Invited In

2012-01-12T15:59:00.000-08:00

So........it's been awhile since I blogged. Over a year! If you could have seen what this past year has looked like for us you would understand.

I'll just say........

that it has been a faith stretching adventure.

God is awesome.

His church is awesome

my family is awesome

it's a new year

my husband has a new amazing job

we now have one more baby B than we had last year

i discovered pinterest

and I made really sweet lamps out of Whole Foods apple juice jugs :)

Where I've Been and A Little Bit of Pretty

2010-12-14T10:23:00.000-08:00

It has been an interesting few months for our family. We are going through quite a few changes that have been challenging and humbling to say the least. We found out on a Thursday in August that we are expecting our 5th child and the next day (Friday) my husband lost his job.

Our family is in the midst of a huge transition. Switching gears from having 4 children to 4 and counting is huge in itself. But now we are also transitioning to having a well paying job (which my hubby did not enjoy), to no job, to no income, and now in the beginning stages of starting a new business. That's a lot to throw on an emotionally unstable pregnant woman!!!!

I will right about the interesting chapter to the story that The Lord has been writing for us soon.

Until then, I have a few pretty pictures to share. Decorating and being creative is an outlet for me. We changed things up a bit in our house in the early summer(when we had income). Painted some furniture, moved a few others, and bought a few new pieces.

I wanted a change in my eat in kitchen area. I had a beautiful painting on the wall but I was needing a change as well as a place to house some of my pretty things.
Here's the before:

My hubby went to work building a couple shelves to take the place of the painting. I gave them a coat of paint, pretty brackets, and went to town piling all my collectibles on top.

We wanted a new sofa to replace our tired out old one and I wanted to do away with all the green in the house. Before:

We purchased the chaise sofa from Ikea back in the early summer: After

A few other shots of the room:

If you are wondering what the chalkboard says above the sofa:
"Joined in Love Kept by God
Forever Together"
Our hutch used to be green. You can see it in the previous before picture above. I was trying to get rid of the bright colors and go more neutral throughout our house. I left the inside of the doors green which looks great when the doors are opened (above).

We also purchased a new chair from Ikea to put in place of the old black dresser. Before:

After:

Hopefully I will have enough energy to share some of the free decorating I have done around the house now that our income has stopped. It is amazing what you can do with nothing!

Family and Kitchen Design Board

2010-10-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray or Granite Dust by Valspar. Antique white on bead board

Design board for a friend

2010-10-21T18:21:00.001-07:00

Design board for a friend by invitedinn on Polyvore.com

This is for YOU Angie!!

2010-06-17T06:05:00.000-07:00

Ok Ang, open your box and take out the folder. Take a look at the first drawing I gave you. This is the layout for the wall above your sewing counter. Most of the wall space is used for storing items that you need often.

FIRST: Peg Board

I know we talked about using your big frame as a chalkboard, but, if you haven't already, I thought adding a peg board inside the frame would be a good way to store the things you need on hand while sewing. This peg board is used for scrap booking, but you get the idea.

This is the peg board I made for my sewing room. I tried to use the recylcled can idea using scrap book paper like the picture above. Use the cans to store pencils, crochet hooks, stitch rippers, paint brushes etc. I bought a kit specifically for peg boards that included all the hardware for hanging everything you see in the photo. The kit even included the white bins that are above the chalkboard and the jars with the white lids. If you decide to create a peg board rather than the chalkboard this kit would be perfect for storing all your sewing supplies.

SECOND: Shelving for pattern and file storage

You can see in the drawing of your room that I added three shelves to the opposite side of the wall from your big frame. You have one shelf located there now that I think is too high and doesn't allow you to easily access or organize your stuff. These are the brackets from Hobby Lobby that I was telling you about that would be great for holding up a piece of wood (for the shelf) that you get from the hardware store. The brackets were priced at $7 a piece but were half off at $3.50.....super price.

Use these shelves to store your files and some of your patterns that you need to access often using the magazine holders I included in your box. I only sent one box to see how you liked them. Please let me know if you like them and I will send more:) I thought you and the girls could use mog podge or hot glue to attach scrap book paper or fabric in coordinating colors to the "Inspire" letters and cork board fabric to the magazine holders. Here are a couple of examples:

Click HERE to find the tutorial for covering the magazine holders with fabric.

By the way, I was at Ikea yesterday and they have some new file holders that are already covered in a print that would match your room. They would look great and you wouldn't have to cover them yourself. Also, use your shelves to store your acrylic paints in a sizable bin with lid. Any paint that does not fit in this bin store in the craft supply bin that fits under your counter.

I also included a couple of paper boxes with a place for sliding in a label for you to place under your shelves to hold some of your patters.

THIRD: Fabric storage wall

Look at the next sheet which is the new layout of your room. I thought it would great to use the wall on the right as you enter your room for fabric storage. Your current bookshelf that is along this wall could be moved to the far back wall during phase one of your room which has nothing there currently.

I thought this shoe organizer was a great way for you to store extra fabric scraps. You have a lot of wall space that could be used for storage, and since you are on a budget this would be a great way to have visible, accessible, storage for your scraps at a good price.

I thought this was a clever and easy way to add color to your room without painting your walls and at the same time allowing your fabric to be easily stored and accessible. Putting fabric in bins and stacking them on shelves looks great but keeping up with folding and separating into correct bins takes time and energy. I like this idea because you can see all your fabric and you don't have to take the time to sort, stack or fold fabric. This is made using 1x4's with wooded dowels holding large cuts of fabric. I would use it for fabric only, not for ribbon storage that they show in the picture. This would be on the same wall as the above re-purposed shoe organizer.

Along this same fabric storage wall, near to your french doors, I suggest using 2-3 decorative wall hooks for hanging current projects that are yet to be finished. This way they are off the floor and starring at you to finish them.

I like these numbered hooks. Something with a black finish would look best. Hobby Lobby has lots of options.

FOURTH: Counter top skirt

This is an example of what your counter top would look like with the skirt we were talking about. The fabric is not what I was thinking for your room, but, I do like how they added a strip of coordinating fabric at the bottom.

I wanted you to see a close up of how they attached the skirt to the counter. They used a small stainless steel wire(secured to the under side of the counter every few feet) with clips attaching the fabric to the wire every few inches. D said you can find heavy duty stainless steel wire at Lowes or Home Depot as well as the hardware to attach the wire to the counter top. Let me know if you need help finding it, I can have D purchase it for you if you'd like.

FIFTH: Thread storage and cork boards

Spray your wooden thread holder black and hang the embroidery hoop cork boards along with the decorative letter "C" next to your thread storage. I also included decoupage letters reading "Inspire" which could be hung hillbilly style (with sticky tack) right above your cork boards. Refer to drawing.

SIXTH: Family picture storage

I included two knobs which can be sprayed black and hung using a special screw you can get from Lowes that has threads on two ends. This allows you to screw the screw into the knob and into the drywall anchor. After your knobs are hung use a thick piece of hemp string or wire to wrap around each knob. Using clothes pins(which you and your girls could decoupage scrap book paper to also) pin your favorite family pictures to the hemp/wire. This way you can change the pictures out often.

PHASE TWO: Future incorporating of your desk and book storage into the new design.

For these ideas look at the Faze 2 sheet of your room layout. These are ideas for you to do down the road. I know you said at some point you would like to incorporate your "new" desk and use it for JP as well as wanting to add more book storage for your growing collection of books.

I love the lines of this bookshelf (painted white) which could be put along the wall where your sofa sits now. A bookshelf similar to this (slightly wider than the one shown here maybe twice the size) would be great for storing your collection of books as well as added fabric and notions storage.

Or find an old cabinet (like the one below) or a couple bookcases and paint them a fun color that matches your room:)

Using part of the bookcase for storage would be a great thing too. I was reminded of your friend Jamie and all her labeled bins in this picture. These could also be placed under your sewing counter with the other storage bins shown in the drawing.

This is a close up of the same bins on the above bookcase. Having a bin for all your sewing needs will keep your room clutter free. I am sure you could use a bin for skirt lining, elastic, and zippers. Remember to label your bins.

Next to this bookshelf, in the corner, place a comfortable slipcovered chair and ottoman. This is the chair I was thinking:

We just bought two of these chairs this weekend and I like them....... a lot!! Before we even had them a day, Graham wiped his blackberry covered mouth all over it. I remained calm, although, it was difficult because our slipcovers are white. I slipped the cover off, used my bleach pin on the blackberry spot and it is now good as new!! Now we just have to get Ikea to open a store in CO for you....he he!

As far as your desk area I was thinking about placing it along your back wall. Again use the wall space for storing objects you need often or for a vertical space for jotting down messages and notes. I like these vinyl calendars that you just stick to the glass of a picture frame. You can find them on etsy.com. One of these would look great hanging above your desk for organizing JP related stuff. A chalkboard would also be great above your desk.

So that's it sister! I know it has been a long time coming!!! I hope all these ideas are along the lines of what you were looking for, that they make sense, and that they seem "doable" to you. I wish I were there to help you in person. It would make it much easier for us both:) Call me after you have looked through everything:) LOVE YOU!!!!

Hate Mail and No Camera?

2010-05-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

Do any of you ever get comments on your blog that are in Chinese or Japanese that say mean things? How do I make sure they can't leave a comment on my blog?

Oh, and if you are that person............please STOP!!!!

BTW, I am not mean.......I am quite nice actually, so if you are new to my blog please don't read the hate mail left by the big fat meanies that I do not know and who don't know me:)

Anyhow,
I have been without a camera to upload photos to the blog which is why I have been MIA for 2 weeks. Lots of new stuff to share, I just need some time (and a camera) to share them with you. So, in the next few weeks you will be hearing a lot about:

Our New Church.....Awesome
What God has been up to with the B's
Finishing up our Homeschool Year
Summer fun ideas with the family
Angie's Sewing Room FINALLY DONE! Thanks for being patient Ang:)
Studio 31....still not done but I will share photos anyhow
New piece of furniture to paint
Shelving in the Breakfast area
Eden and her mischievous ways
Boys and why they wear 2 pairs of underwear
My sweet Hottie of a Husband who keeps leaving me notes everywhere to remind me of our 10 year anniversary coming up soon:)

And just because I can't post something without a picture, here are a few I have been looking at the past week from the archives.

