November Books!

 

In November I read two books, “My Story” By Elizabeth Smart and “Descendant” by Lesley Livingston. Both were wonderful. “My Story” is an amazing read and it was wonderful to see the hand of the Lord at such a trying time in her life. She saw so many miracle through her nine months of misery and endured it so well. I am not sure I could have been as brave or strong as her. I have even more respect for her and I recommend that book to everyone! 

Descendant was good, it is a sequel to a book a read a few months ago called “Starling” it captures your attention from the beginning. The only complaint I have is that it leaves you hanging for the next book. I can’t say much about it, cause I don’t want to give away the storyline, but it follows Mason and Fennry’s on their journey trying to save the world, each other and sorting out their feelings for each other. I have no clue when the next book comes out but I am patiently (or Impatiently) waiting for the next book to be released!

Love, 

Tt 

October Books!

  

I have been trying to read more lately. So in October I read three books, they were all from the same series, the Fablehaven Series. If you remember I wrote about them in September, so these books just continue on with Seth and Kendra and their adventures trying to overcome their enemies. The books kind of have all blended together. The second book they are looking for a artifact on Fablehaven’s property and have to overcome some pretty serious obstacles in the process. The 3^rd book, Kendra travels to a place in New Mexico to retrieve an artifact and find it has already been removed and safely on Fablehaven property, but because of a Dark Plague they have to retrieve it hope they can overcome the Dark Plague. Then the third book they travel to a Dragon Sanctuary and have to find the artifact there. They run into some unexpected trouble on that trip and turns out quite different than I thought. I took a break in November to read two other books, but started reading the last book in the series last night and am excited to see what happens. 

Love, 

TT

September Books!

This month I finished both my September book within the first week thanks to the Cruise, and family being sick. I read Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan and Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. They were both really good reads and made me excited to read the next books in both series. I started out  with Percy Jackson, a book about a boy whose father is Poseidon, and how he must stop a war with the Gods. It was good, totally different than what I was expecting thanks to the movie! The movie and the book are two totally different things. There is so much in the book that didn’t happen in the movie. I did like them both. They were both wonderful, in their  own unique ways.

The next book I read was Fablehaven. A book about a place called Fablehaven that is a haven for all sorts of good and bad mythical creature. It is a story about a brother and sister, Kendra and Seth who go to Fablehaven to visit their Grandparents and end up having to save Fablehaven with the help of Fairies. It was a wonderful book and I am already reading the second book and it is just as good as the first. I will let you know what I think, but I will tell you both of the books are wonderful and I highly recommend them both.

Love,

TT

August Books!

So this month I have read 3 books, though they are from the same series so I guess that works. The names of the books are, An Unexpected Love, A Enduring Love, and A Forever Love, By Michelle Ashman Bell. This is a LDS Fiction Novel and I loved it. (it helps that they have the same last name in the book as we have) The first book is about a girl, Alexis who goes to Idaho to visit her sister. While there she finds out more about the LDS church, and falls in the love and about overcoming her eating disorder. The second book is about her going on European tour all the while wondering if she is going to loose her boyfriend, Rich Greenwood, then the last one is about her engagement as well as some of the troubles that she faces being a world renown fitness instructor as well as her faith being tested through many different trials.  I loved all 3 books and was sad to see them end. But am excited to read my September book!

Love,
TT

July Books!

In July I read 2 books, though I didn't think I was going to be able to get through even one. The first book I read was called "Starling" by Lesley Livingston. If you have read my previous posts, I have written about this author before. She wrote the "Wondrous Strange" series and this book didn't disappoint. It used one of the characters from that series and told his story about what happened after. Finding love, finding himself, and becoming a hero. It is also a trilogy and the next book doesn't come out till the end of this month, but I can not wait to read the next one. The other main character is a lady called Mason Starling. She is a descendant of the servant of the Gods, and her father has a plan to make it so she can do his bidding for the Gods. It is a great read and I recommend it.
The next book I read was a book called "Prom and Prejudice", by Elizabeth Eulberg This was a super easy read. But it's like the book "Pride and Prejudice" but all about going to Prom at this hooty tooty school. Elizabeth is a scholarship student so she is not well liked, Jane is her roommate and of course there is Bingley and Darcy. It is a great read and I really enjoyed it! You should read it!

Love,
TT

What are we up to?

