Easter Cookies and Everyday Crafts

So on Easter Sunday, Ben and I decided to make sugar cookies with my new cookie cutters (we each bought one thing for ourselves to put in our "Easter Basket" (except we skipped the basket part and just used/ate what we bought--Ben got Lindor Truffles).

Ben Rolling out the Dough

 We baked TONS of cookies and I'm pretty sure we ate ALL of them without any help. They were delicious (but gross because we ate all of them instead of taking them to our friends like we planned). haha.

Anyway, the following weekend we made THIS for both Utah and California. I painted them to match the ottoman, but I'm not a fan of the green one anymore... oh well. I'm sure I can re-paint it later on. Here's the process:

 I put tacks on the back of the wood so that I could paint the edges and the wood wouldn't stick to the paper. The tacks slid around on the table which was annoying, but it worked out quite well.

Here are the boards painted and just waiting to dry. 

Once I got the shape of Utah cut out and ready to go, I taped it down with painters tape and started hammering. It took quite a while. Afterwards, Ben helped me string the string around the nails while we watched CASTLE. The next day while watching tons of episodes of BONES, I did the California one. I like it a TON better than the Utah one, mainly because it has more curves and it's smaller (on the board).

Here are the final products! Cute, huh?

YW General Broadcast - 2012

On the 23rd (of March), I was able to go with my cousins to the YW General Broadcast. Their aunt on the other side of the family is the chorister and she was able to get us tickets for the pre-broadcast fireside as well as some GREAT tickets for the broadcast. It was so much fun to be able to spend the weekend with Holly, Mer and Heidi. We took lots of pics and enjoyed the spiritual enlightenment. It was so much fun!

Our view and my paparazzi shot of Elder Anderson. :)

I also was able to meet Ben's Mission President's Wife, Sister Ashton. Ben always talks about how amazing these people are and when they thanked her (and the rest of the YW General Board) I recognized her name and made it a point to find her after the pre-fireside devotional. She was so sweet! I took the picture with her to show Ben that I actually met her and talked with her instead of just hearing her name announced.

Afterwards we checked out the new City Creek Center, but it was so crazy crowded that I didn't get any pictures. It's a pretty cool place though. Well, that's all for now. Many thanks to the Webb girls for letting me come along on to the wonderful fireside!

Mothers Day [late]

I love my mom so much! There are not enough words to describe how great my mom is, but this video says it all... I am who I am because of her (and my dad, but Father's day isn't until June). She has been there for me through everything! She has been so supportive throughout my life and I honestly have NO idea how she does it. she is so selfless, kind, honest, selfless, humble and strong. Did I mention she was selfless? She always is willing to help me, listen to me, talk with me, defend me, and so much more. I can't believe I got so lucky to be raised by her. Thanks mom, for all you do. You truly are AMAZING. You have been such a great example to me. I'll do my best to live up to the very high bar you have set on Motherhood. 

(That's supposed to be nice, not mean... I can't decide how it sounds from the reader's perspective.)

Love you mom.

secret obsession... well, not anymore.

This is a little sad to admit, but I definitely just took the "How well do you know ____?" Quizzes on FOX's website. These are my scores for the BONES characters:

Brennan: 8/10

Booth: 7/10

Sweets: 5/10

Cam: 7/10

Hodgins: 8/10

Angela: 7/10

I'm not proud of it, but I kinda am... I am considered a "Super Fan" for all characters except Sweets... and that's ok with me. 

I may or may not be obsessed with BONES.

Actually, I am obsessed with BONES, there's no doubt about it. As I write this, I'm trying to find a time when I can pick up all the seasons to borrow from my friend Aubrey. I'm so excited to see the "will-they/wont-they" from the beginning.. and even though I know they will, I'm still excited! 

Today is going to be a great day. 

steal of a deal x10

I got a steal of a deal at DI tonight... actually, more than one!

• Harry Potter 5 (in great condition, first book in my collection) - $3.00
• Christmas wrapping paper (two huge BRAND NEW rolls) - $0.75/each
• 2 Picture frames for a repurposing project I'm doing - $0.75/ea

I also got a few great deals last month, too! I can't believe I forgot to blog about these!

• 3 Stocking Holders (for a repurposing project) - $1.50/ea
• Picture frame (for the same repurposing project) - $0.75
• DVD Player (pretty decent condition, ours had broken) - $10.00
• Silverware drawer sorter - $1.00
• Condiment tupperware sorter thing (same one I grew up with that we used when we had Hawaiian Haystacks or Tacos) - $1.50
• V-neck T-shirt (b/c of my t-shirt quilt that I'm working on, I don't have any more t-shirts to just wear around the house) - $2.00

I was pretty excited about all my great deals! DI is a lot more awesome as an adult then it was as a kid. Probably because my mom would make us try on the clothes that you could just feel were someone else's. Now I get to choose what I buy and actually enjoy it! (I also don't try things on until they've gone through the wash...jk, but kinda for real) Ben's a good sport about it, too.

Is it sad that I'm so excited about my deals from DI? Probably, yes... but that's ok. I had a great night just browsing the aisles of DI, Ross, TJMaxx, Old Navy and (my personal favorite) LOWES, with my husband.  --  But seriously, it's fun to look all the home stuff and think of a better future. Times where green walls and exposed electrical wire don't exist in my home... :)

Happy Friday! Good-night and Good-luck.

naps...

So, I usually try to avoid naps. (Sad, right?) Whenever Ben says he's going to take one, I just hop on my computer and try to fill my time with pinterest, or I might get the motivation to do some laundry or dishes. He's such a busy guy, that I don't really mind when he takes a nap. It's also really nice because when he wakes up he's a great person to be around. A fed, well-rested husband?? What more do you need? :)

Anyway, every once and a while, I have a really LONG day at work, and When I get home I could use a hug that lasts about an hour. Today was a very busy/long day and so I needed some a hug or something of that nature. So, after dinner when Ben told me he was going to take a power-nap before he did his homework, I decided that I'd go lay down with him and just enjoy a little time, cuddling with my husband.

Right when we laid down (around 6:45p), I asked him, "how long are we going to rest/sleep?" and he responded, "Oh, maybe a half-hour. I just need to rest a little before I do my accounting homework." So, I was cool with that. I could definitely use a half-hour of peace and quiet. Who wouldn't want that??  :)

Lo and behold, I roll over and he's gone! I'm thinking, Where did he go! I laid down to be with him, not for him to peace out. So I get out of bed, and he's sitting there doing his homework and I turn and look at the clock...... 11 PM!!???!! Say WHAT??

I immediately think.. This is why I DO NOT take naps. They always last longer than they should and while they are always wonderful during, they do not bode well for a good  night's sleep later on... Mainly because your body thinks night already happened (while you were sleeping for the last 4-ish hours).

ANYWAY... that's my story of the day. during my nap was wonderful, but the waking up WAY later than I planned on was not. I think I'll keep my roll as the human alarm-clock (Ben usually gives me the job of waking him up after a certain amount of time).

Lucky for me, there are some awesome infomercials on right now on The Country Network. If I wasn't self-disciplined, we'd have two non-stick orgreenic pans, or these AWESOME Who Knew books. :) I've only been awake for an hour, so who knows how long I'll be hub this time... Hopefully not past 12a. I need to be at work by 8:45am tomorrow.

Oh Baby, Oh Baby!