Who Loves Tuesdays?

I'm trying not to say frick or frickin' anymore. I use it as much, if not more, than a 14 year old says "like". I'm not cool with that. Anyone else have this problem?

...

DH and his 16 year old bro were kicking the soccer ball around in the house yesterday (makes me crazy!!!) and I accidentally got hit in the face while playing BlockBreaker on DH's phone. I tried to suck it up and was doing good at it, but DH felt so bad and was babying me, which made the tears welling up from the pain, spill over, which totally embarrassed me even more. Yes, I was at my in-laws.  I really hate it when they kick that stinkin' (not frickin') soccer ball in the house!!!! (*But, do you see how a word like "frickin" would just emphasize so much more effectively the way I feel?!?)

...

I have a few crafty projects to share... but not until I finish a few more... and not until I take decent photos of them! (For the full effect! You understand...)

...

Spring is going to kick Winter's butt... any. day. now! I'm soooo routing/rooting (??? I'm brain-dead right now... I wont even tell you what time it really is!) for Spring!!! Go Spring!!!! (...but if you really want to know, you can look at the publishing time.)

...

My Monkey is totally talking now. I mean, he's putting together full-on sentences! Sentences I know he came up with himself! And the things that come outta his mouth! I'm not even sure if he's trying to be funny!! (I would share some of the things, but I suspect they will only hold humor for his mother... I will not force his cuteness and 2-year-old humor on you...

...at least not today.)

...

So good night. Or Good Morning...  Wherever and Whenever you read this! May the Force be with You!

If you wanna enter some Blog Contests this week... go HERE.

And the Winner is....

 

Congratulations, Carli!!!

You won the complimentary 1 hour photo shoot  with Portraits on CD... with me! 

The guess the stars alligned for you! Contact me  to schedule your Photo Shoot!!

This was a lot of fun... I think I'm going to have another giveaway for the summer, so make sure you some back in May and enter that one!!

Give Away Today

If you haven't already discovered this fun little number... check it out! They have daily giveaways... I mean, really! How fun is that!!

No, I haven't won anything yet. I think I have rotten Blog-Contest-Luck... but I will keep trying!!!

(Today I will announce the winner of the Portrait Session Giveaway)

My Big Fat lip

The other night I put Monkey on a time out in his room for destroying my only lipstick. No, I didn't take a picture. This time I was too upset to have a level head. It would have been a good one too. Anyway, he freaked out when I put him in his room and screamed for me and was straight-up hysterical! (please tell me you know what I'm talking about!)

DH spent sometime with him, talked to him and did all that good daddy stuff.  He even tried to put him down for bed, but Monkey was freaking out again... so I (being the cure-all for my kids!) gave it a shot. He was pretty much asleep, but any time he felt me move, he would get emotional and tell me (eyes closed) "Mom. Stay Here. Mom, Stay Here!" (this is the same heart-breaking line he uses on me when I try to leave him in nursery.) So I stayed... but one time I sat up and he started freaking out (eyes still closed) and didn't even realize I was laying back down when he threw himself at me  and his head smacked my lip.

Fat. Lip.

It's a good thing I freaking love that kid! But even a few days later, my lip is still a little tender. Nope, no picture of that either.

But heres this...

I {Heart} My MONKEY! (yep, he's had a runny nose pretty much ever since we left Kauai... what gives!)

My personal Movie "DJ"

Monkey (he's 2) has recently learned how to, independently, put on a movie. So about 10 minutes into a movie, he will decide he wants to watch something else. So, he ejects it, takes it out of the DVD player (sometimes properly, mostly not), and puts it back into it's case (I know! He's a smart one!).

Then, he sits there for a minute look at all the DVDs (that's he's pulled out and made a mess of) and says "How about..." over and over until he picks another movie, takes it out of its case and inserts it into the DVD player... waits for it, then pushes play when it keep repeating itself (you know, the main menu that's on a loop...).

Nope, I'm not kidding. I just have to teach him that we pick a movie and then watch the whole thing before changing it. It's a work in progress.