Life is good. Life is crazy! We have been super busy as always. I have about 20 different projects that I am working on, some sewing, some cleaning, some outside, some inside. I made a birthday shirt for Little Prince as well as all the Mickey Decor, made 4^th of July Outfits for the kidlets, and I have been working on  finally getting my basement organized. That is a huge task in and of itself. Today I have been working on organizing the craft room and let’s just say I found about 20 more projects that I have started that needs to be finished. So on top of the projects I had planned ie: Halloween Costumes, a few clothing items, for me and of course Christmas Projects.

Along with the cleaning and the projects I am watching this adorable 8 year old boy. But that is not easy… he is cute, but he is a handful and he has a hard time with my kidlets.  Little Princess he is fairly ok with and they play together sometimes. Little Prince he has a hard time with because Karsten gets into everything and he doesn’t like that. It makes getting stuff done during the day extremely hard.

Then there is our Garden. It is huge, and totally weed infested. I really don’t like Gardening. I would much rather tear up the entire Garden and put in grass, but buzz likes it, so until I can convince him to at least get rid of part of the Garden it is here to stay.  Buzz wants us to start clearing out the weeds and plants by the end of the month. Wish me luck.

Anyways, that is about it. We are busy, and so far loving it. I can’t wait till this house is organized but I am also getting tired of cleaning, and I wish I had more money to buy some items to help me organize. But for now I am dealing with what I already have.

 I will post pictures of the completed projects when they are done.  Have a wonderful day!

Love,

TT

June Books!

 I can’t believe I forgot to post this at the beginning of the month! I read two books again last month. They are the sequels to the book I posted about in May “Wondrous Strange”. The books were “Darklight” and “Tempestuous.” They picked up where “Wondrous Strange” left off. Kelly was trying to protect Sonny, so she made him think she didn’t love him. She has to save herself, save him and save the world as we know it. Trying to find who was in charge and trying to take over the world as we know it. It was one of those books that’s difficult to put down. I loved it and really would like to own all three. Someday maybe…. When we have more money! You should read it!

TT

A Walk Down Memory Lane

So a few weeks ago in Relief Society we were talking about our homes and ways we can improve the spirit and life in our homes. So I decided that I was going to start playing music more in my home. We put my IPOD station in the Living Room and started turning it on throughout the day. It’s been kind of interesting as I have been listening to these songs how they have brought back memories of times before. As I listened to N’sync and Backstreet Boys I think of the many times I was cleaning my room, and listening to those songs. When I listened to certain songs like those by the group B*Witched I think of the times I spend playing Barbies and make believe with my nieces. I listened to the EVITA sound track and thought of the many times that I would pretend that I was in the play, and as Evita…. (yes I was that lame…. I would listen to the whole sound track singing and acting out in our big dining room). I hear songs by Taylor Swift and think of my dear friend Laurie…. Rascal Flatts makes me think of the Concert I was able to go to with my best friends shortly before 2 of my good friends got married. There are songs that I hear that makes me think of ex-boyfriends, and songs that I hear that make me think of the Love of my Life. There are songs that remind me of the time my Niece and I drove to California and spent a week in Disneyland. 

So many songs and so many memories, Most of them good memories.

It is amazing to me the power that song has on your mind. I have seriously loved listening to these songs, and walking down memory lane. Some of these times I miss, and other I don’t but I am grateful for the experiences and the lessons that I learned. I love walking down memory lane….. I think I will do it more often!

Love,

TT

The Greatest Job in the World!

I got my first job right after I turned 16 (not including babysitting), and have had several jobs since then. I have worked in food services, fabric stores, craft stores, retail stores, been a teacher, and even worked at the Happiest Place on Earth….Disney World! I have loved almost all of those jobs, but the one that I have loved the most, the one that has given me the greatest joy is that of a mother! I adore my kids, they are my pride and joy and there is so much about them that I love.

I love being home with them each and every day. I love watching them grow; I love the connection my 2 kids have with each other and with me and their father. Being a mother is a wonderful calling and one that I cherish each and every day. There are parts of being a mom that are hard… dirty diapers, sleepless nights, fussy babies, fighting children, never getting a day off, or a sick day, but it is all worth it. Even the hard and not so fun things I willingly do. I never fight with my husband on who gets to change a diaper, or get up with them in the middle of the night. I can count on one hand the number of nights I have been away from my Children this is because I cherish them and am willing to make whatever sacrifices need be made to take care of my kiddos.

Being a mother is the greatest calling in the world and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world! I thank the Lord everyday for the blessing he gave me to be a mom of my 2 kiddo’s (and hopefully more in the years to come.) I love being a mom!

