The Story of the Sparkman's

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 02:15:00 +0000

I started to write this post last night, but then a storm hit our area and we lost power until this morning when we found out it was actually a tornado that came right through our neighborhood and brought down many trees and caused tons of damage. We were so blessed and didn't even lose a limb from our big, old trees.

We enjoyed a beautiful day today to that has me wanting to get my hands in the dirt and plan some outdoor projects. I've been worried that my leg is going to prevent that from happening, but guess what? At my check-up with the doctor today, he wants me to drop the crutches and just walk in the boot when out in public and around the little one's and use one crutch without the boot the rest of the time...whoo hoo! I couldn't wait to get home to try walking with my bare foot, but it took me forever to work up the nerve to take a step because I was so afraid the plate and rod would break or something. Of course it didn't and I've been cruising around every chance I get...I find it ironic that LJ and I are learning to walk at the same time!

To add to a very excellent day, I was given this blog award by a friend and blogger I admire so much.

Liebster is a German word that means dearest or favorite. After receiving the reward, I am to share my favorite blogs with you and introduce you to the sweet friend who passed this award on to me.

1. My Barefoot Farm Samantha is a mom to 7 who homeschools, keeps bees, raises chickens, and quilts..just a few of the things that she writes about and why I keep threatening to show up on her doorstep to try and absorb some of her talents and knowledge! Thank you, Samantha!
2. Team Skelley the blog Katie and I grew up together and I love seeing and reading about her life with her husband and 2 cute kiddos. From fashion to music to party planning ideas, Katie's blog is always a great read!
3. House of Stephens Allyson writes about the happenings with her 4 little ones and the 5th on the way...such a sweet family and blog!
4. Savvy Little Women and One Little Man Kate's blog is the first multiple multiples blog I ever read and I continue to look to her for inspiration in these crazy days. Not only does she have 2 sets of twins, but she also has two other children. Her blog is so honest and I love her outlook on being a mother.

Catching up....

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:32:00 +0000

All 4 kiddos went to CC and Coach's for the weekend (my parents) leaving Todd and I to enjoy a very relaxing weekend with the perfect combo of friend time, dates, and sleeping in late. This is the first time the little girls have gone without us and they did great!
I don't know if LJ was motivated by MC and her younger cousin, who are both walking, or what but the little sweet finally took steps tonight like 7 or 8 different times!

One of my favorite parts of the day with our four is watching how excited they get for each other and how encouraging they are to each other....you can see she is pretty proud of herself!

Symmetry

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:44:00 +0000

I love symmetry....

I do have two sets of twins. I think that's God's way of saying understands my need for symmetry.

Source: phoebehoward.net via Michelle on Pinterest

It calms me.

Source: lorilangille.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

It makes sense.

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Michelle on Pinterest

As my children get older and the amount of primary colored toys, art work, cub scout projects, and treasured keeepsake boxes filled to the brim with rocks, leaves, dirt, and the occasional lizard grow by the day , I find myself craving symmetrical beauty even more than ever. Especially after this week, where craziness has reigned supreme.
A basic design formula is using no more than 4 matching pairs in a room to keep the space interesting. A great rule of thumb, but I'm thinking our home might be an exception.

How much symmetry would it take to create a sense of calm around a 8 story roller coaster that has taken up residence on your dining room table?

Love Is In The Air

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:51:00 +0000

Hope you all are enjoying an extra special day filled with love!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Progress...

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:52:00 +0000

Slowly but surely things are taking shape in the changes we are making in our master bedroom. Last week the bedding and drapes were delivered and I am so happy with it...

You can see a peak of drapes in this picture...it seems I had forgotten that this room is crazily sloped (the charm of an old house!) so some of them are headed back to the workroom for hemming.

The bird print leaning on the nightstand is one of 4 that I currently have in the dining room, but I'm thinking of using them on either side of the bed, either stacked 2 above each nightstand or 2 above the headboard and 1 above each nightstand....hmmmm what do y'all think?
Have a wonderful Monday!

Linking up with
Between Naps on the Porch
Savvy Southern Style
Saved By Suzy

18 Months

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:05:00 +0000

Lyla James and Mary Connor, y'all are 18 months old today!