Love this picture and these boys......this picture is for the mean commenter.....totally kidding...kinda.....
You might be able to upset me by leaving rude comments, but you don't want to mess with this guy...he he!!

This is what I am trying to do with my family room.....minus the hardwood floors, windows, and jute rug. Basically just the slip covered furniture.

I am not redoing my laundry room again. We all know how that turned out. I just like the shelves in this picture which is what I will be doing in the breakfast area above my new piece of furniture I need to paint!!

I really like this quilt. It is so simple. I want to make a quilt for my new family room using mostly white with with some really cool fabric I bought at the Sew to Speak Quilt Shop a while back

.
That's all for now! Have a great Holiday weekend:)

Flower Girls

2010-05-13T10:40:00.000-07:00

Matching Sister Outfits and a Craft Room Sneak Peek

2010-04-27T06:23:00.001-07:00

This post is a bit late, but better late then never...right?

I made the girls matching Easter outfits and hair bows this year. I tend to start a project then get distracted in the middle of it because I get a great idea and start another one. Before I know it I have 10 projects all waiting to be finished. So, I was lucky to get these outfits finished by Easter.

This is a girl's size 7 shirt and skirt.

This is a toddler size 18months skirt and shirt.

Pretty much impossible to get a good picture of an 18 month old.

Easter at the Lake.

We have been working on the sewing/craft room for months now and it is almost finished. This weekend the shelves were hung as well as peg board, cork boards, thread holder, and wall lettering!! Woohoo!!

Here is a sneak peek at the room.

The dresser is painted and is ready to be filled with fabric. You can check out the before of the room and dresser by clicking here and here.

Its Been a Month!?

2010-04-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

I read this story and this story(and here) over the past few weeks and.....haven't felt like blogging. Honestly, I've been sad. I love that everyone has a story and I love hearing them. These two stories are sad. Really Sad! But each of these women, whom I've never met, have forever changed my life. Their faith left me speechless and brought me to my knees in prayer. I look forward to meeting these two women someday thanks to my Lord.

I know some of you are waiting to see the sewing room or wanting me to answer your questions about paint.....but.....well read these ladies stories and you will be moved to prioritize, hug and kiss your family more, play t-ball with your boys, let your daughter style your hair, and fall to your knees in prayer!

The Lord is at work in my heart so bare with me! I will be back soon:)

Picture of the year....a little set back

2010-03-15T16:24:00.000-07:00

So I have been busy priming my big pile of furniture.

I have everything primed and just need to paint. I headed to the paint store today to purchase my favorite paint for furniture........ever! It is a bit pricey but you don't have to finish off the piece with poly. My Dad used it on my kitchen cabinets a few years ago. Have I ever shared pictures of my kitchen....? Anywho, the paint has a super hard finish and stands the test of time.

So, after a long day at Homeschool Co-op, the Lobby(aka Hobby Lobby), and a field trip downtown to pick up Daddy, I made it to Sherwin William and had my precious paint in hand.

Only to do this with it.......

Prepare yourself......

You can scream if you want to......

I did......along with throwing a big fat fit when no one was looking!!!!!!!

SERIOUSLY!!!! How did I spill an entire can of PAINT on my HARD WOOD FLOORS?

GRIEF!!!

If that didn't give you a good enough laugh you may want to check out this particular day in my life. Or if you are like me and need a picture to make you laugh and my paint spill wasn't enough for you, then this one might do the trick:)

Another Project

2010-03-12T07:26:00.001-08:00

I found this table last weekend for $4.99!!

I have been wanting a side table for my living room and this is just the one. I am going to paint it Whiteberry style. That is, once I finish all of my other projects.

Have a Great Weekend!!

Studio 31 update

2010-03-11T05:57:00.000-08:00

The walls are painted and the faux wood floors are installed. Woohoo!! We still need to paint and install trim and paint lots and lots of furniture pieces that will enter the room in the next few weeks.

Like this guy......remember him. My $30 find! I can't wait to paint and distress.

He has a $60 friend who wants to come home with me to live as a buffet but he refuses to drop his price. He'll come around.....I'm sure of it:)

This little lady was going to be pink but I am trying to talk my little girl into painting her white.

This is or new manikin (or is it mannequin? I have always been a bad speller) for the sewing room. She is going to help us out by modeling projects we are working on or have finished. Isn't she cute! My Momma got her for us:) Thanks Mom. Now she just needs a name......

I really like the floors. They are a discontinued brand from Lowes so we got a super good deal. They look and feel like real hand scraped hickory.

Still lots to do.....paint and install trim, install ceiling, paint lots and lots of furniture, make fabric covered cork boards.....lots to do....lots....

And if that's not enough for me to do I decided to make the kids Easter outfits this year. Which means we might be celebrating Easter a month late...he he! I am making the dresses and shirts similar to these.

Although, I may make long skirts instead using this fabric:

Or these.....

The boys will have matching bow tie shirts or regular tie shirts.....they will be so cute. Oh, and I found an awesome little clutch purse to make for the girls to go with their dresses. Can't wait to share with you!!

Adding a New Project to My Honey Do List

2010-02-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to paint this piano for a LONG time. Hopefully some time soon.

New recipe, new sewing table, new dry wall....

2010-02-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

I made lentle soup the other night for the first time. It turned out really well so I thought I would share it with you.

First, heat 2T olive oil in pot or dutch oven until hot but not smoking. Coarsly chop a cup of carrots, celery, and onion and add to pot. Don't forget to add lots and lots of freshly chopped garlic, 1lb. spicy organic kosher sausage chopped in small pieces, and 1lb. of dry lentles rinsed and dried.

Add a can of rotel and 2qts homemade chicken stock.

Cook for 45 minutes until lentels are tender. You can also purree a cup of the soup for a smoother consistency. I served my soup in my favorite Longaberger bowls/mugs my Mom gave to me. Top your soup with fresh chopped cilantro and sour cream. We dipped homemade crusty bread and flaxseed tortilla chips in our soup....YUM. It was good.

I found this adorable antique dressing table for my little girl. We are going to paint it a very light pink.

She is going to use it as a sewing table in our new sewing room, Studio 31. The sides open up which is where she is planning on storing her fabric stash. The middle opens as well which is where she is going to store her little sewing machine. We are planning on making a fabric covered cork board for the back side of the middle piece for pins and her inspiration pictures. Such Fun....I can't wait for the room to be finished.

The drywall is up and is getting its second sanding. We are hoping to paint this weekend and soon after lay the new faux wood laminate flooring!!!! Can't wait!!

This room is super small. Sorry for the horrible picture. Hopefully I can get better shots once the room is finished.

Painted Door

2010-02-16T05:01:00.000-08:00

With not having a whole lot of money for a good makeover I have been looking for ways to make an impact without much cost. This door used to be white.

I painted it black and LOVE the way it pops.

I am linking to:

Back to Work

2010-02-15T04:58:00.001-08:00

We finally got back to work on the craft/sewing room this weekend.

Ok, so "we" actually means the kids and Daddy. I was busy loosing my insides because of the nasty flu. I hate that guy!

Anyhow, the drywall is halfway up. I am so excited.

Oops, that's not a picture of the drywall. But the framing is up too. You get the idea.

I have a new inspiration photo for the craft/sewing room. I love all the white furniture with the pink accents. Oh, and the wallpaper!! Isn't it cute. I am going to wallpaper the longest wall where this soon to be painted dresser will sit.

Enjoy your Monday.....and make sure you don't get your 17 month old's shirt stuck on her head:)

Need New Furniture?

2010-01-19T05:23:00.000-08:00

I have a few pieces of furniture I am putting up for sale and thought I would post them on my blog to any locals. I have two of these armless chairs from overstock

and a few wood pieces that we restored using the same process we used on the hutch. If you are looking for an old piece of furniture that has been professionally painted and beautifully updated let me know. I may have just the piece you are looking for!

More Favorite Pictures

2010-01-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

Favorite Picture #2

2010-01-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

This is another of my favorites. Carolyn did such a good job of capturing the moment. In this picture the kids were running, jumping, and being silly in the leaves. I love that Carolyn captured Eden being still, just looking at the fallen leaves. So precious.

I Will Cherish These Forever

2010-01-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

We recently had family pictures taken by a sweet friend. She is an amazing photographer! I mean it! In the past, family photo sessions were something I dreaded. The kids never smiled their true sweet smiles, there was always a fight of some kind, and I was a sweaty mess by the end. This was not the case with Carolyn. She met us at our home and just followed the kids around while they showed her their rooms and toys. My kids even got their own cameras out and started taking pictures of her. It was totally laid back and fun. She then went with us to a cute little town up the road and took some amazing photos of us walking through ally ways, standing against old buildings, and the kiddos being silly in the leaves. Her work is amazing.

See what I mean! I will be posting a new picture that Carolyn took each day for the next four or five days.
In the mean time check out Carolyn Bowles Photography.

New Craft room in the works

2010-01-04T18:44:00.000-08:00

I am not posting about Christmas this year......I know I'm awful....but there are just too many pictures to sort through and....well.....I get overwhelmed easily. So I thought I would share a decorating project that I am just a bit excited about at the moment.
My daughter got a sewing machine for Christmas and we have been sewing up a storm. With lots of fun comes lots of mess. We have been sewing in our school room which means not much "school" has been getting done. With all of this being said....we need a craft room.
This is my inspiration:

photo by Heather Bailey

Isn't it pretty. I just like to stare at it!
I want our room to be inspiring, cozy, and pink for my little girl. The room above has it all. I love the pink, the teal, the ribbon storage, the jars, the red accents......love it!! I love that she used a hutch to store fabric too!!

I scored a dresser for 30 bucks this weekend to hopefully store our supplies in. What color should I paint it.....?

Now I just need to find another hutch. Oh, and hang dry wall, install flooring, bead board wall paper with great chunky trim and a place to display my collection of jars.......it will be a while.....but the end result will be so worth the wait.

Can you see all our stuff in the garage hung on the wall all nice and neat? That has been a never ending project for my man. I will have to show before and after shots of it all soon. I am so glad that it is done.....now he can start spraying furniture again....he he!!

By the way. Does anyone know how I can print really small under a picture to share who the picture is from? How do I change font size and write in italics? I hate computers....I can never figure them out. HELP!!

Think Of It!

2009-12-10T10:29:00.000-08:00

Yes, think of it! When I am gone this is what goes on!

