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Kassi’s Twenty Wishes Progress June and July

If you are unfamiliar with our Twenty Wishes Project here on Truly Lovely we want to invite you to check out the prior link for the what and the why and then join us by writing up your 20 wishes list and coming back here on Wednesday, July 30th (TOMORROW!!) to link it up with us! For those of you already in on the fun, it’s time to share your progress for July 2014!!!

Updates for July and June are in orange. May are in green. April are in pink. Updates for March are in blue. Updates for January and February are written in red.

Kassi’s Twenty Wishes Progress – June and July 2014

 

1. Visit Disneyland with my little family.
We had the BEST time as a family visiting Disneyland and the beach. I have yet to sit down and write a blog post about it, but I will sooner or later. Until then, here’s a photo of the Mortensens at Radiator Springs! 😉
Only a few weeks to go!!! Getting so excited… Anyone been to Disneyland with an infant/toddler? What tips do you have for us?
Counting down the days now! Just over a month away!!!
Reservations have been made! We’re going to go with my husband’s family this coming summer! We’re nearly to the single digits for weeks until we head out for our vacation! 😉

RadiatorSprings

2. Paint my master bedroom.

3. Plant an upside down Mulberry tree somewhere at my house.
I planted my Weeping Mulberry Tree the first week of May! Read all about it and my other tree here!
My tree came!!! It’s actually just a little guy, sitting on my living room coffee table. The hubs and I were both sick with colds all weekend, but hopefully getting it planted will be my first to do of May!! 😉

4. Visit Build a Bear and build a bear for Klara.
In January we made a visit to Build a Bear at the Chandler Mall. We had the best time picking out a little cowgirl bear for my Klara. You can read all about our visit here.

5. Send a handwritten letter, note or card to someone via snail mail once a month.
I participated in a summer gift swap and sent a handwritten card to my new friends! 😉
Mother’s Day covered this month. Not only my own mom, but the hub’s step-mom, my nana and aunt got one too!
I literally just sat down to write this post and realized I hadn’t sent a letter for this month! SO, I got out my cute stationary and sent a handwritten card to my friend Bethani in Texas, you might know her from The Texan Pantry. Girl, if you’re reading this, check your mail in a day or two! 😉
I sent a handwritten card and printed a few photographs to my grandpa for his birthday in March, when I called to wish him Happy Birthday he said he’d received the card and was happy to see I’d sent pictures of Klara too. 😉
So far I sent two handwritten birthday cards in January and a handwritten Valentine card in February.

6. Save for and buy myself a tablet of some kind. Maybe an iPad or a Surface. I’ve always wanted one… 😉
I happened to mention to my husband that I wanted to save up for a tablet. I decided I wanted a Surface because they’re more like a little laptop and I thought that would be better for blogging. The morning of Valentine’s Day when I went in to turn on my work computer, I found a brand new Surface and a Valentine note from Nate sitting in my desk chair. Yep, I married a keeper!!! Any Surface users out there? What are your favorite apps, etc?

7. Complete my reading goal of 55 books in 2014.
So far I am at 33 of 55 books through the end of July.
As of the end of May I’m at 26 books read!
So far I have read 22 of my 55 book goal, putting me five books ahead. I tried putting the widget in like I always do and couldn’t get it to work right… :( But you can see the books I’ve read here if you’re interested.

8. Host and/or participate in a Google + Hangout with some bloggie friends.
So I made an attempt at this one this last month… I tried hosting one during the afternoon on a weekday and had two girls log/attempt to log on. I discovered I can’t do a hangout on my Surface which is a HUGE bummer, so I had to use my phone. Google, please make an app for the Surface!!! Thanks. But in the meantime, friends, say hey to Megan of Shaping Up To Be A Mom! We “met” in “person” via Google+ Hangout! I plan to try hosting another hangout sometime soon with hopefully more attendees! If you want an invite, comment below. 😉

9. Have the carpet in my house professionally cleaned. I know this sounds like an ought to do versus a want, but I ought to clean the carpets myself… I WANT to have someone else do it!! haha

10. Make over my guest bathroom.
Still haven’t painted, but I did change out the shower curtain and accessories. Painting is on the to do list!
This is a work in progress. I already ordered a new shower curtain and floor rugs. When Kayli is here over her spring break she has promised to help me paint!

11. Take Klara to The Color Run for her “second” time. Technically last year she was just riding in mommy’s tummy. This year I plan to take her in her stroller!
We did our second color run in Tempe, AZ back in January!! It was a blast just like last year and Klara did so well! You can read all about it here.

12. Get a front screen door for my house.

13. Get together monthly with at least one friend. Dinner, shopping trip, lunch, etc.
Klara, my sister and I had a lunch date with my new friend Tina for June! And for July we met up with friends for Luna Rodeo weekend.
We had a little BBQ at our house with my sister in law and her family this month. That’s going to have to count… haha. Its been a busy month!!
Klara and I were popular in April! We went on our first lunch date with Klara’s Aunt Brianne AND had a lunch date with our friend, Kayce! Yay for getting out of the house and seeing our friends!!!
This month Kayli and I went shopping here in town for some new TOMS shoes when the ones I ordered didn’t fit… FYI, be careful ordering TOMS online. The sizing can be really weird!!!
In January my sister, sisters in law and I went to Tempe for The Color Run, we went out to the mall the night before, had dinner and did some shopping, so I’m counting that. 😉 February we went with the entire family to the steakhouse in town for my sister in law’s birthday. We took Klara with us and she got to have her first apple sauce and ‘meal’ in a restaurant. 😉

14. Visit here in Safford. I’ve wanted to go since they opened, but haven’t ever made it since it’s across town!
Done!!! You can read all about our trip to Caboose Frozen Treats here! Oh, and bonus, here’s a picture of our whole group that the guy at Caboose took and shared on their Facebook page! Yep, that’s me holding Klara on the right… squinting into the sun… haha.

