Happy 2011!

Happy New Year to all my blog readers and blog hoppers!

I can’t believe another year has flown by. I started this blog January 29, 2009 and it’s now 2011! Back in 2009, I decided to create a blog to help share some of my right-brain creative design and mommy ideas with others out there in blogland. I hope you found something here and were inspired to create it in your life. Along the way, I have learned a lot from other creative bloggers out there-So thank YOU! Now I feel like I have a blog full of ideas/projects/inspirations that I long to create.

With that being said, I am not going to post anything new on Designing and Motherhood in 2011. It’s time for me to move my creative energy to completing projects and not allow myself to collect any new inspirations. Know what I mean ladies? I now have the mommy energy, drive, and funds to execute the creative ideas that I have accumulated over the past two years.

I have goals lined up to finish my kids scrapbooks, take a painting class, create my family tried and true recipe book, redesign my office, finish up a few odds and end projects, and work with a few new interior design clients. I also want to spend more time reading the Bible with my husband at night when I usually did blog posts.

As for this blog, I will not delete it immediately. I will have it up and for reference (for you and for me). Please scroll down and you'll see the list of all my blog topics. I have lots of ideas: all the holidays, crafts, baby shower ideas, window treatments, recipes, home decor, mommy mishaps, teacher appreciation, organization, cakes, and birthday ideas. They are all there for you to view.

Well, as I move on I wanted to personally and sincerely thank you for following my blog and encouraging me. It's been fun. I wish you all the best in 2011!

Blessings to you all,

Staci

A mommy moment.....her first stick figure.

As a mom of four I feel overwhelmed with STUFF! Don't you? I like to save stuff my kids created but I know I can't save everything meaningful nor do I have time to scrapbook everything. So, I save a few and I take pictures of some special ones. I toss the rest and look the other way back from the recycling bin. Here's some examples.

Here's my daughters first stick figure drawing.
My daughters first note to me.

"Dear Mom, I appreciate you.
I love you."

This was all on her own and I loved that moment when she presented it to me on the magnet board.

What do you do to preserve these priceless moments in your life?

Welcome Tip Junkie blog hoppers!

Hello & a warm welcome to the Tip Junkie blog hoppers! Just so ya'll know I was featured on Tip Junkie (I love that site) for my
blessing mix #11 (as shown above!).

Go here to Tip Junkie to see my post!

Since I have new blog readers be sure to read about me here. I am happy you clicked over to my blog. Feel free to let me know you stopped by and what you checked out. I welcome feedback and your tips too. If you would like feel free to become a follower of my blog. Christmas is just around the corner and I have some fun posts coming up. Plus, I sprinkle in some designing and motherhood bits here and there. It's just my attention span....Short and sweet!

Welcome again to my blog. Staci ;)

My b-day at Lagoon amusement park in Utah

For my birthday this year I didn't want gifts...I wanted to get out of this house and go somewhere FUN as a family! I didn't get a true vacation this year since I had the baby and a hurt ankle. I love adventures with my kids and finally I felt up to it (physically too). So off we went to Lagoon Amusement Park in Utah. It was a blast! The weather was perfect in the high 80's. It was decorated for Halloween and they call it Frightmares. It can be pricey but I did my best to find the best deal and still have fun.

Here's how I saved money and had a blast!DISCOUNT TICKETS: Our elementary school had coupons for Frightmare tickets for $31.50 for adults and everyone over 4 yrs. 3 yrs and under were the toddler price of twenty something.

FOOD: Lagoon allows you to bring food and coolers into the park. We packed our lunch, dinner, treats, and drinks. We left our cooler and box of non refrigerated items in a pavilion on site and no one touched it. Utah is pretty trustworthy in that way.

AMUSEMENT PARK FOOD TIPS: 1) I froze some water bottles and used them as ice in our cooler. Then we pulled them out and let them thaw for ice cold drinks. We refilled them at the water fountains. 2) Next time I'll bring a small crockpot with sloppy joe meat and use their outlets in the covered pavilions to heat while we go on rides-Some one else did that and it was genius to me!

WATER RIDES: Not this year based on my family ages and a baby.....but maybe when we get season passes one year. I don't see how you could do it all during the summer months. In September, Lagoon's water park isn't open and the entrance fee is adjusted for that, I think. I was ok with that since my kids are still young and we took the baby. We couldn't and wouldn't do it all this fall. But, I happily sent my husband and kids on rattlesnake rapids while the baby and I stayed back and were dry! I hate walking in wet shoes at an amusement park (now I am sounding old!)

