Make-over Update...

Oh, have you ever spent like an HOUR of your time on a post...to have it not upload. I could scream. Between you and I, I did just that. Wasted an hour uploading, typing up detailed information on each picture...just to have it not work. AHHH Well, this time around might just have to be pictures and no ooey gooey details, because my personal computer time is gone.

The darling white lamp started the whole new vision and make-over of the room. I blame it on having a four-kid-mini-house-life-crisis. Being trapped inside with three sick boys and Alayna out of school I was determined to change a few things up!

Coffee table. Painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Aubusson Blue. LOVE it. It did end up lighter than I thought though. Just imagine if the camera could actually capture the right color. Because it's not bright blue or shiny at all.

Decorating is difficult. Why because who really has all the $$ in the world to buy everything perfectly matching and perfect? Well, not me. And now that I am done I'm not sure that is the best way to do it. Anyways, I stumbled upon a blog while researching refinishing furniture and this blog author was discussing how to decorate a home. I was intrigued by her writing skills and her ability to articulate my exact feelings on decor. Anyways, she pretty much said, "In life we can't have everything we think we want. In fact it's better to add to what we do have, with things you LOVE." Now she pretty much said to me, deal with free couches that aren't your perfect color or design. Just be grateful you have something to sit on. Simply add to what you have been given (which is pretty much everything in our house), and make it yours by adding things you LOVE. So that is exactly what I have done. I love the lamp. I disliked the coffee table, before when it was super ornate and goddy...but now, I love the designs and swirls. Totally love it. Beware other furniture...you just might be getting painted green, pink, orange...the chalk pain is the limit! Oh, how I love it!

Next story...Our first wedding anniversary Jared surprised me with this Entertainment center. He and I were at the early morning RC Willey Warehouse sale when I saw it. I knew I loved it. Simple, Big, dark and beautiful. I remember sitting inside of it, claiming to purchase it. As people walked up and down the aisle they would ask if it was for sale, I said, "No, we are just waiting for our salesman to write the ticket." Well, the truth was, I was trying to figure out how to convince Jared that I loved it and that the price was right (which it was) and that we really needed it! Sadly, I lost the debate. I had to be to work and so did he. I remember being totally emotionally attached to it and LOVED it. I was SUPER sad all day. The dumb thing was it was over furniture. Lame. I know. Anyways, I remember having the thought, "I wish Jared could be FUN and surprise me...too bad he's not!" Well, I got home and I remember seeing a shadow out of the corner of my eye...I dropped my bag out of total shock. I couldn't believe it. He really had got it for me. He put that post-it on it too. I remember starting to cry because I felt SO bad that I had the thought he wasn't "fun" enough. As years have passed on I have been surprised when I didn't expect to get what I want, from him. He is still just as wonderful as he was our first year of marriage!

Thankfully he was totally okay with me painting it white too. He said, "Hey, we've had it for 10 years, what is it going to hurt?" Nothing at all. Thankfully this chalk paint is AMAZING and it turned out great!

My entry table...once dark brown. Now blue...I put some decor up on the top, not sure what's going to end up there. This is just for the picture.

Love this bird house. I totally got it on clearance at hobby lobby. I've had it forever just waiting for somewhere for it to go...

I'm attempting to get you the right color...I still don't see it on the computer.

The over all view. The decor on top of the entertainment center is changing. I have something else in mind, but I just need to leave the house to go get it...

Happy Ben loving the new room. Ok, he totally loves me, that's why he's smiling!

Random pillows...they brighten the couches.

This is my favorite pillow.

Just a cute corner on the entertainment center.

Favorite bird and vase...

Last but not least, my chunky mirror I got...it was once black, now blue. LOVE IT.
Ok, that's it folks. Sorry you got the short non-detailed version, but at least you got some more pictures! It's been really fun, thanks to all those that have helped me with my decor questions and tips.

Birthday Fun Continues...

Darling...Yup, I made these Cake Pops from Bakerella. They were darling, easy and seriously, I heard they were fabulous!

Alayna wanted her cake to be all flowers. We happened to Google a flower cake and found one that was up my skill level and so we copied it. It was easy and really darling.

Once she arrived home from school, we had all the cousins over for a birthday party! Bring on the ice cream cones. Chocolate Cake mixed with chocolate frosting, white chocolate, milk chocolate and a sprinkles.

I wish I could have captured every single kids happy face. These were a HUGE hit!

I just love this picture.

 

 

Cute girl cousins. Alayna couldn't have been happier about celebrating her favorite day with her cousins.

