Discover You Can!

I found my strawberries on sale at Aldi for $1-great deal and YUMMY!

My Mom and Patty waiting on the strawberries to boil.

Over the weekend, I had my 30th birthday. Honestly, it doesn't mean a lot to me...just a number. It is more significant when I think that within 10 years I will be 40, within 10 years McKenna will be 17, Asher 16 and Ian 10 :/ Slow down. Please. I know I tend to jump ahead of myself (I am well known for that) but there are times when my mind can't help but wander a few years down the road. SO I must reign it back in and enjoy my babies and enjoy exactly where I am right now.

My birthday weekend was lots of fun! It started off with my canning party on Saturday! I had a few friends over to participate in the Discover You Can party. I've included just a few pictures (sorry-my camera's battery ran down!). We used some of the new Ball Canning Products as a part of the House Party website that accepted my application to have this party and test some of the new products by Ball. What fun we had :) On the night before the party, I tested some products and made my first batch of strawberry jam! Before this experience, I have never canned a thing in my life! However, it was not as difficult as I at first thought it would be and it was made that much more fun when a few friends joined me on Saturday.

Each guest got a gift bag with coupons and samples, then we got to work. We made a bigger batch of strawberry jam and everyone took home 2 half pint jars (which turned out very yummy!).

As a part of my birthday, I have jumped back on the weight loss wagon. Before I became pregnant with Ian, I lost a good deal of weight using a specific weight loss program and it is this program I will get back on. Yesterday was my first full day and drinking soft drinks killed me! Yikes! I will be counting points as I have done in the past and today, I have to be more careful about what I drink-but there are times that I feel as though there is not enough caffine in the world to keep me going. I guess I will go back to diet~sigh~ I know I will feel so much better though, just as I have before. It truely a matter of getting into the mindset, which can be so hard! Wish me luck!

Before I go, I will give you my cloth diapering update. So far, pretty good! I LOVE the fact that I haven't had to use and throw away any diapers (but one, I used disposable at bedtime). I have been using an all in one diaper, which I really like (along with a diaper cover). However, I have been using a medium (these come in specific sizes) and I feel like they may be snug on my little guy. Also, I feel like he is wet when I change him and moisture isn't being pulled away from his skin. I am wondering if I should try a pocket diaper with an insert. I have a friend who did suggest an insert to help pull moisture away from baby's skin. Although I continue to feel my way around cloth diapering, I can say that so far, it has been pretty successful in our house.

I CAN CAN!

I originally thought that since summer had arrived, I would be able to blog a little more often-but alas, we've been very busy around here! This week I have a quite a bit to catch you up on!

Well, our new neighbors have moved in (if you remember, it was our experience last summer that inspired the name of my little blog). Cindy has since accepted a position with her new husband in Eastern KY for a dual pastors' position and they have moved. So now we have new neighbors (also the pastor of the same church in which Cindy worked). They are very sweet and we are excited to welcome them to the neighborhood! Thank goodness we now have a privacy fence-ha!

In other news, I am so excited about today! It is my CANNING PARTY! I am a member of a website called House Party. When companies have new products they would like to introduce, members can complete an application (much like a survey) and will receive samples and materials to host friends in order test out the new products! My application was recently selected to test out Ball Canning Products. I received my party kit (pictured above) with a ton of canning materials and coupons (as well as party gifts for those that attend) and last night, I was able to give canning my first try! I made strawberry jam (and it was quite tasty!). I am so proud and it was much easier than I thought. I can't wait to share some more pictures of my party (we will be making strawberry jam today also). We have cupcakes, tea and lemonade, door prizes and the backyard is being prepped for the arrival of all of the kids' friends who will be coming along with their mommies in order to can!

In addition to canning, I am also learning about cloth diapering. I've asked friends and fellow bloggers (and mommies) their thoughts, thinking that I too may like to give cloth diapering a try. The jury is still out on this one so we shall see- but I would say that it will save some money in the long run and be good for the environment. From what I can see- it's come a long way since my mom used them on me :)

Well, I am off to finish the final preparations for canning later this afternoon!