Diggin In

Well the process has begun and we have started our dream home! It seems to be going very slowly right now, but I have been told things will really start to move once we have walls...we'll see! Its so exciting to be doing something that we have always talked about and dreamed about. When you first get married you have all these wonderful ideas of what your future will hold, but things happen...jobs, kids, bills, vacations, weddings, and well life! I never put it out of my mind, but it definitely went to the way back, something I thought was just not going to happen. That was okay, I mean we have 2 great kids, a happy marriage, a roof over our heads and wonderful friends and family to fill up our lives so a dream home is just not on the "must have" list! Watching this process from the ground up is both exciting and nerve wrecking! 

Kids standing in the hole...strange really.

Basement forms have shown, up and the walls should be poured today...fingers crossed!

Looking forward to all the fun to come with design choices, paint colors, and decorating!!

String

I have had so many projects on my To Do list on Pinterest that it is CRAZY!! I am just finally getting to some of them.  One of the many projects that I finally finished is Name String Art. To complete this project you need:

• board (can be any size, depending on where you're hanging it)
• string (I used embroidery thread, cheap and great color selection)
• nails, preferably small ones
• hammer
• paint

Time to start!!

1. To begin, I painted my board. I just used some craft paint I had around, but you could use almost any type.
2. While the paint is drying, I used my Silhouette Cameo, to cut out letters to fit the size of my board. I then printed and cut them out. I went simple for my son, but plan to get a little more fancy for my daughters!
3. Next I took the letters and laid them out on the board. Once I got them adjusted I traced around them with a pencil, this will help with the nail placement.
4. Now its time to do some hitting!! I started by placing nails in all the corners of the letters. Then spaced them out about a 1/2 inch apart. I hit them til they were about 1/2 inch above the wood. I did this for each of the letters...thankfully my son has a short name! 
5. Then the fun of playing with string came. I started by knotting the string on one of the corner nails. I then wrapped it around the outside creating an outline of the letter. Once that was complete, I started to just criss-cross from side to side and top to bottom. I did this until I felt it was enough. Then I tied off the string. (Make sure that as you are twisting and wrapping you keep your string tight, and go slow. I ended up having my sting come off a few times, ARG!!)
6. Now you are all done and ready to hang it up!! I can't wait to do the next one and would LOVE to make a BIG one for my kitchen!

Still Here

Wow! So much has happened since last I posted. I am making it a priority to keep up with this blog more and update about all my crafting and fun projects! 
Speaking of projects, it's official we have sold our house and are building our dream home! I am excited and anxious all at the same time. I know that it will be fun choosing all the finishes, but the details could be the death of me! 
I'm planing to create a specific blog all about the house so those who want to follow along can. Our family is doing well. Kids are glad that summer is here and we are able to spend time at the beach and the pool!  I also can't figure out how in the world I have a 4th and 6th grader! And don't worry I've got crafty ideas coming your way!!

Goodbye

Tonight brings back some really hard memories. 5 years ago tonight I didn't say goodbye. I thought, I always have tomorrow. But there wasn't a tomorrow.
5 years ago today you left the physical world. But took a piece of me with you. Where there is joy, there is always a bit of sadness.
I know I always have you with me and lately have seen much of you in myself. We talk of you often and remember all of the good times.
I miss you...and hope that I make you proud.

Happy Holidays

Hope that everyone had a VERY Merry Christmas and  Happy New Year!!  Ours started out a little slow...the flu slowly worked its way through all of us and thankfully we didn't get hit too bad. Toby took on the worst and ended up missing our family Christmas party.
Happily though we were all feeling much better by Christmas Eve and got to enjoy some family fun together! We started a new family tradition...Chinese for dinner followed by a fun/cheesy Christmas movie! This year we enlightened our children to the fun of Elf (Its one of my favorites!!)
Our elf Chip was pretty adventurous this year and definitely had some FUN!! Here is a look at his adventures this year:

I've of course jumped in the fun of crafting again!! I made some of the gifts again this year and plan to post a tutorial of how to make the FUN fleece blankets I gave the kids this year!

Upcoming posts include:

Fleece blankets

Freezer Meals

Snow Storm

Redecorating

Subway Art

Gone

Wow!! Its been too long! A lot has happened in the last months, the kids have aged, we moved (then moved back) started a new school year, celebrated my dad's 80th birthday, enjoyed some time with family and friends, took in some baseball, and so much more!!
I am back and plan to continue to post not only family updates, but I've have been on a major crafting spree lately that I MUST share all the fun!!
To start I first want to say how thankful I am for all that I have...the many friends, the loving family, a roof over my head, a great job, food to eat, and too many more to list. I hope you are able to take some time in the next couple of days to show your thankfulness to the ones you love!!

