My Story-If you really knew me

I made this video touching lightly on some problems I've had in my life with cutting, bullying and depression. I ended it on a light note so it will hopefully help someone who is going through the same thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASZ_3T27N2s

 

(I'm not very good at making videos so it kind of sucks with the timing of the music and everything.)

My top "Liked" and "Pinned" Posts

It's been 6 months since I started this blog. Since it's halfway through to my first year I'd like to go back and review some of my reader voted favourite posts. Just in case you have missed anything!

 

Top 5 Pins with the most "Likes"

 These are the pins that got the most likes. I'm assuming people thought they were great ideas!

 

Lasagna Roll Ups

A twist on regular lasagna

 

DIY Organizer Bins

I wanted zebra toy bins to match the theme of my girls room. I couldn't find anything cheap so decided to make my own. Really easy to do!

 

Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

A yummy healthy smoothie. Very popular in the Fall.
 

Tangled Party Place Setting
My daughter had a "Tangled" birthday party. Everyone loved the place settings I did for the kids.

Peppermint Mocha Trifle
A mix of coffee and peppermint flavoured trifle. I love everything peppermint during the holidays, so this is a favourite holiday dessert.


Top 5 "Repinned" Posts

The Lasagna Roll Ups from above repinned 29 times.

The DIY Organizer Bins repinned 16 times

15 Activities to do in a Hotel room repinned 14 times
I listed 15 activities to do with kids when you are stuck in a hotel room.

Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie from above repinned 14 times

12 Chores for Toddlers/Preschoolers repinned 5 times
12 chores that toddlers and/or pre-schoolers should be able to do. In our house we believe that everyone works together, that's what family is all about. Even toddlers aren't too young to do simple chores. It helps them feel needed and an important part of the family. It also helps foster a sense of responsibility, ultimately making life lessons easier for them when they get older.

Hey it might be a little egotistical of me but I always feel like I'm getting a pat on the back every time someone re-pins something I've pinned. If you are a member of Pinterest do you get that feeling too?

 

Our 4th of July adventures

We had quite an adventure for 4th of July weekend! Some of it was pretty bad, but for the most part it was a great time. We took off for our friends house in San Clemente pretty early in the morning. We had to take two cars of course since we had all the boys and my niece. (4 kids, 3 teens and 2 adults whew!). We stopped for gas and then ran by Walmart so my neice and I could run in and pick a few things up. When we got back out the hubby was laying on the ground in a pool of gas looking under the car. We were kind of freaking out because we thought we had a fuel leak. So we went back home, (keep in mind we were already 30-40 minutes away from the house.) Hubby stopped by Autozone and they figured out it was just a seal that needed replacing and the car should be ok to drive. So we decided to head out again.

The drive went well and we arrived in San Clemente in the early evening. We had a great time hanging out with my husband's buddy and his family. They have 3 kids so it was a full house, but everyone got along so well and it didn't feel crowded at all. We climbed on tanks, cooked hot dogs, played with sparklers and watched the fireworks from the backyard. The adults sat around after the kids went to bed and we had some great conversation and heart-to-hearts.

I love this pic of Josiah, its gritty and cute at the same time.

My hubby is so weird!

 

Next day was surfing! My hubby had been waiting to surf for almost 3 years since we moved to SC. We went to Doheny beach because its a great place for beginning surfers. Haley and Serenity actually loved surfing, I was a little afraid they would be scared. Apparently they have gotten their daddy's love of surfing in their veins as well as the boys!

Beach Babe!

 

Our friend Stacy taking Haley out on the waves.

 Daddy sending Haley off on a swell

Conner

 

Snack time!

 

My niece Abby and I. I didn't get to surf :( It was too cold for me and I didn't have a wetsuit. I did however get a decent tan haha!

 Luz and Serenity

 

This was such a cute moment! Serenity got pulled under by a wave and was a little shaken up. Luz was wiping her tears and singing Bob Marley's "Every little thing is gonna be alright". Marley (in the pink) and Aaron are about the same age, they had fun hanging out together too.

So after a day of surfing Stacy and I took the little ones back home for showers and chill time and Hubby and the older boys went to find some bigger waves. My hunny was so excited to catch some real waves he forgot his keys in his board shorts pocket and they ended up somewhere in the sea. Of course the only locksmith who could come out and make a new key wanted $350. So then we are freaking out wondering what to do and how we are going to get home. We had just enough gas money to make it home so $350 was not an option. Several hours later we eventually were able to borrow some money (I am so grateful to this person, words can't describe). But now we have another loan on top of the loans we have taken out to get the boys for visitations. Ugh. Pretty bad ending to an otherwise great day. At least hubby got some surf time in but baby we are completely and utterly broke haha!

 Brothers and true friends!

 

I am so grateful to have met the Thompsons, they are truly wonderful people. Their family is very similar to ours and we immediately connected although we hadn't really met before. Stacy is an amazing artist and short like me!

Our super crew! Again, I want to just thank you Thompson's for opening your home, feeding our massive troop and being a wonderful moral support through some stressful moments. I can't wait until we get together again!

Whew! What an adventure, but times I will never forget!

Review-Yochi Shoes

I was contacted by Yochi Shoes to review their line of cute kids shoes. We were sent a pair of Panda shoes in a size 9. You can find the exact shoe here Princess Sakura Shoes. When we got the package they were carefully wrapped in a cloth bag like designer shoes.

 

We got the size 9 and it was an exact fit for my daughter. She was so excited to try them on!

Think these are just a regular pair of cute kids shoes? Guess again! I found out that these shoes have squeakers in them! My daughter had so much fun running around the house, squeaking with every step! Worried about a little one toddling off in a busy place? No chance of getting lost with these shoes, plus you don't have to worry about those weird leashes!

 

The shoes have a Velcro closure so Serenity can put them on all by herself. No ties required! They are also made from high quality nylon and very comfy.

 

I am now going to have to order a second pair of shoes for my younger daughter, they were such a big hit and now she is super jealous!

Besides shoes for both sexes, Yochi also carries adorable socks with rattles for both baby boys and girls!

Want a pair for your little one? Check out Yochi Yochi website at http://yochishoes.com/
They also have a facebook page, be sure to like them! https://www.facebook.com/YochiYochiShoes


*All opinions are my own, post was compensated by free product*

Southern Banana Pudding

I made this dish for a Pinterest party my friend hosted. It is super rich and also one of those desserts that tastes better the second time around.

Ingredients
4 bananas sliced
3 cups of milk
2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding
1 8oz package cream cheese
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 box of Nilla Wafers
1 container Cool Whip

1. Layer Nilla Wafers across the bottom of a glass baking dish. Slice bananas and layer over Nilla wafers.

 

2. Combine pudding according to directions, mix well and set aside.

3. Put softened cream cheese, and condensed milk into a mixing bowl.

(I doubled the recipe which is why there are 2 cream cheese blocks)

 

4. Beat these ingredients with handheld mixer and slowly fold in the Cool whip.

 

 

 

 

5. Add pudding to cool whip/cream cheese mixture. Stir until fully combined.

 

 

 

6. Pour over bananas and nilla wafers and spread evenly. Top with nilla wafers.

 

 

 

 

7. You can serve immediately but tastes best after chilled in the fridge for several hours.