Show and Tell.....Father's Day ideas, flashbacks and Summer of the Bucket List

Well, G is feeling better.  Too bad R came down with the same thing he had.  It doesn't seem to be as bad, though.  With a kid being sick you have a little bit of leverage when one kid is in a "picking" mood.  "Leave her alone, she doesn't feel good" seems to work a lot better than "Quit fighting or I will tape your hands together for the day!" 

So, Father's Day is coming up and like always I tend to be a procrastinator.  I can not say what I created for my dad because he reads the blog (Hi, Dad!) but I will give YOU a super cool gift idea.  And, no, I'm not being paid or given any discounts for this, I just really like it.

Shutterfly has their photo books on sale for 50% off plus you can use the free shipping code for items over $30...just use code SHIP30.  Let me tell you my love/hate relationship with Shutterfly.....I love the end product.  They produce beautiful books that we really do cherish.  (Love) They also take FOREVER to create. (Hate) They offer excellent deals when you sign up for their email list and even if you don't. (Love)  Sometimes, when you use that amazing sale code the very next day you get an email advertising for an even better deal.  (Hate) 
Story of my life, I knew they were having a 40% off sale on their photo books, which let's face it, are pretty dang expensive and I won't buy them without some sort of a sale.  I also noticed in the nice reminder email they sent me that the 40% off sale ended last night.  So, I was busting my behind to get my project finished before the cutoff of midnight.  I completed it.  And then I stood up in all of my Rocky-esque glory after tackling a huge project and high fived my husband.
I woke up this morning and checked my email as usual and guess what....Shutterfly sent me a friendly email letting me know about a 50% off SALE. Seriously?  Grrrrr.

Oh well.  Maybe this is a sign that I need to make another one. 

With Shutterfly, I have noticed that if I try to upload using the massive Shutterfly photo uploader they like you to download is joke and always shuts down.  Just use the simple uploader and load about 10 max at a time, more if you're brave.  Another easy peasy thing to do is use your Facebook pictures, they give you an option to connect the accounts and it works super easy.  I also scanned a bunch of old pics and used PicMonkey (my not so secret obsession) to edit rotate and crop my pics.  Here's a few of the gems I found.....

I am loving just how awkward we all look here.

I'm guessing this was about 1983

Another great idea for Father's Day or any day really is this deal I saw on Coupons and Freebies Mom's newsletter.  I have to be honest with you, her newsletters are in my mails every morning and I usually just delete them because I don't ever feel I have the time for coupons.  Well, my mistake because this is not just for coupons.  Once again, this chick has no idea I stumbled across her newsletter today and found something I like, I just wanted to share it with you.  At Canvas People you can get a FREE 8x10 canvas and you only pay the shipping.  It's about a $44 value.  (which seems a bit steep to me anyway....)
I am Mrs. Skeptical so I wanted to try it out because who doesn't like free pictures?  I did try it and did work.  I paid $14.95 shipping to my house in the great state of Tejas.  I used the picture of G I took the other day with the one tear streaming down his face.  You can find that link here....at Coupons and Freebies Mom. Tip: don't add on any extras at Canvas People. No frames, no effects.  I went to PicMonkey (shocker) ahead of time and did anything I wanted to the picture and uploaded that.  Here's the discount page at Canvas People.

In that same newsletter I noticed another freebie that caught my eye, this coupon for free pair of prescription glasses from Coastal.com.
I am obviously a horribly unorganized person because I couldn't find my prescription therefore...I can not take advantage of this deal.  You have to pay shipping of course.  This seems like a great deal and they have some super cute frames.  I was really digging this clear pair that I noticed....oh well.  Next time. Find the link to the deal here. 


It's been almost a week now of keeping these kiddos busy and I gotta tell you....it's not easy.  Usually with the age ranges I have in my house we can find SOMEthing to do for SOMEone.  But during the summer it can get a little rough until we go on vacation.  Somebody is bored at some point.  What to do but go to Pinterest for inspiration.  I found quite a few pins that I will definitely be going back to for some motivation. 

Source: djpeach.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: missbananapants.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: blog.landofnod.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: birthdaypartyideas4kids.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Hope everyone is having a germ free week in their house and a fantastic summer so far!


What do you have planned to do with your kids this summer to keep everyone from catching the Boredom Blues?

U is for....Upcycled

Who's not a fan of upcycling?  I absolutely love it when I see the creativity involved in taking something that could be thrown away or recycled and then turning it into something really useful or beautiful.  I always find my favorite things on Pinterest, let's face it....it seems to be the easiest place to find the greatest ideas out there.  Here are some of my favorites that I have pinned on my own boards....

I know I have shown you this one before but I just love this idea.  Using a chick feeder as a little shelf. Perfect.  This idea comes from Better Homes and Gardens.