10

As we have hit a milestone...10 years, a decade, I spent some time thinking about what lessons and thoughts I wanted to share with Emmah. She may not appreciate all of these yet, but she will and learn to understand them too. 

1. You won’t be liked by everyone and that’s all right. However, I strongly encourage you to BE YOURSELF even if others don’t recognize how special you are. I'm sure this will take awhile to settle in, it did for me, but in the end you're a wonderful person and if someone doesn't see that...they are missing out! "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends." (Dumbledore-Harry Potter) Don't be afraid to fight for what you believe in. As I heard many times from Memah..."Kill them with kindness, and don't stup to their level and be the better person. None of which will be easy.

2. Always ask questions...no question is a dumb question, unless it goes unasked. There will always be something to question and an answer to look for...get out there and ask!

3. Keep smiling. It’s a cure for common sadness and can truely "make" someones day. Laughter is the best medicine and even in tough times a smile can warm the heart.

4. Dream BIG!! Believe that no matter what it is you want to do you can do it and we are always behind you, cheering you on along the way. It may seem impossible some days, but the more you push and perservere the closer that goal will become to reality. 

5. Don’t do favors or charity with the expectation of getting something in return, or having the favors returned to you. Do them because it makes you smile and warms your heart. Compassion for others is  gift to share...share it!

6. You’ll have your heart broken at some point, and you’ll inevitably break someone else’s. Pick up the pieces, hold your head high and look for love again. Sometimes...when you're not really looking at all you'll find it right in front of you. Let yourself love and be loved. Eventually, you'll find that one true love and when you do, your heart really will skip a beat, and and feel whole in their presence. Love isn't easy, but worth the work!

7. Always write thank you's...take the time to write a short note to the person to let them know you appreciated their thoughtfulness. As your Memah always said "If you're not thankful you don't receive."

8. Dad and I will embarrass you in front of your friends. This is inescapable, and at some point in your life you’ll appreciate the fact that we were weird,. Until then, please try to exercise some patience. Every crazy, wacky, and weird thing we do or say is, only because we love you. And that will NEVER change!! All the crazy years that are to come...the fights, the yelling its all bound to happen, but we'll always be here and LOVE you no matter what! We will tell you "We love you" (and won't tire of hearing you say it!) and will love you everyday, even if some days you don't think we do. You hold a special place in our hearts and that can NEVER be replaced!

9. Keep your family close, and surround yourself with wonderful friends. Family is there no matter what...when you make the wrong choices, the right choices and every step in-between. When you find the right friends they will become like family and fill the gaps, join you in laughter, cheers, and sometimes tears. They will you always believe in you and be there through thick and thin.

10. You are beautiful inside and out. You won’t always feel that way when your stand in front of a mirror, or with your friends. I know this struggle all to well, and kids and the world can be tough and sometimes down right MEAN. Striving to be perfect will only cause you more frustration, be content in who you are and always believe that's enough because to the right people it is.

Emmah Ruth Bloemers...you are an AMAZING miracle that has been brought into our lives. You bring us joy, laugher, smiles, frustration, and happiness. You will never fully understand how much we LOVE you until, hopefully someday you are blessed with a child of your own. Until then know that we are always here and love you til the end. Watch out world she is just getting started and she is going to be SPECTACULAR!

Lost

I promise I wasn't lost...nor did we have anything major happen to our family, its just been BUSY!!
I have missed blogging as I use it as an outlet to let my creative juices flow, share a laugh or tear, and get out what is on my mind.
Lately, there has been a lot! Sometimes life goes by with nothing exciting really happening, but it moves without us noticing the little stuff. I want to really take the time to notice the little stuff, the small moments that we share as a family. I have often been thinking that I really want my kids to look back on their childhood with fondness and think what a GREAT time they had, whether its a trip or tradition. I want them to enjoy the effort we put in to be their parents and make growing up FUN!!
I know we haven't given are kids every experience, and there are some that it would take some convincing for me to give them, I think they are important to shower them with the new, the old, and let them discover too! As we move into spring we have worked on a few little projects here and there and will be moving in birthday party mode...this week!!
Hoping to post a few pics and some tutorials next week!

Valentine

I know the date has past, but I still wanted to share with you the fun Valentines we gave out this year!! The kids and I had so much fun coming up with ideas and making these, best part??? They were SuPeR simple!! For Jake's we did these:

They were perfect and only cost me $2, for the glow bracelets. Jake even helped cut them out! Since he LOVES Star Wars they were perfect!! (Want to use these?? Well you can get your own from here!)
Here are Emmah's:

These have to be one of my most favorite ones we have done!! Emmah helped to design the tag and then stuff the bags!  (The original idea came from here)
I then decided that we needed some for the kids at daycare...there are some school aged as well as younger ones too. So of course I went a searching and found these on Pinterest!