Things I Have learned this week...

If you microwave a marshmallow... it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I know, where the heck have I been?!?! I wish I could tell you... but seriously! I was laughing so hard. It was just funny! If you haven't, you need to see it. If you have... well... you suck shoulda showed me this sooner!...

Painting a 10 month old's feet to make foot prints on any type of "art" is definitely a two-man job.

Just about anything can be substituted for building blocks to a 2 year old... DVDs are absolutely on that list!

Freecycle rocks. So does our local radio station's website's free classifieds.

I definitely love to create stuff. Especially when it costs me next to nothing!

I really enjoy making new friends. And I look forward to our little get togethers.

Mix sour cream and crunched Ritz in a gallon ziplock, throw some chicken in it and mix it all up until its coated, bake for 20-25 minutes on 350degrees - it's not bad at all! Throw some gravy mix (powder) on it and/or garlic salt... can't go wrong!

I'm not so good at tweeting on Twitter. I don't get the hype.

I LOVE Spring! (please come back!!!) I will enjoy the next day that reached 70 degrees 100%. I. Will. Not. Take. It. For. Granted.

What did you learn this week? (add your post link to Mr.Linky, or leave a comment. It will make me feel validated. Thanks in advance.)

I Agree.

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

~Margaret Nadauld

(Read her whole talk HERE)

Just because I agree 100% with this quote, it doesn't necessarily mean I'm that kind of woman... yet. I'm working on it though!

*Thanks to the Motherboard @ Crazyland, for reminding me about this quote!

Writer's Workshop...

Mama Kat @ Mama's Losin' It has a Writers Workshop that I have finally decided to participate in. So... here's the promt I choose...

What are you putting off right now?

Bahahaha... what am I not putting off? You know, lets start with that. I am not putting off dirty diapers (believe it or not). I hate dealing with owie bums.

I am not putting off blogging. Nope, not me!

I am not putting off making newly discovered DIY (That's Do It Yourself... just incase you didn't know! hehe) home decor...

Right now, I am putting off...

Putting the boys to bed.

Washing the dishes. Yes, I have a dishwasher, but call me old fashion... I don't use it... therefore it piles up. But I rarely let it take up more than one side of the sink... right now it's borderline.

Replying to a few emails. I want to have enough focus to write something sincere.

Watching Twilight. I dont know why... it's probably because the movie is not available at any of the Redboxes in a 10 mile proximity... and I haven't made it to Walmart yet.

Taking Spring Portraits... because there is snow on the ground!

Vacuuming.

Starting a Garden.

Cleaning out the car.

And that's it. No really, everything on my never-ending to do list is done. haha... yah, right!!

Wordless Wednesday

If you wanna party with the UBP09 Go HERE.

For more "Worldess Wednesdays" go HERE.

red dirt + little boy = this. 

10 in the bed...

If you're here for the UBP09 Go HERE to Party!

I am so not getting enough sleep at night. And I dont think it's because we are still sleeping on a blow-up mattress, because... we're totally not.  I think it's because Monkey comes into my bed just about every morning at 5am... but my little Turtle is already sleeping between DH and I. This morning I felt so closto and my legs were cramping a little from NOT kicking Monkey who ended up sleeping by my feet. I was this close to sleeping in Monkey's bed. But go figure I was too exhausted to move. 

Monkey has pretty much always slept in our bed with us... So I can understand that finally having his own room and own bed is a little different for him. I mean, the kid wants his momma. But Momma wants Sleep. Turtle is better- 50% of the nights he'll stay in his crib. 

Now, I reflect on my own childhood when most nights 5 of the 6 kids ended up in Mom and Dad's bed. It was like on the movie cheaper by the dozen... only... half a dozen.  Some nights my dad would wake up at 2am and put each child back in his and her beds. Only to wake up at 6 am with them all back on the bed. And they had a water bed. Man, those were the coolest. But I definitely prefer a nice pillow-top, personally.

Not the point.

