Projects, projects, projects

I have been working on projects like crazy. Where to start!?!
Well, this little chair is probably a good start. I redid it last week, but we had a little problem and a small piece split. So, I had to redo it anyway.
Here is the before...free chair I picked up on the curb.

I mod podged wrapping paper on it this time, and I LOVE how it turned out! Isn't it cute paper? I am excited to use the leftovers to wrap some special little gift. (unless I go crazy and decopauge all sorts of other things with it.) If you've never used mod podge, go out right now and buy a bottle. You can find a trillion things to do with it. Want some ideas? Check out mod podge mania.

Okay...on to the chair...

And then there the bedskirt gone window covering...When I bought Jenna's bedding on clearance at Target a few weeks ago, I realized later that it was mislabeled and not a Twin size like I thought. So I called the manufacturer. Long story short, they sent me all brand new bedding and I got to keep the old stuff too. So I took the bedskirt from one set and made....

A new window valance!

I still need to work on curtains out of the sheet set, but this is all I have for now. :)

And the next project I finished was this little nightstand. My neighbor saw this at a furniture auction and thought of me. After a quick call, I gave her the go ahead to get it. For $9 it was mine...

This is honestly the first piece of furniture I actually debated painting. I forgot to get a before picture until I had already started sanding it, so it doesn't look amazing or anything. But it really was. It still has the tag from a nice furniture store stating it's solid cherry wood. It's SO heavy and was in EXCELLENT condition. It was DEFINITELY a steal!

But I finally broke down and painted it...

And yes, that's my cute wrapping paper again, decopauged on the back. :) I told you I might go crazy with it.

...Sigh. And there's more. I didn't paint this project, or really do anything but help Brandon hang them, but I am SO excited about it. I have been wanting to find something to fill the big space above our stairs, in our bedroom--it was so empty. Well, after using some store credit at our consignment store, I got all 3 pieces for $1.70...and we just hung them close together.

It is so cool looking, and really warms up the space.

And the big, BIG project I was working on? My sewing table...The one I picked up for $6.00 at the Salvation Army store.

Remember this gem??

Look at her now! New hardware ($1.40 each on clearance), new paint...new life!

I picked up a magnetic knife rack at Ikea and hung my bobbins, measuring tape, safety pins, needles, and scissors on it. Hanging next to it is a random frame I had here. I spray painted the frame and then covered the inside carboard piece with some wrapping paper I got on clearance. And that awesome little cupboard next to the table? I picked up that little gem for .75 cents! I couldn't believe it! I forgot a before picture, but let's just say it looks WAY better now!

I've gone through a LOAD of spray paint the past few days, that's for sure! :)

I am pretty excited about how it all has turned out. Little touchups to do here and there, but I think we're on the right path.

Now to get sewing again!!

A walk down memory lane...

Thanks to everyone who humored me with your random date submission so I could take a walk down memory lane for my blogaversary. :)

The first request was was for June 12, 2007.

TITLE: Jenna on the loose with the camera.

I was very pregnant at this point (with Spencer) and we were about to make a cross country move...

We had a nice evening the other day (Monday) just playing outside together and taking a few pics. Kaden and Jenna love to be outside. I am glad for that. They are such good kids!

Our newest little photographer grabbed the digital camera the other day and snapped some pics of us. She was so happy to see people on the screen and would squeal, lose focus, and snap the picture. :) It was VERY funny!!

What a handsome set of legs!

Jenna was BEGGING for a pic of her? She is seen in this picture asking Brandon if he will take a pic of her!?

Okay, now AUGUST 10, 2007

Title: A Visit from Lita and Grandpa

Yesterday we got to spend the day with Brandon's parents (Grandma Lita and Grandpa). They had been in Chicago for their son-in-law's boot camp graduation and were so close they decided to come the extra 5 hours to visit for the day. Jenna was SOOOOOO excited to see them. We feel spoiled this week because MY mom has been here too. So, 2 grandma's in one week...BIG stuff here!

We went to lunch with them and then they spent the afternoon with the kids at the park and checking out our new house. I stole some time to sneak in a nap in with Spencer while everyone played. It was a nice break. My mom has been so helpful in keeping up everything that needs to get done so I can relax. Today is our last full day with her. We will miss her being here so much! She has been a real star!

Got a few fun pictures during the visit. Here is our new little man, Spencer. He is such a good little sleeper and has really caught on to nursing. He is very alert when he is awake, and just SO mellow. We really love having him around. :)

Spencer with Grandma...

