I am finally posting the Autism Auction Winners.  So sorry for the delay.  With a funeral on Monday and having to replace the cars transmission, it’s been a hectic week.  Thank you for being patient with me.

First was 2 $50 Gift Cert’s to Amy’s Printables. 

1- Mandy Boles

2- Teresia Bellamy

Small Bird Studios “hope” Canvas

Amy Cornwell

Allora Handmade Package of goodies

LOL- Me, Leigh.  (Sorry girls, I love a good cause too!)

The NEW Pioneer Woman Cookbook {SIGNED}

Teresia Bellamy

(thank you Teresia for your double bidding)

Lisa Leonard “feed your soul” Necklace

Unfortunately I did not get one bid on this necklace.  So I will be donating $25 for it.

Thank you to everyone who bid on these items and helped spread the word about this Auction.  Once I receive all of the funds, I’ll donate them online.  Then I’ll be able to post and show y’all where the money is going to.

The sun is peeking through the clouds.

The rays of His glory hit my face with fresh renew.

I prepare my soul and my heart for the road ahead.

There is nothing but Him to cling to.

There are no more words.

The trip is long and silent.

The day arrives.

I am numb, the pain has not surfaced.

I look upon the flowers in adoration.

They are as beautiful as her soul was.

The words spoken are few.

They show her love for the one that gave us life.

She is now in peace sitting with our Father.

She is at peace.

Tears are many.

My heart is full of His joyful grace.

We say goodbye one last time.

I feel her warmth and hugs in my soul.

This trip was more than peaceful.

Family was renewed.

We were all awakened.

We all felt the Lord.

He moved us and our hearts.

His glory and love surrounded us.

He set us in peace.

Now I drive home.

My heart is heavy.

It is filled with love and peace.

As it rains the sun is peeking through once again.

He is washing away any pain left.

This was a glorious time.

He opened another part of my soul.

Another part of me sees His mercy, His plan, His grace for us all.

And I am at peace.

He has awakened me yet again.

Marilyn, we love you and you will be so missed.  Your spirit for life, family and friends will continue on with the people you loved so much.  I know you’re in heaven in peace.  Thank you for everything.

Please forgive me. Besides spending more time with my family lately today I’m driving back in town from a funeral.

I will post all fundraiser/auction winners tonight and email them.

Thanks do much for yalls patience!! Xoxo

***The Autism Fundraiser has been extended until May 15th.***

I’m having to extend the Fundraiser through the 15th of May.  I was sick and had family things come up that kept me from promoting the event and I want to give it all the attention I can.  I’d appreciate if y’all can share ANY of the auctions.  Thank you so much!
Today I’m loving that Lisa Leonard donated a Feed Your Soul necklace for the Fundraiser.  This piece is valued at $39.  I actually own this necklace as well and I love it.

**Just start the bidding and the last person to bid on the cutoff day at midnight will be the winner. **

**The Last bid as of midnight on May 15th will be the winner.  All proceeds will go 100% to the National Autism Association.

I get up in the morning tired from staying up late the night before.  I had work to do of course so I stayed up too late and managed to deprive myself of sleep yet again.  I slightly open my eyes as I scurry to the bathroom.  I wash my weary face and look at myself wondering why I do this to myself. 

I go start the coffee, grab a quick breakfast and get my laptop and my list for the day.  My husband is taking the kids to school.  I am in my morning mode.  I check email, twitter, facebook.  I make sure everyone is responded to and emails are answered.  Then I continue to make my list of what I need to get done on my blog, my website and projects for my work. 

What’s wrong with this picture above?  It’s my daily morning in the past and I’m choosing to change it.  I have not only not communicated with anyone in my household yet, I’ve deprived my family of my love for the morning.  We rise each day to renew ourselves in the Lord and in our love for the things he provides.  So my computer no longer takes precedence over my family.  I choose them over my own greediness.  Even if I do make money online, it is still provided by the Lord.  He knows what I need to do at home and will provide time for me to do it. 

So what if I can’t do it all?  At least I will have spent that time with my family.  I will have done the important by reading my daughter her devotional and explaining why Esther didn’t want to be queen.  I will have tickled my youngest boy to the loudest of laughter, even if I did get kicked in the eye.  I will have heard my oldest boy read me a story that he has drawn out and written.  I will have kissed my husband to where my kids are sick of it and giggling. 

