Confessions of a Wilson

We are MOVING to ARIZONA!!!

2012-05-10T14:18:00.002-04:00

We are moving to a small little city known as Phoenix. ha. Im kidding. Its HUGE!!! Overwhelmingly huge. But we are so excited and cannot wait to be living there. But Yes, I think we are shock. Im pretty sure this will not feel real until the house is packed and we are on our way.

I guess I should start from the beginning. We have been wanting to move West for awhile now and really didn't expect it to happen for a few more years. But a position at Toyota (the position that Jakin has been really interested for awhile) opened up unexpectedly in November and we jumped at the opportunity. We have prayed long and hard about this move and decided that if we were meant to move than God would open the doors and everything will go slowly. Fast forward 5 months and we still hadnt heard anything about the position. Poor Jakin had been through 2 interviews and was getting his hopes down when he recieved the best news ever.

We have been super busy trying to get the house listed, trying to find a home in Arizona to live in, and just the fact that we are moving 2000 miles in a few weeks. We are heading to phoenix next week to look at homes and guess what, I also have a job interview. I am sooo excited, it is with a huge private urology practice and they are willing to discuss letting me go part-time. Which I am thrilled about, because there is just nothing out there other than full-time work for nurse practitioners.
Jakin starts his new job July 9th and we are planning on moving around the 28th of June. Oh my, that is only 7 weeks away!!!!

Dear God!!!

2012-02-08T14:13:00.002-05:00

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
wisdom to know the difference;
and guidance to get me through the toddler years!!

AMEN

Halloween {Yup, Im starting there}

2012-01-31T21:39:00.000-05:00

This year I was so excited about picking out Emma's outfit and taking her trick or treating. I saw this adorable outfit at Old Navy and knew I had to get it - manly due to her LOVE of Candy and Desert.

If you couldn't tell she is a CUPCAKE.

Jakin and I took her trick or treating around the neighborhood and could not believe how well she did. We thought she would walk to 1 or 2 houses and want to be done but nope she literally walked to 20 plus houses. Yes, this child would do anything for candy. She is just like her Aunt Lo.

She seriously loved walking house to house with her daddy. It was soooo cute.

I was just hanging in the background hoping she was getting good stuff!!

I know I have been a terrible poster lately but to be honest I just haven't been up to it and have had alot going on that I really can't talk about yet. I am really going to try to get back into it and post more often. I literally have thousands of pictures that I can post.

Updates!!!

2011-11-19T12:10:00.000-05:00

Wow, I am pretty sure I have not done a post in about a month. I am so sorry!! I do feel terrible but to be honest I just needed a break. Between doctors appointments for me and for Emma, Jakin out of town alot, and just life in general whizzing by it just wasn't a priority. Im not going to go into alot of detail but to be brief here is what is going on in our life.
*I have seen acouple doctors over the past couple months for arm numbness/tingling and constant headaches. Finally, I had an MRI of my cervical spine which showed 2 cervical disc bulges. So needless to say I have started Spine Physical Therapy. My therapist is awesome and has really opened my eyes to how bad my posture is - which doubled with my hypermobility {I know I have never heard of this either but basically it means I am extremely double jointed} is putting pressure on my cervical discs and head/neck muscles and causing the numbness/tingling and constant headaches {atleast we hope}.
*Poor Emma has been sick for about 2 weeks. Ugh, I know. We went to the doc about 2 weeks ago and found that she had a double ear infection. She was miserable and doesn't take medicine well - who am I kidding she doesn't take it at all. She spits it out in our face - literally, she spit in Jakins face and he was flabbergasted that she would do this. I was certain she had not gotten all the antibiotic and sure enough when we went back in to have her ears rechecked they saw that she still has an ear infection in one ear. So this time we gave her a one time dose of an antibiotic. Hopefully that will clear her up.
*Potty Training is kinda underway. I am not pushing her or anything but we are slowly starting the process. Emma was the one to initiate potty training - she has been coming up to us and asking to have her diaper changed. She also has pee peed on the potty twice now.
* Please keep us in your prayers as we may have to make a big decision in the coming months.

