E-Mealz

These days I am all about organization. With 4 small children, going to school full time, and my many other duties, organization is the only way I feel half way sane on a day to day basis.

BC (Before Children) I use to sit down every week and plan out our menu and shopping list. It saved a lot of stress each evening when it came time to make dinner. Well, as time has gone by I have gotten worse and worse with meal planning. I still go grocery shopping, spend tons of money, and then stress every night because I cant figure out what to make for dinner. So, then a lot of times we end up eating out, which costs us even more money. And honestly, I just dont have the time to sit down and do this every week!

Well, seeing as our house payment went up almost $500 a month, we have to be more careful then ever about where our money is going. When I cam across E-Mealz I was a little intrigued, but a little skeptical at the same time. When I saw a coupon code for a discount (DAVE) I decided to take the plunge and try it out. The idea is simple. Each week they plan a menu for you, main dish and sides included. Each meal is very well rounded, and very easy to make. What makes it even better though, is they plan the menu based on what is on sale at the store you shop at. Hallelujah Kroger was on that list and away I went! We have been doing this for 2 weeks now and I am hooked. You would be surprised how much stress is lifted off of my shoulders because of one simple service. The stress relief alone if enough reason to jump right in, but we are saving A LOT of money in the process. It seems silly to spend $5 a month, but the money that we save having a plan, shopping the sales, and not going out to eat way over shadows that measly $5.

Check them out!

Fleece Winter Hats

When I saw this post at From An Igloo I immediatly wanted to rush to the fabric store, grab some fleece and get sewing! It took me a little longer than I cared to get around to making them, but seeing as we are still in the 80's here during the day, I'm pretty sure I got them made in plenty of time for winter!

These were surprisingly easy to put together. The hardest part for me was getting the dinosaur spikes onto Aiden's in the right postitions. I got both of them done in one afternoon WITH all 4 kids running around, so it cant be too bad right?

They LOVE them. Kylie went to bed with hers last night and has already adorned it this morning. Hopefully, they will make it to winter!

BUT...when I saw this for $4 in our Target ad this morning...

My heart did drop a little. Oh Well! I still think mine are cuter AND mine cost probably $4 TOTAL for the two WITH fabric left over! I might even have enough to make two mini ones for the babies =)

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Oh how I wish so many of us didn't have a connection to this day. How I wish nobody had to feel the pain of the loss of a child, whether they ever got to hold that child in their arms or not- the pain still runs deep.

Before haveing our sweet Aiden 5 years ago, I experienced 5 miscarriages with one of those being a twin pregnancy. SO, in total I have lost 6 babies. It was a very rough time not only for myself, but also for my husband. Please remember all the parents and families that have lost children, whether during pregnancy or after, and please pray that they know peace.

Halloween Treats and Fall Decor

I really am in a crafty mood today. I know I have a pile of housework to do, but craft time is a priority right? The first thing I made was for a large order I had on etsy. These little treat bags are a cinch to make and are great to give for party favors or just to hand out to friends. I haven't read the poem out loud in my house- remember I have a 5 year old little boy-enough said!

Did I mention this was a large custom order? Well, let's just say after I finished these I was....well....pooped! (I know...I know...I should be a comedian huh?)

So, I made this gorgeous fall throw pillow. As soon as the kids saw it they were throwing it around the house having a ball with it. These are also super easy to make and make a great addition to the other pillows they throw in the floor and jump on. Isn't it more fun to have a pile of "leaves" to jump in?

Basically all you do its take this simple placemat I picked up from Walllie world, rip open a seam, stuff it full, and sew it back up. I told you it was easy, didn't I?

Since I am on a roll today, I might pull out the sewing machine and work on a couple sewing projects I have been wanting to do. Until next time.....

My Sweet Baby Boy

I know everyone says it, but kids really do grow up too fast. It really does seem like just yesterday that I was haveing miscarriage after miscarriage and then our sweet Aiden came along. Now today is is turning 5! Can you believe that? I can't! How can my sweet baby boy be 5 years old now? He will be starting school tommorow, driving next week, starting college next month, and married by next year! My heart hurts! But, it does rejoice in the fact that this precious boy is growing up to be a wonderful person, he does have his moments (he gets those from his daddy's side of the family!) but, overall he is a extremely smart, loveable little man and I can not wait to see how God uses him in his life.

In other news, please pray for our foster care babies, they need it right now. We have one that is getting ready to go to court for a permancy planning hearing in 2 weeks with a caseworker change this week. I have a feeling things might not be too good with a change like that, but we will make it work. OUr caseworker is being brought in for court, thankgoodness-even though she is coming kicking and screaming =). And our other baby, well lets just say we dont know what it going on with his case any more. We know God has a plan for these sweet babies and even if it is hard for us to understand, we have to believe and know that the RIGHT thing will happen in their lives. And, on top of all of this sweet baby boy was just given a diagnoses of a whole slew of allergies, a whole other world we are going to have to learn now.

Another Banner

Did I mention that I LOVE Fall decorations? Well, since I sold my Boo Banner that I made last week within a few hours of listing it on my etsy shop, I had to make another one. I decided to go for more of a general Fall theme with this one. It is beautiful hanging from my bar! Again, I used Pink Paislee Amber Road paper from my embarrisingly huge stash and my trusty Cricut and it was made in no time.

New Obsession

My name is Amber and I have an addiction.

An addiction to felt food! This is the cutest stuff I have ever seen. It makes me want to rummage through my daughter's room and throuw away all of the plastic and wood food she has and replace it all with this soft adorable felt pieces. The first things I made are a carrot (which my husband says is larger than life), and eggplant, and a candy corn just becuase it is October! I am just learning and I think after these 3 items I have got the hang if it and see many more items coming soon!

New Design

So, what do you think of my new blog design? I am extremely happy with it. A big thanks goes out to CariCreates Etsy Shop for the design!

BOO Banner

OK, OK, I know I said I was moving on to non-scrapbooking projects, but I had to make this up. I LOVE the fall. I love the cooler weather, the pumpkin farms, of course the food, and the decorations! We were getting out all of our fall decorations today and I thought a banner would be the perfect touch. This banner was super easy with the use of my trusty Cricut. I used papers from Pink Paislee Twilight I had leftover from last year, and in less than an hour, a perfect Halloween decoration!