Topic #6 from the Baby Making Machine playlist


1. I already stated my fears...since one of my fears is the world....one of my wishes would be to have LOVING, compassionate, world where danger does not exist.

2. haha...I don't really think about wishes, but if I could....I would already have my masters degree. how about that. I had a great time in college and one of the things I told myself before I graduated was that I would and WILL obtain my masters degree...someway, somehow.

3. My third wish would be...hmmm...for time to go a little slower. I guess when you marry and have children times seem to be rushing out the door. Although I am with my children 24/7, I feel as though they are growing so fast and soon 18 years will be here. I guess you can say...I L.O.V.E my children and I don't want to see them grow up TOO fast.



Topic #5 from the Baby Making Machine playlist



1. My children. I am most definitely a loved mom. I love being smothered with kisses and being told "I love you" on an every 10 minute basis, and I absolutely LOVE it when my son gives me the shy, flirty look...My children are such dolls...and I LOVE them to pieces.

2. Being Creative. Whether I am decorating a home, sewing, or making hair clips for my girls I know that I am doing what I love. I have a degree in design and I absolutely love challenging my self by being creative.

3. When my husband cleans. All I have to say is..."Who doesn't love a man who cleans?"...especially when they take the initiative to do it themselves?

4. Having a Home. I am so BLESSED to have a home that I can share with just my family. Although we rent, I am just happy to have shelter and the means to provide for my family

5. My husband. We have been attached at the hip for umph years and I am truly grateful to have someone so loving, honest, and loyal by my side. Most of my happiness stems from him.






Since living in N.C. my family has been grocery shopping at a little store called Aldi. When you are a family of five and budgeting your every move...Aldi's will save you some money, money, money! We use to shop at Walmart, Food Lion, and the other grocery stores here, but none of those compare to how much money stays in our bank. Don't get me wrong, Aldi's does not have everything, but they do have most of the foods my family likes. For the things Aldi's cannot provide us we go to our nearest grocery store. 

Since Aldi's is super inexpensive I decided to blog about it on our Frugal Friday share day. This might not sound appealing to most but the way Aldi's keeps it prices low is that they charge you a quarter to borrow a shopping cart (you get your quarter back when you return the cart)...hence if you want your quarter back, you'll return your cart...meaning they don't have to buy extra carts for those carts that are lost or stolen. Aldi's also charges customers for grocery bags...if you choose to purchase one. My family simply just uses the boxes that the food come in to store our goods. There store is small in comparison to Walmart and only open for x amount of hours...so no paying extra electricity. Aldi's carry there own brand and  for the most part it taste like any other brand. No kidding. Lastly, Aldi only accepts cash and debit.  

I know Aldi's is not for everyone, but I LOVE it and I understand why they have a system and I totally agree with it. PLUS...when you are saving 40-50%  on your grocery bill...who wouldn't love Aldi's? 


Topic #4 from theBaby Making Machine playlist


If I could....10 THINGS I WOULD TELL MY 16 YEAR OLD SELF......

1. Have FUN
2. Girls can be catty
3. Set your standards high and stick to them
4. Don't dummy "you" down to please someone
5. Be a little more studious
6. Although I met my husband in h.s, the other boys I dated were a waste of my time...so with that said...high school boys ARE overrated
7. Do what you love...talent wise
8. Don't be afraid
9. Play more sports
10. be just a tad bit spontaneous...just a tad



My family LOVES curry and while I usually only make curry dishes using chicken or shrimp, I decide I would try fish curry; and let me say...it was DELISH! delish, delish, D-E-L-I-S-H!!!!!


I am a HUGE fan of Eating Well and I tend to frequent that site when it comes to preparing meals. This meal in particular was borrowed/inspired by one of the meals I found on Eating Well.


  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chile flakes
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried
  • 1 14-ounce can “lite” coconut milk
  • 2 pounds Tilapia
  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add curry powder and cook for 1 minute. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, chile flakes and thyme. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Stir in fish; cover and cook until the fish is just cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in salt and serve immediately.


