What a fabulous Idea!!!!

http://www.vinylreadydesigns.blogspot.com/






They have a great contest going on right now and I am so excited to see if I can win....what a fabulous easy idea to revamp your house around the house....check out there site and enter to win maybe we both can...I am already going around the house looking to see what I could revamp....;o) have a blessed day.....

I LOVE TECHNOLOGY!!!!

Where were we 20 years ago without all of this technology...I feel ever so grateful not only that it exists but that I have the resources to be able to use these as a means to communicate....We were attatched to the US Navy for 22 years well 17 of that I was with him but we have moved around and I have made some really good friends, but the downside of the military is you don't stay in one place for too long....That always bring lots of tears and sadness....The other day I had the honor of skyping with My dear Friend Eirin whom I have been friends with for 9 years...she moved to California (not a miltary move) a year ago and this was one of the most difficult for me as our youngest girls have the cutest, closest bond with one another.....It was so awesome with her camera on her computer she has been able to give me a tour of her new home, and we were able to chat with the whole family :o) It felt like we were in the living room together...We plan on doing this again soon...I also loved at christmas being able to see my niece and nephew, parents and grandmother online christmas day even though we couldn't be together....Then there is facebook which has brought not only a closer bond with friends I have had other the years but reconncetions with old high school classmates....I am just in Awe of the way technology is able to do this for us....I cherish all of my relationships friends and family and I thank god for bringing them all into my lives but I am also thankful for the knowledge of some people in what they have created for us...I can only imagine what my children will have 20 years from now...WOW how exciting....

A Great new DIY site....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omfq50SdtGo&feature=player_embedded

If you are like me and Iike to Craft but sometimes hit a roadblock and need new ideas well here is a great new site that has that and more...they also will give you other tips and will test out products....check it out....Also starting this month they are registering people to win a Janome Sewing machine & a Janome Embroidery machine....what could be better....and if you don't know how to sew or embroider this will just give you even more of a reason to learn if you win....check it out!!!

Did I wake up in Michigan????

Well the talk friday night at ladies bunco at my house was is it going to snow...we have had many threats of snow over the past month or so and none of them have produced anything to make any excitment over so we were thinking why would this one be any different...as the evening progressed everyone was checking their blackberries and such for weather updates and placing bets on if it would actually happen...by the time the ladies left my house around 9:30 we had heard of the possibility of 12" ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? So I went to bed thinking if anything I would wake up to a dusting or an inch or two of snow on the ground since our weather men haven't always been too accurate...WRONG!!! I was quite happily surprised in the morning when we were able to wake up and take the kids and the cat...yes you read that right Meeko wanted to join us for a romp out in the snow...and boy since then he keeps wanting to go out for more snow adventures....it's too cute...but I suddenly feel with all of this snow sitting on the ground and the roads that I am back in Michigan again...it takes us alot longer to get out the door since we have to bundle everybody more and also on the roads because of them being so slick and just because you grew up driving in crazy road conditions doesn't mean the person coming at you also did they could have grown up in California for all you know...we have so many military personal living in our area it's hard to tell where everybody is from just because their license plate says Virginia we can't assume anything....We enjoyed the snow while it was here but it put a damper on school keeping us out two and half days so now I click my heels like on the Wizzard of Oz and wish for the snow to go away or I will just huff and puff it away....it was nice while it was here but it has out stayed it's welcome....and from what I hear from groundhogs day we have 6 more weeks of winter in our forecast I hope there isn't anther crazy snowstorm in there somewhere...I am really looking forward to the tulips blooming and the sun shining on a daily basis......

A Star N the Making....

Pation decided this would be the year to try out for basketball and let me tell you the boy has skill...he is kind of a cross between a basketball player and a football player on the court though...LOL

which we have been seeing that from alot of the boys...the league he is one is from ages 6-8 so I think they are still trying to figure everything out and the difference between the two...But for now it seems to be working their team plays great and is 2-0 for the season so far...We look forward to hopefully seeing them in the championships....as long as they keep their head in the game...HAHA I am sure they will be fine...they have a great couple of girls on their team too and they have no fear of those boys which is great...Must mean they have a few brothers at home...I hope that is my jamisyn and Abigayl in future years...:o)

Tasty Valentines Treats for your loved ones...

I love to bake and have followed the Blog of Mckmama for quite some time she has a friend who is an amazing baker...she has fabulous ideas for valentines day..check out her website and hopefully you will find some tasty treats for your sweety or kiddos...YUM!!!
http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/
These could melt in my mouth...mmmmmm

What a fabulous idea...
Here is her Recipe...

Coffee Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter softened

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 eggs

2 tbsp. fresh ground coffee (you can also use instant crystals or powder)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt (I prefer kosher when baking)

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar.

In a small bowl, combine eggs, vanilla, and coffee.

In yet another bowl, add together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.

