Design Blogs

I love when I come across a new design blog. It's like finding a treasure at a thrift store or garage sale. Just makes me gitty! Today when I was checking out all my normal blogs, I came across "Design Sponge". Oh, be still my heart!!! From what I have seen in the past 20 min that I have been reading, it's a load of before and afters to die for! I picked out a few of my favorites, but you will have to choose a few for yourself. So click HERE and check out all of her FAB transformations! I hope it inspires you to do something fantastic!

Laynie's Program

Laynie had a choir concert on Friday night. They sang Disney songs and she had a few "acting" parts. It was really cute and she did a fantastic job. She is almost done with physical theropy for her leg and we are so happy for her that she's pretty much out of her boot!! Just in time for our vacation to Branson next week. They are very excited!

Pretty Cool Vocals!

Family Fun

This past weekend my sister and her family made a stop at our house on their way to/from Rolla, MO (where her sister in-law graduated from college this weekend).

We had a lot of fun with the kids. They are really growing like crazy. I'm still not sure how my sister does it day in and day out with a 7 month old, a 2 1/2 year old, and a 4 1/2 year old!!! All so full of energy!

Izzy enjoying some McDonalds!

Luke and his favorite things (dinos, cars, animals)

"Little" Ma Ty-Ty (Matthias)

All of this cuteness and some diaper cakes to make and send to California!

Almost Finished!

You all remember this bench... my cute thrift store find for $12?

And this cute material I picked out to recover the seat....

Here is the new bench all dressed up in GREEN!!! So cute!

Now I just have to make sure it doesn't need a 3rd coat...and then attach the fabric and put the seat back on. Then im DONE! Can't wait!!

Good Laugh

In case you need a good laugh...check this out!

Happy Birthday Bruce!

Today our little guy turns 2 years old!! Oh how I wish I was planning a big birthday party instead of writing about what I "think" he's doing today! OH HOW I MISS THIS SMILE!!!

Happy Birthday sweet Bruce. We love you SO much!

This is how i feel lately!

Just say'in!

Bench Seat Makeover

After I got Laynie's "makeup" table done, I made sure to keep my eye out for a little seat to put in front of it. On Sunday my BFF and I went out of our cozy 5 mile range and landed at a "thrift" store on the South side of OKC. I was glad though because I found this little beauty!

Isn't she so CUTE!? For only $12 I HAD to have her! After work yesterday I started working on the seat.

I had to first remove the legs. This was WAY easier then I thought. Just 4 screws...

And Ta-Da! (Remember I'm new at this whole "makeover" old furniture thing, so it's the little things that get me excited!!)

Then I took a hammer and proceeded to rip off the old fabric. It was secured by little upholstery nails, so it was fairly easy to remove!

Then I assessed the original padding and decided that it looked pretty good, so it was off to cut the fabric to size. Of course I left about 2 inches overhang so that I could wrap it around tightly and staple it!

I decided that I wasn't 100% sure about the fabric choice, so I wrapped the seat and just taped it in place just so I could get the idea.

I LOVE IT! The fabric actually matches one of the letters in the initials I did for her wall...
So, now I'm going to paint the legs a cute lime green and possibly put a cute pom-pom trim on it too. We'll see how daring I get! This project will get done in a few days since I have diaper cakes to make and family to entertain tomorrow night.

:)
Stay tuned!

Garage Sale Finds

Last Saturday the kids and I did a little garage sale shopping (as much as we could despite the rain). I was REALLY striking out and wanted to just GIVE UP...until I stumbled upon these darlings!

I got a pair for $8!! I am in the process of totally redoing my living room and I am going to repaint these chairs and cover them in this fabric by Amy Butler (LOVE HER)!

With a little help from Living With Lindsay (check out her wonderful tute about recovering a thrift store chair here)...I think I can recover these with little to no help from the hubby! we'll see...hee hee.

Window Mistreatments!

I LOVE all the ideas that Thrifty Decor Chick has...as-well-as all the other very inspiring blogs out there that give me TUNS of ideas to make my house a home... for cheap!!!

I got the idea to do some curtains out of this CUTE shower curtain I found at Target. I figured that people have used sheets, table clothes, etc...so why not a shower curtain?!

I picked this one up at Target for $24.00. Cute, huh?

With just a little measuring and sewing (and I do mean a little). I used the entire width of the curtain and just trimmed the length a little..

The outcome....a cute/easy curtain for Laynie's room.

Then, I decided that her sad, sad door needed some love too. So, back to Target for another shower curtain. Then I dug out some old trim I had.. ...and another shower curtain (a zebra print one, also from Target, that i had left over from my craft booth) and went to work! So, what do ya think? Comments PLEASE! This puppy is getting hung tonight!!

Cafe rod ... Wal-Mart ($9)

Can't wait to post the finished pics!!

Mother's Day for Stepmoms!