I about tinkled my pants when I saw this one. Does any other Mom out there get stressed looking at this? Man, was I glad I was not there to clean this up. Don't get me wrong, I am so happy the kids had a blast and made memories.....I'm just glad I wasn"t there....I would have had a COW!! When I got home there was not a nugget in sight. Only these pictures to show for it!

Chalkboard Playhouse

2009-12-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

When we finished our basement years ago we finished off the "under the stairs" area for the kids. My husband made a little door and a window trying to make it look somewhat like a house. At some point I wanted do something with the area. I was thinking a wall mural of some kind. Maybe a grocery store or a library would be cute. However, I am not an artist and I am too cheap to higher a real artist. So, I got out my chalkboard paint and painters tape and taped away.

It took three good coats of paint and it was finished. Isn't it cute?

Looking at the pictures, I am not sure why we decided to put an electric outlet right below the little window. What were we thinking? I should have painted it with chalkboard paint.

I am linking to

Hutch Makeover: a post revisited

2009-11-12T11:23:00.000-08:00

I have a huge empty wall in my family room that needed a substantial piece of furniture. It was a huge wall of waynes coating and looked like a sea of white. I have this painting in my eating area that I thought I could incorporate the green color on the hutch.

I just love green and knew it was just the right color for the hutch. I also saw a beautiful hutch at Urban Farmhouse that I have been drooling over for months but just couldn't afford the price tag. Enter Craiglist:

I found this hutch for $100 on craiglist!! I was just so excited to finally find the piece I had been looking for. However, I was overly optimistic about this piece. It is ginormous!! I did not realize all the work it would take to remove all eight doors, 20 hinges, 14 knobs, not to mention all the taping it took for covering the glass before spraying.
When we finally finished I had do a bit of rearranging. I was going to put it behind my slipper chairs. I liked the hutch there but the chairs had to be moved to our library/ music room. The room that houses my Ikea cabinet.

Here she is all fancied up!

Please pay no attention to the hinges that don't match up. Like I said it was a huge task. I was so excited to start that I didn't think to make a note of which hinges went to which door. I am not a photographer by any means. I wish I could get a good picture of the actual color of the hutch. All the pictures I take make it look pastel and dull. Trust me, though....it is bright and just the punch of color the room needed.

Remember this picture?

The hutch is now where the black dresser and round mirror used to be.

>
I moved the black dresser across the room under my favorite old window.

It's amazing what a little paint and some rearranging can do for a room.

I also made a couple faux grain sack pillows for the room using drop cloths and a bit of left over paint from the hutch.

I am linking to:

Reaching New Heights

2009-11-11T13:18:00.000-08:00

The routine and schedule of our day has been a bit off lately. A 14 month old can do that to your day.

If my 6 year old has difficulties reading and spelling when she is an adult it is because our home school day during first grade was a bit interrupted by this adorable curious, fearless, climbing baby.

Paint Color and other news

2009-11-07T05:18:00.000-08:00

I am completely tickled that I was featured on ASPTL DIY day!!!!! How did that happen? Had I known so many of you would have been stopping by I would have had my picture in my sidebar changed....I really hate that picture....it doesn't even look like me....why did I chose that particular picture...why????...sorry....anyhow.
Thank you for leaving such sweet comments on my hutch makeover. Blogging is a great creative outlet for me and to have so many kind gals leave such sweet comments just makes my week! Thank you Thank you!!!!

OK, so the paint color is Behr paint from Home Depot. It is interior semi-gloss latex enamel and the color is called Grape Vine

We used less than a quart of paint on the entire cabinet!! Can you believe that? My husband used a sprayer to paint the entire thing. For the first coat we used the little sample can of paint that we bought at Home Depot. Less than $18 in paint for the entire project!!

This is our next piece we are going to tackle. I have been wanting to do something with our master bedroom for some time. Why is it, that the master bedroom is always the last room you do anything to? It will be awhile for this one, but I couldn't wait to share.

This is the fabric I am using.

I think I want to paint the dresser the shade of grey blue that is in the fabric. Layla at the Lettered Cottage used a perfect blue color that I think is just the right one I am going to go with.

Oh, and I found these wall mounted lamps at Pottery Outlet...$40 for the pair!! Score!!

I love Amy Butler

2009-11-06T06:03:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been wanting to make matching outfits for my girls. They are pretty far apart in age which makes it difficult to find matching outfits at the store. I am a fabric addict. If I find some on sale I usually buy it hoping to find a project down the road where I could use it.

My sister gave me a gift certificate to fabric.com awhile back and I was able to load up on some Amy Butler fabric. I used some of it to make my curtain for my laundry room, quilts, and now I finally used some of it for the girls.
I used iron on transfer to attach the fabric to the shirts.

I cut out a smaller flower for the dress and used a bigger one for the 6x shirt.

They can finally match!

I just need to make a matching skirt.

I made this little shirt for my one year olds birthday party. I am not very good at sewing circles or anything other than straight lines for that matter. So, I decided to use special fabric paint around the raw edges. I think it looks cute and I have washed them a lot and the paint is staying on just great. Gotta love a fast, easy, and cute project!!

Craigs list Hutch: The After

2009-11-03T04:41:00.000-08:00

Procrastinator's Party Round 2: The Boy's Room and a Sneak Peek

2009-10-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has taken so long to share the boy's new room. We tend to start new projects when we still have several others waiting to be finished.
This was the new project that put off the finishing of the other projects: Landscaping

So the boys room. I don't think I took a before picture. Here are a few of the afters.

I made the window valances from Ikea fabric. I ran out of money so I used upholstery tacks to attach them to the wall.

This light is my favorite part of the room. I found it at Pottery Barn Outlet.

This bookshelf used to be ugly and dirty. I painted it red....didn't like it....now it is black. I still need to add a bit of bead board to the back. The picture above the shelf is also from Pottery Barn. The rug is from Crate and Barrel.

I got the boy's bedding from Pottery Barn and Target. Their bunk bed used to be their Grandpa's. My husband and his brother shared it when they were kids.

i used regular unfinished shelves from Hobby Lobby for the bookshelves. I painted them black, turned them upside down and added a rod to hold the books in.

Here is a sneak peek at the cabinet. I still need to attach the doors...and by "I" I mean my husband:)

Procrastinator's Party round 1: School Room Makeover

2009-10-20T03:37:00.000-07:00

Today is reveal day for the procrastinator's party over at the Inspired Room. I took on three projects for this reveal. Yes, three....spoken like a true procrastinator with unrealalistic expectations....right?
My reveal is going to take three days.....or more....because I have three different projects to show you. It wouldn't be right to show you everything at once.

I am starting with my school room first because it has been the one that I have put off the longest.....5 months I think.
Remember this picture?

After

This shot doesn't really look like a school room. This is my work area. The teacher needs a well organized inspiring space, right?
I wanted to use a bright color in here. I couldn't paint the walls so I had to add color with accessories.

These are my favorite little frames. I know the pictures are missing. At least they are on the wall. I want to fill them with silhouettes of my children....

Please ignore the hole in the wall and the ugly cover that my husband says hides something important. It's a work in progress.

I added a bit of spray paint and a bit of cork to a few old frames I had. They are cute and functional. It is difficult to see in the picture, I do not have a good camera, but I made cute little magnets for my homemade chalkboard and pins for the cork frames.

Did I ever mention that I have a small obsession with jars? I had to add some to the school room.

I also like small shelves.

I took the drawer out of the little cabinet and placed it on the opposite side to house my collection of blank cards. I love my wire bin for storing paper.

I finally bought desks for each of the kids. They are so excited to have their own space for all of their school books.

This is the storage area. All of our school supplies, curriculum and preschool manipulatives are stored here. I love that everything is in one area all nice and organized. The pictures hanging above the shelf are from a store similar to Goodwill. They are vintage school posters that have cute little character building sayings on them. Please pay no attention to the drawer pull that is just hanging there. Just keeping it real. My one year completely broke the drawer pull before I took the picture. Oh yes, a day in the life of me...he he.

I have tons of paper that needs to be filed....but I don't have a file cabinet in here. I bought this great wall organizer from discount school supplies to hold all my files.
I also display a few of our art projects throughout the year on this wall as well as our weekly bible verse on the dry erase board.

This is my homemade chalkboard. I made it from the top of an old table. I just taped off the edges and went to town with my chalkboard spray paint. I love the way it turned out.

The alphabet above the chalkboard was made by my sister-in-laws brother. He cut out each letter. At some point I want to have a rod of some kind below the letters to display more art work.

Come back this week to see the reveal of the boys room and this cabinet all fixed up!

I am also linking up to A Soft Place to Land for her DIY day.

I finally made my drop cloth slip cover!!!!

2009-10-06T12:01:00.000-07:00

I have been busy busy the last month or so. School started, life groups, housekeeping, wife hood and motherhood......I could go on and on. I have neglected my poor little blog for far too long! I am back and ready to share some of my projects that I have been wanting to do, but have been putting off. One being a slip cover for this sad little ottoman.

This ottoman used to be ginormous. About the size of a twin bed. We cut it down to a smaller rectangle, recovered it, and cut it down again to its current state. It is wobbly and the fabric is worn and pitiful.

BUT NOT ANY MORE!!

This was my first attempt at cording. It is a bit uneven so don't look too close.

Can you see the big void place on the back wall behind the slipper chairs?

Here is a sneak peek at what will be living behind those chairs!

I am not sure of the color yet. The lovely owner of Urban farmhouse gave a sample off of one of her old pieces a few weeks ago. Hopefully Home Depot can match it for me. Stay tuned. Didn't I say "stay tuned" about four or five months ago when I was working on the boys room and the school room? I am a total procrastinator which is why I am joining the procrastinator party over at the Inspired Room.

Join me in two weeks when I reveal my totally finished boys room

And hopefully completely finished school room!

And this cabinet will be painted beautifully.....I can't wait!!

Embarrassing moments with kids

2009-09-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

Kids are so honest. Most of the time they will say exactly how they feel and what they are thinking
This is my little man.

You always know how he feels. He doesn't hide his emotions.

I love this about him. I love that he feels safe to tell me when I have hurt him or said or acted in a way that has made him sad. I love that he is observant and reminds me when I am doing well with something that I have been struggling with. I love that he has a huge heart that is full of forgiveness and love. I love that at 5 years of age he still loves to hold my hand and give me hugs. I love that I can always know how he is feeling and what he is thinking.
And I love that his honesty, at times, leads to embarrassing yet funny moments!!!

