Sleep problems?

This post is going to go off in about 18 different directions because my houses sleep issues are erratic.
First of all, when I was first pregnant 5 years ago, it all started. Pregant people have the worst sleep. It has just now gotten slightly better.
My 4 year old son didn't start sleeping through the night until he was well past a year old. I am sure now, it was because his room was WAY too hot and WAY too quiet. Kids room are supposed to be like 65 degrees or something crazy. I thought I knew more and put in a little self heater in his room when he was 6 months old and couldn't use a blanket. Shame on me. I was slow roasting the poor kid. Then he got older and I discovered the Sleep Mate sound machine. LIFE SAVER! Then an old friend told me to put a box fan on outside his room. LIFE SAVER! But then it was time to transition to the toddler bed. (Insert scary movie sounds.) Nope, it was perfect. He finally started sleeping fairly normal. So what did I do? Got pregnant again. Yeah, who needs sleep anyway? So I am getting up to pee in the middle of the night and waking up the house while I am at it. UGH. Then we hit a stage where my 3 year old starts to wake up at 6 (or earlier) every morning. Um, no thankyou. I am about  to get up with a newborn a trazillion times a night. I NEED sleep. That is when I found my next LIFE SAVER! The ok to get up clock. It turns green when it is ok to get up. I explained this to my son. He was not to get out of bed until it turned green which was at 7:30am. It worked and it has continued to work for a year now. I have since changed the time to 7 and he sometimes still sleeps to 7:30. It stays lit for a half hour. It is a great product. As for my second son, I kept his room at the 65 degree range and he actually slept pretty good at first. Until he started getting cronic ear infections. UGH again. But, he got tubes put in his ears and he now is an excellent sleeper.
No more babies for me. I am enjoying the 8 hours of straight sleep I have not gotten in the last 5 years. :)

click on the picture to below to buy yours at amazon:

Love my Dyson

I am a slight germaphobe and I have allergies, so whats better than spending an arm and a leg on a nice vacuum? Not a whole lot! Seriously though, I have been wanting a Dyson for as long as I can remember. Then my mother in law brought hers out one Christmas when my son broke a glass bulb on the tile floor. She used her vacuum to sweep it up. I was like, "WHAT?" Whenever I tried that it would shoot out the back of my vacuum like a ant army was shooting at my feet. She had no problem vacuuming glass up....I was instantly hooked. :) That's all it takes in my world.
I researched blogs and asked on facebook and finally came to the conclusion that I had to have one and it was the DC25. Why? I don't remember. But I bought it and I have not ever looked back. I have a lot of hardwood and tile in my house and it works wonderful on those surfaces. I actually keep the brush running even though you can shut it off on hard surfaces. It works like a charm. It also works great on my carpet as well. I love it and if you are in the market I would suggest this one. Why? Just because, that is why!

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

This recipe was adapted from a recipe on allrecipes.com

MMMM. These are sooo good and sooo easy. Here is what you will need:

1 pack of little smokies
1 pack of bacon
3/4 cup of brown sugar
toothpicks

Line a deep cookie sheet with foil. Cut your bacon in thirds. Wrap each smoky with a 1/3 of a piece of the bacon and stick a toothpick through it. Place them on your foil lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle to cover the smokies with brown sugar. Bake in oven at 325 for 40 minutes. You can transfer them to a crockpot on a low setting. I pour the leftover sauce from after they bake in the oven over them in the crockpot.
1 pack of smokies and 1 pack of bacon makes about 40 smokies.

My little buggy

Here is another must have item for your little one. I started using mine when my son was about 10 months old. I wish I would have found it earlier. We take it everywhere. It is so nice to have and it actually keeps my son very entertained (much more than a stroller). I wish it made more noises and did more "stuff," though. Nonetheless, an awesome thing to have. (They also come in pink)

I also found this one that has a folding handle. Mine does not fold. This kind might come in handy if you don't have an SUV or Minivan.

DIY dry erase board

Love Pinterest! Thanks to my friends Stephanie and Beth for introducing me to it! My sister in law came across this pin and I had to do it. We leave so many notes around this house that this was a great idea for us and so easy and inexpensive, not to mention GREEN!!

What you will need:
1 box picture frame
1 dry erase marker
1 piece of cute paper background (light colored)\
Insert the paper as if it were your picture and replace backing. Use a dark colored dry erase marker and start leaving notes! The box style frame gives a good ledge to store your marker.  So easy and simple and such a cute idea. :)

Taco Salad

Here's another recipe that I think everyone knows, but maybe just need a reminder that it's out there.
You will need:

1 bag of salad mix.
1 lb. beef
1 packet of taco seasoning
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
1 cup or more of shredded taco cheese
1/2 or a tad more of Western salad dressing
1/2 bag of crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos

Cook beef and add taco seasoning and cook to package directions. Transfer all ingredients to a bowl and enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers. So easy and very good!

