Featured Seller: Alix from Blessed in Homemaking

This week's featured seller is Alix from Blessed in Homemaking. Isn't that a great shop name?

I am a stay-at-home/work-at-home mother of two sweethearts and wife to my hero. I strive to raise my children to love and follow Jesus--that is my highest goal.

 I love all things natural: natural health and healing, natural childbirth (both of my children were born at home), natural and chemical-free living, gardening. And I'm a bookworm.

I am an aspiring herbalist. I seek to provide herbal remedies and safe natural body care products for people.

Check out Blessed in Homemaking for more natural products! You can also follow Alix on Facebook, Pinterest, and her blog.

A Peachy Birthday

For my birthday on Memorial Day we went to a peach farm way down in Queen Creek. (Funny how we lived 20 minutes away from it for 3 years and never heard about it. A friend here in Phoenix told me about it Saturday night.) We picked our own peaches, not Caden's favorite part at all.

Then we sampled various peach foods. Surprisingly, I did not like most of it. My favorites were the gummy bears, blueberry peach preserves, and hard candy, which we ended up buying. Once we got home, I realized the candy, unlike everything else we had sampled, were not made by the farm and had artificial flavor. Still yummy but a little disappointing.

We let Caden play around and then ended with delicious peach ice cream for me and Justin, chocolate for Caden, and lunch at In 'N Out. Once Caden was napping, we watched War Horse. It was depressing and angering, not inspiring, but made me have so much more admiration for my great-grandfather who fought in WWI (on the Italian side) and survived--with a bullet lodged in his head.

Justin grilled chicken and corn on the cob, I made corn muffins, and our neighbors joined us for dinner. Later I made peach crisp and we watched Tarzan. Caden loved the part where the gorillas and elephant were making music with the various items at the humans' camp. Caden also felt the baby kick for the first time. Overall it was a fun and unique birthday.

Happy Birthday to Me

I wanted a new purse or diaper bag for my birthday (on Memorial Day). My current purse is falling apart, and I haven't found a diaper bag I like. They are either too bulky, ugly, or babyish. I wanted a bag that would function as a diaper bag without looking like one. Unfortunately, that type is usually expensive. Then I found the perfect bags a couple days ago on zulily. The total cost including shipping was $43! That's less than the original cost of only one bag!

my new purse

my new diaper bag

I love the nautical theme. I always have and love that it's "in" right now. And I discovered I am a tote girl (at least when it comes to looks, because I do wish tote bags had more compartments like most handbags do). I didn't get why women buy so many purses until I realized how many tote bags I have and how often I use them. It's the same thing, just a different style. I can't wait for my new bags to arrive!

Top 5 Dreamworks Animated Films

While Pixar is more consistent with the quality of their movies, when Dreamworks makes a hit, it's a home run. (And when they miss, they totally tank!) Here are my favorites:

5. Megamind: Super funny and a great twist on the classic hero/villain story.

4. Monsters vs. Aliens: Again, very humorous with a fun twist on classic monster movies.

3. Prince of Egypt: Beautiful music and animation.

2. How to Train Your Dragon: The music is incredibly moving and the ending is touching as well.

1. Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2: High-quality story, characters, and animation, and no adult innuendos. And Jack Black is hilarious! Best messages ever found in kid films: first movie--be yourself/there are things that only you can do with your unique talents; second movie--family is about love. I hope they maintain the high quality of this series and don't ruin the third one.

What are your favorites from  Dreamworks?

"This Is What I Want"

My favorite scene from the movie Mona Lisa Smile.

Featured Seller: Liliana from My Sweetie Pie Pie

This week's featured seller is Liliana from My Sweetie Pie Pie, a delightful vintage shop.

I've had a vintage shop on Etsy for some years now but originally started selling on eBay back in its early days, so I've been selling vintage online for about a couple of decades and only took a break while living abroad.

I've got over 700 items in my shop, including vintage women's and men's clothing, purses, shoes, jewelry, and other accessories, along with housewares and collectibles of every kind.