Jenna is taking a break to enjoy some icecream--

Kaden LOVES his little tugboat we have in the backyard. :) He is such a funny guy!

Another picture of Spencer...he just is SO precious and we love him to pieces!!!

In the evening, Brandon and I got to take advantage of having someone to watch the kids, and we went to celebrate our anniversary. We had a nice dinner at Olive Garden, and then went to buy ourselves an anniversary present...a diaper bag. :) Having three children so young, we were running out of space quickly with our previous diaper bag. We were trying to put off the inevitable, but finally acknowledged our need. Now this is not just an ordinary diaper bag. This is the MOTHER Of all diaper bags. It is HUGE inside. :) I will have to post pictures later...I felt like Mary Poppins just carrying it out of the store. I can fit ANYTHING in that bag!!

We came home and played a game with my mom. It was a really nice evening. Hard to believe another year has passed and we are celebrating another year of life together. I couldn't think of anyone better to be with. Brandon is a wonderful husband and father. I feel so blessed to be with him and look forward to an eternity of wonderful memories and growing together.

JANUARY 5, 2008

Title: To be a food photographer

What could make our little Kaden look like this after eating???

Scrumptuos Strawberry rolls, fresh from the oven. A perfect chilly Saturday breakfast..

I know, I know--you are thinking, MORE FOOD?? If you are tired of looking at food on my blog, please skip to the next post. :)

MMMMMmmmmmmm......soft, warm rolls loaded with scoops of strawberry sauce and cream cheese frosting drizzled on top.
There is just something about food--I love to take pictures of it. Just about every meal Brandon is asking if I am SERIOUSLY taking more pictures of our food. :) I think if there were a dream job out there, it would be to be a food photographer. I love all photography--but there is just something about capturing food in it's state of perfection. :) Perhaps a family cookbook is next in the works--just to give my inner food photographer a place to publish... :)

Get it together...September 10, 2008

The house

The numerous messes

Actually being able to see the sink...or the counters...{sigh} would be nice.

My kids...

The time spent with my kids

And feeling like I wasted an entire day doing nothing.

Regret about that.

Feeling completely exhausted...and wanting to crawl back into bed for a few hours.

Missing Brandon like crazy while he's at school 15 hour days

Test week...

studying...

test week some more...

Lack of motivation

And just getting by...

Feeling like a letdown

Just needing to cry...a little....and then a lot more.

And needing a really, really good laugh...and a pint of ice cream.

And then needing a diet.

But that would require motivation...which I have none of right this second.

Most of all, I am just needing to get it together.

For good.

Cold Water Thoughts - November, 26, 2007

I was so caught up in getting our tickets bought and things settled for our Christmas trip that I never really got a shower or did my hair, etc. today. I felt pretty gross as the end of the day. Brandon let me go take what should have been a hot bath while he got the kids in bed. Unfortunately, our little "helper" turned down the water heater--(I really need to remember to lock that closet when I am done using it!) and my bath was lukewarm.

So, what did my sweet husband do? He started boiling water for me on the stove. Did this catch me off guard? Nope...instead it took me back to the "good ol' days" when we were managing at BYU-Idaho and weren't allowed to have our water heater above a certain temperature. So, I would only get 1/3 off the bathtub filled with hot water before it turned icy cold on me. So, Brandon would always start 3 pots of water boiling so he could fill the rest of the tub with warm water for me.

That may seem like such a small and silly act, but just thinking back on that "memory" made me love him all over again--he is so selfless and caring, and so very considerate... What a guy!

Survival Strategies of a diaper-changing mom--April 30, 2008

I was packing the diaper bag yesterday and going down the checklist...
Spencer's diapers-check
Kaden's diapers - check
snacks-check
formula-check
books-check
wallet-check
baby wipes-.......baby wipes.....wait...what the?? WHY don't we have any WIPES? I was frantic...totally frantic. We were trying to leave the house and head out for the day, and how can you do that with NO BABY WIPES? How did I, a mother of 3--with 2 in diapers, have NOT A SINGLE baby wipe in my house?

In a mom world, that is similar to being stranded without food and water on a desserted island...pretty much a necessity (unless you're Tom Hanks in the movie "Castaway"). :)

I quickly made plans to stop at the store, drag all 3 kids in, and leave with our ONE necessary item.

Before we got to the store, the kids fell asleep...and knowing this would be there one and only nap, I wasn't about to wake them up! But I also knew I needed wipes.