Getting ready to make a wish... (she's wearing sticker earrings...not the real thing yet)

 

Our ward was having a fun mutual activity with the youth. They were sent to different families homes as missionaries. Alayna was thrilled for Tyler to come to our house because he is our faithful home teacher. My kids adore him. (On the right in the bow tie). She thought it was SO great to have them over, celebrate and see all her presents. We of course served her FAVORITE dinner, Cajun Chicken Pasta.

Caleb brought Easter grass to me and said, "Mom, here is all the gross HAIR!" I busted up laughing because he was carrying it like it was something totally gross. I have to admit I have told my kids I really dislike (hate) Easter grass. So I'm not surprised he has taken my same feelings for that gross hair stuff!

Now, this is a picture of a boy who was totally saved by a miracle today...

As Alayna was opening presents, he slipped off the bench, his hands couldn't stop him because he was holding his delicious ice cream cone...you got it, teeth went through his lip. Opening presents stopped...sad Caleb and TONS of blood...or "bleed" as he called it. Oh, it was awful. Thankfully in the moment, between my sisters and I we decided that mouths heal quickly and bleed tons. Which is true. He has a huge whole in his bottom inside lip. The red mark you see is simply the last little layer of skin keeping it from going all the way through. We decided to not take him in for stitches because I know mouths heel quickly. He just might end up not being able to suck his thumb...and have an extra chubby bottom lip. Oh, and it's totally purple on the inside. It looks pretty good. He was a total champ, crying mainly because "bleed" was on his shirt. It wouldn't be a holiday around here with out him cutting some part of his lip/face open! The day was honestly so much fun...I have to admit though, I'm exhausted and SO ready for bed!!!

 

Happy Birthday Alayna!!

Our oldest and most wisest child has turned 7 this morning!

I decided to make a delicious breakfast that any child would LOVE to look forward to for their birthday...Chocolate Pancakes with Strawberries, and Strawberry Syrup.

My sister Krista let me borrow her DARLING birthday banners and chair cover. I have made a smaller one in the past, but when Krista made this large, bright and festive banner. I knew that this new design would please Alayna greatly. I was totally right, she was in HEAVEN! The good thing is, I have all the matching fabric to sew the same thing! Maybe by Jake's birthday I will have it done...wishful thinking.

These three monkies are birthday-loving-children. Seriously, it's a good thing that as the year comes around Alayna's birthday comes first, then Jacob and then Caleb. Seriously, there isn't a day that goes by that Alayna doesn't talk about her birthday. She LOVES being special. She LOVES being pampered and shown extra attention and love. It's surprising that I have a 7 year old girl. Wow, I think I'm finally getting older...Happy Birthday to our happy obedient little girl. We love you!

Happy Easter

Good Morning! Oh, what a wonderful morning it was. It was SO GREAT to have Jared home with us for a Sunday morning. No early church meetings, means slow fun, family mornings. Anyways, we slept in. Let Jared pick breakfast and we had the kids hide so I could finish a little thing I read to do for Easter baskets. I tied a yarn all around the house, up and down, all around, doors, furniture, etc. Then they had to start at the beginning then gather all the yarn up till it lead them to their baskets. I have never done it before until I read about it on 71toes.com. I loved the idea and so did the kids. Next year I will do what she suggested and have a different colored yarn for each kid, starting from their individual beds. I just wanted to try it with one mess the first time around...until next year!

 

This is Jake's new desired smile...I tell him it's a mean grouchy face and he says, "I am smiling!"

Here is our attempt to an Easter picture...let's just say Ben wouldn't smile...he really isn't as grumpy as his this picture looks. I was totally frustrated though, because I took a few darling pictures until I looked at them in my camera and realized the flash made them all WHITE...so I piled the kids back together and they were so not cooperating...oh, well. It's hard to get four kids to do what I want! Not to mention me, learning how to use my camera!

Here is Mr. Chubby himself...I think today was the first day he wore real clothes...yup, I changed him out of pajama's for the holiday...The 3-6 month clothes were literally bursting at the seams. When I tried to squeeze the pants on him, I felt like me trying to squeeze into my once smaller size pants...which I'm wishing I could fit into! Little buddy, it's just more comfortable to wear pajama's for us all! Alayna even noticed he was wearing clothes because she said, "Oh, mom, Benny looks so cute...he's like wearing real people clothes, cute pants, a shirt and even socks! He's so cute!" I literally laughed...he's 5 months old and finally wearing clothes! But...Monday he was back in pajama's again! Sorry dude.

A long awaited update...