Late September for Lagoon: Hardly any lines, we took the baby and took turns riding with the girls.

What can my kids ride? I checked their website for height guidelines ahead of time so I knew what my 3 1/2 year old and 5 year old could ride. It cut down on tears and time figuring it out. It worked out great to know in advance.

GAMES: We didn't play any! They didn't even ask. We were hard core--for the rides of course.

SOUVENIRS: We didn't buy any! They didn't even ask.SHOWS: I vote watch 'em if their good! We took a break and watched the dancing monster show and it was hilarious!

Nothing beats watching chainsaw guys dancing to I'm too sexy and You better work by Ru Paul! I was bustin' up laughing!

My 5 and 7 1/2 year old went on this double looped roller coaster! What a thrill.

All in all I love amusement parks, making memories as a family, and being frugal. It was one of my favorite adult b-days ever!

How I use up my extra calories while nursing! ICE CREAM

I love this treat and crave it in the winter! Cookies and cream ice cream topped with fresh Utah raspberries from my garden.

It's a great way to use up those extra nursing calories. Right?
Try it sometime yum!

I am alive, well, and back to blogging!

I had a great summer with my kids and new baby!
Meet "Gummy bear"! That's his endearing nickname from my oldest daughter.
I have enjoyed this baby so much.

I have some fun, useful, creative, and random blog posts planned.
Stay tuned they will be coming gradually. :0)

It's a BOY!

We rejoice in the precious gift of our son. What a sweetheart he is and I am so elated to have him here and a part of our family. All glory be to God.

I made blogging goals in January 2010 and one of them was to take the summer off from blogging to be with my kids and new baby. I will miss this hobby of sharing creative and fun free things with you. It's my calling right now to be a full time mommy and wife to my hubby.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer and feel free to view my summer topics on the tabs on the right hand side of the blog.
Some are:
gardening
canning
garden produce foods
Disneyland
back to school
crafts
family reunion ideas
baby showers
home decor
our basement remodel (still incomplete!)

Blessings and peace to you all. Staci

Daddy Daughter time-Coaching Softball

I love watching my husband help raise our three daughters. They have a special father-daughter bond from infancy but we are in a new stage--school age girly girls. They needed a new fatherly connection and interaction.I strongly encouraged him this year to coach her 7 year old all girl softball team. It was going to be a challenge with a new baby boy on the way but I knew my oldest needed that special one on one time. Thank goodness is a patient man to take on nine 7 year old girls. I encourage you to encourage your hubbies to have something that they only share together this summer. It's precious to watch them develop a bond of their own in this new stage of parenting school age girly girls. I am happy to report on the season--so far so good!

My sectional sofa is on sale at RC Willey in UT for Memorial Day

Remember my new family room purchase in November? My 2 piece microfiber sectional from RC Willey in Utah?It's on sale in the RC Willey Memorial Day Ad for $499 for both pieces. It comes in 3 colors! I recommend the 7 year fabric protection agreement from RC Willey.
We still LOVE this set! It wipes clean nicely, sturdy construction, comfy, and fits our whole family nicely to watch movies, and for the price WOW!!

TIP: Memorial day weekend is one of the best times of the year to buy sale priced furniture, mattresses, floor models, and appliances!

Sharing the free coupon and sample deals!

You know I am coupon gal and love it! I coupon also to able to give generously to others in need. I am blessed by great deals and I want to buy a few extra to give away to various causes. This week the Lord presented me with a simple opportunity to give. A young man in my neighborhood is working on his Eagle project for an Orphanage in Haiti. They needed supplies! Oh it was so convenient to just go downstairs to my pantry and collect some items quickly to give to this cause. I am not trying to toot my own horn here because I believe the Lord prepared me for this opportunity. I just want to show you the other side of couponing, helping the less fortunate on a budget. I got ALL these items for free (paid tax only on most and some where samples from the mail). I hope you are inspired to buy a few extra good deals and give what you can to others in need near and far. It feels great to be prepared to give!

Our Valentine family date--Filling our kids love tanks!

Have you read the book The five Love languages by Dr. Gary Chapman? It's a must read for any marriage or engaged couple. I find it helpful when raising children too...what's their love language(s)? I think most kids just want their parents attention. The book talks about children love languages at the end. You can take the quiz right now and see what your language is. I am Quality time and my husband is acts of service (that's why I cook and try to clean a lot for him). I was raised with parents who worked hard to create family memories on a frugal budget. It is possible to not spend a fortune and have a blast with a big family. I am following my parent's lead and on the look out for free and/or frugal outings for our family of 5 going on 6.