Note: The original recipe uses Scotch Bonnet chile peppers, and mahi-mahi fish




Easy DIY, even for those who aren't so DIYish. Basically all you need is a masking tape, newspaper, and a can of spray paint and voila, something old made into something new. 

I did sand the frame just a little prior to spray painting and I did not bother to seal it, I honestly did not see the purpose to seal it since it is more of a decor than something that is serving a function. 




Topic # 3 from the baby making machine playlist

It is no secret that I met my husband in high school. I knew I loved him from the moment we started to get to know each other; he was funny, intelligent, good looking, ambitious, and excited about life. He was everything none of my other boyfriends were. I knew he was different. I don't want anyone to think that the feelings were mutual...he did not even know I existed...I did not chase him, mutual friends had a role in us dating. I did have a uber crush on him and possibly told some people. 


After high school, I went off to college a few hours away from home. We continued to date and then he went on his mission. I waited for him. Our relationship has ALWAYS been at a good place and we both have always been understanding of each other's needs. While on his mission, I wrote him weekly to let him know I still cared. He was my first love and I knew with all my heart that someday I would marry him. I LOVED him and I LOVE him even more today. Our marriage isn't roses, we do have our problems, but it is nothing that will dismiss our love and loyalty to each other. We know what makes each other tick and we know how to have fun. He knows how to make me laugh even when I am not in the greatest of moods. He knows me like no other and he understands me and why I am who I am. 


He is not only my husband, he is my children's father, my superman, my knight and shining armor, my LOVE. I know he loves me with all his heart and I can only hope I "know him know him" as much as he knows me. He is a GREAT father, better than I ever had, and I am so blessed to have someone so anxiously engaged in my children and dedicated to them. One of his favorite things to do is to take my daughters out on daddy-daughter dates. That alone warms my heart. He is not perfect, neither am I, but I would not have it any other way.




Topic #2 from the Baby Making Machine playlist

1. My first and absolute fear is fear of the world. I don't know how or when this fear first occurred, I just know I have ALWAYS been a afraid of the world. The older I get the more I think, "who wouldn't be"...We live in a scary time. There are bad people out there...look around, read the news....it is everywhere...people being taken, children being hurt, terrorist....and what nots. It is heart breaking and scary...for everyone.

2. My second fear is snakes. These beast are ferocious. I think I became afraid of them once I had children. Children like to play outside and get into things and I just worry there are snakes in the grass and at the playgrounds. I know it sounds crazy....but I do worry about that.

3. My third fear is not being good enough...simple as it is stated...not being a good role model to my children, not being a good mother....not being a good spouse. just not being that ideal person that I would hope that I am. I never use to think this until about a year or so ago....things happen and satan likes to trick people to think that they are no good, when in fact they are doing the best they possibly can with the cards they have been dealt. I don't think this daily, but every once in a while...I do wonder, am I good enough.



Kid's room decor for all children...Who wouldn't love these bright, fun ideas? 

Veetje

This toy pop art is so unisex and playful, it would definitely bring a POP of color to any room


My absolute favorite. This pillow screams kiddish and it just looks so cool like it is telling a story.


These string balls are so easy DIY and can add an easy, fun vibe to any kid space.


Faux animal head in children's room...so chic and hip. 


I will certainly be creating a puppet theatre for my kiddos come fall. This is so fun and such a smart idea...easy clean up too. 


I soooo love this indoor hopscotch. Sooo FUUUN! 



While trying to bleach a drop and coming to the realization that buying 2 drop cloths and bleaching them to use as curtains in my living room was not going to happen, I stumbled across the thought of using flat sheets. I honestly NEVER used sheets before as a curtain so I kinda had to get over the thought of me thinking that it might look tacky un-chic. I went to walmart and picked up some full size flat sheets for less than $10 each (I ended up spending $20 total because I purchased 2 flat sheets).  Once I hung these bad boys up, I knew I scored and saved some big bucks. pleased, I may say.


