Personal: My Baptism 15 years Ago

May 19th is a special day for me.

15 years ago I was Baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

What a GREAT day in my life!

It was a choice I made all by myself.  At the young age of just 18 I knew that this is what the Lord wanted for me. And, I was SO happy. I had finally found what felt like a missing piece to my lie. I was beginning to understand the Lord's plan for me and my (someday) family.

This seemingly 'small' decision has led me down such a great life path. 

I've had the chance to study the Bible and Book of Mormon and come to know Heavenly Father.

I've served in the Church in a variety of callings.

I spent two summers as a Youth Counselor at EFY (Especially For Youth). I learned a lot about Heavenly Father's Plan by teaching it to the youth. They are amazing!

I met my husband, fell in love and we were married in the Mesa Temple in 2004 for Time and All Eternity.  He is by far the best thing in my life.

In 2006 we were blessed with a tiny 1 lb 3 oz MIRACLE baby who defied all odds to become a strong, smart and healthy boy (he is now 4).

In 2010 we were again blessed with another MIRACLE baby weighing just 3 lbs 15 oz (who is now 6 mos old)

All that is positive, happy and worthwhile in my life is because of Heavenly Father and his love for me and my family. I'm so happy that I choose to become a member of HIS Church on May 19th.  

What a blessing of comfort and happiness The Church of Jesus Christ is in my life.

Click below for more information:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Dinner: Cream of Wild Rice Soup

Come join SoupaPalooza at TidyMom and Dine and Dish sponsored by KitchenAid, Red Star Yeast and Le Creuset

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Last Sunday on Mother's day I made a yummy Cream of Wild Rice Soup.

Ever since then I've been craving this soup.

So, I made it again tonight.

In fact, I made a DOUBLE batch.

Here's whatcha need:

1 box Uncle Ben's Wild Rice

1 Chopped Onion

4 1/2 tablespoons butter

4 1/2 tablespoons flour

 2 cups of half and half

3 cans of chicken broth

The original recipe can be found in this cookbook, I've altered it a bit:  

 First, cook the rice according to the box directions.

 In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender.

Stir in the flour until blended. 

(the original recipe also calls for Mace and white pepper)

Gradually stir in the broth, cream and cooked rice.

Bring to a boil while stirring continually.

I served mine with some yummy french bread.  

SOOO good!

 Enjoy!

The Feedback: 10 out of 10.

Even KidMo ate it!  And, he never eats soup.  YES!

PS- I highly recommend the Taste of Home cookbooks! 

I have FOUR of them. 

They are awesome and easy to follow.

Linking up:
Todays Creative Blog
Whipper Berry
TidyMom

Truthful Tuesday

Today is the third edition of Truthful Tuesday.

I'm sure I'm the only one reading this, so if there are other folks out there in Bloggy Land, please comment below or leave a comment with a link to YOUR TRUTHFUL TUESDAY blog post!

Here we go:

1. I'm watching an pretty lame movie right now on Netflix called "Not Since You".  It's slow and boring. Yet, I'm not turning it off.
2. I had chips and salsa for lunch today.
3. My "BabyMo" is turning 6 months old tomorrow. I can't believe it. He makes me so happy.
4. I've spent the last week painting stripes in the baby nursery. It came out so cute.
5. KidMo told me he had a "snack dream" last night about Nachos.  Nachos with ketchup and cheese. Silly kid.
6. I have pink finger nail polish on right now.
7. I haven't watched a Rated R movie in 10+ years.
8. My wedding ring still won't fit on my puffy finger 6 mos after baby.... boooo.
9. 1 hr 27 min later - the movie is still pretty much lame. It had a couple interesting and weird twists and turns but is 99% lame.
10. I convinced my hubby to watch Twilight with me on Mother's Day.  He's quite a catch :)

Be sure to link up in the comments if you are posting a Truthful Tuesday post of your own! :)

Photo: Soft & Sweet

This week's theme for I Heart Face's photo challenge is: Soft & Sweet

Here is my submission:

This photo was taken of BabyMo when he was about 3 months old.  He fell asleep during our photo shoot and sure was cuddly, soft and sweet :)

http://www.iheartfaces.com/

Truthful Tuesday

Today is the second edition of Truthful Tuesday.

I'm sure I'm the only one reading this, so if there are other folks out there in Bloggy Land, pleae comment below or leave a comment with a link to YOUR TRUTHFUL TUESDAY blog post!

Here we go:

1. I'm obsessed with watching ANY show or update to do with this week's ROYAL WEDDING!
2. This week BabyMo is learning to roll over and eat rice cereal. He is wearing 9mo old clothes at 5 months - he's growing up so fast -it brings a tear to my eye.
3. I was a bridesmaid this week for the 5th (and hopefully last) time.
4. I cried at the wedding.
5. I'm so proud of KidMo for all the things he is learning at Preschool! Smarty Pants!
6. I'm sick with flu/fever right now. KidMo told me he would take care of me all day -SO sweet!
7. The preemie story on Gray's Anatomy makes me cry (too many memories of my 1 lb and 3 lb babies!)
8. I love my husband, MoDaddy :)  He does so much for our family. He is priceless.
9. I'm amazed at how many things my Father knows how to do, fix and operate.
10. I like watching Blue's Clues with my boys! TRUE!!

Be sure to link up in the comments if you are posting a Truthful Tuesday post of your own! :)

Sewing: Baby Boy Denim Rag Quilt

A few weeks ago I embarked on a baby boy quilt for a dear friend of mine.

I've known her for over 15 years. We worked together at the Mall when we were 18/19 yrs old.  She became a close friend and was even a part of my baptism back in 1996. 

We've been married, started families and have moved all around the US.

And, when I moved back to Sunny Arizona - I learned that she lived one mile away! How cool!

She and her hubby have been blessed with three adorable girls. 
They are now expecting their first BOY! And they are excited.

I decided to whip up a quick Denim Rag Quilt for the baby shower.

(I have a HUGE stash of old denim jeans that I can tap into at any time.  My whole family knows not to throw out any denim and to save them for me!)

First, cut 35 squares of Denim and 35 squares of your choice of fabric.

Then, play with the squares until you have a design that you like.

Sew together each row of fabric leaving the seams on the top side of the quilt.

 Snip the edges of the seems and then wash 1-2 times to make the edges super fuzzy and soft.
Be sure to check the lint compartment on the dryer multiple times!!

 Here is a quick shot of the backside of the quilt.

 He's MashMo the kitty enjoying the quilt prior to delivering it to the Mommy-to-be.

(why do kitties think every quilt is for them?)

I finished the quilt the morning of the baby shower! My sewing machine decided to stop working just as I was finishing up. This caused a minor heart attack but I was finally able to finish the quilt.

And now...I'm looking into a NEW sewing machine! :)

Linking up here:
Yesterday on Tuesday
Somewhat Simple 
Fingerprints on the Fridge 

Baking: Frosted Easter Sugar Cookies

Last year I found the PERFECT sugar cookie recipe.

I found it on Happy Homemaker Cindy's Blog.  Click HERE for her blog about the cookies.

I've made them dozens of times and they always turn out perfectly. They are super soft sugar cookies, perfect for cutting out in shapes with cookie cutters or simply frosting them.

This year I made these CUTE bunny cookies for KidMo's preschool class.

Here is the recipe from Happy Homemaker Cindy's site along with her directions.

Cream Cheese Cut-out Cookies

• 1 Cup Butter Softened
• 8 oz Cream Cheese Softened
• 1 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. Almond Extract
• 3 1/2 Cups Flour
• 1 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1 Tub Vanilla or Cream Cheese Frosting
• Food Coloring (If you would like to make the Frosting different colors.)
• Sprinkles

In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until well combined. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla and almond extract and beat well. In a small bowl combine flour and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to ream cheese mixture. Beat until well mixed. Divide dough in half. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate until easy to handle – about 1 1/2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out  1/4 ” think (I make mine pretty thick) on a lightly floured surface. Using cookie cutters, cut out and place 2″ apart on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 13 minutes depending on how thick you made the cookies or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire rack. Allow to cool completely. Ice the cookies with frosting and decorate with sprinkles.

MoMomma Tips:

-I purchased a cute bunny cookie cutter from Ross and it was a breeze to make these cookies. 

-Roll out your dough in between two pieces of parchment paper. Then, peel the top piece off and use your cookie cutter to make the desired shapes.  Peel away the excess dough and put the parchment paper on the cookie sheet.

-For 'dressing up' these cookies I used the frosting recipe below. I also used a smarties candy for the eye and a marshmallow for the tail

This is the frosting recipe I used for the bunny frosting:

Butter Frosting

4 Tablespoons butter

2 1/3 cup powdered sugar

milk

3/4 teaspoon vanilla

for chocolate frosting add 3 Tablespoons cocoa

Put butter in bowl and beat with electric mixer until fluffy. Then add about half the powdered sugar. Then beat in 1 Tablespoon milk and the vanilla. Slowly add in the rest of the powdered sugar. Add more milk if needed. Add food coloring if desired. 

Enjoy!!

Linking up to these sites

Tatertots and Jello

Tip Junkie 
Todays Creative Blog
733 Blog 
Blue Cricket Design
The Thrifty Home 
Someday Crafts 
Yesterday on Tuesday 
Somewhat Simple
Fingerprints on the fridge
Paisley Passions

Baking: Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies with M&M's

 Remember my new favorite cookie recipe?

Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

Click HERE for the original blog post and recipe

Well, this week we made them EASTER cookies!

To put an Easter spin on an already awesome cookie recipe try these:

These HUGE over-sized cookies were made with this totally awesome Muffin Top pan.

Just fill the bottom of each muffin top opening with cookie dough.

Then, sprinkle with super yummy Easter M&M's! 

Sooooo good!

Easy and Delicious!

Be sure to give em a try!!!

Today I lost to Hulk Hogan

Today I lost a battle with Hulk Hogan.

Early this morning KidMo brought in this Hulk Hogan action figure.

He gets up Super early and is happy to greet you with toys from his room. 

This morning he greeted us with Hulk Hogan. 

BabyMo was SO happy to see Hulk Hogan that he decided he went on an eating strike.

True story! 

He ONLY wanted to stare and baby-talk to Hulk Hogan! 

He smiled. He coo'd. He laughed. All for the Hulk. 

He had lost all interest in his bottle and wouldn't eat for me.

He WOULD eat for Hulk Hogan!

It turns out that if your baby won't eat - just show em a Hulk Hogan action figure.

Seriously - That baby has never been happier.

Thanks Hulk for stealing my thunder as a mother.  Hahaha.

Dinner: Chicken Packets as seen on Kevin & Amanda

Tonight's dinner adventure was inspired by the blog Kevin & Amanda.

If you haven't visited their blog, please head over there right away!  

Amanda posts on everything from photography, travel, dogs and recipes.  

What else could a girl ask for?

Follow this button to their website...

Tonight I was starting to get worried about dinner.  I had worked all day and by the time I got home, got the kids settled in and MoDaddy made it home it was nearly 7pm.  

And... I still had no idea what was for dinner.  Nice job Mom.

Luckily, BabyMo decided to be awesome and took this fantastic nap on the couch so I could make dinner.  He's such a good baby.

KidMo was entertained by an episode of Blues Clues. 

Ok... I had 5 minutes to decide what was for dinner.
I had remembered a recipe that I'd seen online.
I was off and running.
Here is a photo of the ingredients for tonight's dinner.

 

 Click HERE to view the original recipe this was based off of on Kevin & Amanda.

Step 1.  Create seasoned bread crumbs from 1/4 bag of croutons.

You could pour these in a ziploc bag and smash them. 

Or, pop em in a quick food processor for a couple spins. 

Instant bread crumbs.

 Step 2: Saute mushrooms.

I felt a little like Paula Deen here.... too much butter!

While the mushrooms are sauteing shred your mozzarella cheese
(I used about 3/4 of a block)

Step 3:  Get your ingredients together.
Combine your shredded cheese with about a 1/4 block of cream cheese.
You can use more, but our family likes to go light on the cream cheese.

For my chicken packets we had chopped ham (left), sliced mushrooms (center) and shredded chicken (right).
The chicken was leftover from the other night's meal.  If you'd like to make some "bulk" shredded chicken, just pop some chicken breasts in your crock pot on low for 8 hours. Combine with some chicken broth, or as I did, put 1 package taco seasoning and 1 can rotel tomatoes and chillies).

Combine your meat and veggies with your cream cheese mixture.

 Step 4. Roll out your crescent rolls.  (Use just 1 tube of crescent rolls)

Keep 2 crescent roll triangles together in a rectangle shape and press together where the seams are.

Place toppings on top.

 Step 5: Open your second tube of crescent rolls.

Place another rectangle on top, again pressing where the seams are.

 Step 6: Microwave your 2 tbs of butter.

Brush butter on top of sealed chicken packages and then lightly dust with seasoned bread crumbs.

 Step 7: Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 until toasty brown on top.

 Enjoy!

The FEEDBACK:  8 out of 10!  woohoo

Even KidMo really enjoyed this dinner.  I made his "custom" without mushrooms because I knew he wouldn't appreciate the musrhooms.

I think next time we'll make some that are "pizza" style with a little pizza sauce, pepperoni, ham and black olives.
Now, that sounds delicious!

Thanks to Kevin & Amanda for inspiring our yummy dinner!

linking up to:

Whipper Berry

Katie's Nesting Spot
Its A Hodgepodge Life
KoJo Designs
Paisley Passions
Design It chic