New Website

New Website I will be following and I think you should join me too. Playful Factory is great for your kids and the kid in you. Have fun.

My Couch

I don't think I ever blogged about the couch I finally finished upholstering. Over one year ago I found an inexpensive Goodwill couch. Well it was a nasty leafy fabric. Think medical office furniture. I signed up for an upholstery class after months of realizing I was not capable of finishing it without guidance. Here is the final result.

I Love My Kids!

I love these three kids. I am reminded daily how much I love being a mom. Sometimes it is a lot other days I have to dig around for those reminders.

I like him too.

Crafty Girls

My girls love creating things. Their mud sculptures are great!

I love creating things but I have a problem with spending money on projects that have a high likelihood of failing. I had seen this rug project a few months ago and thought it would be a lot of fun. Thanks to my decluttering rampage I was on the other day I found an old plain ikea runner rug. I went out to our workshop and collected all the paint I knew would coordinate. I think the hardest part for me was the taping of the chevron stripes. I then allowed the girls to take turns painting the stripes.

One of the quickest DC tours ever.

Our short road trip ended in DC. We found parking near the air and space museum. We walked around for a little bit and saw very long lines coming from museums and were told no strollers or back packs even those with a baby in them were not allowed. We were all hot, stinky, grumpy, and sweaty. So we got in our car for a 30 minute driving tour of the sites and made our way out of the city (took almost two hours to get out of traffic). We eventually were on our way home.

I love the rest areas along the east coast. They are so pretty. Brandon took a few photos while we took a break.








Brooklyn's new hairdo. Thanks Grandma Irene for all the clips and headbands.


Camden enjoyed picking up any stick she could find. Great photo Brandon!


Dallin looks really excited to be in DC.


This is the end of our walking tour. We ended at the capitol.




Here is our driving tour.
Washington Monument


White House


Really cool view of the Capitol, oh wait no a uhaul!


Lincoln Monument


Finally on our way home. It was a beautiful stretch of highway.


Are there any families interested in a group trip? We can tag team. Definitely will not be going in August.

Arlington, Va Flea Market

It has been awhile since I have been on. There is so much to blog about. I will work my way backwards. This last weekend we took a quick road trip up to Arlington, VA and DC. When I say quick I mean quick. We went mainly because of this sale. I love her style. It was fun to talk with Jenny and her husband Mike. This flea market was great. There were a lot of great sales. By the way I love flea markets but I am usually afraid to purchase. So this time around I took a set amount of cash and was ready to purchase things that I knew would work great for our house.

Here is what I bought at Jenny's sale.
For the the kids' room.


The Pelmet Boxes I talk about all the time. I can use hers as my pattern.


I love this chair. I was so happy it was still available when I got to the sale.


I think the buttoned back is to die for.



These were our other purchases from the market.
I love New York City. Why not buy a large original painting to hang in our house.


I loved the colors in this painting.



I love old boxes. This is an old army box. I have placed blankets, books, and magazines in it.




I would consider this a successful flea market trip.

What? The School Year is Over!

Brooklyn finished kindergarten! I can't believe how fast the year went by. I only wish my school years would have gone by this fast. She loved just about everything. Her favorites were PE, recess, running the track, specials, and making crafts for family and friends.

Brooklyn at the beginning of the year.

Brooklyn at the end of the year.

Brooklyn also lost another tooth.

Hooray for Grandma Irene!

This past weekend we were lucky to have my mom here with us. She is a trooper. She stayed all night in the airport to catch a flight out to NC. I love my momma and everything she does for me and my family.

Nope that is not a trendy photoshop haze action. It is our lovely NC humidity.

I'm So Excited!

I finally found some fabric I love for the girls room. Well I think I could use it for every room in my house I love it that much. Of course I got the idea for this fabric from The Little Green Notebook. Her blog is definitely one to check out. I am going to make these pelmet boxes for their room. I think it will be fabulous.

I have so many projects that I am excited about. I can't wait to complete one and start a new one.

My Moms

Well May is over. I am not sure where it ran off to. I originally stated I wanted to write a post every day about motherhood. Ha, ha, ha. Who was I kidding. I usual am crashing putting the kids to bed. However I did think a lot and did find myself looking at more positive parts of my life. The bottom line is I love it. That still means I have days that are difficult or I wish I were somewhere else.

