Lyla Grace

It has been just 6 short weeks ago that the most wonderful thing that could ever happen to me came into this world! My precious Lyla Grace was born on November 12 after just 5 short hours of labor.

She is perfect and priceless! I always heard that children are a blessing and I couldn't believe that to be more true. She is such a joy to us.

We are so excited to be celebrating our first Christmas as a family of 3! What better time to celebrate the birth of a child than at Christmas as we remember the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I hope ya'll have a wonderful Christmas season!

Mary Elizabeth

Our First Christmas Program

I can’t believe that we attended our first Christmas program this week. Our first child attends Cubbies each week on Tuesday nights.  Cubbies are the two to five year old group for the Awana Club (insert link). He LOVES it. This last Tuesday was their Christmas Program.  They sang one song, Away in a Manager.  When we were talking about it the night before he wasn’t too impressed with getting up and singing. He thought the motions they were supposed to do were “ridiculous”. His word for anything he doesn’t like or want to do. What’s funny is that he likes and knows all the songs, but thinks its “ridiculous” to do the motions (so his mother’s child). And true to his word he didn’t do ANY motions during the song.

I only got one picture that wasn’t fuzzy. I am really trying to do better in the picture department. Trying to keep tract of a camera and a three, two and one year old is about impossible, for me anyways. So, I only have this one picture to share. I still can’t believe that I have children and that one is old enough now to be in a Christmas Program. Time is flying by.

Christine

My DIY Earing Stand

So, I can only imagine that every girl out there has an issue with jewelry storage, especially earrings! There are always the jewelry chest but I personally don't like those because you can't see everything that you have. I have looked at several "trees" but have never found one that would be big enough for all of my earrings. I would have to buy like ten of them!

I got this idea from my sister. She made something similar but smaller to hold her daughter's hair bows...which is also a great idea! It was soo easy to make this stand.

I started with an old picture frame that was in the closet serving no purpose because the hooks on the back are the worst things to try and hang on a wall. I saved it knowing I would find a purpose for it someday....so glad I did that! I used scrapbook paper and twine from Hobby Lobby that cost less than $5! What a deal!!!

I cut the twine long enough to go around the back so I could hot glue it. I had to hold it in place for a minute to let the glue dry enough that I could pull the other side around to glue. I had to make sure it would be tight so the earring would hang in a straight line and not droop down to the next row. I put the paper under the glass and then glued the twine on top of the glass. It looks better and it also hides the seem in the paper.

I tried to put as many rows as I could, I left a row or two with more space in between to leave room for the longer earrings that I have. Once all the rows were glued in place I put the frame back on the and it was ready to hang earrings!

I love the way it turned out! I already have it packed full of earrings. I think I am going to need to make another one soon!

Our Trip to Seward

Over Memorial Day weekend we decided to drive down to Seward.  It was about 9pm Sunday night when we started loading up the van. After going back and forth about what was actually needed, (husband thought I was taking to much stuff for a one night trip) the "stuff" and kids were loaded and we were off. We got to Seward about midnight. Of course the kids slept most of the way, so when we got into the hotel room they were all wide awake. This was their first time in a hotel and they were beyond excited. They were checking out everything. Mac's favorite thing was the microwave. Who in their right mind would put a microwave about 3 feet off the ground? Perfect height for kids. Needless to say when we couldn't find something, we checked the microwave. Sure enought it would be in there. Everything from shoes, to remotes to clothes.

 

 We finally got them settled down and in bed.

 On Monday we went to the Sea Life Center. The boys loved it. They had so much fun watching the animals.

  

 

After eating lunch we went to look at the boats. Rhainnon had enough and couldn't wait any longer for a nap.

  

 

This guy was swimming around the docks. We followed him for awhile. It was fun and something we need to do again soon.

What's been going on lately...

So, it has been a while since my last post....way too long actually! Im not sure where all my time goes. I cant imagine what I will do when my baby arrives ( YES!! I am finally having a baby..due Nov. 23 ) More on that later, I will be posting updates along the way so my sisters can keep up ( of course;-] ) My upcoming project is going to be my antique sewing table I picked up at a local antique/thrift shop. It was only $25, which I thought was a great deal. It is the perfect side table by the back door to catch all the keys, wallets, mail.......and everything else that needs a home for a short time!

I am a little embarrassed by the chewed up rug there but that would be due to my dogs. They are not allowed past that gate so occasionally they will pull the rug in and chew on it;-)

The bottom needs to be sanded down , there are several rusty spots, so I know with all those curves it is not going to be an easy task. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the top yet. Maybe stain it to match my kitchen cabinets or maybe a creamy color that goes well with my dining room table...or maybe just leave it.... We shall see.

So, that is what will be taking up my time for the next little bit.

I do have to give an update on my window treatments for the master bedroom. I finally have curtains made, which I did myself and curtain rods ( a little unusual but they are perfect ). The only thing still needed is brackets to hang the rods with. Which is proving to be more of a challenge than I thought.....Pictures will come soon! I can't wait until they are finished completely!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Mary Elizabeth

A New Coffee/Drink Tray

A couple of  months ago I bought a $2.00 picture frame from the Thrift Store with the idea that I would somehow turn it into a tray. 

 So, after a good cleaning, a couple coats of paint I had a decent tray. 

But it was just a little plain looking for me.  So, after a couple of days of brain storming and the fact that it took that long to get the paint back out, I decided to stencil it.

 I used the same stencil that I used above the fireplace. (I promise a post of that will come very soon. I have a couple of touch ups to do to complete it.)

  

So here is the "new" drink tray. Now, just to get a new coffee machine. It got broken a couple of weeks ago. I decided not to ask which son was involved with that situation. I like having a tray here. It keeps things together and looks a little neater. Not for bad $2.00 .