Lovin' Me Some AFD!

So awhile back when I did the Matilda Jane giveaway, I "met" a super awesome girl named Heather, who had hopped over to my blog to enter into the giveaway (did I mention that this is one of the reasons why I love to do giveaways, I get to "meet" new people!). Well, I hopped over to her blog (just like I do to everyone's blogs who leaves a comment or is new to mine) to check her out! Learned that not only does she have a fun blog, is gorgeous, and has an adorable family, but she designs hand stamped jewelry as well!

You know I am a sucker for homemade jewels, so I immediately headed to her shop, where I preceded to fall in love with this one special ring...any guesses why?

I emailed Heather, making sure it would fit, she sent me a message back with a little story behind the ring and asked if she could send it to me! It needed a good home and let me tell you it fits perfectly! It isn't a ring you can wear with just anything, but will definitely make a statement when you do!

What to know something even cooler? All of her rings are on sale through the end of next week!!!! Right now you can get any ring for $12, instead of $15! Yeah, even more reason to head over and shop! Please tell her hello from me if you do!

Here are just a few more on my "I really NEED these" list!

Thanks again for my ring Heather! I love, love, love it!

Can't get it outta my head...

I'm not typically a Pink fan (don't get me wrong, I like her, just don't usually bump her on the ipod), but when I heard this song, something struck a cord and stopped me in my tracks. I have played it over and over again and just can't stop singing it. I think it sends a pretty powerful message.

Do you have a song that has stuck lately or that you think sends a powerful message? I would love to listen to it!

A Party Fit For a King!

Today we celebrated Kyan's 6th birthday with a few close friends and family members at our house, Kings and Queens style!

The kiddos who attended and who looked so cute in their crowns!

Lola, Kyan, Jayla, Dan, Sydney, Steven, Saige, Mason, Michelle, and Gage!


After our bellies were full from pizza and wings, the kiddos (and a few mommy helpers) painted treasure chests and jewelry boxes! We did this first so that they would dry in enough time to put all the candy collected from the pinata later on!

After much playing time outside (and painting), we headed in to sing happy birthday to Kyan! Kyan begged for homemade chocolate chip cookies (not sure which he likes more, the batter or the actual cookie?!) for his birthday, and although I didn't have time to make for his classroom treat, I made it happen for him today! Instead of cupcakes, we ate cookies!!! The candle stayed up long enough for us to sing to him!

While the guests munched on cookies, Kyan opened up his presents!

Then we headed outside to bust open the treasure chest pinata!

This was the first pinata that I have ever bought for a party (we always do parties away, where someone else can clean up the mess, like Peter Piper Pizza or something) so I wasn't really prepared! Uncle B had to get rope out of his car and the bat that we had wasn't very strong and Kyan broke after just one swing, so the rest of the kids swung away using a golf club! Oops!

Just a picture of the kids "loot" that they got to take home with them! Their painted treasure chest (I know, kinda pirate-ish, but didn't know what else to use for the kings) or jewelry box, candy, crown, coins, and jewels! The boys also got compasses and swords to take that aren't pictured and the girls had their wands!

I am pretty sure that all of the kids had a blast, I know Kyan sure did! He told me over and over again how much he LOVED his party today and that he hoped everyone else did too!

Happy Birthday (Party Day) King Kyan!
Love you sweet boy.

PS - Kyan lost his second tooth on his actual birthday! Auntie Kiki pulled this one out! Now he is talking even funnier than before!

And if you are wondering where my header went, blogger is having some technical difficulties and when I went to put a new one up (even try to put the old one back in after I realized their was an issue, like hours later) it just showed up blurry. I have been reading blogger news and seems like it is not just mine, so until it is fixed, I can't seem to stomach looking at it like that, so it will just be our title for now, no picture. So if you were thinking about changing your header right now...WAIT!

FINALLY, Blogger seems to have fixed the header issue! Yay, no more blurry picture!

He Is Six.

Happy Birthday Kyan!
Today you are six.
It seems like just yesterday you were born and we weren't even sure if you were going to make it, I get a big knot in my throat just thinking back to that day (I posted about his birth story last year, if you have a little time to read and maybe a tissue or two, click here).

You are the most special (does that even make sense?) little boy I know. From your blue eyes to the sweet little hugs you give me for no reason, to our secret "thumbs up" message to each other, to your love of video games like your daddy, to your patience and tenderness with your sister, to taking out the bad dreams at night and putting the good ones in before you go to sleep, ...I love every moment with you.