That's when my "SURVIVAL INSTINCT" kicked in! :) Now, the normal mom would have just found a friend and borrowed some. But me..no. My sleep deprived brain didn't even consider that an OPTION! So, after surveying the parking lot, I pulled in to the closest spot I could find. Checked the sleeping babes and jumped out of the car, ran (or more galloped) through the parking lot, dodging all people and shopping carts. I glanced through the windows looking for the closest entrance to my target...

I looked like a fool...or at least I felt like I looked like a fool...

I paused long enough to let a customer walk through the doors and into the store, looked around to make sure the coast was clear, and then made my move.

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8...yep, 8 wipes...CLOROX WIPES from the entrance of the grocery store.

Enough to get me through the day (and night....and all through today!)...and according to the package, kill 99.9% of the germs on those stinky bums I would inevitably change. :)

Now, if I had realized they were those kind of wipes in the first place, I would have just stolen them from my cleaning closet in the comfort of my own home...talk about surprised.

Needless to say, I ended up making that dreaded trip to the store TODAY--it involved 3 children, a lot more groceries than planned, a long wait at the store pharmacy, a meltdown mixed with a big "thefty" bite into a package of Rolos (that we ended up having to buy)--with a pieces of gold foil wrapper trailing behind us.

But I got my wipes...and in the "end", that's all that really matters, right? :)

P.S. I really think they could sell baby wipes for WAY more money if THEY claimed to kill 99.9% of germs on your babies bums...think about it...pretty gross stuff going on down there! :)

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Ahhh....that was fun. I had to make myself stop looking at posts because I was too caught up in the memories. :) So fun to look back on our life and see how everyone grows and changes, what things I found interesting certain days, etc.

Thank you everyone for joining on this journey with me. It's fun to have you along for the ride...

Got so busy that I missed my own blogaversary!

I know, a blogaversary...sounds totally crazy, huh?

I got so busy that I totally missed mine. My 2 year mark, to be exact. 2 years of recording tidbits of my life, meeting new people, taking trillions of pictures, going through life changing events, celebrating, and watching my family grow.

It's been a good 2 years. And I am so grateful technology allowed this kind of means by which to record it all.

So, 3 days late, let's celebrate!

Give me a date...any date...
Between March 27th, 2007 to March 27, 2009

The first 5 dates I will repost and we can take a little walk down memory lane. :)
(if I didn't happen to write on that date, I will do the closest one to it)

Kindness

I was going to post pictures, but there is something else that has been on my mind today.

Last night my friend Melissa and I spent some time visiting and looking at her beautiful quilting projects. At one point in the conversation, she said I gave her too much credit and said too many nice things. I tried to explain that I feel happy when I lift others up--and I sincerely meant everything I said to her.

The whole conversation made me really think...

It's so much easier to praise and build up someone I know and care for. But how easy is it to build up those I have never met? I guess looking back, I see many times I have thought something--even as simple as telling someone I loved their haircut, or that they have a nice smile, or even that it is nice to see them treating their children so well.

It's easy to assume that people must know they are good inside...or doing good...or looking good...but isn't it so nice to hear? My husband KNOWS I love him, and I know he loves me...but isn't a marriage so much more meaningful when you express that love? When you tell each other and remind each other?

I feel the same way with people...friends...and strangers.

I found this quote I really liked:

"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

~ Mahatma Gandhi

I also thought back to a quote my dad has said to me many times in life. "When you look for the good in others, you find the good in yourself".

I find this to be absolutely true. I am happiest with myself when I am lifting others, in any way. Whether complimenting, helping them out, or simply giving a hug. And while it doesn't mean I have to love how I look or fully accept all my shortcomings, accepting and loving and praising others make me feel content...and peace. And I love that feeling.

I am going forward this week, with a new resolve to be a little kinder...to lift others, to share my thoughts, to remind them that they too have such goodness within.

...and my heart feels happy.

The rebel in me...

Where have I been this weekend? Wow. Where to begin? Lots has been going on. We've taken advantage of the sunshine, ran errands, did projects, etc. It's been so busy! Friday we played outside for a while in the morning, waiting for Brandon to finish his last test.
It was a beautiful day. The kids rode their bikes all over the place and soaked in the sunshine. Spencer is so funny--he insists on wearing Jenna's helmet everywhere when we are outside.