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund {Book Review}

2011-10-27T20:48:00.001-04:00

Book: The Doctor's Lady
Author: Jody Hedlund

My Review:
I just finished this book and am sad, sad that it is over and I don't know what happened to the characters in 1, 5, or 10 years. In the year 1836, those wanting to pursue missionary work must be married according to the Board. Both Priscilla nor Eli want to marry, let alone each other. Yet, in order to work as missionaries they must marry - each other. As they make the long journey west, they begin to trust and turn to each other without either one wanting to or realizing it.

Editor Review:
Priscilla White knew God wanted her to be a missionary, not a wife. Then, the missionary board declares the only way she can serve is to be married. Now, married in name only, her epic journey west will test her spirit . . . and the new longing of her heart.

I did receive this book from Bethany House for Review. I was in no way persuaded in how to review the book.

Hobo Dinner!!!

2011-10-24T20:51:00.002-04:00

Whenever I think about sausage, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots.

I think about my families annual Hobo Dinner.

Every year for as long as I can remember,

we have been going to my Aunt and Uncles Hobo Dinner.

There is nothing better than hanging with the family, eating sausage and cabbage,

drinking a few beers, and hanging out by the bonfire.

Oh, and walking through the haunted forest.

It was a great year for the Hobo Dinner.

The weather was absolutely perfect.

And Emma loved every single minute of it.

She enjoying the lanterns

And hanging out with her daddy.

And her mommy

And her MANY cousins.

Seriously, there are a ton of them

Here are just a handful of all the 2nd cousins {Is that the right wording?}

There are 14 or 15 great grandchildren.

Crazy, right?

We had so much fun and can't wait for next year!!

P.S. Did you notice her riding boots??

They match mine.

This little girl has serioulsy 4 pairs of boots.

Big Girl Bed Update!

2011-10-10T07:47:00.000-04:00

Heres a quick update from Emma's first night in her new twin bed:
She slept great until about 3 am when Jakin and I hear this bang. haha. I go running in there thinking that she fell out of bed and find her standing, clutching her bear, and smiling. I guess she just got down from the bed {Im trying to enforce a rule that she is not allowed out of bed without us there to get her - but thats not going well}. So, I put her back to bed and I end up sleeping on the floor. I know I know! I just got really nervous that she would fall out of bed {she moves around sooo much}. Anyway, she didn't go right to sleep but talked for what felt like hours and Im pretty sure was. Oh well, she put herself back to sleep and slept for a bit longer. Heres hoping tonight goes better.

Big Girl Bed!!

2011-10-09T20:49:00.000-04:00

I cannot believe that my baby is sleeping all by herself in a twin bed.

It is a HUGE step.

I just hope that she sleeps all night in her bed.

I still have alot of things to add to her big girl room

but in the meantime here are a few pictures from tonight.

This is the twin bed that my mom and I have been repurposing.

I think it looks great - and so girly!!

All ready for bed and really excited to be sleeping in a big bed.

She had so much fun playing in her bed earlier in the evening.

I just wish that she sleeps all night and doesn't fall out.

Im seriously paranoid of her falling out of bed.

Night Night Emma.

BIG Kitchen Reveal!!!

2011-10-05T19:57:00.000-04:00

It's finished!!!

I am sooo excited.

We have finally completed the kitchen.

If you don't remember what it looked like in the beginning go here.

We did alot to it but for very little cash- cause we are trying to move out as quick as we can.
Here is the list of things that we did:

*Paint the cabinets

*Put down new flooring

*Painted all the walls

*Primed/Painted the new kitchen "island"

*Installed new hardwood counter tops

*Oiled and then sealed the counter tops.

The flooring and the counter tops don't match the best but I plan on

getting a huge rug so I guess it won't matter to much.

I love how it looks so crisp and country.

Coffee station - a must with those with a toddler.

You can see the shine on the counter tops from sealing it.

I used MinWax Polyurethane.

It was very easy to put on - just follow the directions.

So, glad that we bought and painted the kitchen "island".

It really has given us more space to work with.

What do you think???

Apple Butter Festival!!

2011-10-03T07:50:00.000-04:00

My family has been going to the MacQueen Apple Butter Festival for years

They have rides, animals, pony rides, food, crafts, music, and apple picking.

This year was different than years past because

of this little girl.