Chicken and Noodle Casserole

I love casseroles! This one happens to be a favorite of mine. It is very easy and very delicious!
Here is what you need for a small casserole. (We always waste food when I make the 9x13 size casseroles. So, if you want something bigger...double the recipe)
1 Tbsp. olive oil or veggie oil
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/2 or so bag of Kluski noodles
1/2 can of peas
1 10oz can of cream of celery
2 Tbsp. milk
1/4 of a ready made chicken. I buy the already made Rotisserie chickens at Kroger.
3/4 package of french fried onions
season salt and salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sautee chopped celery and onion in oil seasoned with season salt until carmelized. (8 minutes) While those are cooking, Boil your 1/2 bag (or a little less) of Kluski noodles. (about 9 minutes). Meanwhile, in a seperate bowl mix the can of cream of celery, peas and milk. Pull chicken pieces off the chicken in bite site pieces and add to soup mixture. When noodles are finished cooking, drain and add to soup and chicken mixture. Add onion and celery to mixture and stir well. Transfer to oven safe dish and cook for 20 minutes. Remove and top with French Fried Onions and put back in oven for 5 minutes. Let cool and Enjoy!

Oreo Balls!

Thanks to my Bestie for introducing me to this delightful treat. They are rich (and probably insanely fattening), but ohhhh so good (and easy)!

You will need:
1 pack of Oreo cookies
1 block of cream cheese, softened
1 package of almond bark

Line a large cookie sheet with wax paper and set aside. Empty all cookies into a zip lock baggie and crush. I use the backside of my meat tenderizer :) Add a package of softened cream cheese to the cookie crumbs. Mix in mixer. Roll cookie mixture into bite size balls and place on the wax paper. Put balls into refrigerator for at least an hour. Take them out of the fridge when cooled. Using about half of the almond bark, add to a microwaveable bowl and microwave until melted. 25 second increments. Dip balls into the melted almond bark. If you are going to decorate them with sprinkles do now. The chilled balls make the almond bark set very fast. Place the balls back onto the cookie sheet and refrigerate until set. Refrigerate leftovers (if you have any)

Mini Pizza's

This recipe is so easy it really doesn't need a recipe, but a picture to make your vision a reality.

1 bag of english muffins

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 jar of your favorite pizza sauce (I use Kroger brand with Meat)

1/2 to 3/4 bag of shredded mozzarella cheese

1 bag of pepporoni's

1 Tbsp of italian seasoning

optional toppings include:
sauteed onions and red peppers
cooked and crumbled italian sausage

mushrooms

Preheat oven to 400. Line a cookie sheet with foil (easy cleanup). Open english muffins and set on cookie sheet open face up. Drizzle each english muffin half with a little olive oil. Add a teaspoon to a 1 1/2 tsp. of pizza sauce to each english muffin. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and italian seasoning. Top with pepperoni's. Put in oven for about 20 minutes depending on how melted you like your cheese. Remove when your cheese is lightly browned and your pepperoni's are crisp.

Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole
adapted from a recipe at Taste of Home and http://thecuttingedgeofordinary.blogspot.com/

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (I used 80/20)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can (15.25oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 bag (30 oz) frozen tater tots (I used Ore-Ida Crispy Crowns)

Before I got ready to make this casserole, I let the Crispy Crowns sit on the counter to defrost for an hour or so. The original recipe used still frozen tater tots, but I felt they wouldn't cook as well if they were still frozen solid.

In a large skillet cook the onion until tender and translucent. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the beef and cook over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain the mixture and place into a large bowl and set aside.

In a small bowl combine the soup, milk and sour cream. Whisk until smooth. Add to hamburger mixture and stir to combine. Add corn and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Gently mix to combine.

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer half of the Crispy Crowns on the bottom, pour the hamburger mixture over the top and then layer with the other half of the Crispy Crowns. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crunchy.

Magnetic Picture Frames and Memo Boards

LOVE LOVE LOVE this new product I stumbled upon. It is the cutest idea I have ever come across, so naturally I want the world to see it too. It is the line by Roeda called Embellish your story. They are magnetic boards of different sizes and colors with different magnets to put on it. You can use it as picture frames, memo boards or just buy the cute saying magnets and put those on the boards. I just recently bought this for my Bestie for her birthday and of course, I had to get myself some too. I bought the memo boards to use as picture frames with some cute boy magnets for me. How cute is this?? :)

You can find yours at Amazon by following the links below.