Be sure to check them out...there are 4 different varieties, I only used 2.

Dinner Diaries

I am far from a great cook, I dislike cooking almost as much as I dislike cleaning. (So as you can see my children are well fed and live in a remarkably clean home!)
Well Pinterest has really encouraged me to try new things and find new recipes for the everyday and while some have turned out okay, some have turned out truly GREAT!! This is one of them!
The first recipe I tried was Crockpot Pineapple Chicken.
Recipe:

• 3-4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup soy sauce

Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 
Now the meat had a sweet taste to it and it was pretty good, I'm not sure I would make this again. I really would like to try another version of this because I see it quickly becoming a family favorite...I'll keep you posted.
Now on to my HUGE cooking success....
As a side to go along with our Pineapple Chicken I decided to try Humus Mashed Potatoes.
Recipe:

• 3 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes
• 3 Tbsp. butter or olive oil
• 2 cups favorite hummus, homemade or storebought
• 1/2 tsp. salt (or more to taste)
• 1/4 tsp. freshly-cracked black pepper

Peel the potatoes if you woud like, and cut them into large chunks, roughly the same size. Immediately add to a large pot and fill with water until the potatoes are covered. Bring to a boil over high heat. Then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until a fork will go gently through the potatoes. Remove from heat and drain the water.

Then return pot to the burner and use a potato mash the potatoes until smooth. Then turn off heat, and add in butter, hummus salt and pepper. Stir until combined. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. 

Now these were the MOST delicious side we have had in awhile and Emmah even asked if we could make them more often! Jake wasn't as much of a fan, but he ate a little!! I will definitely be making these again!!

**snow**

One of the benefits to living in Michigan is the fun we get to have in the snow. Now I'm not one to really enjoy the cold and snow, but sometimes you just have to get out there and have some FuN! Today we headed out with some friends to hit the hills and get some sledding in!! So far this year we have had 5 SNOW DAYS...which is fun, but the kids get a little restless!! We've had to get creative and find some fun entertainment!

Jake heading down the hill

Emmah's turn!

Family shot...minus Toby!

I LOVE this photo!!

4 years

It's been 4 years since you left...and I still miss you like I did on the very first day. I remember that day like it was yesterday, I can tell you where I was, what I was wearing and exactly how the day went. You were my BEST friend, you taught me to sew, cook (Not real good with this one yet!!) bake, and teach.  I am better because of you...I am who I am because of you. This one's for you Mom... For Good And although I know I will see you again one day I still miss you and wish you were here. Thanks for being the BEST Mom EVER!!

New Year

I can hardly believe that it is already 2013....WOW!!   As a family we had a really nice holiday, we spent time together, shared some food and laughter and started a few new traditions!!   We even got a special Florida visitor for a week!! My kids were super surprised and excited that their cousin Shelby came to stay with us for a week!! (I have to add that I was too!!!!)   I feel this should be said as well. You know those things that happen when you get together as a family, the jokes, the laughter, the love...I am truly blessed to say my kids will have some GREAT memories of spending time with family. I LOVE how much my kids, although there is quite an age gap, are a part of their cousins lives. My kids talk about them all the time as well as aunts and uncles. I have some of those same memories and LOVE the fact that mine with have some if not many more of their own!   Starting our year out...I have gotten crafty already, tried some new recipes, and enjoyed my NEW CRAFT ROOM!!!!! So much to share...but to start the year, be thankful for those close to you, those not so close to you, and those who have passed. The memories you have and make are yours forever and no one can take those away...now go out and create some memories!

 

 

 

Ain't this the truth...

So far it has been a VERY merry Christmas and looking to add a few merry more!!

   

New Traditions

Every year is full of change...and change is good. Well sometimes....   This year I am having a really hard time with change. Usually on Christmas Eve we celebrate Christmas with the whole Bloemers side...this year it will be different. Which really is a good thing, since it will be easier for more people to make being the Saturday before. I was hoping we would do our small Bloemers family gathering that night instead, but not he case, which I too understand.   This leads me to my issue...we now have NOTHING on Christmas Eve, or really Christmas Day. Usually both night and day are filled with family and they will, but just the 4 of us.   This I am dreading...   Toby says we will come up with something special to call our own, but it really just makes me miss my mom all that much more...   We have some ideas...but I am slowly working myself up. I wish I could just push it back and think of all the special memories we will be making with our kids, but sometime less isn't more and in this case less people, especially one that will be missing is being missed an extra lot this year.

