WIWW- Week 1

Okay, Let's give this a whirl. For the first time ever I am going to do What I Wore Wednesday. I intend on doing this every week from now on. Hold me accountable people! By the way, I did take pictures for every day but the hubby deleted them on accident. Opps.

As far as the background. Well, the only room with a full length mirror is the kids room, so please forgive me in advance for any mess or toys joining in on the fun.

Date Night! Dinner and shopping. (Yes my husband is amazing and took me shopping for our date)
Jeans and Tank- Target
Cardigan- TJ Maxx
Boots- Ross
Necklace- Salon 180

New Years Party/Playdate at my Home
Shirt- Forever 21
Jeans- Target
Ummm...shoes... well I guess I shot the picture to high.

Toughed the rain and took the babies to John's Incredible Pizza

Jeans-Old Navy
Tank-Target
Cardigan- Forever 21

Ugg(ly) Boots- Sport Chalet

Beanie- Krochet Kids Int. ...Check them out, now, seriously!

Oh Man! I went there...Let me just be real with you. I cleaned all day and played inside with the kids. Frankly, I wanted to be comfy and comfy I was!

Husbands wrinkly sweater- Tillys
Yoga Pants- Old Navy
Super comfy socks- Kohls

Replicated Cinnamon Roll

Remember my last post. You know, the top ten things I received in 2010? I mentioned my love of baking and all the new things I got for the kitchen this past year. Well, all those wonderful things have inspired me to bake, bake and bake some more. Good thing? Not sure yet. My tummy is loving it, as is my husband, however, not sure how my butt and thighs are dealing yet...

Anyhow, last night I whipped up some AMAZING cinnamon rolls with a cream cheese frosting. Yummy! Everything lately has been from scratch, so my heart really goes into them. Let me give ya a little background on just how much heart went into these babies! Hubs and I spent our Honeymoon in Pismo Beach. We chose somewhere close in hopes of going back every year. While on our honeymoon we found this little place that made the BEST cinnamon rolls. Sooo it became tradition that on our anniversary we would go there and enjoy. Cute right? Well...we went back once and then came Rhiannon. And now Talon. Apparently when we made these plans to go back every year we knew nothing about being parents. Bye Bye trip. See ya later cinnamon rolls.

So last night I decided to try to replicate those yummy cinnamon rolls. Although doing it around our anniversary in July probably would have been a better idea. That's not the point. They hit the mark! That's what is important.

I thought I would share them with you. If I knew how good they were gonna be I would have taken pics along the way and made you a little tutorial but I had no idea. So here is the recipe. That is the best I can do for ya. You will not be disappointed! Here ya go friends...

(Pardon the horrible photo. Snapped it super quick with my phone.)

Ingredients

• 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 cups warm water
  
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/3 cup sugar in warm water. Stir in salt and 2 cups flour. Beat mixture for 2 minutes. Beat in eggs and oil. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
2. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon; set aside.
3. Divide the dough into twelve equal pieces. Take each piece of dough, roll into a log and roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the knots in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover the rolls with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, until golden.
   

Then for the frosting:

Ingredients

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons milk
  

Directions
Combine confectioner's sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add milk gradually until frosting reaches a spreading consistency. Spread over warm (but not hot) cinnamon rolls.

Top 10 in 2010

2010 has been an awesome year! The year has brought us so much. Some silly, some serious and some seriously silly! Do a top ten countdown with me, will you?

10. Michael Miller
This year marks the beginning of my love affair with Michael Miller. Not the man himself, just his fabrics. Can we say Oh Em Gee?!? I am in love! I cannot get enough of these beauties. Check back in a couple weeks to see my kiddo's nursery loaded with the some good ol' Michael Miller. Ahh it is gorgeous.

9. Baking Goods

These lovelies barely made it in by the end of year but they got here soon enough to make the top ten. Rhi and I got these adorable matching "Trendy Housewife" aprons. Mommy's apron is even reversible (the other side is even done in Michael Miller's Eiffel Tower pink. I die!). To top off the wonderfullness happening in the kitchen, my grandma bought me a standing mixer. My heart skipped a beat and I wasted no time to get in the kitchen. These things may seem so small to most but lemme give you some background here. I was the little girl who wanted to be a wife/mommy when I grew up. Ballerinas, teachers and princess' NO SIR! I was gonna be a good old fashioned 50's woman. Most women would be offended but if my husband told me to get back in the kitchen, well, I just might kiss him! So these goodies made it into the countdown easily!

8. Hair

That's right folks bald baby has got some hair. So much hair I don't quite know what to do with it. It is messy and awkward and just gets in the way. So why is this annoying hair on my top 10? Well, it is beautiful and blonde. Women would kill for this gorgeous hair. Oh yes and she is not mistaken for a boy anymore! WOO HOO for hair!

