What's On...My wish list

I'm joining in on the linkup over at Momfessionals today. Today we are sharing what's on our wish lists. I always seem to have several things on my ongoing wish list. Hoping to cross a couple off soon!

1. New bedding for our master bedroom. I've been slowly redoing our bedroom. It is one of the few rooms I didn't touch in the house when we moved in over three years ago. I just couldn't figure out exactly what I wanted the room to look like. Thankfully I have finally figured out a plan and it is slowly coming together. I just need to find the perfect bedding and it'll be about done! I've found several I like but just can't seem to decide.

I found this on Target's website and I'm really liking it. Although having that much white on it scares me. I think it would really brighten up the room since I'm painting the walls dark gray.

I also really like this one. I'm just worried that it will be too much gray in the room. Decisions decisions.

2. Project Life kit and photo album.  I got a project life kit and album for Christmas from my parents last year. Let me tell you, it was probably the best gift I have received in a long time. It was easy to use and turned out great! I love the look of scrapbooks but just don't have the extra time to do a traditional scrapbook. The project life kit saved me so much time and I got a years worth of pictures in one album done in no time and it turned out great! I'm wanting another one so I can get a jump start on this years album.

I'm thinking this kit and album needs to come home with me. Love it!

3. I really want to get a new pair of converses. I haven't had a pair in a couple of years. I'm thinking these need to find a new home in my closet!

4. Dining table.  Back in June, we decided we wanted to redo our kitchen. Our house was built in 1997, so it's not to old but our cabinets are crap and falling apart. Our kitchen isn't very big so we have decided to switch the layout around and hopefully making it feel more open. Since we are doing all of this our table had to go. It was just to big. As of now we are only able to eat at the island, outside on the deck, or in the living room. So I'm definitely on the hunt for the perfect table. 

And that's what's on my wish list! Thanks for stopping by!

You know You're a Boy Mom...

You know you're a boy mom when... you are not phased by how dirty he gets from playing outside.

You know you're a boy mom when...you are asked if we can keep every bug, frog, or turtle that is caught in our yard.

You know you're a boy mom when...you know every name of all the dinosaurs and if they are a carnivore or herbivore.

You know you're a boy mom when...you know all about construction and tractor machinery.

You know you're a boy mom when...you are loved so fiercely by the cutest little man.

Wednesday Randoms

This post is going to be quite random. I have lots of odds and ends that I want to write about. So here it goes!

1)  Yesterday in the mail, I got my new computer case and keyboard cover for my new computer. The keyboard cover is so flippin' cute!! I'm so excited about it. I just bought my computer over the weekend and the place I bought it from was out of cases for my size of computer. I bought my case and keyboard cover on Amazon. I'm so glad I did as it was half the price of what they were selling them for in the store! Love a good deal!

2)  On Monday, Layne and I went to our local zoo. We had a blast! Our zoo has a couple of albino alligators on exhibit till Labor Day. We spent lots of time checking them out! (Layne is obsessed with alligators!)  We also road the train at the zoo and got to see the cheetahs! They are usually hiding when we are at the zoo but we finally got to see all three of them!  Layne loved feeding the goats and the ducks too! Such a fun day with my little man!

3)  Yesterday, Layne had another class at the outdoor campus. It was all about catfish. He got to try fishing for catfish. Sadly, no one in his class caught a catfish. His teacher caught a bass and a blue gill and one kid caught a painted turtle. Layne was bummed that he didn't catch anything but he did have a couple of nibbles on his line. He's excited about next weeks class. He gets to learn about all the different kinds of fishes that are found in South Dakota. My little man is such an outdoors man. Its adorable!

4)  The next four days are super busy for us. Tonight I am having a girls night with one of my friends that I haven't seen in a while. So Excited!  The company Matt works for is hosting a golf tournament on Friday. Matt has to work all day at it. The night before they are hosting a big get together for all the customers and he has to work that as well. Friday is also my last day of doing daycare. Bittersweet day. This weekend we are also moving my grandma back home to her house and settling her and my uncle in. We are also working on tearing out more cabinets in the kitchen. Busy Busy! I will be sharing the progress soon!

5) Matt and I took the plunge and got a membership at Costco. We went on Sunday and I was super overwhelmed by it all. I'm thinking it will take me a little while to get used to shopping there.  I was very excited about all of the organic and gluten free items they offer! One of the things I did buy was some fresh peas. Oh my they are delicious! They taste just like they are straight out of the garden. We also bought some salsa and it is really good as well. I'm curious to see what else I will find there. 

Well that's all of my randomness for now. Have an awesome day!

New Beginnings

For the past seven plus years, I have had the privilege of working with my mother in an in home daycare. I've enjoyed being able to be around my son as well as caring for other little children. This week, that chapter is ending. I'm happy for a change but I'm also filled with lots of other emotions as well.

I have truly enjoyed caring for all the children that we have had at our daycare. Even if some days were more trying than others, I will still miss it. I will miss the chaos, noise, and all the silly things the kids would say and do. On Friday, our time as daycare providers will end and our new adventures will begin. This last year has been a tough one for my mom and dad as my grandma and uncle have had many issues and my parents have been taking care of them since January. My mom and I made the decision to close the daycare as her and I have a full time job taking care of my grandma and uncle now. ( I will write more about the whole situation sometime soon. Its been a long year.)