I don't think we have ever stopped to pet the numerous goats they have

or have anyone that was in the weight range for riding the ponies.

Not this year.

Emma wanted to pet the goats {Im pretty sure we were petting goats for 30 min}

and she wanted to go on a pony ride

She is a natural.

Great Grandma Dixie would be proud of her.

And she loved it.

We love going to apple picking.

It may be because we eat more apples than we pick.

I know I had about 5 apples.

And Im pretty sure Emma ate about 50.

She is eating an apple in EVERY SINGLE PICTURE.

She even tried to smuggle apples in her coat.

She was the star of the day.

At one point we just crowded around watching her.

Can you tell she is the only grandchild on my side?

Emma and her Nana

Emma with her Papa and Nana

She really loves her Papa.

It was great to have my grandparents and my cousin, Megan come with us.

After the festival we went back to my parents house for a chili cook-off.

My mom made her chili and I made my chicken chili.

I won - at least that is what Im telling everyone.

Emma ate homemade chicken soup.

She loved it.

Weekly Ramblings!!!

2011-09-29T08:48:00.000-04:00

I am gonna try and do fun little post each week based on the numerous things going on in our lives. Each post will make no sense and I will most likely ramble on and on about crap!!

{1} Pinterest - my families new nightmare but my new obsession. I seriously cannot get off it, which wrecks havic on my house, family, and laundry. Oh well. But I have sooo many fun ideas for Christmas and room decorations. If you want to follow, click on my link ------>
{2} My child watches way to much TV. She now gives me the clicker when she wants me to change the channel to hers, which is Sprout. I really need to get us out of the house.
{3} On that note, I signed up for another mom group on meetup.com. If you haven't heard of it, it is a great website that has various meetup groups in your area. You type in your location and what you are interested in {mom} and they show you groups in the area that meet and play. I really hope it gets us out of the job.
{4} I don't talk about it much, but I was suppose to start working as a nurse practitioner way back in July but things have basically come to a stand still. There is a huge holdup because the nurses at this hospital are union and they are STILL in negotiations. So, I have no idea when I will start. The other NP emailed me and said that 1 yr the negotiations lasted a year.
{5} I have started applying for new jobs. Im kinda bummed that I had to do this since the other job that I was suppose to have is my dream job but oh well. The only problem is is that there are no part-time positions out there. Sucks.
{6} Emma is still waking up around 3:30am. Last night we let her cry for over an hour and then I went in and she just clung onto me. I tried to put her back in bed and she threw a fit - I don't think I have ever heard someone scream like she did. And the heartburn was back. I really need to get a job!!!
{7} I have given up stripping Emma's twin bed and handed it over to a professional to finish the job - my mom. Yep, she is pretty much finished with it and about to paint it. I guess I bought crappy stripper.
{8} We are almost completely finished with the kitchen. We ended up buying a hardwood counter top and Jakin and his friend, Sante, cut and installed it. I have been finishing up oiling it and we will seal it on Friday. It looks awesome and I can't wait to post pictures.
{9} Im so excited for the MacQueen Orchard festival this weekend.
{10} Don't you just love this face. She does it when she gives kisses, blows on hot food, and when she smells something. She is just too cute.

{10} Snapfish had there penny sale and I bought over 300 pictures for about 20 bucks. They get you on shipping but it is still worth it. I just never know whether to get matte or glossy. I don't like how some of the coloring came out. I need help with photography.

Are you bored yet?

Night Wakings!!!

2011-09-28T07:57:00.000-04:00

Seriously, will I ever get a full night sleep again?? Emma has NEVER been a great sleeper at night. But she was doing soooo good last week and sleeping from 730pm till about 630am {which is fine with me cause I am a morning person}. And then this week the ugly nighttime waking monster has reared its ugly head again. I have heard that they can start waking up at night when going through a big milestone or they have separation anxiety {which seems to come and go for Emma}. I just don't know what to do. She will throw a complete temper tantrum if we try to leave the room or even try to get her to lay down. The best way that I have found to put her back to sleep is to just sit in the rocking chair {so she knows Im still in the room} until she is almost asleep. Its funny cause she goes down great for naps and bedtime - she will go down completely awake and put herself to sleep. It is just during the night that we have problems - and its not every night - so I know she can sleep all night. Why can't she every night. She seriously gives me heartburn - I realized it last night as she was screaming at the top of her longs and kicking her feet at her crib trying to get out. All I know is that we will do things COMPLETELY different with the next one {If there is a next one because I don't think I can handle this anymore}.

