December Project Roundup

 Here are just a few things you'll see over on my DIY Blog for December!

www.mommymakesthings.com

 

DIY Deer Silhouette

 

 Easy Dollar Store Christmas Wreaths

 

DIY NOEL Letters

 

Cone Tree Display Details

 

These cute little dolls I made for presents 

My new favorite glasses!

And I also made these little Christmas dresses for the girls!

Frienassaince

 

 

That is seriously so true when it comes to my Kadee and I. I've blogged about her in the past, but we have been friends since the 4th grade. We've had our share of years that we were terrible at keeping in touch, and we had years that we were inseparable.

I am more than words can express grateful for where our friendship is today and has been the last several years.

She moved to California right after high school to attend some fancy schmancy college because she was cooler than me. Yep. Every teen in Utah talks about moving to Florida or California, some AMAZING tropical place where life is fast and luxurious and hot...as soon as they graduate. Well, Kadee actually did it. And she never came back...

 

Broke my heart.

 

But I can tell you that as you see below, 20 years of friendship, 14 of those years being 2 states apart, she is my BEST friend. The person I talk to EVERY day. Sometimes ALL day. In fact, if I didn't have unlimited text messaging I'm pretty sure I couldn't afford my bill. I am incredibly grateful for the closeness that we share.

 

I see something funny on the net-text Kadee. I don't know what to make for dinner-text Kadee. I am being lazy and can't believe how dirty my house is-text Kadee. Something on the news is an uproar-text Kadee and discuss our positions, beliefs, political opinions...you name it. Children are frustrating us and we want to hide and cry all day-text Kadee. Feeling constipated and don't know how to fix it-text Kadee. See the pattern?

 

 

I had the opportunity, for the first time since she has lived in Cali, to visit her. I am BEYOND grateful for the short time I got to be with her. We've been wanting to plan this for YEARS and we are often texting that we wish we could run over to each other's house at that very moment. It's hard. REALLY hard. But the 24 ish hours I got to be with my best friend during this unexpected trip meant so much to me.

 

 

I don't travel as much as I use to or WANT to, but I have a goal to see any LDS temple nearby when I'm away. Kadee was more than happy to drive me over to the Newport Temple that she regularly visits. Oh those beautiful palm trees!

 

How neat is FaceTime these days? I feel like every time I am away on vacation I am so lucky to be able to see my littles live. It makes all the difference in the world. It's not as great as snuggles and kisses and toddler cheek smells but it definitely curbs my cravings and gets me through. Sadly, as you can see below, Saydee was having a rough time without mama. Totally unexpected from my "tough girl". Broke my heart a bit.

Since it was such a short trip, we didn't have a whole lot planned other than lots of much needed gabbing and lounging. I forced Kadee to do my make up. I have been obsessed with her RIDICULOUS make up collection for years. For years she has been sending me make up of the day pics and tutorials. We are so weird like that. We make videos for each other all the time! Hair videos, make up videos, home tour videos, whats in my purse today videos...haha...we have so much fun.

But how ridiculous is just this SLIVER of her make up collection? Don't even get me started on her nail polishes. She is out of control. But in a fabulous way...I am beyond jealous!

 I am so grateful for your friendship Kadee. It's hard to even call it a friendship. That sounds so juvenile for what we have. You're a sister to me. Another half of me. I don't know what I would do without you. You inspire me, push me, motivate me, teach me, comfort me and entertain me. I can barely go a day without you in my life. No matter what I'm needing at the moment you are there for it. I can vent to you, tell you stupid stories, funny stories...my dreams and goals...my fears and weaknesses, my triumphs and my mistakes. I have been SO blessed by our Heavenly Father to be given you. Yes, you were GIVEN to ME. I am claiming you all to myself! Please don't ever underestimate your value in my life and everyone else you meet. You are truly an irreplaceable person. "Michelle & Debra" forever!!!

November Project Roundup

Here are some of the DIY projects I worked on during November.

Burlap Table Runner

I had another segment air on KSL Studio 5! You can watch the video by clicking HERE. It was so much fun to be asked to share my projects. I looooved working with burlap for a lot of my decor this season!

http://studio5.ksl.com/index.php?nid=121&sid=27615889

This was one of my FAVORITE projects! The hubby and I have been trying to decide what we want for a headboard for the longest time and kept changing our minds. When I finally set my mind on this there was no stopping me! I recreated a headboard in my own way and you'd be surprised how cheap it is!!