15. Figure out a system for organizing and saving the baby clothes and items that Klara has outgrown.

16. Get tickets for and attend the 2014 National Finals Rodeo.

17. Build a container garden of some sort for my backyard.

18. Pay off my credit card. I’m SO close!!! I’m sure I can have it all paid off by the end of this year.

19. Take a photography class or workshop.
At the beginning of March Kayli and I attending a photography workshop held at the local college by Impact Photography Group. They are a husband and wife team that is well known and highly popular in our area. We both learned a ton of good information and can’t wait to attend the next one they host. that I took the afternoon of the workshop putting to use some of the new things I learned while attending. It’s straight out of my camera, no editing involved other than adding my watermark. Yep, so worth it! If you’re interested in seeing more of my photography check out my website or .

20. Throw a surprise party for someone.

Again, don’t forget to get your list written and come back here on Wednesday (July 30th) to link it up with us!!! Past… There’s a giveaway if you share your 20 wishes list and/or progress so far!!! 😉

Fancy This #179 and Features

Hey there lovelies!!! Happy Friday!!! I’ve been busy all week getting ready to head out on our Disneyland vacation!! So excited!!! If you have any tips for taking kiddos to Disneyland, especially babies, or vacationing with babies in general, I’d love to hear them!!!

OH! But first, don’t forget you can still enter to win a $20 Target Gift Card!!! All it really requires is writing up a list of wishes you hope to accomplish throughout the rest of the year!

Until then, let’s jump into the features from Fancy This #178!!

First up, Bonnie at Our Second Hand House transformed a shabby little space next to her house into the cutest little beginner’s garden! I have a spot almost exactly like this in front of my house that I planted flowers in… Yeah, there’s only a couple left… Thinking I need to take a few tips from Bonnie!!!

BeginnersGarden

Next, here’s a cute idea for Fourth of July Parade Wands from Laura at About a Mom. They’d be fun to make with the kiddos this year!

DIY-4th-of-July-Parade-Parade-Wand-Craft-for-Kids

And finally, here’s a great roundup of Father’s Day gift ideas from Mama’s Blog Central! Don’t forget Father’s Day is less than two weeks away!

50-Fathers-day-ideas-1024x1024

Here’s a Featured on Truly Lovely button for you three mentioned above! Hope you’ll grab one and share it over at our own blogs! 😉 Don’t forget each of these features gets pinned to our !! Check it out for past features and some fun ideas!!

Truly Lovely
Truly Lovely

Now onto this week’s party!!!

Fancy This Fridays Rules:

1. Please link directly to the project post on your blog.
Not the blog itself.
2. Please link only your OWN posts.
We prefer to see what YOU have been up to… not someone random.
3. Please grab a button and display it somewhere on your blog. On your sidebar, on your posts, on your linky party page. We aren’t picky!
4. We would LOVE if you would comment on at least one other link.
Just pop over and say “Hello, coming by from Truly Lovely”, or something more clever… You know…
Truly Lovely
Truly Lovely

 

Thanks for linking with us lovelies!!! Hope you have a safe and fun weekend!!!


Kassi’s Twenty Wishes Progress – May

If you are unfamiliar with our Twenty Wishes Project here on Truly Lovely we want to invite you to check out the prior link for the what and the why and then join us by writing up your 20 wishes list and coming back here on Wednesday, May 28th (TOMORROW!!) to link it up with us! For those of you already in on the fun, it’s time to share your progress for May 2014!!!

Updates for May are in green. April are in pink. Updates for March are in blue. Updates for January and February are written in red.

Kassi’s Twenty Wishes Progress – May 2014

 

1. Visit Disneyland with my little family.
Only a few weeks to go!!! Getting so excited… Anyone been to Disneyland with an infant/toddler? What tips do you have for us?
Counting down the days now! Just over a month away!!!
Reservations have been made! We’re going to go with my husband’s family this coming summer! We’re nearly to the single digits for weeks until we head out for our vacation! 😉

2. Paint my master bedroom.

3. Plant an upside down Mulberry tree somewhere at my house.
I planted my Weeping Mulberry Tree the first week of May! Read all about it and my other tree here!
My tree came!!! It’s actually just a little guy, sitting on my living room coffee table. The hubs and I were both sick with colds all weekend, but hopefully getting it planted will be my first to do of May!! 😉

4. Visit Build a Bear and build a bear for Klara.
In January we made a visit to Build a Bear at the Chandler Mall. We had the best time picking out a little cowgirl bear for my Klara. You can read all about our visit here.

5. Send a handwritten letter, note or card to someone via snail mail once a month.
Mother’s Day covered this month. Not only my own mom, but the hub’s step-mom, my nana and aunt got one too!
I literally just sat down to write this post and realized I hadn’t sent a letter for this month! SO, I got out my cute stationary and sent a handwritten card to my friend Bethani in Texas, you might know her from The Texan Pantry. Girl, if you’re reading this, check your mail in a day or two! 😉
I sent a handwritten card and printed a few photographs to my grandpa for his birthday in March, when I called to wish him Happy Birthday he said he’d received the card and was happy to see I’d sent pictures of Klara too. 😉
So far I sent two handwritten birthday cards in January and a handwritten Valentine card in February.