And sweet Kaden just stared and stared at the buds on the tree in our backyard...leaves waiting to burst out and fill the sky above us.

once again, our helmet head. :) Probably should get him his own...without flowers. :)

And on Saturday, we FINALLY bought Brandon a car. Kind of funny how it happened, but we are happy with it. We actually found the car on Ebay--and went down to look. The guy worked us a deal and he ended the auction early. So we felt like we got a good deal. For our price range (under $1500) there really wasn't much worth a whole lot out there, and we knew we needed divine intervention, so to speak. :)

The car we got has NO RUST, which being from Ohio (and compared to all the other things we have looked at) is a huge deal. It is SO clean inside--no smokers, no pets. Not even kids have been in there. :) And the owner has owned it since 20,000 miles. He gave us 3-4 pages of DETAILED maintenence records. Every time he even touched the car, he recorded it. Tire pressure, oil changes, parts replaced, where he got them, etc. Amazing, really. I wish I was that organized! :)

What a blessing...

Bringing that home, spurred our long delayed transfer of license plates. Our Idaho plates have their tags that say they expire in September of 2007. Pathetic, huh? We DID renew our plates, but I never got around to putting the tags on. And even though I have been pulled over since (and even been in a car accident) nobody has ever said a word to me about it. :) So the rebel in me just let it go.

It was such a circus getting Ohio plates--and a long process, due to a variety of mishaps at the title company. When we finally got our new plates, it was winter and too yucky to change them.

Excuses, excuses, right?

Guess part of me didn't want to let go of one more thing that kept us close to home. Kind of like getting married and taking on a different name. There is that part of you that you have been with for so long, and a new name is so foreign.

I liked seeing Idaho...famous for potatoes...on the back of my car. It somehow made me remember family and where we are from, and I think it also made me feel like Ohio was a temporary thing. Just a stop along the way.

But the fact of the matter is, we are Ohio residents. For however long we will be here, this is our home. And I love Ohio. I love being here. I just wish that how I felt made some logical sense. :)

Here's our blank canvas, ready to be decorated with Ohio badges.

Idaho plates went on brandon's car until we can get it registered on Monday.

(I actually DID take a picture of his whole car, but I accidentally deleted it. Will post another one soon)

Spencer (a.k.a. big helper) had to help his daddy put the new plates on the van.

And there we go...made the official switch.

Oh wait, don't forget the front one! Thanks Jenna for your help!

Have lots of fun project pictures, which I will post tonight. I've been a painting fool and am so excited about the changes. :)

Happy Sunday...be back soon.

it was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad idea...

To put the kids to bed later than normal...

What was I thinking???

Did I REALLY think that it would make them sleep in longer or through the night?

Did I REALLY think that they would completely zonk in seconds if I got them tired enough?

Did I forget what's called a second wind???

Lesson learned. :) It's 8:57 p.m. and the last one finally got to bed...I am now reminded why we choose 7:30 p.m. every night...and you can bet we will be back on track tomorrow. :)

On a positive note...

TOMORROW IS BRANDON'S LAST TEST!

I am thrilled! Excited to have him home...for longer than just 3-4 hours of sleep. :) He has been working so hard. Studying all day, late into the night...2 a.m...and still getting up with the kids in the night (who I don't always hear) wow. I don't know how he does it and keeps on going. He is a total trooper!

Lots to look forward to this weekend. Lots of R & R and some projects to work on. Hooray!

The memories part of Memories and Mayhem

We've sure had a lot of mayhem around here lately. Lots of "stuff" going on...

And it's felt stressful, overwhelming, exhausting.

But today was different. I have been really praying to find joy in each day, especially since it's a test week and those are just plain hard.

The kids played downstairs for a while this morning while I cleaned things out in the living room...finally got everything dusted and mopped, and cleared out under the couch--ick!

It feels so good to have at least ONE completely deep cleaned room. Even ONE....feels so liberating. I am anxious to move through the house and throw away TONS of junk. {insert evil laugh}

It isn't that we had a PERFECT day or anything. I just felt like my spirits were higher than they have been...when we sat down to dinner the kids and I had a funny conversation. Nothing in particular really. Jenna shared about foods that make our brains smart and Kaden laughed and copied some of her words...Spencer just shoveled food into his mouth, which is basically the story of his life. :) But there wasn't a bunch of screaming and fighting. Just me and the kids, enjoying dinner. Jenna even said (unprompted), "Thanks mom, for making dinner. It sure is good". WOW.

I heard Brandon pulling up and so when he was about to open the door, I swung it open and gave him a huge hug (and lots of kisses). I honestly can't remember the last time that has happened (meeting him at the door...not kissing and hugging. :) . It made me feel happy...happy to surprise him and show him how much I love him!

He took over the kids and I got to go have some me time...that included 2 things.
--Looking at "junk" at thrift stores,
--Buying "junk" at thrift stores. :)

I picked up a pair of capris for Jenna and a wall hanging for my room. Got lots of inspiration....and also picked up a necessary component for a project in Jenna's room...which I shall not disclose until it is completed. :) I also picked up a fishing game for the kids to play.