Lyla James you are finally showing some interest in walking- you cruise around on the furniture and love to hold our hand and walk, especially when everyone claps for you!

You LOVE Elmo and find your Rock and Roll Elmo first thing every morning when you get up..you push the button until it plays your favorite song and sing and dance like crazy over and over.

You are also crazy about your Daddy and brother- no one else exists if they are in the room...the feeling is mutual.

When we ask where someone or something is, you put your hands up by your shoulders and say, "I no know." You also say "cheese" when you see the camera.

Mary Connor, you are a busy, busy little sweet...you run so fast it's hard for me to keep up with you, especially on crutches!

You push the shopping cart around at lightening speed loading and unloading all of the treasures you find throughout the house.

You are talking up a storm...what's this, who's that, stop (specifically when LJ is taking something from you!), and tonight you said Mark to Uncle Mark who is here visiting.

Showing where your noses are...

I am amazed at how much you both have grown up over the past few months and want to freeze you both at this precious age, but I know it's just going to get better and better! You both bring so much joy and laughter to our family and we love you all so much!

Mr. Longarm

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:16:00 +0000

I've been working in our master bedroom for the past few weeks and hope to be able to show y'all some pictures soon, but in the meantime I wanted to pass on a great little tool I heard about through Linda at It All Started With Paint.
The room has lots of painting to be done- the ceiling, walls, trim, and built-ins, so I being the ever-patient-one that I am decided to attempt the walls and let a pro come in for the rest. Obviously, I can't climb on a ladder with a broken leg, so I used the Mr. Long Arm Brush and Tool Holder to attatch the brush to an extension pole for cutting in and it worked great! Of course, there are some places that it got on the crown molding, but it's fine since that has to be painted anyway.
Sometimes being impatient has it's benefits, don't you think?

3 Random Thoughts On This Beautiful Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:44:00 +0000

1. While I was at physical therapy this morning, I was doing my exercises beside two girls who are athletes at a college in town. They were discussing their injuries- one was injured during a soccer game and the other while at lacrosse practice. Then they turn to me, "How did you break your leg?" I was really, really tempted to make up a story about falling during a marathon or something equally admirable, but took the high road and said, "Oh, I was just walking down a driveway." To which one of the girls replied politely, "Well, when you get older, you do have to be careful." Yes, Maw-maw needs to be more careful, apparently.

2.

Since seeing this lamp on pinterest, I am totally obsessed with it and have spent the afternoon trying to find a place for it. Nevermind that I have 10 lamps sitting in my attic that I can not part with...if you know the source for this lamp please let me know...

3.

So true and well said.

Hope y'all are having a great Tuesday!

Our Story Board

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:44:00 +0000

A few of you asked about these wine cork boards from the living room freshen post last week. I admit, I totally stole the idea from my friend, Meredith, but I loved it when I saw it at her home several years ago.

Do y'all have empty frames on your walls too?

It marks all of the big moments of our 11+ years...new homes, anniversaries, home renovations, twins, twins AGAIN...it's our story.

I love the thought of having tons of these frames from activities to come...graduations, weddings, more anniversaries, grandbabies...

Linking up with:
Between Naps on the Porch

Craving Spring

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:42:00 +0000

Good morning! Who else is so thankful it's Friday?

This week has been a whirlwind of activity and I'm ready for a slower-paced weekend. I started physical therapy for my leg and somehow those 2 hours per week seem to take away a lot of time...not complaining, as I am glad to be working toward walking.

We have had some beautiful, warm days here lately that have left me with a bit of spring fever and I always look forward to seeing all of the plants and trees popping back to life. Hope you all have a relaxing and peaceful weekend!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

After seeing many recipes for homemade laundy detergent on Pinterest and other blogs, I decided to give it a try back in October. For some crazy reason, I am always quick to dismiss homemade cleaning solutions thinking they don't work as well or are a pain to make. After using this laundry detergent for 4 months, I think I might be cured of that thinking! It works so much better than regular detergent and costs just a few dollars.
Samantha at Barefoot Farms has a great post with her recipe and a step-by-step tutorial, plus her blog is so inspiring and I wish I could accomplish half of what she does in a day!