The other day we were at Meijer making a made dash to get a cart. We make made dashes to get these two seated cart things because our Meijer decided to only have two for all the frazzled Moms to fight over. Anyhow, as we were claiming our cart a very out of shape, sweaty man wearing no shirt and cut off jeans walks out of the store......right next to little Darren. Oh, I wish I could have had a camera. His face was completely shocked!!! He stopped in his tracks and looked at me. I just knew he was going to say exactly what was on his mind. So what did he say in his loudest voice possible? "Wow mom, it must be really embarrassing to be naked at the grocery store." This was said in a voice that I am sure was heard by the "naked" guys ears. I could have died!!!

He turned 5....a month ago

2009-08-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

What I like most about this little 5 year old man:
He loves the buckeyes. He wears his buckeye jersey almost everyday...clean or dirty. Thanks Mom and Dad for getting him a new one. He needed it. He is a good mix of silly and serious. There is never a dull moment with little D.

He likes to play the guitar.....and make lots of noise.....all the time.

He is a great big brother.

He loves being outside.

He is like his Dad is so many ways. He never takes no for an answer, needs to be physically active to let off steam, is energized by people, has a love for the outdoors, has a heart for the Lord, and he will give you the shirt off his back.....as long as it's not his Buckeye shirt. I love this little man.

A few weeks ago we had his 5 year birthday party with a few of his buddies. It was so fun. He had been looking forward to this day for a long time. When he got up in the morning he immediately ran downstairs and put his shoes on to see if they still fit him. He is convinced that he is bigger now that he is 5.
At his party each of his friends got a matching shirt and miniature skateboard.

Are they not the most handsome little guys?

We had a short skateboard race down the street.....5 year old style.

And finished things up with some yummy cupcakes with little skateboards on top.

Thanks to all of our friends for bringing your boys to the party. It was an amazing day for Darren. Thank you also for the gifts. You are all so generous.

Lots to share

2009-07-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

We have been busy the last few weeks. We spent a week at the lake with my parents. Graham fell asleep on the way.

We celebrated my nephews first birthday

It was a super cute baseball theme.

My parents taught the kids to jump in the pool by themselves and swim like fish.

We took lots of golf cart rides.

We relaxed on the porch swing.

My sweet little niece got her ears pierced.

Aunt Amie and Kenna after she got her ears pierced. Kenna did so well.

Kenna cried for just a little bit and then she was ready to shop with Ella.

I house snooped.

We spent some time cruising the lake.

See Graham in the above picture? I have learned that it is pretty much impossible to get a good picture of him if he knows you have a camera. He either looks serious like he does in the above picture or he looks like this:

Again, one of Graham serious looks.

We saw the best fireworks ever.

The kids discovered something new on the boat. What's under that door that Grandpa is holding up? Can you guess? It's a potty and it got used way to much by my kids. And by kids I mean little D.

The invader was confined to the gated porch

But she didn't mind a bit.

My little man turned 5!! Stay tuned for more birthday pictures.

The big kids spent a few days with Grandpa and Grandma. While they were away I decorated the boy's room for their birthdays. Stay tuned for the the after shots.

Beautiful weather ahead this week. Fun in the sun, sewing, makeover reveals, and some new recipes. It is going to be a good week.

Cara's House: Kitchen, Entry, and family

2009-07-14T10:10:00.000-07:00

Find me on Polyvore

Hi Cara, it's me......your obsessed friend who can't stop giving you decorating ideas for your new home. Can't wait to see all the new finds you looked at today.
Anyhow, I messed around with some things in your kitchen. Now, I have no idea what color you want to do in there but I thought the green would compliment the blue idea from the family room.
I know you said you wanted to replace the hardware on the cabinets with new knobs and drawer pulls. I like these two options in either the brushed nickle or the rubbed bronze. The rubbed bronze would flow well with your appliances and black accents and would have the look of being a part of the cabinets rather than something that was added.

I love the walnut color of your cabinets and your floors. Pairing white with them would add softness, light and blend well with your white moldings and trim throughout the rest of the house.
I know this isn't your kitchen island but I thought it would look nice to paint your current island a color. White, or even sage green(like the bucket in the picture above) would work nicely.
A white table(similar to this $3200 one but much less expensive) and chairs will add light to room as well as tie in the color of the island. I like the size and lines of these bar stools. They would look nice in sage green or a shade of white.
I thought roman shades would work well on the wall of windows in your eating area. There is not enough room to do curtains and with the door to the patio being there drapes would get in the way. I like these roman shades from smith and noble. The darker ones are not the exact ones I was looking for but they are similar. They make a shade that is made of jute and has a black border like the one shown above. These would add nice texture and compliment the walnut wood. The other option is the sage stripe roman shade. This would be a great way to tie in the sage color (or what ever color you chose for the room) and let more light through.
You had mentioned replacing the counter tops. I thought this color of granite would look great with your wood tones, white moldings, and back splash. The big frame would be made into a chalkboard for the wall in your eating area. I love this rug for the eating area...texture and color:)
OK, so......that's all I got.

Cara's House

2009-07-13T13:26:00.001-07:00

Find me on Polyvore
So Cara, I can't your house out of my head so I thought I would put a design board together for you.
This is what I was thinking for the entry. Same colors on the walls as the Family room. French doors on the music room like you had talked about. A jute rug trimmed with black or brown. Large round table(not in this finish. Maybe black or even one with a table cloth) placed where your current one is. A few baskets placed on the floor next to the table to add texture and added storage. This table would really be great with knick knacks and the tall flowers you had mentioned. A cute little bench next to the door(again black would look nice) with a system of hooks for guest as well as a cute old looking sign of some sort hanging above. More frames for the wall on the left as you are exiting the entry and entering the hall and family room(I think there was wall space there).

Click on the design board arrow to view the family room design board.

I think a nice neutral color on the walls will look great with all of the vertical space and natural light. This color(it's the greenish brownish blob above the one chair), or one similar, will allow you to add and change color with accents throughout the year. The wall unit shown is similar to the pottery barn one you showed me today. I like the shutters on this one. The wall sign above it says, "Delighted you are here." I know you talked about doing a leather sectional but I couldn't find an image of one so lets pretend that this one has the right lines and is a sectional. I like these slip covered chairs. Pairing them with ottomans and placing them on either side of the fire place would look great. Using bamboo blinds on the two windows will add warmth and texture as well as tie into the dark brown of the sofa. The black cabinet would look great on the one short wall we were talking about. You could do a picture collage above the cabinet of all your cute babies and sweet family. I found this image of a wicker coffee table which I thought was fun. I still think something square or round would work great in the room too. This tree would look nice next to the wall unit on the big wall. Next to the tree on the half wall(near the hallway to your bedroom but still in family room) a small black bookcase with baskets and floor pillows(which I couldn't find a good image of) would be cute for a kids corner.
I used a blue color scheme but with your neutral large pieces you could use just about any color you would want. The only problem with doing the design boards is that you are limited on the images you can upload. So, the images in you board are just ideas of what we had talked about. I am sure you could find similar pieces at other stores for better prices and the right lines you are looking for.

Sewing, cooking, and biking

2009-06-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

I love our friends and our church. It is the best place. It has become somewhat of a tradition to have baby showers for the expectant moms in our church. However, there have been so many pregnancy it has been tough to keep up. I love to make homemade gifts for baby showers and lately it has been very simple quilts. Nothing like these or these. I am not as skilled or fancy as them. These days mine are looking more like this

Isn't the ric rac cute. Got the idea from this lovely lady.

This little one is for Sonya's little one. It took me long enough to make it. He may have out grown it by now:)

Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes
I have made this dish quite a bit lately. It is super easy and loved by all. I got the recipe from allrecipes.com, it was submitted by jamon0126, thanks jamon0126!!
First melt 1T of butter in sauce pan. Add salt, pepper, flour and 1T of minced garlic(I add about twice the amount of garlic). Cook on medium low for 2 minutes. Gradually add chicken broth, cook and stir until mixture boils and mixture is smooth(not lumpy).

Place 4 cups of sliced potatoes in a greased 9x13 dish. Top with 1/2 cup of cilantro, cracked pepper, and butter/flour mixture.

Brown pork chops in 1T butter and 1T of garlic

Place browned chops on top of potatoes and cilantro.

Cover and bake in 350 oven for 1 hour. Uncover and cook for 20 minutes.
Serve with a yummy summer salad.

Biking
We went to the bike trail again this weekend. We found this huge open field to stop and eat lunch and run and play. Good times with the family.

Good Times with the Letter "B"

2009-06-14T14:05:00.001-07:00

We are a Bike riding family. We love to ride bikes in the evenings and on the weekends. Our oldest two can ride two wheelers, the baby rides in the trailer, and Graham....well he gets to ride with Daddy on the Boo Bike(aka blue bike).

On the weekends we've been heading up to the bike trail for flat wide open riding.
This past visit to the trail Eden was tired. I broke the law and let her sit on my lap(does anyone else do this?). She was exhausted and I wanted her to stay awake in the car so that she would nap in the trailer during our bike ride. Darren and I got to talking while Eden sucked on my water bottle and....well...so much for braking the law.

This has nothing to with biking but it starts with a "B" and is my new favorite recipe.
Banana Bars(Frosted Banana Bars that is).
My sister I've never met(I wish I new this sweet lady in real life) made these Banana Bars a while back and I finally got around to making them......

They didn't last long. I served ours with Butter Pecan Ice Cream.

The race is over!!

2009-06-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

Big Darren had his annual triathlon this past weekend. He and his Brother Andrew got 12th place....WOO-HOO!!! I am so proud of this handsome man.

He is Handsome....Isn't HE!!

We got there early and the boys drank Gatorade

Eden played with leaves

This is what we ate the week before the race. He likes to eat lots of raw foods to insure he gets as much nutrients as possible as well as carbs from 100% whole wheat pasta.

We love pasta salad. I usually throw in whatever I have in the frig. I used whole wheat pasta, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas, yellow pepper, olives, raw pecans, bacon and grilled chicken. I toss it all with a vinaigrette dressing and Parmesan cheese. Fresh fruit, green salad, and a fast pasta once a week....Healthy and easy.

