Happy Thoughts

FINALLY we are all on the mend at the Fisher house. Overall I am ready for a "do-over" for this year. I am a firm believer that God only gives us what we can handle and everything happening for a reason, but I think we met our quota.

There has been some good stuff going on too. Baylee is finishing up her last minute details with her Science Fair project. I am so proud of all her hard work. She spent most of yesterday on the computer busy editing her abstract (thus no fun time for me... but that is o.k.!) Devynn has been doing some awesome stuff with her JOOI club. And the babies, well they make all us smile daily (for the most part.)

Which leads me to my Happy Thoughts. My friend Nicole at A New Normal tagged me with a list of 10 things that make me happy. And believe me, I have needed to remember these 10 things this month!!!! Thanks Nicole!

So here is my list (I LOVE LIST!!!)

1. My Kids

They are the air I breathe and the ground I walk on.

My life turned around the moment Baylee came into this world. I was young, single and fiercely protective of her.

I met Billy because of her. And together we had Devynn, Trynnity and Prestton.

Each bringing in their own kind of joy, laughter and love. All 4 unique. All 4 the center of my Earth.

They are without a doubt a handful at times. From raging hormones, learning disabilities, sassiness and determination. To the outgoing, sweet, hilarious and precious little people they are.

Loving them is happiness.

2. Billy

My best friend, my soul mate.

The one I love to love. He happened unexpectedly. We are opposites on the outside and the same from within.

We are NOT perfect! But we as cliche as it sounds, he completes me.

He is my lobster (we say that too Nicole!)

3. My family

They drive me crazy most days, but they are there.

Cheering us on, supporting us, loving us.

From both my parents and brother here in Tucson, to my Walker family in the Big D

and all my Lashley clan on the East coast.

OXOX MORE!!!

4. My friends

Really, for the most part, they are just extended family. Each with their own place in my heart.

Thank goodness they put up with me! Cause Lord knows I would wither without them!

5. My Spirituality

In God and in the beautiful world HE created I find peace and serenity.

It has been a very personal journey, much I felt I had to do alone in the beginning.

I needed to find my own heart without judgement from others.

Nor did I want to be pushed into someone else's beliefs.

As a family we have not found a "formal" house of worship to belong to, none seem to fit us...

but we have faith that when we find the right one, we will know.

Until then we continue our own worship within in our home, knowing we have HIS strength and guidance.

6. My "Other" Job

I am always a mom and wife first. But on the side (heehee) I teach kindergarten part time.

Just saying what I do makes me smile. I am proud to be a teacher. I worked hard to get my degree and those kinders crack me up! It never feels like a job (when I am in there doing it; it is the other "stuff" that makes it hard).

Plus I work with an amazing group of women (friends) all deeply dedicated to their jobs.

Whether it is a teacher or support staff, we are all in there for the greater good.

You go girls!!!

So now that I listed all the serious important things that make me happy...

7. Shopping

Don't laugh, but I really do get goose bumps when I walk into the mall (or Target, Ross, Michael's...)

I have a rush that runs through my veins. I LOVE the smell of stores, so weird I know.

Before I had kids and HAD to be responsible I would buy something new and pay my water bill late.

Ever see the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic?

Yes, that WAS me.

W.A.S. Cause do you see what I do for a living? And my hubby is in law enforcement...

No $$$$ here.

So when I do have $$$$,

I buy for my kids.

And my house.

I am at the bottom of the list.

{sigh}

8. Traveling

Plane. Train or Automobile.

I have been ALL over the United States.

And one day I will venture further.

9. Scrapbooking, Blogging and Picture Taking

All recording my Life Treasures.

Each having their own perks.

Me needing more time to do them.

10. Net Flix and My DVR (with my super fluffy down pillow)

In our crazy hectic life, I need down time. Where I don't have to think. And where I can be at home.

I never used to watch a lot of T.V. nor did I ever go to the movies a lot.

But I love watching my shows when I can.

I love that our movies come to us in the mail, at a reasonable price with no late fees.

BTW: I need my pillow!

Wow! 10 things go by fast. I can think of so many more...

But now I get to tag some people and find out what makes them smile:)

If you choose to play of course!

Alisha at LiLi Living

Anabelle at Keeping up with the Pearsons

Amy at the Kirklands

Jen at A Daily Scoop of Chaos

A "New" Laundry Room

After many trips to find the perfect throw rug (Thank you Alisha for being dragged all over Tucson), tons of Home Depot runs for paint sample cards, and a few run ins to Michael's...

the laundry room is DONE!

Not to mention battling a cold, strep, pink eye and a UTI within a week in our home.

Now I will admit that it is not Better Homes and Gardens quality, but I like it. It makes me smile, even if it is just the laundry room.