The important things will be done.  That is all that matters.  The Lord will be happy with me and my works in my home. 

*I know we all look for ways in our home to slow down and take a breath.  Sometimes we need guidance from the Lord and other resources.  I’ve found this book Little House on the Freeway by Tim Kimmel.  It even has a chapter on 101 ways to Give Your Family Rest.  I know I love Tim as a writer so I’m sure this is a great read.  Head over to the link and check it out.  Maybe it’s just what the Lord is leading you to.

While spring cleaning I knew I needed to clean up the kids toys and reorganize them. I decided to use sturdy plastic bins with lids this time so my rambunctious kids couldn’t break or destroy them as easily. However, I needed a new way to store them and I wanted it to be a piece of furniture that I could reuse in the future either as the kids grow up or in other parts of the house. So I built a basic bench to store the bins in.

Here’s the supplies I used:

1 large sheet of cabinet grade plywood

1×4′s for the trim

Minwax Express Color Stain in Walnut. (super love this by the way. Wipe on/wipe off…no smell)

2″ Screws

Drill including drill bits

Sander

Wood Putty.

Scrap towels or old tee shirts

Here are my supplies. I had the wood cut at Home Depot since the sheet won’t fit in my car.

We pre-drilled every single hole. Since the plywood is about an inch thick it’s safer to pre-drill than to split the wood.

Also, most of the time my husband and I build furniture together. We both love it and it’s something we can do together.

This is the base of the bench put together. Just a rectangle, nice and easy.

Now this has the 1×4 trim all the way around the base and around 3 of the 4 top sides. On the outsides on the top, my husband cut the trim at an angle so it wouldn’t have a sharp edge at the front.

Then I stained it this gorgeous color. Since the Minwax stain I use is almost odorless I just put the bench on some empty bins and started wiping it on. It took less than an hour, and I’m a perfectionist!

This was a simple and easy project that turned out great! I might even make some extra matching ones to add extra space for more storage!

If you like this project I’d love it if you’d Pin it.

I’m linking up with:

Blue Cricket Design

Beneath My Heart

*This post contains affiliate links that I receive a percentage of if you purchase. Thank you.

It may not be a very good picture, but I have all three of my kids smiling at the same time in their Easter clothes! YAY!

Thanks for joining me today!  I’ll have Marriage Mondays posted later today.  Right now I’m so pumped about letting you know about my new site, Fresh N Funky Decor.  It’s going to be all about home decor, DIY, tutorials, room inspiration, fashion, etc.  I’ll be sharing all of my home projects with y’all over there and I’m hoping it will be an inspiration for you as well.

Please head on over and check it out.  I’d love it if you’d subscribe by email or RSS feed.  You can also like my facebook page where I’ll be sharing my most recent projects and fun updates!

Welcome to one of the most exciting fundraisers!!  The Pioneer Woman herself has donated one of her BRAND NEW cookbooks that just came out……and it’s autographed as well.  I took the liberty of flipping through it really quick and I’m drooling.  I’m picking up my copy this weekend.  So if you’d love to own one and don’t get a chance to make it to one of her book tour signings….this is for YOU!!

Can you tell how freakin’ excited I am to be giving away this awesome-ness!!

 *Please bid on the item below in the comments, the highest bidder wins as of Midnight on April 30th. 

100% of the proceeds will go to the National Autism Association.

Hey I’m linking up this week to Gussy’s Inspiration Workshop for some of my favorite things that make my own style.

These are some outfits that I have at home.  I love them and flip around the styles but this is usually what I’m comfy in.

 Lane Bryant

1. Messenger Bag- Apearantly Sew.   2. Connected Necklace- Lisa Leonard

3. Wooden Dangle Earring in Turquoise- Maddy & Co  4. Rosette Bud Earrings- Allora Handmade

5. Charcoal Dot Headband- Gussy Sews  6. Chevron Bow Headband in Teal- FoldChairDesigns

7. Recycled Silver Ring- Studio Jewel

I LOVE these shoes! I wear them all the time, they’re super comfy, and work out my calves at the same time!

This stuff is awesome! I can throw it on to pick up the kids at school or even date night.  It looks great and it’s all natural!!