I was blessed with an awesome mom. She can be silly at times and we tease her a lot. I miss being near her however we talk and email on average daily. She allows me to call and vent about the little things and the cool thing is she understands. My mom was a very loving mom and shows just as much or even more love towards my kids. I love when she comes for visits. I get a lawn buddy.


I was blessed with an incredible mother in law. I know a few people that can't say that. First she raised Brandon and from the stories I have heard that is a huge accomplishment. So there must be something great about her because I have Brandon. She shows a lot of love towards me as a daughter and also shares that love with my kids. I also miss being near my mother in law. I am thankful when she makes her visits out to see us in NC.


So much to say but hard to express with a non functioning brain. I am thankful for my friends and family that are huge examples for me. I am also thankful for those that make things easier for me by watching my kids, holding my babies, and listening to me. Thanks!!!

Glitter!!!!!

Have you ever met a little girl not fascinated with glitter? I have two girls that think it is spectacular. So when a teacher sends home an assignment to create a book project my mind immediately turns to glitter. We definitely used the glitter to its best advantage. Brooklyn chose the book "My Garden" which accurately depicts my girls helping in my garden. I think Brandon is a little frustrated with the glitter everywhere. I think it makes our wood floors look magical.

Jonathan's Cochlear Implant Activation 8 mo., Rt Ear cont'd

Brandon shared this video with me tonight. We both thought it was a sweet video. It is a great feeling when your child begins to interact with you and recognize who you are. I love my sweet babies and cherish every smile I get from them.

I Feel Good

I had a good day. I exercised and got some trampoline time in. I find it amazing the trust my girls have in me. There are times they really should question the way I do things. Some may know of the annoying rabbits that keep getting into the garden. I started going out and scary them away and maybe throwing a rock here and there. My girls when first witnessing Mom "Elmer Fud" chasing the rabbits they were a little startled. However now they are calling out the rabbits and will now dart outside to scare them away. It is very cute and silly of them to help me out this way.

Seven Years!!

This past weekend we celebrated our 7 year anniversary. It has been an adventure. Starting out in AZ to PA to WA to PA to NC. We celebrated by having 7 and heart shaped pancakes, 7 shaped sugar cookies, date at the YMCA during the day, library trip, and date at a new restaurant and movie. I will leave the mushy and cheesy stuff for Brandon and I.

Go To Sleep

Most of the time my kids are awesome. Not all the time. Lets face it there is no such thing as a perfect kid. My kids can give me a massive headache throughout the day occasionally however they become that perfect kid when they are sleeping. Every night I like to look at them when they are sleeping. It helps me forget the day's troubles and be ready and excited to start a new day with them.

POOP!!!!

I think C girl is going to be headed to college with diapers on. I have no idea how to help her on the toilet. I feel I am permanently going to damage my sweet child. Sorry for not being so positive about motherhood today but I have been cleaning up pee and poop all day long.

Things That Help Me

With six years of being a mom I have learned a few things that help me be a better mom. I need to get good sleep. I need to be early to bed and early to rise. I need exercise. Good hard workouts are very helpful for my stress and overall happiness with the way my body feels. I need good food. It is very satisfying to sit down to eat a meal that is both pleasant to look at and taste really good. I also love when my family enjoys the meal just as much as I do. Lastly I need to have some time to meditate or work on my spirituality. Sometimes if happens in the car, early in the morning, or when I am doing yard work. I know there is much more ahead for me to learn. Anyone have advice on what helps them be a better person?

Do Not Disturb

I think I checked out of my motherly duties a few hours ago. I know for sure I am not the only that has days that they just want to be over. Where every sound (in my case whine) is just too irritating to deal with. I love my kiddos but sometimes they just need to chill. I am very thankful that my baby Dallin and my body are able to breastfeed. That is my moment I can shut out most of the noise and relax. I can't wait until the kids are asleep. Then I can watch them as they quietly sleep. It helps me remember the importance of what I am doing.

Toothless!

We have lost our first baby tooth. Brooklyn has been waiting for this moment for the last few weeks. Yesterday she was very excited that it was bleeding. Brandon decided to take a pair of tweezers and pulled it out. She was very pleased to wake up to a surprise from the tooth fairy. She was a little concerned how the tooth fairy would be able to hold the tooth because fairies have wings not arms.

She just ate a chocolate chip cookie.