I guess I'm hoping some of you mothers out there can give me some advice, or just words of comfort would be great. I am really not so good with the cry-it-out method. Well, I guess I'm okay... but 45 minutes is my limit. And Turtle is such a good baby that when he does cry like that, it breaks my heart.

So, I'm a sucker.

But if its at all possible, I would love to get a little more rest at night, because I've been sacrificing my nap time to paint the picture frames I just got for FREE from Freecycle. Oh yah, and to blog too.

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Party 2009

ALOOOOOHA!

Welcome to my blog! If you're here hoppin' blogs to meet new moms and make new friends as part of the Ultimate Blog Party as hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom, take a minute to chillax and chat with me!!

First, let me just tell you which PRIZES I would love if I win... :)

#58 – Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer from Moms Who Think

#99 — $25 gift certificate for Shutterfly from SandwichINK.com

#13 - Scrapbook Photobox from Scrappy Gifts

I'd also be happy with anything related to toddlers (my boys are 2 and 10 months) or a target gift certificate!!

My name is Alicia. My (current) location is Utah! I am a wife, a stay-at-home mother, photographer, homemaker and blogger. I've been blogging since 2007 but recently started Sweet Nothings after I finally decided to make my family blog private - but wanted others to benefit from my randomness and experiences!

I have two little boys and a good man for a husband. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and enjoy meeting new people and other women who want a friend! I believe everyone woman (and man too) have something to offer, whether it's an experience, a cooking, crafting or parenting tip, a talent... everyone has something to offer! There is something to learn from everyone. I am constantly in awe of just how vast and unique and clever mothers and wives (well, women in general) are!

I created this blog with the intent of uplifting and supporting women - no matter your walk of life! It's a concoction of a little bit of everything right now... some of my photography, digital creations, things about being a mom, stuff that's inspiring, funny, or of some irrelevent importance (haha - oxymoron!). You know, all that "good stuff". I try to post daily - but sometimes skip the weekends.

Some random facts about me.

I wouldn't consider myself "crafty" - but I'm trying to change that. I love fruit and yogurt. I love Hawaiian food. I long for the ocean. I could listen to relaxation/spa music for the rest of my life. I wish I were more outgoing/popular. I am very fair skinned - sometimes I fake-bake because I can't hold a tan. I'm trying to wear less makeup. I love being a mom. Sometimes being a mom wipes me out. I look forward to road trips. I try to meet someone new each week at church. I bite my nails. My younger brother was killed when he was 20, in a motorcycle accident 2 years ago, and the experience changed my life. I wish everyone would just tell the truth, be kind and get along.

So... are we friends now?! Yes? Great! Please leave me a comment so I can come visit you too! Or follow me. Or add my button to your blog so you can easily come on back!!

oh. yah.

...The GIVEAWAY!!!

If you are in the Salt Lake County or Utah County area (sorry! I probably wont be taking any road trips soon!) I will do a complimentary 1 hour photo shoot and the Portraits on CD for one lucky winner! It can be for a family, couple or individual portrait session. Outdoor location is negotiable. Please redeem by the end of May, or contact me.

I will pick the random winner on Friday, may 27th, noonish. Please leave a comment with a name and some type of contact information! Get an extra entry for blogging about the giveaway and letting me know!

To see some of my work, visit my photoblog.

Good Luck, and HAPPY BLOG-HOPPING!!!

Check, Check, Check it on out!

And I'm back in the game!!! haha... Check out the most recent photo shoot over at my photoblog!

5 Things I Learned This Week...

1...The best deal (I've found) for microwave popcorn is at Walmart - 24 packs for $5! That's, like, 5 bags of popcorn for $1!

2...D.I.Y stands for Do It Yourself. Yah. Just got that!

3...Twitter is pretty fun... follow my twittering here...

4...Have you ever put soda in a sippy cup?  The explosion is like a sticky 4th of July! Well, cover it with a finger and shake it then set right side up and if it stops attempting to explode then it's all fizzed out. If it's still fizzing, shake it up until it's flat.

