The 7-letter Word

The word that ought not be spoken has been spoken in our home:  minivan. 

To those who do not (yet) have one, it is the very symbol of family un-coolness.  Those who do own one sing of their amazing features, (yet non-owners remain unconvinced). 

I'm not sure anyone sets out to have a minivan, and many of us--while still kid-free and in our early 20's--swore we would never be owners.  And yet . . . so many have given into the minivan trap.  And we--yes, my family--are the latest victims.

About 2 years ago, a friend of mine got a minivan.  She tried to convince me.  "Just give into the stage of life we are in."  Misery loves company, I thought.  Not in the market for a new car, I laughed it off.  Recently, we found out our Honda Passport was dying a slow but sure death, and we began to look for a suitable vehicle for our family.  We ruled out larger, V8 engine vehicles because we wanted better fuel economy.  I pushed for a Mazda 5 or a Subaru Outback, but when it came down to passenger & cargo space, a minivan became the only affordable option. 

With a very, very limited budget, I didn't get all the things on my wish list, but we got an amazing deal on a used van that only had 24,000 miles on it.  I can't say I'm not disappointed that I didn't get leather heated seats, but we have what we need and I'm grateful for that.  So Rebekah, I gave into our stage in life.  It may take a while to embrace, but I am enjoying keyless entry for the first time in a long time!

Bargain Shopping

All this plus another sports bra (not pictured) for under $28 at Old Navy.  

I know!  Right?!

And on a total random note:

Confession:

I ate a huge piece of coconut chocolate cake/cream roll thing at lunch. 

It was decadent.

New Tent!

First of all, I just have to say . . .

Went for a jog with the girls in a Double BOB stroller and decided that before purchasing this awesome jogging stroller one ought to consider whether or not having a Double BOB will be a blessing or curse in life.  If you are going to jog (with 2 kids), it's a great stroller.  I won't lie.  It was killer.  It's hard enough getting momentum going all by myself.  Conclusion:  not having one gives you a great excuse to not go running.  Anyway . . .

Great Grandpa and Grandma Bunch sent the girls a gift.  They are very pleased with this new play tent!

Fish Taco Night

Last week (or was it the week before?!) we went to our friends house for fish tacos.  I used to be afraid of fish tacos.  I mean, I'm from Oregon and my first introduction to fish tacos were the ones my friends were buying on the streets of Tijuana on Mexico missions trips.  I was told they were delicious.  Right.  No one was going to convince me at that point in time.

Danielle (my awesome running partner who is entering her 3rd trimester of pregnancy!!!) bakes delicious, fresh Halibut soaked in butter with crumbled tortilla chips on top.  What's not to love already?!  The fish was served on these amazing corn AND flour tortillas, topped with cheese, slaw, and mango guacamole.  To top it off, Danielle made Flan.  If that wasn't enough, we had a fantastic time--and so did our kids! 

 Bug & Dad

 J, C, and B

 Justin loves all the kids!

 And they love him.

The crazy man picked all 4 up at the same time.  No one can accuse him of leaving them out . . . except me.  :)

Do I ever actually sew?

My blog is Lifesewgood.  I feel like I never post my sewing here, which is true.  I usually save my projects to submit to thinkcrafts.com, where I'm the sewing contributor.  I mean, a mama's only got so much time to sew and blog!!  Anyway, here's a project I just finished.  Also on my sewing table is a skirt I am making for Brooklyn, a pile of fabric to make myself 2 dresses (hopefully one before Easter), and fabric to make a bag.  I won't tell you what I have lying around in my sewing CLOSET. 

Anywho.

 My friend Amy bought fabric and Amy Butlers' Nappy Bag pattern so I could make this bag for a mutual friend, Hannah, who played volleyball for me when I coached at Multnomah Bible College.  She's having a little boy who she's already named Jackson.  Love that name.  Anyway, I had a friend make this bag for me when I had Bee and I loved it.  I can't say I enjoyed making it, but I think she liked it, so that was worth it!  :)

Sanborn's & The Delicious-ness

Whenever I go to Portland, I feel that brunch is a must.  There are so many great breakfast joints that skipping out is almost tragic.  Last Saturday, my sister, kids and I went to one of my favorite lesser-known Eastside brunch eateries, Sanborn's.

Now, I do love Eggs Benedict, but skip it here unless you like really lemon-y Hollandaise sauce. [Side note:  do order eggs bene at Mother's (downtown)].  No, at Sanborn's you need to get their Huevos Verde (they make their own roasted pepper sauce) or German Pancake.  It's no ordinary German pancake, mind you.  They caramelize fruit, pour batter in the pan, then stick it in the oven.  Uh-huh.  You're licking your lips right now, aren't you?  Here's some pictures--not only of the yummy food, but also of my adorable girls!  :)

 

The delicious-ness:  

Nectarine German Pancake 

with a huge side of whipped cream

(for the kids, of course!)

 Instead of crayons, Sanborn's gives kids these crazy waxy sticks that you can twist & turn to make various shapes. 

 Bug was playing hide and seek with her smile.  We found it under her pacifier.

 Bee putting her waxy creations on the wall.  They're cool with that there.  So am I.

 The face says it all!

 Happy kids = Happy mom

Nesting

No, not me.  The birds.  

 

 We're building little nests for Easter decorations.  

We got the idea from Disney's Family Magazine!

 1. Crumple a paper bag down like this:

 2.  Use Tacky/Craft Glue to glue sticks onto your crumpled bag.

 Here are our nests.  We gathered eggs from a local floral shop.  ;)  

Guess which one is Bug's!? 

Menu 4/11

Okay, so I've been slacking and it's showing!!

Here's the menu plan for the week:

Mon:  White Bean Gnocchi & Salad
Tues: Homemade "Yumm" Bowls & Salad
Wed:  Pizza & Salad
Thurs:  Leftovers
Fri:  Grilled Salmon, Carmelized Onion Mashed Taters, Salad, and Green Beans
Sat:  Salmon Burgers & Salad
Sun:  Dinner w/friends!

Lucky Winners

The luckiest winner is:

Emily

Other lucky winners are:

Chris S.

Alison G.

Julie J.

Melinda C.

Sarah B.

Congrats to all & thanks for entering to win!!!

Winners:  please email your contact info (address, email, phone) to 1uponawhim@gmail.com & I can pass it on so Jenny can mail you the goods!

If you are interested in Mary Kay, please contact my sister; she is awesome!!!  

Jenny Bunch

http://www.marykay.com/jennybunch

I won't lie . . .

 . . . you want to win this stuff.

It was one week ago tonight.  I was sitting at a long table with a little mirror in front of me.  My sister handed me foundation primer. 

 "What the heck is foundation primer?" 

After being reassured it was amazing and would make my skin smoother than ever, I reluctantly tried it.  

The Verdict:

miracle make-up

I'm not even kidding.  If I were, then I would be about $16 richer.  Okay, actually, I get a "sister discount," but you get the picture.  I'm not the only one who thinks so.   A friend of mine was wearing it and someone commented that her face looked "airbrushed."  

Want some?  Enter THIS GIVEAWAY (click on that!) and you could win some (plus lip gloss, mascara, and a ton of other things . . . )  We'll be picking winners TOMORROW, TUESDAY, APRIL 5th, a mere 35 days from when I leave on vacation to Mexico, which has absolutely nothing to do with this post.  

The Exodus of the Baby Mullet

As documented by a 3 year old . . .

(first, her self-portrait)

Before:

After:

 Ahhh!  Much better!