Great Grandparents!!!

2011-09-24T23:36:00.000-04:00

What an amazing experience to know a great grandparent.
I knew only 1 great grandparent.
Great Grandma Dixie.
I can still remember her.
And you did not cross that lady.
She was a strong, independent woman.
Just like every other woman in my family.
But Emma now knows 2 Great Grandparents.
As I have said before, my mom and me took a very unplanned trip to Myrtle Beach.
To visit my Grandpa Young - Emma's Great Grandpa.
Unfortunately it was at the same time Hurricane Irene was sweeping through - but that didn't stop us.
We pressed on and drove 12 hours - with a toddler that can't sit still for a half hour.
And the best part?? - pulling into the driveway and finding Great Grandpa Young sitting on the front porch waiting for us to arrive.
We had such a great time visiting with Great Grandpa and Mimi.
And thankfully Hurricane Irene passed without to much damage to where we were staying- although we were prepared with a full tank of gas and plenty of food and water.

Emma hearing the Hurricane approaching. Shes saying "Mama we should hide."

We were watching the Hurricane Irene coverage non stop. We had to be somewhat safe!!

Emma being stubborn taking pictures. Unfortunantly, we did not take many pictures. And I am sooo made I did not get any pictures with Emma and Mimi. So I guess Great Grandpa and Mimi need to come visit for Christmas so I can get more pictures than.

Four Generations.

I love that Emma can know 2 Great Grandparents growing up.

Fall {Burlap} Wreath

2011-09-23T20:27:00.002-04:00

Happy Fall!!!

I have really gotten the itch to decorate the house for fall.

So where do I turn to for ideas? Pinterest!!

Anyway, I saw this wreath made of burlap and knew I needed to make it.

And it was sooo easy.

You basically cut strips of various color burlap.

I had red, green, brown, and white.

I really wanted orange too because I think it looks a bit wintery

but this was all Joannes had to I just went with it.

I cut them about 2 inches wide by about 10-12 inches long.

Then take the burlap and wrap and tie around the metal wreath frame.

I varied my knots to get more dimension.

You cannot mess any of these steps up.

I also purchased a "W" for the front door wreath.

I need to paint it still cause it blends into our door too much.

But I am loving it!!

I also made a smaller wreath for our side door.

I just love the fall season.

Way Too Long!!!

2011-09-22T13:19:00.000-04:00

I have not blogged in forever!!

I feel terrible.

There is no excuse.

Other than, we were out of town, Jakin was gone, and I have been working on a few fun projects.

I usually work on things during Em's nap and by the time the evening rolls around, I just

don't feel like thinking anymore - let alone blog.

So, I will get you up-to-date on the Wilson Household's comings and goings:

*Do you remember way back at the end of August when Hurricane Irene was sweeping through the East Coast - Well, my mom and me decided it would be a great time to go visit my Grandparents. Did I tell you they live in Myrtle Beach. haha. We had a blast and of course Emma enjoyed finally meeting her Great Grandpa and Mimi!! Although I am pretty sure she will never cross her Grandpa Young.

*Emma has learned to climb/fall out of her crib. Im pretty sure I have a climber on my hands cause I have also caught her on the kitchen table {which is a bar height} and on out out door furniture. Of course, she climbed out of her crib the night before Jakin was gone for the week. I was really nervous about her doing it again - so I put her mattress on the floor in a corner - and she thought it was party central. Im not kidding - I got no sleep that week. So, I started my search for a twin bed while trying to figure out what to do with her. When Jakin got home we decided to just turn her crib around and place it against the wall - you know, so the high back is in the front. It has helped but she is still trying to climb out.

