patching hearts: January 2013

Thursday, January 31, 2013

5 Facts that you don't know about me

I haven't seen this on Instagram yet, but I like the idea so I'm following Bon's lead and posting 5 things you don't know about me.

1. I hoard makeup and beauty products. I rarely use them all, but always want to save them for a special occasion.

2. I have a tendency to buy 2 or more of something (shoes/shirts) in different colors if I like them. Usually, it's fine until you wear 2 different colored shoes one day. Did I mention that I get up early and it's usually dark?

3. I used to sneak out of my house a lot when I was in high school. I only got caught once when my mom called the police. I got home around 3am and found a state trooper in my driveway. Oops.

4. I wear big fluffy warm pajama pants and a t-shirt with holes in it almost every night to bed. Ok...I wear them as soon as I get home from work and all day on the weekends too. In fact, I only wear normal clothes when I have to leave the house.

5. I love to dance, but have absolutely no rhythm. I'm pretty sure wine is the magic cure for that because somehow I become an amazing dancer after a few glasses.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

So What Wednesday!

Shew, what a week! I have a few things I want to say so what to this week....So, starting off.. So what if...

I had a 15 minute warning that we were showing our house Sunday and I was in the middle of hosting a play date. I threw all of the toys in the box, dishes in the dishwasher, put the kids in the car and was out of the house only 5 minutes late. The bad part...when I got home, I noticed my bra was still hanging up in our bathroom. I'm only a little mortified.
I can't get the VINE app that everyone is using to work on my phone. I'm so frustrated. I've tried at least 10 times. BOOOO
My kids and I have a dance party every afternoon when we get home. Usually to either Barbie Rockstar or Sophia the 1st Troll with it episode.
It takes me 2-3 nights to finish one episode of the bachelor. My kids take over the tv at night. I let them so I can cook dinner, but it takes me weeks to catch up.
My mom is coming up every weekend right now so I can pack. While it gets really frustrating that I have double the mess to clean up (no she doesn't help) and cooking for her is definitely harder....at least I can get some packing done.

What are you saying so what to right now?

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Mommy Guilt

I know this is something all Mom's experience in some way or another. The guilt could come in the form of: Am I spending enough quality time with my kids? Am I teaching them enough? Do they have enough play dates? Are we doing enough as a family? Am I enstilling good values/morals?

I work full time. I have to. Therefore, my kids go to daycare/learning center. They love it. They have friends. The teachers are amazing. They do crafts, play outside, have story time, bible time, and play time. By the time Chris and I get home from work, it's time to make dinner, eat, take baths, and go to bed. There is not a lot of time for just hanging out as a family. Therefore, we try to do things as a family on the weekends.

I realize that we don't have to take expensive outtings to create great memories with our kids, but I always wonder...is it enough? I see all of these amazing pictures on facebook and Instagram of fun family adventures that I'd love to do, but somehow, we just can't seem to find the time to do everything. With Chris working on the new house starting this weekend, it will just be the kids and I. Can you think of any inexpensive, fun, easy for one parent to manage activities that the kids and I can do together? I'd prefer they be activities at home, but easy outtings are great too--just keep in mind it is cold here :).

Monday, January 28, 2013

Hellooooo

1. What blogs do you visit daily? Please list 1-3 of your favorites.

3 of my favorites are:

Sorry, I have a few that I read daily...couldn't like just 3

Kristen at First Name Smith

Bonnie at The Life of Bon

Sharee at MomFittingitAllIn

Helene at Helene inbetween

Raven at Don't Quote the Raven

2. Are you on Instagram? If so, what is your user name?

Yep! kfnahas ...follow me :)

3. Can we find you on Pinterest? What's your Pinterest address, and what can we expect to see you pinning most? (recipes, DIY projects, home decor, etc.)

Of course! You can find me on Pinterest here. Right now, I'm pinning alot of home stuff, but I also pin a lot of DIY stuff that I'll never do, recipes, kid's activities, and clothes.

4. What are your favorite blog link-ups to participate in? (weekly link-ups other bloggers have...any number will do...please link us to them!)

AP's Hey that's Pin-tastic and Shannon's So What Wednesday are the two I do most.