I am so excited for you and your special day, today and Saturday. Birthday cupcakes at school (we didn't have enough time to make chocolate chip cookies, but will for his party on Saturday), Ah-So for dinner, as our little family of four (his choice, the birthday person picks! He is a boy after my own heart, seriously...LOVE that he loves that place as much as me), and your Kings and Queens themed party on Saturday (I had so much fun shopping with you Tuesday for everything and can't wait to put it all together)!

I will be singing this in my head all day today and thinking of you.


Happy Birthday Kyan.
I love you more than you will ever know.

The Supper Club - Winter

The Supper Club met up last night at the Butler's house for the Winter Menu! This was our second time meeting, if you missed the first post/menu/introduction to what the Supper Club is all about, click here!

Supper Club Members: Angela & Ryan (Host Couple), Adam & Holly, Abel & Kristen, and Jenni (that is me!) & Chad

Not only do we get to try new foods, that I would typically NEVER try on my own, I get to hang out for an evening with these beautiful ladies! Yes, I get to see them every day at work, but it is few and far between where we get to unwind together for an evening. We try not to bring up school (our husbands do a great job reminding us that it is not the time or the place each time something is said). Last night was a blast and we found lots of ways to keep ourselves entertained!

Ok, so just in case you don't want to click back to the first post on the Supper Club, let's review The Rules quick:

1. No kids.

2. The host comes up with the menu and then divides out the recipes to each of the supper club members to prepare for the party.

3. The host always provides the main dish/side dish with a variety of beverage selections.

4. Remember that it is sometimes best to semi-prepare your dishes and do last minute baking, chilling, slicing, or arranging at the home of the host.

5. Menu items should be new and adventurous.

6. Portion sizes must be small so that you have room to taste every course of the evening, so feel free to reduce recipes in half where ever you see fit.

The Menu
Cocktail:
Rum-Spiked Ginger Beer Cocktail

Appetizers:
Bacon Cheese Poppers
Chicken Bites with Apricot Sauce

Soup:
Holiday Tortellini Soup

Salad:
Fruit with Honey Ginger Dressing

Main Course:
Cranberry Wild Rice
Bacon-Wrapped Grilled Quail with Bourbon-Pepper Jelly Glaze

Dessert:
Creamy Hot White Chocolate with Peppermint Whip Cream
I can't find the recipe online to the whipped cream, so here it is:
In a small bowl, beat 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream unitl it begins to thicken. Add 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract; beat until stiff peaks form. Garnish with 1 tablespoon crushed peppermint candies. Makes 1 cup.

Mint Cookies 'n' Cream Brownies

Another very interesting menu that was surprisingly very delicious once again! I learned how to cut quail properly and got over the fact that I was eating a bird that I see in my backyard on a daily basis! The Bacon Cheese Poppers were to die for, along with the Creamy White Hot Chocolate!

Can't wait to see what Holly and Adam's menu looks like for Spring!

It's Been Awhile...

Can't wait!

My Plate is FULL.

Haven't posted in over a week, to say that I have been busy would be an understatement. I didn't leave school tonight until 6:30, and this was to avoid being a psycho mother when I got home (like I was last night, ignoring my family and just working, I felt horrible and crabby and mean).

Why is every deadline due at the exact same time? Yearbook, Career Ladder, Grades, D & F Reports, Letters of Recommendation...(you get the picture). Not to mention that my son turns 6 next Thursday and I have not even begun to plan his party. He will be my number one priority Friday, after I submit all mentioned paperwork above.
Work is so busy (both works, another HUGE photo shoot this weekend) which means that the housework and laundry (I think there might be about 20 loads screaming at me that they need to be washed. When I was sorting them, there were clothes in there that I completely forgot my kids even owned) are piling up and just getting put on the back burner. I am lucky enough that my sis-in-law is willing to come over to the house tomorrow and help out. I NEED a clean house and I am pretty sure she needs some money, so it is a win/win situation?! Right. That is what I keep telling myself anyway.
Last, but not least, I started a project while watching The Bachelor on Monday (two different ideas I saw in bloggyland that I smooshed together into one), but who knows when I will be able to finish it. Here is a little sneak peek at what I hope I get to work on sometime this weekend (fingers crossed):
Hoping to be back to normal soon. It is not fun to feel like a chicken running around with their head cut off.