A Book Review

My mom picked up this book. At first I wasn't interested in it at all. She sat down and read it in one day. She told me it was very interesting to see her side of the story. She wanted to read it to see why she stayed for 18 years and didn't leave. She also told me that it was very graphic and she would not let my sisters read it.

I decided to give it a go. Now if you know me, you know one thing. I really don't like to read. I try. But I just don't. My mind wanders way to frequently for me to read and actually pay attention to the words I am reading.

However, I read this book. And I read it fast. Cover to cover in four hours. The book is detailed. Some of the parts are hard to read. Especially if you have kids and think that this could happen to them. And that this is happening to other people's kids.

I however ended the book feeling upbeat and complete. Because Jaycee is a survivor. She is a winner. She came out on top. And although she doesn't have everything sorted out yet, she is well on her way. I can't imagine the emotional toll that what she went through would take on you. I think I'd be scared for life. I don't know if I could go on. But Jaycee. Wow. She's amazing! I hand it to her!!!

I would definitely recommend this book to someone interested in her story. However I would warn you that it isn't appropriate for teens, even some adult might find certain parts hard to read as I did. But it is her story. And she needed to tell it. And I'm glad I read it. I  now wish her and her new found family the best of luck in life! May they be together for eternity!

I've got myself a Quarterback!

That's right! Brizden was just made the quarterback on his flag football team. He is really excited! And I'm very proud! He's one fast boy with an arm of gold!

While he was playing his game Ledger decided he was starving. The only thing I could find in my purse was a packet of fruit snacks. When we opened them up. We found one great big fruit snack. 

It took alot of convincing from me that it was okay to eat and that it would taste the same before he finally dared to dig in. He thought I was crazy. 

But he scarfed the entire thing down once he realized it was true. 

And it held him over while we enjoyed the rest of the game. 

Here he is so proud. Notice he has the other players blue flag in his hand. His smile. Oh how he loves this game of football.

Then later in the week we met up with our friends from Arizona. The Carrs. We were so glad they were in town and that we got to see them! By the time we left the park and made it home all three of the boys were asleep. They played themselves until they were exhausted! 

I realize that I snapped mostly pictures of Ledger. But in my defense the older four boys were running around like crazy, and weren't near me long enough to take any! I was finally able to snatch one of these best buds. Rylek sure does miss him. Alot. 

We rounded out the week in our Monkey Jammies, (again) and stealing mom's drink. But he was caught red handed this time. 

This week was pretty low key for us! However the next week is full of activities. So my next family post will be a tad bit more entertaining!

My Baby Isn't A Baby Anymore!

I can't believe it! My baby is four. That means 4 years have passed since I've last been pregnant. That means I've had 4 years to lose my baby weight, and it's still here. But even crazier than that. My baby is 4. I can't believe it. He's so big! It also means that when baby number 4 rolls around we are going to have an awefully big gap. Hmm...

He has been counting down his birthday for the past month, since his brother had his. He has been anticipating this fun day! And his smile describes it all. 

He opened up a present first thing in the morning before heading off to summer school. 

A new outfit. Just his style. Yellow and Monkeys. He was thrilled. 

After school he opened the rest of his gifts. 

He had many curious onlookers. It's so hard when it isn't your birthday! 

He makes me laugh. Here he is in all his glory. This is how he looked for the rest of the day. Completely decked out in yellow, lounging around on his yellow monkey chair. 

I am so glad it's so easy to make him happy! Hopefully it's a day he'll remember for a long time! 

And if he doesn't I have proof. And I'm sure we will tease him about his yellow monkey obsession some day! Hopefully it's later rather than sooner! They grow way too fast!

As for the cake. Oh dear. The cake. 

We went to the bakery. I asked them if they had a monkey cake. They showed me a picture of the most darling monkey that was made out of cupcakes. It was sitting on it's haunches, facing forwards, and holding a sign that you could have written on in it's front hands. We loved it. We asked for the sign to be yellow and to say happy birthday Ledger. Well. This is what was ready for me a week later when I picked it up. 

It was too late to get the right one made. So we reluctantly took it. I won't be back there anytime soon. Ledger thought it looked like a monkey, so I guess that's all that matters. It really looks like a two legged who knows what with a head attached randomly to the side. It's horrible. I could have done a better job. 

I forgot to buy candles. Conveniently the neighbors had the perfect ones we could use! Aren't neighbors just the best! 

In the end. None of the details mattered and my little guy had the most perfect birthday a 4 year old could ask for. He fell sounds asleep under his monkey blanket with his new Monkey friend by his side in his new monkey jammies. 