6. Save for and buy myself a tablet of some kind. Maybe an iPad or a Surface. I’ve always wanted one… 😉
I happened to mention to my husband that I wanted to save up for a tablet. I decided I wanted a Surface because they’re more like a little laptop and I thought that would be better for blogging. The morning of Valentine’s Day when I went in to turn on my work computer, I found a brand new Surface and a Valentine note from Nate sitting in my desk chair. Yep, I married a keeper!!! Any Surface users out there? What are your favorite apps, etc?

7. Complete my reading goal of 55 books in 2014.
As of the end of May I’m at 26 books read!
So far I have read 22 of my 55 book goal, putting me five books ahead. I tried putting the widget in like I always do and couldn’t get it to work right… :( But you can see the books I’ve read here if you’re interested.

8. Host and/or participate in a Google + Hangout with some bloggie friends.
So I made an attempt at this one this last month… I tried hosting one during the afternoon on a weekday and had two girls log/attempt to log on. I discovered I can’t do a hangout on my Surface which is a HUGE bummer, so I had to use my phone. Google, please make an app for the Surface!!! Thanks. But in the meantime, friends, say hey to Megan of Shaping Up To Be A Mom! We “met” in “person” via Google+ Hangout! I plan to try hosting another hangout sometime soon with hopefully more attendees! If you want an invite, comment below. 😉

9. Have the carpet in my house professionally cleaned. I know this sounds like an ought to do versus a want, but I ought to clean the carpets myself… I WANT to have someone else do it!! haha

10. Make over my guest bathroom.
This is a work in progress. I already ordered a new shower curtain and floor rugs. When Kayli is here over her spring break she has promised to help me paint!

11. Take Klara to The Color Run for her “second” time. Technically last year she was just riding in mommy’s tummy. This year I plan to take her in her stroller!
We did our second color run in Tempe, AZ back in January!! It was a blast just like last year and Klara did so well! You can read all about it here.

12. Get a front screen door for my house.

13. Get together monthly with at least one friend. Dinner, shopping trip, lunch, etc.
We had a little BBQ at our house with my sister in law and her family this month. That’s going to have to count… haha. Its been a busy month!!
Klara and I were popular in April! We went on our first lunch date with Klara’s Aunt Brianne AND had a lunch date with our friend, Kayce! Yay for getting out of the house and seeing our friends!!!
This month Kayli and I went shopping here in town for some new TOMS shoes when the ones I ordered didn’t fit… FYI, be careful ordering TOMS online. The sizing can be really weird!!!
In January my sister, sisters in law and I went to Tempe for The Color Run, we went out to the mall the night before, had dinner and did some shopping, so I’m counting that. 😉 February we went with the entire family to the steakhouse in town for my sister in law’s birthday. We took Klara with us and she got to have her first apple sauce and ‘meal’ in a restaurant. 😉

14. Visit here in Safford. I’ve wanted to go since they opened, but haven’t ever made it since it’s across town!
Done!!! You can read all about our trip to Caboose Frozen Treats here! Oh, and bonus, here’s a picture of our whole group that the guy at Caboose took and shared on their Facebook page! Yep, that’s me holding Klara on the right… squinting into the sun… haha.

15. Figure out a system for organizing and saving the baby clothes and items that Klara has outgrown.

16. Get tickets for and attend the 2014 National Finals Rodeo.

17. Build a container garden of some sort for my backyard.

18. Pay off my credit card. I’m SO close!!! I’m sure I can have it all paid off by the end of this year.

19. Take a photography class or workshop.
At the beginning of March Kayli and I attending a photography workshop held at the local college by Impact Photography Group. They are a husband and wife team that is well known and highly popular in our area. We both learned a ton of good information and can’t wait to attend the next one they host. that I took the afternoon of the workshop putting to use some of the new things I learned while attending. It’s straight out of my camera, no editing involved other than adding my watermark. Yep, so worth it! If you’re interested in seeing more of my photography check out my website or .

20. Throw a surprise party for someone.

Again, don’t forget to get your list written and come back here on Wednesday (May 28th) to link it up with us!!! Past… There’s a giveaway if you share your 20 wishes list and/or progress so far!!! 😉

Kassi’s Twenty Wishes Progress – April

If you are unfamiliar with our Twenty Wishes Project here on Truly Lovely we want to invite you to check out the prior link for the what and the why and then join us by writing up your 20 wishes list and coming back here on Wednesday, April 30th to link it up with us! For those of you already in on the fun, it’s time to share your progress for April 2014!!!

Updates for April are in pink. Updates for March are in blue. Updates for January and February are written in red.

Kassi’s Twenty Wishes Progress – April 2014

 

1. Visit Disneyland with my little family.
Counting down the days now! Just over a month away!!!
Reservations have been made! We’re going to go with my husband’s family this coming summer! We’re nearly to the single digits for weeks until we head out for our vacation! 😉

2. Paint my master bedroom.

3. Plant an upside down Mulberry tree somewhere at my house.
My tree came!!! It’s actually just a little guy, sitting on my living room coffee table. The hubs and I were both sick with colds all weekend, but hopefully getting it planted will be my first to do of May!! 😉

4. Visit Build a Bear and build a bear for Klara.
In January we made a visit to Build a Bear at the Chandler Mall. We had the best time picking out a little cowgirl bear for my Klara. You can read all about our visit here.