 

You can find all of the tutorials and deets on these projects on my other blog at

www.mommymakesthings.com

Happy 32?

When I turned 27, 28 and 29 I struggled. I felt Father Time briskly taking my youth from me. I was one of those girls that still felt 19 and wasn't quite sure how she fit in the life of an older woman. It took a while to accept it...even longer to embrace it.

 

I can finally say...after turning 32...that my 30's are treating me with grace. I know where I belong. I have found my way through the trials, the darkness, the experiments, the unknown...and more. I have had many heart to hearts with myself to realize that 10 yrs ago...15 yrs ago...if I could see where I ended up today...I would think it was a dream. A miracle. Something to look forward to and something to work for.

 

I'm a wife...married in the temple...the House of The Lord.  I'm a mother...and a mother of triplets..a miracle. I have made a world for myself with my passions. I have been featured on tv doing the things I love. I have been recognized for my mothering abilities...for my crafting abilities...for my passion for life and for constantly trying to better myself and my life and those around me. I am FAR from what I seek to become...but I have made a teeny tiny mark. A teeny tiny difference and influence on others...and if those "others" are only my children...I have succeeded.

 

In my eyes, I am nothing but a tool in God's hands. Constantly trying to move forward and onward in the presence of our struggles. Constantly trying to make a mark on this Earth. But at 32, the one thing I can say with pride is that I am TRYING to make something of myself. Something of my legacy, my passions, my love, my efforts as a mother and a saint. I am far from perfect. I am far from what I seek to be. But I am moving forward, day by day...trying a little bit harder to be a little better. To make something positive of my mistakes and weaknesses of this life. To prove to our Heavenly Father that I'm worth it. That my trials and failures are worth it. That something good will come of them all. That I am of great worth in His eyes.

 

 

 

As selfish as it sounds...this was a birthday gift I gave to myself...a reminder that I need daily. For many reasons...from as small as "how to get through potty training...how to get through the laundry...how to forgive myself...how to inspire others...how to serve...it never ends...everything is hard. Every big thing, every small thing. But I was designed by our Heavenly Father to DO IT. I just need that reminder more than most I guess...

 

I had one request from my hubcap on my birthday. To make me a traditional Southern Caramel Cake. Almost every time I visit my family in the South I end up eating this amazing cake. And it's not something you find often in Utah. Yummy Alabama Food. I am a lucky lucky woman. My hubby made every single ingredient and detail from scratch. And I may have eaten it for 3 breakfasts in a row before I forced myself to toss the leftovers.

 Here's a weird but deserved Selfie. After the hubby and I went to KSL Studio 5 to tape my latest segment, we stopped at Gateway. This is Erik's favorite store...and everytime we go I just sit in the massage chairs as long as I possibly can. I was pretty close to sleep at this point. If we ever end up wealthy, one of these chairs is DEFINITELY going on my wish list!!!

 

My absolute favorite Bday gift was something that my sweet craftyman made me. He knew I had wanted this for months and he told me I couldn't look outside to see what he was building but I gave in. I saw him building it once and it melted me. I have to admit that it was my favorite part of my birthday. Watching him...his hands working on something just for me...made with love...truly touched me. It meant more to me than any gift. I am absolutely a sucker for home made gifts. He made my birthday with this Ana-White providence bench.

 

I painted the bottom and glazed it. But it was a dream.

 

I am so grateful for the life I have. I may feel like my life is melting before me...that my children are growing too fast...that I'm aging...but the truth is that years ago...with all of that youth and freedom, I could never even dream up a life this wonderful and blessed. I am truly blessed. Heavenly Father is good to us. He gives us second and third and fourth chances...as many as we need to become our best selves. No matter where we are in life, it's never too late to become what He wants for us. It's never too late to become our best selves. It's never too late to find our Happily Ever After. I am living proof of that. This is my happy ending and 32 is better than I have ever had it before.

August

It's nearing November and  I'm just posting about August. Go me.

 

It's funny how when I took this pic I was savoring the summer daily...and now I'm yearning for it. Flowers are dead and all...

 

I pretty much suck at taking pics lately. It's a rare thing that I snag them with me.

But I loooooooove my Saydee Bug. My family continues to tell me that she has my exact personality. I love that. But at the same time I hate to brag. She seriously brings the fun to our family. Hysterical little lady right here. Can't WAIT to blog about her!!!