Good Morning

2009-06-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

I love the way the sun shines through our windows early in the morning. My house is quiet....no children are awake(well the baby but she doesn't count), and I can enjoy the sweet quiet of early morning.
This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!!

Here is another recipe for you. My Mother-in-law gave me this recipe and it has become our favorite bread. You can make it in a bread machine but I like to bake my in my Longaberger crock.

7/8 C of water
2T butter(I replace the butter with 6 more T of Flax seed and 2 more T of water)
3T Molasses
1t salt
2T flax seed
1T Wheat Gluten
2 1/2 C bread flour( I use whole wheat pastry flour)
1 1/2 T non-fat dry milk
1 1/2t fast rise yeast
Combine all ingredients in order of bread machine directions. I use my stand mixer and add the ingredients in the same order. Place your dough in your desired (greased) containor and let it rise in a warm place for an hour until it has doubled in size. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, watching to make sure it doesn't get too brown on top.

Need a new recipe?

2009-06-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

Do you feel like you make the same meals over and over? Well, Composing Hallelujahs inspired me with her summer salad posts so I thought I would share a couple of my favorite meals with you each week.
This is becoming one of my favorite meals. It is fast, easy, and really tasty.
Here's what you need:

1 package of water chestnuts
1 bag sugar snap peas ( I use two because we like our peas)
2 T (large ones) of minced garlic. (fresh is best...I didn't have fresh)
1/3 C chopped fresh ginger
2 C brown rice
2lbs steak (which ever cut you prefer)
1 recipe for brown sauce (recipe is below)
First warm 1 T olive oil in pan. Add garlic and ginger and saute for 30 seconds.
Add steak and cook until evenly browned, about 3 minutes. Add sugar snap peas and cook for 2 minutes, uncovered.
It should look something like this:

Next add your brown sauce and cook until thick and bubbly. Like this:

Serve over brown rice. Sorry, no finished picture...we were hungry:)
Brown Sauce recipe:
9T soy sauce
3 T dark brown sugar
1 1/2 t corn starch
6 T iced tea or apple juice
Mix together. If you like things spicy, add 1/2-1 t hot pepper flakes.

Invader

2009-06-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

Remember those cute book forts my big kids made the other day? Well, yesturday they were invaded by this little lady.

She is cute and curious and into everything.

Book forts

2009-06-01T05:13:00.000-07:00

My kids LOVE books. Toys are always great exciting gifts to open but when it comes down to day to day stuff, my kids choose books over toys. Lately our morning routine consists of breakfast together, 5-10 minutes reading our bibles(little ones look at their picture bibles) and twenty minutes of free play for kids while I get morning chores done. Yes, only 5-10 minutes...not a long time to spend in the word but for two little boys it feels like an eternity. Besides at this point it is the habit rather than the time that I am wanting them to form.
So, during this free time the books come out. I don't know about your kids but my little ones make secret clubs, aka forts, out of just about everything. This makes for an extremely messy house but the mess is so worth it. Look at what fun!

Almost Done?

2009-05-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

This is the question I hear daily from my kids, "Are you almost done with the school room Mommy?"
They are so excited.
I have been trying to save as much money as possible in the redo of this school room(part of the reason why it's taking so long). I have used quite a few old pieces that now have a new job. On behalf of The Shabby Nest here is a look at my Frugal Friday Chalkboard.

What do you think? I know the picture is...not so great. I don't have one of those fancy shmancy cameras like some of you....sigh. Although, if I did have one I couldn't guarentee that my pictures would be any better than they are now. Photography is not a gifting of mine. Anyhow, so my chalkboard turned out awesome. It was actually an old table that we had. I unscrewed the top, taped it off and went to town with my chalkboard paint. Buying a new one was not in the budget and I didn't like the ones I found on the internet. This one is just right....it reminds me of a really old one that would be hanging in a Sunday school room.

This too is a pretty bad shot...bare with me. I haven't gotten to the details in the room, but I have managed to find cute little containers for pencils as well as bubble gum for my little students. Have I ever mentioned that I have a small obession for containers( mostly jars)? I will post about that later.
This room doesn't have any windows so I wanted to add as much light as I could by using white furniture pieces. At the same time I didn't want it to look boring.....so I added teal as an accent color. My Mom and my sister have had a lot of fun with tea; lately....wish they blogged about it. They both have beautiful homes and creative ideas.
Can't wait to show you the rest!!! I'm almost done:)

Unrelated

2009-05-26T04:02:00.001-07:00

I hope you all had a great weekend. Ours was busy but we managed to fit in a little relaxing with the kiddies..... Smores, a great book (A True Priness by lamp lighter press...great great books) and a warm fire in the back yard.

This is our school room before the maddness began. I am not ready to reveal the after but I will give you a few hints of the goings ons. I have repurposed a lot of old things. A table into a chalk board...what? You will have to wait and see. Old shelves, frames and cabinets repurposed and brought back to life and of course Ikea played a roll as well. Oh, and lots and lots of spray paint.

Have I told you lately?

2009-05-22T03:34:00.000-07:00

How much I love this little man.

Graham is a Ham. I can always count on him to make me laugh.

He loves to wear big brothers clothes and shoes and play with his super cool toys.

Bubbles make him smile.

His first bike ride on a big boy bike.

He was a bit nervous.

Cliff Bars

2009-05-21T04:55:00.001-07:00

These cliff bars are a family favorite. My sister-in-law gave me my first recipe for cliff bars a while back and since then we have been hooked. I tweek the recipe each time we make it. Sometimes I add mini chocolate chips or dried fruit but my kiddos prefer peanut butter with nuts.
First combine oatmeal, nuts, and ground flaxseed.

In a saucepan on medium high heat add brown sugar and honey.

When your sugar and honey mixture begins to boil remove from heat and add peanut butter and vanilla.

Next, combine your peanut butter and honey mixture to your oatmeal mixture.

Use parchment paper to press your cliff bar mixture into a greased 9x13 pan.

Let your bars cool. Cut into individual servings and store in an air tight container. You can store them in the frig but we prefer them soft and store them in the pantry.

Oh, and don't forget to let your kiddies lick the spoon.

Flaxseed Cliff Bars
3 cups quick cooking oats
9 T ground flaxseed (flaxseed meal)
1 cup chopped nuts ( I use raw pecans, almonds, and cashews)
3/4 cup honey
6 T dark brown sugar
1 cup natural peanut butter (you could also use almond or cashew butter)
3 t vanilla extract
Optional: 1 1/2 t cinnamon

Tears....hers and mine

2009-05-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

I went to Eden's room to get her up from nap the other day and found her on her knees. She has never done this before. In fact, I still had her crib gate lowered. I have been in denial when it comes to my baby girl growing up, but there is no stopping it. Anyhow, when I saw her on her knees I ran to get my camera and when I returned I found her standing.....and crying. Time is moving to fast.

A Giveaway!!!

2009-05-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Layla over at the letter cottage is giving away one of these beautiful burlap table runners from Grace's Esty shop.

Head on over and check out Layla if you haven't already.
I love those cactus (I guess it is cacti) in the milk glasses (right? is that what those cute little white glasses are called?). Ikea has lots of succulents right now for only $2.99. I just got a cute little tree for my kitchen that I hope to be able to show a picture of soon.

Oh, and if Layla is reading this post for the giveaway, please pay no attention to the picture of the woman up there on the left whose hair is in desparate need of a highlight job....he he.

A Few Things

2009-04-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

First, I haven't been posting much lately because we have been going back and forth about getting a new computer. Well, as of yesterday we have decided to make the big purchase and buy the HP something rather with so many GB of something and so many somethings of memory. Shows how much I know about computers. All I really care about is being able to have a computer that I can download,(or is it upload?) pictures from my camera, have access to photo shop, email, and blogging. I guess I care about what it looks like too. I wanted one that was white to match the school room that it will be living in, but white cost more. I will be back to posting about raising kids, cooking, and painting my walls as soon as our new computer arrives.

Second, I am in the process of creating a school room in the basement. Can't wait to show pictures of the results. Oh, and I have a few great recipes to share as well.

Lastly, can anyone tell me how to delete an old blog?

I almost forgot. My Dad sent me more pics of their cute little house on the lake that I thought you would all enjoy.

Aerial shot of the Lake

View from their deck

Grandma and Grandpa's Lake House

2009-04-15T03:59:00.001-07:00

This is where I get to stay when I visit my parents. Enjoy!!

This is where my kids stay while at Grandpa and Grandmas. Isn't it cute? They used the same siding that is on their house to create this mini one in the Grandkids room. Creative!!

Eden and Daddy

2009-04-04T18:55:00.001-07:00

This is where you can find Eden whenever her Daddy is within her sight.

Are they not the cutest? I love my baby's Daddy!!

Nap time at Co-op

2009-03-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

Every Monday is our homeschool co-op day. It is one of my kids favorite days of the week. We have met amazing families and my children have met friends that I hope they will have for a long time.
I have shared with some of you how Graham falls asleep on a little foam couch with his buddy Micah every afternoon during nap time at co-op. I have been trying to get a picture of this for months and the other week I finally captured my sweet little boy. So, after lunch the lights get turned off and everyone must rest. What happens when the lights come back on is hilarious. This is what Graham does when all the other two year olds are being pretty loud two year olds when nap time is over.

I wish I would have captured all of the other kids running around the room while he slept.

Hooked on Urban Farmhouse

2009-03-14T11:10:00.001-07:00

This is my new favorite place, Urban Farmhouse
If you like vintage things or new things that look old, this is the place for you. Her store is beautifully decorated. I could have spent hours just looking when I visited her store. My pictures do not do justice to how fabulous the store actually is. Here are a few of my finds.

Little canvas green pears. They have great texture and the feel of old denim.

These little artichoke candles are my new favorite candles. They burn beautifully and they are green, my favorite.

Don't you just love these soap holders? I love the finish on them and the fact that they can be attached right to the wall. I also bought a bar of natural soap to sit in this little holder. The soaps in this store are better than the $7 ones at Anthropology.

I got this cute little "Be Kind" sign for above my couch.

I wish I could show you more. I hope to visit this sweet little store again soon!! Don't forget to head over and get a peek inside.