Inbox Dollars

Like coupons? Me too. :) Go sign up to http://www.inboxdollars.com/ and you can print coupons and get paid for the coupons you redeem. There is a whole website of clicking you can do to get paid. I haven't personally received any money from this site, but I have only been on it a few weeks. I like the coupons and I like hearing of sites where you can print free coupons. :)

Pregnant? Read on my friend...

I think I must have researched every available product for my baby while I was pregnant. I wanted functional and cute, yet affordable. So I have done all the work for you. Here are my must have items for your new baby. Get your baby shower lists ready!

1. Must have the new Fisher Price Rock n Play. I loved having this available for naps and all night sleeping right next to me in place of a bassinet. It is foldable and I was able to take it everywhere we went with our new baby.


2. The Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Cradle Swing was and is the best swing I have ever come across. It is a swing that swings side to side and back and forth. It has a great eye catching mobile that lights up and plays music, ocean sounds, bubble sounds...there are fish that spin. It is just an all around great swing with lots for the baby to look at.


3. The Fisher Price Miracles and Milestones Magical Mobile Gym
Ok, the babies don't play on tummy mats for very long because soon they are rolling all over the floor. But, this thing is hands down the best! The top is a mirror ball that lights up and plays music and there is a mobile that moves around in circles. There is also loops along the legs which you can put toys on (comes with some toys already on there) which your baby can play while on their tummy. My kids loved playing under/on this mat.


4. Dr. Brown's bottles. Ugh.. did I ever have the worst time with my first baby and colic. Until I traded my bottles in for Dr. Brown bottles. Their anti-gas technology (there are a few parts to these bottles, but worth it!) saved my sanity. Worth the money right off the start.


5. Unfortunately my bouncer is nowhere to be found. I sold it at a garage sale, so I can't be certain what brand it was. It was the best and I am sorry that I can't remember and share that find for you. I had one that sat perfectly - some are too high backed and I feel like the baby can lean over and fall right out - It was all red and had blue legs. It came with 2 rattles that played music if the baby hit or removed them. It was way more than a bouncer and we loved it. Sorry! If I ever find it again, I will add the link in here.

6. Thank God for http://www.theproductmuse.blogspot.com/ for telling me about the sleep machine. Man did I ever have a problem with my oldest son sleeping habits. Until I bought this machine. It is a white noise machine. I bought one for my second son right when I found out I was pregnant. Love it!


7. The most functionable baby gate on the planet: The Summer Infant Secure Surround Play Safe Play Yard. I bought it along with some extensions to go around our pond when my oldest son was a toddler. Then I used it around my Christmas tree that winter. Then my youngest son came along and instead of a baby gate we used this, then instead of a play pen we used this. Now when ever we are outside and I need to keep him coralled, I use this. Definate must have for kids!




8.I loved having a take along swing. I wouldn't say it is a must have. I just liked having it around. We could take it to Grandma's house, take it out on the deck. It was nice to have. So, if you are in the market, I recommed this one: The Open Top Rainforest Take-Along Swing.


9.I love this product as much as my kids do. It is the Cloud B Twilight Constallation Night Light Turtle. It projects starts (and the new versions have a moon) onto your bedroom walls and ceiling. It can project blue, green or orange stars. They also have sea turtles and lady bugs...maybe more. We have 2 turtles and we love them.


10. Next is my Cloud B Sleep Sheep. I use this in my kids cribs. It is a cute stuffed animal that has velcro on the back to strap to the crib and has heartbeat, waves, dolphin and white noise sounds. Inexpensive and useful to comfort the new baby with the heartbeat sounds.


11. If your pregnant you need to go buy this book. It is called "Your Pregnancy Week by Week" It has illustrations of what your baby looks like and what your body is going through each week. I loved reading this book and looking forward to reading it each week.


12. Last but not least is another book but this is post baby to go along with your pregnancy book is "Your Babys First Year Week by Week." I loved this book because as a new mom it helps guide you by what your childs sleep habits should be, how much they should be eating each week... etc. I took notes above each week about my first son and compared them to when I had my second son. It was neat to compare when each got their first teeth, how they each were sleeping and eating and how big they each were. I still go back to look up different things like how high a fever gets before you should really panic and how much my son should be sleeping at night. I just love this book, and now especially since I have cute notes on the pages, I will never get rid of it.

