I keep hoping....

.... that I will feel better and be able to get back to my life. I want to do fun crafts, play games with my boys, open the fridge and not dry heave, I want to feel well enough to plant my garden, I want to spend more of my time out of bed instead of in my bed, I want to clean my house, I want to have the energy to do my hair, I really want to go running, I want to serve in my church calling completely, and I really wish I could eat food (any type of food and not be limited to toast, applesauce, and apples). BUT - I know this won't last for ever and maybe, just maybe, I will feel less like a green Martian and more like me before this baby joins our family near the end of August.

Okay, I'm done, no more complaining!!! Can I confess that I have resulted to smelling a package of baby diapers just to keep me going. Something about that clean, baby powder smell that reminds me that it will be all worth it!!!!

So Fortunate To Know You!!!

One of our favorite Valentine's treats are homemade fortune cookies. They make great gifts and can be personalized with your own messages inside! I have used this recipe from Martha Stewart for several years now and it really is pretty simple (remember I am not much of a baker or cook)! You could even dip them in chocolate - YUM!

Now if I felt like myself, and not like I was constantly green with nausea, I would have a large batch of these made and would have several made for my boys teacher's (school and church), the ladies I visit teach, and family. Who know's maybe I will feel well tomorrow and I can make them then. They are really cute given in Chinese Take Out boxes (you can get them in bulk at Smart N' Final or you can find them at Michael's).

I would love to know what fun things you make for Valentine's Day. Leave me a comment with a link to the post so that we can all enjoy your craftiness!!!!!

Happy Loving to You,

And the winner is....

#15 per Random.org

That would be "josh and michelle" who said: "I love the hats with the flower on it. We would definetly get lots of flowers, my girls are really into them lately I also want the ruffly headband!"

So Michelle, email Shannon of Fox Den Productions at shannon@foxdenproductions.com and let her know what items you would like to buy with your (free) $20 purchase! So cool!!!!

For those of you who didn't get the $20 shopping spree - don't you fret! Shannon has given friends of Orange Peanut a coupon for 15% off your entire purchase. Use coupon code: OPGIVE28 to redeem your 15% off!

Note regarding how the drawing was done: This giveaway was a little tricky to count the entries because the comments were spread out in a few different places. So I counted 1-15 as those who commented on the first post on the blog; 16-19 for those who commented on the reminder blog post. The next giveaway I will have to be a little bit more clear that only comments on the original blog post will count. Sorry for those who commented on Facebook - as I stated in the original post on my blog, you had to comment on my blog. I have to follow the rules even though I really wanted to bend them for you dear friends :-(

Happy Adorning to you,

Only 1 1/2 more days

I am really surprised that more of you aren't taking advantage of the free giveaway (see the post below)!!!! That's good for those that entered, but seriously all you have to do is tell me what you would get with the $20 over at Fox Den Productions and you will be entered into the drawing.

$20 (including free shipping and handling) worth of hair accessories that you can use for yourself, your child, a gift for an upcoming baby shower, or a birthday gift for a friends child, etc....

Darling free stuff and all you have to do is leave me a comment and/or blog about it yourself.

Happy Contest to you,

Free Giveaway - Darling Hair Adornments

Now, I don't have any little girls, but if I did you know I would have some cute bows to adorn their hair. My friend, Shannon, from Fox Den Productions also has a house full of boys but to get her girl fix she started making cute hair accessories for girls!

They are so cute that I often see many teenage and adult women wearing these cute accessories! They are so darling that I know you would even want to wear them. She is giving away $20 worth of products to one lucky winner (this also includes free shipping and handling).

You or your daughter, niece, granddaughter, child's friend, etc.... could find themselves ...

rockin' some felt flowers,

or ponytail bows,

or cute headbands,

and you could even organize those cute clips and bows with her adorable bow hangers!

How to enter this free giveaway:

1. Go to Fox Den Productions and check out all the cute hair accessories and then come back to my blog and leave me a comment with what things you would get with your $20.

2. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and then leave me a seperate comment that you did that. Please include your blog address in the comment.

* That's 2 ways to get your name into the drawing! Double your chances to win!

(Note: Some of you will see this post via facebook but only comments on my blog will be counted).

This giveaway ends on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 11:59pm (West Coast Time). Our lucky winner will be announced on February 1st, 2010.

Happy Giveaway to you,

Free

Just a little teaser to keep your interest: An Awesome Giveaway will be taking place here in a few days and includes, are you ready for it, hair notions for little girls! Check back because you will love this giveaway!!!!!!

Celebration Time - Come On!

Christ Centered Holiday Celebrations

Valentine’s Day

Not typically a spiritual day but why not turn it into a day of celebrating charity – the pure love of Christ. Find a way to serve someone. Make this a family activity and you will surly feel closer to the Lord as you help others.

Easter

Celebrate Holy Week. Start your celebration on Palm Sunday by reading in the Bible what Jesus did that day. Continue celebrating what Jesus did each day during the last week of his life. A great reference book is “A Christ-Centered Easter: Day-By-Day Activities To Celebrate Easter Week” by Janet and Joe Hales. (Can be purchased at Deseret Books)

Memorial Day/ Independence Day/ Veteran’s Day

Spend time giving thanks for the great freedoms we enjoy in this country (freedom that made the restoration of the gospel possible). As a family you can write a solider (one website you can go to for info is http://www.anysoldier.com/); place mini American flags on veterans headstones at local cemeteries; or you can contact our local VA and find other ways to serve those who helped to protect our freedom.

Labor Day

Turn this day off as a day to help a neighbor or the community as a whole. Organize a massive cleanup effort at a local park or creek.

Thanksgiving

A great time to give thanks. You can create a thankful tree that includes different colored leaves that family members write the things they are grateful for on and then tape them to the tree. You can also make a gratitude book where each family member lists those things they are grateful for as well as the things they appreciate in each family member.

Christmas

Bring the Savior into your celebrations. Here are some ideas on ways to simplify and focus on what is most important.

• Be intentional – Make it a priority to add the Savior
• Pray and renew – Pray to find ways to transform current family traditions
• Study and learn – Use a spiritual advent calendar as a way to draw closer to the Savior each day
• Create – Do fun things together
• Share the work – Split the different things that you would like to do. EX: One person writes and copies the Christmas letter, another family member addresses the envelopes and another can stuff envelopes and put stamps on them.
• Slow down – Be sure to schedule down time. Time to spend at home
• Serve someone – A great thing to do as a family
• Holiday gifts – Make simple gifts but be sure to give yourself plenty of time to complete those projects. It’s not a bad idea to start planning for gift giving in the summer time. You can use a simple chart to keep track of what you have already purchased or plan to make for a gift!

Happy Celebrating,