The Laundry Room is Finished

2009-03-09T15:45:00.001-07:00

Remember this small and narrow laundry room? Well we moved the washer and dryer to the far wall so that I did not have to walk sideways into the room. Now I have much more room.

I bought these cute baskets at Michaels half off. I made the little chalk boards from a few pieces of wood and some chalk board paint.

What do you think of my little fabric drape? All of my ugly soaps and detergents are hidden behind that pretty thing. I love this fabric. I can't remember the name of the fabrics but they are by Amy Butler. I recently visited Granville, the town where her studio is located. There was a cute little shop that carried a bit of her fabric but the owner would not allow me to take pictures. I took this one before I asked.

Motivate Me Monday

2009-03-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am currently doing a Beth Moore study with a group of girls from church. We are studying the book of Esther. I have read this book several times but with the help of Beth I am learnnig much more.
Have you gotten to a point with yourself where you are comfortable? Do you know what I mean? Things are going OK...you are comfortable but you are not being stretched. One thing I have learned in my own life as well as looking at Esther's life is that it will, at certain times, take a crisis to pivet our direction. Esther had been Queen for quite some time when her time had come to confront the King on behalf of her people. If you think about it she was probably getting pretty comfortable. She had maids, eunuchs, as well as food, clothes, and beauty treatments. Then she was hit with the fact that she and her people were going to be destroyed. She could confront the King and face death for doing just that or she could do nothing and perish with the rest of the Jews. Esther had a choice. She had to overcome herself in order to do what God had created her and positioned her to do. Often times we are the biggest obstacel in our own life. Our fear of "whatever" prevents us from allowing ourselves to be stretched.
Take a bold step this week. That crisis that you are facing? You may be facing it to change the direction of your faith. Maybe you are getting too comfortable and not risking enough. Step out in faith, have courage, and overcome yourself so that you can do what God has positioned you to do.
Do you know what the most frequent command in the Bible is? "Do not be afraid." Don't allow fear to prevent you from taking a bold step in your faith.

Makeover

2009-03-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

So.....? What do you all think of my new blog design? I am just tickled pink!!! Please ignore the picture of me over there on the left. I love the cute little frame that Fabulous K did for my picture, don't you? Again look at the frame not the picture. I am working on getting a new photo for Fab K to put in that darling little frame, but it is harder than I thought. Am I the only Mom who does not have one good picture of herself or even her husband? I have thousands of adorable pictures of my kids but not one of myself.
At least I have learned something from having an ugly picture of myself on the internet for everyone to laugh at, I mean see. I need to take more pictures of me and my husband!! If something were to happened to us I would want my children to have pictures to remember us by.
Have a great Day:)
Oh, and don't ya just love my sweet little signature? I told you I am just tickled:)

Talking with God

2009-02-27T05:10:00.002-08:00

Recently the Lord has placed on my heart the importance of teaching my children to have daily quiet times. My kids are young and are not independent readers but I can't help but think about how most habits in life are established from an early age. Think of habits you have had since childhood. Now think about how blessed you would be now, as an adult, if from an early age you began the habit of spending time with God first thing in the morning. It would be a part of your day. You couldn't start your day off without talking with God first. Do you brush your teeth every morning? How about make your bed or make a pot of coffee? Teach your children while they are young to talk with God on a daily basis especially first thing in the morning. If you need more inspiration on this, visit my new favorite inspirational blog friend Joy and one of my favorite inspiring Moms, Teri

So I have talked with my oldest child about this topic this week. She has always had a heightened awareness of the Lord and daily seeks to know more about the Lord by asking her Daddy and I questions. This morning when she got up she came downstairs and sat with me. We snuggled for a bit and I said good morning and we had this conversation:
Ella: Mama?
Me: Yes
Ella: I talked with God this morning
Me: You did?
Ella: Yeah and He said something to me
Me: HE DID?
Ella: Yes, He said, "You are strong and mighty....
Me: now she hasn't finished at this point but my heart was melting and I was all smiles
Ella: So He said, "You are strong and mighty...and you will carry your sister around in a wagon"
Me: Smiling
Ella: Kissed me and went on her merry way
Is she not the sweetest thing? So back to my original thought. I am not sure how I am going to implement bible time with Ella yet. We have family devotional time and we do a short study at breakfast every Monday, but, I want her to start a habit of spending time alone in God's word. She isn't an independent reader yet so I think I will take Joy's advice and do a bible reading on tape during her afternoon quiet time where she will picture journal what she learns from the story. I am hoping to have her reading from a NIV bible independently soon...maybe when she is 7 or 8. For now I will anxiously await hearing what the Lord says to her each morning as she begins her day praying to Him.

Home school convention

2009-02-25T11:34:00.002-08:00

The MidWest Home School Convention is coming up soon. I encourage you to check out their website. Even if you do not home school you should really consider attending. In fact, they should change the name of the conference to MidWest Parenting Convention. My husband and I leave feeling refreshed and ministered to every year. You will not be disappointed. Every year they have an incredible speaker line-up and an exhibit hall that offers pretty much everything you can think of when it comes to raising children. Oh, and did I mention that it is very affordable? Don't wait until summer to buy your curriculum. Hit the exhibit hall at the convention and save!!

A giveaway

2009-02-16T16:27:00.002-08:00

Are these cards not the cutest things ever? They could be yours.
My friend has a giveaway this week on her blog and since another friend of mine(whom I haven't met in real life, only in blogland, but really wish I knew in real life) has told me how to insert a link, I am I going to send you all over to here for the giveaway!

Monday Inspiration

2009-02-16T05:35:00.002-08:00

I am writing this post with fresh baby vomit covering my PJ's and a croupy coughing 2 year old on my lap. Man it has been a tough week, and by the looks of it, it is going to be another tough week. But do you know what? I am thankful that I have another week with my family and loved ones to post about. Tough or easy I praise the Lord for giving me another day. Our tomorrow is not guaranteed. God never told us that following Him would be easy. It has been amazing so far, and I am thankful that I have had the Lord to follow this entire time. Following has always been easier for me than leading. Thankfully, I have found The One to follow. May your week be filled with lots of God moments. Don't forget to take time to breath in the midst of your chaos and listen carefully for God's whisper. He is there....listen carefully...and follow Him, He will make your path straight.

If you need a bit of home making inspiration for this week, check out Jeanne Winters. She is someone new I found in blogland. She has great inspiring ideas when it comes to making your house a home. Please check her out. She is having a great give away for celebrating her one year blogaversary!!!

Remeber my last few post?

2009-02-10T17:51:00.002-08:00

Remember my post on Monday? It read, "Today is a good day." Well, today has not been a good day. It has been totally chaotic....to the point of laughter( is that spelled correct? These phonics lessons with Ella are totally screwing up my spelling ability). Anyhow, it started off with a trip to the grocery with four hungry kids. Can I get an Amen from all those Mama's with multiple kids who dare to venture to the store? My kids usually run around and get some energy out, snack on some cheese from the Deli (after listening to the Deli lady tell me how full my hands are and how I look like I need a break or some cheese), argue who gets to push the cart or sit in the cart, ask a million times if they can have a cookie from the bakery(why do bakery ladies do that to us Mom's?), and pretty much touch every piece of candy in the checkout. And can I ask why Meijer got rid of their penny horse rides? That was my saving grace. After I checked out I realized that I forgot diapers...darn-it. So, we left our cart and off we went to get diapers. All the kids wanted to help carry them so Ella and Darren carried one box and Graham helped me carry the other. Have I mentioned that Graham LOVES diaper boxes? He likes to sit on them and pretend that he is flying a DD (aka airplane) which is the other thing that he LOVES. Well he decided that he did not want any help from any one while carrying this box. He could carry it, but it was a bit heavy and it made him walk super slow. Graham is a ham but he is also strong willed. Oh, and he only has like five words which makes it all the more difficult. So here I am with four kids and wanting to get back to my cart of purchased groceries, all the while Graham is yelling MINE to everyone who walks by....even complete strangers. I am laughing just thinking about his little determined self. We finally made to the car and off we went. I forgot to mention that I left about ten loads of laundry for myself back at home, so I was a bit on edge at the store just thinking about the monsterous mountain I had to conqure at home. Remember that poop explosion of Eden's? Yep still haven't washed the clothes. Why you ask? Well, my laundry room is getting a makeover.
You can usually stick a fork in me after we go to the store. It just takes everything out of me. But today, I had to be strong because no one had clean underwear. I put the kids down for a nap, started my first load of laundry, did school with Ella, and then....I got to lay my head down. Wait....what is that sound? It sounds like water.....hmmmmm....I should check it out. What was it you ask? Remember my post about my sad little laundry room getting a makeover? Well, it has gotten more than a makeover. I opened my laundry room door and water gushes out!! Water is EVERYWHERE. It is going out the door and down the vent in the floor. All I could say was.....well I won't repeat it but I said it a lot of times and then had another school lesson with Ella on what words not to say. This was not the worst of it. I walked down into the basement to the storage area. I opened the door and it looked like it was raining. Water, again, was EVERYWHERE!! So much stuff got ruined. Pictures, old letters, some of Darren's old photography stuff...I won't say any more cause I will probably cry. Water was even coming out of the can lights in the finished area of our basement!! By this point I was just about...laughing. It was hard to believe that all of this was really happening.
I won't go on any more about the rest of the day, which believe me will be good for another post. But I must share one last thing. In the midst of this craziness, God was with me. I felt a calmness that I have never felt before. Normally I would be my pesimistic self and complain about the situation. This time, it was different. I felt the Lord telling me that He is here and all of this "stuff" that is soaking wet is just "stuff". I felt Him saying, "put down all of this stuff that you haven't looked at in years, get rid of this stuff that you have been carrying around for years. You don't need it! All you need is me." Wow...deep...and I'm not referring to the water I was standing in. Isn't our Lord awesome? Once again I am hearing the sweet whisper of my Savior in the midst of my daily, somewhat chaotic, life. I love you Lord.

