Catch up!

Now that you know our news, maybe that explains a little of our crazy summer! I found out just two weeks before my trip left for Africa and, unfortunately, my doctor's wouldn't let me go. It was a very emotional and stressful couple of weeks. That and telling my team and our close friends and family when we were only 9 weeks pregnant. Pretty stressful.

But God is good and here we now sit nearly 17 weeks pregnant. We've had two ultrasounds and heard the babies heart beat a handful of times. I still can't believe it. And, now that I'm feeling better, it's even harder to imagine. I can't believe in less than 5 months our new little person will be here! My first baby shower is coming up in a few months already! WOW!

But don't expect this blog to completely morph into a mommy blog, but I will be sharing what's going on in our lives and what projects I'm working on for our little one. Yes, there is only one! :)

Surprise!

Surprise!

And we had to announce that the boys would be big brothers, too!

And baby makes 3!

New Flooring -- Reveal!

After a few years of saving, we finally improved and upgraded our flooring throughout our entire home. I just love it! It was worth the wait.

Here are a few glances of the laminate. It is in the upstairs living room, dining room, kitchen and entry way.

Here's the carpet that we did in the rest of the house, both upstairs and downstairs.

I don't miss the blue, mis-matched carpet AT ALL! 

And, the guest room looks a little different these days... here's a quick look!

Kitchen -- Mini Reveal!

I'm calling this a mini-reveal because the back splash isn't up, so I still feel like the kitchen is a work in progress. But, trust me, from where we started, this kitchen is a full 180!

This season, we've redone the countertops, installed the laminate floors and gotten all new stainless appliances.

What do you think of what we've done? The backsplash should make it look a lot more finished.

I can't think of a title, so this is what you're getting!

I know I've been promising reveals.. and the sad part is I've taken the pictures... they're just sitting on my DSLR waiting to be imported and edited. Soon. Very soon. Maybe tonight?!!?

In the meantime, I found these oldies on J's phone Saturday night. Enjoy!

This is from after B had his surgery last month on his foot. Poor guy!! Yes, that is the cone he had to wear and yes, he chewed it off completely by the end of Day 2.

And this is from when Heather and kiddos visited! I just can't get enough of this girl. I guess the other day she was planning her very first party and was thinking really hard about who to invite and the decorations she would use and the food she would make. Heather called me right away and said she should've been mine.

 

Gosh, I really love this girl!

Another Beauty!

On Saturday night while we were playing an exciting game of marbles with J's good friend, A, I spotted a gorgeous full rainbow! Gorgeous!

I had to use J's phone because it was the only thing reachable from my back deck, but it was still beautiful. I must be on my grandma's heart lately.

 

I just love these beauties!

I could rule the world...

I could rule the world with a hot glue gun and a little ModPodge.

I worked on a few projects involving the latter this weekend and I'd forgotten how much I love that stuff! I can't show you the projects yet, but I promise they are coming up soon!

What do you use ModPodge for?? I need some new ideas!

What Summer?

The UW students arrived back on campus this week and it made me really sad to realize that summer is coming to a close and I still have that feeling of 'What Summer?!' Between working full time, sleeping, taking the intensive credentialing course, staying cool, house improvements and keeping up with life and visitors, I have that sensation that time has slipped me by.

Don't get me wrong, we've made lots of wonderful memories this summer and gotten a lot accomplished but I just feel like we didn't spend enough time on the back deck simply enjoying the fireflies.

I just can hardly believe that everyone is heading back to school and the school year rhythm will be upon us. We're doing our best to enjoy the remaining bits of August before the craziness of September begins, but I still can't help to wonder where the summer went.

But I can't lie and say that I'm not so so so super excited for the infamous sweater weather, bonfires, apple cider, hay rides, pumpkin picking and carving, etc! I love fall and I'm actually really excited for it to make its entrance this year!

My Mid-Week Weekend

You thought I was going to forget to post today, didn't you!!? Be honest! Well, never fear! I am here!

My family has been in town and I was lucky enough to take Tuesday and Wednesday off with them to spend some much needed time with my sweet nephew. He starts the 6th grade next week! I can hardly believe my little buddy is 12 and nearly as tall as me. Seriously, where did the time go?

We've done a lot of stuff to make his mini-vacation a fun one. Imagine what you would want to do as a 12 year old boy.... eating out, go-karts, mini golf, batting cages, bowling, playing with the dogs, buying new sneakers, eating ice cream, etc! We did it all! He even got his back-to-school hair cut and he picked some fresh tomatoes out of my garden for his mom.

 

I really hope he had a great time, but I am exhausted. Coming to work felt like a little break! :) I keep asking everyone how their weekend was... but I was the only one who had a mid-week weekend. Silly me. I am so foggy!

Christmas?

Between you and me, is it too early to start Christmas shopping? Because I have and I'm actually proud of it!

I mean, there's only about 4 months until Christmas. I normally start in October, but this year, I'm starting in August. I've already gotten my God-babies their Christmas gifts but I may add in a little something later. Aside from stocking stuffers, I just about have J done.

I'm trying to brainstorm other ideas for family members, friends, etc, so that I can start making/planning now for their gifts.

When do you start Christmas shopping? Do you think I'm crazy?

More Projects??

So J and I just aren't kind to ourselves. We finish one project... with 15 more on the list... and we still add more!

Our newest project is removing the lovely "faux" brick off the back of our kitchen , repainting that area and adding this gorgeous tile backsplash to the area. It will be beautiful once its done, but really, must we keep adding projects!!?

What do you think of it?

What Makes a Rainbow?

I love rainbows. When my dear grandmother passed away when I was 16 she said that she would sent me rainbows from Heaven. She has always done that and they are always when I need them. It's a subtle reminder that she is watching over me and she is proud of who I've become. She was such a special woman and we had a truly special and unique bond. I am lucky to have been her granddaughter.

This weekend, J and I drove to his parents' house to help with crafting and we had a lovely time. But on the way home, I was just pooped and kind of grumpy. And then we spotted the rainbow. It was a full arch rainbow where you could see both ends "touching" the ground. Believe it or not, I've only seen a handful of full rainbows in my life. I made J stop the car so I could attempt a full picture, but it was too large to capture its width, height and beauty. I guess that makes it all the more special.

J and I had a fabulous and fairly relaxing weekend. My parents and nephew are coming today and I am so ready to see them!

Bedroom -- Mini Reveal!

Hi Ya'll! So, as you know, we got a king-sized bed. My husband couldn't be happier. I thought I'd give you a quick glimpse of what the room looks like now!

I wanted this glimpse to be better, but B had other ideas. He HATES made beds so whenever it is happening he finds it his top goal to come in and ruin the process. So, since that was his idea this morning, you're getting the realistic glimpse into our king-sized bed. Oh, that dog!

What do you think? I'm not sold on the duvet cover (it's a dark purple), but we're living with it for now.

My Favorite Toy!

Introducing my favorite toy.. my DSLR camera..

My husband surprised me with this gem a few months ago and I LOVE it...even if I'm not a pro at using it... especially on manual settings. Until now, things will start to change!

Thanks to my amazing husband, I am a lucky participant of the August SnapShop hosted by Ashley Ann (from Under the Sycamore)! "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!" It is her first ever online SnapShop and I am loving it so far! I'm learning a lot of photography techniques and important manual settings. I hope my photographing skills improve, improve, improve!

If you're interested in learning how to work a DSLR, I highly suggest her online course. It feels like she is teaching you her secrets right in your own living room. Trust me, you won't be sorry!

Phin's Fantastic Fourth Birthday!

My baby is FOUR! I can hardly believe this little guy has been in my life this long. He might be the best thing that's ever happened to me. 

We spoiled him rotten on his special day! He got a banana with his breakfast and his dinner. He got a ride in the car all by himself, too! His brothers were so jealous! The boys all got a cup of puppy ice cream and we sang Happy Birthday to him.

I hope he knows how special he is to us!

Hectic!

Well, hello there. Do you remember me?

Sorry for my lack of blogging, our life has been SUPER hectic since mid-June. I thought I was going to be picking blogging back up a few weeks ago and I just happened to fall short once again. I'll try again... starting... umm... next week? Yes, let's aim for next week. Oh dear!

Anyway, I wanted to share a little about how hectic my life is and why I haven't been blogging... so... here we go!

Two weeks ago we got new appliances, laminate floors and had 5 house-guests.

Then, to top it off B ripped off an entire toe-nail so emergency surgery was needed or the toe would never heal. Fast forward a week and it still required daily maintenance and care... INCLUDING being saran wrapped each time he went outside to potty/play/etc. This meant mommy had to miss an out-of-town family wedding to take care of him.

Last week was birthday week with me and Phin celebrating birthdays one day apart! This was also face to face sessions for my class, but that isn't near as fun to mention.

I love getting birthday mail! This stack was waiting when I arrived home on Wednesday!

The cake with mint ice cream that J picked out for me!

Phin out on his birthday car ride!

Phin is 4!

The nearly-weds came up this weekend for shopping and crafting for their upcoming wedding.

A WIP!

No sooner did they head home before my MIL arrived to help us prepare for the carpet install. We are currently in the midst of getting new carpet. Look at how much stuff we have stored in my living room! Seriously, how do we have this much stuff?!?!?

My dining table is hiding in here!

 As I write, the downstairs is finished, the two guest bedrooms upstairs are done and they are starting on the master bedroom. Tomorrow they'll finish the hallway, stairs and hall closets. My MIL is going to stay until Thursday morning to help us get the house back in order as much as possible. She has been such a blessing!

I am crafting up a storm when I get a free minute, but I haven't had a spare moment to take pictures or write up anything. I hope to get back to that in the coming weeks. Oh, and my garden is producing tomatoes like crazy! Delicious ones at that! My peppers are finally starting to turn red, my chard has all grown back again, we harvested my first broccoli and my brussel sprouts are growing like crazy.

I am going to do my best to get into a new routine of posting..starting next week! Wait for it... wait for it!