7.My new bible study


Mid-2010, God brought me an amazing group of women. My mommy, my aunt and her stepmom and sister, and one more aunt. These girlies are wonderful and inspiring and just so refreshing. This has been such a blessing to sit back and relax while we revel in God's grace and love. Then to take it up a notch, my lil sis who I having been praying over for years has joined us! Is God good or what?

6.Sewing
Last year my mother in law got me a sewing machine. It was fun and all. I tried it here and there but nothing really. 2010 brought me a love of sewing. I don't even know if love describes it well enough. It is what I do to unwind after a long day. It is a love language to my children. Making them something fun is something that I can do to say that I care. Awww sewing!

5.Rock-A-Bow is growing
Woot! You heard me right. Rock-A-Bow has tripled it's sales this year. I have a sneaky suspicion that as I add my sewn items to the store it may just grow some more. In fact the end of 2010 brought some big ideas for my business. Let's just say you might want to look back here next month and see what all is about to change. But shhh, these works are a secret. In fact, I better go update the hubs about some of it.

4.Debt Snowball
If you are a Dave Ramsey person, you have probably caught the lingo. The hubs and I have begun working on our Total Money Makeover and let me tell you IT WORKS! Our debt snowball has begun and it is unstoppable. So far we have paid off 4 credit cards. We estimate that by March of 2012 we will be completely out of debt. This is huge for us. This is a goal that has seemed so unreachable and it is in clear sight now.

3.Working from home
Yes ma'am (or sir), this momma is working from home. I now have the freedom to spend time with my little ones, be the mommy I know they deserve and to of course work on my business! Now with working from home, my hours have been reduced drastically so this is a HUGE step of faith. However, it is a complete answer to prayer. Now let's get Rock-A-Bow moving so that this momma can help pay the bills ;)

2.Scars
Check out these beauties. Okay, so I'm not gonna show you but I've got 3. It's where they removed my cyst. Now I know to most people some nasty old scars would not be on their top ten and surely not number 2 for goodness sakes! Yet, for me, they are a constant reminder of God's hand in my life. His protection and mercy and love. Though the scars will fade, those things will remain the same always. So for that reason my ugly little scars are number two and they would be number one if it weren't for....

1.Talon Reid Murphy

(no he does not eat in the nude, his rolls just hide the diaper)

Ahhhh my fat little moose! I love this boy. On August 23rd God brought us our miracle baby. Isn't he amazingly yummy? Talon is by far the best thing that we received in 2010. I cannot even tell you what a joy he is. I'm sure you can tell by the photo above. He is all smiles and happiness and fun. Yes, he is our number 1 in 2010.

Please comment and share what your #1 was in 2010!

Project 320

"Ice, Water, Ice". It is my 2 year old daughters most common request. Such a simple thing. A nice refreshing glass of water. But what if a clean cup of water was not an option? To us, clean drinking water is such a natural thing but for many it is an unobtainable desire.

Knowing that so many children, children like my own daughter are going without clean drinking water breaks my heart. If only I could give them a glass of water. If only WE could give them a glass of water. Wouldn't it be amazing to give just one glass of water, like the one my own child has in the photo above, to another child? Now what if I told you that WE could give an entire community not just one cup of water but water for a lifetime and even to generations to come.

Rock-A-Bow has teamed up with Project 320 to do just that! Will you join us? Will you help us to bring a well to a community? Clean Water to a community? With your efforts in helping us you will be entered in a Rock-A-Bow giveaway. Of course the giveaway is a fun aspect but the true reward will be seeing photos of the children of a community enjoying CLEAN water...maybe for the first time in their life. Knowing that WE were a part of something big, something LIFE CHANGING!

Here's what YOU can do:

Go visit Project 320 Well and donate as much as you are led and able to give. For every $10 you donate, you will be entered in this Rock-A-Bow giveaway.

Simply visit the site, make your donation and come back here and leave a comment about how much you gave.

Next Monday, the 20th, I will pick a winner through Random.org for this sweet little prize!

The prize? This super cute sibling set.

Giveaway includes: A tutu that will fit most 18m-5y old girls, a headband and bow to match the tutu. Then for baby brother: A size 0-3 month Music Note Tie Onsie and a SUPER cute pair of 0-3m Black and White Baby Leg Warmers by Olive Blue.

Wow! What more could you ask for? A chance to win a super cute set for your kids (if you dont have a little boy and big girl, that's ok, it all makes for great gifts) and the opportunity to help an entire community. So head on over to Project 320 Well and donate now.

Above All Fabrics Wishlist

Have you heard about this giveaway? All you have to do is post about your wishlist at Above All Fabric and link it to them and you are entered! How easy is that? Super easy, unless you're on a budget as tight as mine. Okay, here is the thing, I WANT EVERYTHING. Above All Fabric has the cutest stuff ever and it is so reasonably priced! But I am so cheap lately that I even worry about over spending on my wish list. Yes, I know a wish list doesn't cost you anything but if you want to beg your husband to buy you everything on it you have to keep your numbers low. Yeah, you heard me right people. So forward this blog to my husband ASAP because I narrowed it down to the few things I might just die for!

