Past Random Reports

Random Report - Dated April 29th, 2009.

Backyard The concrete is poured, the bushes, flowers and tree are in and the grass is down. It is so pretty. Honestly, such a nice yard. They even put lights on all the trees and re-did our plants in the front yard. Things still left to do.. is slate laid on both patios. And then the jungle gym and BBQ and trullis (sp?). When the slate is down, I will take pictures and share.

Hannah's birthday Party This Saturday is the big event. I think I have most of it under control. We are having a face painter come (which was much cheaper than I thought), the girls will get to decorate wands, decorate pretzel wands, and get coronated as a new fairy with wings, halo, pixie dust and a new fairy name (all with a certificate). I think it is all going to be so much fun.

Hannah's Birthday her real day is Sunday and she gets to give her 3rd talk in a year in Primary (2nd in two months.. uggh). Hopefully it will be a relaxing day, so we can recover from the weekend.

Upcoming Week I have to teach Enrichment on blogging on Thursday night. I have my own baby shower on Friday the 8th and another model home sale for Chris' company. So, the fun just continues and continues.

Other Random things Ella is counting to ten. Which makes me so happy, although the words are a little unclear, but I know what she is trying to do.

I think we are officially in spring/summer. I don't know that we will go below 70 degrees again. The next week is high 70s, low 80s.

Hannah had to take something that started with the letter "u" for show and tell. We couldn't come up with anything and then Hannah came up with "underwear". I thought is was clever and so funny and wish we could do it, but I told her "she couldn't be the girl that brought underwear to school, it just wouldn't be right", although I was tempted because I thought it was funny.

We found out that Hannah's dance recital dress rehearsal and actual performance are on a Sunday. So after much thought, we have decided against her performing. It is so sad, since she is excited and we have sunk a lot of money into it, but we decided she is getting old enough that now is the time to teach the lesson about keeping the Sabbath Day holy. So it begins. So, mom and dad might get a special performance while they are visiting, so she can use her costume and perform her dance for an audience.

My c-section is scheduled for June 10th officially. So, we will see. Chris is going to have an eventful birthday (although it won't be cenetered around him) and Father's Day will have even less fan-fare. But he wants Jake's born on that day more than anything, so I think he knows what he is getting himself into as far as sharing birthday celebrations, etc.

Oh, in case you didn't know, we are naming the baby Jacob Christopher Williams. Jacob happens to be Danish for James (Chris' dad's name), so it works great.

I am much less prepared for this baby than the other two. I have just barely started to think about changing the room from pink to blue. The poor guy will be surround by pink when he gets home, unless I get on it. But I think I have a plan, hopefully it will work. Not much motivation going on these days.


Random Report - Dated April 8th, 2009

It is spring break, so this week is a bit different for us. The girls home all day... if only we had a backyard.

My tummy is always there. i feel it all the time and the worst at night. 2 more long months.

Ella is so funny these days. She saw Chris juggle and thought she should try it. She moves her arms up and down and then throws the balls. She is coming out of her shell and more and more like Hannah. People come up to us at church all the time and say how outgoing, fun and happy she is. And I get more ohhs and ahhs from her in public. What a difference a few months make.

I want to start sewing again... I just need to start. I found the cutest dress you make out of your husband's old shirts. I think that will motivate me.

Polly pockets are all the rage in our house right now. The girls love Polly Pockets.

I have to start giving Hannah's party some serious thought. The yard won't be done by then, so now i don't know what to do. Any suggestions? I hope I can convince her that a Tinkerbell party might not work now.

Hannah has named her baby doll, Baby Sophia. She goes everywhere with us. And she is the perfect little mother. She hushes her to sleep, tells me when she is tired, rocks her and is quite cute. She has informed me that I am Baby Sophia's mom.. and I need to take care of her. I keep trying to tell her otherwise, but she insists. I think it is time for a baby brother.

Hannah and Ella fight a lot about sharing, but other than that they are really, really great friends. It is just so fun to watch!

This weekend, we have planned - decorating easter cookies, dying eggs, easter egg hunt and of course a big easter dinner. I have a bit to do this week.

I have three unfinished quilts that I need to have finished (backs put on and stitching). When am I ever going to do it or feel justified in spending the money to have them made.

My logo business has been doing so well. I had 9 clients a couple of weeks ago. I still have 5 and multiple projects for each one. It is kind of fun and I feel like a i have a real business that provides some real money to play with.

We had a nice thunderstorm last night. Thunder and lightening for half the night. It was awesome, considering we only get a storm like that once a year and it will probably be the last one of the year.

I think that is it...

Random Report Dated March 17, 2009

here are random thoughts and going-on's with us.

I wish I could find a place that has caffeine diet coke from a fountain drink... I am craving it so badly.