5. Send a handwritten letter, note or card to someone via snail mail once a month.
I literally just sat down to write this post and realized I hadn’t sent a letter for this month! SO, I got out my cute stationary and sent a handwritten card to my friend Bethani in Texas, you might know her from The Texan Pantry. Girl, if you’re reading this, check your mail in a day or two! 😉
I sent a handwritten card and printed a few photographs to my grandpa for his birthday in March, when I called to wish him Happy Birthday he said he’d received the card and was happy to see I’d sent pictures of Klara too. 😉
So far I sent two handwritten birthday cards in January and a handwritten Valentine card in February.

6. Save for and buy myself a tablet of some kind. Maybe an iPad or a Surface. I’ve always wanted one… 😉
I happened to mention to my husband that I wanted to save up for a tablet. I decided I wanted a Surface because they’re more like a little laptop and I thought that would be better for blogging. The morning of Valentine’s Day when I went in to turn on my work computer, I found a brand new Surface and a Valentine note from Nate sitting in my desk chair. Yep, I married a keeper!!! Any Surface users out there? What are your favorite apps, etc?

7. Complete my reading goal of 55 books in 2014.
So far I have read 22 of my 55  book goal, putting me five books ahead. I tried putting the widget in like I always do and couldn’t get it to work right… :( But you can see the books I’ve read here if you’re interested.

8. Host and/or participate in a Google + Hangout with some bloggie friends.
So I made an attempt at this one this last month… I tried hosting one during the afternoon on a weekday and had two girls log/attempt to log on. I discovered I can’t do a hangout on my Surface which is a HUGE bummer, so I had to use my phone. Google, please make an app for the Surface!!! Thanks. But in the meantime, friends, say hey to Megan of Shaping Up To Be A Mom! We “met” in “person” via Google+ Hangout! I plan to try hosting another hangout sometime soon with hopefully more attendees! If you want an invite, comment below. 😉

Megan

9. Have the carpet in my house professionally cleaned. I know this sounds like an ought to do versus a want, but I ought to clean the carpets myself… I WANT to have someone else do it!! haha

10. Make over my guest bathroom.
This is a work in progress. I already ordered a new shower curtain and floor rugs. When Kayli is here over her spring break she has promised to help me paint!

11. Take Klara to The Color Run for her “second” time. Technically last year she was just riding in mommy’s tummy. This year I plan to take her in her stroller!
We did our second color run in Tempe, AZ back in January!! It was a blast just like last year and Klara did so well! You can read all about it here.

12. Get a front screen door for my house.

13. Get together monthly with at least one friend. Dinner, shopping trip, lunch, etc.
Klara and I were popular in April! We went on our first lunch date with Klara’s Aunt Brianne AND had a lunch date with our friend, Kayce! Yay for getting out of the house and seeing our friends!!!
This month Kayli and I went shopping here in town for some new TOMS shoes when the ones I ordered didn’t fit… FYI, be careful ordering TOMS online. The sizing can be really weird!!!
In January my sister, sisters in law and I went to Tempe for The Color Run, we went out to the mall the night before, had dinner and did some shopping, so I’m counting that. 😉 February we went with the entire family to the steakhouse in town for my sister in law’s birthday. We took Klara with us and she got to have her first apple sauce and ‘meal’ in a restaurant. 😉

14. Visit here in Safford. I’ve wanted to go since they opened, but haven’t ever made it since it’s across town!
Done!!! You can read all about our trip to Caboose Frozen Treats here! Oh, and bonus, here’s a picture of our whole group that the guy at Caboose took and shared on their Facebook page! Yep, that’s me holding Klara on the right… squinting into the sun… haha.

CabooseFrozenTreats

15. Figure out a system for organizing and saving the baby clothes and items that Klara has outgrown.

16. Get tickets for and attend the 2014 National Finals Rodeo.

17. Build a container garden of some sort for my backyard.

18. Pay off my credit card. I’m SO close!!! I’m sure I can have it all paid off by the end of this year.

19. Take a photography class or workshop.
At the beginning of March Kayli and I attending a photography workshop held at the local college by Impact Photography Group. They are a husband and wife team that is well known and highly popular in our area. We both learned a ton of good information and can’t wait to attend the next one they host. Here’s a photo of my sister in law and new nephew that I took the afternoon of the workshop putting to use some of the new things I learned while attending. It’s straight out of my camera, no editing involved other than adding my watermark. Yep, so worth it! If you’re interested in seeing more of my photography check out my website or .

Safford_AZ_Newborn_Photographer

20. Throw a surprise party for someone.

Again, don’t forget to get your list written and come back here on Wednesday (April 30th) to link it up with us!!! Past… There’s a giveaway if you share your 20 wishes list and/or progress so far!!! 😉

A Picky Eater Diversion and $20 Amazon Giveaway

Hey there lovelies!! Today we have a special guest post from our girl, Steph of A Time for Seasons. She’s a banner ad sponsor on Truly Lovely this month! Today she’s talking about overcoming the dreaded picky eater! She’s also sharing a $20 Amazon Gift Card giveaway!!! Take it away Steph!!!

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I am very blessed that I have never had a super picky eater. All 3 of my kids never turned down much food. Yea, my youngest, Little Lady (17 months), doesn’t care for raw broccoli, but that’s an intense texture and taste, so we will just try again later.  

 
I credit most of that to one of our household rules: “You eat what is fixed or you do without… Mom is not a short-order cook!“. Now like I said, my kids haven’t been SUPER picky eaters so this rule worked for us. There have never been any nutritional issues or worries, and I think Rosey Posey (now 11yr) is the only one who was stubborn enough to skip a meal. She only did it once and was happy when dinner time came after refusing lunch. There have been plenty of meals where someone didn’t like the food and was the last one to finish due to the procrastination of eating, but no one has ever really gone hungry.

