Preparing for the New Year

December has been QUITE a month! Everything was put on hold just before Christmas as my family mourned the loss of my Grandfather. I spent 3,000 miles on the road with my three small children in a week and boy I can honestly say by the time we GOT to Christmas I was physically and emotionally exhausted. But I am so thankful for the love and support of my husband and family - and for the opportunity to drive back to Wisconsin to celebrate the life of a man so important to me! After celebrating Christmas everyone and settling in back home, I found out that we lost another family member to cancer - and while this is devastating for my family, we were able to see my great uncle on our way back from WI - the timing couldn't have been more perfect to say our goodbyes.

Now that December is drawing to a close we are scrambling to finish the last few things we had planned for 2012. I'm plotting new items for 2013, planning my first *BIG* giveaway in January, gearing up for spring shows and am ready to embrace all that 2013 has to offer.

Are you ready for 2013??

Freezer cooking!

Since September I've probably cooked 10 meals (or less) on the stove start to finish. I have utterly embraced this idea of freezer cooking - but I stick to the recipes that don't require a lot of pre-cooking, because to me that defeats the purpose! I *need* the convenience of knowing there are great meals in my freezer, I know exactly what is in them, the portions are right and all I have to do is thaw it and throw it in the crock pot - VOILA! a home cooked meal that meets my very-strained daily schedule.

If you are interested in what I have compiled so far - here are the links to the Google Documents that contain the shopping spread sheet and the recipes! :)

Shopping list

Freezer Meals Round 1

Freezer Meals Round 2

So I'm starting on round three of my freezer meal extravaganza... But I'm in search of new recipes! Do you have a favorite or go-to slow cooker meal? I'd love for you to share! :)

Welcome!

Welcome!

So to start of the New Year (just a tad early) I wanted to start this blog - to share my business (Lilybug's Boutique) giveaways and ideas, but also to share a little about my life as a stay-at-home-mom and budding entrepreneur. I'm married to the Marine Corps, I have my bachelor's degree in Information Technology, am currently pursing my graduate degree in Information Assurance and Security... but what I really love is to create things. I love to create all kinds of things - babies, great food, awesome desserts, space in my heart, and, of course, beautiful clothes! So, sit down and stay a while - I'll be sharing lots of different adventures!

Isn't this just a classic family photo? It was taken this passed Friday at my husband's Batallion's Christmas Party - which was a nice night out for all of us! The kids were crazy, Braeden got to see his friends, Josie cried most of the time, everyone loved Lily's dress (which I made the DAY OF, because I have a complete lack of time management skills these days) and the food was delicious. 

I think of my family as "managing chaos"... My three children are 5, 2 and 6 weeks old ... its a lot of diapers, a lot of tears, a lot of laughs, a lot of time spent in the tub and a lot of kisses, but I wouldn't have it any other way!