Just in case you are like me and think it will take a lot of time, I timed myself yesterday and it took 15 minutes start to finish...15 minutes every 4 months plus all of the money saved? Yes, I can do that....

Imagine the Impossibilities....Completed!

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:47:00 +0000

As I mentioned earlier this month, I joined up with the Imagine the Impossibilities Challenge and decided to attempt painting the small chests we use as nightstands in our bedroom.

The Before

The After

I'm so glad to have gotten these finished, well almost finished. You might have noticed in the picture above that there is a missing knob. Somehow I lost it during the painting and have yet to find it.... I'm thinking 2 certain 17 month olds may have stashed it in their treasures. Another drawer on the other chest split when I knocked it over trying to hop around it ...

We are going to go ahead and call it a job completed!

Living Room Refresher

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:11:00 +0000

This weekend I spent some time rearranging and fluffing in the living room....

The best before shot I could find. But since I can't move things around on my own right now, I am at my teams mercy (aka T and a sweet friend) and quite grasp the importance of a good before and after.

I painted this room last year and lined the book shelves with scrapbook paper to see if I liked the contrast of having a dark color on the back...I liked it for a while, but was ready for a change.

I'm really glad that I used the scrapbook paper and not paint because it was as easy as pulling the paper off!

Since I can't get to my stash in our attic and T isn't fond of searching for my treasures while I yell out descriptions from the bottom of the steps, I made due with what was around.

The best part? I didn't buy a single thing.

A friend and client is replacing these chairs and asked if I knew anyone who could use them....yes, I do.

I love the extra seating in here because this is our only living area and we need to maximize seating without making it feel crowded.

Sometimes a little rearranging and editing is all you need!

Joining up with Between Naps on the Porch

Embroidery Hoops...who knew?

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:17:00 +0000

via apartment therapy

I am loving all of the creative uses of embroidery hoops I am seeing lately. The image above is a great solution for using up scrap material you have laying around and I especially love the idea of using them in places where little ones could get their hands on the, like above a crib.

via casa sugar

Or how about using several shapes above a desk as bulletin boards?

via Hostess with the mostess

I love these for entertaining...the best thing is you could reuse them for any occasion just by changing out the ribbon.

And in a more traditional sense of embroidery, I came across an article about this cute Etsy shop September House.

My favorite are these little dresses...the pattern is for a 3 inch hoop which would be perfect for a litle girls' Christmas tree....I have no idea how to embroider, but these are so cute I might try to learn!

The Power of Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:23:00 +0000

When I broke my leg just before Christmas, my doctor told me to expect to be on crutches for 6-8 months and to give myself a year for total recovery.
Today I had a check-up with him and was dreading it because I have been having a lot of pain on one side and a bump had formed there over the past few days. I had fears that some sort of complication had happened and was worried sick about what this was going to mean as far as my recovery.
Prayer is so powerful....We hear that all the time, but goodness, it it just plain true.
After looking at the x-rays, my doctor came in so excited, "I can't believe how much it has healed! It just looks great!"
I've tried to keep a positive attitude through this ordeal, succeeding at times and failing miserably at others, but the reality is this has been really hard for us. We are so blessed to have friends, family, nighbors, and a church who have lovingly fed us, transported kids, played with babies, ran errands, folded laundry, and everything else a stay at home mom does. Todd has had more on his plate than any one person should have, not to mention dealing with a very frustrated patient.
So, to hear that my leg is healing beyond expectation and that I can now begin learning to walk on it again....all i can say is I am grateful beyond words for a God who loves us, listens to our prayers, and heals us beyond all expectations.

The Perspective of 17 Month Olds

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:17:00 +0000

Lately, it seems our mornings have been filled with even more chaos than normal.... loud pep-talks from me about the importance of picking up after ourselves and sticking to the morning routine...sometimes I feel like I need a megaphone to shout out encouragement, as well as corrections, just so we all get ready in the mornings without the house looking like a tornado has blown through...

My 2 smallest sidekicks take it all in stride...

LJ: "Is she talking to us?"

MC: "I have the phone!"

Just look straight ahead and maybe she will stop talking.

LJ: Nope, I think she is talking to us.

LJ: Talk, talk, talk all the time

Maybe we should just get comfortable....