When doing my meal planning I try to take into consideration the family’s preferences. Bubee (5 years) does not like spicy food. Since I don’t like it and Little Lady doesn’t need it, I really try to stay away from spicy food. Rosey Posey doesn’t like tomato soup, so the only time there is tomato soup is when I’m fixing grilled cheese. That way she still has something to eat.  I also love to get everyone’s feedback on dishes. When I fix something new I like to hear what they think, this way I can plan for next time.
 

 
My only boy, Bubee, eats ALL the time. Our family joke is we are not saving for college, we are saving for a food fund for his teen years. He is the youngest in his class (July Birthday) and the tallest. One of our doctors estimates he will be about 6’8″ when he’s full grown, so you can imagine what kind of food it takes to fuel that kind of growth. I keep a large supply of healthy snacks in the house.

About a month ago Bubee started not wanting ANYTHING I fixed for dinner. I was blind-sided! Getting him to eat was a battle every night and there were many times that 30 min after everyone else was done he was still staring at his plateful. He would always finish his dinner… eventually, but I was getting tired of the struggle.

Then one day while meal planning I had an idea: Let him plan the meals, then there was no way he could refuse to eat! Great idea, but I didn’t want pizza every night, so a compromise: If he eats his dinner each night without complaining, then once a week he gets to pick ANY normal meal for dinner (This way he can’t pick Ice Cream Sundaes or something like that). We chose Tuesday nights since that’s what works with our schedule.

I do all my grocery shopping on Mondays. So now, every Monday he ‘places his order’ for Tuesday nights. This keeps him from changing his mind 5 min before dinner and gives me enough time to plan and prepare. I have been so pleasantly surprised! Of course the first week he wanted pizza, so to make it fun we made a Snowman Pizza. After that it has been nice. One week he asked for breakfast for dinner; This means eggs, bacon, biscuits, and gravy. Another week he wanted fish.

It has been so wonderful! And through out the week usually a quick reminder of his Tuesday night privilege and he’s more than happy to finish dinner. Some nights, if he’s not thrilled with dinner, he will talk about his plans for that upcoming Tuesday night; but he always finishes his dinner now with minimal conflict!

It has been so successful that Thursday nights Rosey Posey gets to pick dinner. I like it because that’s two less dinners I have to plan each week. And with Rosey Posey being 11, some weeks she not only plans dinner, but prepares it too. This has been a great tool in teaching her some household management skills.

 
So now, dinner time has once again become a peaceful family gathering at the dinner table with plenty of joy, peace and love!
 

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Steph Seibert is the WAH, homeschooling, mother of 3. After several years of missing seasonal activities, her family started making seasonal ‘bucket lists’. She posts about these adventures, crafts, DIYs, recipes and more at A Time for Seasons in hopes of helping other families get the most out of each season.

 

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What a great idea, right!?! I’ll keep that in my idea bank for when my little miss is older! Thanks so much for sharing Steph!!

Now she has a $20 Amazon Gift Card to give away to one lucky Truly Lovely reader!! Enter below using the Rafflecopter form. The giveaway will close midnight on Tuesday, January 21st and the winner will be announced the next day! Thanks for entering and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kassi’s 20 Wishes Project 2013 Wrap Up

Well, 2013 has come and gone!!! This week we’ll be wrapping up our 2013 20 Wishes Project and gearing up for our 2014 20 Wishes Project. The wrap up link up for 2013 will be this Wednesday, January 8th. If you’re interested in joining us this coming year, check out this post for the what and why, then write up your 20 wishes and come back here on Wednesday, January 29, to link up your 2014 list! Since 2013 was our first year with this project, we were a little unorganized, but we still had the best time and really enjoyed getting to know those ladies that linked up and shared their lists and progress with us.

With the 2014 year we are excited to be more organized, invite some awesome blogging ladies to co-host with us, and we plan to offer a giveaway with each monthly progress link up!!! We are REAL excited about this and hope you lovelies will be as well! FYI, we’ll be sharing more details as we draw closer to the launch of this year’s project!

{November and December progress are this color and in italics. September and October progress are this color and in italics. July and August Progress is this color and in italics. May and June updates are this color and in italics. April updates are this color and in italics! Progress for March are this color and in italics. Progress updates from February are this color and in italics. Progress updates for progress report one are red and in italics.}

Here’s a button for those of you that have yet to join and those of you that have yet to grab a button! 😉

Truly Lovely

Truly Lovely

 

Kassi’s Twenty Wishes List for 2013

1. Read 50 books, just for fun, that I WANT to read.
I made it!!! I literally finished reading my 50th book on the last day of 2013!!! I did a whole lot of reading the last two months thanks to my library card and free books via my cell phone reader!
In early October I actually went and got a library card! I know, I’ve lived here going on three years and I hadn’t done that yet… But our library has a program where you can borrow electronic books to read on your e-reader as long as you have a library card number! Count me in!!! As of today I have read 28 books… I’m 13 books behind on reaching my goal of 50 by the end of December…. Time to get on it!!!!
I’m back on the reading wagon!! I started with Bringing up Bebe, LOVED it!!! I’ve also read Phil Robertson’s book (of Duck Dynasty) and really enjoyed it! And I just started a photography book!!
So this got stalled a little bit. I’ve been reading up on pregnancy in my What to Expect book, and studying my manual thing from our prenatal class… All other reading has gotten pushed to the way side. WILL work on reading more in the next few weeks!!!
So far I’ve read 22 books putting me 8 books ahead of
and almost half way finished with my 50 book goal by the end of the year. I read the Beautiful Creatures series this last month and really enjoyed it if you’re looking for something fun to read in the young adult genre.