5. Why do you blog?

I blog as an online journal...to record what my kids are doing and talk about my adventures as a mom. It's a bonus that I've developed friendships from it.

6. Tell us one random fact about yourself.

I am terrified to stay in my house overnight alone (or with my kids). I'm scared someone will break in and I won't wake up or I'll freeze in terror.

Displaying kids artwork

I have been trying to find ways to display my kids' artwork in our playroom. I saw some ideas on pinterest and decided to one a try. I really like the idea of framing corkboard. I can change out the artwork as often as I want and make the frames bright and cheerful

I ended up buying 4 unfinished 16 x 20 frames from Michaels paint, and 4 16x20 unframed corkboards (also found at Michaels). This was so easy, even I could do it without screwing it up! I painted the frames orange, purple, green, and blue. Once we move, I will put them together and hang them on the wall in our playroom to display the kids' artwork.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Cutest Baby Clothes Ever and Mustache Beer Bottle Toppers

I've mentioned my friend Carol's Etsy Shop, EV Modern Baby before. It is no secret I'm a huge fan (and totally jealous) of her talent and creativity. Here are a few samples from her shop. Are these not the cutest???

Baby Toddler Boots gift "Aspen Chic Fur" winter soft sole Ugg style outdoor use

I wonder if these come in my size???

Toddler Girl Fur Jacket Coat hooded zebra print satin lined

Zebra print fur jacket? I'd totally wear that if I was a little girl. Hmm...I might even wear it now.

Paperboy Cap Hat baby boy photo prop clearance sale FREE SHIPPING

This paperboy cap is too much...

Baby Boy Onesie Tie Personalize with Name newborn toddler long sleeve

She can also make personalized onesies (and she can make them to match the caps).

Baby's first Valentine's Day Personalized Girl Onesie with name embroidered long sleeve custom "It's Raining Love" cloud raining hearts

There's some girl options too...Love it!

Superhero cape gift for football "Superfan" personalized with child's name and team Redskins, Packers, Patriots, Ravens

What kid doesn't want a personalized super hero cape? Adorable!

Mustache beer, beverage, bottle, glass markers Valentine's Day gift for him humorous variety of colors

These might be my favorite new addition in her shop. Mustache beer toppers. So cute and great Valentines Day gift idea!!

Check out Carol's shop...her prices are amazingly low and the quality is great. I'm not just saying that cause we are IRL friends. I have a ton of clothes from her for my kids and they have held up great!!!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Choosing curtains... need ideas

So, this is the rug I bought for our living room. For some reason, I just have no idea what kind or color curtains to get. The room has hardwoods with a fireplace. My style is classic/traditional. The room will be painted a greige color. What color curtains would work best? Design? Please help!

Thanks,
Indecisive and clueless

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

So What Wednesday

I'm linking up with Shannon again this week for So What Wednesday. This week, I'm saying so what....

if I constantly shop online and fill my cart, but never check out.
I've devoured 3 bags of dark chocolate milky ways in 2 weeks (pretty much by myself). This is not helping me get in shape for bathing suit season.
if I can't make a decision about my hair color. I got it colored again this weekend. I really like it, but now I'm thinking...should I go darker? I am so indecisive.
speaking of being indecisive....so what if I can make one single decision about decorating our new house I can't decide on curtains, rugs, ....nothing.... Though I did finally decide on paint.
if watching the bachelor is my guilty pleasure. Holy cow. These women are crazy! Definitely one of the best seasons in a while.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Facts of Me

The facts of Me First, I love fountain coke! I drink one every morning. I also eat a chocolate covered donut and 3 slices of bacon every morning I also love hot sauce--when I was pregnant I put it on everything including mac and cheese, pizza, and green beans. I still love it on all 3 of those things.

I like to fill my online shopping cart and never check out

I also go into stores and take pictures of stuff I like... Weird, I know... I also wear yoga pants or comfy pajama pants every day when I am home. In other words, I only get dressed in decent clothes when I have to work.

Monday, January 21, 2013

I have a dream too...

