Time Fillers

Just a quick glimpse at what's been filling up my days lately...

*** one of my inspirations ***

*** love a freebie***

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I found this hideous looking chandelier in my dad's attic a few weeks ago (yes, I was up there and it was very hot) and I decided to transform it just a bit. Josh thinks it's bright enough that we should save a little money by never having to turn it on. This will go in Gracie's closet for a little surprise project I'm working on for her. Can't wait! All it needs now are some hanging crystals which I still need to get along with some light bulbs.

And next door to Gracie's room will be Maggie's room. Here's the fabric I purchased and now I just have to choose which ones to use for her quilt. Man, she'd better be a girl after I do all this work!

*** $15 craigslist score***

which I lightly sanded, painted antique white and distressed to make this...

I absolutely love it! The picture doesn't do it justice but it's really big and sturdy.

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*** another freebie... well, sort of ***

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It's hard to tell by the pictures but I took out this old dirty medicine cabinet that was in Gracie's bathroom at the new house and with a little paint, a little distressing and a little scrapbook paper and Modge Podge, I made it good as new! If only it didn't fall over and the only glass shelf remaining didn't get broken. Now I have to figure out shelving for it... hmm... add that to the 'to-do' list.

*** $25 craigslist find ***

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Our some day when I can get my act together front door that's been residing on my back porch picnic table for what seems like forever. It's funny how Josh will take the time to carry it into the garage each time they show the house then bring it out back again for me but it still sits and waits. Actually we decided to use an oil based paint instead of latex so now I'll have to find a new use for my can of black paint we had already bought for it. But I bought this old solid wood door off of craigslist for a whopping $25! I love the old style of it.

...and I've been doing lots and lots of this...

Yes I did cave in to coffee and believe me, I've needed it lately.

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You didn't think we'd leave my beautiful inspiration behind did you? It now happily resides at the "farmhouse".

Peace and Tranquility

Amidst all the busyness of our lives these days (with raising three little ones, being the life source of another, running a business, house showings and the BIG project among all of little ones) we still manage to make time in our lives for a little bit of peacefulness. Many times that means going to our "farmhouse" as Fletch calls it to relax by the pond and watch the sun set. I guess the fact that it is surrounded by donkeys, horses, cows, lamas, goats and farm birds qualifies it as being a farmhouse even though no animals reside on our land. Yet.
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The inside is a complete construction zone which isn't the most suitable place for little ones or clumsy pregnant women to be hanging out it (yes, I'm totally referring to me) but the outside is quite nice. In fact we love it!












It really wasn't that dark out but I love how these next shots made it appear to be.


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As far as the house redo goes, the drywallers are finishing up their end of the project and we'll be ready for paint soon! I have been busy flipping through the Benjamin Moore color wheel trying to come up with the perfect color choices. NOT EASY!
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The exterior is ready for the hardiplank to be put on then it can be painted. Our new (old) front door awaits paint and then it can also be hung.
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The wood floors have about 2 more weeks of adjusting to the indoor air temperature before they can be installed. We decided to go with solid Heart Pine and then stain and seal them ourselves after they are installed. I am so excited to see how they turn out!



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And I continue to work on my little projects while preparing to teach 1st and 3rd grade.



All the books are ready and will start to collect dust if we don't start soon!





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Our little girl will be turning 6 next Saturday and is counting down the weeks until she can hold her baby sister in her arms. Only 14 more to go! She is trying to convince me to allow Maggie to sleep in her bed with her for her first night here. Obviously not happening but I'm sure she will be a huge help to me in so many ways. I think Maggie is going to be a busy little one like her big brother Fletcher. If the fact that Lori my midwife chased her and chased her until finally she had to pin her down and hold her to one side of my belly on Wednesday to get her heart rate count is any sign that she's going to be a handful, I think I'll be grateful that I have my Gracie girl here to help.

Fun on the 4th

The fourth was a much needed fun and relaxing day for us spent with friends and family. The day was filled with volleyball, lots eating and swimming and of course fireworks!

our sweet friend at church miss Cathy bought the kids these festive shirts

daddy loves to play some volleyball

and this little guy loves to swim!

pals and cousins Colton and Ava

sweet little miss Kaya

uncle b. gives the kids fun rides!

and this sweet, sweet girl is our friend Zoe. remember her from this post here?

Gracie just couldn't get enough of her. baby Maggie better look out!

the flag cake tradition

the blue turned out a bit lighter than I'd hoped but it sure was yummy!

C & G anxiously awaiting the rain to stop so we could get out of the car and see the fireworks!

last night we just (finally) finished up the last of the sparklers. we sure had a fun fourth and are now looking foward to celebrating next year with our newest little firework!