Reading

2. Take a trip up Mount Graham. (I’ve lived here a year now, think it’s time to start checking out the local sites!)
So on a random Saturday afternoon Nate told me to load up our dogs and a few drinks, we stopped and got a picnic lunch and drove up to the very top of Mt. Graham!!! I have several pictures from the drive there and back, but here’s one of my favorites.

The 'Arrow Tree' on Mt. Graham. Apparently people stop on the side of the road and shoot arrows into it... There were hundreds in this tree!

The ‘Arrow Tree’ on Mt. Graham. Apparently people stop on the side of the road and shoot arrows into it… There were hundreds in this tree!

3. Make a scrapbook of my trip to Australia. (I’ve had the photos since um… 2003…. oops….)
This was a 2013 fail. Perhaps a goal to try again for 2014?
I ordered some Australia stickers to help nudge this goal… but I still haven’t started. Hopefully a November project!

4. Participate in a Color Run! {You can see the full post on our Color Run experience here.}

5. Host a girlfriends’ dinner party in my home. Invites, menus, the whole she-bang!
Another 2013 fail. This one WILL get done in 2014. Maybe. 😉

6. Build my photography portfolio to include 10 different sessions.
A lot of why I haven’t done much of anything else as far as wishes is concerned is because I have been CRAZY busy with my photography the last two months. It’s Christmas card season, so I’ve taken a lot of family sessions lately, several newborn and a few weddings! The photo below is from one of my most favorites from a recent senior session!
Business is booming and I’m loving it! I’ve done two engagement sessions recently. I’m also booking fall sessions, have a wedding the end of this month and have already started booking sessions for next year!!!
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve photographed my first wedding and did my first maternity shoot to round out my goal of ten sessions!!! I’ve even photographed another family and had my first senior session this month!! That officially makes 12!!!
Just an update for May-June, so far I have photographed 17 sessions! One was a birthday shoot for a sweet 8 year old girl, a wedding and a few family sessions!

FFASeniorPhoto

7. Make a photography website and FB page with those 10 sessions.
My website includes 13 blogged sessions so far! I have TONS more sessions to blog and will make it a 2014 goal to get them all done in a timely manner… 😉
Hangs head in shame… I still only have eight sessions posted on my website… I WILL do better in November and try to get at least five sessions posted… That will be my goal for the month!!!
So far I’ve had the time to get 8 of my sessions posted on my site. I have made a concentrated effort to get more posts up the last few weeks. Hopefully I’ll get the rest up by the end of October.
I just launched my website!! I purchased the domain (www.kassimortensenphotography.com) and set it up in March! I’m working on getting the 8 sessions 12 sessions I have added to the page. Be a dear and go check it out, yes? And maybe follow…. 😉
Facebook page is done!!! Won’t you be a doll and like ?!? Oh, and check out my sweet new logo c/o while you’re there. 😉

8. Take a trip to see the fall leaves at Hannigan Meadows. (Was attend an AZ Blogger Event)
I hate to say it, but I don’t think I’ll be able to make any AZ blogger events until Klara is a little older and I have a better handle on my schedule… So I replaced that wish with a trip to Hannigan Meadows. It’s a beautiful mountain drive near where my parents live. The weekend I visited to celebrate my birthday the whole family took a drive up there and checked out the pretty fall colors. It was Klara’s first trip to Hannigan Meadows which warranted a few pictures. 😉

HanniganMeadow

Kassi, Klara and Lillie (Nana) at Hannigan Meadows, October 2013.

9. Makeover my master bedroom.
2014 will include some kind of wish to get this finished!!! It still needs paint and what not…
So this is a work in progress. We purchased a Cal. King mattress via Groupon. AWESOME deal! Then a few weeks later during, Mother’s Day weekend, my amazing husband took my to purchase a bedroom set in town! We got a beautiful set with a bed, dresser and side tables! No more plastic nightstands for us! We feel so grown up. 😉 BUT because they were able to deliver the bed set that day I haven’t had time to paint it like I wanted. So maybe in a few months once things with baby have calmed down. We’ll see… 😉

10. Visit a winery and do a wine tasting.
Again, this is another wish that isn’t going to happen… I won’t be tasting any wine until I’ve stopped nursing my daughter, which hopefully won’t be for awhile… I’ll think on it and see if I can come up with a replacement for this wish as well.

11. Plant (a) rose bush in my backyard.
I have one rose thriving away in the backyard. I still need to replace the one that didn’t make it, but we’ll call this one a success.
This is actually a goal in progress! I’ve picked out the spot to plant them. Just need the hubs to dig the holes (preggo girls aren’t so good at digging 27 weeks in…) and purchase the rose bushes.
So I actually purchased two roses, had Nate dig the holes for them and we planted them. The one rose is thriving now and even has a few blooms, but the other… Sadly it just didn’t make it. SO I’m not marking this one off until I can get it replaced!!!

12. Take our first real family vacation with Klara. {Replaced take a 2 year anniversary trip just me and the hubs.}
After having our little girl in July, the same month as our two year anniversary, it became obvious that a trip for just the two of us was no longer in the cards. But I am totally OK with that!!! Instead we took our first family vacation and visited South Padre Island, TX to be in our dear friends’ wedding. It was Klara’s first time flying, first trip to the beach, and Kayli’s as well for that matter… 😉 So here are a few photos from our trip!