*As for a twin bed for Emma - I am supper picky about furniture lately. I am sooo tired of paying an arm and a leg for crappy plyboard/fake furniture - I swear that is all that is made now a days. I love vintage hard wood - so I scoured craigslist for a hard wood frame. Well, I found one for 25 bucks - I LOVE it although it has about 20 coats of paint - so I have been stripping the heck out of it to get it down to the wood. And then you know what I am going to do?? Paint it. I know - Im sure your asking why didnt I just paint over it?? Good question - and now that I have been knee deep in stripping I am asking myself that same question. But seriously, I just wanted to start fresh.

*I have also been making fall/winter decorations. I have a great DIY burlap wreath post coming up. I found the idea on pinterest - my new best friend.

I think that is it for right now.

Hopefully, I will keep this up!!

GO BUCKEYES!!!!

2011-09-08T08:12:00.000-04:00

Im pretty sure I say it 1000x a year.

But I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT FALL!!!

The Weather

Leaves turning color

Apple picking

Cider Mills

Halloween

Sweaters

Chili

Fires

and most of all

The Ohio State Football!!!

p.s. do you notice something different!?!

I got my hair chopped- I love it!!

Thanks Mary.

Big Girl Beds and Headless Bears!!

2011-09-06T20:25:00.000-04:00

So, last night my sweet little girl decided to wake us up at 12:30am
We both tried to put her back down - which she usually goes right back to sleep after a quick hug.
Not last night.
She had a royal temper tantrum and I decided to let her and went back to bed.
That is when it happened.
My 20 month old little girl climbed/fell out of her crib.
And the whopper is that she didn't cry but ran right into our room and started playing with Tressel.
I knew it would happen soon and honestly have been waiting for the day.
Although I didn't expect it to happen the week Jakin was going out of town.
What do I do??
I honestly thought about going out and buying a whole new bedroom set but seriously I do not want to do that this week.
And I know alot of people think I should just let her still sleep in the crib but I just don't think that would work. She knows how to get out - she WILL do it again.
So, I decided to let her nap in her crib and then I would put the mattress on the floor in a corner for bed. No harm done, right?
WRONG!!
I go in Emma's room when she is waking up from her nap and fine a dark, fluffy ball - which I have no idea what it is until I take a closer look and notice that it has a face.
She beheaded her "lovie" bear.
Take a look.

Notice the head and then the body??
What am I going to do with this girl.
And yes she is still in her PJs for her afternoon nap.

As for my predicament for her bed.
This was my solution.
And to be honest - she has loved it.
She went in there after we brushed her teeth and just sat on her bed with her "fixed" lovie.
Adorable.
And since she has laid down I haven't heard a peep.
Pray for a great night!!!

Easy {Refrigerator Pickles}

2011-08-23T08:40:00.000-04:00

It's that time of the year again

Were you ask your neighbor how their garden is growing?

And they reply that their largest was 7 inches so far.

Yup, its cucumber season.

This is my first year having garden and its been so fun.

We have had an enormous crop of cucumbers

And since I do not eat them.

My poor husband has been eating most of them

or when he needs a break have been giving them a break.

He has been asking all summer for me to make pickles

And to be honest I have not been to thrilled to make them

because of all the time and energy that it takes to make them.

You know the boiling, canning, boiling again, and sealing.

Not something I want to spend my time doing.

Then one day I checked my email and I find an email

from the hubs with a recipe for refrigerator pickles.

Don't you love the little hint he gave me.

I thought I would be the good wife and make up a batch.

I modified the recipe and added a few things

like habenaro {from the garden} and it turned out wonderful.

Ingredients:4 cups vinegar
1/2 cup kosher salt
4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon mustard seed
1 teaspoon celery seed
5 onions, sliced
Cucumbers- about 9 medium, sliced
2 Habenaros, sliced

Directions:

Put all ingredients, except onions, cucumber, and Habenaros, in a pot and bring to a boil.

Let cool.

Put sliced onions and cucumbers in glass jars and pour cooled mixture over them.

Store in refrigerator.

I made only a half batch and added the habenaros.

If you don't like it hot just don't add the habenaros.

Enjoy!!!!

Day in our Life!!!

2011-08-19T20:36:00.001-04:00

Here is a fun little post in which I show you a day in the life of Emma and her momma {me}
4:45 AM: Emme decided to wake up alittle early so I decided to go in and give her a hug, her bear, and turn her sound machine back on. She went right back to sleep. Thank you Lord!!
6:00 AM: Emma is up and Jakin goes in to get her and brings her in bed with me so I can get a few more minutes of sleep. This is the best time of the day because she LOVES to cuddle.
6:45 AM : We both get up for the day and I grab a quick shower {not a normal occurrence} and Emma goes and spends some time with her daddy.
7:00 AM: For some reason Emma loves to eat a dry bowl of cereal and have a cup of milk while cuddling with me. I have a much needed cup{s} of coffee and we either watch the Today show {which has been driving me crazy lately because of the politics} or Sprout. Jakin leaves for work at this time also.

8:30 AM: Yes, I am a bad mommy and we watch TV alot. Usually it is just on in the background so its not so silent in the house. Today we were running some errands and were going to go to the park. So we both got ready and were ready to leave by 9. I like to run my errands early because this child had vehicular narcolepsy {I swear} and if she is riding around in the car to close to naptime she will inevitably fall asleep and her whole nap with be disrupted. And you know how much this momma needs that nap.

Emma brushing her teeth. She loves it and does such a good time.

On our way to Target and yup she is watching more TV but its Wiggles so it ok. Right??

Our Target loot. You know Target wont let me leave the store unless they have withdrawn $100 from my bank account. No joke. I have receipts. And can I tell you how AWESOME their redcard is - I have saved so much money.

10 AM: Park Time. There was a little baby at the park and Emma stared at the baby the whole time. Oh dear.

11:30 AM: Lunch Time. Today Emma had a peanut butter sandwich, cottage cheese, and nectarines. She will only feed herself - with a fork or spoon. Its adorable. And of course she gets a cup of milk - which has been organic lately. Is it better?? I don't know. I wish someone would tell me. All I know is that I feel like we take in way to much antibiotics and hormones through things we eat. I won't go there though.

12 - 2:00 PM: NAP TIME = HAPPY MOMMY = OREOS!!! I usually run around like a crazy woman trying to get as much done as I can in a few minutes so that I have as much "me" time as possible.

2:00 PM: Play time. We play playdoh, go in the basement, dance to our favorite music {which I am embarrassed to say has been rap lately} and try to not have many temper tantrums. I think coming up with activities for a toddler is the hardest part. Its draining.

5:30 PM: Thankfully Jakin got home at a decent hour today. We had dinner and went on our nightly walk. And yes, our dog, Tressel, loves his walks - can you see his smile.

7:30 PM: BEDTIME for Emma. She gets a bath and then we read her books while she has a cup of water. She goes down to bed great. She always sleeps with her bear, blanket, and her sound machine }which we started not to long ago}.
8:00 PM: ME TIME. Oh how I love sitting down with a "cold one" and a good book.

That was literally how our day went today. And now I think I will go back to my Oktoberfest!!!

Papa's Babysitting!!

2011-08-17T12:38:00.000-04:00

I guess I should start this story by giving alittle background information.

The other weekend, Emma and I went to my parents for a few days.

We had a full weekend planned of going to the

Wood County Fair

Worlds Largest Yard Sale

and Swimming.

We had lots of fun - and took some pictures which I should post.

Anyway, my mom {Nana} and I decided that we needed to run to the store

and my dad {Papa}said he would watch Emma for me.

Skip to a few days ago as I am perusing through past pictures

and I come across this picture that I hadn't seen before {or taken}.

By the way, Jakin is not allowed to use {our} camera because

literally he has really bad luck and breaks everything he touches.

Let's put it this way - Papa knows how to keep the kids in line.

Yup, I guess my dad took this picture while he was babysitting.

**Note: Emma willingly went into the cage and was not forced.

Busy Busy Bees!!!

2011-08-16T14:14:00.001-04:00

We have been busy.

We have been very busy around the house.

I told myself that once I took and passed my boards

that I would finally finish my mile long "To Do" list.

It has kinda been a blessing that I didnt go back to work right away

because I am almost done with everything that we have wanted to do around the house.

Don't get me wrong I would love to go back to work right now

but because of somethings between the nurses and the union at the

hospital it is taking forever to start work.

But that is a whole other story.

Project #1: Replacing EVERY door in this this hallway.
We hated our doors.
They were ugly and the paint was peeling off and they didnt close correctly.
So we went and bought all new doors and hardware.
And I have to say the hallway looks TONS better.
Before:

After:

New Hardware!!

Im so happy how they turned out!!

And a quick pic of Em and me.

Project #2: Paint new kitchen "island"

I really wanted the island to match the newly painted cabinets.

So I busted the paint out again and went to work.

Always remember to Prime!!

Before:

After:

Project #3: Updating the Kitchen

I though I would throw in a picture of the kitchen progress.

Everything is finished except the counter tops.

I love it though and seriously cant wait to get the counter tops installed.

Before:

After:

Project #4: Caulking and painting the outside door trim

The trim on both our exterior doors were terrible.

So I caulked and then painted.

Not sure why the picture came out terrible but you get the drift.

I think that is all for now.

Loving Storms!!

2011-08-13T20:32:00.001-04:00

We just had a crazy storm roll in and I literally thought it was the end of the world.
Seriously.
It was AMAZING.
I love storms.
Every time we have a storm or even rain, you will find me outside watching it roll in.
And this one was probably one of the craziest I have seen in a long time.
You could literally see a line of where the storm starts.
And it was sooo close to the ground.
I could almost reach out my hand and touch the clouds.
The clouds were swirling and twirling around and I thought a tornado was going to pop out.
Sadly it was a quick storm - I know that sounds terrible although I am glad there was no damage.
And what makes me the most happiest is that I think I have another storm lover in my mist.
Emma
She was running around and laughing in the yard the whole time I was snapping pictures.
Being the wonderful mom that I am I obviously let her have her fun
But her daddy had other ideas and quickly herded her inside when the lightning started.
I stayed outside!!!

Wordless Wednesday!!

2011-08-10T13:00:00.000-04:00

This is why I love Dragonflies!!

They are magnificent and I could stare at them all day long.

I found this one in my vegetable garden one day

and I had to grab my camera to get a picture.

It makes me think about God's unending love.

A letter to Emma!!

2011-08-02T20:25:00.001-04:00

My darling Emma-
You bring a smile to my face every time I look at you. You are such a light in your daddy and mines life.. You are truly a unique little girl and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for you as you grow. This summer has been so much fun with you and have I told you how much I am loving you at this age {except for the temper-tantrums}.
You love life and let everyone around you know it. You have been learning so many things recently that I am afraid to blink and miss all your firsts. This summer we have been going to Papa and Nanas house alot to swim and you have turned into quite the little swimmer. You LOVE LOVE LOVE the water and have only been wearing a swimmy - you don't even let me hold you anymore - you just swim all over the pool by yourself.
This past month I have really noticed a difference with your talking{thank God} and you have been saying more and more words daily. Let me see if I can get them all but as of right now you can say: Mama, Dada, Nana, Tress, Tressel, Dog, Juice, Wat {for Water}, Cup, Yes, Crack {for Cracker - I know probably not the best way for her to say if but its halerious} - I have been really trying to work with you on your speech this past month. You also can point to all your body parts, which by the way is sooo cute. And have your dada and me thanked you recently for how well you have been sleeping at night, its been amazing and we really appreciate it when you sleep all night in your own bed. We don't even care that you wake up at 6am just as long as we can sleep all night. On days when we are just having girl time around the house, we usually have to have music on {because you also LOVE to dance} or you throw a fit. Im not kiding - you either hand me the remote to turn the channel to what you want or you ask to go downstairs to have the music on.
I love you!!!

Kid Korner {Play, Learn, Read}

2011-07-31T20:33:00.000-04:00

Well, I am {almost} finished with the "Kid Korner".I am soooo pleased with how it is turning out and decided to share pictures of the progress.
Im loving that Emma has her own corner with everything from books and toys to crafts and activities.
The only thing left I need to make is 3 signs for the top of the wall.
To make this corner - I headed over to the best place to find "stuff" - IKEA!!!
Love that place!!

Anyway, I ended up getting 2 shelves for books and such.
I painted the shelves with literally the best spray paint on earth. Rustoleum!!

I also bought a metal bar which I placed little buckets on to hold crayons and learning cards.
And 2 DEKA Curtain wires with clips to hold pictures and craft projects.

Emma playing tea in her newly crafted korner. She is loving it.