Baby's First Picture!

Today we received the greatest Christmas gift, we got to see our new little baby on ultrasound and got to hear the heart beat. We are so excited and happy, everything is going good so far and baby is measuring almost right on track! I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy the time you get to spend with you families!

Those 2 Months Went Fast!

A lot has changed for us over the past two months, all very exciting things! Kyle was accepted into the University of Utah, and has registered for classes, we are both gearing up for a great Spring semester.  I am trying to survive finals week right now and am trying to get all of Christmas together.  About 5 weeks ago we found out that we are expecting our first little one, we are so excited and couldn't wait to share the news with everyone! We told our families on Thanksgiving, and announced it on Facebook that night we were just to happy to keep our good news in.  We know that there is risks in the 1st trimester but we would rather share our happiness than wallow in the fear of what may happen. So that is why I havent been posting much lately, I have been tired, nauseous, and tired! I am just trying to get through the Holidays and get everything made that I need. I hope to remember to take picture of the homemade gifts we make to share with all of you! I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dinner Ideas #1

I have really had to become creative in my dinner cooking lately because of my Husbands work schedule, he works through dinner hours 4 nights a week.  I want him to be able to eat a homemade meal that is both healthy and delicious when he takes it the next day in his lunch box. I have been trying to come up with different dinner ideas so that we aren't eating the same things over and over again and to expand my cooking skills. One dish if have come up with is a chicken curry dish:

(Forgive my picture, my camera is out of

 batteries and had to use my cell phone)

This dish is so simple and hardly takes any time to make and the ingredients are so versatile you can please the entire family.  This is how I made this dish:

Chicken Curry

2-4 Chicken Breasts cut into bite sized chunks

Rice (any kind of rice will work I used Brown)

Curry Sauce (Any Bottle of Curry Sauce will work, I Purchase mine from 

WinCo or Target, or you could make your own)

Naan Bread for Dipping (WinCo or Target, or make your own)

4 Tbsp Oil (I use Olive Oil, but whatever you cook with will probably work)

Optional Ingredients:

Zucchini 

Crock Neck Squash

Celery

Carrots

Tomatoes

Other Vegetables

Cook the rice following box instructions.  Preheat oven to Broil at 350 degrees. Slice your veggies, Warm a sauté pan and when pan is warm add 2 Tbsp oil. add the veggies and slightly brown them while rice is cooking, when they start to get soft set aside in a bowl or pan, cover.  In the same pan warm more oil and sauté the chicken chunks until cooked throughly.  Add the bottle of sauce and the vegetables to the chicken and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes.  While the chicken mixture is simmering place the Naan Bread on a sheet pan and warm on both sides in the preheated oven.  To plate: spoon the rice onto a plate, cover it with the chicken and sauce mixture and a slice of Naan on the side. Enjoy!

I bet you could also make this dish in a crock pot by pouring the sauce and chicken in the pot and cook through out the day for 6 hours on low, or 3-4 on high and adding the veggies at a later time.  If any of you try this please let me know how it turns out.

What I Know to be True

I honestly don't know how many people read this blog and usually only use it to post about my crafts and ideas but I want to post a little more about me and my beliefs. This past week I have had a lot of feelings and thoughts passing through my mind and wanted to share what I know and not sit idle.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I believe in God the Eternal Father and in his son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost. I have been a member my entire life, I grew up learning of Christ and his teachings, but have come to know for myself through long hours of prayer and study that all I have been taught is true. I know that this Earth was created under the direction of Heavenly Father by Jesus Christ so that we as sons and daughters of God could be born and gain physical bodies. I know that Adam and Eve were placed on this Earth by our Heavenly Father and were the first Earthly parents. I know that Jesus Christ was born to this Earth, and he preformed many miracles and taught the Gospel to all who would listen and believe. I know that he suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane so that I and all who would repent could be relieved of our sins so that we can again return and live with God in Heaven after we leave this Earthly life. I know that he was crucified for me and was resurrected three days later. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ and was translated by Joseph Smith Jr. I know that he is was called of God at the age of 14 to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this Earth in its entirety and that he translated the Book of Mormon through the guidance of the Holy Ghost. I know that since the Gospel was restored there has been a living Prophet to lead the Church and to be the mouth piece of Heavenly Father. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet on the Earth at this time. I know that his Counselor's and the Twelve Apostle's are called and guided by Heavenly Father. I know that the words they speak are true and are not words of men but are given to them through countless hours of prayer and are inspired by the Holy Ghost. I know that the teachings in the Temple are true and that when married I was sealed to my husband, Kyle, for Time and all Eternity. I know that our Family, the living, the dead and those who are yet to be born will live together in the presence of God for Eternity. I know that Christ lives and loves me, I know that I am a Daughter of God and his spirit will be with me as I strive to be an example of him in my daily life.

