Quick (1 Min.)
Easy (mug, cooking spray, Rhodes frozen micro cinnamon roll,caramel syrup, chopped pecans)
Treat Idea - Microwave Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls


Recipe found on Rhodes from Kami of Sweet Charli 

Pictures are from Kami's blog Sweet Charli

The "H" word!

Sparklers is all about encouragement and empowering you to LIVE your life!  And to me, that was getting a hysterectomy.

I have had "girly" problems for as long as I can remember.  Lots of pain!!!  Lots.  And not just once a month.  No No!  Then the pain started leading to other problems as well.

In April I was diagnosed with an ovarian tumor.  While I was in surgery to remove it and biopsy it (non-cancerous!  YAY!) my surgeon was able to un-attach some of my organs that were stuck together from endometriosis.  She strongly suggested a hysterectomy.  She is the third Dr. to STRONGLY suggest a hysterectomy.

She said it wouldn't solve ALL my problems, but she suspected Adenomyosis and the only cure for that is to remove the Uterus.

At this point I had had enough!  I agreed to the hysterectomy.

It's been five weeks today from a complete hysterectomy by LAVH.  (Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy.)  I was able to keep both ovaries.

Now I'm not going to talk too much about what to expect after surgery, because everyone's circumstance, surgery and recovery process is going to be completely different.  I read so many horror stories before my surgery that I actually postponed it once because I was so scared.

I will say for me, it's been hard.  The recovery process is slow.  I knew it would take awhile to be 100%, but I didn't realize all that was involved.  I'm tired.  Take that back, I AM exhausted.  The pain was completely tolerable, which I'm glad because my pain meds made me sick, so I stopped taking them.  I can't get comfortable long enough to get a goods night sleep, but I take lots of naps.  I didn't feel like leaving my house for almost 3 weeks.  And when I did, I felt it the next day.  My core is sore, and my back is too.  Digestion has been an issue, and even though I was able to keep my ovaries, I have been on an emotional roller coaster.

With all that said, it's been doable, just long and hard.  I am a control freak, so not being able to do things for myself is driving me crazy.  I can't vacuum, sweep, load or unload a dishwasher, push a grocery cart, or carry loads of laundry.  I have another week before I am cleared to do any of that.
But I am starting to feel like my old self again.  I am slowly able to get back to doing what I love.  I have more energy.  I haven't had pain at all in 3 weeks.  That's a new record for me!  AND before surgery I looked 5 months pregnant all the time, and now, that's gone!!

So for me, a hysterectomy was the right choice, (even though those first two weeks after I was doubting it!)  I did end up having Adenomyosis, so having my uterus gone will help with A LOT of my issues.

Here are my 10 things you need to be prepared for to help you get through your Hysterectomy!

1.  Expect it to be a slow recovery.  I think that is why it was so hard for me.  I honestly thought that I would be back to normal much sooner.  It depressed me that by week 4 I still needed a nap if I left my house for longer than 2 hours.  If I was more mentally prepared I think I wouldn't have had such a hard time with it.

2. Hospital stay.  I was there for two days.  I read all the things to bring, and honestly all I needed was my chapstick, my robe, my lotion and my phone.  I slept through everything else.

3.  Stock up on lounging/pajama pants.  I lived in them for the first two weeks.  My hubby was super cute and went out and bought me more, and less PJ looking, to get me through the first bit.

4.  Buy a nice comfortable bra.  I went and bought a bra with no under wire and it was the best thing I did.  I could nap in it, see visitors in it, and it was super comfortable.

5.  Netflix will be your best friend.  I watched an insane amount of TV the first week post op.  My brain was too foggy to read, and it hurt to sit to play on the laptop or do a craft or anything, so I watched TV.  Just beware, after awhile Netflix makes you feel like a loser and asks you if you are STILL watching.  Yes, I was!

6.  Prepare food.  Stock up on some food for you and your family.  I didn't have much of an appetite the first week.  But I obviously needed to eat.  The first week I lived off of Otter Pops, Cup of Noodle Soup and toast.  Yum!   Luckily my Hubby was able to be home with me that first week, (and if he wasn't he got me a babysitter) to prepare food for the family.   Some awesome friends brought us dinner 3 nights and we had a few frozen dinners prepared too.  I wish now, I had more frozen dinners prepared.  My hubby took great care the first week, but then the second week, he had to get back to work.  So by the time he got home and dinner made, it was kind of later than I would have liked for the kids.  If I had more frozen dinners prepared, I could have helped the kids put one in the oven to start cooking, so by the time he got home, it was ready to serve.

