Liz 2.0

This summer we’ve been berry picking twice. In our OWN BACKYARD! The kiddo has been begging for a year now for us to start a garden and grow things.  He has saved his cucumber seeds so we could plant them.  Our plan to move has been in the works for a while so my plan to start a garden this year just wasn’t going to work out. 

I did however decided to stop neglecting the blackberry bush that sits at the back corner of the property.  We harvested one batch of berries last week. We pruned and weeded around the bush over the weekend. We went back yesterday to find another huge batch was ready to be picked. There are still a bunch of red berries growing and I imagine we will be having a few more sessions of picking.

The kiddo is a terrific helper and loves to pick the berries, he’s even made up a little song to go with the activity. We gave half of our first batch to Grandma B and then made homemade blackberry lemonade with the other half – it was pretty tasty! 

My sister discovered that our new house also has blackberry bushes so I guess I will have another opportunity to tend to those bushes and hopefully have lots of blackberries to harvest next year.

So I have a few questions I’d love your help if you had some information to share.

1) Do you garden? What do you grow???

2) Do you know much about growing blackberries??? Tell me I’m clueless!

3) What blackberry recipes do you love??  I need to be doing something with all these berries.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for sharing!!

The kiddo is turning 5 in a few days and we’re having a pirate party.  We go BIG for the odd number birthdays (his 3rd birthday we had a huge carnival). I knew I wanted to build a pirate ship…ahem well I guess I knew I wanted my husband and dad to build a pirate ship. Planning starts early with these projects as it takes awhile to convince them to come along for the ride LOL!

I found this image of a pirate ship in a vintage children’s play structure book…and this is the inspiration for the whole project:


Sadly the book just showed this with no plans or instructions. I started researching the internet, and only finding a few options. A couple weeks ago I finally settled on a simplified idea. A friend of ours did up a drawing for me of what I explained to him I was trying to do.



So we’ve been busy designing, shopping, cutting, thinking, painting, and constructing. Basically all our free time has been thinking about this party and planning.

I did a mock up with index cards to get a feel for what we were looking to accomplish.


I did the drawing and my husband and dad did the cutting.


I did the supervising and the revising LOL:


I also primed all the pieces, and the kiddo helped too:


One of my favorite parts is the seahorse, the hubs cut this out using a jig saw it notches into the front panel:


That’s where we’re at right now. I’ve cut the steering wheel and anchor out of plywood using my rotozip (see mom I finally used that birthday present from 12 years ago LOL!) I’ve got a few more things to prime and the painting is almost done!  We’re looking to get it installed early next week. I’ll post more pictures soon.

So I promise to post more about this pirate party as it unfolds. Catch you later!

From our family to yours! God’s Blessings to you as we all celebrate today!

So I thought when I got to stay home this year with the kids I wouldn’t have to worry about tax deadlines. Well I don’t have to worry about them every day like before but there is that one time of year…Yep time to file state and federal taxes!

Is it me or does April 15 come earlier and earlier each year? Thankfully in my house it isn’t my responsibility to prepare the tax returns, if it was I would probably be Filing for a Tax Extension, I can be such a procrastinator when it comes to daunting tasks like that. The hubby is the main tax preparer in this house and he does such a great job.

This year being at home I’m wanting to do more in helping my husband in the financial areas, as you know one area I’m focusing on is keeping the grocery bill down by couponing.  I’m also wanting to help keep good records and keep things organized so that when it comes to preparing our returns we have at hand the documentation and records we need.

So have you done your taxes yet?  Other than being organized what kind of tax tips do you have to share?

If you’re wondering about filing an extension here is the tax extension form.

I delivered our little baby girl nearly 3 weeks ago and she is just so precious.  We are all madly in love with her, especially her big brother.

I’ve been very much enjoying being a mommy of two kids. A completely different experience from the first time around. She is such a peaceful baby. She does great when I go out couponing and running errands. Her brother totally adores her and is constantly giving her kisses and being a tremendous helper.  He takes his role as big brother very seriously.

At one week we had Tonya Douglas Photography come out and do her new born session.  Again we’re super pleased with Tonya’s photographs.

What’s amazing is how much she looks like her brother as a new born. Thank goodness for PINK in 20 year’s I will be able to tell their pictures apart

My next project is getting her birth announcements printed and sent out. I’m having a hard time picking a design. I’m getting the scrapping bug again so I’m thinking I may just design them myself like I did with Jack’s. We’ll see how much time I have.