When I got home, the kids were still having their pajama party I had promised them. They were just so cute...and they were SO excited about the game. So we broke it out and played a round right then.

My heart captured that little moment...laughter, smiles, Brandon teaching the kids to fish with their fingers...cheater. :) Moments like that make me so happy. And moments like that also make memories...(in between a lot of mayhem) :)

Happy Tuesday.

Trying to figure out...

Just trying to figure out...

--who installed a food, crumb and toy magnet in my kitchen floor.

--where my kids keep finding markers since I keep them locked up.

--why previously mentioned children like to color themselves with those "found" markers.

--Why, WHY, why Kaden colored front to back from his knees on UP...including genetelia, turquiose and purple.

--Why Spencer likes to wear headbands

--how Kaden, who has the sweetest tooth of all, doesn't like sugary cold cereal. (not complaining here)

--why Jenna thinks it's okay to scream bloody murder if someone even looks at her wrong.

--Why Spencer won't sleep all night.

--what to make for dinner.

--why my living room could only stay "spring cleaned" for 13 seconds after mopping the floors.

--how it got to be March 24 already...

--when I am going to get some packages mailed...

--where to go on such a nice sunny day!

--if it's Friday yet... :)

--Why I am sitting here writing this crazy list when my kids are sleeping and I should be cleaning!
--

In the mood

It is days like today that I *WISH* I lived close to my family again.

If I did, I would have taken the kids to grandma and grandpa's house and gone back to an empty, filthy house.

And I would have spent the afternoon without little people underfoot, cleaning, scrubbing, dusting, organizing while the sunshine poured through ever window in my house.

Because today I am in the mood to spring clean.

And I am not in that mood EVERY day...

But being in the mood, but not being able to devote 100% to it without having everything undone, makes it all feel in vain.


The kids are in bed, and I now have my few moments of silence to clean and organize and sweep and dream of a clean house.

Am off to mop....and eat some Ben & Jerry's....shhhh.....

Been busy...

I really felt like I was unproductive this week--a genuine bump on a log. But as I post this, I realized I did actually do more than I thought...I think, :)

For a while now I have felt like the daybed in Jenna's room was a little oversized for the space. I found a bed online that I totally DROOLED over, but it was out of our price range...like most things. :) After browsing Craigslist for a bit, I found a new twin bed, WITH a rolling trundle that stores underneath, with 2 brand new mattresses for only $50! I snatched it up QUICK!

The following day I sold Jenna's old bed for $100 on Craigslist. Made a nice $50 profit and got something sized better for her room. In case you forgot, here's her BEFORE bed.

And here's the BEFORE of the bed I bought.

And now here's the AFTER!!! Please keep in mind that this room is very much still in the works--I have some really fun plans. But we had to start with the bed. :)

I also worked on a project that I picked up for FREE off the treelawn last Spring. I loved, loved this little chair. The seat actually lifts up and you can store stuff inside. Here is the before:

And the after....which is subject to change. Still deciding what I think about it...

Jenna also had this cute little lamp I bought at Ikea--

BUT...as we were switching things this past week Spencer pulled this down and it broke the glass. I was so bummed, but didn't want to call it a loss.

That night I went to the thrift store to wander and look for inspiration. I found this ugly tissue box cover...

And I KNEW it would be perfect....I put the weird metal leaves in the back and used the wire cutters to cut a small opening for the cord (I broke off all the glass and just kept the light and cord). And here's her new lamp!

And lit up...

Whew...as for sewing, it's been kind of slow in that department. I jumped into a project that was probably too big for my level of sewing and towards the end I got really discouraged. So I just put it aside for a few days...and suddenly it was a week later. I needed to boost my sewing excitement again so I worked on another summer outfit for Jenna. We bought the shirt at Walmart yesterday for $3.50--I have to say, Walmart is not my favorite place to buy clothes, but for the price, it was too good to turn down. It's super fun and glittery, which of course Jenna loved. The shorts I used a pair of her jeans that still fit her waist but are too short in length...just cut them off and then sewed little tabs of ribbon that coordinate with the designs on the shirt, around the hemline. I got the idea from here, but I put mine closer together.

Anyway, I think they turned out pretty cute...

AND....

Just kidding. No more projects from me. YET. Lots to work on this week. Lots...always. :) Way too many ideas floating around in this little head of mine.

But the first project tonight is folding laundry and mopping my kitchen floor. Not nearly as fun as the other things I did this week. :)