Happy Birthday, Todd!

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:27:00 +0000

It isn't every day that you get a surprise party at 6am complete with party hats, horns, and carrot cake for breakfast, but your litttle ones have been so excited to celebrate you they couldn't wait until later in the day.

We love you so much!

A New Family Favorite

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:14:00 +0000

If you have been reading here for awhile, you know that I am a huge fan of crockpot cooking...
as in, my old one died earlier this fall and it was a glorious day when this little lovely arrived at our door.
Anyway, it can be hard to find crockpot recipes that don't include creamy sauces and soups, not that I don't love those, but sometimes you need a healthy alternative. Which is why I was so excited to try this recipe from the November issue of Southern Living. My whole family loves it and it couldn't be easier.

Balsamic Root Vegetables
Serves 6 to 8

1 1/2 lb. sweet potatoes
1 lb. parsnips
1 lb. carrots
2 large red onion, coarsely choppes
3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 Tbsp. light brown sugar
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1. Peel first 3 ingredients and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces. Combine parsnips, carrots, onion, and cranberries ina lightly greased 6 quart crockpot, layer sweet potatoes over the top.
2. Whisk together sugar and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl and pour over vegetable mixture (do not stir)
3. Cover and cook on high 4 to 5 hours or until vegetables are tender. Toss with parsley just before serving.

*After making this the first time, I also added about 1/2 lb.fresh beets to the vegetable mixture- just add them in with the parsnips, etc.
*The recipe in SL also suggests sprinkling the top with crumbled bacon when you add the parsley...it's good either way, but what isn't better with a little bacon, right?

Hope y'all have a great weekend!

Imagine the Impossibilities

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:39:00 +0000

As I wrote about in the 2012 home goals post earlier this month, the first project on my agenda this year is our master bedroom. After sitting in this room pretty much all day for the last month, I am more than ready to make some changes. We moved our bedroom into what we had been using as a den over a year ago when our second set of twins were born to give everyone a little more room and to give us more of a master suite.
When Linda at It All Started With Paint told me about her linky challenge, Imagine the Impossibilities, she was hosting, I knew just the project I was going to tackle- the chests we use as nightstands.

My mom gave us these many years ago and I love the clean lines combined with the more traditional look I have planned. Plus, they give us much needed storage. I have been dying to paint them, but have put it off for one reason or another.
While this not a difficult project, I know with my broken leg I'm going to have to try to sit as much as possible (you know, instead of trying to paint and balance on one leg!), but I'm going to give it a shot!

An Unexpected Visitor

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:40:00 +0000

Look who AC and B found hanging out under our bed in the wrapping supplies box...

Fortunately, because I was like a deer in headlights, T was right there to explain that he had received an email from Santa saying he was sending Frosty back for a few days to check on me and make sure my leg was healing...

Such a sweet little elf.

As Promised....

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:36:00 +0000

...some changes. Yes, you are at at the right place! Tiffany at Beautiful Dawn Designs was able to give my blog just the makeover I was looking for and she was great to work with- fast and super patient with my thousands of questions and lack of knowledge in anything blog-design related.

In addition to a new look, I am also now accepting online design consultations. From my experience, online consultations work really well because:

It allows you to have the help of a designer without paying for full-service design.
It's convenient. There is no juggling with schedules and meetings.

I can give you a detailed road map to create the space you invision, give you sources to find the design elements, and help you prioritize the steps to make it happen. You can then use that information as it suits you, whether it be purchasing what I have selected or shopping around for similiar items at a pace that is comfortable for you.

As far as the blog, I plan to continue sharing and documenting about our family, but I will also add projects that I am working on (with permission, of course!), projects in my own home, and more!

Word of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:49:00 +0000

When I first hearing about choosing a word of the year, instead of a resolution, I loved the idea and immediately started thinking of what mine would be.
Since I broke my leg, I have been trying to face the fact that there area lot of limitations on what I can and cannot do this year. I'll be honest, it's been easy for me to get very consumed with the cannots.
It's easy for me to get frustrated that I have to ask for help all the time, it's easy to loose my patience because I can't do everyday things like load the dishwasher or vacuum and instead I have to rely on someone else to do those things and then they aren't always done in the way I think they should be done.
A few days after venting about all of this to a friend, I received a email from her that just said this:

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

While I've heard this prayer and even recited it at different times, when I read it this time the word accept jumped out at me.