This is the last post in the 30 day blog challenge. This whole process was quite a challenge indeed. I have enjoyed being more faithful to blogging and I hope you all have enjoyed reading the posts.  I will definitely try and continue to be more faithful to document life here on the blog.

The prompt to close out this challenge is:

Day 30-a picture

I will share with you another photo taken by Tonya Douglas Photography at our photo session on November 20th.  I absolutely love this capture of our son it melts my heart.

We had an absolutely wonderful day to get our photos taken and Tonya did such an amazing job!!  I can’t wait for my baby girl to arrive and to schedule her newborn shoot.

Are you playing along? Share your blog link with me I’d love to see your 30 Day Blog Challenge posts. 

Want to read previous posts: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24, Day 25, Day 26, Day 27, Day 28, Day 29

Well I’m nearly finished with the 30 day blog challenge issued by my friend Heather. I’ve kind of fallen off the wagon for a week or so but I’m nearly caught up. The topic for today’s post is:

Day 29-3 Wishes

Hmmm well I’m not much of a wisher, I definitely do set goals and I have a wishlist of items I want.

I’d say some of my biggest goals or wishes would be:

1. To build/buy our dream house with cash.
2. To have 4 healthy kids
3. To get a vintage camper to restore

Hmmm should I have wished for world peace? I thought those were light and fun “wishes”. What are your three wishes?

Are you playing along? Share your blog link with me I’d love to see your 30 Day Blog Challenge posts. 

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Today’s topic in the 30 day blog challenge is:

Day 28-Something that stresses you out

I can definitely say something that has stressed me out in the past is my day job. It has been quite the struggle to work nearly full time and then come home and try and have energy and effectiveness at home.

I’m so eager to really get home full time and put all the energy and effort that I put into my job into my home life and taking care of my family.

Speaking of I’ve set the date for my last day which will be December 17th.  I’ve been working diligently to try and get things communicated and handed over to those who will handle the responsibilities after I leave.

Don’t get me wrong I’m so blessed and thankful that God provided a job for me that I could work the last 10 years. The income I made was a great supplement to my husband’s and has helped us live a very blessed life, providing for our family.

Are you playing along? Share your blog link with me I’d love to see your 30 Day Blog Challenge posts. 

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Today’s topic in the 30 Day Blog Challenge is:

Day 27-Pets


We have no pets right now.  Although we all would like one someday we have not plans right now.  However the kiddo is getting good at making suggestions and hints.  The other day he said to me “Mom, did you know dogs LOOOOVVVVEEE babies?”

We do really want to get him a dog but right now I just don’t think I could handle one more new thing next year.  Once I get the 2 kids and homeschooling down we’ll start thinking about getting that dog.

Today’s prompt for the 30 Day Blog Challenge is:

Day 26-Picture of your family

Well I’ve been a bit behind on this challenge, and it has kind of worked out, because now I have a great recent picture of our family.  On November 20th we had our pictures taken by Tonya Douglas Photography. This is one of the amazing shots she got for us.  I can’t wait to see what else develops!

You can check out the rest of our Sneak Peek here.

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Today’s blog prompt in the 30 Day Blog Challenge is:

Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

Well I’m not much of a music lover, I enjoy it very much and listen to the radio, but I’m not one of those people who have their iPods with them all the time. I actually have a 2nd generation black and white iPod that’s battery hardly holds a charge. I never use it. I actually don’t even have all my music installed on the new laptop.

I love listening to podcasts though sometimes I’ll do that through iTunes, but lots of the time I just listen over the internet.

My favorite podcasts are:

The Paperclipping RoundTable

The Paperclipping DigiShow

I do very much want to get an iPad and would like to load up all my music and video onto it, maybe once I save up my mad money and get one I’ll have a good answer to this blog prompt.

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Today’s topic in the 30 Day Blog Challenge is:

Day 24-Something you've learned

One of the things I’ve learned is that I NEED to get more patient with people with myself in all kinds of situations. I’ve improved a lot over the years but I’m still not where I’d like to be.

I am glad I’ve recognized that’s an area I need to continue to learn and grow. I think it is necessary as a mom to really have patience, and I’m sure next year with 2 kiddos and being at home full time I will have lots of opportunity to exercise patience.

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Today’s topic in the 30 day blog challenge is:

Day 23-Favorite vacation

Hmmm I feel like I kind of covered this with my favorite place to visit. I guess I’ll go in a different direction and share with you our vacation last year in New York City for Christmas.  We had a great time but I would definitely not say it is my favorite place to visit. I won’t be going back especially at Christmas time. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will definitely remember.

