happily ever after: January 2013

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Frogs on Ice

I finally took some pictures around the house last night. Your welcome.


This is the entry way. I love having space to greet people and that you don't just walk into the couch when you enter the house. I'm still trying to figure out what to do in that stairwell up there. That table and topiary are just sad and waiting for the boys to knock them over. But I'm waiting for the right inspiration, oh and some money. Always a factor.


Walking in the front door you see this.


And the fancy dining room to the left. I still need to do something better with those curtains. But this room is AWESOME in the afternoon with the sunshine, so I don't wanna cover up the windows too much.



The living room, family room, great room...whatever you wanna call it. This is the space we love. I want to put little half curtains on those back windows, just because we back up to someone elses house. The mantle isn't even and symmetrical but I just picked up Grandma's ding-dong clock this week from the Clock Doctor and am SO EXCITED to have it and hear it and see it.


Our cozy bedroom.


The best bathtub, EVER! I feel completely spoiled with this bathroom and especially this tub. And feel bad if anyone doesn't have a bathtub to enjoy. If you want, you can come over and enjoy mine, really you can. I will add the bubbles for you.



Now for the fun phone pics for the weeks.


I made Sara's Salsa for our small group this week. And, OH MY GOODNESS, this stuff is seriously good.


My hilarious sister sent us Super Hero shirts for Christmas, I'm WONDER WOMAN. I sent this photo to her, proving I actually wear it. She liked my navy hoodie as my cape.


Last time we were out of town, some sweet (and funny) friends took care of our house and animals for us. They had a good time messing with our stuff, but my most favorite was that she wrote me sweet notes in my kitchen notebook. Didn't know they were all there until I would need to turn to a new page. So sweet.


My sweet and favorite friend, Theresa, had a special birthday this past week. Her family planned a whole day of surprises and I got to be a big part of it. Just getting to spend a huge chunk of time with her was blessing enough for me. She is precious.


I can't believe I'm even showing you this picture. Because aren't we all alike in that we try to always show our best pictures. If the kids take some random shot and your double chin is hanging loose and you weren't sucking in your gut and your worst side is facing the camera, you threaten them to delete immediately or they will suffer a painful death if they post that darn picture anywhere, RIGHT??? Please tell me you are like that too. Thanks.

Anyways, we were all sitting around one lazy Saturday morning and Calvin started texting us random photos of movie stars all buffed up with huge muscles. After the third one, we explained that the more 'normal' behavior would be for him to be texting photos of girls. But then, we put in a disclaimer, that we also don't really want them doing that either. Well that started it. Dave started in with pictures of Emma Watson, his secret girlfriend. Calvin added a few of his favorite actresses. Ugh. The pictures of hot girls were flying back and forth between the three of my guys. I was NOT amused. So I took this self-photo and sent it to them. And stated THIS was the only 'hot' girl they needed to be seeing. The laughter took a long time to end. Whatever.


We had a snow/ice storm yesterday and everything is slick and frozen outside. Poor froggies, they need little sweaters.


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

So Thankful

Several times in the past week I have been brought to tears. Not just little dainty tears but the full blown ugly face cry. I am overwhelmed lately at God's goodness.

1. My babies, they are teenagers. Almost 15 and 17! But they bring me such joy. They are hilarious and sweet and smart and continue to amaze me.

2. My sweet and wonderful man. I am so very thankful for our strong marriage. Thankful for our daily time of talking and sharing. He gets me and loves me still.

3. Friendships. I got to spend this past weekend with precious friends. And my heart overflowed. Jay and I have some wonderful people in our lives. But my boys do as well. I am so thankful for their friends and how much they adore each other.

4. Our home. I am overcome with gratitude each and every day. The sunlight that comes through the windows. The space that is perfect for us and how we live. As someone that struggles with depression, anxiety and claustrophobia. This house is like a breath of fresh air. Four different houses in the 6 1/2 years we've lived here. That's a lot of upheaval and stress. But God has been so good to us. And I feel like I've come out of a storm and the sky is blue and clear and the sun is shining on my face.

5. Bible study time. Lately I have been doing a word study. I take a different word and spend a few days all over The Word studying that one word. Peace. Joy. Thankful. Love. It has been wonderful.

"You keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Is. 26:3 (Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Rom. 15:13

"Rejoice (joy) always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances-for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess. 5:18

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lam. 3:22 (The LORD is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.)

And finally, "I love you, O LORD, my strength." Ps. 18:1

Saturday, January 12, 2013

It's a Busy New Year

Getting everything unpacked and put away. Decorating and making the place feel more like home. Embracing the new opportunity to organzie. Starting back to school. And trying to catch up on all my work. That's been our lives.


Sweetie was home a lot, which we loved. And he was my hero for helping me decorate. And hang things, the correct way, and not with a zillion little holes.

(translation: me with poo on my head, makes me a poo-poo head.)

After telling Calvin to get out of my room at 11pm and stop telling me random batman stories, I got THIS note under my door. I cracked up and went and hugged him.


Dave had his driver's training this week. Apparently he totally impressed the teacher with his driving skills. And told the teacher that his mom was the worst driver in the family. I'm no longer talking to him.


This has been my spot for the past week. Apparently things don't get done by themselves when you take an extended break from working. See that pile to the left, it was twice that size when the week started. ugh.

But on a better note, I absolutely LOVE the layout and placement of my office, it feels very 'Fung-Shway'.


Winston jumped in my lap this morning and snuggled with me, how cute is he?!


This was Sweetie's outfit for the morning. He says he was trying to look like my Daddy. (Don't worry Daddy, I smacked him for you.)


Saturday morning breakfast. Yummy scrambled eggs, toasted english muffins & juice.

Happy Saturday everyone, I'm off to keep working on that pile at my desk & help with a funeral dinner tonight.