Its a good day

2009-02-09T03:46:00.002-08:00

I am reading through the book, "Blue like Jazz" by Donald Miller. If you haven't read it....you should. It is...pretty cool. I haven't read anything like it.
I thought I would share a quote with you on this Monday. I hope it gets you thinking:)

"What I believe is not what I say I believe, what I believe is what I do. We live for what we believe. Dying for something is easy because it is associated with glory. Living for something is the hard thing. If I live what I believe, then I don't believe very many noble things. My life testifies that the first thing I believe is that I am the most important person in the world. My life testifies to this because I care more about my food and shelter and happiness than about anybody else. I am learning to believe better things. I am learning to believe that other people exist, that fashion in not truth; rather, Jesus is the most important figure in history, and the gospel is the most powerful force in the universe. I am learning not to be passionate about empty things, but to cultivate passion for justice, grace, truth, and communicate the idea that Jesus likes people and even loves them."
We talked about this somewhat at church this Sunday. Making my behavior match my beliefs. Changing my "whens" into "nows." Putting my intentions into action and living for what I believe. Make this Monday a day to serve the Lord with all your heart. Start living for the Lord today, serving Him in all that you do. Share your passion for the Lord with those around you today. Let them know the amazing God that you Love and serve.

I WON!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-07T18:19:00.002-08:00

Ok, I have been waiting to tell you all about this for so long. I entered my first giveaway here in blog land a few weeks ago over at Simplify(I can't figure out how to insert a link to her blog but it is in my side bar). This is one of my most favorite blogs. Camille is.....well I have never really met her but she seems like just the sweetest person not to metion that she has mad talent when it comes to quilting and photography. She and her Mom have their own line of fabulous fabric called Thimble Blossom by Moda. I love fabric like I love to paint my walls, and you all know how much I like to paint my walls. Oh, yeah so back to the giveaway. Well, I entered the giveaway and I WON!!! What did I win you say? Check it out!!

A totally awesome quilt hand made my none other than my new blog friend Camille. Thanks again Camille, you made my birthday extra special this year. Don't forget to check out Moda's new blog(again can't get it to link but it is in my side bar-Moda Bake shop). They have great ideas on how to use all of Moda's fabric, including my new favorite, Thimble Blossom. Hey Lexi, Kim, Jill, and Sonya, check out the baby play pad at Moda's bake shop. I may be baking up a few of these for the little buns in your ovens.

Laundry Room Before

2009-02-07T18:12:00.002-08:00

Here is shot of my pretty sad and tiny little laundry room before we started on it this weekend. We have done a little switcher roo in the hopes to have more space. I will share the after.....well after we finish it:) I love before and after shots.

Blow Out!

2009-02-07T17:53:00.002-08:00

This weekend we have been doing some stuff around the house. Paint touch ups, painting the laundry room, and other painting that I will post about later. The house has been a total mess all day so why not throw in a totally disgusting and messy baby. While we are making our own messes with paint and...what ever that stuff is that you use to patch holes in your wall, Eden desides to add one more mess. My sweet little girl has been waiting to poop for the past two days. Finally she decided it was time. She had some force behind this blow...poop was everywhere.

Box

2009-01-31T15:13:00.002-08:00

My parents gave me a box of goodies for the kiddos. I told the kids that they couldn't open it until there was at least a foot or so of snow outside. Well, I guess they gave us the box just in time because we got a big snow storm soon after. It has kept the kids crafting all week. If you know my kids they will do crafts all 24/7. Oh, and it had one of those cool old fashion gum ball machines inside too. Graham saw it first. So, like all kids who see something first, he claimed it as his own. Thanks Mom and Dad. It was like Christmas all over again last week. You are so creative and thoughtful. I thought I might be able to hold out until February, but not with all the snow and ice that kept us inside.

2009-01-31T15:02:00.002-08:00

Eden can write!

2009-01-31T14:23:00.002-08:00

Ella so badly wants Eden to grow up and play with her. The other day I caught her trying to teach Eden how to use the doodle thingy.

2009-01-31T14:08:00.002-08:00

Ella had her first sleepover last weekend. We started off her birthday celebration early in the morning with the table decorated Ella style in pink with fresh flowers just for her. She turned 6 this year and wanted to have her best friends, Lydia, Anna, and Elise, sleep over. We had a blast. Girls are so much fun. They dressed up a lot, painted wooden boxes, made necklaces, decorated cup cakes, dressed up some more, ran from the two little boys in the house, and stayed up for hours giggling when they should have been sleeping. Oh, and did I mention that they got out the boys marshmallow guns and had a marshmallow fight? Yeah and they did it in dress up dresses and high heel shoes!! I love my little girl so much and her sweet little friends have such a special place in my heart. I pray that they will be BFF's! And if you Mamas need baby sitters in a few years these four little girls will be ready for you. It seemed like one of them was holding Eden at least the entire day. These girls sure like babies!

Going to the island for snack

2009-01-31T13:41:00.002-08:00

Since the weather has gotten cold we have had to get pretty creative with how we spend our days inside. Lately the kids have been enjoying their snack on the bottom of our kitchen island. Sometimes we eat lunch there too. Good times!

Help

2009-01-31T13:25:00.002-08:00

All of our kids love to help. It used to be a free for all when I would get home from the store. Three kids, a ton of bags, and soon there would be groceries all over the kitchen floor. That was until I used my noggin and gave the older two their own area of responsibility. Ella is responsible for keeping the pantry organized at all times as well as putting away all the pantry items when we get home from the store. She refers to the pantry as "my pantry." And if you need something she knows just where it is. Little Darren is responsible for a few things. First he must use his strong muscles to carry the bags inside. Boys, no matter what the age, love to hear that they are strong and have big muscles. I convince Darren...well both Darren's (my husbands name is Darren also) to do a lot of things this way. Anywho, After little Darren carries the groceries in his responsiblity is to unload the cold stuff and put it away. It is also his job to teach Graham, his younger brother, but we are still working on that one. Here are just a few pictures of them doing their jobs. Sorry for the not so good photography:)

Birthday dinner

2009-01-30T03:39:00.002-08:00

Thanks to all you who have wished me a happy birthday. It sure does mean a lot. No matter how old I get I still love it when someone wishes me a happy birthday!
Last night me and the family went out to dinner. I have the best husband and kids in the world. They are so much fun to hang out with. Never a dull moment and there is always a bunch of laughter. So, little Darren brought the laughs last night. He is such a funny kid. Finally we are out of that weird fit throwing lots of whining stage. I am so enjoying watching this little boy grow into a little man. He is just so cute. Well, last night we are sitting in the restaurant and of course we are the loudest table in the place. We get lots of stares and just about everyone comments on the fact that we have four kids. Anyhow, our food arrives. There is always that short silence when the food comes. Everyone is hungry and you can't help but stop and just look at it. Well, during this short silence little Darren looks at his Dad and says (quite loudly) "Dad...pause...remember when I used to drink Budweiser?" Gasp....more silence...stares from everyone.....lots of laughter but only from our table. Big Darren responded, "Budweiser? what do you mean?" Little Darren: "You know Buuuudweiser!" So funny. But really he has never had Budweiser.

After we discuss beer for a while with our four year old he begins to eat his traditional meal that he gets at every restaurant, chicken and fries. A few bits into his meal he looks over at me and Darren to see what yummy food we are eating. First a look of curiosity and then a look of disgust, then he hit us with this, "Mom why did you chew your steak up and then spit it out?" Now I want to loose weight, but chewing and spiting out my food is not how I am loosing weight these days. I actually ordered the blue cheese fillet....mmmmm it was good. It did look a bit interesting with all the goodies on top(or a bit regurgitated from a four year olds perspective) but I for the record I did not chew and spit.

Funny things

2009-01-25T15:10:00.002-08:00

My kids are hilarious. This weekend was Ella's six year old birthday sleepover so they are still coming down from their social high. I will post pics and stories about that later. Anyhow, they are playing with some of Ella's new presents...one of them being a toy cell phone...a pink one that seems to be attached to Ella's ear. Ella was using it to call the doctor for her 4 year old brother. What was the reason for her call? These are Ella's words, "Yes, Doctor...um Bubby is sick. He is obnoxious and his belly hurts." So funny! Soon after they were again running up and down the stairs playing and Darren blurts out, "ELLA!! You're too loud to ignore!"
Kids crack me up!

Hanging by a thread

2009-01-18T11:09:00.002-08:00

My sweet girl is officially growing up. Her two bottom teeth are loose and are just about ready to fall out.....or get pulled out by her Daddy. I tried to pull one of her teeth out for her, however, rather than her tooth getting pulled out, I got pulled back in time to when I was her age and loosing my first tooth. I remembered the anxiety I felt about loosing one of my teeth and suddenly felt such compassion for my little crying and concerned girl. Needless to say, I have not tried pulling on her tooth again. Here is a video of her expressing her concern about her tooth. After watching the video of Ella, I noticed that the thing in her hair is actually one of those toe separators for painting your toe nails. She used ribbon from her craft box and tied it to a head band. She thought the toe thing looked better as a crown.

Graham being a ham

2009-01-18T11:06:00.002-08:00

Pictures of Home

2009-01-17T20:53:00.002-08:00

I added some pictures of my home on my side bar. After visiting blog land for some time I have found that I am a total snoop. I love seeing how other people live and how they decorate their home. So, for all you snoops out there, here is a peek into my home.

Ikea cabinet

2009-01-17T20:32:00.002-08:00

So I have this Ikea cabinet that we modified with a bead board back and crown molding. It still needs trimmed out on the bottom. But I finally replaced the weird looking knobs that came with the shelving unit. What do you think? Don't mind all of the paper and junk jammed in next to all the baskets and the random frames just leaning there. I'm still working on properly knick knacking my house.

Kids say the funniest things

2009-01-06T18:41:00.002-08:00

My kids have been on a roll lately with saying the funniest things. A week or so ago I was in the car with the kids and Eden was crying. I sometimes let Ella get out of her seat to give Eden her paci. This particular day it was raining and I didn't feel safe having her get out of her seat. Here's how the conversation went:
Me: Ella I don't really want you getting out of your seat while it is raining out.
Ella: But Mama Eden is sad and crying.
Me: I know. But, she has to learn that someone isn't always going to be there to put her paci in her mouth when she wants it. She has to learn to comfort herself.
Ella: When I am a Mama I am not going to let my children cry at all.
Little Darren has been getting up in the middle night with strange request. Two nights in a row he woke us up with crying. He usually doesn't wake up crying so we were concerned. The first night it was because his pants were too tight around his waist. Seriously, my 4 year old son is waking me up at 1am because his pants are tight. I think he was dreaming because none of his pants have ever fit him the least bit snug. And since when did he know the word waist. He usually refers to it as his belly. The second night he woke us up crying because he was scared. He couldn't explain why or really say much of anything. After talking with him for a bit his Daddy told him to get back in bed. Little Darren responded over and over and over again in a crying voice, "I am just a kid Daddy, I am just a kid." Yes just a kid waking me up the third night in a row at 1 in the morning.
Graham doesn't say much but he sure is funny. Being the third child he tends to follow the two older ones around all day and do what they do. He doesn't talk much and hasn't really gotten into using his imagination much yet. Well, until the other day. He really likes helicopters and airplanes. He calls them DD's. Sunday I bought what it seems like these days my daily box of diapers. The older kids love playing with the box and using it for things but Graham has never been interested. This particular day I found him putting the box up on its side and climbing on the top to sit. I didn't think much of it. I look over a bit later and he had gotten an empty cardboard ribbon roll and was holding it in his hand like a steering wheel. He could tell I was curious as to what he was doing and replied, "DD, DD, DD" and acted like he was flying an airplane.
Kids are so fun.