And our winning color... Nightfall by Freshaire (an Earth friendly paint!) It is a silvery blue.

Not our Granny Smith Green we first thought about.

Nor was is the washed out Teal that I LOVE with brown. We did decide that since this color combination is something we both really like (and that does not happen often) we would use it in our own bed/ bathroom. Marshall's has some g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s pillows that I am anxious to get my hands on that will go with this color scheme, but more on that later.

So here is the Before...

And the After...

There are a couple of things I would still like to replace.

1. The white plastic pull out. It is functional, but so not pretty. We would still like to build in cabinets above the washer and dryer, so until that day comes...

2. The white not so cute basket is for dirty dish rags.

My Texas Stars; Ross $19.99 for the set

The rug. First purchase and color inspiration; Target $12.99

Baskets (I still need 2 more); Micahel's $12.99 on sale

The baskets contain: cleaners (1 for bathrooms, 1 for the house),

Swiffer stuff, light bulbs, mismatched socks (because we have a Sock Monster living in our house, and we forever have a sock missing it's mate for a week or so)

P.S. I like to scrap and totally dig tags, so each basket has one!

They are so simple. I made them from white price tags (a box of 50 is 1.99) purchased from Office Max. Used a brown, teal, off white and gold ink to add color.

A swirl stamp and some ribbon.

The paint was a little more expensive, 37.98 for the gallon. But it has NO odors and for using in such a small space I was glad I spent the extra money. Plus it was super easy to clean up afterwards. I highly recommend it.

A laundry room make over for under $100!!!!!

P.S. Thank you Honey for painting the top trim and putting on the second coat! It was a pain trying to paint in such a small space. And when you are only 5'2" you can only reach so high.

When Mommy is Sick

Mommy is not feeling good. I need just a little power nap... laying down on the couch...

Please stop yelling. Prestton, Trynnity is sleeeping. Come out of the room.

Do not hit Trynnity.

Now she is up...

"Joey (the dog is now licking Trynnity)! Outside!!!! Now!!"

Attempting to sit down on the couch

"Prestton get down off the chair!"

"Can I have some gum mom? Mom? Mom!"

"In a minute Trynnity."

{text from hubby}

"Sit Trynnity, please don't lay on me right now."(cough)

{phone rings} "Yes Devy, Dad is coming to pick you up. He should already be there."

{text to hubby; r u at the school? Amy will take B to v-ball}

"Prestton! Get down off the table. Trynnity do not jump on the cat."

"No candy right now."

{text from hubby, which parking lot is Amy in?}

"Close the door Trynnity. Stop laying on the dog."

"Prestton, get off the chair."

"Joey, NO!!!"

"I gotta go potty mom!"

"Get outta here Prestton!"

"Give it Prestton! Give it back! I am gonna wipe, you don't wipe! You are little."

{screaming x 2}

"Joey, NO!"

(Trynnity crying)

(Prestton pulling at his {JOEY!!!} belly button crying and running to mom)

And that was only in the first 5 minutes after my husband left the house.

"Prestton, get down..."

Just Post It...

A "Not Me" Monday First!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

{Sigh} It has been a TOUGH month. I am NOT responsible for any of my actions.

I did NOT yell at Trynnity when she locked her and Prestton in the bathroom this afternoon.

{double blink} I did NOT leave the 12 piles of CLEAN laundry laying in the hallway for my husband to fold.

I did NOT go to McDonald's, Taco Bell, Jack in the Box etc. this month nor did I drink any Pepsi.

{gulp} I did NOT argue with any of my friends this past week for responsibilities or commitments I did NOT take care of.

I did NOT give out a fake address or yell at the Michael's manager when they refused to give me a refund WITH a receipt.

I did NOT throw a towel over the dog puke in the kitchen because I was NOT running late AGAIN for work. Nor did I make Baylee get out the steam vac and have her help me clean it up.

I did NOT put Prestton down at all last week without brushing his teeth.

I did NOT get frustrated with Devy when she made a 47% on her spelling test.

{cringe} I did NOT give my husband the silent treatment when he had to pay to take the MVD class for his ticket he got WHILE he was on duty.

{tear} I did NOT break down and cry because things have been overwhelming lately.

I did NOT put on a movie for my kids so I could Blog...

It was NOT me! I did NOT do any of these horrific acts, that would NOT be very G.R.I.T.S. (girl raised in the south) like.

Yes, It Snows In Arizona

For all my friends and family who think the desert is just dirt and cacti...

This picture is from my "second" family, the Ranstroms. They live in Pine Top, Arizona and have had received all this snow in just a short three days. AMAZING!

What's for Dinner?!

I am so glad you asked! (And yes Alisha, it IS food!)

A family favorite in my house is breakfast for dinner. It is on the menu EVERY week. One because we all love breakfast food and two because it is cheap. Do you see a pattern in my menu making- cheap and easy! Sometimes we go all out, but with our crazy schedules it is easier to plan ahead and make it simple.

So for tonight we are having Homemade Strawberry Crepes.

(You WILL need to plan ahead a bit to make these, but I promise it is so easy even my 3 year old can make them. And I have every intention of making these for my friend's bridal shower in May.PLUS they are so good!)

For making the Crepes you will need:

3 eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup of REAL butter soften

1 cup of flour

1 1/4 cup of milk (I like using whole milk)

Using a mixer (this is where I love my Kitchen Aid), beat eggs, milk and butter. Slowly (I do a tablespoon at a time, if not you WILL end with lumps) add flour and salt. Beat until smooth. Refrigerate batter (covered) for about 6-8 hours (I plan the day before and put it in over night).

To cook crepes:

Lightlygrease pan or skillet with Baker's Joy. Cook crepes at 350 or on Medium Heat until light brown, mine take about 1 minute. Flip and cook for another minute.

Fill with Strawberry Cream Cheese Filling. When I make this for the whole family, I keep the crepes in a warm oven at 175 and then fill after I have cooked all the batter.

Strawberry Creme Cheese Filling:

1 cup of FRESH strawberries; cleaned and diced

1/2 cup of confectioner sugar

8 ounces of soften cream cheese

In a medium bowl, beat all of the above ingredients until smooth and well blended. Spread 1 tablespoon of filling into crepe and roll up. Top with below topping mix.

Topping Mix:

1 cup of FRESH strawberries; cleaned and diced

1/4 cup of sugar

Mix well and refrigerate WHILE you are cooking crepes. After rolling with filling, place a tablespoon on top. Garnish with whip cream.

Bon Appetite! (O.k. Alisha, your turn, YOU got the Julia Childs cookbook...)

Wish I May, Wish I Might...

I love, love, love this website. Especially since I can not find MY children's names spelled correctly (o.k. I know that is my fault...)

There are so many things I have picked out. I wonder if I could do an on-line jewelry party?!! Thank goodness my birthday and Valentines Day is just around the corner (hint, hint Honey!)

Check out it out for yourself at thevintagepearl.com/

Wordless Wednesday

Trynnity...

And that's how I roll! When I am not sick...

Another Rough Day... TGISNT!

Thank Goodness it's Sticky Note Tuesday!

Locks for Love

After 2 years of growing out her BEAUTIFUL blonde hair, my Devy had 10 inches cut off to donate to Locks for Love. I was so full of emotion, not because the hair was gone (it grows amazingly fast), but the fact she had wanted to do this on her own. There were a couple of times last year she was ready for a new do! After watching My Sister's Keeper, she was more determined to stick it out. I am so proud of her!

I WON! I WON! I WON!

I am the PROUD new owner of the super ADORABLE Minnie Mouse apron featured on never-e-nuff.blogspot.com. Stephanie and her twin sister Stacie are amazing seamstresses. I found them through blog hopping while Prestton was sick all last week (extra special thanks to Gap Girl for finding this blog first! ) They are both so talented and I look forward to seeing what else they will create!

My name will go on the pocket!

Look how cute this little doll is!

And there is a matching outfit for the proud two year old "mommy".

I can just see my Sugar Bear in something like this for pictures...

Thank you Stephanie and Stacie!!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Kitchen Pantry after the Holidays

Before...

After...

AHH!!!

(Now I can not wait for the Anchor Hocking glass containers to go on sale at Target! They come in all sizes/ shapes. Perfect for storing crackers, cookies, baking goods...)

Coming Soon....

A laundry room make over!!!!!

I am sooooooooo excited. It will not be anything super big (money is very tight here) but with a little paint, some new baskets, and some T.L.C. it will be WONDERFUL. As you can see our laundry room is small, nothing to brag about (but it is NOT in between my garage and a hallway like so many people I know nor is it in my pantry like our old house). I keep it organized and clean but it is so icky to go into.

So now my real dilemma is what color! I am torn. We have agreed on a Granny Smith green or a washed out Teal! The accent colors are going to be dark chocolate and trimmed in white. I am hoping to replace the not very functional shelf and add some custom shelving/ cabinets in that BIG empty space, but my carpenter (my dad) is currently unavailable. For now I am going to put everything into storage baskets rather then the sterilites.

And though I LOVE the model home look, I need functional. It is going to be super. Now if I could just decide on the color...

Vote on what you think! I hope to have some color swatches up soon. Thanks for your input.