Kayli and Klara's first trip to the beach! Kayli seems more excited than Klara, haha, but really she just wanted out of her seat...

Kayli and Klara’s first trip to the beach! Kayli seems more excited than Klara, haha, but really she just wanted out of her seat…

SouthPadre2014

The Mortensens at Dusty and Kayce’s wedding reception.

13. Private wish. (This is something I REALLY, really, REALLY wish for, so I don’t want to jinx it… When it does happen I’ll share what it is.) 😉
My private wish that I shared when we started this project was to become a mommy. Even though I considered myself a mommy as soon as I found out we were expecting our little miss, I waited to share it until now after she was born. I love being Klara Beth’s mommy!!! And Nate is an amazing daddy already! It feels like our little girl has always been a part of our family!!!

SaffordAZNewbornPhotos

14. Makeover our guest bathroom.
Another wish for 2014… Sometimes you just can’t squeeze everything in… And that’s ok. The effort is what counts!!!

15. Plant an upside down Mulberry tree somewhere at my house.
2014 here we come! 😉
Well, the time to plant trees in our area is long past… I do plan to go online and see if I can order one soon so that it will arrive in time to plant it next year.

16. See George Strait in concert for his final tour.
On April 6 me, Kayli and our mom saw King George in Las Cruces! He was AMAZING! See the full post on completing this wish here.

George Strait

17. Take a photography class or work shop.
This month I started the online photography certification course that I purchased a few months ago via Groupon. So far I’ve made it through the first lesson!
True story… That first lesson is still all that I’ve completed. SLACKER! I know, right!?! Will do better this next month!

18. Download a Book of Mormon reading app of some sort and read at least the first half!
I downloaded Book of Mormon Chapter Tap, it’s an app for $0.99 that lets you check of each chapter as you read through. So far I’m well ahead of schedule!
Actually I am WAY behind schedule now… This goes along with my reading for the year… I just haven’t been into reading the last few weeks. Weird, right!?! Will be working on this one too!!!

19. Visit Build a Bear and actually build a bear.

20. Host a holiday for my family including a traditional dinner.

So as you can see I didn’t get all of my wishes accomplished. Like I mentioned a few wishes back, it’s the effort that counts. I did end up editing a few of my wishes along the way, things that just weren’t going to happen because of one thing or another, and again, I think that’s ok. The point is choosing things that you really want to accomplish, or enjoy, then doing your best to make them work. There’s no need to stress if you can’t… Where would the fun be in that!!! Right!?!

I am SO pumped for this coming year and can’t wait to share my 2014 list with you the end of this month!

Fancy This Fridays #157

Yikes, how is it Friday already!?! I’m pretty sure the weeks leading up until Christmas fly by once you become an adult… Not so much while you’re still a kiddo though, right?! haha. In case you missed it I shared my family’s Christmas cards this week. As well as a few unique stocking stuffer ideas.

This week for the features from Fancy This 156 there was an easy theme… Chocolate!!! So whether you’re looking for ideas for holiday treats for the neighbors or maybe something new and fun to put out for Santa, we’ve got you covered!!

First up, Mary Ellen of Recipes Food and Cooking shared a delicious recipe for Chocolate Fudge Peppermint Cookies. Yum!

chocolate-peppermint-cookies-2-f-lg

Next up, these Rocky Road Pudding Gifts in a Jar would be a fun treat to take to the neighbors this year!! Summer of Summer Scraps shows you exactly how to whip them up!

Rocky-Road-Pudding-Jar-#shop

And finally Jodee of A to Z for Moms Like Me shared her recipe for the Best Cream Pies. You can make chocolate if you like or any other flavor really, your choice!

Cream Pie Recipe

Here’s a Featured on Truly Lovely button for you three mentioned above! Hope you’ll grab one and share it over at our own blogs! 😉
Don’t forget each of these features gets pinned to our !! Check it out for past features and some fun ideas!!

Truly Lovely
Truly Lovely

 

Now onto this week’s party!!!

Fancy This Fridays Rules:

1. Please link directly to the project post on your blog.
Not the blog itself.
2. Please link only your OWN posts.
We prefer to see what YOU have been up to… not someone random.
3. Please grab a button and display it somewhere on your blog. On your sidebar, on your posts, on your linky party page. We aren’t picky!
4. We would LOVE if you would comment on at least one other link.
Just pop over and say “Hello, coming by from Truly Lovely”, or something more clever… You know…
Truly Lovely
Truly Lovely

 

Thanks for linking with us lovelies!!!
Hope you have a safe and fun weekend!!!

 

Fancy This Fridays #156

Happy Friday friends!!! In case you missed it I shared 5 Easy Snack Ideas using Hershey’s Spread this week. Kayli also shared her take on why Boys Aren’t Dumb. If your single, it’s a great post. You should read it. Or even if you just have single friends. It’s also good thoughts for someone encouraging another in the dating game.

Christmas is less than two weeks away! What do you say we get into the holiday spirit with this week’s features from Fancy This #155!

First up, Katie from View From the Fridge shows us a fun holiday idea to use up those fabric scraps in your stash and make a decoration all at the same time with Scrap Fabric Christmas Tree Art.

scrap_fabric_Christmas_tree

Next up, Sara of Thrifty Treasures has a genius idea for reusing your old Christmas tree top – A Porch Light Christmas Tree!!!

inexpensive_porch_Christmas_tree

And finally this Candy Cane Shake from Moja at Four and Know More sounds delicious!!! Perfect for the season!

candy_cane_milkshake

Here’s a Featured on Truly Lovely button for you three mentioned above! Hope you’ll grab one and share it over at our own blogs! 😉
Don’t forget each of these features gets pinned to our !! Check it out for past features and some fun ideas!!