My jumpy thingy

I don't know why I don't call it "the bouncer" or "the jump and slide." But anyone who knows me asks to get out the "jumpy thingy." Everyone knows exactly what it is you are talking about.
It is another one of my favorite purchases. It is the Little Tikes Jump 'n Slide Dry Bouncer or the "jumpy thingy!"
What a great purchase thanks to the grandparents for my son's second birthday. We use it whenever we have friends over and are asked to bring it everytime we go anywhere where there are kids. My one year old loves it and the twelve year olds still play in it. (Although, I don't recommend it) I am not quite sure on the age limit but it definately is fun for a one year old (by himself), crazy 4 year olds, and my older nieces still trying to hold on to their childhood. :)
Excellent product that we have used a ton. The set up takes a minute or two and take down is a few minutes longer. It is an all around excellent item to have if you have kids!

Fisher Price IXL

I have told a few people about this excellent toy (much more than a toy)! I think this might be one of the best products out there for a 3-? year old. My best friends daughter played with it on vacation and she is 7. So, I am not real sure how old kids would be and still be interested in it. It is a story reader, a game player, a music player, a drawing board, a photo viewer and a note pad. My son loves his. He is 4 and has been playing with it for a year. He listens to music while he plays the games and colors pictures. He also likes to make funny faces on the pictures I have uploaded for him.
The best part of this toy is that you buy the games and upload them onto your computer and plug in your IXL to the computer and transfer the games to your IXL. There is no loosing your game cartridges or breaking them or throwing them in the toilet or whatever your crazy kids do. Added bonus, I think you can share them. I don't see why not because you are uploading them into your computer and then transferring them. So as long as your computer doesn't crash (God forbid), they are always there on your computer.
Great gift idea. It comes in blue or pink.

Artscow

My sister in law told me about this website http://www.artscow.com/where you can go and get your pictures printed. She said, "sign up now because you can get a bunch of free stuff."
I love free stuff.
So being the best sister in law ever, I did as I was told and signed up.
Now, I am saying it to you. Go and sign up at http://www.artscow.com/!
The reason is, I just took some cute pictures of my kids and uploaded them to the site and used all the free stuff (found in the Credits & Discount after you sign in) and only paid a fraction in shipping costs. The site is based out of Hong Kong though, so it does take a little bit of time to get anything that isn't just a print delivered. You also have to pay a currency exchange rate which for my order was less than fifty cents. So, with all that being said, I got a ton of 5 x 7 prints, some wallet printes, a really cute coaster....and my awesome find a really cute, very functionable keychain.

It also has 3 removeable keychains (and a really cute picture of my kids)
And best of all: All I paid was a couple bucks in shipping! Love it.

Use the link below to take you right to the keychain. :)

http://www.artscow.com/create/ShowProduct.aspx?ProductId=179

My camera

Ahhhh my camera. How I love thee... For as long as I can remember I have always been a picture person. Maybe it is because I don't have many pictures of myself growing up? I don't know, but I do know that I love a good picture.
I have had a ton of camera's. I always wanted a "real" camera. But couldn't bring myself to spend so much money on a camera. Especially since I had a bad streak of breaking camera's for a few years. I think every occasion for a few years, my husband bought me a new camera. Then the last one broke, I told him I wanted to buy myself a "real" camera.
Then the planner, searcher, internet craziness to find a camera took over in me. (It happens A LOT)
Then my good friend Oprah, (ok, we are not good friends, but we would be if she knew me) had her famous "Favorite Things" show. That is when I was introduced to my camera. She explained it perfectly. It is a camera for someone who doesn't know anything about cameras, who wants a good picture. It is a point and click camera or a camera for the real photographer. I can't say enough about this camera. Thanks to my husband for getting it for me!! I have owned it for almost a year now and I seriously have dreams about it. :) I want to go on trips just to take pictures. I can't wait until the leaves turn colors so I can take pictures. I am actually looking forward to the first snowfall (ok maybe not, but you get my drift) I LOVE my camera.

What's in a name?

So as my co-worker and I sat trying to come up with a name for my blog, the same kind of "view" kept popping in my head. I wanted to blog about everything interesting to me. Whether it was the latest and greatest find, a new toy for my kids, a recipe, a great photography idea, or just a story on being positive. I kept coming back to my vision board. If you haven't read or rented the movie "The Secret" go now. Or maybe finish reading my blog first. ;) "The Secret" has confirmed to me why people say to me, "you are so lucky." Really all I do, is visualize it. My husband and I are huge believers in "The Secret" so you will read about it a lot on here.
So back to me naming my blog. I wanted people to come to my blog and be able to visualize something and make it a reality. Hopefully that is what I accomplish by you taking the time to read the stuff that pops in my head to share with you.
That is what my blog will be about visions-to-reality. Enjoy....