 In addition, I have quite an extensive array of sewing patterns listed – I just love them!

Check out My Sweetie Pie Pie for more lovely vintage finds. You can also follow My Sweetie Pie Pie on Pinterest.

Twins!

No, I'm not talking about two babies here. This is what I mean:

It was Caden's idea actually! He always picks out his clothes, and yesterday morning he chose his "gray one" (shirt) and then pointed to the shirt I was wearing (my other new maternity one) and said "Mama gray one!" I realized he was trying to match me, so I finished the ensemble with his brown shorts. Then Caden brought me my black shoes (I was planning on wearing flip flops) and we were twins from head to toe. Usually Justin tries matching Caden or me; this was a first for me and Caden to match!

p.s. Caden has been sleeping in underwear, not pull-ups, for the past week or so with no accidents! I think he is officially nighttime potty trained.

A Memorable Mother's Day

This Mother's Day was amazing! Sunday morning Justin had to work, but he came home half an hour after we did. At church, they gave all the women a carnation flower and in Primary we got M&Ms. Caden made me a hand-painted washer necklace and breakfast in a bag in his nursery class. Justin got me a card from Caden in which he helped Caden record his voice saying he loves me and another cute card just from Justin. He sneakily did this the night before when he picked up the pizza I requested for dinner. I was wondering why they took so long and the pizza was cold! Earlier that day, he also took me shopping and got me two new maternity shirts, one of which I'm wearing in the photo.

Justin put Caden down for a nap and then gave me a massage. We Skyped with my family, Justin made yummy omelets for dinner, and then we went to a friend's house and played board games. We had a lot of fun and Caden behaved so well. It was a great day!

WINNER!

The winner of the Made by Maggie Mae temple bracelet giveaway is comment #52 by Cassandra Cap! Enjoy your lovely bracelet!

Mother's Day Jokes

 What the mothers of these famous people would have said:

MONA LISA'S MOTHER: After all that money your father and I spent on braces, Mona, that's the biggest smile you can give us?

HUMPTY DUMPTY'S MOTHER: Humpty, If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times not to sit on that wall. But would you listen to me? No!

PAUL REVERE'S MOTHER: I don't care where you think you have to go, young man. Midnight is past your curfew.

COLUMBUS'S MOTHER: I don't care what you've discovered, Christopher. You could have written.

BABE RUTH'S MOTHER: Babe, how many times have I told you: quit playing ball in the house! That's the third broken window this week.

MICHELANGELO'S MOTHER: Mike, can't you paint on walls like other children? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?

NAPOLEON'S MOTHER: All right, Napoleon. If you aren't hiding your report card inside your jacket, then take your hand out of there and prove it.

CUSTER'S MOTHER: Now, George, remember what I told you: don't go biting off more than you can chew.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S MOTHER: Again with the stovepipe hat, Abe? Can't you just wear a baseball cap like the other kids?

MARY'S MOTHER: I'm not upset that your lamb followed you to school, Mary, but I would like to know how he got a better grade than you.

BATMAN'S MOTHER: It's a nice car, Bruce, but do you realize how much the insurance is going to be?

GOLDILOCKS'S MOTHER: I've got a bill here for a broken chair from the Bear family. You know anything about this, Goldie?

»

LITTLE MISS MUFFET'S MOTHER: Well, all I've got to say is if you don't get off your tuffet and start cleaning your room there'll be a lot more spiders around here.

ALBERT EINSTEIN'S MOTHER: But, Albert, it's your senior picture. Can't you do something about your hair? Styling gel, mousse, something?

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOTHER: The next time I catch you throwing money across the Potomac, you can kiss your allowance goodbye!

JONAH'S MOTHER: That's a nice story, but now tell me where you've really been for the last three days.

SUPERMAN'S MOTHER: Clark, your father and I have discussed it, and we've decided you can have your own telephone line. Now will you quit spending so much time in all those phone booths?