Like the pattern for this dress:


And although I love the softness of the fabrics used in the image, how much more fitting would it be for Rock A Bow if it was done in these fabrics?Oh, I think my heart just skipped a beat!

And what about the pattern for these pillows?


Do you even know how cute these would be in my kids room?

Also on my list are a few adorable fabrics. I cannot even tell you how much I am in love with my list! By the way, what are you still doing here? You should be busy forwarding this list to my husband and begging him to treat his wife (who loves him oh so much) to some fun stuff...atleast the patterns =) Oh and while you are emailing him you might want to visit Above All Fabric for yourself because you will die for a few things! www.aboveallfabrics.com

New Items at Rock-A-Bow

Christmas is just around the corner (like 40 days away) and in the crafting world that means boutiques. Lots of boutiques. Since I have so many coming up I thought I would expand my product line a little bit. There are some super cute onsies and burp cloths that have hit my shelves. I showed you those a couple weeks ago, remember? There are lots of new designs but I don't want to tease you with what might be sold after the next boutique, so I will wait until I add them to the shop, which will be back up soon.

Anyway, the reason for this post is that I have been super busy with some headbands and new flowers that I want to show you. Check them out.

Aren't you in love with these? If so, stop by one of the boutiques I'll be at.
Coming up we have:

November 20th from 10-3 (I'll be there until 1)
Abounding In Love Boutique
4441 E. Lani Avenue, Anaheim

December 4th
Piece and Joy Boutique in Canyon Lake (address coming soon)
10-3

December 4th
6pm-9pm
Boutique and Gold Party
14318 Ostend Dr.
La Mirada

My Journey

Remember the cyst?

At the beginning of my pregnancy I was told I had a complex cyst. "What on earth is a complex cyst?" I wondered. The doctors informed me that this meant I had a cyst that was made up of both liquid and solid making a mass that could possibly rupture (I found out last week that it was also possible that this mass was cancerous). Because I was pregnant it could not be removed and had to be watched carefully. My life, as well as my babies life, were at risk. Every second of every day following would be a challenge. We dealt with fear, pain, restrictions and questions of what would happen next. There was a chance of surgery while pregnant. Even if the surgery didn't happen while pregnant, it was going to happen soon.


Remember the prayers?

After hearing news of this very scary intruder in my body, we called on you; our family and our friends, to pray for us. We had prayer requests sent to numerous churches and friends of friends. The word was spread, it had to be, it was my child's life that was at risk. We were overwhelmed with the support and number of people who lifted Talon and I up in their prayers. Have I thanked you for that? If not, thank you! As time went on and new steps to this journey approached we reached out again and again. Every time that we did we got the same response. Overwhelming support. I know I said that already but I cannot emphasize it enough.


Remember the promises?

Throughout this experience there was a song and a verse that kept coming up. First was the song. I was on my way to a doctors appointment and I was in tears. I did not know what to expect and I was terrified. I cried out to the Lord and he answered. The song "Safe" by Phil Wickham came on. I know that the verses do not apply but the message was there. Every single appointment, and I'm not exaggerating, it was literally every appointment, it came on as I drove. It was evident that God was telling me that I would be safe in His arms. One way or another, I was going to be okay.

Next came the scripture. I was doing a devotional before one of my crucial appointments and saw this verse. 30 minuted later, while driving to the appointment, my friend Beth text me the same verse. Two weeks later another friend shared it with me. The verse? Jer. 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Again, I would be safe in His arms. I was going to be okay!


Remember the healing?

Oh, have I not told you about that yet? Well it has come. Today I had surgery to remove this mass from my ovary. There was a chance of losing my right ovary (I did not) and a chance it would be cancerous (Doctor said it does not appear that way and we will wait for confirmation). The surgery went smoothly. I am doing great.

"Wait a second, didn't you say there was a healing?" you ask, "Didn't the doctor remove the mass?" Let me explain.

There is no doubt in my mind that this was God. It was God who decided that I would be pregnant right in time. It was God who made sure I had an early ultrasound (because of bleeding that was more than coincidental) to find this mass that would have continued to grow and become more dangerous without us ever knowing it was there. It was God who protected me throughout my pregnancy and delivery. It was God who placed me in the care of a doctor who was given her abilities through Him.

So often we take God for granted. We put our hope in medicines and in doctors. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for the amazing doctor who took such great care of me. I just know that we are all given talents and strengths through God Himself. Today I praise God for His hand in my life and for the life He has given me and allowed me to keep. I thank God for this healing. I pray that I get confirmation that this was not a cancerous mass but if it is I will continue to trust in Him and the miracles He will bring.