5... I have to mentally and physically (a.k.a get a nap in) prepare to stay up past 12am... especially  if there are going to be crowds for a particular movie release. If I don't plan in advance on going... I wont end up being the party animal I used to be, which totally isn't even worth going! Right? (Long story short, DH came home from work this afternoon and announced that he would watch the kids so I could go to the Twilight Movie release. How sweet, right? Well, I had no intentions of going tonight and was thus tormented with the option of being a part of the hype and getting the movie and possibly meeting someone of significance from the film and even dressing up -so fun!- versus spending the time to get ready - then, staying up past midnight, plus leaving the kiddos at home just to be around crazed teens who are most likely ridiculously obnoxious and then feeling out of place... yada yada... anyway the later won. I decided not to go. Maybe I'll plan to go to the New Moon Movie release...)

Aloha Friday!

Thank goodness for the internet on PHONES nowadays! Otherwise ya'll would be left wondering what in the world happened to me! (admit it, you care about me...)

However! I sincerely regret to inform you that there are no new blog skins today because the internet is down (hence the blogging from my phone!) But I just wanted to let you know!

On another note...

Last night I had a dream I was BFFs with the LOST cast... Mostly Kate and Sawyer (some BFF I am... I don't even know their real names!) anyway, it was cool. Anyone else have BFF dreams?! Who's your ideal celebrity best friend?

The Vase/ Pencil Holder / Whatever-You-Wanna-Put-In-It and Wipes Holder

I promised pictures of my crafts... so... without further ado...

(*disclaimer: I use my phone camera because it's just right there when I need it. I'm thinking that if I keep up with this crafty kick, I will take much, much better images to share! But in the mean time, you get the idea!!! PLUS I can just email the pictures to myself from my phone... can you say convenient!?)

This was so so sooo easy to make! I used a cleaned out Pringle Can... 1. cut it to the height I wanted 2. covered it with some fancy scrap paper, 3. and added ribbon to the top and bottom.

Really. It was that easy!! As you can imagine you could use this for all sorts of things.  I do not currently have anything in the smaller one... but I'll think of something!

And Wipee Holders. There are all sorts of tutorials on this one. But again, so easy! The trim I used on the first one was a little too big for the case... but it turned out alright anyway! And I didn't put trim on the second one yet.

Anyway! That's about the extent of my craftiness...

Or is it?

My Monkey

This is my Monkey. He loves to laugh and play! Being carried like this just lights him up!

Tuesday Smooze-day

I regret to inform you that I have nothing exciting or otherwise mentally stimulating to share with you today...

bahaha... okay okay... so just as I was typing that three things popped into my head...

1. My DH is in the beginning phases of blog-hating. Do any of your husbands feel like you spend more time blogging (or on the internet in general) then you do with him? (even though that by all means, is entirely untrue! I know that compared hour-to-hour I spend more with him!!) What did/do you do about it? I've been trying to do all my blogging while he's at work/while the kids are sleeping... which only leaves me one-two hours... or I catch up while they are ALL sleeping... he doesn't like that either... What's a Girl To Do?!?!

2. Yesterday, I was particularly Crafty! My sister-in-law and I made cute vases-slash-pen holders-slash-"put-anything-you-want-in-them"s out of pringle cans that I am currently using as a vase for my dining table's center piece... AND later that same day I got together with some girlfriends and we cutesified our portable wipee holders! and because I don't have my own photos yet and you have to see these... here's Missy's:


















So, freaking cute, right?!?! I will get some pictures of my craftiness (If you know me, this is a whole 'nother territory!) and let you know that really, truly if I can do it - you can do it!!

and 3. Our Relief Society President invites the women in the ward to her home on Tuesday afternoons and evenings for a couple of hours... and let me just say This is the best idea EVER to meet new gals in the area! I have made a bunch of new friends and we bring our kids and they play (or in Monkey's case - play then hit. We're working on "using our words"... the little stinker! But that's a whole 'nother post!) and we get to chat and find out how much we have in common! I really look forward to it! And so does my little hitting Monkey...

okay and FOUR -
I am so thrilled that I just HAVE to throw this in there... I have been contacted by a few companies to do product reviews! I know! Cool huh?!?! Which means I will be soon starting a Product Review day of the week... woo-hoo!! Why my DH is blog-hating I can't imagine... I'm getting stuff fer free!

