Family Message Center

I’m not sure what struck the creative streak in me to turn our very ugly non-functional hallway into a family message center, but once the idea surfaced I did what I do – Searched high & low, spending a couple hours on the internet googling & scrolling pictures.  Here is my inspiration & my version:

Wall one:

my inspiration:

           my version:

           

I plan on putting a “BLESSED” sign or scripture at the very top of this.  The top row is a dry-erase board from Target & next to it is a brown corkboard (also from Target) with a calendar of “praying for your children.”  (*other important things will be added to the corkboard)

The bottom is a weekly “post-it” calendar (from Target) I put in a picture frame & scrapped the side.  I love using picture frames as dry-erase boards.  Underneath this is a magnet strip from IKEA with magnet message clips from Target.

*I know the black line (ribbon) isn’t straight in the pix – I’m too lazy to take it out of the frame & fix it right now :)

Wall two:

my inspiration                                         

      my version:

    

This side of the wall leads to the boys room & still needs the doorway re-trimmed from us removing the door.  My shelf & coat/hat rack is from IKEA ($10!!)  I really wanted 2 side-by-side, but only 1 would fit.  For now it is holding hats, but I intend on using the book bags too.  I am ordering the LLBEAN bags (color coding & embroidering each kids name on them).  My chalkboard was one of the extra’s we didn’t use in our schoolbarn.  Originally it was green with a wooden trip.  I repainted it & blinged it up with some colorful chalk.  *I love PAINT chalk!!

Wall three:

my inspiration 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is actually from a friend of mines house.  I made the “I heart you because:” frame, but am still on a hunt for bins that will work for us.  Her bins are custom made (by another homeschool dad – who I need to bake some cookies or something for as bribery).  I’ve looked for bins like the one in the first picture above (LOVE those green bins from Staples), but they are no longer available & honestly, I have 5 kids – they aren’t space-effective.  Right now our small wall just has the picture frame.  I just scrapbooked the message (leaving a blank line at the top & bottom), & framed it – using a dry-erase marker to leave sweet messages to each other.  Super easy!

And guess what – this entire project was very inexpensive.  The paint was FREE (left overs from a very sweet friend)!  Most of the items I already had & what I did have to buy (2 picture frames, coatrack, & post-it calendar) were very inexpensive or I had a coupon for it!  There are still a few finishing touches to add, but so far I’m estimating I spent less than $50 on the entire project!  (minus the lovely LLBEAN bags I’m eyeing ;)

Around the House . . .

 

There have been LOT’S of little projects in the works!

The boys room got an AMAZING aquarium .  .  .

 

 

    Originally it was going to be set-up in the library area of school(barn), but we finally opted for it to go in the boys room!  To add to the excitement we put 2 of our tilapia's inside here (which are mouth brooders) that just had babies!  

 

 

 

 

 

I am making our hallway a family message center:

  

*I’ll be posting more on this soon!

My office/scraproom is in the process of becoming an office/scraproom/closet . . .

Tara has quite the wardrobe!

So basically, almost every room in the house is slightly under construction. 

My household project goals are:

July – My office & finish the hallway

We are sooo limited on closet space & I am sooo limited on time to scrapbook, so I decided to combine my scrapbooking area with my office area so we can make the current scrap area into a closet.  Once I get it organized & cleaned out it shouldn’t be that big of a project – I’m not doing anything fancy – just functional :) *I am painting it turquoise though!!

August – My room & Tara’s room

Last summer I completely redid Taylor’s room & we gave her our furniture.  We’ve been meaning to purchase new furniture, but had a hard time finding something we agreed on & that would fit the style of our home.  We have finally agreed on this Crown Mark furniture & I’m hoping Big Daddy will get it for us for our anniversary (Aug 3). 

Now that Taylor is not living here I am making her former bedroom Tara’s Room/”The Girls” room.  Although I have drooled over several baby beddings I have decided NOT to set-up the crib.  (Yes, it is still up from Truman, but is coming down soon!)  Honestly, I just don’t use them.  Not enough to justify the room it takes up or the cost of a girly baby bedding.  Instead, I will be setting up a changing table (a sweet friend gave me for FREE) & blingin’ the room to full pink capacity!  At first, I refused to repaint it, but after doing a little decorating planning I will definitely be getting the paint brushes back out!  More to come on her room next month!  Expect to see lot’s of color, bits of several animal prints, with a vintage twist. 

September – The boys room

The boys room definitely needs some attention!  They broke one of the windows, the wall needs sheet-rocked where we closed it off to the kitchen, all the walls desperately need to be repainted, & the carpet is awful.  Their room is going to be quite the project.  I’m not sure we will be able to afford new flooring, but we are hoping to get most of it back in order.  We are slowly beginning to move Truman out of our bedroom & into the boys room – to make things more comfortable we need to turn our bunk-bed into a triple bunk.  The problem is that the current beds don’t sit high enough up to slide a trundle under them.  We’ll see what create way my handyman come up with . . . 

Could I be nesting {already} ?