Love

TT

May Books:

Well I have been keeping with one of my goals to read one book a month, in fact most months I read more than one book a month. This month I have read 2…..

The first is a fictional novel called ”Wonderous Strange” it is a  book about fairies living in our world. The portal to the fairie world is in Central Park and only opens once a year, except every few years when it is opened for a week. There are guards that watch the gate because the fairie aren’t suppose to be able to come into our world so they stop them. Well through a turn of event a deadly kelp comes into our world and it is up to a girl named Kelly to help save our world. It also has a little romance which makes it even better. I am currently reading the second book in the series and can’t wait to find out what happens to the love birds!

The second book I have read is called “Missing” it is an LDS suspense novel and I really enjoyed it. It is about a student who goes to BYU Idaho (best of the BYU schools if you ask me!)  and is on a Music Tour to Canada. While in Canada and practicing for a concert she see’s a young girl who was recently kidnapped from Rexburg (Home of BYU Idaho), the police aren’t making any headway and so she takes it onto herself to find and rescue this little girl. It has some way suspenseful points, some romance and fun. I really liked it and recommend it to anyone!

I love reading and am so grateful for my ability to read. I can’t wait to see what books I get to read in June!

Love,

TT

May Projects!

I have been keeping super busy this month and haven’t had a lot of time to work on projects. My house can attest to how busy  I have been. (I started watching 2 kids 5 days a week for 2 hours and boy is it hard)

So the only project I have gotten done this month….. besides working in the Garden….is my sister-in-laws baby shower gift. Which is one of my specialties….burp clothes…. And I made her some special ones here are some pictures of the cute ones I made. 

I have already begun working on my next project…. Here’s a hint…. It involves a lot of an adorable little mouse…….

Oh and I hope to sew a new skirt or two in the next few weeks!

Love,

TT

Birthday Projects

So our nephew turned 1 on May 1^st and as much as I would have loved to go out and just buy him a toy or an outfit it just wasn’t possible for financial reasons. So what did do? I got on pinterest, and found some interactive play toys that I thought they would like, I have tons of fabric so it worked out well, and even though it took more time than going to the store to buy something, it didn’t take that long. 

So here is what I made:

Fabric ABC's

Fabric 123's 

The bag for the ABC's and 123's 

Farmer puppets front!

Farmer puppets back!

 I know that my nephew didn’t really care about them…. He was more impressed with the light up toys. I have no clue what my in-laws thought of them, I hope they liked them. I know I can’t wait to make a set for my kiddos!

What do you think?

Love,

TT

Keeping Busy!

Well, I have definitely been keeping busy lately. I have of course have been taking care of my 2 adorable kiddos. I have been attempting the potty training of Little Princess….. Which I have discovered what so many people have told me that potty training can be frustrating, if your child is not ready. Little Princess is super smart!!! But she is not ready. I keep working on it every day for a few hours but it hasn’t stuck yet…. I know one day she will wake up and decide she is ready and be potty trained and she will just be potty trained.

I have also been working on organizing, it is a long and slow process with 2 kids, but I am getting there and even more important I am getting a big pile of items to either sale or give away.

One of the wonderful things about not having money to go spend on gifts is it forces me to be creative about gifts, so I have been making gifts for various members. I can’t post pictures of all of them now because we don’t want to give away some peoples presents before they have a chance to open them. Here is just one of the gifts that I made:

 

We also have been spending a lot of time weeding and getting our garden ready for planting. It has taken a lot of hours and a lot of patience and we still aren’t done yet. But we have started planting some tomato’s in our home that will be transplanted in a few weeks along with planting the rest of our seeds.

 

I also tried my hand at making laundry soap and I am pretty impressed with how it turned out! It’s not that hard and SUPER CHEAP! It really helps the budget and I like to know that I am helping our cause of saving money.

 

We have been making monthly menus and being super good about sticking to them. It’s interesting to see what we can do when we are forced to do it.

I am also helping plan my sister-in-laws baby shower for May which I am super excited about since the last baby shower I thought I was going to be able to plan I didn’t get to plan. We are also making plans for Karsten’s 1^st birthday party!

I love keeping busy and even though I am exhausted I am glad I am able to keep busy and feel like I am accomplishing something. Now if I could get the kids to spend less time in front of the TV and if I could be better about keeping my house clean…. I would feel pretty good about myself. Anywho…. Until next time!

 

Love,

TT

April Book(s)!