Full of Smiles

2009-01-03T19:36:00.002-08:00

I have been blessed with children who are so full of smiles. Each of our kiddos have always had the biggest, wide open, all gums or teeth showing, smiles. I am so blessed. Children make life so less serious!! What FUN!!

Monogrammed obsession

2009-01-03T19:28:00.002-08:00

Here a few monogrammed things that most of you have seen before. I will be posting some new monogrammed things soon.

Quick Change

2009-01-03T18:41:00.002-08:00

Do you a canvas or picture that you don't like anymore. I did...what did I do you ask? I painted it black of course. If you have seen my house, you know I have a not so secret love affair with painting furniture black. Why stop at painting furniture. For this particular project I painted my canvas black and then used a bit of mod podge to attach a piece of scrapbook paper that I had painted a monogrammed letter B to. Cute and no cost decorating. Since then I have found a great website for monogrammed wall art on Etsy so I will probably be changing the picture, but at least for now I don't have to look at that yellow picture anymore.

Happy Birthday Ellie

2008-12-31T11:13:00.002-08:00

My sweet little girl is 6 years old! I can hardly believe it. She has grown up way too fast. Here are a few things about my now 6 year old baby girl:
She loves her bothers and really loves her new baby sister.
According to her (and her Daddy who really likes her long hair)her hair could be longer and trimmed less by her Mama. She can still wrestle with her brothers and Daddy as long as her underwear do not show. Headbands are cool. She is not convinced(by her Mama) that skinny jeans are cute, especially if she tucks them into her boots. Her Moms style advice is officially uncool even if it really is...cool. Her room is her space now, which means that Mom cannot paint her walls a different color every month like she does the rest of the house. Oh yea, and brothers are only allowed in her room when invited. See likes to line up her dolls and stuffed animals up in her room and read stories to them. She still shares stories about Arna, who she now openly admits is her pretend friend. Her heart has been captured by the Lord and is growing closer to Him each day. She likes to put on shows about stories she has heard in the Bible. She is in her 2nd year of home schooling. She is learning to read and write her own stories. She likes Bob books but wishes they had more girly things in them like princesses. She is blessed with a servants heart and is always willing to help. She can pick her little sis up and carry her as well as change her, rock her, sing to her, and put her to sleep. She likes her nails painted and wants them to be long like Mama's. Practicing her hand writing is her least favorite thing to do. She still tells me lots of times during the day how much she loves me. She still enjoys dressing up. Her favorite things to eat are noodles.
I could go on and about my little Ella...I mean big Ella. What a blessing she is to me and to those who know her. She was created to do great things for the Lord and I am so blessed to be a part of what the Lord has planned for her. She is the light that brightens my day and she fills my world with a joy that only the Lord can create. She is my sweet girl!!

Happy B-day Aunt Lindsey!

2008-12-21T17:32:00.002-08:00

We celebrated Aunt Lindsey's b-day almost a month late because we had been yucky sick for her real birthday. We had cake at our house and took her and Uncle out for dinner. We went to an Italian restaurant called Maggianos. Yummy!!! It was so good. We ate family style and re fired(aka ordering 2nds and 3rds and 4ths) on salad, pastas appetizers and even desserts. Afterwards we went shopping at the mall in search for a gift for our special Aunt. Good times!! Happy b-day again Aunt Lindsey! We love you!!
You can't see the cake in the picture because it is glowing white from my not so good camera lens and flash. It was my first real homemade, from scratch, chocolate cake. It turned out ok. Hey Lexi, if you are reading this I now know that I really must take one of your cake classes.

Brothers

2008-12-21T12:52:00.002-08:00

Aren't they just the cutest? They are almost the same size. Graham likes to play with or wear anything that is his brothers, except for underwear, he wants nothing to do with underwear right now, even if they are his cool older brothers. I guess come spring he will have to go camping with Daddy who will accidentally forget diapers and require Graham to pee on trees.

Christmas at our house

2008-12-21T11:59:00.002-08:00

This is our 08' Christmas Slideshow. I tried using a new slideshow website and for some reason I can't post the actual slideshow on my blog. Just click below and you can view it from their site. I don't like this site very well. Their slideshow cut the heads off of most of the people in the photos. Oh well, I will try a re-do and post it soon. Merry Christmas!!!

What did Eden get for Christmas? Her thumb!!

2008-12-21T11:46:00.002-08:00

Merry Christmas

2008-12-16T16:18:00.002-08:00

Too Cute

2008-12-14T19:12:00.002-08:00

I am so excited about this pretty little quilt kit.It is so cute that it deserves to be posted again.

Bubby

2008-12-14T18:56:00.002-08:00

I was putting Eden to bed tonight and I can hear a conversation that Bubby is having with Darren. "Daddy? How many more days until Christmas? 11 Days? I can't wait! I am going to give Jesus a big hug for his birthday....pause....but he isn't going to be here....pause...how is He going to eat his cake?"
He is having a hard time thinking about celebrating Jesus' birthday without Jesus actually physically being at His own birthday party.
The other day he asked me when he was going to see Jesus. I explained to him that he will see Jesus when he goes to Heaven. He replied, "is that a long time away?"
Bubby really wants to see Jesus. He explains to us how much he loves Jesus and how he wants to see him. If you know Bubby you know how much he dislikes waiting.....waiting for anything. So, telling him he will see Jesus in Heaven is somewhat painful for the poor kid considering it will most likely be a while until he sees Jesus.

Merry Christmas to ME!!!!

2008-12-14T18:12:00.002-08:00

I am so excited!!!! I finally found the quilt kit that I have been looking for. Let me tell ya, they are not easy to find. Darren bought it for me for Christmas. Check out the vintage look of the fabric and the crazy quilt pattern! I love the brown loops fabric from Moda. I can't wait to get started. All I need now is to find a quilter to quilt the top of my quilt when I am finished. I do not want to attempt to hand quilt it or use my small machine for such a big job. Anybody know a local quilter I could use?

Read all about it!!!

2008-12-14T17:52:00.002-08:00

My friend and fellow homeschool mom, Lexi, has taught me that Fridays are good days for cleaning. Let the big cleaning go during the week, spend time with your kids and know that everything will get cleaned on Friday. Well, I have been doing this for some time now and it works well with our schedule. So far the kids really like helping. Give Graham a pile of wipes and he is busy for a while. Darren's new best friend is the vinegar and water solution in a squirt bottle. He cleans the entire bathroom and totally had fun doing it. He thinks the squirt bottle is the greatest thing ever. Ella is always willing to help do anything. On this particular Friday it was her job to show her brother how to properly use the vacuum and the dirt devil hand vac. She is a very teachable little girl.
It may not last long, my enthusiastic child helpers/cleaners, so I am going to brag as much as I can.

Delightful Eden

2008-12-14T17:38:00.002-08:00

Bunk Beds

2008-12-14T17:25:00.004-08:00

While we were in Columbus for Thanksgiving Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin passed down their bunk beds to our boys. Art and his brother Chuck slept in them when they were boys, Darren and David slept in them when they were little, and now our boys are continuing the tradition. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!!!!
The boys were so excited. I have to admit I was just as excited if not more. They both sleep in their room together now at nap time. Graham was in the pack-n-play in our room at nap, but, he wants nothing to do with it now that he has a big boy bed. Graham also wants nothing to do with his blanket that his Grandma made for him. I think he associates it with his crib. He only wants his new big boy pillow and blanket. Why did he have to give up the sweet blanket? I wish he would have given up the paci instead?

Treasure Hunt Pictures: Before and After Shots

2008-12-14T17:09:00.002-08:00

I thought a few more pictures of the treasure hunt happenings needed to be posted for those of you who were not there. A before shot of all the cousins and the after shot of the kids faces....priceless. I love the expression on Ella's face when they finally discover the half eaten treasure.

2008-12-12T19:41:00.005-08:00

Thanksgiving

2008-12-12T19:41:00.004-08:00

It is almost Christmas and I am finally getting a few photos of Thanksgiving up on my blog. It has been a rough couple of weeks...well month. We have been fighting chest colds that do not want to go away. They started at Thanksgiving and are still hanging around.
We did however get to eat Thanksgiving at my sister's and brother-in-laws house this year. The food was great and their home was awesome! Kevin and my Dad did a great job building the house. I wish I would have gotten some good pics of the greatness however, we were only able to stay long enough to eat and infect everyone with our horrible cold. So, so, sorry Amie, Kevin, Mom, and Dad.
We also had Thanksgiving with the Baldwin's. Again we ate, infected everyone with our colds and oh yeah, did our annual scavenger hunt for treasure. The kids look forward to this every year and this year a stupid racoon ruined the fun. Here my kids are, excitedly hunting the treasure out while fighting colds, and not getting much sleep, only to find a dead racoon and a half eaten treasure!! It was sad but funny at the same time. We were confussed all day as to how the racoon stole the treasure. I keep telling the kids it was swiper, that sneaky fox is always trying to swipe our stuff.

2008-12-12T19:39:00.002-08:00

2008-12-12T19:11:00.002-08:00

Check out this slide show of Ella helping take care of Eden. I have been fighting a bad cold and have needed some help. Ella to the rescue. She can change wet diapers, feed Eden a bottle, sing her to sleep while holding her, and pick her up and carry her. WOW, we are entering a new stage of life.....and I kinda like it!!!

2008-12-12T19:10:00.002-08:00