7.  WALK!  This is a biggie.  Walk as often as you can.  Even if it's just around your house.  It helps with the recovery process greatly.

8.  Get help.  I wasn't allowed to drive for two weeks, so we needed help getting the kids everywhere they needed to be.  I hate asking for help, but it's so nice to have it when you need it.  I scheduled as much as I could BEFORE my surgery so that I knew I wouldn't have to worry about finding rides after.  I was able to rest and recover properly because I knew I had the kids handled.  Then towards the end of your recovery you will still need help grocery shopping (You are not allowed to push a cart.)  So call up a friend, take her out to lunch and then hit the store together!

P.S.  Take a friend vs. your kids.  When they "helped" me we ended up with a lot of items like this in the cart, Pumpkin Marshmallows.  Tis the season!


9.  Get out of the house as soon as you are able.  Even if it's just a drive to get ice cream.  Getting out and getting some fresh air does the body and soul good.

10.  Listen to your body.  Do not push the recovery process, it will set you back more.  If you need a nap, take one.  If you need help, ASK!  Listen to your doctor and be patient.  It will be worth it in the long run.  It's hard enough for me to have to take these 6 weeks to recover, I DO NOT want to add more time to that!


So, what did you find helpful in your recovery process?

I love Banana Bread!

I love Streusel!

I don't know why I didn't think of combining the two before, but now that I have, I can't go back!



This recipe is so moist and delicious with a flavorful crunch topping.  My family always gets excited when they come home and smell this in the oven.   I want another piece right now!

Banana Bread

We love Halloween around here!

We love Disneyland too!

What could be better than the two TOGETHER!

We do Disney every other year, and our favorite time to go is in October.   Here are my 10 reasons why!


1.  The weather is PERFECT this time of year.  We didn't even need a sweater for the mornings or the nights.  We got a little warm the first day we were there, so we went on Splash Mountain a few times and that took care of that!

2.  The Decor!  I am a sucker for all things pumpkin, and there is no shortage of fun fall decor everywhere you look!



3.   Haunted Mansion Holiday.  Disneyland really out-did themselves on this ride.  They have re-created the Movie with Jack the Skeleton King down to the Gingerbread house with the real gingerbread smell! mmmmmm!


4.  Ghost Galaxy!  Space Mountain gets a very spooky makeover!!

5.  Crowd level!  This time of year is perfect for low crowds.  We were there on a level 4 day and a level 3 day.  They rate the crowds from 1-10, 1 being low, 10 being high.  We had no problem going on any ride we wanted, several times.  No wait times were longer than 15 minutes!

6.  Big Thunder Ranch Halloween Carnival!  This is like something right out of the movies.  No detail was spared.  A petting Zoo, Carnival games, crafts for the kids, treats, carved pumpkins and characters walking around with no wait to take pictures with.  I could have spent a whole day there just sitting and soaking in all the fun!  (I've heard this is the last year for this!  Sad!)



7.  The Mickey and Minnie dress up for Halloween!  And the
guests dress up too!  It was so fun walking around seeing everyone getting into the Halloween spirit!

8.  The Villains come out to play!  It's so fun to see some of the characters that they save for this time of year.



9.  The FOOD!  Disneyland already has the best food, but add the Halloween treats, and I'm in heaven!


10.  Family Fun at the Happiest place on earth.  I love starting off the Holiday season at Disneyland.


For more information on visiting Disneyland at Halloween time, go to
 https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/halloween-time-at-the-disneyland-resort/

Today is still-born awareness day. Our daughter, Aria Dawson, changed my life on May 19, 2011. 

Too many women suffer in silence, because this topic is so uncomfortable.  Others don't know how to help with the grieving process, so often times the Mother feels alone. I am so glad we have a day like today to bring awareness and support. I would have been lost without the support we received from the Funeral Home, the cemetery, the group SHARE who offered counseling, helped dress Aria and did molds of her hands and feet, and for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep for the beautiful pictures they did of us with her. 

Here is Heather's Story:

I belong to a club.  Not one that I would have ever wanted to join.  But, one with many members.  One that does not discriminate race, class, age, or circumstance.

On May 19, 2011, I joined a group of woman who are stillborn Moms.

I remember the day so vividly.  I remember my entire pregnancy with such detail.  I am so grateful for those memories, because that is all I have now.  Some of them are hard to re-live, but others bring a smile to my heart.

