Wanna Cry?!

Read this.



I think adoption will be on the back burner for a while! I am so happy for Emily and KC..they're going to be awesome parents, parents, parents!

Favorite Craft

This is one of the most useful and fun crafts I have made. I made these towel bags about five years ago after seeing them in a Martha Stewert Magazine. I know, I know, Martha makes me gag most of the time too, but these are awesome if you swim a lot like we do. When you open these up there are pockets sewn into the bottom where my kids keep their goggles, and sunscreen and a little snack bar money. They can even put their swimsuits in a pocket if they want to change at the pool. My kids have used and abused these towels, I might even make some more this year. Go here for a tutorial.

BiRTHDaY PaRTY

For the Relief Society that is. Our theme was "A Mad Hatter Birthday Party". You know--from Alice in Wonderland. We have the best enrichment leader and committee. You know, when everyone does their part, you can do a lot more. We had the sound track from the movie playing and the colors were bright and fun. The women really loved it. Below are pictures of the awesome night we had a couple of week ago.

I totally got lucky and my sisters happened to be in town (to help cater). They helped us decorate the night before. I found some amazing deals on paper lanterns, which we strung across the ceiling (thanks Cart). We used the brightest colors we could find for paper goods and our amazing enrichment leader punched out large, bright colored, polka dots for the tables. In the center we used apothecary jars filled with candy or cupcake stands. I made all sorts of bright colored cupcakes.

My mom was gracious enough to be our guest speaker that night. She spoke on prioritizing our "Mad" lives. She was so amazing. I have honestly never been more proud of her. I got so many compliments. The ladies love her and really took to heart the things she said. She is an awesome speaker--she was not happy with me for volunteering her for the assignment. She was very worried, but no need--it was neat, really neat. Thanks mom, I definitely owe you. What a fun and successful night. I LOVE planning parties!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Catering To Your Every Need.....

That is what has been keeping me busy. Catering. A lady from my ward emailed me a month ago asking if I would be interested in catering a lunch at a doctors office. I thought long and hard about it and agreed. My mom and sisters came all the way to St. George to help me the night before and the day of. They were amazing and left me wondering if I could ever pull it off by myself.

The Menu(chosen by the staff): Shredded honey ham sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, strawberry poppy seed salad, asparagus pasta salad, grapes and 4 different flavors of cupcakes. It went over very well, before I was even home they had emailed me saying "thanks for making us look so good (they provided lunch for another office), and would you be interested in doing it again in two weeks? So that is where I have been this morning, catering again. On the Menu: BBQ beef sandwiches, homemade foccacia with a meat and cheese tray, asparagus and pasta salad, grapes, PB bars and lemon coconut bars (I tried a new recipe and it was soooo good).

I have to say it felt so rewarding to do something I love and get paid for it, but even more than that I felt so great to be recognized and appreciated by so many. When I cook for my family the compliments are few and far between! I am growing in confidence and each time I cater I feel more comfortable. I have been making at least 5 dozen cupcakes a week and several other desserts orders as well. Who knows, this could turn into something big!

Thanks to my mom, Ashley and Jackie for helping me get my feet wet. You are the most supportive family ever and I love you for it!

PS I totally failed to mention my favorite brother Nate. He currently works for Pfizer as a drug rep. He has to take catered lunches to Dr's offices on a regular basis. I have called him practically everyday for advice. He has given me so many good ideas and so much help. Added bonus: I get to talk to my brother almost everyday! Thanks Nate!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

This Just Made My Day!

Don't you think life would be so much better if more people broke into corriagraphed musical numbers?

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Wanna Do This With Me?

Go HERE to learn more! I am going to try this because by 4:00 pm the last thing I want to do is figure out what to make. I also think that this would be a super way to start building your food storage with things your family will actually like. Just buy 3 extra when the ingredients are on sale and in no time you will have 30 meals 3 times which translates to a 3 month food supply. Awesome!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Amazing Response!

If you remember from this post, Jackson wrote to the President and CEO of Nike, Mark Parker. He basically let him know he wanted his job someday and sent him a picture of a poster he made. I thought that would be the last of it, but I guess the letter caught someones eye because it ended up on Mr.Parker's desk.

Yesterday the FEDEX man rang our doorbell, and lo and behold there was a package from NIKE headquarters. Amazingly, Mr. Parker sent Jackson a handwritten letter on his personal NIKE letterhead. He also sent him a notebook to start his NIKE designs in, a couple of design booklets and some mini replicas of classic NIKE shoes. You should have seen the excitement in our house. We were all so excited for Jackson! I was thoroughly impressed that a man as busy as Mr. Parker would take the time to write such and motivational letter to Jackson. I for one will be buying NIKE products FOREVER!

I think Jackson is more motivated than ever. I just hope he will remember the little people, just like Mr. Parker.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

My Dream....

Click Here!

DID YOU READ THAT?! CUPCAKES ARE RECESSION PROOF!!!!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

What Happens When My Kids Get My Camera

Keep scrolling down for several new posts! Look at me go. It's either feast or famine around here.

He Keeps Us In Stitches

Carter and I were heading up north for a Jacobsen Construction meeting. We were chitty chatting and thoroughly enjoying ourselves when I got a call from my mom. She was in St. George graciously watching the kids while we escaped to snowy northern Utah for a brief moment. We were discussing the care and nurture of the children when I hear bloody murder screaming in the back ground. None of my kids bloody murder scream. I hear mom say "Oh my gosh, did he get hit? With what, What happened, Courtney get some towels." My heart began to race just a little. Courtney gets on the phone "Mom Coop got hit in the head with a golf club." Our wonderful neighbor who is EMT trained rushed over, because he saw it happen and helped my mom figure out what needed to be done. The gash in the forehead needed stitching, but most of all Cooper was acting a little funny so we decided it would be best if we turned around and took him to the ER. Three hours, three stitches, a Popsicle, worried grandparents, a sucker and a new Lego set later, Carter and I were on the road again. Coop is just fine and so is my mom. Have I ever mentioned how amazing and fantastic both of my parents are? They are THE most selfless, giving and wonderful people ever. I am proud to be their daughter everyday and blessed to have them as parents. Thanks mom and dad for being there when we needed you,and sorry about the blood stains!