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King's dream, I'm going to talk about some of my dreams. I have a dream...

that my son will stay in his bed...all night
that my daughter will stop whining whenever she wants something
that our new house will truly feel like our home and not my husband and in-law's home.
That our country will be more stable and the economy will improve
that Pax will eat solid food and chew it and self feed....

What are your dreams??

Friday, January 18, 2013

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

So, this week I had a bad night and I took out my frustrations on Chris. Do you ever have those days when you feel like you're busting your butt to get stuff done and you just can't seem to ever finish? That was my night this past Wednesday.
I came home to a sink full of dishes, a dishwasher full of clean dishes that had yet to be put away, laundry in the dryer, 2 screaming kids (both whinning for various reasons), dinner to cook--including shrimp to defrost and peel for stir fry), kids needed to be fed and bathed and I had to prepare their clothes and pack lunches for the next day. I was already exhausted and late getting home thanks to DC rush hour traffic.
Point being...my night went from just overwhelming to horrible. I knocked over a large bottle of perfume all over the bathroom floor/rug/bedroom carpet...and of course...all over me. My kids decide that that is the exact moment they want to be glued to my side...while I'm picking up tiny shards of glass. Meanwhile, my husband is in the kitchen playing on his phone and eating dinner (while it's hot no less). Did I mention I had not eaten yet? Anyway....I snapped. I started screaming and crying. I had reached my boiling point.
I think what annoyed me the most is that I felt like I didn't have time to really play with my kids and enjoy them and that I took it all out on Chris.
How do you cope when you are having a bad day and how do you pull yourself out of the funk?

Thursday, January 17, 2013

That's what he said...Paxton at 2 1/2

To entertain Paxton while he was eating, I decided to start asking him random questions. To my surprise, he had some unexpected answers...so....here we go.

1. What is your favorite color? "Blue"

2. What is your favorite song: "Who Made the Colors of the Rainbow"

3. What is your favorite sport? "T-Ball with Daddy"

4. What is your favorite game? "Putting $$ in my piggy bank"

5. What is your favorite toy? "Puppy""

6. What is your favorite show? "Dora on the laptop"" (iPad)

7. What is your favorite animal? "Um no, I push a button..."

I think he's finished. He's more interested in turning the light on and off on my laptop. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

So What Wednesday

I'm linking up with Shannon this week for another edition of So What Wednesday. This week, I'm saying SO what if....

all I can think about is going to settlement tomorrow on our new house. There are still so many things that need to be done, but I'm just excited that we are one step closer to moving in!
we haven't sold our house yet and I'm totally stressed about having 2 mortgages and no money.
all I want to do is buy stuff for the new house....but see my post above...no money. Ugh
I am totally excited about my one big purchase for the house...The Pottery Barn Mason Jar Chandelier that I've been eyeing up for months! Woo hoo!
Lastly...so what if this whole post is about us moving. That is my life right now (other than the usual kid stuff).

What are you saying so what to this week?

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Literary Junkies

It is no secret that I love to read. Right now, I'm still reading Night Circus. I can't believe it has taken me over a month. According to my kindle app, I'm about 80% finished. With Christmas and everything going on with our move, I haven't had time to read. So, here are this months questions and answers. Here are the questions for you: 1. Which book could you read over and over? Why? Wow, there are a few I could read over and over. I've read the Hunger Games series 3x so far. I wouldn't say they are my favorite books, just really action packed and quick reads. I find that I reread books right before I watch the movie.
2. If you could be any character from any book you've read, who would you be? This is a hard question. I would typically pick a book by Nicholas Sparks, but those are all a little sad. I'd have to pick a character from a book by Mary Higgins Clark or Nora Roberts. They tend to have strong female characters and a little bit of a love story mixed in. Sorry, I can't think of any specifics. I haven't read their books in a while.
3. Do you ever put a book down because you just can't get into it? Or do you stick it out to the bitter end? Any examples? Very Rarely will I ever give up reading a book. I did it last year for the first time with "What the Nanny Saw". I just could not get into it.
4. Show us your book shelves! Do you have one designated spot in your house for all your books? Do you scatter them around? I usually give away or loan out most of my books so my books are located on my phone. Here is a sneak peak of some of the books on my phone. The only one I haven't read yet is Gabriel's Inferno. What's on your book shelf?