Like when I first found out I was pregnant.  I called my Husband and we both sat there on the phone for like 10 minutes, laughing and saying "HOLY CRAP!" like a million times.

My first ultra-sound and we heard the baby's heart beat.

The first few months were hard.  I felt guilty about being so sick and not being able to care for my kids while I was growing another one.

I remember having contractions at about 18 weeks.  Calling my Dr. and going in.  The contractions were minor, and they weren't progressing, so we had another ultra-sound.  Baby was sucking it's thumb!  Seeing that made it a little easier to hear, "You need to be on bed-rest.  Don't do anything more than necessary."

Going in a few weeks later and finding out, "75% sure it's a girl.  But she's very modest, and she's still measuring very small so I can't be sure."  I was in disbelief, because I really felt like I was having a boy.

We had an appointment to see a Perinatologists.  My Dr. was concerned with our babies growth and wanted us to have a specialized ultra-sound.  I was really excited for this ultra-sound because I was finally in my third trimester, we were finally able to start feeling her move, and I knew we should be able to for sure know if we were having a girl now.  I was in the home stretch!

We walked into the Hospital for our appointment and my Husband and I were talking about how in just a very short time I would be back there to deliver our baby.  We went into the ultra-sound room and a nurse started the exam.

She started the ultra-sound and started making small talk.  Then she stopped.  She started asking if I was sure on my due-date.  I said yes.  I explained to her that all of my babies measure small, and they all turned out fine.  I just kept chatting away.  She kept typing things on her computer.  Then she said she was going to get the specialist now, and she left the room.

My husband was really quiet.  He was pale.  I really had no idea what was going on.  I looked at the computer screen and the measurements were all over the place.  She was measuring small.  I tried to reassure my husband that yes, she was measuring smaller than our other babies, but I reminded him that ALL of our babies had this same issue, and they turned out fine.

He kissed my forehead and told me he loved me.

He knew.  And he knew that I didn't.;...........................
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Our baby didn't have a heart beat.  From that moment until later that day when I went into Labor, is a blur.   That is the only part of my whole pregnancy I don't remember, and I don't know how I coped with.   I was blind-sided and felt like I was hit by a truck.

We were admitted to Labor and Delivery that afternoon.  They have special rooms for this.  It looks just like a regular delivery room, except there is a picture on the door, so everyone who enters knows that this Mom does not get to take her baby home.  They have specially trained nurses to deal with this too.  Counselors, and people to come in and help you decide what kind of funeral you want, what funeral home you want to use.  I was so overwhelmed having to make these decisions that I had NEVER thought of before.

When I walked in and saw the baby cart I lost it.  For the first time since knowing, I lost it.  It was real.  It was happening.

I was in labor for almost 10 hours.   My nurses were very attentive.  Jason had to leave for a bit to go check on the kids, and one of the nurses stayed in my room with me the entire time, rubbing my back.

Labor pain had really start to set in.

Jason came back, and I decided to finally get the epidural.  A different nurse came in and was checking on my stats and said something to me I will never forget.

She said, "I'm so sorry for your loss.  I know that today is the worst day of your life, but someday, it will be one of your best too."

I wanted to kick her.  When she left the room I looked at my husband and said, "SHE is the nurse that has been trained to deal with this and THAT is what she said!??"

That night, at 11:56 pm.  I delivered Aria Dawson.  No one was in the room with us.  It was just me, my Husband, our daughter.  I knew it was time, and my husband went to push the button to call the nurses, but I just had this feeling that I wanted to do it alone.

That moment was the single most spiritual moment of my entire life.  I felt so loved and so comforted.  I know that Heavenly Father was in that room with us.  He was there to comfort Jason and I, and to take Aria home with him.  I know it with every fiber of my being.  I think that is why I wanted to do it without all the Dr's and nurses.  I knew that Heavenly Father was there with me, and that he would help me.

After I delivered her, Jason called the Dr. in and they had Jason cut the cord.  They cleaned her up a little bit, and then they gave her right to me.

We were able to spend a few hours with our baby.   Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep came in and took pictures.  A group called S.H.A.R.E came in and did molds of Aria's hands and feet, and helped to dress her.  I got to hold her.  I sang to her.  She looked just like her big sister.  Jason gave her her name,  and we prayed together.  Then, when I was ready, the funeral home came, and he took her.

How do you say goodbye to your child?  How do you say goodbye to all of the hopes and dreams you had for that child?