I'm excited but nervous about this new beginning. I'm almost overwhelmed by the idea of starting a new job and school all at the same time. However, I am almost certain that I will be able to handle it. I just need to take it one day at a time.  I'm very excited that I will still be able to have Layne around for whats left of the summer till school starts. I'm planning lots of fun projects and things in between taking care of my grandma and uncle.

Can't wait to see where this new adventure leads. Thinking positive thoughts.

To New Beginnings!

Menu Plan Monday #2

I've had a crazy busy weekend! Matt and I started our kitchen demolition. Our island is out, the cabinets that were above the island are gone as well as one of the corner lazy susan cabinets and the cabinet above the fridge. We made a makeshift kitchen in our dining room that we will have to use for the time being. Today I spent the afternoon emptying more cabinets and organizing our makeshift kitchen. I can't wait for our kitchen to be done. I absolutely hate living in a torn up mess. Hopefully I can handle it for about a month.

Anyways, since we are starting on our kitchen, I have to get kind of creative with how I can cook. I can still use our oven for a little while but I basically am limited to my crockpot, the grill, our microwave, and my electric fry pan. I have a feeling we will be using the crockpot and grill a lot! Here is this weeks meal plan:

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Crockpot BBQ Ribs

Mexi Mac and Cheese

Baked Tortellinis 

Crockpot Beef Roast


Here is my recipe for super easy baked tortellinis:

Baked Tortellinis

1 Bag frozen tortellinis ( I use just the cheese ones but any would work)
1 Jar Prego Italian Sausage and Garlic Sauce
1 Jar Prego Alfredo Sauce ( Prego makes several kinds I just grab whichever one I feel like at the time)
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded or other kind of italian cheese.

1. Boil tortellinis until tender. Drain and put into a baking dish. I usually use a 9x13 but i've used other size dishes as well. It doesn't really matter. Combine sauces in a bowl and pour over tortellinis. Top with cheese. (You don't have to use as much cheese as I did. My family really likes cheese so thats why I add a lot.)  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

This recipe is super easy and really yummy!! I'm linking up over here today so be sure to check out more menus and recipes!

Friday Favorites

I'm linking up over here today for Friday Favorites.  We've had a busy week at our house! Between work, my school orientation, camp, and everything else, this mama is exhausted! I don't think I would have been able to get anything done without my first favorite this week. Diet Pepsi!

I usually don't drink much pop at all but this week I've needed a couple of these. I don't think I would of made it through my school orientation yesterday with out this! 

     

   My second favorite thing this week has been a lifesaver! Last week I decided I need a day planner. With school starting for both Layne and I, as well as lots of other upcoming activities, I thought it would be helpful to get one. I'm so glad I bought one! I love having my grocery list and all of our activities all in one place. I would of love to have bought an Erin Condren one but I just couldn't justify spending the money on one of those right now. Maybe next year. I went to Office Max and picked up one. Best thing I have bought in a long time.

Another one of my favorites this week is this book.

It's so good! At first I wasn't so sure about it as it is written in a weird perspective but I'm enjoying it a lot! I just wish there was more time in the day so I could read without falling asleep! Hoping I get a chance to read some more on it soon! 

Last night Matt and I stayed up way to late watching this show on TLC.

This show is so good and really intriguing! We watched the episodes with Cynthia Nixon and Matthew Broderick. We dvr'd the Sarah Jessica Parker episode otherwise we would of been up watching that too! I love hearing about family history things and all the stories they share on this show and the journey to find the, are so interesting! 

Well that's my favorites for this week. Can't wait for the weekend and spending it with my favorite boys! Have a great weekend!

Thanks Pinterest...Part one

I have an obsession with Pinterest. I'm addicted!  I really don't know what I did before pinterest. I have found lots of decorating ideas for my home, recipes, crafts, everything on there. It is my go to place when I am looking for something or just need inspiration. I thought I would share some of the things that I've found on pinterest that I've incorporated into me home today!

1. Chalkboard

      Every time I'm on Pinterest, I always seem to see lots of chalkboards. I just love them! I was at an auction and I spotted with gorgeous old mirror but parts of it were in rough shape. I loved it despite that and had to have it. I scored it for only $5. With a little paint it turned out amazing! Wish I would have taken a before picture but I didn't. Sad.

2. IKEA Bookshelves

            This was one of the first things I found on pinterest. I just had to recreate it in my sons room. Layne loves books and I knew this would work great in his room. I opted not to paint the spice racks but I've seen lots of pins with them painted and they are darling!

3. Bathroom Canvas

       I love all the canvas ideas I've found on pinterest. But this one stuck out at me and I had to recreate it. I thought it turned out pretty well.

4. Yarn Wreath

    I wanted something to decorate my front door and stumbled upon wreaths made with yarn. I think they are adorable and just had to make one. I plan on making a couple more. 

This is just some of the things that Pinterest has given me inspiration for. Can't wait to share some more soon!