Wednesday

Lent begins today. 

During Lent, I’ll be going ‘unplugged’ (no blogging or Facebook & I’m thinking no blog reader either – YIKES!!).  I did this last year & was truly blessed & developed a greater discipline for managing my computer time. The internet makes a great servant but a poor master.  My boys are also “lenting” with me.  Tyler is giving up his iPod Touch, Tucker his DS, & Trevor his Leapster.  The younger too aren’t big on electronics, but the iPod will be difficult for Ty.  I don’t make my kids participate, but they are boys & always up for a challenge.  However, I do explain the reasoning & try to make clear the commitment they are making.  To God.  When they are tempted, I don’t pressure them or make them feel guilty either.  Heck, I feel the same temptations!!  I just remind them of the promise they made & tell them it is my job as their mom to help them keep their promise.  I try to encourage them & not give them a guilt trip.  Click HERE to read Edie’s A-MAZ-ING post on about Lent.

 

Truman.

Today marks 4 weeks of Truman being fever FREE!!  He is such a trooper.  He did amazingly well recovering from his surgery.  WOW!  It has been such a blessing to have him running around, following Tim every where, & jumping in on fights with his big brothers.  He has decided he is ready for a big boy potty & is for the most part using it!!  He also got his first hair cut.  Well, it was more like a trim, but it was way overdue!!!  What a joy this boys is.  Praise God!!

  

 

Pregnancy.

I am also 10 weeks into my pregnancy today.  1/4 done!  YAY!  I feel great.  Well, as great as great can be in the first trimester of a pregnancy.  This is by far, the easiest pregnancy every for me (so far – knock on wood!!)  I am queasy (A LOT), but no throwing up, no sudden rushing to hug the toilet (which I share with 4 boys & a man).  More than anything, I’m tired.  Very very tired.  I’m not a nap-taker, but I’m done by 2pm most days.  My floors are covered in dirty laundry, beds are full of laundry waiting to be folded & put away, drawers are empty.  I cooked breakfast for the first time yesterday – I have to eat almost right away.  I felt bad & the eggs are piling up, so after I had a bowl of cereal I cooked for my crew (then I ate again!)  I’m so happy to be able to actually eat.  I do have to be selective in my food choices.  We are eating lot’s of rice around here.  I’m craving very bland foods.  Smells bother me the most.  Which is tough living with the 4 boys & a man!!  I had my first doctor’s appointment last week & we got to see a tiny little baby (just one) with a strong little heartbeat.  I’m so excited!  and no.  No clue or guessing as to what I’m having.  Yes, I will find out.  Soon actually, like 5-6 weeks.  I would LOVE a little LOT of pink, ribbons & bows, but I truly do love my boys & take great pride in being a mommy to many boys.  We’ll see what God decides!

 

Me.

I’m still devouring 1,000 Gifts & I’ve almost listed 100 of my own (the whole lack of energy/sleep thing has put a damper on this slightly).  I cut about 6 inches of my hair off & dyed a streak teal.  My boys think I’m crazy.  I needed something fun.  I’ve said goodbye to my size 2 jeans.  I’m only 10 weeks, but after doing this 6x now – my body knows exactly what to do.  I’ve sported the belly band, but comfort is comfort!  I also go the new iPhone, only to be greatly disappointed to learn that a newer one is coming out it June.  Oh well!  I’m working on a make-over plan for the boys room (& mine!!!)  I will be purchasing my first real set of furniture soon.  I can’t wait!!

 

School. 

School Days VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

YIKES!  Yes, we homeschool.  And hopefully, we will be doing more HOMEschool.  Monday marked the last doctor’s appointment on my calendar!  YAY!  We are getting the basics down (most days), but I’ve pretty much let anything & everything “extra” go.  I’m totally okay with that.  I’ve boosted up our workbox system (which was none existent for a long stretch).  We have a pretty good routine down (on normal days) so I decided to add fun stuff to all their boxes.  This is my way of organizing their “centers”.  I’ll post more on these when I return from Lent break.  I also started my first week of phonics with my own twist & the boys are doing fabulous.  Tyler is currently on a Wimpy Kid reading marathon.  Twaddle = absolutely.  Fun = without doubt!

 

My outlaws.

Good Times VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We are ALL enjoying this much awaited & longed for spring-weather!  You will find us going on 4-wheeler rides, nature walks, fishing, kite flying – lot’s of outside play!  The boys have even ventured into the lake already – burrr!!!!We are just plain having FUN!! 

 

Farm life. 

 

I just hear the mouse trap go off . . . yes!  That is life in the country.  I’ve begged Big Daddy to declare war on our furry little pests before my city girl mama get’s here this Friday.  I’m sooo excited to hug her.  I miss her so much!!  Anyway, the farm is just a poppin’ calves everywhere, we are getting ready to send our bulls off to the sell.  We are up to 15 kids (baby goats).  We’ve lost 6 though.  Very sad.  All sets of triplets.  One nanny wasn’t separated from the herd & we think they were trampled.  The other nanny is just a bad mama.  We aren’t sure why her babies died, but she has never raised any of her babies.  I’m kinda mad at her right now!  The other babies are way too cute & the boys are spending lots of time chasing them around.  Even Truman loves the new goats.  I’m afraid he may think I have a baby goat in my tummy because I’ve been pointing to my (growing) tummy & saying baby.  When someone asks him where the baby is he points to the baby goats. 

