So, It's Been A Long While

I have been in such a rut lately.  Add to that, my sister moving in, my Dad visiting, my sister moving out, my Mom visiting, a few trips to the dr (for me and I NEVER go to the dr) and you have one tired, stressed out Mama.  We did a dining room makeover and as soon as I get pics of the after I'll do a post about that.  We also painted the playroom and it looks A-MAZING!  I'll post pics of that as soon as I get it organized again. 

Here are some pics of my girls from the 4th!

Friday Favorites

I haven't been around much lately partly because my kids have become extra needy but mostly because my little sister moved in and I prefer spending time with her over the computer! She has a job interview today and is babysitting this evening so I have some free time to update. 

The weather haa been great so we've been outside a lot.

I finally broke down and bought the Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred DVD and thankfully my sister takes no excuses and we have successfully been at it for 4 days--only 26 more to go.  After Jillian we're starting P90x so hopefully I won't be embarrassed to wear shorts this summer!

Cory is busy studying for his Professional Engineering exam.  We could really use some prayers that he passes this time because I don't think we can go through this again in October! 

The girls are all great.  Katherine woke up the other day and instead of "Good Morning, Mom" I got "Happy School Day, Mom". She then said "I made that up but we ARE doing school today."  I also got "the look" which means I've been kind of lazy about the whole preschool thing.  Next year will be better though, I promise! I love that she wants to learn. Hopefully the other two are like their big sister in that aspect.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... it's sunny and warm...a beautiful day!






I am thinking... about nachos for dinner





I am thankful for... my husband's job even though they had to cut hours. At least he has a job he loves and they treat him (and us) very well.




From the learning rooms...Kaydence is practicing using scissors and Katherine is learning to sound out words




From the kitchen...easy simple nachos for dinner.





I am wearing... my owl pj's...I've been shampooing carpets and cleaning so I haven't gotten dressed today.





I am creating... a banner for my lil seester who will be moving in with us tomorrow for a few months!! I'm beyond excited.





I am going... to get my husband from work in about an hour so I should probably get dressed at some point.





I am reading... more blogs. Getting lots of creative ideas and learning about other homeschooling Moms.




I am hoping... my sister makes it here safely tomorrow.





I am hearing... the girls laughing





Around the house... shampooing carpets





One of my favorite things... dates with the hubby.





A few plans for the rest of the week: spending time with my seester...and laundry





Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I found The Simple Woman's Daybook through another blog I stalk and thought it seemed like a great thing for me.  So, here's my first crack at it!

Outside my window...  it's dark and drizzling. 


I am thinking... I'm ready for spring


I am thankful for... 3 healthy kids


From the learning rooms... getting ready to start homeschooling (kindergarten and preschool) August 1st! Although right now we are going through the alphabet and this week is E.  My 5 yr old loves telling me when something starts with E.  Actually she loves telling me what every word she says starts with!


From the kitchen... Today I made my husband's favorite...hamburgers! And I finally made the chocolate chip cookies I had been promising for a week!


I am wearing... my purple striped pj's


I am creating... nothing at the moment but I have several ideas floating around in my head.


I am going... to bed soon!


I am reading...  just blogs lately! It's my new escape. Plus it's great getting inspiration from so many talented ladies.


I am hoping... I kick this stomach yuckiness soon and that my girls don't get it again.


I am hearing... silence. 


Around the house... needs cleaning and organizing!


One of my favorite things... when one (or all) of my girls tell me they want snuggles.


A few plans for the rest of the week: Organizing the kitchen and playroom.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
 

Something my Mom sent me

I thought these were funny.  For those of you who don't know we've decided to homeschool starting this fall. And I'm pretty sure my 5 year old thinks like these kids so it should be interesting...especially the "Barbie breaks" LOL

These are from Baby Blues comic by Rick Kirkman & Jerry Scott.

Happy Birthday, Kaydence!!!