The curtain rod was a total DIY and you can find out how I did it here.


We love reading the Baby Making Machine blog for the simple fact that we think Jenn (the name behind the Baby Making Machine blog) is so relatable. She has started this list of random things, dreams, wishes, and what-nots that she decided to share and we decided that we were going to play along. We decided once-twice a week we will pull out the ol' list and share some facts.   




Here is my, Jessica, list of 20 random facts about myself

1. My name is Jessica
2. My absolute favorite color is GREEN
3. I love love love ECLECTIC decor 
4. I love vegetables
5. I still have my baby dolls from when I was a little girl
6. I married my high school sweet heart
7. I am the most indecisive person I know
8. I had a crush on Jonathan Taylor Thomas when I was a little girl
9. I love romantic comedies
10. I have over 100 pairs of shoes
11. I am a purse-a-holic
12. I sew, but I am not the best at it
13. I am LDS
14. I was a polynesian dancer for about 12-13 years of my life
15. I wrestled in high school
16. I hate running
17. I don't care that much for tv
18. I love everything disney
19. I only like to eat fruit that is already cut 
20. I would choose yogurt over ice cream any day of the week






Everyone who has children knows safety first...especially when you have stairs in your house and a toddler or baby. A while ago I decided to make a baby gate...after I discovered that my store bought gate would not work on the stairs or anywhere else in our rental. It was very simple and pretty inexpensive compared to buying a gate from a big box store.

Materials:

2 shower rods
1/2 yard of fabric
thread *
sewing machine *

*Note: I am pretty sure someone can make this without sewing it and using an adhesive bond or something along those lines.

Unfortunately I did not take any pictures, but it is really simple to recreate.

1. cut fabric to desired length. I used about 1/2 a yard of scrap fabric.
2. hem all four sides
3. determine thickness/diameter of rod, fold over leaving enough space to insert rod, iron fabric over fold and sew a straight line across fabric. repeat on bottom of fabric

I hope this was simple and straight forward.


Recently we celebrated my lil' man's 1st birthday. I just wanted to share some pics of him. I love him so much and I am so HAPPY to be his mother. Happy Happy Birthday to the sweetest and most gorgeous lil' boy I know!


Unfortunately we did not have a big shebang for him...I know bummer...he will never be 1 again, but we did celebrate with cake and ice cream along with a night out. It may have not been a party to remember but spending his birthday with the MOST important people to me is all that matters. 





Recently we celebrated my middle child, youngest daughter, smallest child's 3rd birthday. Although we stayed in and chilled, it was an ever-so EVENTFUL day....a BIRTHDAY was being celebrated. That whole week was eventful...mommy did not have time to sew a birthday dress or make a shirt...but no matter what she enjoyed her day....b/c it was her day. We wanted to do something outdoor for her...zoo, museum...just something, but the weather was horrible. Momma had plans and recipe for chocolate zucchini cake, but daddy brought home cucumbers instead....so daddy had to run to the store and pick up cupcakes instead...there was no time to make a fresh cake....but all in all she loved her day. 

I wanted to share some pictures and thoughts of my lovely baby girl.
My Baby Girl...you are one of my greatest joys! You bring a smile to my face with your never ending silly facial expressions, dances, songs, and persistence. You are most certainly the comedian of the family. You are beautiful inside and out, you are full of personality, character, and charisma...everything that I ever wanted in myself and in my child. You are my baby girl...my little big girl....Momma's cuddlier. I love you more than words can say and I am so blessed that Heavenly Father entrusted me to be your mother. I look forward to watching you grow and explore. I pray that you will always make the right decisions and know that mommy will ALWAYS be there for you. I love you with all my heart. Happy Birthday My Baby Girl! 


I love love love sewing for my girls and I thought that these finds (pinterest) would be perfect for some summer clothes. 


Love the not so girly factor of this shirt and matching pants set. So Modern and Cool! 


I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress and this is a must do! 


This is a cute dress very summery. 


My ABSOLUTE favorite! 


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