Slowly add your egg mixture to the butter mixture until well combined.  Slowly add  flour mixture until fully combined, do not over beat.

I would chill this dough for AT LEAST one hour, preferably overnight.

When you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden.  Allow cookies to cool completely before covering in any icing.

Sugar Cookie Frosting Recipe

• 1 cup Confectioners Sugar (powder sugar)
• 1 Tablespoon Milk
• 1 drop Lemon Juice (fresh or processed)
• 1 Tablespoon Light Corn Syrup

Combine powder sugar, corn syrup, and lemon juice in a bowl.

******This next step is important!******

If you need a thicker frosting, say for outlining your cookies, add LESS milk. Just a drop at a time.

If you have already outlined your cookies and need a to fill in or ’spill’ your cookies, you can add more milk (as much as you would need) to make your frosting very runny.

If you are using food coloring, be sure to use LESS milk. Most food colorings are liquid and can make your frosting more runny. If you are using a gel food coloring, your milk quanity can remain the same.

If you want to add different flavors, you can add drops of vanilla extract, almond extract, lemon, etc. to flavor your frosting.

If you want more SHINE, use more corn syrup and less milk.

This frosting will stay good for days in the fridge.

 

a wide array of challenges at the table...

Well just when I was getting excited about this new cook book I had...(Flat Belly Diet) I had been preparing meals from this book for almost 4 weeks now and the only one I was hearing complaints from was Pation which wasn't a problem to me as lately his tastebuds seem to have an issue with everything I cook...so we usually have him eat at least half of his meal at least since we know about 3 mo. ago he was eating these foods...well back to dinner tonight...I was so excited!!! I was making Scallops with Avacado kiwi salsa....and we had a side of brown rice...( I would have chosen just a side of spring salad mix with a light salad dressing but that is just me) so I look over at Mackenzie's plate and she has all of her scallops pushed to the side of her plate and claims that she is allergic to them...SINCE WHEN??? I am her mother you think I would know this??? so we told her she didn't have to eat them if she didn't want to well that upset karlee who said " I didn't like last nights meal but I ate it why doesn't she have to?" that opened a whole can of worms....she continued to tell me that my avacado mush from last night was bland...LOL good thing I didn't use her as my food critic...LOL

Seriously in all I have had two meals fail on me and that was because I used rice noodles in one meal and they didn't cook right and the other one was a noodle issue as well...besides that all has gone well...I just don't want to have to cook many different meals to please 8 different taste buds...UGH!!!! I thought this would work it has lots of fresh foods, veggies and fruits and fresh tastes.....I will continue with what is on the menu for the week and see how it goes.....to be continued.....

Computers have never been my friend....Haha

I have always been in Awe of other peoples blogs and how beautiful and creative they looked, so I did a little research and found a bunch of people offering services to do what I call spruce up your blog....WOWZERS is all I am going to say....lucky them, so I started looking the other night on different programs that could help me help my blog without having to pay others to do it for me...So now comes the big challenge for me as I have never been a big computer person and now I have to learn this program that I have purchased to "spruce" up my blog.....so I guess when you stumble onto my blog and find BIG changes you will know that I have figured out my program....Best of luck to me and lets hope I win so my laptop stays in one piece....

An attempt to make a lifestyle change....

So back in the day I was the one who made the new years resolution to lose weight and I was the one to go on this diet and that diet trying to lose "X" amount of weight....well now my plan is to just use this cookbook and to cook healthy for my whole family and to exercise on a regular basis....Alot of things have been brought to my attention and yes I would love to weigh less wouldn't we all but I am not out to put a number on it....I am just out to show my children that if we eat healthy and exercise that we can stay a good weight and live a healthy lifestyle....but in the back of my mind I am hoping to drop about 15 lb. by summer and to be running 5-7 miles at least 3 times a week...I never really enjoyed it much as a child but I do have to say it is so refreshing to plug the ipod in my ears and get out and breathe in the fresh air and just run....I do hope you find whatever it is in you to find a healthy way to live wether it be pilates, yoga, zumba, an eliptical machine and find a healthy eating regimine that fits your lifestyle so far this one works for our family the recipes are easy delicious and healthy....good luck to us all...

Oh now another birthday these need to stop....

We made it easy on him and gave him one candle on each cake....
Planting and tending to his new crop...GO farmer shon
His Scrapbook I kept this hidden and worked on it for years....
I was almost sure he had peeked a few times...guess not....
Jamisyn whipping up her easy bake concoction nummy......
The girl loves to be in the kitchen.....cooking and baking :o)

Yes shon just jumped into the 40's LOL he has mixed emotions over it...we made it a very memorable birthday for him....he of course had to work even though it was MLK day so the kids and I were very busy making his favorite cake(german Chocolate) also helping Jamisyn make and Easy Bake cake for him....then getting the finishing touches on his gifts.....I have been working about the last 5 years or so on scrapbooking shon's Navy career from day one till day of retirement and I am happy to say I completed it and he was really touched by it...he kept asking where did you get this??and that?? LOL teehee my secret...then he has been mentioning how he has wanted a bonsai Tree so I went to the Garden shop and found him a really pretty one and he is already turning into farmer john...LOL HAPPY BIRTHDAY and Many More....