I have killer charlie horses every night in my legs... they hurt so bad... I feel them for days afterwards!

Hannah and I made paper plate animals today.. it was fun.

Hannah likes to use the words "cool", "awesome" and "freak out".

I went and took pictures of the girls with all our pretty blossoms that are out. the photoshoot did not go smoothly. I dont' know that I got any frame-able photos, but some cute ones just to have.

I have 4 logo clients right now. It is so much fun, but I am being told by my husband it is time to pay taxes on that income.

It is mid-70's all week.

I am feeling my belly these days. It is definitely there and the next 3 months will be long and uncomfortable.

Hannah wants to have a Tinkerbell party this year... not what i want to do, but it is her birthday, so I guess we will have one.

Ella is doing better, learning a lot of my words... although they dont' sound like the actual word. But we know she is trying. She has started to say prayers too... but she also likes to play "duck, duck, goose" during the prayer too.

We didn't wear green today, but we probably should have. I am going to have to get better at things like that.

We finally got the sketch for our backyard... it is going to be so beautiful (if we do it all). I can't wait!

that is it for now... just thought we would share some of the things we are up to and thinking about.

Logo Designs on Hold

This is so hard for me to do, but considering Baby Jake will be joining our family in about 2 weeks, I have to stop taking new logo clients. It is so hard for me to turn people away, but now is the time. I hope to be back to work creating again sometime end of July/beginning August.

If you can wait and would like to be put on a waiting list for when I start taking clients again, just shoot me an email and I will put you on the list.

So, for now, here are some concept ideas for projects I have completed lately...if you want to see what what they choose for final logos... click here. Also, if my Polish site looks funny to you, can you leave me a comment here to let me know. On my computer it looks okay, but I don't think it is on other computers. thanks so much!

Random Report

We have a family website where as a family we keep in touch and write about life's moments and happenings. It is such a great way to keep in contact with each other. So, every once in awhile, I write a Random Report on our life and what we are doing. I thought I better start including it on my blog, since this is my journal and it is the little random things that will be fun to read decades in the future. So, mostly for me and my family... here is the latest report.

time to share life's random moments.

Two nights ago, Chris went into check on the girls before he went to bed (like he always does) and when he went into Ella's room this is what he found (he came to get me so I could see). Ella "butt" naked with her "bottom" in the air straddling her blanket fast asleep. He reminded me it was funny after I saw the puddle of "pee". It was funny after he did the laundry. Ella loves to take off all her clothes and run around naked. I on the other hand... only see an accident waiting to happen.

Last night I had the Young Women over for a spa/pizza party night. I told Hannah that the Young women were coming over and her response "This is the best day ever". We did homemade facials, ate a ton of food, painted each other's nails and sort watched a movie. Hannah got her nails painted (blue, i might add) and loved every minute of playing with the girls.... until 11:00 pm. Lucky, girl if you ask me.

It is a 3 day weekend and Chris has to be up for church stuff two of the three days at 7:30 am. Kinda not fair. I feel bad for him.

When Ella tries to communicate all it is is whining and crying. It has become a bad habit. I am not sure why she feels the need to cry every time she tries to communicate. I am starting to think I need to get her evaluated. She is very lazy in her speech. She doesn't end her words so "dog" is "da" and "please" is "ple" But the interesting thing is that when we read the scriptures each night, she repeats the words we say and she does very well in her pronunciation. Why would she be good at that and not talking. I am starting to get frustrated.

Hannah is in a new stage where she loves nightgowns. No more PJs, it is nightgowns now.

I got the girls hair cuts before the baby comes, so I wouldn't have to worry about it. I went really short on Ella's bangs. She looks like Lady GaGa or someone with really short, straight cut bangs. Sometimes I think it is cut and modish, other times... I worry I ruined her hair :-) But either way, I won't have to get them cut in 3 weeks and they are out of her face.

Ella is loving the backyard. She could play out there for hours. She comes in and out of the house and is constantly saying "bye, bye" and then goes out and plays. Then comes back and says "bye bye" and does this over and over again.

It is going to be hot for the rest of the summer. We should be about 80 degrees... but all we have seen for the past week or so and the next week is 92-95 degrees. Not fun, too hot!

We got our carpets cleaned and I love knowing that everything is clean again. The guy was so nice and gave me a great deal on my house and now I feel like my nesting is almost complete... well, kinda.

I had to make another set up chair covers for our new table. I never finished my last set (because I couldn't get myself to do it... the last chair was unfinished for 5 months, that is how badly I didn't want to do it.) and now i have to make 6 more and they are harder. I have been working almost every free minute to get them done. And of course I ran out of piping and have my last chair to finish. But this time I am going to finish them and hopefully before the baby comes. I am so close. I have to wait until Thursday for the new shipment of piping... I can't wait for this project to be done.

