In the Nick of Time...

One of the neat things about living in rural Alaska is that people like to send care packages of things that we normally don't get here, or we get, but they are too darn expensive to buy.

My sister so graciously sent a package. I know it's really close to us leaving, but thankfully it arrived today and Clint was oh so happy to have more chocolate in the house. I sure didn't complain either.

Jamie, my sister also sent something very useful at a time like this. We have been a little stressed out with the move, cleaning our classrooms, having scholarship notices come in, signing up for Masters courses, and potential interviews with a couple jobs down in Ketchikan...

{It is a good cure!}

I also couldn't get a picture fast enough of all the goodies she sent! Clint quickly ripped open every container and started eating out of each bag.

Jamie, you are a life-saver in the chocolate craving department! Thank you :)

Well, we did start off the weekend on the right foot! How could you not with all these goodies :) 

Gleeful Things...

Here are just some of the things that are making me feel a little gleeful this week! 

1. Our weather is turning! It felt like Spring after weeks of -30 weather! Woohoo!

2. Fresh produce! Strawberries, Mangos, Kiwi, Tomatoes, Oranges, Cucumbers...and more!

3. Sister hats...I made owl hats for Miss B and Baby Girl! 

4. Nap time: 

5. My crocheting skills are getting better!

6. Bria pretends to blow her nose! 

What makes you gleeful?! 

11 Things and Liebster Award...

One of the greatest things about having a blog (with the exception that family stays up-to-date) is the wonderful people you meet... 


I have been "tagged" by Jen @ Queen Bee's Hive to write about 11 Random things about me and to answer some questions. 

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in the post you were tagged in
4. Create 11 new questions for your tagees to answer
5. Tag them on Twitter, Facebook or your blog

11 Random Things About Me:

1. I have always dreamed about being a stay-at-home mamma, doing the cleaning, making dinners for the hubs, homeschooling our children, doing crafts everyday, going to the library, having a green house in the backyard, and have a jewelry business on the side that supports missionaries. This is quickly becoming a reality!

2. I think cats are super-uber creepy and don't really care for them.

3. I believe there is only one true way to eat a cupcake. If you don't eat it like this, well then you're doing it all wrong!

4. I never dreamed that I would have 2 kids under the age of 2- under the age of 30. I love my happy life and wouldn't change it for the world.

5. Besides being a stay-at-home Mommy, my dream jobs would be professional photography and Christian Yoga Instructor.


6. I truly believe that I had the best childhood that anyone could ever ask for. Surrounded by my entire family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...all within the same neighborhood) taking huge family vacations, every Sunday having dinner at G-ma's house. I loved it and strive to give that to our children.

7. I don't drink coffee except my husbands Iced Mochas.

8. I don't like receiving roses. Flowers are pretty and sunflowers are my favorite.

9. My favorite thing in the whole world is camping/fishing/hiking.... Anything outdoors.

10. If I could re-do my wardrobe, it would be a bohemian (mama) style.

11. I could eat sushi morning, noon, and night... And have some for dessert. I love it that much.


Here are the questions from Jen

1. If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? I think I would love to eat cupcakes the rest of my life. Any kind of cupcakes as long as they are in the cute little cupcake papers :)
2. How many pairs of shoes do you own? Oh goodness...I have no idea, all I know is that I would love to own more cowboy boots or these moccasin boots! 
3. What is your favorite blog to read? (mine, right? hehe) I love love love Enjoying The Small Things and many others, but hers I check a couple times a week to see if she posted anything new! 
4. If you were not blogging right now what would you be doing? I would be cleaning the house :( ... Thanks blog for allowing me to procrastinate just a little bit longer!  
5. What is your favorite movie? Peter Pan. Any of them as long as it's the story of the boy who wants to always have fun and never grow up.
6. Side, back or belly sleeper? All of 'em. I toss and turn like no one's business when I sleep. Although with this pregnancy it's all about the side-my uncomfortable side with a pillow in between my legs.
7. What book do you recommend? Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen
8. Do you keep your nails painted? No. Every time I paint my nails they chip 5 minutes later. No joke. 
9. Favorite holiday besides Christmas? Easter or my daughter's birthday...
10. Favorite phone app? I don't have a phone and have no idea how to use apps. 
11. Bachelor or Grey's Anatomy? I have never seen either one, so I don't know. We don't have cable television.

And finally, here are my questions that I'm asking: 

1. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? 

2. What is a pet peeve of yours? 

3. What inspires you? 

4. If you could have one day for just YOU what would you do, where would you go, and what would you eat? 

5. Flowers or chocolate? 

6. Coffee or Tea? 

7. What book are you currently reading? 

8. What is your favorite blog or website? 

9. Where do you shop most often? 

10. If you could change your name, what would it be? 

11. What is your favorite childhood memory? 

***********************************

Jen also gave me a Liebster award! Thanks Jen, you are too sweet :) 

This award is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers, as a way of creating new connections. Liebster is German and means 'dearest' or 'beloved' but it can also mean 'favorite'. When you receive the award, you then pass it onto 3-5 other deserving bloggers as a way to pay it back and spread the love. 