Laynie, Bruce & Blake

Christmas 2008

As a Stepmom myself I know, firsthand, how alienating and uncomfortable Mother's Day can be. I have been fortunate enough over the past 3 years that my sweet step-children have only done what they felt comfortable with. I have been invited to "Muffins for Moms"...been honored with painted flower pots, sweet framed pictures, artwork that's worth more then any Van Gogh or Michael Angelo... I have never felt "worthy" of these sweet gestures, but to know that your step-child loves you in that way is just PRICELESS.

I was reading an article on CBN.com and thought this piece was worth sharing!

If there is one day of the year that can trigger sadness for a stepmom, it’s Mother’s Day. One of the reasons Mother’s Day can evoke so much emotion is because many stepmoms feel as though they have all of the pain, frustrations, financial strain, and difficulty of being a parent, but none of the rewards or joy.
Stepmoms often feel “outside the family circle” and this holiday may be a reminder that she’s an outcast. As one stepmom put it, “I have all the grief of parenting, but none of the pleasures associated with being a mom.”

Whether it’s a good or bad day, it’s wise for a stepmom to keep in mind that it’s only one day of the year. Focus on the things you are grateful for, lower your expectations, ask God to give you “the mind of Christ,” and then let go of the rest.

Every year, regardless of the "status" of our relationship, I send the kids' Mom a card and a little "something". I always want her to know, regardless of our failed attempts at having a working relationship, that I always have and always will respect her role as a Mother. I grew up in a household that focused heavily on my Mom LOATHING my Stepmom. It was a nightmare! I always felt pressured to take sides. I always had to listen and agree with my Mom when it came to her rantings about my Stepmom...which I knew (firsthand) were untrue and undeserved. When I became a Stepmom myself I made it a point to call my own Stepmom and tell her just how much I appreciated her and loved her very much.

I was also armed with the knowledge of what "feuding" moms/stepmoms can do to a child. I vowed NEVER to talk ugly about the kids' Mom to them, or never make them feel like they are having to "choose" sides between us...ever.

I sure hope I have lived up to that. I admit...it has been VERY hard a times to bite my tongue, and I have the tongue scars to prove that it IS possible. (Just kidding).

If there are any Stepmoms out there that read my blog, I just want you to know that you are appreciated...loved....and God knows your heart. He sees the goodness you do...day in and day out.

I hope all you Stepmoms out there have a wonderful, blessed Mother's Day!!!

I will be spending it with my husband. My "kids" go to their Mom's that morning. I know I will sure be missing my litte guy that day. I just pray that he is loved and cared for!!!!

Teacher Appreciation

This week (as we all know) is Teacher Appreciation Week. Since Laynie is in Jr. High and has 5 or 6 teachers, I feel that I am somewhat "off the hook" when it comes to delivering a gift! Blake, on the other hand, is in 3rd grade and full of energy and his teacher, Mrs. Kysar, definitely deserves a week of recognition!!! I have procrastinated and found myself in a bit of a pinch for what to do for her. I found this CA-UTE framed art made from crayons... and decided Blake could do this for sure.

So last night we sat down and started breaking crayons (Blake's favorite part). I started out with a template by using Times New Roman and increased the font to 510!

Then I had Blake start positioning the crayons...

I glued the crayons on using my hot glue gun (luv that thing) and now I need to get a frame that will hold the bulky crayons (I didn't think out that part). So I can't leave you with an after picture until tomorrow...sorry! Mrs. Kysar has truly been a terrific teacher and so patient with Blake and the others!!!

Blog Book

This is the coolest thing for bloggers! You can publish your blog, one year at a time or all at once, with this awesome site.... Blog2print! I just put in a date range (i'm doing mine by years) and then added a picture to the front and back...and a dedication, and viola'.... for only $2.95 I get it in a pdf file and then I can print it.

So, if you would like to publish your blog...go to Blog2Print and check it out! Totally worth it!

Also, check out "Just Something I Made"...she transformed her blog into books and it turned out delicious!!

Is This Seattle or Edmond, OK?

This is the view from my office window! Very dark and dreary.
It has rained for 6 days (or more) straight!! I feel like we are going to float away!

New Fabric=New Couch Pillows

I got my new, super fabulous fabric yesterday! It's going to be transformed into pillows for my couch. My living room needed to be brightened up a bit and I think this fabric will do the trick!!

Here is a better pictures of it....

Target Deals

There are a lot of good deals at Target this week because of Mothers Day. I found a few that I will have to scoop up!

I love this cute zebra pillow with feathers!! It will look great in Laynie's room, and at only $14.24...who can pass that up!?My sister turned me on to this great creation by Cover Girl! It's called "Lipstain" and it goes on like a marker and stays on ALL DAY LONG...without drying your lips out!! I usually put a little lipstick over it, but if that wears off it still looks like I have lipstick on! It's a great buy...and it's on sale for $6.49 (usually around $8). I have #445 (they don't say the color on the stick) and I think I will go back and get a more natural color for the summer!!

And last, but not least, is this cute lush rug. I have had my eye on it forever, but never wanted to spend over $30 for it (even though that's really not that much for a 30x48" rug). This week it's on sale for $26.99. I may have to get one for the kids bathroom. We'll see.