Awesome giveaway!

Jess got me hooked on several blogs over the last year, most of which are decorating, crafty, DIY themed. Today, one of them, A Soft Place To Land, is doing a giveaway for one of those craft cutter things. I've been seeing so many amazing projects that you can do with them, and I would so love to have one! I was especially excited when I saw the adorable bird designs that would go so great in Lulu's nursery! Check it out!

HOME

Overwhelmed by my thoughts, feelings, worries, exhaustion. Trying to focus on being thankful for the now..... Settling my mind to thank the Father for the things he's given me to enjoy: The sunshine beating on my head, the warm bundle resting quietly now against my body, the whirring and chirping of birds and insects, the rustling of the breeze through the corn, the smell of dirt and life with the heat rising in waves from the fields, the creaking of the rocker on the porch planks. This is my home, these are my blessings, this is my life. And I am thankful.

I was tagged...

Jess tagged me on her blog and challenged me to a 'Like, Love, Hate' post. I know I should really do a post on what's been going on here, and post some pics of our newest princess, and maybe I'll get around to that soon. But for now - I have to come up with 12 likes, 1 love and 8 hates - which is harder than you'd think....
12 Likes:
*fuzzy baby sleepers *fresh flowers *skinny pens *fresh notebooks *open windows with sheer curtains fluttering in the breeze *big earrings *painted toes *porches with big potted ferns, ceiling fans and a swing with pillows *a perfectly medium cooked steak *beautifully wrapped gifts *long eyelashes (even if that means mine are false!) *little girls with braided hair

1 Love:
*My handsome hubby, shirtless in my clean kitchen trying out a new recipe for Chicken Marsala (yup that's happening right now!)

8 Hates:
*Falling down (or up) the stairs *My lack of patience with my children *The shortage of a wardrobe that fits my post-pregnancy body *Mice *Budgets *Mushrooms *My lack of motivation *Baby acne

Phew - now my brain hurts... I'll try to make a real post soon!

Nursery is complete!

I have thoroughly enjoyed preparing the nursery for the arrival of our newest little one (who I affectionately call Squirmy). And, other than the actual baby to put in it - the nursery is officially complete! I did attempt to keep it gender neutral, and thought I did a pretty good job... but according to Bryce - it's a little girly, so I may have to consult him and work at adding in some more masculine elements if Squirmy is a boy! But, I love it as it is right now, and think it's perfect. To top it off, I love the fact that I spent less than $30 for the entire thing! I'm really not a very good photographer, so I'm afraid these pictures don't do it justice - but I'm thrilled to share it none the less...
I got this lamp base at Goodwill - brand new (from Target!), it was just missing the top plastic ring to balance the shade (I ended up using electrical tape. Got the plain white shade at Target. A little modpodge and....


Got the cute little nest on clearance at Marshall's after Easter - the eggs were bright pastels and broken off, I painted them and glued them back together. The bird was one of my treasures from Jessi's swap party - forgot to take a 'before' pic, but it was bright turquoise with handpainted (aka ugly) flowers all over it - nothing a little modpodge can't fix...

This was a creepy bear picture that I picked up months ago at the thrift store because I liked the size of the frame. Joe was a little freaked out by some of the bears and couldn't understand my attraction - but I took it apart, spray painted over the bear picture and made it into my own 'canvas'. I printed out the verse and placed it under the glass and hand painted the letters right onto the glass; then hand painted the birds on the branch for behind it (which I had to do twice to make it light enough to still see the words). I love how it came out!


I altered the pattern from my mobile birds to make some larger ones hang from the ceiling, and sewed them right onto twigs from the backyard - again, gotta love free!

I had this peg shelf for years, it used to have tea pot wallpaper stuff decorating it, but it was peeling - so I pulled it off, sanded it and created a little modpodge bird scene...

These little birds I found at the dollar store, but they were peach, so I painted them white and added a little stain to pick up the swirly design on the wings. The shelves were from when I was newly married and obsessed with ivy - they used to hang in my bathroom in the old house and I was going to get rid of them, but thought they'd be great with the vine design in the nursery - and free!



Oh - and I'm linking up at this party again!

Nesting!

I'm down to about a month or so until Baby #5 makes its' appearance, and I've finally had some time and energy to work on some things for the nursery! I've been trying to pull together some sort of gender neutral 'theme' for the nursery, but had to work with a very limited budget. I discovered that the mobile I had, a gift from Anna's baby shower 10 years ago, still worked fine, but was a bit discolored and just didn't coordinate - so I decided to make a new one! I found a pattern online for these cute little birds, dug out some great fabric from Bessie's attic and whipped some up! I was so excited to find the little nest and eggs at the craft store for a buck a piece - cheap and adorable! I also found some great scrapbook paper to cover the little unfinished bin that I scooped up for $2 at the thrift store a while back. Now, I'm loving my little birdie theme and am searching for more things to add in!
Oh - and for the first time ever - I'm linking this post up to

Thoughts for a snowy day....

FOR TODAY
February 11, 2010...
Outside my window...the sun is glaringly bright against the mountains of wind-swept snow.
I am thinking...about Valentines plans and ideas.
I am thankful for...disposable diapers, electricity and public school (yeah, today it's the basics that are priceless).
From the kitchen...dishes that need to be loaded into the dishwasher, and a pantry that needs to be replenished.
I am wearing...yoga pants and a tank top - don't be misled, I was NOT exercising -these are my jommies....
I am creating...a home - a place that is not perfect, but is cozy, encouraging, usable, welcoming and full of reminders of the love that is lavished on us by our God, our family and our friends.
I am going...to work this afternoon, so I can have tomorrow to prepare for my Valentines date!
I am reading...'Priscilla and Aquila' - eh.
I am hoping...to have a fairly stress-free afternoon at work and be able to go to the grocery store soon!
I am hearing...the skid-loader, Eva playing Barbies and Elley watching 'Joseph'.
Around the house...is yet more laundry that needs to be folded, craft supplies to be put away, and somewhere I'm sure there's some energy to do it that I apparently mislaid....
One of my favorite things...watching my daughters curtsy - seriously it can't be beat.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Valentines date with my wonderful hubby tomorrow night; Glick family gathering on Saturday; kid's V-day party on Monday!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing... Anna's finished Box Turtle Habitat - she did such a great job and I'm so proud of her!

Thoughts for today...

I know I haven't posted in a while, but I figure most people keep up with me on facebook these days, so rather than catch up here, I'll just move on. Jess posted something this morning on her blog that I thought was neat and I thought I'd join her. She found a blog called The Simple Woman's Daybook, with 'starter' journal thoughts to complete - simple and a great way to settle and focus for the start of the day!

FOR TODAY
January 28, 2010...
Outside my window...all is covered in white - which I find refreshing and frustrating at the same time.
I am thinking...about how quickly my children are growing up.
I am thankful for...my precious family and friends, our warm house, Joe's flexible and stable job.
From the kitchen...a cappuccino is calling my name.
I am wearing...my bathrobe - in the process of getting ready for the day....
I am creating...a life, how awesome is that?!
I am going...out once the roads clear - I'm itching to get supplies for some little projects.
I am reading...'Miriam' - a novel, but interesting perspective.
I am hoping...for a successful day and cooperative children!
I am hearing...'The Land Before Time' and sweet chatter between the littles.
Around the house...is bare walls taunting me to create something!
One of my favorite things...snuggling with my hubby and watching the show put on by the dancer in my tummy.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Some Valentine crafts, gobs of laundry, helping Anna work on her box turtle habitat....
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Part of my goofy gang - just because it makes me smile!