Source: bhg.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Solar Power Mason Jar lights!  So smart and so sweet....this brilliance came from BootsNGus, a beautiful vintage + handmade shop on Etsy.  They have some amazing things in their shop....crazy beautiful mason jar chandeliers, lamps, just some great stuff.

Source: etsy.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Using an old wagon to hold books!  So easy and makes so much sense....this idea came from Cory Connor Designs...she has a whole blog about designing on a budget!

Source: coryconnordesigns.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

This post has tons of ideas on using upcycled items as trellises in your garden. The post is from I Want to Make This but all of the ideas come from different places. 

Source: iwanttomakethis.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

There are so many great ideas out there......have you found any that you're into?  Please, do tell. 





A to Z blogging challenge.....

J is for...Just living in my Pinterest world

Are you a pinner?  A pin-aholic?
I am right there with you.  In my little Pinterest world I live the high life.  I would love to live in the home that could be created from my pins....although there is no way I could ever afford it.  Stay at home moms should unite for a pay increase!  I am also a brilliant teacher and philosopher in my Pinterest world, with plenty of beautiful photos with witty and inspiring sayings written across a sunset or waves. 
I guess Pinterest could be my alter ego or maybe just a grown up version of playing "house".  The recipes have been an amazing time saver and most of the ones I've tried have been really good.  I have been inspired to garden from my Pinterest pins....now if I could only make it to Lowe's to support my Pinterest habit.  It seems like every time I am on the way to Lowe's there is a reason I can't go.  Shut up, sub concious....I DO need to buy flowers and succulents!  I have also found endless ideas for homeschooling, which I will be doing next year with G for Kindergarten.  So, yes....Pinterest is a HUGE time-suck....but I love it and therefore, I pin.  Here are a few of my favorite pins from this past week or so.  If you are not a fellow pinner and would like to be, let me know in the comments with an email address and I will send you an invite.  If you are on Pinterest and have boards that may inspire me, let me know!

Sometimes, when you have a big span in between kiddos you tend to forget about the lovely little things that entertain the younger ones.  This is a prime example, I need to build/grow this for my little man. Every kid deserves a hide out. 

Source: paintontheceiling.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

The amount of time we spend worrying about how we look....could be spent doing so much more. 

Source: google.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

I love this idea....because of it's simplicity.  A birdbath, especially one in great colors can be turned into a succulent oasis.  I will be doing this.  Promise.

Source: gardenworldimages.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Seriously sweet, this bag would be the greatest vacation/beach bag. Ever.

Source: etsy.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Creative, rustic and cute.  This could be used as 1 or combine a few at different heights.  Would make a great little shelf under a window in a kid's room.

Source: bhg.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

I am one of those weird people who touches everything while walking through a store, I love to hold, touch and feel everything.  Especially rocks and pebbles. This would be my dream backsplash.

Source: howtonestforless.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Your mind was just blown.

Source: flickr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

I hope all of you have a fabulous rest of the week. 

This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. 

Friday Fever!

So, if you were not already doing a happy dance about it being Friday, you may go ahead now.  In my neck of the woods it is another early dismissal day.  Our high school football team is in the playoffs and tonight their game is almost 4 hours away.....so of course, everyone is getting out early to head out to cheer our team on!  I live in Texas....what did you expect?  In Texas, on Friday nights....it's all about the football.  B is traveling to go watch them tonight but I will be staying home with the kiddos and getting ready for R's Birthday sleepover on Saturday.  She's not into large groups....so lucky for me.....there's only 3 extra girls coming over.  I'm trying to decide if I'm going to be overly ambitious and do a craft time with them or not.  I've been on Pinterest but I'm too busy fawning over all the Christmas decorations to focus on one craft. 
Since it's Friday I am going to share my fave pins of the week that will hopefully inspire me to get crafty......

Source: the36thavenue.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: unconfidentialcook.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: speckled-egg.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: christopherandtia.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: michelemademe.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

I just love the idea of making decorations from what you have....or what you can find in nature. Have a wonderful weekend!

Source: livingwithlindsay.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

What I'm Diggin' Wednesday {linky open} Hiawatha's got nothing on our little Tiger Lily

Wednesday already??  That means I need to get vacuuming before small group tonight! But while I stall.......
Last night the hubs had to go to T's football game and I went to R's 4th grade Texas program.  So, even though I missed an almost interception by our football player I enjoyed the program.  Love watching these things....it always reminds me of a movie I used to watch back in the day...about a Christmas pageant gone awry.  Kids giggling when they shouldn't be, off key singing, camera flashes....it's all part of it.  R did so good....she luckily wormed herself out of her solo speaking parts because she becomes a nervous wreck so she had a few group lines and then enjoyed hamming it up with her buds. 
So, I am diggin' Native American costumes this week because she looked stunning in her get up and let's face it....that's all she cared about anyway.