So, for this Valentine's day we spend some quality FREE family time together and made lasting memories. Here's what we did and it was a blast.

A local city in Utah was hosting a Winterfest and offered lots of free stuff to do (I found out about it from our newspaper)....but we didn't attend any events until Saturday night. We had some house cleaning and priming the basement walls to finish up. We told the girls we were working like Cinderella and then we would go to the fancy "ball" that evening. I was going to be the fairy godmother and make them beautiful. I put sponge rollers in their hair the night before, let them choose their dresses, and they wore sticky earrings and lipstick to the "ball". They are at the right ages to get excited about something like this!The concert music was a Beatles tribute band named Imagine. They were great and a lot of fun to watch. We had a blast!
We danced and sang a long through the familiar Beatles songs. We sat on the floor and had great seats. After all my extended families motto is, "Spread out and get what you can." We are true "go getters"! My girls felt like true princesses and had the time of their life. I would encourage you to go above and beyond and fill your kids love tanks soon. It was really fun for us as parents too. Parenting is so much fun with many highs and lows but I love the highs don't you?!

My 1st blog anniversary!

This past weekend was my 1 year blog anniversary! Oh how time flies and looking back I have learned so much in motherhood and blogging. Thanks for following my blog and coming along this journey with me. I enjoy the comments, e-mails, and feedback you have given me....but I am hoping for more feedback this year from you.

If you are new to my blog here's what I wrote about myself a year ago. Click here to read my Introduction to myself the blogger and A little background info about me.

Thanks for reading! If you have any suggestions or ideas I'd love to hear 'em!

What's new with me???

Nice face brace face Stace huh? It's my--AHHH I got braces face! It's been a whirl wind the past two weeks. As you see , I got braces on the top (bottom in a few months), everyone shared the stomach flu, the house is DUSTY from the sheet rock dust, loads of laundry are calling my name, I spent lots of money on toy and clothes clearance shopping before we got the throw-ups, and my oldest turned 7 , we had a mother/daughter b-day outing, and I made a my first doll birthday cake. It's been crazy busy!

Staci's 2010 blogging goals

I love the New Year frame of mind-Don’t you? I love to be organized and have lists galore. I am not super organized but just enough that I feel I have my act together and with three kids that is an accomplishment!! We all have our opinions on New Years Resolutions and here's mine...In this stage of my life I need tangible and achievable goals that keep me going! I often get caught in the daily grind and need something outside of it to help me feel fulfilled. I am a medium believer in having written goals. I have a lot of personal goals in my head and they don’t have to be written down 100% of the time. I have written down a few this year and it feels great. I decided with this New Year I needed to establish a list of blogging goals. So, I am going to share my blogging goals with you today!

Thinking, planning, and writing these goals publicly might just help me be motivated and accountable so here goes!

These are my blogging goals for 2010:

1) My first priority of time will be to God and my family. Blogging and computer work will be after I have fulfilled those relationships. I will not be blogging daily in 2010. My posts will be quality not quantity. I strongly encourage you to comment or pipe in an opinion or tip-I do this to share and get feedback not to hear myself talk/type! :0)

2) I will be sharing the personal remodel of our basement complete with pictures. Our goal is to have it done by Spring 2010! I hope you’ll keep checking back because I will be sharing my personal design process not just the end results.

3) I will continue to share more personal tips and pictures of my mothering journey. Including but not limited to kid friendly recipes, everyday life tips, a few deals, organizing, and crafts.

4) I will be taking the summer off from blogging to be with my brand new baby. Yes, I am expecting and thrilled! It’s my 4^th child!

Those are my blogging goals for this coming year. I hope you’ll keep following me. Happy New Year again! God bless.

It's a new year...and lot's going on already!

Hello everyone! I have been Missing in Action on here huh? This break has been really nice. I really haven't been on the computer. It's been a time of rejuvenation, holiday fun, organizing, cleaning, cooking, playing with the kids, eating out, going on dates, and planning 2010 here at my house.

A new update from my house: We decided to finish our basement to include 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. We already have a large family room area finished when we moved in 5 years ago. So, I have lots of designing and planning to do. I hope to share lots with you. The bedrooms are first till we meet with the plumber.