I want to accept that this where I am and move on. I can't heal my broken leg over night, but I can accept that it won't be like this forever and in the meanwhile, getting frustrated over the way laundry is folded, changes nothing.
I want to accept that sitting, watching, and listening are not characteristics I give myself an opportunity to do often and they are as important as "doing", so here's my chance and I have a lot to learn.
So, there is my word: accept

Head over to Layla's for more words of the year!

Ch- Ch- Changes

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:23:00 +0000

So, if you check in here often, maybe you've noticed things look a little different? I am in the process of working on some new things which I hope will be completed in the next few days.
In the meantime, look who's sporting pig tails....

Despite the terrible phone picture, she wears them well!

So, back to work and try to act like I know a html from a url....hope to be back soon!

Grey Skies....

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:56:00 +0000

I love a cozy rainy day, but after a few days of not seeing the sun, I send the troops out in the yard to search for any bit of color they can find....

The mild temperatures we have been having are tricking the quince into flowering a little early, but I am thankful and will enjoy forcing the blooms inside throughout the winter....

The camellias are blooming better this year than I have ever seen them....

Just the promise of spring I needed today!

2012 Home Goals

noreply@blogger.com (michelle) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:38:00 +0000

One thing I love about the New Year is making a list of home projects I hope to accomplish in the upcoming year, but here it is 11 days into 2012 and I have been putting it off. I know this year is going to be different because of my injury and physically, I"m not going to be able to do everything I want to do and that's more than a little frustrating.
But, Nester is hosting a linky party for home goals and I decided to take the opportunity to make my own list. It may mean that I have to hire more out, beg Todd and others to help, and some thing will likely appear on the 2013 list, but I'm ok with that...Rome wasn't built in a day....my personal motto for 2012.

1. Master Bedroom- this is currently underway! Last year when our family doubled in size, our little 1920's cottage had to undergo some major switching of the rooms to accomodate everyone and we moved our bedroom into what we had been using as a den.

taken Christmas morning several years ago...I will not be showing current pictures since I have a broken leg and y'all might send Hoarders!

Eventually, we plan to make the adjoining powder room a full bath, but in the meantime we love the size, lots of natural light, and the fireplace. For over a year I have hesitated to paint or really do much of anything because I was waiting to do the bathroom at the same time.
Well, a month in bed staring at the 999 nail holes that gallery wall left and the temporary paper shades on the windows has solved that! Here is my vision board for the room and while it is going to have to be broken down in many stages, I feel better just having a plan and seeing a little progress.

2. B's room- During the switching of rooms, Brian was moved into our old bedroom so he could have his own bath, being the only boy. The room is painted one of my most favorites, BM Seaglass, but it's a little too feminine for a 7 1/2 year old boy. So, I would like to paint and replace the bedding he has had since he was 3. I am crazy about this fabric mixed with some grey and rusty orange.

He has bunk beds that are painted blue, and while I would love to either paint them or replace them with something that doesn't require acrobatics to make the bed, it probably isn't going to happen this year and the extra bunk is nice to have when we have guests.

3. The Girls' Bath- During the big switching of rooms, AC moved into B's room meaning she and and the little girls now share a Jack and Jill style bath. In August when planning LJ and MC's 1st birthday party I searched high and low for a reasonably priced pink and yellow stripe fabric to use as a backdrop for the sweets table, and luckily found just what I was looking for on Ebay but it was a shower curtain....perfect for this momma who loves to have anything I can use for more than one purpose and pink and yellow is one of my favorite combos for a girly space.

The bathroom walls are 3/4 beadboard and all of the fixtures have been updated (no better words could be typed when living in an older home!), so I'm just hoping to paint and maybe find a new fabric for the windows.

So, those are my top 3 goals for our home in 2012....

one big, one medium, one small project...

one momma who can't walk, on daddy trying to juggle it all, 4 little blessings who make it all worthwhile,

and a little house that we all love to call home..

.it's going to be a fabulous year!