My sweet little girl turned 3 on the 21st! I can't believe how time flies. We actually moved to Tennessee a month after she was born so we've been here almost 3 years, crazy!!

I made her a skirt and purse to wear to church for her birthday.  She looked so cute & so big...makes me all teary eyed.  I also made her a tutu which she wore the rest of the day.

She really wanted an Elmo cake so I whipped her up one! I'm pretty dang impressed with it actually.

Here are some pics! Enjoy!!!

The Birthday Girl

The skirt (my first one ever!)

The purse & skirt & bows too!

All decked out ready for church

Enjoying ice cream @ Toot's

PRESENTS!!

All tuckered out in her tutu

The birthday spread

Elmo cake!!

Make a wish!

LOVES!!

Paint Box

After yesterday's debactle, which has been shelved for the moment because it was so horrific I won't even tell you what I did, I decided I would just start back with the organization of our office space.  First though I have to tell you what we did several weeks ago.  We decided that the 3rd bedroom was not big enough for his stuff, my stuff and our stuff. What to do...We moved the girls' playroom out of the bonus room and into the 3rd bedroom and we moved our office/Mel's crafty space upstairs to the bonus room.  Aaaand, it's still a mess.  So today I wanted to start organizing.  Only I still don't have the tools (aka bins and baskets) I need to organize.  Cue my GREAT IDEA!

With black paint, Mod Podge, scrapbook paper & a wee bit of wrapping paper (for the seams)




I turned this

Into this

The recycled box will hold my paints.

This lil piece makes me happy and was so easy!  I did it in one day while taking care of 3 kids and getting laundry washed, dried, folded and put away! 

LOVES!

I prefer straight lines

I'm working on a project using Mod Podge and let's just say, curves are NOT my friend!  It looks hideous...trying to figure out how to salvage it...

Ok, vent over.   Off to make the girls some lunch maybe inspiration will hit me in the kitchen?

LOVES!

Steppin' Up

So we bought this step stool at a yard sale for $1 about a year ago. 

I had big plans to do...something.  But in the garage it stayed.  And stayed.  And stayed.  Until I finally got some inspiration from THIS blog.  I love Mod Podge but I don't really ever know HOW to use it or if I SHOULD use it.  Well, now I know that you can use it everywhere for anything and the answer is always YES you SHOULD use it!  I now have a list of things I'm going to refurbish and I'm so excited!

Anyhow, the finished product...


ta da...

I used scrapbook paper Lullaby Alphabet by Moda Fabrics for Daisy D's (I bought it at Hobby Lobby)

Liquitex Cobalt Blue Acrylic Paint

Apple Barrel Brand Bright Red (20401) Acrylic Paint

Mod Podge Gloss

The girls love it! And even though I have 3 daughters and could've made it more girly I love that it is gender neutral.  I think we'll keep this one in the kitchen so Mommy can use it too!

LOVES!

Prayers

Katherine & Kaydence are usually fighting...but sometimes they make their Mommy so proud!  I just overheard them saying a prayer over their tea party! Melt my heart! Loves these girls!!

OrGaNiZaTiOn ???

Hi, I'm Melanie and I'm a packrat! 

I inherited this ugly character flaw from my Daddy who inherited it from his Daddy (my Pappaw) and I'm sure it goes back much further!  My packrat-ness hasn't actually been a problem for me until, well...now! I'm trying ot get organized for homeschooling and with all the crap things I've accumulated over the years there is no where to put much needed stuff.  I'd show you a picture but it's embarassing.  Maybe once the office is organized I'll be braver.  It's actually not so much an office but rather a place where stuff (MY stuff) goes to die.  It's sad, really.  So, my goal this week has been to get this room organized.  Meanwhile, I'm also trying to keep up with laundry and keep my family fed.  Therefore, the office has not been touched.  That all ends now.  I'm going to get started right now...as soon as I post.  Hopefully by Sunday y'all will be seeing before and after pics of the madness that is Melanie!

LOVES!!