 

My kitchen. 

I was hoping to get a post up of the finished product, but I’ve just been so tired I didn’t get around to it.  Big Daddy took out the double doors (there were 3-4 doors/3 entries to the kitchen) that lead to the boys room.  In the place of the doors is now an awesome spacious pantry.  I absolutely LOVE it!!  Here is a cute little peak!!

 

Well, it is almost midnight.  Blessings!  See ya in 40 days!!

In My Livingroom . . .

Taylor’s Bedroom Makeover

Remember my summer bucklist with all my projects I was planning on doing this summer?  Well, it has taken me a while to admit it, but I am finally out of denial & ready to admit that my personal bucklist has kicked the buck it!  All my project have been put on hold . . .

  Last Thursday was Daddy’s Girl’s 12th birthday.  While she was gone we decided to give her room a MAJOR makeover! 

It went from this:

To this (still a work in progress – BUT almost done!):

It doesn’t even look like the same room! 

This furniture was originally Tim’s Nanny’s (his great grandmother), then his MawMaw’s (his grandmother), then ours . . .

UNTIL we slept on a KING size bed on our vacation & remembered how much we enjoyed sleeping in the same bed.  So, Big Daddy mentioned getting a bigger bed & I jumped on it!  For right now, the dressers still have all our stuff in it because I haven’t even begun to look for us a new bedroom suite – just the bed.  So with that said, just ignore all the stuff on the floor & under the bed.  Eventually it will be in the dressers.  :)

I’m not a big fan of the cords strung across the wall, but this is the ONLY plug-in in the entire room.  Big Daddy said something about not wanting to climb in the attic in the 100 + degree Texas summer heat.  He PROMISED this winter he would add some plug-ins for her. 

        

I ripped the paneling off the walls, painted the boards board-by-board (THANK YOU MOMMA D. FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!), & ripped up the ugly yellow 1970’s carpet.  Big Daddy sheetrocked a wall & added trim all around the walls & I painted that too.  I am so over the whole painting gig!  Her room however, is beautiful!  There is still a little odd’s & ends to be completed, but I’m sorta on my break right now :)  Although, I think I will throw-up if I see another can of paint again – I am very excited to do a little shopping for this room now!  We are going to add a rug & some cute throw pillows & a cross almost identical to this one from Junk by Reese over her bed:

So what do you think? 

She has officially graduated from a little girl room to a little ladies room.  ((sniff)) ((sniff))

I LOVE HER ROOM, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS I LOVE HER!!!

My Man . . .

. . . is quite the handyman!

  He is turning my kitchen into something you might see in a magazine.  How could I have ever even considered hiring someone to do this?  Oh yeah, because it has taken him over a year to get to this point & he is the Mr. Never Finishes Anything.  Big Daddy not only bough me my dream refrigerator (LOVE IT!!!  You are the man Big Daddy!  THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!), but he also made a guest appearance in my kitchen recently.  Wanna see what he’s been up to?  Well, I wanna brag . . .

Countertop is finished! 

Drawers are done!

Doors were added under the sink:

I found these holders for pot lids & grocery bags at IKEA.  They fit perfectly under the sink. – Great space saver!

Is this not the perfect sink mat?  I got this at Target for like $6 I think. 

Lazy Susan was tore out & replaced with a shelf.

*Originally, we placed a metal lazy susan from IKEA in the corner, but it did NOT work & broke very easily. 

Dare I say?  It’s beginning to look almost finished!!

Next on the list is:

• finishing the trim
• adding the remaining doors
• adding a light over the kitchen table
• painting the doors
• building a kitchen table & bench
• finding chairs

Hopefully, it won’t take another year for us to get around to these things :)

I love my kitchen Big Daddy! 

. . .  But I LOVE YOU MORE!!

Just a little summin’ summin’

I am totally keepin’ it real this week. . . .

WARNING:  This blog post will contain dirty, nasty, sticky, AWEFUL pictures.  Please continue reading with caution. 

Okay, I’m stepping way out of my comfort zone on this one.  Deep breath in, & here we go . . .

Do you see this:Not so bad from the outside, right?  

Not terribly bad from a distance either (surprisingly) . . .

But up close – OH MY GOODNESS – that thing is nasty!!  And not for lack of effort.  I have scrubbed & I have bleached, but it was a lost cause.  I even prayed daily for it to DIE!!  I admit it, I prayed for DEATH.  I begged & I pleaded . . .

AND I GOT ………………………………………………

Isn’t she a beauty?  I’m in love!  She looks fabulous in my kitchen (that Big Daddy has been working in by the way!)

    

EAT YOUR HEART OUT!!

I AM <3