My husband took off the week in between Christmas and New Years and worked like a dog! Here's the 3 Bedroom update!
Framing DONE (we hired it out before Christmas)
Electrical DONE (Hubby did it all)
Speakers/Co Axle cable wiring ALMOST DONE (Hubby did it all)
Heating and Ventilation DONE (Hubby did it all)

We are trying to do a lot (but not all) of the work ourselves. I'll take some pictures and show you something soon.

My new sectional sofa!!!!

I promised I would show you my new furniture! I am in love with my new contemporary sectional sofa. I purchased this set with a 7 year stain protectant. If they can't get any stains from any bodily fluid from humans or animals, food, or household stains they have to replace it. That is why I did it folks. The fabric is microfiber and it's great with kids. Seriously GREAT! I love lighter sofas, dark walls, light carpet, dark wood floors. CONTRAST!

Of course I have new design goals for this room:
I want to get a new colorful rug
Colorful accent pillows custom made (after I find the fabric and decide the shapes)
Add more color into this monochromatic space
New drapes that tie in the colors

I LOVE IT!! I joined a book club a few months ago so I have been reading in the chaise lounge at night. It's so great! I got a great deal too. The storage ottoman is on back order so it's not pictured.

Baby it's cold outside....treat yourself to sockies!!

I bought myself some indoor sockies for the holiday. Of course I bought them from Target on the after clearance LAST year and have been using them THIS year. (If you want a pair try Target this year). I am crazy for after Christmas sales and saving the stuff for the NEXT year. I like these socks because they have Christmas tree treads on the bottom. I like slippers but these don't have a bulky sole and are not flip floppy. Maybe great for a grandma who needs traction--Or a busy mom of 3! Just a post for fun today. Stay warm everyone!

A reader's questions! Keep 'em coming

From a loyal blog reader Nikki. Here's a shout out to her tonight!

According to your profile you wear a lot of different hats. Why did you decide to add "blogger" to the mix?

• I am always mutually sharing tips, deals, and ideas with others and thought why not have it in one place for them but also invite other mom's out there in "blog land" to see. So, go ahead tell you friends about my blog. I also like be a realistic blog for others to read and to be inspired to design something and to be a creative mom even in the simplest daily tasks. They grow up so fast!
  

You have so many creative ideas for decorations, organizing, events, and the list goes on! Where does your inspiration come from?

• I read creative magazines, had a creative childhood, and some ideas just come out of the sky honestly. I always have a new idea but execution & time are the main hold ups.
  

You're a mom of three and you have so many creative ways to keep them entertained and even ways to get them to eat! I'm sure some of these ideas have come from moments of wanting to pull your hair out from frustration, so what would you say was your most brilliant creative idea for your children?

• Their bedroom decor. I feel I captured their little girl personalities even if they aren't 100% done to my satisfaction. I haven't shared some of it for personal reasons.
  

What posts should our readers not miss when they visit your blog?

• The puppy party, luau, Staci's staple meals, making flower hair bows, and the large Home Decor tab from my house and others I find inspiring.

Do you have a question? Ask away!

Food for thought....Pipe in on SIMPLE LIVING!

To know me is to know I LOVE a deal...but lately I am bored with it. I think I am just bored with couponing, shopping, and buying stuff. My kids play with my make up brushes way more than the Barbies (etc.). So, I have a food for thought today on simple living and a quote for you today.

"Living in a way that is outwardly
simple and inwardly rich."

— Duane Elgin, author

Duane also said, "What Is Simple Living? Simple living — aka voluntary simplicity — has just about as many definitions as there are individuals who practice it. Simple living is not about living in poverty or self-inflicted deprivation. Rather, it is about living an examined life — one in which you have determined what is important, or "enough," for you, discarding the rest."

My mind has been on simplifying my personal life lately. I just feel cluttered with stuff in our house lately-it all started with the fall clothes rotation & toys. AHHH too many kid clothes from relatives. So, I made a hefty donation this past weekend to a rescue mission. I am just NOT into shopping or bringing more stuff into my life....I might not even go on Black Friday shopping. How about you, can you relate? Share!

Happy Birthday to me recently!

I turned another year older folks. I am so grateful for my life and all my blessings and trials. I have learned a lot in my short 30-something years and look forward to more years of learning and growing.So here's a little "sum-thing" I got for my b-day....A bracelet watch. I love it. I want to make more bands for the removable watch face. I paid $25 for the whole thing! You knew I was going to be thrifty about it, right? But, I want to make more bands myself for even less $$. The gal who made this one did a great job.

Do you make yours? Where do you get your funky and chunky beads from locally or online?