 

Meet Whitney. "Whit" as I call her. Cuz when you're THAT close...when you get eachother...when you are able to overcome the craziest...you can nickname. I love her. And I love our "Wifey Nights"

 

We felt so blessed to be a part of Whitney's new little lady's blessing. Ella Farley is simply adorable. A perfect addition to their family of gorgeous girls!!! We love this little family!

 

 

This was my FIRST braid on my girls. I have done better since. But I have to add that I have been french braiding since I was 8. Seriously. I literally checked out my own videos on french braiding from the Layton City Library and learned how to do it on my own, on my Barbies and on my sisters. I have been practicing on people for fun, for dances, etc for years...all in hopes that I would have a daughter one day to braid. That time is finally here...thin little toddler hairs and all.

 

Just a typical lazy day at home.  Sister snuggles.

 

We took the kiddos to a movie...FINALLY!!! It's the triplets' first theater movie. And of course it had to be Monsters Univ. They looooved it. No shocker there. Our girls are obsessed with Monsters. Little adorable weirdos!

And then there's Hallie...little angel.

Our big fella started school!!! I can't believe he's in the 1st grade. I'm in shock and denial a little still. I am so proud of him. He is amazing at math...he definitely didn't get that from me. He can cruise through his math homework faster than I can figure it out!!!

Then this happened....stupid zhuzhu pets!!! Hallie wanted it to walk on mommy...I think I screamed like a little girl...that sucker was stuck for like 5 minutes.

Ahhh....I love our Sunday Sweeties!!!

Saydee, Payten,  Hallie

Just another lazy morning...ok we have a lotta those!! Saydee snugglin mama.I'm pretty sure lazy days are her favorite. She's a TV addict.

 

HUGE UPDATE!!!! The girls moved on to toddler beds!! Grandpa & Grandma Taylor bought them these adorable toddler beds! It's a love/hate relationship. They still do pretty well at nighttime but for 3 months now they have been napping in separate rooms. At first, I was super annoyed at the disruption in sleeping etiquette...I'm weird like that...but if they're sleeping I don't care...I CANNOT LOSE NAPTIME!!! It's just too tempting for them to play so they still sleep (locked) in separate rooms for naptime! Hooligans.

I can't not post a white trash pic. Cuz I have to be honest. I'm not one of those moms that gets her kids dressed to the nines every day and does their hair. This is lunchtime...in pajamas......on the table...sharing a plate of totally non-healthy nachos. Cuz we're awesome like that. YOLO!!!

Sometimes mommy likes to buy new toys when she's out. Cuz she can't help it. And she has an obsession with Barbies and Lalaloopsy. Saydee happened to be the first to wake up from nap and get this surprise. I couldn't stop watching her play make-believe with Lalaloopsy. When these girls play with dolls they just come to life and I get mezmerized. Hashtag: meanttohavegirls.

 

These gals...

Jess got lucky one day. She got to babysit her nephew Sawyer. He's my favorite. When I'm with him I just wanna send my kids off to the babysitter and spend the day with him. Is that bad???

Roy Days & Chunky Necklaces

As if I don't have enough hobbies, I have added yet another!! I swear, these triplet girls of mine have added more talents to my plate than I can count on 2 hands! I am so incredibly grateful for them on a daily basis for all of the things they have taught me to discover about myself! I started making chunky bubble necklaces for them and after a very successful 4th of July sale to save for a family vacation (that never happened-thank you bills!!) I ended up deciding to sell them. I was so honored to be a part of the Roy Days booths! I had my first selling adventure and I was instantly hooked! I love meeting new people! I love getting out of my house. And I love feeling like I've accomplished something more than changing 10 diapers a day.

 

 

Saydee was my spokesperson for my ads. How lucky am I to have such gorgeous princesses to model for me?

 

 

I have got to have the coolest hubby in the world. When I was seriously crunching on time with getting enough necklaces made, he jumped in to finish up my garland table cloth I decided to make. He's pretty much awesome.

 There's a reason Hallie wasn't in many of my necklace modeling pics. Cutest grump I know.

 

Here's one of my tables from the booth!

 

The best part of my weekend was my family coming to support me!! I love my littles!!

 I had to come up with a creative way to display my necklaces. I went searching for an old door and luckily my friend Kellie B. came to my rescue!! This old door made a perfect piece for my necklaces! I just painted it in aqua, distressed it and had the hubby add some hooks.