Our family from the eyes of Jacob (age 4). Seriously, I love this picture. I love that he took the time to color us all, write our names and give us all belly buttons. Let's just say that this is being saved in the book of memories, forever. I love it.

Besides loving my kids and living regular life I decided I must have gone through a mini-four-kid-off-track-mid-life-crisis....My mini crisis isn't over yet, so these are just a few pictures to catch my avid readers up on my life...

A little paint....(Oh, and I chopped my hair off again! goodbye longer hair, hello familiar short hair!)

Goodbye brown...Hello WHITE...

I will take better pictures in the day time and when it's totally finished, but so far I am IN LOVE with the changes.

For those of you who know me well know that my paint color around my home has driven me crazy for three years now. So at the start of my projects I have painted my ceilings WHITE...I love it. love it. LOVE it. I then painted my kitchen (yes, I painted it again for the third time in 3 years) and painted the main wall...the wall you see in the picture above. It's the same color as my guest bathroom. I LOVE it. I LOVE it in the main room with the white entertainment center. The kitchen still needs a little change and lightening up, but for the most part I'm LOVING the changes. Did I mention I really like the new feel?? Well, I do. I still have to paint the inside of the fireplace nook white, spray paint the canned lights, finish the office and master bedroom ceilings, and some new changes to the kitchen. But for the most part all is done! Oh, besides deciding what type of decor to do on top of the entertainment center...give me some ideas. Don't worry what's on top right now is just random decorations that I placed up there away from kids. (And the decor on the fire place.) I did however add flowers to the flowers in the fireplace.

If you notice carefully Caleb has his pants on backwards. As mothers of young toddlers you all know that that means...He's totally 100% potty trained. Go Caleb! Let's just say after a week he was totally on his own. It's been HEAVENLY!

During potty training I realized quickly that this almost three year old was not taught (by me) how to get dressed by him self. So what did we do...we taught him how! Yes, he accomplished this as well. Shocking I know...what almost three year old doesn't get dressed himself...Jake and Alayna are really good helpers!

Family Home Evening is truly a favorite night around our house. We have added a new fun thing to our scheduled/planned FHE's around here. I recently thought that I miss not reading the Friend magazine regularly. So one night a month (or as often as I remember) we do an activity and read stories and make the kid friendly recipes out of it. Seriously, we are so blessed to have an AMAZING resource to help teach our children the gospel principles. I love it and so do they. I have to admit we are hooked on the pretzels. YUM.

How have you all lived with out this chubby guy. He is such a doll to have around. He's probably around 20 lbs. and growing. He downs 8 oz. every 4 hours with out an trouble. He looks deeply into your eyes and keeps eye contact with you for a really long time. I LOVE this too. (Look at those chubby elbows. So gooey and cute!

Happy baby!

This was darling. In all my adventures of painting I had the windows open and listening to the boys playing outside. I over heard Jake saying, "Now...Bend...Now...Kick...Now Bend...Now Kick..Good job Caleb." It was adorable. I had to lean out to see what they were doing, then I realized he was teaching him how to pump in the swing. I have to give Jake credit, he has taught Caleb how to swing. It really was so precious. These brothers really enjoy being together. I just love watching them be friends, wrestle and show love and concern for one another. This was a good mom moment.

The leprechauns returned again this year!

My other project that I have been up to is organizing my pantry. You know it was bad when Jake said, "Mom, every time I'm in here I think everything is falling on top of me!" So when Jared had to work out of town all day long until midnight, I rushed off to Walmart and purchased new uniform containers (Spent a fortune- I don't recommend that!) Scrubbed, threw away 2 garbage bags full of who knows what was hiding in there, cleaned, consolidated, organized, and beautified this area of the home. And thank heavens for labels. Because seriously, with those clear containers, I need to read to know what's found inside!! ( ha ha ha - this sarcasm is for my sisters who have teased me unmercifully about the need for labels on clear containers.) Either way I love it and it pleased Jared greatly. He's Mr. Organize Pantry Man...so this was GOOD surprise for him to return home too. I'm proud to admit that because of such great organization it has remained clean for a month now! That's a big deal around here.

That's about it folks. Because you are all wondering why in the world have I not blogged, well you guessed it...my computer ONCE again was broken. It's not fixed permanently, but for the time being it's working. So I'm saving all my goods and crossing my fingers that we can solve all my computer issues. Jared is just praying that we can get it fixed because heaven knows an Apple computer is my next laptop in line...Thank to my ipad for my birthday, this has completely sold me on that upcoming decision! Life is good around here. We are "Enjoying and Enduring" that journey of life!