Decisions, Decisions

Looooong story short, I received a promo offer through our bank to get a free Kindle Fire. Well, when the promo code came through, it turns out I had several options to choose from, not just a Kindle Fire. There were iPod Nanos, iPod Touches, a fancy scale, a panini press, a Kindle fire, and a few different gift cards...one of them being a $200 Amazon gift card.

So here's what I was trying to decide between...was just getting the Kindle Fire OR getting the Amazon gift card and buying a more basic model of Kindle. I'd heard pros and cons for both. The Kindle Fire is basically a tablet, so it can do a lot more. The Kindle Paperwhite (the slightly more basic model) is easier on the eyes. The other idea that I came up with, was saving up my money and using the gift card to help pay for an iPad Mini. My mom has one and I love it. It's a great size and a really quick little tablet, with the ability to download the Kindle reader app. I just couldn't decide which one I really wanted!

What it came down to for me, was that I really did not want a tablet. It took me a couple hours of thinking to figure that out, but when I thought about it long and hard, my phone does everything a tablet does. Yes, it's small in comparison, but I can surf the web when I'm not at my computer or look stuff up just fine on it. Plus, I am eligible for a phone upgrade soon, so when I have that brand new phone, I really won't need a tablet.

So, I went with the Kindle Paperwhite. I'm really happy with the decision that I made. :) With the remaining amount on the gift card, I'll but a case for it and (yes, this is super lame, haha) a steam mop. I currently have a Swiffer mop with a reusable cloth pad, and I just feel like I wet it and it just pushes my mopping solution around. I don't actually feel like it cleans anything! I did a lot of research into steam mops and I feel really good about the one I picked out. It basically heats up water really, really hot and uses it to clean off any stuck on or dirty residue on the floor. Our floors get kind of gunky (especially under Jonah's chair...wonder why?) so I think it will help get our floors so much cleaner. So there. I'm totally giddy about buying a steam mop and I'm not afraid to say it.

In other news, I haven't been very good about taking photos on the regular camera lately. It's always more convenient for me to just grab my phone and snap one with that, so that's where most of my pictures are. But I have an AMAZING camera, so I do need to use it. I'm really jonesing to take some classes and maybe get another lens, in an effort to beautify my everyday photos a little bit. Maybe someday, I'll even shoot in manual! If I know how to use it right, and well, I feel like I'd use it more.

But, until then, here's a few recent photos from my phone. Because blog posts are just kind of boring with no photos. :)

He loves pasta!

I have a good crockpot! FINALLY!

The newest member of our house. Minion 1.

Setting up his car ramp from Uncle Dude.

My sweet sissy bought me pretty maternity tanks.

Nightly view.

13 weeks pregnant. Heaven help me, I'm gonna be huge. :)

He is such a boy.

My bedheaded little drummer boy.

Kid only wants to take showers now.

 

I'm itching for another tattoo...looking at a tree to go with my birds.

Successful Pins

There are SO many pins on Pinterest and it's hard to tell which recipes are going to turn out good, with DIY cleaning products are actually going to work, and which crafts are going to look good when you're finished with them. So I thought I'd share a few of the pins that I've tried that have actually been successful! :)

If you're interested in following me on Pinterest, my profile is here.

If you need an invite, let me know!

These breakfast sandwiches were amazing. I had to adjust my cooking times for the eggs and bacon because of the altitude, but I loved the ease in which I could whip up a yummy, high protein breakfast for the week. No splattery, bacon mess and few dishes...my kind of recipe. :) (Here's the original website if you don't have a Pinterest account.)

This is my "top-secret", uber-delicious salsa recipe. It's seriously delicious and easy. Maybe try a Serrano pepper instead of a jalapeno for more spice?? (Here's the link if you don't have Pinterest.)

I made this for my Momma and best friend for Christmas this last year. It's somewhat time-consuming, but a great way to take time every day to write down a memory or something you're thankful for...and it looks so cute when it's all done. :) (Here's the link for non-Pinteresters.)

I made this floor cleaner and it works really well on my hardwood (and even linoleum) floors. Now if only my mop worked as well as the floor cleaner...(And for non-Pinterest people...here.)

This worked great for cleaning my washing machine. I am a sucker for almost anything vinegar. (Non-Pinterest people, go here.)

I did this in my son's room. It didn't work out nearly as well as hers did, but it does look pretty dang cute. (Go here. You know why.)

I made this for Jonah when he was younger, and it provided many hours of entertainment. It was super easy to make. I only used things I had on-hand (with the help of a friend who lent me some extra fabric. :) (Here if you don't have, you know...)


So there you go! A few of my favorite (successful) pins. Do you have any that you want to share with me??

Love,
Alyssa