Truly Lovely
Truly Lovely

 

Now onto this week’s party!!!

Fancy This Fridays Rules:

1. Please link directly to the project post on your blog.
Not the blog itself.
2. Please link only your OWN posts.
We prefer to see what YOU have been up to… not someone random.
3. Please grab a button and display it somewhere on your blog. On your sidebar, on your posts, on your linky party page. We aren’t picky!
4. We would LOVE if you would comment on at least one other link.
Just pop over and say “Hello, coming by from Truly Lovely”, or something more clever… You know…
Truly Lovely
Truly Lovely

 

Thanks for linking with us lovelies!!!
Hope you have a safe and fun weekend!!!

 

5 Easy Snack Ideas with Hershey’s Spreads

I have just found my new favorite snacking go to!!! Hershey’s Spreads! I’ll be honest, I never really jumped on the chocolate, hazelnut spread bandwagon… No particular reason I guess. Kayli, my sister, did and tried to convince me to try it but I just haven’t. That is until Crowdtap sent me a jar of the brand new Hershey’s Spread to sample.
Oh. My. Yum.

Hershey's Spread Sampling

I am in snacking heaven!!! After a couple weeks of trying several snack combinations I have narrowed them down to my five favorites.

First up, Hershey’s Spread and popcorn. Specifically kettle corn. It just so happened I had a bag from a Cowboy Christmas event we went to over Thanksgiving weekend. I thought, why not?! Turns out it is DELICIOUS!!! Try it. Really.

Hershey's Spread Snack Idea

Then there’s the old stand by… Chocolate and strawberries. Can’t go wrong. You just can’t… yummy!

Crowdtap Hershey's Spread Sampling

Pairing Hershey’s Spread with apple slices makes for a tasty treat as well! Just slice up your apple and dip into the chocolate spread. Easy, right!?

Hershey's Spread Snack

Now this one is going to blow your mind I’m sure… Chocolate and Graham Crackers! haha. Just add a marshmallow and you’ve got a S’more!

Graham Cracker and Chocolate Snack

And finally a little salty/sweet combo… Hershey’s Spread and pretzel sticks! This one was fun cause you can just dip the stick in the chocolate!

Easy snack ideas

So tell me, what is your favorite chocolate spread pairing?? Have you tried the new Hershey’s Spread yet?

You know my opinion… LOVE it!!! So yummy! 😉

Disclosure: I received a jar of Hershey’s Spread via a campaign from Crowdtap, as always opinions shared here are 100% my own.

Fancy This Fridays #134 and Features

Hey there lovelies! Hope everyone had a fun, safe 4th of July!! We spent yesterday at a team roping being grateful to be able to do exactly what we enjoy because others have sacrificed for our freedom! We hope you were able to do the same… not necessarily team roping of course. 😉

Follow me on Instagram (@Kassarie).

4thofJuly

Last night and today I am paying for the long ride there and home… My ankles, feet and lower legs are the most swollen they have been my entire pregnancy… Figures, right!? haha. And as of yesterday only TWO more weeks to go until baby’s due date! Here’s to hoping she comes sooner rather than later!

The upside to this photo? I still have patriotic toes… 😉 Why share a photo of my enormous ankles, you say? Well, I think it’s funny… haha. And because other preggo mommies go through it too. It’s just life. No big deal. 😉 Luckily that photo was taken last night and this morning they are much smaller…

4thcankles

In case you missed it this last week I shared the DIY Baby Closet Dividers I made for little miss, the maternity photos that Kayli took for me and a round up of yummy looking patriotic cakes in case you’re looking for something to serve this weekend!

Now, onto the features from Fancy This 133!

So I realize the 4th was actually yesterday, but I do assume many of you/us will continue celebrating all through this weekend… So here are a few 4th of July decorations and activities that you can still whip up last minute! And besides, I leave my 4th of July decor up throughout the month… Don’t you?? Patriotic never goes out of style! 😉

First up, love how Laurie of Laurie’s Little Bits of Creativity transformed some Christmas solar lights into Patriotic solar lights! Waste not, want not!

4thofJulysolarlights

Next, here are several fun patriotic activities to occupy the toddlers this weekend from Phyllis of Grandparents +!

4thofjulytoddlercrafts

And finally whip up an easy Flag banner for your get together this weekend! It only requires a few things and Alyssa of Welcome to My Oh Sew Crafty Life shares exactly what to do to make your own.

diyamericanflagbanner

Here’s a Featured on Truly Lovely button for you three mentioned above! Hope you’ll grab one and share it over at our own blogs! 😉
Don’t forget each of these features gets pinned to our !! Check it out for past features and some fun ideas!!

Truly Lovely
Truly Lovely

 

Now onto this week’s party!!!

Fancy This Fridays Rules:

1. Please link directly to the project post on your blog.
Not the blog itself.
2. Please link only your OWN posts.
We prefer to see what YOU have been up to… not someone random.
3. Please grab a button and display it somewhere on your blog. On your sidebar, on your posts, on your linky party page. We aren’t picky!
4. We would LOVE if you would comment on at least one other link.
Just pop over and say “Hello, coming by from Truly Lovely”, or something more clever… You know…
Truly Lovely
Truly Lovely

 

Thanks for linking with us lovelies!!!
Hope you have a safe and fun weekend!!!