This month I have enjoyed reading probably too much! In fact I didn’t just read one book I read a series of books! The series I was able to read is the “Song of the Lioness” by Tamora Pierce. It is a young teenager book, but I loved them all. The basic idea of the book is that this girl wants to become a knight….. but she is a girl…. So she disguises herself as a boy and goes to the palace to become a Knight….. the first and second book are about how she goes from being a page, to a squire and last to a Knight. She has lots of things happen to her as she is trying for her shield. The third and fourth book is about her adventures as she is a Knight and the many struggles she has. It is a series that I really enjoy, in fact the Author I enjoy reading. The author tends to make her characters go from one series to another series, even if they aren’t the main character. So I am excited to re-read the rest of her series!

 I have a book for May in Mind that is a different Author and series but that doesn’t mean I won’t start on the other series that are by Tamora Pierce.

Happy Reading!

TT

Nursing!

It's funny how life is.... when little Princess was born I was determined to Breastfeed her. I thought it would be the easiest thing in the world and that it would just be natural.... boy was I was wrong.... we struggled and struggled, until finally she weaned herself. I felt like a failure at the time, but at least she was getting the nutrition she needed from formula and it took me a while to figure out that I didn't fail..... if I would have never tried, then I would have failed, but I tried and gave her a good start and she is super smart.
When I found out I was pregnant with Little Prince.... I wanted to nurse.... but knew that it might not work out. So I was pleasantly surprised when within the first few minutes after birth he was nursing almost like a pro, and then the devestation came a few days later when we found out we had to supplement with formula until my milk came in due to low blood sugar. But we got through that time and though it hasn't always been easy and there are times that I wish I could let Buzz get up to feed Karsten at night.... I absolutely LOVE the connection Little Prince and I have. He adores his mommy in a way that I don't think Little Princess ever did. (Though she still adored me.... just differently).
Some of the things I LOVE about nursing:

• How he holds my finger in his when he nurses.
• The connection we have with each other.
• The special me and him time!
• His cute little bird mouth when he is in search of something to suck.
• The adoration we have for each other.
• How much money I am saving on formula... (I have not had to spend one single penny of formula for this little boy)

I am sure there are others but these are the main things, life is a little more difficult when you nurse and don't bottlefeed, but it is totally worth it. I am so glad that with both my kids I at least tried! Each one turned out differently, but neither was a failure because I tried. I love both my kids.....they are both my Angels! I learn so much from them and am so glad to call them mine!

Love,
Tt

What have I been up to?

Life has been crazy lately! I have started watching my Nephew two days a week. We are trying to get our garden cleaned out so we can plant veggies and fruits in the coming months, I have been trying to keep on top of keeping the house cleaning, trying to organize things and taking care of my kids, I have also been making the little princess and prince their Easter outfits. It has been quite the adventure, but I find if I keep busy then I have less time to stress about money and how we are going to make ends meet. (Which is going pretty well, blessing from our Heavenly Father keep helping us out.) Pictures of the house will come soon and the things we have done. Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Tt

P.s The family blog has been updated as well!

March Book

So it is only halfway through the month and I am already done with one book and halfway through another book.... the thing about these books is they are all apart of the same series. Lately I have been into the tv series "Pretty Little Liars" I have watched the first two seasons and really want to watch the 3rd, but that's not going to happen anytime soon. The series is based on series of books and I decided it would be fun to read them and so I got them from a online library and am downloading them onto my phone to read. The first  one is called "Pretty Little Liars" I like it, not as much as I like the show, the show is a lot more family oriented (as much as it can be.) There is a lot more sexual induendos, smoking and other risky topics in the books than in the shows. So if that sort of thing offends you I wouldn't read it. I personally liked it and just skipped over those parts. It is about a group of 4 girls who three years after there friend disappears starts receiving texts from a person named "A" this person knows all there big secrets and threatens to expose them. Still not sure who "A" is but I am very intrigued to find out. I am currently on the second book, but I promise I will read a different book in April, so you aren't just hearing about this series.

Love,
TT

February Book

So I didn't think I was going to finish a book in February, with all that happened I didn't read a lot but near the end of the month I picked up a short book and read it so I did finish it and am happy I did. The book I chose to read this month is "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" which is a Eclipse Novella. (yes I am a huge fan of the Twilight series.) This book didn't disappoint, I learned a lot about the Stephanie Meyers vampires that you never new before.... like how if you tear apart a vampire and don't burn the pieces how you put the vampire back together, and things like that. Basically this book is about Bree one of the vampires that Victoria has help try to get revenge on the Cullens for killing her mate. It was a good short read and I am glad I got to read it! I suggest it to anyone who is a Twilight fan!