My niece, protesting the length of the program





R loving the attention of her 2 grandmothers.  My mom (right) even crawled out of her bed to come, her allergies have been horrible! On the left is my step mom. :)

 I am also diggin' Monster themed Birthday ideas because I am a procrastinator, I'm sure we've covered that at some point already, and little man's Birthday is the 27th. Agh!  So, here's what I'm pinning for inspiration....and I even have the cake and moonwalk ordered so score for me!!!  In your face procrastinating gene!!!  Nevermind....Pinterest didn't seem to want to work with me this morning so you'll just have to visit me over on my boards.  The Follow button is on the right sidebar ------->

 

Now link up and share what you're diggin' so far this week.....

What I'm Diggin' Wednesday!

It is odd to me how the weeks seem to be flying by but the days go by slowly.  I look up and it's Wednesday......this family of 5 is always busy, especially with 3 kids involved in sports and church.  Sometimes, it feels as if I am never home to enjoy the moments that we should be enjoying.  Last year, before T moved on up to Junior High, it was easy to sit on the living room floor everynight and have a little devotional time with the kids.  This year it has become something that I am yearning to do yet realize the next day that once again we didn't "have time".  How can I not "have time" to teach my children the Words they should be living their lives by?  Laziness? Maybe.  Chaos? Probably.  I know for a fact that if I would MAKE the time to have that devotional each night, that my days would go much more smoothly. 
My patience with people has been out of control lately.  I've been tired, like super tired.  That's not like me.  I can't help but think if I gave my schedule a God makeover that my heart would calm, patience would come easier and I would have energy to spare.  It is hard when we get home from wherever we have been, which is probably a football game or soccer practice, to not look at the clock and turn into Turbo Mom.  Getintheshowerbrushyourteethmakesureallyourhomeworkisdonebenicetoeachotherhurryandgetintobedsowecansayprayers. 
Have you been that parent?  What is an extra 10 minutes where I can sit with my kids and go over a chapter, a section, a sentence....in the Bible?  It is more important than my bedtime deadline.  I need to get out of this funk I've created and get with the program. 
So, sorry for the vent session....I guess I can get on with What I'm Diggin' this week.  If you want to link up....and please do!....go for it.

Since I spaced out again and forgot to link up to Pin It Tuesday and because I am completely obsessed with Pinterest I am going to combine my vent session and Pinterest with what has been helping lift me up this week via my pins. Enjoy. And if you would like to follow me on Pinterest....you can find the little tab to the right of this page.

Source: laureola.tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: designworklife.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: janefarr.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

And for fun's sake.....

Source: artprojectsforkids.org via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: almostunschoolers.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: lemonademakinmama.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Link away.....

What I'm Diggin' Wednesday....{linky} #pinning! You're going down, Sheen!

                                                              


Halfway through the week....would it be wrong of me to say that I'm not ready for the weekend, yet?  The life of a mom, working or not is hectic. Then it's the weekend.  You know, that break that comes on Friday night and last until Monday morning?  My "break" this weekend will include:
Soccer pictures for G at 7:30 am.  Yep. 7:30. A.M.
2 soccer games at 8:30am on Saturday.  Yep. 8:30. A.M.
Birthday party to chauffeur T to at 7:30 that night
Celebration for my nephews that night as well....one is turning 18 and one just became a Marine. Amazing milestones.
Sunday....church, of course.
Another Birthday party at 1pm
T's soccer game at 3pm....an hour and 15 minutes away
So.....my "break" of a weekend is awfully packed.  I am grateful though to have them involved in sports and have the friends they do.

What I'm Diggin' this week.....link up and create your own WIDW post!
#pinning!  Aren't you so sick of Charlie Sheen and his stupid catchphrases???  Let's change it to #pinning! and just be happier in general.
Since I didn't link up to Pin It Tuesday....I am having withdrawals and decided to put my faves this week in my WIDW. So here you go....

Source: slutgrrrlinternational.tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: compassion4.org via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: thecreativeplace.blogspot.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: kkart.deviantart.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest



My #30 at last night's game

Scripture of the day:

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life.



Ephesians 6:13 (MSG)





What are you diggin' this week???  I can't wait to find out.

Pin It! Pin It real good.....s-s-s-salt and pepa...sorry, it's Pin It Tuesday!

                                                                   


I linked up with Mommy Head Adventures last week for this and since I am mildly obsessed really into Pinterest I'm sure I'll be linking up each week.  If you are not on Pinterest....get out from underneath that rock and I will gladly send you an invite.  And if you are on Pinterest, let me know!  Would love to follow all of your crafty, DIY, foodie, home decorating, mecca of a mama ideas. 

Here are my fave pins of the week...no theme, just my favorites....enjoy.

Source: weheartit.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: None via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: diyideas.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: vanessachristenson.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Source: houseinteriordecor.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Now, you may go ahead and finish singing the song Push It by the amazing Salt and Pepa.....because you know I got it in your head.  Push it real good!!!