These ladies are being tagged for both the 11 things post and the Liebster award! 

I'm going to be tagging : Laurin, Stephanie, Amanda

Rules for passing on the Liebster Blog Award (unless you just passed to me):

1. Choose 3-5 up and coming blogs to award to with less than 200 followers.
2. Show your appreciation to the blogger who awarded you by linking back to them.
3. Post the award on your blog.
4. Link back to the blogs you are awarding to so that everyone else can pay them a visit.

Photo Contest Winner!

I am stoked you guys. I just won a photo contest over at Our Reflection !!  She hosts a weekly contest, and last week was Childhood.  You can see my entry here When Bria was born I started taking photography a little seriously because I wanted to capture special moments. I have been glued to my camera every since (well, with the exception of the occasional break). A lot of you told me that some of her photos would win contests because she is just so dang cute, expressive, and photogenic. I bit the bullet and entered this little gem into the Childhood contest....

{I don't know why I can't get this picture any bigger on blogger, sorry!}

I can't take any credit for the picture. It was all because of Bria. She works the camera like no other!

The first place wins this:

**GASP** 

I am so thankful and so excited. I have never won anything over the internet before! Thank you Laura @ Our Reflections and the judges for this week :)

Pretty Pregnancy...

Since I have been feeling no-to-hot, frumpy, and sick this entire pregnancy, I have been drooling over some pretty pictures of some items all around the internet that makes me feel, well, less frumpy!


 Here is what I found:

1. Mambino Organics Mommy Care Pack:

Who doesn't like to be pampered? Especially during pregnancy! s

2. Mama & Baby Twinset from BoobDesign:

These are awesome Mommy/Baby T-shirts that can be worn during and after pregnancy and actually have an opening to make nursing easier! 

3.  Pretty Pushers Gown:

I am dreaming of being a pretty pregnant lady-even in delivery!

I Dream of Sushi

Do you want to win one? As much as I would love to keep this contest a secret, because I'm crossing my toes, fingers, and whatever else I can manage to cross in hopes that I win. But, I'm nice and I'm going to share the love. The lovely Elena over at The Art of Making Baby is giving away one!! So head on over to her blog and stay a while and enter her giveaway! 

4. Dear Johnnies Hospital Gown:

You can win this one too!! Same sweet gal over at The Art of Making Baby is hosting a giveaway for this too! Just click here to enter. Good Luck!!

Now that I have my window shopping done, I can get back to reality!! There is something so nostalgic about dumping everything you want into a virtual shopping cart and clicking the X on the browser window. I quite enjoy it and do it often. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

                           

Happy Sunday

These are so pure and innocent, I just had to share. I hope these put a smile on your face and love in your hearts for our LORD...

                                                                           Source: weheartit.com via Tory on Pinterest

Pinned It...Did It....

If you have read this blog, you know I am a fan of Pinterest. The virtual pin-board for virtually just about everything you could imagine. Or anything you can find on the internet...And if you know me personally, you know that I love, love love cupcakes! I found this pin on Pinterest:

                                                                           Source: marthastewart.com via Tory on Pinterest

and decided to try and recreate this lovely concoction. We had a bake sale fundraiser during the Valentine Basketball Tournament that goes on every February here in White Mountain and it was a perfect time to create heart-shapes lovelies. I don't think mind turned out quite as beautiful, but people sure loved them! Here they are:

I also wanted to use my decorating kit that I rarely use. I think they turned out lovely! Thank you Pinterest for the lovely idea.

What are your valentines day plans?

When we are not looking....

She does this:

Yup...Our girl is a superstar, Diva. At least she thinks she is when she thinks no one is looking!

I hope this brightened your Monday! I know it did for me :)

A Sweet, Sweet Surprise...

On Friday we received a care package from my sister Alexis. Now, if you have been following the blog you know how excited I get with care packages and how much it means to me when people send us simple things that we just can't get up here in the bush.

This is what we got: 2 bottles of my favorite drink. Ever! Blood Orange Organic Italian Soda, 2 big things of Reese's for Clint along with Torani Chocolate, Bria's B Linking Toys, Bananagrams and overalls (not pictured...They are for my Halloween costume!)...

It really is the smallest little things in life that make me so blessed! 

Bria going after the chocolate before finding her toys:

Yeah, my sister's awesome!

I couldn't get Bria's attention. Usually she loves the camera and does her signature smile. Not today. Today she was busy!

I love watching her develop her fine motor skills. She loves putting her hands in the bucket to try and get her links.

Thank you Alexis! We loved your sweet, sweet package! Although, I am already out of my Blood Orange Italian Soda! Yeah, it doesn't last long in the house of Tory :) ..

She's-Uh-Movin'!

Here is a video of Bria crawling!!! It's not the video of her first time crawling just because I am unable to learn how to get the video from our video camera to the computer (Clint will have to help me!)

She's an expert crawler now and is into everything and I mean everything!

Enjoying The Small Things....

1. Putting away Bria's preemie and newborn size clothes.

    

2. Baby drool!

3. Herring Eggs that make me miss home

4. Saturday Morning rituals: