How cool? SO COOL!

So I'm feeling pretty impressed with myself right now!

 I let my creative juices run wild, and created some pretty neat tricks! So, I want to share them with you!

I wanted new bright nail polish, but I really didn't want to go buy any, as I am saving my pennies for a pair of super cute shorts I laid my eyes on yesterday.

So what did I do? I invented my own!

Mod Podge Nail Polish

What you'll need:
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Mod Podge

Water
Food coloring
(Mine was neon pink)Paint brush
Clear nail polish

How to:
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Pour just a little bit bit of your Mod Podge into something (I just used the lid) and mix with just a dab of water.

Stir in food coloring of your choice. So many options out there, even glitter!

Lightly paint onto nails. Let dry (doesn't take long) and apply one more coat.
Remember to keep it thin. You don't want it to get goopy.

Then if desired, apply a clear coat of nail polish over top. This will keep it fro scraping off easily.

Easy peasy! Rice and cheesy!

I also did Glitter Gel Toes last week.
Those are pretty fun if you're into glitter stuff. (I'm not so much a fan of the Glitter. But it was fun to try for a few days.)
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For that you will need:
Mod Podge
Glitter
Paint Brush
Paper

How to apply:
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Place your paper under your toes.
(this will help to keep the Mod Podge off of the carpet and catch the left over Glitter)
Using a paint brush, paint the Mod Podge onto your toes.

Apply Glitter by shaking over your toes, like pepper on a potato!
(You can't have too much Glitter when doing Glitter Gel Toes)

Let dry
(this could take a while, You can entertain yourself  over here while you wait)

After you feel like your Glitter Gel is dry enough, apply another coat of Mod Podge over top of the Glitter. Let dry again. This time making sure they are rock hard.

Another trick I made up today.

 The Poor Girls Lipstick!

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Dab some food coloring on a Q-tip, and rub onto your lips! It looks hot, and is super easy!
I don't know why it took me this long to think of this, I used to rub Red popsicles on my lips when I was little, and it's basically the same concept! Only Food coloring dyes your skin for a good long time. So applying it directly to your lips, works great!

So there you go! My creations for the day.
Enjoy!

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A little gander into our lately

Did you ever watch {this}?
Mike made it a while back and sent it to me while I was in Idaho.
We always find ourselves with strangely fun and quite unusual things. Such as a Betty-Charles! our one armed, 1960's mannequin!

Well this is our latest form of entertainment.
Do enjoy :)

Asking you!

So you all remember when I told you about my awesome brother, right? The really talented artist? Well he's in need of your votes!
Go {here} and give him a big ol' 5! Then leave a comment if you want, and I'll give YOU a big ol' 5!

Today is the last day to vote, and he's so close! If he get's enough votes, his shirt will become available for purchase!

 Don't you want one? I do!

My newest favorite thing

Because Mike and I are already doing kick boxing, we may as well make it the year of new and exciting things! Like we weren't going to already. C'mon, it's us!

My newest favorite thing that I haven't tried yet, but would really like to?
RIVER SURFING!
Yeah! Why did I not know or think about this before? Here I am land locked, and it's never crossed my mind!
 I would love to know how, it looks so fun! It reminds me a lot of something we did on the cruise.. but for reals... and in a river. Tell me it doesn't look fun though.

 Go a head. Go do your research!

K.O.!

When you go to a kick boxing class you purchased from the interweb on one of those deal of the day things,  remember these tips.

1. Warm up
Jump rope for a very long time before you go. When you get there, you will have to jump right into jump roping for what will feel like forever. Even if you know how and enjoy doing it. Practice before you go.

2. Jumping into it
 When your instructor asks you if you know how to jump rope, he is really telling you to get a rope off of the rack, and start jumping.

3. Don't be intimidated
 Go somewhere you are not welcome, so you will feel right at home at the kick boxing place when everyone is glaring at you. A lot. Especially your instructor. Who may resemble this guy.

(Ours did)

4. Slow Mo
When your instructor tells you to step slowly, he means kick slower, he just doesn't say it. Avoid misunderstanding, and you should be fine.

5. Wrapping your hands
Wrap your hands from thumb to pinky. You WILL want to REMEMBER this.

6. You'll smell
You are going to be stinky by the time you leave. Don't wash your bra before you go to class. Save it for after.

7. Laugh
You will be laughed at for doing things wrong.  Just laugh with them, it's all good.

8. If you're tall, just play basketball
If you are a tall guy, you will be laughed at for kick boxing instead of playing basketball.
Again, just laugh with them.

9. Don't be picky!
You will be given Pink gloves to wear, even if you're a dude. Be okay with it, like my man was. They're just gloves! Apparently a lot of guys have a problem with them, and I got the impression, they don't like the guys that do that. Just wear the Pink gloves.

10. Don't wear socks
 You have to take your shoes off when you get there anyway, and it's hard to kick box in socks. Which reminds me,

11. Do NOT wear your shoes on the mat
You should already know that, but in case you don't.

-You're welcome.

12. Step right up
When you are going in for a kick, DON'T step forward. Step in angle. Trust me.

Also, you will probably be extremely sore the next day, even if you don't think you will, it's cool though.
And even if you sucked, you'll still feel like a bad a$$ later.

It's pretty awesome.

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Mike was amazing by the way. We had a really fun time, and even though I'm sort of, not really good at all, and a little scared to go back, I'm excited to go again.

Hearing what God is asking

I was finishing up another little summer dress tonight, when I decided to go look up a helpful hint for my next project.

Our bedroom is currently in the basement, which just so happens to be where Mikes office is. I was on the computer, when Mike came out to lay down and take a quick break from work. We started talking about swimming and our plans for tomorrow, (we are going swimming with Karin and Adelyn) when I remembered that I didn't have a well fitted suit, or any bottoms. I know, right?

This lead me to looking up swimming suit patterns/tutorials online. I decided it would cost more to make my own than to just go buy a new one (I know it's not nearly as fun) 

I was looking them up when I came across one titled "The Poppy" How cute is that? I love poppies! This made me think of Orange Poppies, which made me think of how cute that name would be for a blog/shop! I decided to look it up and see if it was taken as a blog, when go figure, it was. And it was taken by a cute couple working at an orphanage in Guatemala! I started reading their posts and am in love with this couple.

I keep finding myself coming across websites, blogs, and meeting people, when I am not even searching. This is how I know that it is by no coincidence that this is happening. Heavenly Father is answering prayers.

I read these blogs, and talk to people who are serving, and I'm overcome with this feeling that is unlike any other. I get excited for Michael and I to leave and be examples of Him. To be likened to Jesus, our brother. To learn, and grow. To love His children who have no families. To teach them of the love of Jesus, and His love for them. To help protect them in any way we can, from emotional, spiritual, and physical abuse. To love them unconditionally. To bring a smile to their face, and see their eyes that are filled with so many stories, light up. To help single mothers, kiss the elderly, help new mothers take care of their infants, feed the hungry, make new friends, and touch each hearts.

I obviously stopped my search for a suit, and started reading about this young couple, and their lives living at an orphanage, taking care of 21 of God's precious children.

I sometimes forget about what is truly important. Obviously it is perfectly okay to buy new clothes, rent a movie, and go out to dinner with my sweet husband. I am pretty positive Heavenly Father does not expect us all to stop living. But it is always good to be reminded, and to appreciate the things we often take for granted.

Sometimes I feel like it will never happen, that it is only a silly dream. But I keep praying, and Heavenly Father keeps reminding me that it will happen. Because it is not only what I want, it is what He wants too.

(KCH)

Sneak Peek

My family has owned a snow shack for over 10 years.

We have had good times...

and bad times with that snow cone machine.

Tomorrow is my birthday, and the best birthday gift ever, is that I have been visiting my family in Idaho, and have totally redone the shack.

I'm sure its the coolest Snow Shack in America!

I was sweating like a pig today, while painting like a mad women, but it was so much fun. I love painting and keeping busy with projects. I wish I lived by it so I could hang out in such a cool spot, with my cool mamma, listening to surfer music, and watching Gidget all day. And so I could have all you can eat snow cones all day every day. I mean, how many people even have that as an option!

I'm in love with it. And even more, I'm in love with this surf board!
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Next hip hop star?

I love Skype. My nieces and nephews call me all the time on there, and I get to see their cute little smiles, and their latest My Little Ponies hair styles. Yesterday Ditty danced for me. It's blurry, but I love it. I had to pull out my camera and video tape a little.

This was Ditty last Spring

And this is Ditty this spring

I don't know where she "got them moves!" but I'm trying to think she just picked it up from watching too many Bieber music videos with her older siblings, or attending one too many Zumba classes with mom... and          not from My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding.

                                    

I really don't want that little ballerina turning into a white trash gypsy women! She's too dang cute!

But she's seriously quite the little dancer! And Shes way too adorable in her Hello Kitty shirt, Pink tutu, and curly pig tails. I love that Ditty girl!

summer ventures

Summer seems to slip by too quickly for my liking. I definitely have a sweet tooth for summer. I want to embrace all of it. Maybe it is because I was born in June, and my parents were always so good at making every summer perfect, with baseball games, sprinkler parties, watermelon and popsicles every day, raspberries and milk for breakfast, lawnmower rides with dad, painting projects and gardening with mom, road trips to exciting places, picnics under pine trees, being able to go everywhere barefoot, playing in the field, and sleeping outside every night.
I was visiting with some ladies last Sunday, and as we were talking in the backyard, in her lovely garden, next to her chickens, we decided that we didn't want to get up from that beautiful setting we were a part of. We were sitting under an apple tree with white blossoms. The sun would peek through the branches when the breeze blew, and the air was warm and it smelled of wet dirt . We closed our eyes for a few seconds, to take in the beauty, and welcome Summer.
 I'm currently working on my long Summer to do list, but here are some things that have made the cut thus far. Simple and low key, just as all things Summer fun should be.

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I love that Mike loves camping. It's at the top of the list this summer :)  

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Plus a few days out on the lake.

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Last minute road trips are the best. Crank up the music, bring the camera and sleeping bags, drive until you find what you are looking for, and then fall asleep under the stars.

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Carnival swings are my favorite. We will definitely be riding them this summer.

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Dance all night. Outside, or inside, alone, or with friends, country or swing. It does't matter. Just do it. Together.

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Summer nights at the Drive In Movies. I have a confession, I have only ever been to the drive in once in my life, and it was a blast. I'm not going to let it slip by me this summer.
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Mikey got a new bike, and as soon as I pull my old one out of my parents garage, we will be doing a lot of bike riding.

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And of course, baseball games.
I always knew I would marry a baseball player, so when I didn't it came as a surprise to me, AND my whole family. Because of this, Mike must take me to at least one baseball game every summer for the rest of his life. I love me those uniforms, and those stadium hot dogs are just too dang delicious.

Enjoy your Sunday

{w.a.t.c.h}

Wouldn't you love
A butterfly kiss on the tip of your nose
A beautiful/inspiring place to daydream
A giant wooden top and a big empty loft to play in

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