Love,
TT

January Book!

So for my January Book I decided to read a book called "The Secret Journal of Brett Colton" it was such a good read. I love LDS Fiction and this book was one of the best I have read in a long time. Its a story of a girl who finds her brothers Journal on her 16th birthday and after years of resenting her deceased brother she finally gets to understand him more, and feel the love he has for her. In the process she learns more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and finds more about herself. I definitely recommend this one to all my friends.

Love,
TT

New Years Goals!

So I promised you this post a long time ago and I am finally getting to it. This year instead of resolutions I am working on goals..... I have a few of them so here they are I plan on updating you on how I am doing as the years progresses. Maybe I might keep some of my New Years Goals this year!

Goals for this year:

• Read and Finish at least one books each month, 
• Create a menu each month and stick to it. (Less eating out)
• Organize the house. Downstairs done by the end of March ( we may have to move it to the end of April), Upstairs done by the end of May ( we may have to move this one as well)
• Have a date with David each week. 
• Attend the temple each month. 
• Be more patient. With life, with my kids, with my husband and with myself. 

So that is what I have some of them I am doing great with.... others not so much but we will hopefully get better and better at getting goals completed! 

Love, 

TT

Tightening our belts, creating a budget, and getting out of Debt.

So since Christmas time we have really been struggling by the end of each pay period..... it's been hard and so we decided to have someone come in and help look over our finances and what is the best plan of attack to get out of debt.... other than our mortgage of course.... well I won't get into details but boy was it an eye opener. So it means there are a lot of changes happening in our household. We are getting rid of somethings that we don't need, that are really just wants..... we are creating a menu and sticking to it..... we are not eating out as much.... I might be watching 1 or 2 kids during the week and David might be getting a second job. The key is we won't be spending money frivolously and we will have to cut back on Birthday and Christmas budgets etc..... it will be hard, we will be tight on Money for a few years, but if it is what it takes to get our budget back on schedule and get out of debt it will be worth it.... better to do it now when our kids are small and they don't understand they are missing out on things, than in 10 years when they can understand it. We are trying hard to get out of debt, we don't want things to get worse.....  we are looking forward to a bright future, even if it takes a lot of tears.... (tears which have been shed today) patience and years.... So if you ask us to go do something it's not because of you it's because we are getting out of debt, if you get something small or nothing at all for birthdays or Christmas it's because we are trying to better our family situation, and get out of debt. We will get better and we will overcome this but it will take time. So for now I will say goodbye... please note one of the changes happening is getting rid of the internet and using our phones for internet..... so don't be surprised if the frequency of my blog posts go down quite a lot...... its better for my family and I have to do whats best for us!

Love,
TT

Being a stay at home mom is a tough job......

But I love it! It's been a while since I posted on here, an actual post. I have been keeping super busy being a mom. The kids are doing better and finally starting to get better... (knock on wood!) My days consist of taking care of the kids, and trying to organize my life/house..... We have 3 rooms that I have really been working on to organize they are getting better..... but still far from being there.... here are some pictures of my projects.... please don't look at the gross carpet or wallpaper.... eventually when we have some money and have done some of the other projects that need to be done first we will get them fixed......

Part of the Toy Room/Craft Room!

Another view of the Toy Room/Craft Room!

Another view of the Toy Room/Craft Room!

Our Red Room/Storage Room/ Future Guest Room

Family Room, Notice all the papers on the floor that need to be filed away!

 Some of the projects I have been working on:

Books, Books, and More Books! I found like 5 boxes of books in my  red room to put away! We had to go buy a new bookcase!

Decorating/Organizing the Kids Room!

Obviously there is still lots of work to do...... but my hope is to be settle in, unpacked and organized by the end of March.... that will be our 1 year of being in the house mark. Hope I can do it with all the other things I want to do.
I am working on the kids's first year scrapbooks, sewing several things, potty training the little princess, and being a good mom. Can I do it???? Yes I can!


Love,
Tt

Updates!

Well, the Family Blog has been updated! You should go check it out!

What have I been up to.... well we have been cleaning, organizing, cleaning, organizing and cleaning some more. We have been trying to move all our pictures from the computer onto CD's. We rearranged the house a little. I have been trying to organize my craft room and just staying busy being a mom to my two adorable kiddos. Once things are organized I will post pictures. It will just take a while.

Oh I still have to post my New Years Goals, but that will be another day!

Love,
TT