Day 28: your hopes, dreams, plans for the next 365 days

I have so many hopes, dreams and plans for the next year! There is no way I can post them all here. But I will tell you a few.
I dream Mamas on a Dime will have great success and continue to grow. I will be thrilled if we can double the income from Bargain Divas last year and continue to grow our readership. I just love doing this.

I have zeroed in on something I desperately want for Tim and am working hard on getting it for him. He deserves so much! And that's about as detailed as I can be. Sorry.

Tim and I would love to go on vacation this year! Our goal is to use buddy passes from his wonderful sister, Chanda to take a couple of mini trips with just the two of us as well as a family vacation to California to visit my brother and sister in law. We will also be celebrating 10 years of marriage in October and want to plan something bigger for that. Hawaii? Europe? Boston? Who knows?

I will try to keep you updated on how these are going throughout the year, but we all know how great I am at my family blog. So don't hold your breath.

Day 27: a photo of someone you could never imagine your life without

This one is a no brainer.

I absolutely cannot imagine my life without these three wonderful men. They are what make me, me. All three of them annoy me, entertain me, teach me, and fill me with love. They are the light of my life and my whole world. I love Tim, Holden, and Beckett with all of my heart.
I mean really, when you look at their faces how can you not love them?

I also know that my family shaped me into being the person I am today. I wouldn't be blessed with those three wonderful men without the help of my Mom, Dad, and siblings: Becky, Kristen, and Aaron. I love you guys!

Day 25: your worst habit

I have no idea what the answer to this one is. I even asked Tim and he didn't have an answer for me either. Although I'm sure plenty of my friends and family will be able to answer it for me. So let me know what you think! :)

Day 24: a recipe

I totally just posted a recipe when I did my hobby. But since I have been doing this for Bargain Divas anyway. I will post another one. And it will, again, be something you bake since that is what I enjoy doing.

My kids also enjoy baking. They always have to put on their aprons so they can look just like Mom and help me stir or roll or frost. I love my little helpers!

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
I always cut this recipe in half since it makes so many cookies

2 cups shortening
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
1 pint sour cream
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking soda
4 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
10 cups flour

Cream together shortening and sugar. Mix in eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Stir in baking soda, baking powder and salt. Gradually add flour. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Frost if desired.

Icing
1/2 - 3/4 cup shortening
2 C powdered sugar
drizzle of vanilla (1/2 tsp)
2 shakes of salt
water 1 TB at a time
add food coloring if desired

Day 23: a photo of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Easily my blog with Becky. I honestly can't think of anything else that has made a huge impact on my life recently. And it will soon make another huge impact when we make the plunge and change our name. It's a whole new ballgame that is going to take some time and effort to build back up.

Day 18: a photo of your favorite memory

I'm finally doing day 18.

I don't know that I have a favorite memory. But I do have a lot of great ones! And this is one I love. This was at my brother's wedding in 2000. It's me sitting on my wonderful Dad's lap. It was a fun day filled with family.

Day 22: a photo of your wedding

 

My wedding day was beautiful. I'm so glad I met Tim and we have made this wonderful life together. We were married on October 13, 2001.
And, yes, I know Tim looks like he's 15. He wasn't.

Day 21: a hobby of yours

This questions isn't easy. My hobby is my kids! Between them and my blog I don't have time for anything else. Or that's what it feels like most days.
I do LOVE to read. I can't go a day without reading and feel okay. And I really enjoy baking. I wouldn't say I'm great at it, but it is fun. Which reminds me that I'm totally craving cinnamon rolls.

Day 20: a talent of yours

I know I still haven't done day 18. It will happen at some point.

I am great at finding deals and saving money on stuff I'm going to buy anyway. I'm happy at how low I have gotten our grocery budget since using coupons and teaching my classes.
Other than that, I have no idea. I can't sing or dance or sew. I don't have time to write anymore so I'm not really good at that either.
If you need a shoulder to cry on or for some positive thoughts I'm your girl. That's about all I got. Guess I'm fairly talentless.

Day 19: a picture of somewhere you’d like to travel

I will do day 18 tomorrow when I have a little more time.

Today you get to see where I want to travel. And it's so easy! I REALLY want to go back to Hawaii. I went the summer before 5th grade and have been dying to go back ever since. I mean, really, who wouldn't want to go there?

Day 17: your favorite website

Well this is the easiest question so far. Obviously my favorite website is my own, Bargain Divas. Becky and I have put so much love and work into this site that I'm proud beyond belief.

I also love Salt Lake City Mommies and I'm on Facebook way too much.

Day 16: a song that makes you cry

Surprisingly there aren't very many songs that make me cry. But there are a few Michael McLean songs that do it to me every time. I listened to his CD ALOT after giving Timothy up for adoption and bawled.