THOMAS EDISON'S MOTHER: Of course I'm proud that you invented the electric light bulb, Thomas. Now turn off that light and get to bed!

http://www.guy-sports.com/months/jokes_small_boys_mother.htm

It's a Boy!

I just realized I never announced the baby's gender here. We are having another boy. I admit I was a little disappointed (again), but it is definitely more practical to have a boy since we already have boy things and because his birthday will be right before Caden's, meaning all of Caden's clothes will fit at the right times. I honestly love having boys; I just want the opportunity to dress up a little girl and have a daughter to talk with about girly things.

We haven't decided on a name yet, though my mom has already picked a nickname for him. Caden has too. A while ago I asked him if he liked a certain name and he said no. So I asked him what he wanted to name the baby and he said, "The Man in the Yellow Hat" (from Curious George)! Whenever I mention the baby in my tummy, Caden always calls him by that name.

belly sticker courtesy of Watch Me Grow Stickers

I'm over the nausea finally (though lately I'll been feeling a little yucky in the late evening), but I am still so tired all the time. This little guy has been crazy active for the past few weeks, especially at 11 p.m., and yesterday I finally saw my belly move along with him. It feels like he's made of all elbows. I really can't wait to see him!

Phoenix Science Museum Fiasco

Yesterday we decided to visit the Phoenix Science Museum at the recommendation of a coworker. Bad decision. The place was a zoo, not a museum! There were hundreds of school kids there, and not one group was well behaved. The chaperones might as well have not been there--they didn't do anything to keep the kids under control. I understand it was a hands-on experience and not a library, but still, I can't believe how incredibly rude and ill-mannered the kids were, especially to little Caden. Lucky for me, I have no problem scolding other people's children if parents don't do it themselves (and nobody has ever gotten offended because most of the time they aren't even paying attention and don't know I did it or they get embarrassed and take over disciplining their child).

Anyway, the museum was still interesting and Caden had a good time. Here are some of the things he did:

Trying to generate electricity by bike riding.

Building a house that can withstand an earthquake.

Playing in the little laboratory.

Throwing balls into a nose, which surprised us and scared Caden--twice!- with a loud sneeze.

Cranking the electric generator.

Making patterns.

Playing with balls and water works.

Featured Seller: Shiri from Jon Jon Jewel

This week's featured seller is Shiri from Jon Jon Jewel.

I'm 30 years old and live in Raanana, Israel. I became a professional jewelry designer over 5 years ago. I graduated my studies and received my degree in jewelry design in 2009, and recently I finished my master's degree in integrated design. I have the chance to work with one of the most successful jewelry brands in Israel, where I work as a senior designer in the jewelry department, and in parallel I started to established my own brand. Together with my husband, Yoni, we create our own collection of handmade jewelry based on our unique vision.

My shop specializes in a wide assortment of unique personalized jewelry. Jon Jon Jewel is a place where a special name, initial, or date turns into a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.

Check out Jon Jon Jewelry for great customized gifts!

Desert Botanical Garden

Our library has culture passes, which are free tickets to certain educational places in the area, such as museums. We checked one out for the Desert Botanical Garden and visited it yesterday. It wasn't as beautiful as I had expected, but it did have the coolest looking cacti I have ever seen! It also wasn't little-kid friendly. Only one trail had hands-on things Caden could do, and even then, his interest didn't last long.

The best part was the butterfly (or "bufferfy" as Caden says it) exhibit, which we had to pay for because it wasn't included in the culture pass. It was well worth it! I saw the most beautiful variety of butterflies. They were so active though, so it was hard to get good photos of them, especially the most exotic looking. Caden liked it at first, but soon grew afraid of them flying all around him.

Overall it was a pleasant experience, but I'm glad it was mostly free!

WINNERS!

The winners of the IzzyBizzyME printable Mother's Day card giveaway are comments #1 by Lauren Guilbeau and #25 by Wendy Rozema. The rest of you, remember Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12!