Valentine’s Day crafts

 

This year, I decided to scale the crafting down.  I let the boy pick what he wanted to do for his friends at school.  He decided to give cars to the boys (15) and candies for the girls.  I spent about $24 in order to get small clear favor bags, 20 cars and some banana candies (like from RUNTS).  I made 16 boy valentines with the cars.  I then made 6 for his girl friends, 4 for teachers, 4 for missionaries, and 8 for our primary class with the banana candies. 

So, roughly, each valentine cost $0.63.  That is so great… plus we may or may NOT have taken a few of the cadies here and there. J  

 

 

 

They were a big hit with everyone!!!

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Our Special Day

We got sealed in the Sacramento Temple in January!!  It was a very interested day.  The ceremony was wonderful and meant a lot to us.   The photographer went to the wrong temple.  Haha  She went to the Oakland temple.  Luckily for us, it is close enough that she could still make it.  She did a great job, when she DID show up.

We ,then, had a great Italian lunch at a nearby restaurant.  We had a really wonderful time. 

For favors,  I made Pink Velvet cupcakes that I put in jars with the cream cheese frosting.  I used this recipe Here.  I changed the recipe from blue to pink.  I used Duff’s neon liquid food color from Michael’s craft store.  They tasted delicious!!!  I also canned banana bread.

Before putting my pink velvet cupcakes in jars and adding frosting and sprinkles. MMMMmmm

I also made some vanilla extract and vanilla sugar.  I used the recipe here for vanilla sugar.  I ordered some spice jars from Amazon and simply filled them up. J I also go the vanilla beans on Amazon for a great price.

 

 

    

Here are some family pictures.

Some of our wonderful friends and their families that were able to attend.

 

Had to represent. :) Ok so I wore silver sparkly shoes for everything else. :)

 

Soon to be Family of FOUR

                I know it has been a few months since I updated my blog. Haha A few days after my last post about what to and not to say to women TTC, I found out that I was, in fact, pregnant.  I, immediately, had some goals in mind for this pregnancy.

                My goals with this pregnancy are:

1.       Gain a NORMAL amount of weight 25-35lb. (Not 52)

2.       Be able to wear my wedding rings the entire time.  Or maybe just passed week 26.

3.       Fit in my combat boots longer than week 17/18.

4.       No overeating.

5.       Watch my sodium intake.

I am currently 25 weeks with our baby girl.  So far, I have been really good about wieght gamin this time.  I have only gained 19 lb.  I don’t overeat and have a normal sodium intake.  I can still fit in my boots (and I only now got into my maternity uniform).  My wedding rings still fit!!

My cravings so far have included:

1.       Hot Chocolate (at first)

2.       Orange Juice

3.       Toast with grape jam

      4.       Milk

5.       Fruit

I am so blessed to have some great friends who have given me some hand me downs from their daughters.  Little Miss even has a shoe collection.  I bought her two pairs of sandals and some pink converses (all second hand).  Here is some of my wonderful second hand deals that I scored. :) 

I also got her two newborn rings.  One is an Emerald (for her birthstone) and the other is one that is silver with her initial stamped on it. 

 

I got a GREAT deal for Black Friday on some cloth diapers!! Happy Heiny’s were on sale for $15 each.  So I got some blue, green, and grey ones.

 

I’m so blessed!  My sweet sisters are knitting and crocheting her blankets and sweaters.   She is soooo lucky. J I’m excited!  I bought my first “real” wrap, the one that I have thought to be my ideal colorway. It’s a Girasol Ardent wrap and looks like this. 

 

I can barely wait to put her in it.  My husband laughs at me and says it’s definitely for me and not her.  He’s right.  We are super excited and feel truly blessed. J Things are going really well with us and we are happy to see how things continue this year!

How to Make Your Own Dryer Balls

 

I’m not going to get into too much detail about ALL the benefits of dryer balls but here are a few.

1.       No Chemicals- like those found in dryer sheets.

2.       Cut down drying times.  And did I mention no chemicals?  Putting in tennis balls is actually NOT a good idea.

3.       No need for dryer sheets when you use the dryer balls- they soften your clothes.

Here are reasons to make them:

1.       It’s easy.

2.       It’s fun.

3.       It SAVES MONEY.

Now don’t get me wrong, I HAVE bought some before.  I thought it would take too long to make them.  I didn’t know how exactly to do it.  I was a single momma at the time, etc.  I had a ton of excuses.  So instead, I looked at some major brand dryer balls.  My sister gave me some Buddha Bunz brand ones.  They are great (and smell good too) You can buy them here.  HOWEVER, they are $11 a ball!! For a BALL!!!