We saw some AMAZING things all while freezing our bums off.

We went to fellowship with the local believers.

Explored the Intrepid.

Saw model trains and real trains.

Kept our kid wrapped in plastic.

Saw lady liberty.

Stopped by where Uncle A. was going to be working about a week or so after we left.

Watched the sun set behind the lady.

Saw the big tree.

Saw where they filmed one of our favorite shows.

We saw THE show at Radio City Music Hall.

The ROCKETTES!

It sure was a fun time and nearly all the family was together!

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Today’s topic in the 30 day blog challenge is:

Day 22-Favorite city

Well I’ve traveled to and through a bunch of cities here in the USA I’ve come to see that I’m not much of a city girl. I prefer suburbs and country to the “big city”. However cities are fun to visit.  I’d say that Chicago is one of my favorite cities to visit.

There are so many museums and shops, lots of things for families too, and the views are amazing. Oh and let’s not forget that deep dish pizza!! YUMMY. I’ve been to Chicago twice once with my friend and once on a business trip for my boss and I watched his daughter. Both times I’ve enjoyed getting to explore the city through different perspectives.  The museums are just amazing and the Shedd Aquarium is my absolute favorite aquarium, it is so big and roomy, not like our local aquarium.

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Today’s topic for the 30 Day Blog Challenge is:

Day 21-Picture of yourself

This is a shot I took of my new tennis shoes! I haven’t purchased new everyday tennis shoes in years! So I’m excited to have ordered 2 pairs the second ones haven’t come in yet.

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Have you started thinking about holiday cards? It’s been on my mind for a few weeks now. I absolutely love receiving holiday cards in the mail and what makes some more special than others is getting to see the smiling faces of my friends and family with a photo. I always enjoy sending just the right photo with my holiday cards. We have an upcoming photo session and I know the photographer will capture this year’s perfect holiday photo.

I put a lot of thought and planning into the holiday photo and just as much into finding the exact right card to showcase the photo. My favorite kind of holiday card is a flat design with a photo on the front, I feel that it is perfect for posting on the refrigerator, bulletin board, and sometimes framing. My goal with including a photo on my holiday card is that it will stay around a bit longer after the holiday is over.

Recently I saw the quality of Shutterfly’s cards and they were AMAZING, the quality is outstanding! There are so many beautiful Holiday Photo Cards to choose from, I’ve narrowed things down to a few favorites but right now this is the top contender:

[Click image to see details for this card design.]

Go check out their selection from any of the links I shared and let me know what is your favorite design. Oh and when you’re over at Shutterfly checking out the 2010 Holiday Card designs be sure to check out their photo ornaments!!

Today’s topic in the 30 day blog challenge is:

Day 20-Nicknames

Name graphic made at wordle.net

I’ve had a few nicknames over the years and depending on when you knew me first that’s kind of what you call me.  When I was little it was Lizzy then as I got older in high school and college it was Liz. Now I’d say it’s Elizabeth (and yes I know that’s not a nickname at all). 

Those are my public nicknames my husband calls me honey and babe and little names that husbands call their wives.

Now that I have my son I’d consider mom or mommy nicknames too! 

Are you playing along? Share your blog link with me I’d love to see your 30 Day Blog Challenge posts. 

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Today’s topic in the 30 day blog challenge is

Day 19-Something you miss

SLEEP! I don’t know if I exactly remember what a full night’s uninterrupted sleep is like. It has been quite a long time. This next year will be even worse, but the sleepless nights are SOOO worth it right?

It all started with this little guy:

I cannot wait for another little one to cuddle and stay up all night with and to love as much as I love this guy! It will be amazing! So I guess this post kind of covers two things that I miss sleep and loving on my little baby!

Are you playing along? Share your blog link with me I’d love to see your 30 Day Blog Challenge posts. 

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Today’s topic in the 30 day blog challenge is:

Day 18-Something you regret

I definitely do not dwell on the things I may not have accomplished or things I feel are regrets. I do have some though.  I would definitely say a big regret is not developing real study skills. I’ve seen this really have an impact on my life in college as well as now. I takes a lot to really get my focused and effective when studying topics. I have a short attention span and it is getting worse! This is one of the reasons I am so motivated to encourage and foster a love for reading in my children.

This might not be the juiciest regret but it is one that I have.

Are you playing along? Share your blog link with me I’d love to see your 30 Day Blog Challenge posts. 

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