Decor 8

The blog I want to share with you today is

DECOR 8

I found this decorating treasure tonight. Usually it takes a little while for me to like a blog enough to feature it... BUT this one is just a great! Especially since we're finally in our own place and I get to make it... home! I have been looking for simple ideas to liven up the place... but I'm on a budget. I spent $20 at the DI yesterday (my budget was supposed to be $10) on fun do-dads (vases, shelves, recipe box - which is going to be rockin' cute when I'm done with it!!!- a cookie tin "thing", ceramic candle "plate things"... you know decor stuff!) that I am going to spiff up and make new and perfect for my home. Anyway, I found a bunch of great ideas from Decor 8... like this one...

I love the boxes that are used instead of a night stand!!!

Anyway, check it out!!!

Facelift...

I revamped the blog. What do you think? It's still not exactly what I want... but its per-i-ty darn close... You dont even want to know how many hours I spent playing with digital designs... it's pretty much ridiculous. I revamped my blog, signature, and the little thingy in the top left-hand corner... which I really am not loving and will probably redesign soon... I'm having a hard time reading what it says... ok - redo for sure.

Anywho! Now that this is (mostly) done... prehaps I will be able to enjoy my Saturday!! Yay!

Here's hoping for sunny skies!!!

Happy Patty's Day Blog Skin!

Well I have one blog skin for you!! It's a fun GREEN plaid style... ENJOY!!!

_____________________________________________

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
(if you can't see the code - it's there, just highlight in the box)

<style type="text/css">
body {background-image: url("http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo129/BlogAddict/pattysday2.jpg"); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; }
</style>
<div id="tag" style="position:absolute; left:0px; top:30px; z-index:50; width:150px; height:45px;">
<a href="http://theladyisablogger.blogspot.com" target="_blank">
<img border="0" src="http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/oo129/BlogAddict/tag/tag-1.jpg"/>
</a></div>

_____________________________________________

Instructions for using skins:

*Works best with "minima" template.

Login to blogger.

Go to "Layout"

"Add a Gadget"

Add" HTML/JavaScript"

Insert "the code"

Leave the title blank.

"Save."

"View Blog."

If you love 'em, let me know! Feel free to let others know about it as well! Also, if you like a certain color scheme let me know, and I'll see what I can come up with! Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!!!

Endless Winter

This picture represents how I (and probably a lot of people) feel. I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again - I am ready for Spring!!!!

It. Snowed!

ACK!!! It TOTALLY snowed!!! But at least it's sunny with clear skies today. It should melt pretty quick, right? RIGHT?!?

I am so ready for tulips to bloom! There is this place in Orem that has a whole field of tulips. I've always wanted to see it. I will do it this spring! And of course, I will take pictures and share them so you can feel like you were there too!!

Where are some other places around the country that are absolutely gorgeous  in the spring?

What's your favorite thing about spring?

Please. Don't. Snow!!

There's a big gray cloud hanging over my house. (Okay, not JUST my house... ) and without checking the weather report... I fear it might now.

SERIOUSLY?!?! When can I just KNOW its SPRING?!?! Can we please just get this over with?!?!?

Contests

Hey everyone! If you're looking for contests... visit MomDot's (not only for moms...) Contest Monday Post! Have fun!

The Bucket Filler

Happy Monday! Today's featured blog is brand new

The Bucket Filler

I'll be totally honest - I love it because it's a GREAT idea and because I have the privilege of being a part of it!!

It's a virtual-style scripture study group. Specifically, The Book of Mormon. Elise started with 1 Nephi chapter 1 today. Tomorrow I will share my thoughts on Chapter 2...

This is a great way to motivate each other to study daily!

If you're interested in learning more about The Book of Mormon, and reading along with us - you'll love The Bucket Filler! Like I mentioned, we just started so you can easily join up!

Our goal is to complete The Book of Mormon by the end of 2009!