So,  I turned to etsy.com in search of another kind to buy. I found a store call Clean Sypria.  I bought mine from there. You can find them Here . I got an 8 pack for about $46 (including shipping)… that is roughly $6 a ball. 

Now, I bet you are thinking “well how much does it cost to make them?”  Great question!!! I spent $6.99 a skein of yarn, I got three.  This made 8 balls.  That is roughly $21 for the yarn and $2.62 a ball.  Did you read that??? $2.62 a ball!!!!!!!! And there are companies charging $11 a ball? Craziness!!  I love the Buddha bunz balls, but why spend that much if you can make it for a lot less?

Note, This was my second attempt at making dryer balls.  The first time I used 85% wool yarn because that is all I could find.  Then I covered them in shaved roving… it was a mess and didn’t “felt” properly.  The fell apart and only the roving on top felted.  It was a disaster.

WORD OF CAUTION!!! You MUST use 100% wool yarn or roving yarn for these or it will not be a success. 

  Materials

• 100% wool yarn or roving yarn

• Cheap pair of panty hose or knee highs (I got two pairs of knee highs for 99 cents)

 Steps

1.       Roll the yarn into tight balls.  When you reach the size you like (about a baseball) make it a LITTLE bigger.  This is to accommodate the shrinking that will take place in following steps.  Tuck the last bit of the yarn into the ball.

2.       Put them in the panty hose and tightly tie a knot between each one.  I tied the balls in tight so to keep their shape a little better.

3.       Put them in the washer.  Run them in the HOT cycle in a heavy wash twice.  I did not let mine rinse in cold.  I stopped the cycle once it got to the rinse.   This is the “felting” process.

4.       Take them out of the washer and mash them back into a ROUND shape.  This is a personal preference. Haha I thought the lopsided balls looked silly.  If you want them to stay lopsided and quirky, then by all means keep them that way. J

5.       Then put them in the dryer (still in the panty hose).  This is the finishing touch to the “felting.”

6.       When they are done, simply cut the panty hose and pull the balls out.  And Ta da!! You are done. 

 

Now wasn’t that easy?

I hope you enjoyed this post and have a happy time making your own dryer balls.

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What you should or COULD Say to Women who are Trying to Conceive (TTC)

 

I certainly didn’t think I would get such a large huzza about my What NOT to say to women who are TTC!  A pleasant surprise.  As requested, here is a what you SHOULD or COULD say to women who are TTC (Trying to Conceive).

1.       “I wish you and your family luck in this.”   It shows that you are not being judgmental and supportive.

2.       Ask if you can pray for the woman and her family.  What is the worst she could say? She isn’t religious?  The fact that you are genuinely asking can show support.

 

3.       “I’ll send some baby dust to you.”  I know that sounds a little strange for those who are not familiar with TTC.  Wishing baby dust for someone is like saying “Good luck” or sending “good vibes” for the woman.

 

4.       “Don’t lose hope.  I’m here for you.” Sometimes, just hearing that someone is on your side (other than your man) can be a big help.  If you had issues TTC yourself, now might be the appropriate time to mention it.   

5.       “Don’t give up. Your miracle is on its way.”  I saw this in a picture and I know it made me feel good.  Maybe it could help others.

6.       “Even miracles take a little time” Say this with a smile… a REAL, genuine, I love you friend kind of smile.  And yes, that IS from Cinderella.  And it is true.

But I will reiterate what I said in my “what not to say post”: Sometimes, we think that we are making comments that are encouraging or they are our attempts to be helpful in this stressful situation.  But sometimes, the most helpful thing to do and say is to simply NOT say anything at all (Especially if you do not know the woman well).  And please, don’t hug someone unless you know they want or would like one… hugs do usually help in times like these… no words needed. J Love for all mommas and future mommas.

-Ashley

PSPlease click on an ad to the right or below this post in hopes to raise some money for my little family. Thank you.

