Mango Pina Colada Paradise Drink

I am lucky enough to have 3 sisters whom I love to spend time with and have lots of fun.  Yesterday I spent part of my afternoon with my older sister Rebecca who is very creative and inventive. 

 This drink was born out of boredom and quest to find something yummy to quench our thirst.  We thought it turned out awesome and loved it so much we decided to share it with everyone!  You can thank us later ;)

Ingredients:  (Serves 4)

• 2 Mangos cubed
• 2 cups of Pineapple soda
• 1 cup of Unsweetened Coconut Milk
• 1/4 cup of Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1/2 cup of Sugar
• 1 and 1/2 cups of Ice
• 1 teaspoon of Vanilla (optional) 

Note: We blended the other ingredients before adding the vanilla.

We blended all of the ingredients until smooth and ended up with this creamy tropical concoction.  We loved it and can't wait to make it again and we hope you enjoy it just as much!

Think Pink!

My girl LOVES pink.  Although I think that is normal for about any little girl.  Heck, when I was a kid I was obsessed with the color too.  Just take a listen at one of my favorite songs from when I was about 10.

Now it is going to be stuck in your head all day! haha! I had this song on replay all the time and just was obsessed with the CD all together.  Why doesn't Barbie make music anymore?  Anyways, back to the point of this post.  Here is the before before before.

Hey, we started out with pink insulation walls!

Drywall up!

The actual white walls before

After

You have got to have some room jewelry!

It's not an in-your-face pink.  More like a soft, subdued, light and airy pink.  I love it! So does Kalista :)  The color is called Satin Sheets and I think I bought it at Lowes.  I was so excited to paint something pink, that I bought the paint quite a few months before we even moved in.

Here are our process pictures.

First I layed down plastic to protect our new carpet, then I taped off all of the trim and ceiling with Frog Tape... I love this stuff, no bleed through at all! Then removed the outlet covers and light switch plates.

Then we painted, and painted, and painted some more until it was all covered!  The kids even got in on the action too.  

She loves it!

Now that the painting is done, I have a whole laundry list of what still needs to be done in this room.

• Build/upholster a bed 
• Accessorize and get artwork to put on the walls
• Paint the dresser and get new knobs
• Get a nightstand second hand and update it with paint
• Put curtains up
• Get new bedding

But that will take time with a budget.  So it will be some time before this room is all done.  That's ok, because as of right now this room is the only one that is even painted in the house.  I have a few other before and after projects that I have really got to take the time and post.  Here is a preview of one I will post soon!

Real Life

I love candid pictures. You know, the ones that show you real life. Not staged what-so-ever. Like this one.

Big sister lifting up baby brother while pulling up his shirt and no pants, on an un-made bed next to a messy nightstand with little brother asleep in the background. :)

Yep, this is real life. My life specifically.  Even though things aren't perfect all the time, I'm so grateful for all of my blessings.  Most days I can't believe I have THREE kids.  It is kind of mind blowing thinking about having the opportunity to bring these beautiful little spirits into the world.  The miracle of life is just that. Miraculous!

When I was a little girl and dreamt about what life was going to be like when I grew up I had this picturesque view of the perfect husband, perfect kids, and perfect house.  I wanted that more than anything.  I came from a broken home and poverty.  Moved so many times I can't remember (12 schools in 12 years).   Then at 17, got pregnant by my high school boyfriend.  That could in most cases be the recipe for a disastrous unstable life.  But I have the firm belief that life is full of choices that take you on whichever path YOU choose.  Although there are definitely unforeseen detours and road blocks that are completely out of your control, life is mostly what you make of it.  Luckily, my high school boyfriend turned out to be my husband, soul mate, eternal companion, other half, my true love.  Eveyday I'm grateful for that.  It has allowed me to have the family I dreamed of having.  My version of the perfect family.  Struggles, highs, and lows we are in this together.  With enough hard work, dedication, and good attitude you can turn a bad situation into a good one.  

What I dreamed of having when I grew up was a staged picture of perfection.  What I have come to find out is that real life is so much better.  Flaws and all.  What I have also learned is that the trials that I went through growing up has shaped me in to the person that I am today.  I can recognize and be grateful for everything I have in my life because I know what it is like to not have it.  

Ripe

I got home from school shopping today to find one of my peaches on the ground below the miniature tree. I was more excited than I should be for peaches, but this was one of the reasons I was so excited to have a home of my own- to be able to grow some of my own food! The peach tree was all that got planted this year but I have bigger plans for next year. I'm excited to put the "Garrden" in the Garr. den. of. love. blog! haha   I never said comedy was one of my strong suits. ;)

The tree only yielded 4 peaches, but I was glad it produced anything at all this year since we just planted it only 3 months ago.  I've already eaten one and it was DELICIOUS.  Nothing like a sun-ripened homegrown peach!  

That wasn't all that ripened and fell off... errr out lately.

Kalista lost her first tooth!  And if you can't tell, she was crying right before this picture was taken.  Having Mom yank your tooth out hurts!  But as soon as it was out, she was soooo excited to show everyone!  It is kind of a bittersweet moment for me.  I remember getting so excited 6 years ago seeing that little tooth break through her gums.  How time flies.  I guess my baby is growing up!

Call me maybe

This video is so cute... the kids picked out their own outfits (or in Keegan's case lack of shirt because it makes him look "cool") and everything and insisted on making a dance video to put on youtube. My camara had a hard time focusing in some spots, but the video makes me smile nevertheless. I hope you enjoy! :)

Sunsets

I don't have anything more to say except...

I love where I live.