Chlorine bleach: Get rid of mildew and mold on shower tiles with a solution of one part bleach to five parts water. Scrub with a stiff brush.

*Dryer sheet: After you've finished cleaning the faucets, rub a sheet of fabric softener on them to polish and shine.

A call for help.

Good Morning dear readers! I am looking for advice, tips, ideas, etc. to help me with my 6yr old son.

He is in kindergarten this year. He is doing very well in art, and is close to genius at building and putting things together. However, he is falling behind in phonics/spelling/reading.

Does anyone have any FUN ways to help him learn these things at home? Have you used a program that really worked well?

I've been working with him: reading the books he brings home from school, playing games with letter sounds, etc., but we need better ways to learn! I also have a 4 and almost 3 yr old, so they will be included in this learning!

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!!









Aren't these photos fun? Do your own here!