I am not trying to force my beliefs on anyone. I am not a spokeswoman for the Church but am simply a member stating my beliefs. We are all given the right to chose for ourselves, that is part of why we are here on this Earth is to learn all things for ourselves. I try my hardest not to judge others because of the their beliefs, and pray that others will have the same courtesy to me and those who believe the same as I. If you would like to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and its doctrines click here.

Pillow Make Over

Wow! I never would have thought moving, quitting my job, and starting school would have put me so far behind with everything. With the move I decided I would really decorate our new place because its worthy of looking great and we are finally allowed to do what we want. I was lucky enough to get a sewing machine and decided to start with an easy project: PILLOWS!!

This is what our lonely couch and pillows looked like before:

Just simple plain $5 pillows we got from Walmart almost a year ago. (Yes I took these pictures on the kitchen counter it was the only space that had good light at the time)

This is what I turned them into:

I searched around the blog world until I had enough ideas to put together what I wanted to do. I also remembered my basic sewing class from 7th grade and started from there. I wanted to be able to remove the pillowcases so if they got dirty I could wash them. I made one mistake though I forgot to pre-wash my fabric. Being new to sewing and everything I guess thats only one mistake on the path to many. I have been able to complete a few more makeover projects for me and for others so keep an eye for them.

New Project Update Coming soon...

I have been very busy learning how to use my new sewing machine. I haven't really sewn anything since I was in JR High, and that was quite a few years ago so its been quite an adventure. In high school I helped my friend Leslie on a few of her projects and picked up a few tips and tricks from her and her wonderful mother but the sewing world is totally new to me. I have never had to pick out my own fabric, thread, and find patterns to follow. I will hopefully get pictures up soon about my "beginning" projects because with the move my camera is still in a box somewhere and so all the pictures are on my phone and I haven't quite figured out how to get them off it and put here on blogger. So please be patient with me. My list of projects and ideas just keep growing though because I have a new apartment that needs a lot of love to feel more like home, so hopefully I will have more things to post and write about in the near future.

New Watch Bands

I finally was able to make some more watch bands! I love making these. Watch bands are so simple to make, yet they are so versatile! These are just handful of ones I have just posted on Facebook so click here to see them all! Let me know what you think!

Tile Pictures (Finally!)

Well I was finally able to get some decent pictures of the tiles I have been working on lately. I thought I would share them with you all:

The words Live, Laugh and Love are cut in a forest green tile, the other words are in black.

This tile the words and the leaf design are cut in a dark brown vinyl.

For this tile the word Faith and Beyond are cut in black, the others in the forest green.

These are just the basics that I have done, I have lots more ideas, the only thing holding me back right now is the color selection of vinyl that I have access to right now. I hope in the near future I will be able to get some more so that I can work on some bright springy/summery tiles. I am also trying to come up with a saying that I want to use on a wall in my living room and one for the kitchen. When I get some more done I will post pictures of them too.

P.S. Keep an eye out for photos of some watch bands I have been working on. :o)

Valentines Day Sale

Wow!! I have really neglected posting about what jewelry and crafts I have been making. It seems I have spent a lot of time researching ideas, reading other blogs, and expanding the list of projects that I will someday do.

So as a quick note to you all I am currently having a sale on any jewelry items that you purchase from EveryDay Jewelry. So for every item that includes the colors pink or red you will receive 10% OFF EACH ITEM!! Keep in mind that this includes items that are finished and featured onFacebook but also includes any custom order pieces. This sale includes earrings, bracelets, watchbands, and necklaces. This sale will end on February 8th so that all items can be made and shipped in time for the holiday. So if you want to just spoil yourself because your worth it or to give as a gift to a loved one think of EveryDay Jewelry and save some money for Valentines Day!

MD Designs is being Featured!!

My good friends sister-in-law has a great blog that helps people who are trying to implement the BabyWise series into their child rearing. She has started a new series where every week she is going to do a product review of a baby product that one of her readers has made. Well, this week she is going to feature Melanie's baby leg warmer kits. Woo hoo!
Click here for a direct link to the post and you can enter for a chance to win a free kit plus there will be a special discount if you mention that you saw my stuff on her site. It starts this Saturday so be sure to check it out for a chance to win. Hurry while the getting is still good! Melanie is very talented. I have purchased a kit from her before and it was adorable!