This is someone else's video set to this beautiful song. If you have been involved in adoption in any way you won't be able to keep your eyes dry.

If you are reading this in your email just click the name of my blog and you will be taken to this post and can watch the video.

Day 15: a photo of yourself and a new friend you met this year

I have known both Charity and Nikki for more than a year, but it's only been the last year that we have started to become great friends. These are my go to girls for a girls night out. Love them to death!

Day 14: a photo of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day

There is no one I would want to change places with for more than a day. I love my husband, my kids, and my life. But for one day I think it would be fun to be Elena Gilbert. No, not the actress, but the character. Why? Well look at the pic below. Because Damon Salvatore is HOT!

Day 13: a description of what's currently in your purse

No on probably cares about this answer, but I'm going to do it anyway.
I do still have kids so my purse has lots of stuff for them. And not nearly as much stuff for me.

• wipes
• diaper
• wallet
• keys
• chapstick
• I have a whole pocket full of snacks
• my phone
• and usually a few random toys

The above is not my actual purse, but close. I LOVE my Coach purse. :)

Day 12: something you are OCD about

This one actually made me laugh out loud. Anyone that knows me much knows I have A LOT of things that I'm OCD about. I have learned to let a lot of things go. I no longer re-fold the towels after Tim folds them. Or re-organize the toys after the boys put them away.
But one thing I can't let go is the clothes in my closet. They must all face the same way! And not only that, they are arranged in a specific order. I have sweatshirts, then long sleeves, then 3/4 sleeves, then short sleeves. That is just how they need to be. Tim's side of the closet is not this way. But both Holden's and Beckett's clothes are arranged this way also. If Tim puts their clothes away I just go in after him and put them where they actually go.

And Tim is not allowed to fold my garments. I need them to be folded a specific way. So he just lays them on the bed for me to do later. Saves us both a little time.

Day 11: a photo that makes you angry/sad

Unfortunately this was an easy one for me. I know in my heart that Quentin is in Heaven waiting for us, but that doesn't take away the pain I feel knowing he isn't here. He would be 5 now and I can only imagine what his personality would be like.

This is a pic of Quentin's tiny little hands and feet. They weren't very developed so you can't see them very well. It breaks my heart just looking at them. Since I have never posted the story of what happened I will do a quick recap now.

Tim and I tried for years to become pregnant. We finally resorted to IUI and after two tries a miracle happened. I was pregnant! We felt our baby move and heard his heartbeat numerous times. We were so excited to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. We headed to the ultrasound appointment with anticipation and excitement. But it only took a moment for that to change. The ultrasound tech let us know that our baby did not have a heartbeat. She called my doctor who told me to head to the hospital so I could deliver my baby.
I remember calling my mom as soon as we left and hearing her laugh when she answered because she was expecting to find out if we were having a boy or girl. I can still remember the exact words I said. "My baby is dead.". And I lost it. We drove to the hospital and were checked in to labor and delivery. The doctor came to start my labor. I remember not wanting to talk to or see anyone. I felt utterly alone. It was only 7 hours later after feeling labor pains and giving one quick push that my tiny, non breathing baby boy was born. I held him in my arms and bawled. Until that point we still hadn't known if it was a boy or girl.
Tim and I discussed a name and decided on Quentin James. We had his body cremated and had a short ceremony at my brother's house. His ashes are now in my living room. It was easily the darkest time in my life. I only survived it because of my wonderful husband and family.

I now have peace that I will be with Quentin someday. And I know I am a better mom because of having gone through this. But I would never wish it on anyone. It was the hardest thing I have been through. So that is why this picture makes me sad. I am grateful that it no longer makes me angry. Love you, Quentin!

Day 10: a photo that makes you happy

We struggled for a long time to be parents and it was a hard road. Because of that and so many other reasons I love this picture of brand new Holden. It makes me smile every time I see it. I love being a Mom more than anything else in the world.

Day 9: My Dream House

This one was hard for me. There isn't an exact house that is my dream house. But there is a ton of stuff I know I do and don't want in a house. So the house below is the closest I could find. I LOVE the front porch and all the extra room. And a garage is a must.

Day 7: a picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Easily the person I have been closest with the longest is Becky, my fabulous sister. She is my best friend and the person I turn to for everything. She is the first person I talked to when I was pregnant in high school after the father. I have obviously known her my entire life. I love and appreciate you so much, Becky!

There is also a runner up for me. I have known Jenny since my brother MADE us hang out in junior high. And we quickly became best friends. I don't get to see Jenny as much as I would like, but anytime we get together it's like no time has passed at all. She was the maid of honor at my wedding and is still a great friend. Love you, Jenny!