Well, I probably could keep going and going.. so I will stop.

Creative Cover Ups

For those that are familiar with an LDS meeting house, you might know that we have great basketball courts (we call them Cultural Halls). Many functions are held in these cultural halls....wedding receptions, holiday parties, activities, etc.

But the things about our cultural halls (in my opinion) is that they aren't the prettiest things and almost impossible to make pretty or disguise. Well, I found this idea on a blog and thought... genius. Why not wrap up those ugly wall "whatchamacallits" with wrapping paper.

This image shows this for a christmas party, but you could do it for any party with any type of wrapping paper.

The idea and the beautiful party decor above came from Stitch Market, I love it. I have to remember this for future activities that I am in charge of.

Strawberry Season!

Here in the central valley, strawberry season happens twice a year and right now is the first round. The strawberries are sooo delicious. It is hard not to eat a whole bushel in one sitting.

So, for Mutual the other night, we had to take advantage and make strawberry freezer jam. It is so easy and something the girls could take home with them. I think they really liked it. The shocker to them was how much sugar is required to make jam. They couldn't believe it. It was good for them to see the hidden "dangers" of certain foods. They taste good, but there is a reason.

Here is the recipe we used:

INGREDIENTS
* 2 cups crushed fresh strawberries
* 4 cups sugar
* 1 (1.75 ounce) package dry pectin
* 3/4 cup water

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix crushed strawberries with sugar, and let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir the pectin into the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and boil for 1 minute. Stir the boiling water into the strawberries. Allow to stand for 3 minutes before pouring into jars or other storage containers.
2. Place tops on the containers, and leave for 24 hours. Place into freezer, and store frozen until ready to use.


Also, here is the label I made for the containers, in case anyone wants to use it.

New Blog Redesign

I was contacted by a woman asking if I would redesign her blog. She and her husband and family are in the military, so she wanted a plane/travel theme. I created three versions for her... one was based on luggage and travel, another was a plane and the last was a paper plane theme. Here is the one she decided on. Customizing blogs can be so much fun.

Food Storage Recipe - Tuna Casserole

Tuna Casserole

8 ounces cooked noodles
1 can tuna
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2/3 cup powdered milk (see directions on package for mixing)
1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed into crumbs
1 cup canned peas, drained

Mix tuna, peas and noodles together and layer in greased casserole dish. Combine cream of mushroom soup and milk and pour over tuna and noodles mixture. Top with crushed cracker crumbs. Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes.

Makes 4 servings.

A fun bag for kids

I found this idea (while searching for Young Women activity ideas) and thought it would be a blast to make for Hannah and Ella.

I have to think it is pretty sturdy and my children love CapriSuns, so why wouldn't they love this purse.

Click Here to learn how to make it.

A few more details

I know I have already shown pictures from Hannah's Tinkerbell Party, but I wanted to post the individual elements again (mostly for my own record). And in case you are interested, you can see them a little bit better.

Also, for the thank you cards. I took pictures of each of the girls dressed as fairies and made postcards of them with a caption that read "Thank you "fairy" much".

I have to share one of the cutest parts of this party. It was seeing all the girls sitting watching Hannah open her gifts and if you got on the floor... all you say was the back of their heads with 10 pink fairy wings and 10 heads of ribbons. I wish I had taken a picture... it was so cute and fun to see all those fairies bundled together.

My 3 Ring Circus Shower

Okay, so I have to share pictures from my baby shower. My friend Heather is so great. she put together the cutest shower with the cutest details. It was a circus themed shower and it was over the top (pun intended). Not to mention that she just had a baby herself 8 weeks ago, but she still insisted on putting together the shower... what a woman and what a friend.

Thanks so much Heather... it was soooo cute. You are the best!

BackYard Completion

well, almost. It is complete enough that the girls can go outside and play. As you can see by all the toys that are already scattered about. But we still have to put in a trellis, an outdoor BBQ area and a jungle gym. But more or less, it is done. I love it and am so happy to have a backyard. Happy Mother's day to me!

Happy Mother's Day

I thought this comic strip was cute. I wanted to tell my mom how great I think she is. She is a wonderful example of service, love and faith. She has taught me so many great things that I now get to share and pass on to my own children. I have never not felt her love and thank her for all she has done, does do and will continue to do for my happiness.

I also wanted to tell my mother-in-law, how grateful I am that she is the mother of my husband and for raising him to be the man he is. My children and I get to benefit because of her great mothering. Thanks for raising a man that I was lucky enough to marry.

I hope everyone has a great day. The highlights of my day were listening to Hannah sing loud and proud during church, getting a yummy treat at church (although I was hoping for caramel apples, but See's candy bars did just fine) and a day of relaxation and Chris cooking dinner. It is great to be a mom.