Trying new things....

We are beginning new adventures in the house...Pation had taken up basketball which he is getting very good at (pics to Come) and Jamisyn has decided to take up Ice Skating.....her first lesson she was a little unsure of things but she is on lesson 4 now and I cannot believe how quickly she is picking things up...her favorite thing to do is swizzles....she did alot of those in practice last night...Grandma is Surprising her with her very own pair of skates and we are looking to pick out a special outfit and tights....she just loves to skate and is excited to get out on the ice every week....just like pation and basketball...he had his first game on saturday and his team one 21-10...shon said " son you did something I never did in my first game you scored" yes that's right pation scored and he plays awesome defense....I do think his next sport will have to be football though...LOL

Meeting up with Old Friends....

Our Troops together!!! Wow what a great group of kids
Shon getting serious in our game of Phase 10...love that game!!
Trying to help daddy with his Hand....
Mackenzie and Brianna Playing a game.....
the 3 little girls played dress up and colored...they get along so well...
Maegan and Karlee brings a smile to my face.....
The men took their turn on the Wii......

We were blessed with a visit with an old friend and her family....when we attended our old church we met maegan hall and her husband David...they attended the same care group as us and didn't live far from our old house either...we did so many things together and she also has such a passion for being frugal like me....so we spent many of saturdays yard sale shopping together....well her husbands job moved them to Georgia a few years ago and we just haven't had the time to visit them...they came up to visit her family for holidays and she called to see if we were available for a visit...so we got together for dinner and games...oh it brought back good times....wish we lived closer....back when we saw each other last she had 3 kids and I had just had abigayl....now they have 5 and we have 6 so we did a group shot it made us laugh and the kids too...great times....

New Year 2010!!

Abigayl Playing Wii with James she loves to bowl....
Looks like Pation needs to replace a few teeth :o)
Jamisyn and one of her favorite build a bear friends....
My dear Friend Rosemary we played a few hands of Yahtzee

the Kids then chilled on the couch and watched a movie till the clock struck 12!!

Jake man Hanging out watching them play wii

We really enjoyed our time ringing in the new year with the Carter's and we look forward to their new addition that is arriving in April....please help me in praying for a healthy baby come delivery time...

Christmas With all the FAMILY!!! Con't

Shon's New Jersey GO COLTS!!

Our Tradition of decorating gingerbread cookies on Christmas eve. Yummy ;o)

The girls opening their BIG surprise that as you can see by karlee's reaction wasn't much of a surprise to her....LOL

Here is our Fancy Nancy Princess

This was a great year this year for us...lots of changes for our family but it was great to wake up on christmas morning as a family....this year we decided to get the older girls a netbook to keep up on their school work, it seems everyday they are waiting in line for use on the computer...but we made it a bit of a challenge for them to find them...it was kind of cute to see them reading their clues and trying to figure out where their gift was located....then they all opened them at the same time and we didn't see the reaction we were looking for...come to find out Dell spoiled our surprise and had called to see how we were enjoying our netbook but we were not at home so Karlee had answered the phone...Grr gotta luv technology right....so much for surprises...oh well the other two were very surprised to see one for them.....in all it was a great christmas and I am also happy that we have nothing to pay off except for a new laptop that daddy decided that I needed...LOL but I love not having Debt...such a great feeling it will be even better when my truck is paid off...working hard on that....I just so cherished our time together this year and look forward to many more holidays together knowing shon doesn't have to deploy or leave our sides anymore..doesn't mean I am not sad for friends of mine and I don't pray for them and their situations though...it's not an easy lifestyle and I commend the women who take on the challenge and do it well...KUDO'S ladies....

Christmas With all the FAMILY!!!

Grandma Nielsen Relaxing in the kitchen....
It's Tiggergayl......
MoM...(Aka) Grandma Nellie
Lacey our furry family member
Jamisyn Rosy cheeks and all....courtesy of the strep throat...yuck!
Snuggle time with Papa Lee......

This christmas was wonderful in many ways because we were together as a family for the first time in 3 years and the beginning of forever....But My parents and Grandmother came down for a visit which we hadn't seen them in quite some time...it is always very difficult living so far away when we don't get to see them as often as we would like but our time together was so great...My mom and I were able to go to my FAVORITE store and she had never been before...Yeah for Trader Joes!! she loved it....and they were able to go to jamisyn's first Skating lesson with all of us...she was so tickled to have them there....it was so sad when it was time for them to go but we are already making plans for a spring visit and a summer one...it's so much nicer that the kids are older and it's easier to travel with them....enjoy the pictures :o)