Just kidding! 

He had way too much fun to just fall asleep! It took a while to calm him down. But when he did. He crashed!

Thanks Ledger for being a part of my life and letting me be your mom! You mean the World to me, and it just wouldn't be the same without you in it!

Feather Hair Extensions

I've joined the latest craze. And I'm loving it. It's so fun and earthy and just oh so fun. Feather Hair Extensions. I refuse to pay the $10.00 per feather price. So I figured, I could do it myself! And I did. And I want to pass the info on to you... and the deal.

First. You need to pick up some feathers. You can get them from etsy and ebay. Or... you can get them from me. I purchased them in bulk to save on my costs and I want to give you the same deal. I purchased them for the same amount I'm selling them for. Because I don't need that many, and would love to help you out as well (And wouldn't mind getting part of my money back:)). So you can head on over to my shop and pick them up for just under $2.00 a feather! That is a bargain! I have all sorts of packages and varieties as well! If you don't see a combination you want, convo me, and I'll get it up!

You also need a micro link. Which I include with all of my feather combinations.

You can put a feather in one of two ways. First let's start with the tool. If you have a hair extension tool. (I'm sure most of you don't. I didn't either, but in case you do.) Slide your micro bead down the metal shaft.

Find the part of hair you want to add the extension too and push away the other hair so it is out of the way.

Grab the little piece you would like it added to. 

Hook it through the loop of your tool. Make sure the little bar closes to make it a complete loop. 

Slide the bead up over the end of the tool and onto the hair. 

Slide it down the hair until you get to the roots. You don't want it right against the head, or it will be uncomfortable. So give it a little bit of breathing room. 

Slide in the feathers. You can fit up to three feathers securely in a micro bead. Don't try to fit more than that, or you won't have a secure connection to your hair. 

And using some needle nose pliers, pinch the bead closed. If you have alot of the feather stamen hanging out the top get a pair of fingernail clippers and clip it off so it doesn't poke your head. 

And there you have it. Your feather extensions are in. 

Now, if you are like most people and don't have a hair extension tool, don't feel bad, it's just as easy! Grab yourself some floss or fishing line. Hopefully you have one of those two items laying around. Grab about a four to five inch piece. Then you will fold the string in half around the piece of hair you want the feather hair extension in.

You don't want a huge section of hair, but make sure you get a fair amount so it stays secure. 

Take the two ends of the string, and while the hair is still folded in the string slide the micro bead down onto the string. 

Keep sliding the bead down onto the hair and pull away the string that you used.  

Then follow the remaining steps above. Add the feathers into the bead, crimp it shut, and clip any extra shafts sticking up the top.

See, if I can do that with my sisters than you can too! Here is all the looks that we have created so far. It's totally versatile and looks completely different in every hair style!

First up. My sister Becca. She has really short hair that grows straight forward. So first we added this set of feathers to the back that flowed forward.

Then the next time we added them to her hair, we changed it up a bit and went with more of a dramatic look and added this set of feathers.

Or for a less dramatic look we could have stopped at this set of feathers.

(don't mind her face... after all we are related...) 

Now meet Rachel, my other younger sister. (I do have five of them:)) She has a little longer hair, not by much, and hers has a perm. We opted to go with a set of feathers on each side. The first side has this set.

And the second side has this set.

Now meet my neighbors, They are sisters. K&S. They each got a set of feathers on each side as well. This first side is this set of feathers.

And for this side I used this set of feathers. 

And this side I used this set of feathers. It's the same set as above, but K had a pink feather she had me put in with them. (I don't have pink feathers available.

And on this side I used this set. 

And now, meet me. LOL. First I put some in my swoop bangs. I used this set.

 

And then the second time I added feathers all over. And I'm in love with it. It's so so fun. Here is the set I used of feathers.

Now what to do if you want your feathers out? It's super easy! The feathers can stay in up to three months. But if you are tired of them before then, all you need is your needle nose pliers.

Grab the feather hair extension, and separate it from the rest of your hair. 

Take the micro bead and pinch it with the needle nose pliers. You pinch it the opposite way you did when it closed it. So you are opening it. In other words, you pinch the skinny side. 

The bead will then be open and you can slowly slide it down your hair. 

Keep sliding it all the way down your hair. 

Until it's all the way out. And then you are feather extension free. 

You can't reuse the bead, but you can reuse the feathers as many times as you please! Feather hair extensions can be washed, curled, dried, and styled. Treat them just like you treat your normal hair.

So now that I've tried them out let me know if you give it a try! I'd love to see!!!