Holiday Rush

I don't know about any of you but the holiday hustle and bustle is in full swing at our house. We have already attended one Christmas party, we have another one this coming weekend and then 2 the following weekend.   In between there we are working hard to finish the playroom, craft room, have carpet installed, finish up our shopping, and for me...making gifts!!   I love to give people small tokens to let them know just how special they are to me, especially at this time of year! I also really enjoying adding some fun new crafts that have been on my "to do" list to my "done" list!!   Currently on my to make list is: *Initial cup *People blocks *Matching shirts (for my neices!) *Cookies *Ornaments with the kids *Holiday tags *Hot Chocolate mix/chocolate dipped spoons *Popcorn Seasoning Kit *Holiday shirt for kids   I think that is it for right now...but I'm sure I will think of many more things that I should make!!

 

And I finally got around to ordering my holiday cards, so at least that part of things is done! YEAH!

Sneaky Elf

With Christmas comes one of my favorite Holiday traditions...Chip our Elf!! He usually shows up sometime after Thanksgiving and then gets into all sorts of different adventures.   **If you haven't heard of Elf on a Shelf...you need to check it out, it really is A LOT of fun and the kids just LOVE it!!    Here is his arrival....I think he arrived in style!

 

Day 2:

 

Day 3:

 

 

 Day 6:

 

Day 7:

The kids are really loving all the adventures "Chip" is having this year!! I am too!!

 

Thankful Memories

Thanksgiving is always a great time to gather with family. I have some seriously great Thanksgiving memories. Although I have a few that aren't so great, most of my memories just leave a HUGE smile on my face!   First of all for years we used to drive to Wisconson to spend Thanksgiving with my uncle and cousins. My mom and I would load our stuff and ourselves into the car and drive the 8 hour drive to my uncles only to stay up even later prepping for the Thanksgiving meal! (I can't remember how many times I stayed up breaking bread for the stuffing!) My mom and my uncle would do some of the other prepping, there was wine, Mountain Dew, and many laughs! Their favorite thing to make was the stuffing and they really had a knack for it!! Countless wooden spoons were broken...because you don't have the right consistency if you don't break a wooden spoon!! And A LOT and by a lot I mean A LOT of sage was used!! Everyone knows that if you don't need a drink after eating a bite...you NEED more SAGE!!   Its these types of memories that make the not so happy ones...fade to the backgroud. (My mom's last Thanksgiving was spent in the hospital...I brought her dinner, but who wants to eat a Thanksgiving meal there??)   I hope my kids have wonderful memories of spending time with cousins, playing/watching football, eating A LOT of food, and most of all of breaking a few wooden spoons and add just the right amount of SAGE!!   I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, I know I did!!

Pot Roast

We are back at trying to really keep to a budget...so that means I actually have to cook...   I'll just let that sink in...       Me cooking...regularly!! No it's not a cruel joke either!   With that of course comes me being better with time management, and hunting on Pinterest!! Well, that also meant that I was going to start using some of the beef we had in our freezer and one thing we had a lot of was roasts...that's when I came to the conclusion that I didn't know how to cook a roast...   Now normally you wouldn't think this was much of a big deal, you would probably call your mom or grandma and say "Hey how do I make a pot roast??" I can't do that... It hit me like a TON of bricks and I just started to cry...at first Toby was unsure what to make of it, but once I explained he understood. Sometimes we take these little things for granted. I have learned to embrace these moments.   Teaching my kids how to bake and sew has now moved to the top of my list...I want my kids to share in the memories I have with my mom teaching me. Of course one thing they won't be learning... How to cook a Pot Roast!!

*Thankful*

These days all too often we don't thank those around us...for just being themselves!   So this month I am taking the time to be thankful! Everyday this month I have shared what I am thankful for here is my list thus far:

1. My Husband-he is my rock, and can always make me laugh when I need to or give me a good bear hug to let me know it will be alright!
2. My kids-they may drive me crazy, but my life wouldn't be as rich if I didn't have them!
3. Crafty-skills (It's such a great release for me!!)
4. Friends at work-they have been there through the good and the bad and it makes going to work all that much better!
5. Faith-need I say more??
6. Right to vote-quite a privilage!
7. Health-we have been blessed in this department
8. My brothers and sisters-we may have a huge age gap and live miles apart, but they still check in and keep an eye out for their littest sis!!
9. Kids School-they have such a GREAT place to learn, and for that I FOREVER thankful!!
10. Friends-new and old, I have such a great family of friends to lean on!!
11. Veterans-they gave us and help us keep our FREEDOM, nothing more special than that!
12. My house-blessed to not only have a roof over my head, but to be able to share and make memories with my kids where I made them as a kid!!

What are you thankful for??