A cold-cereal alternative...

I have not been very good about eating breakfast lately and as a result I've been so tired every morning and miserable so I'm trying to get myself back in the habit. I happen to hate cold cereal and even if I did like it I don't feel like it gives me long-lasting sustainable energy so I avoid it. So here are my top three alternatives if you are sick of cold cereal too. Vanilla Cream of Wheat: I mix 1 cup milk, 1 pouch vanilla carnation instant breakfast (no sugar added) and 3 tbsp. cream of wheat in a bowl. Microwave 1 minute stir and microwave 2 more minutes stirring every 30 seconds. This is sooo filling and packed full of protein!

Protein Pancakes: In a blender combine 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1 cup oats, 2 egg whites and 1/4 - 1/2 cup milk to get it to the consistency of pancake batter. Then cook like normal. Sometimes I add a smashed banana and nuts to the batter or frozen blueberries. It's nice to just make a lot of batter and store it in the fridge so it's ready to cook in the morning.

Egg White Omlette: Most of the fat/cholesterol of the egg is in the yolk so egg whites are a great lean source of protein. I like to scramble a few and add salsa and avacado on top.

Those are a few things that give me the energy I need to run around after two boys all day. What is your favorite breakfast food?

Mark is famous!!

Mark is an extra in the new Joseph Smith movie!! We watched it and you can see him for a split second after Lucy Mack Smith is finished speaking. He's sitting on the stand behind her at 1 hr. and 58 secs.

So this is love...

Finally a comforter that I can get excited about! I've been looking for bedding that I really love (by that I mean not get sick of it after a few weeks) since Mark and I got married. And unfortunately that is not an exaggeration ... it has been 7 years and the search is finally over. I found this duvet on Overstock and it was love at first sight. I love the color scheme and the print is so light and refreshing. Our bedroom has always been the most neglected room in our house so now that I've found the perfect bedding I can finally make it into an enjoyable relaxing space and you are all invited for a sleepover tonight to test it out!!!

Back in school.

I've been wanting to go back to school pretty much since the day I graduated so I'm grateful to finally have the chance. I can't wait to crack these babies open!!... and this is only my first set of books.

First Haircut.

We finally caved and got the boys hair cut.

Here's a before picture:

After:

He still has his curls =)

Bahrain.

Well we weren't expecting to find out where Mark's first assignment with the Navy is going to be this soon but his orders came yesterday. Bahrain?!! We are both in total shock so wait a few weeks to ask us what we think about it. I'm emberassed to admit I had no idea where that even was. Now I think it was better I didn't know. Looks like we'll be living in the middle of the Persian Gulf this time next year. Yikes!!!

This is the navy base there.

Good thing it's April Fools Day ... did I get you?... Don't laugh too hard it really might happen.

Alphabet Display DIY.

Here's how I made the alphabet display for the boys room. Thanks Holly for helping me with the idea. She posted this really cute tutorial a while back. I had these cards and knew I had to do something with them but it took her creativity to help me figure out how to put it all together in an inexpesive way. And great news ... I looked and you can still buy the cards online here and right now you can get 40% off if you order by March 31st! ... LUCKY!!
Then I bought two pieces of white stryafoam board and cut it up allowing for about a 1/2 in. edge around the border.

To make it a little more interesting I used a regular ink pad in a bronze color and smudged the edges. You can definetly skip this step if you want to keep it simple.

Then I used a spray adhesive and sprayed the back of the cards and then adhered them to the board. I used sticky tack to put it up on the wall. It was really that easy and inexpensive!!

Sorry the last picture did not turn out very clear. I do not have good picture taking skills.