What NOT to say to women who are TTC

 

A few days ago, I saw this cute pin on Pinterest that said “what not to say to a woman who is trying to conceive.”  I figured oh this will either be funny or informative.  Well, I was completely disappointed.  The post I went on to read didn’t mention ANYTHING about what NOT to say.  It said that the writer wasn’t willing to tell people she and her spouse were trying to conceive (TTC) because then others put stress on you.  So I figured, that I would write some common things I hear about TTC (I want to punch somebody in the face with some of these). I collaborated with my Sister in Law with these.

1.       “It will happen…”   Now, I get it.  Yes, I have one child already.  So I know that it will most likely “happen” again.  Sometimes, I just don’t understand and get run down because I got pregnant with him with minimal effort.  It took maybe 2 months. 

2.       “All in God’s time.”  First let me say that I am pretty religious (go to church, read my scriptures, pray, live the lifestyle/ culture that will ensue), but I hate hearing this… It enrages me.  Not to mention, what if I WASN’T religious?? That could seem insulting or be taken the wrong way.  What if the woman is struggling with her faith and a big part of it is BECAUSE of infertility problems, and then you say this?  It might not help the situation. 

3.       “My *insert female relative here* got pregnant immediately after she stopped trying.”  That is all fine and dandy Miss Johnson who lives down the street.  I feel much better. NOT.  I’m glad that happened for your relative.  What is that supposed to do for me?  I mean really… there is just no point in saying this. 

 

4.       “You are trying to have more kids?”  Wow.  Is it a crime to try to have more than one (two, or four) these days?  That’s not judgmental at all.  Sigh.

5.       “You’re so young.  You have plenty of time.”  Truth is… I’m not SO young.  I’m creepin’ up on 30 and we all have seen the statistics of high risk pregnancies (or of having one fail for some medical reason) after the age of 35.  I know that complications after that age will not necessarily happen to me, but all the same, it isn’t ideal for ME.  Some women wait until they are over 30 to have kids.  And more power to them.  That just isn’t what I would like to do. 

6.       “Losing weight might help.” This one doesn’t pertain to me, but my Sister in Law (SIS) heard this a LOT.  Weight wasn’t her issue, though.  You do not always have a VISIBLE reason to why pregnancies do not happen or do not “stick” as I say.

 

7.       “When are you going to have kids? You’ve been married a while?”  Maybe you should just not say this one either… even if the woman isn’t TTC.  Quite frankly?  It is none of our business when others are going to have kids. 

8.       “Oh just wait until you get pregnant! It’s so wonderful, etc” Because that isn’t a slap in the face.    

9. "What positions are you trying?", "What herbs/supplements are you taking?", "What are you eating?" Remember up on number 7 when I said some things aren’t our business? Yeah, this is another one of those as well. Sometimes, this even isn’t appropriate with some family members.

10."Maybe you should think about adopting. I've known quite a few families who couldn't have kids, that as soon as they adopted, they got pregnant!"That doesn’t really make people feel good either.Adoption is a wonderful option, but some women really want to have biological children. I know I would love to adopt (if we had the money for it) after I had a few more of my own biological children.

Basically, what I have tried to do here is get your attention.  Sometimes, we think that the above comments/ questions are encouraging or are our attempts to be helpful in this stressful situation.  But sometimes, the most helpful thing to do and say is to simply NOT say anything at all.  Love for all mommas and future mommas.  Baby dust for all!!

-Ashley

PS Please click on an ad to the right or below this post in hopes to raise some money for my little family. Thank you. 

For a look at what you could say in this situation, read my post here.

Child Treasure Box

     My sweet husband and I have come up with a new idea.  He will be making a small box for our son.  We will be putting small gifts in it for our boy that he can have when he turns 18.  We plan on making these for every future child we have as well.

     Then he will make cedar chest (hope chest) that we will fill and give them when they either get married or graduate from college.  I love this idea!! I was looking on (yes I know) Pinterest and saw time capsules.  They gave me the idea for these boxes.  Of course, we will let him know what fun things are in it as he grows up.  Hopefully, it will give him the motivation to do good so he can get these treasures.  The first thing that will go in this box is this awesome watch.  (I found it From Black Stone Foundry on Etsy Here.  She does some great work and has great customer service.)

 

 

     For a future girl I think I'll give her my feather ring. I couldn't get it to load but I bought it on Amazon last year. (here)  I think this is so wonderful.  It's something that I know I would have LOVED as a child.  Maybe you should make one too. :)  I hope you have a wonderful day.

 

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