The next few weeks I was numb.  We buried her.  We spent a lot of time together as a family.  We had a lot of support and love from our neighbors and friends.  Lots of flowers delivered, food, cards.  We were well taken care of.  My boys soccer teams got us Pizza gift cards, took the boys to games and practices.  My sister entertained my kids as took them with her everywhere.  My Mom would just sit with me and watch me stare out the window. I cried more tears than I thought was possible.  I got more hugs than I though I could.

I went through every emotion possible.  I was numb.  I was mad.  I was devastated.  I felt guilty.  I felt lonely.  I felt betrayed.  I felt empty.  I felt lost.  I felt loved.

The recovery from having a still-born is the same as having a full term live baby.  I was sore.  My milk came in and I had to be wrapped for a week to dry it out.   I was exhausted.  I slowly started getting back to life.  Getting out of bed.  Getting dressed.  Being my kids Mom.  I love those kids of mine, and I wanted so badly for them to know that I was okay.

I was going to be okay.

The funny thing about time, is it doesn't stop.  The weeks turned into months.  And the months turned into years.

It's been 4 years now.

I still remember everything about my Aria.  And I can still feel every emotion with losing her.

But I feel something else too.

I remember my nurse, the one I hated, and what she said,

"I know that today is the worst day of your life, but someday, it will be one of your best too."

Surprisingly, I get it now.

And she was right.

That day was beautiful.  It was sacred.

I made a promise to my baby girl that day.  I promised her I'd live a full and joyful life for her.  I promised her I'd love greater.  I promised her to be happy.

I see life so differently now.  Life is precious.  Life IS beautiful.  Even on the rainiest of days.  I am grateful!  I am blessed!  I am happy!

I KNOW that my Heavenly Father knows who I am, and he loves me.

I know that I will be reunited with my daughter, and I will get to be her Mom one day, because of the eternal blessings of the Temples and the covenants that I've made there.

I feel so blessed to have an angel baby.  I know she is watching over us.  She got what she needed.  She received her body, and all she ever knew on this earth was that I loved her.  So so much!

How comforting is that!?  All my daughter knew of this world is what she felt in the womb.  She got to hear her Daddy talk to her every night.  He told her how much he loved her.  She got to hear her brothers and sister laugh.  She heard her mother pray for her, daily.  She felt warmth from us cradling my belly.

That best "worst" day of my life, was the day I learned how to live.

(To read how I found purpose after loss, click here.)



May 19, 2011

We understand that not everyone enjoys the thrill of sticking their hands into an ooey - gooey pumpkin and ripping it's guts out!

So we rounded up links for some Adorable pumpkins that require no carving.

You can use real or faux pumpkins. 




1. Ribbons & Ric-Rack

2. Simple Ink Band

3. Batty


4. Hipster Family



5. Old Fashion Silhouette

6. Mummy

 7. Trick or Treat


8. Glam Witch Hat

Planning a Halloween Party!

HGTV 41 Printable Templates





Make an Adorable Bat & Pumpkin Centerpiece like this one from Ella Claire.  Which is Simply Spooktacular!

Bat Printable - HGTV

Or how about adding a few Creepy Mice to your décor.  Like these from Martha Stewart!

Creepy Mice - Printable - Martha Stewart

How about making a B-E-W-A-R-E Banner at your front door

Beware Banner - Printable - HGTV

Here are links for some more Halloween Printable Templates
Raven
Black Cat



Check out our Fall issue and past posts, for more Fall / Halloween inspiration!

lovefabdecor
ellaclaireblog

This time of year brings lots of different decorating options.  And it's easy to express your inner spook without spending a lot of money.

We hit up our local Dollar Store and found lots of fun and easy items to add a little mischief to your decor.

It's so simple to haunt your house without a lot of effort or money.  Just get creative and have fun!

Here are our top 9 tips to decorate on the cheap.

1.  Make a felt wreath.  Felt is 4 for $1 at most places, which makes this project super affordable.  We added skeleton ribbon and a skeleton head, from the dollar store, and made paper feathers from our paper stash.



2.  Make some frightening frames.  We will have the tutorial for this later this week.



3.  Add touches to your existing decor by  attaching a spider or a crow from the dollar store.  The print on the wall?  Five dollars from Staples.


4.  Hit up your thrift stores for spooky books to add to your decor.




5.  We bought white battery operated candles 2 for $1 and then painted them a distressed black.




6.  Stack some heads on a plate, in a bird cage or in a lantern.



7.  Frame pictures from previous Halloweens to bring back fond memories.



8.  Add spider webs to your family photos.



9.  Cut bats out of black paper and attach to the wall for a frightful entrance.