Orphan Project.

I can't wait to decorate my house. I've been trying very hard to make my house cute but with a little budget it is hard but I'm finding ways here and there to give it some life. One of the things I recently did is hang paper lanterns in Mya's room above her bed. My next project after I make the bracelets is to make my picture frame with the chicken wire behind it. I've been waiting for spring to be here so that I can spray paint the frame outside and guess what... SPRING IS HERE.

This is the lanterns I hung in Mya's room. Sorry it's a weird picture.

So if you didn't catch it, I'm making bracelets for Orphan Project. I'm so excited to do this and was inspired by another blogger. The bracelets I'll be making are made out of jersey material. I'll be finger weaving (as I call it) like I use to do when I was little. I'll give you a sneak peek of what the fun colors I'm going to be working with. Hopefully I'll get a few made this weekend.

Join in the fun making bracelets for the Orphan Project. For more information click on my link:

Orphan Project info.

Have an awesome Thursday everyone! -Manda



Getting things done.

It's been hard for me to find motivation to keep up with my house lately. I feel like I clean up a room, walk away and it automatically get's messed up again. I am happier when my house is clean and things are in order. I've been following an organizers blog iheartorganizing.blogspot.com and it's helping me get my house in order. It also helps that my mom, sister, and I are doing a garage sale soon. So I'm going to take before and after pictures of each room and then post them with tips. I'm excited. If you feel up to the challenge feel free to join me and give some helpful tips to what helps you organize your home. Lets make organizing fun. Happy organizing to all.

Getting caught up.

I haven't posted in a while and the reason for that is because I've been scrapbooking in all my spare time. Marcus' parents brought over 2 eight foot long tables to put in our basement so I can keep my scrapbooking stuff out all the time. It has been a blast. I've been working on Mya's book. It's finally coming together. I can't wait to start on Kylie's next. I should post some of my favorite pages. Maybe I'll do that for Monday.

Other than scrapbooking I have been busy running around. The weeks are seeming to fly by. I already have to start Kylie on solids next month. Crazy. Well I better get busy. I have Easter baskets to put together and a house that needs my attention. Everyone have a wonderful Easter.

I see you.

I see you Kylie. I see your big blue eyes. I see you getting stronger everyday. I see the love you have for your sister, mommy and daddy, grandparents, cousins, and aunts and uncles. I see your beautiful smile that makes me forget everything else on my mind. I see you Kylie. I see you curiously watching everything around you, taking in each and everything. I see you cry when you want to be held and snuggled, I know that cry. I see you Kylie and I simply wanted you to know that you are loved, watched over, and are beautiful inside and out.

She.

She is a happy girl and has her daddy wrapped around her finger.

She looks 98% like her dad. Just beautiful.

She likes to color on anything. This includes her face, the table, books, and television.

She enjoys eating strawberries and bananas. You will always hear her say, mmmmmm, while eating them.

She wants to do everything herself. She especially wants to hold her sister and pick her up by herself. She says, "I old her." She doesn't say the H of hold.

She says, "Thank you" right on cue. It's pronounced "tank ta" in her language.

She wants to go outside all the time and play with bubbles. She pops the bubbles like Dora taught her.

She has a contagious laugh. When she giggles it seems like the whole world is happy.

She is going to be an amazing woman someday. I can't wait to see the person she becomes and all the things she is going to do for the world.

She is an awesome two year-old-girl.

Dream, Pray, Love.

I love spring time here in Michigan. I feel like I appreciate it all the more because last spring I was in Cali. This morning my mom had the girls so that Marcus and I could spend some time together AND SLEEP IN! I absolutely love sleeping in... it's one of my favorite past times. We got up about 11:00 and went for a jog. I was originally calling it a jog/walk but Marcus wouldn't let me give up. (Bless his heart). I ran the longest I've ever run without stopping today. It felt good to run through the pain and push myself. Many times I feel like I'm not challenged anymore. So today I made a promise to myself as I was running that I will do this more often and eventually run a marathon. For those of you who don't know me, know this... this is going to be a huge challenge... I am not a runner. In fact today I was trying to decide if I would rather run or give birth. lol. I won't tell you my thoughts on that though.

Today my brother Kyle who is deployed in Afghanistan needs prayer. All the men and woman serving need prayer. I miss him so much. He's such a wonderful brother. Marcus (my husband) and Tony (my sister's husband) tease Marie and I because we spoil him. They always say, "You'd do anything for him... he has you girls wrapped around his finger." And it's true. He's our only brother and a great one. He makes us laugh and tells us like it is. *sigh*

This is a picture of us Christmas morning. Kyle was home on leave and I'm 8 months pregnant in this picture.

I'm going to end this blog on a happier note. My sister told me tonight that she wants to treat me to a spa day next week! I am so excited! I've never had my nails done or gotten a message. This should be amazing. What an awesome sister I have.

Marinade for Steak

Summer is coming up and everyone is probably getting excited to use their grills a lot more. I know we are. We had my sister-in-law and her boyfriend over for dinner tonight and grilled up some amazing steaks. Props to Marcus and Eric for putting the grill together last minute... dinner was a little late but well worth the wait. Anyways, I whipped up my own marinade this afternoon and let the juices marry the steaks all day. It was amazing so I thought I'd share.

Mix together...
1 cup of vegetagble oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon ground pepper
2 tablespoons dijon-style mustard
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

Hope you all enjoy. It's suppose to be in the 60s tomorrow here in MI so get outside... that's where I'll be with the girls all day.

The guys building the new charcoal grill the girls and I got Marc for his birthday.

Spicy Turkey, Corn and Zucchini Skillet.

http://www.campbellkitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=50748&INTCID=Collection___Suppers_with_SpiceSpicy_Turkey__Corn_and_Zucchini_Skillet&fbid=8NVb2BTw6Hz



I tryed this new recipe tonight for dinner and it was really good. The whole family liked it... including Mya. The other bonus is that it is healthy. Thought I'd pass it on for others to enjoy.

My first challenge.

So a family friend is a Close to My Heart consulant. She posts weekly challenges and this week's challenge was to create a bug card. It worked out perfect since my friend's daughter is having a lady bug themed party in a few weeks. So this is what I came up with for sweet Lydia...

My 2 year old.

So I haven't had the chance to update in a while because I've been so busy. My Grandma isn't doing too well and she lives in Florida. My mom went down there to help out. She needs a lot of prayer. She is in a lot of pain and wants to be with Jesus now. When my mom got back we worked on getting things ready for Mya's 2nd birthday party. We had her birthday party at the Comfort Inn where we went swimming. Mya and her friends had a blast.

She is a little fish.

So the party was Sunday the 3rd and her birthday is the 4th. We went to Fredrick Meijer Butterfly Garden for her actual birthday. She loved it. She kept holding her little arm out for one of the butterflies to land on her but none did. You could tell she was taking it all in becuase she was so quiet and listening to everything her daddy was telling her about butterflies. I love watching her learn.

 Marcus and Mya

 Some of the butterflies.

Mya being a butterfly.

So we've had a really good last few days of celebrating. I really appreciate everyone who helped us celebrate... especially my mom she made Mya's cake and helped me out a lot. She is very talented... I had to show her Elmo cake off. It tasted yummy too.