Great Neighbors

We are so lucky to have great neighbors.  Their kids are so much fun to be around and they have a great time together.  We love it!

 

Lighting

We have been swapping out some of the light fixtures in the house these last few weeks. I have wanted a change, but can not believe how expensive new lights are. So, you know me! I had to improvise and figure out a way to get the change that I want at a fraction of the price.

First one up was the hanging fixture in our dining nook area. I didn't take a good before picture, so here it is when we first moved in. Not terrible, but not great either.

This is more of what I wanted. This one is from Ballard Design for $99.

So, I went to Home Depot and bought this light pendant for $16 in brushed oil bronze. I took off the u-shaped thing at the bottom and attached my own lamp shade from Ikea.

And this is what we ended up with. I love it!

The best part about it is that when I get bored of the lamp shade I can just buy and new one and swap it out. Total cost was $26! Woo-hoo!!!

Next up was our dining room chandelier. Still not bad but I am not a fan of the glass shades.

Here is a better picture of it at Christmas time. Just a little too structured for me.

I took a trip over to Lamps Plus and bought some chandelier shades in a cream linen and voila...new chandelier!

I love the look and feel of it now. And no, it isn't crooked, just my picture taking ability is.

Last up was the mud room which had the typical cheap light in it!

I found an outdoor light that I just love at Lowes for only $30. I was told that it is fine to use outdoor lights inside, so here she is!

Those are my new updates on the house. What do ya think?

I have more stuff that I am finishing up this week, so I will post pics soon!

Loves

I love my kids for so many reasons. They are such a joy to be around and have made me into such a different person. I love everything about them, even the bad stuff. Right now Addie is really into the terrible two's and is testing me every other minute it seems.

But this kid, well, he is just the easiest, lovable, most laid back kid in the world! I can't get enough of him right now.

He loves to make us laugh. He is a jokester just like his Dad.

He loves to play with anything trains, cars, or tools.

He hates it when he is put in time-out. He cries so hard and just hates being in trouble (which doesn't happen that often).

He loves to dance, sing, play fetch with the dog, watch movies and cartoons, and ride his bike (or just be outside).

There is nothing that I would change about this little man. He is everything that I would want him to be when he grows up. I love him to death and those brown eyes of his just melt me!

Mud Room

Usually our mud room is a pile of coats and shoes on the floor (which I hate!), so I decided to figure out a way to get more organized. I know, that doesn't sound like me at all, does it?!?

I couldn't find what I wanted in my price range, so I decided to make it myself.

I bought three pieces of wood and corbels at Home Depot, black frames from the Dollar Store, and hooks from Ikea. Total cost was $36!

Primed and painted the wood and corbels, printed up some numbers and used double sided tape to put up the frames, and put it all together and viola...

Cute, huh? I still have to paint over the holes, but I love how it turned out.

Lamps

When we bought the Sunriver house I knew that there would be some things that I would need to buy. We didn't quite anticipate how much that would be, or how much that would cost us, so I have had to get creative. One of the things that we needed for the house was lamps.


I recently picked up these ugly things at Goodwill for about $16 total. All gross in their gold and chipped paint!

But look what a little brushed oil bronze spray paint and some cheap lampshades from Ikea can do!

I love them! I don't think I am ever going to pay full price for a lamp again!

Getting out...

Not that we have had much recently, but a few weeks back we had some nice warm weather, which the kids and I love! I was able to capture some pics of the kiddos out playin in the cul-de-sac and riding their bikes.

Yes, she picked out this outfit by herself. For those of you who don't see her often, let me just tell you what this child does ALL day long...change her clothes. AT LEAST 10-15 times a day. She changes from her pj's into an outfit (preferably a dress), then 5 min later back to the pj's, and so on all day. She is also obsessed with these rain boots right now. She wears them with everything! And if I even try to get her into something she doesn't want to wear, she turns into a devil child. I really love, I do. She is just a little too much diva for one house (or one Mom)!

And then there is this one! Oh, how I heart him right now! He is an angel. 'Nuff said!

They get so excited to see Daddy come home from his run.

Every day in the summer (or spring) this is what our cul-de-sac looks like. There are actually about 5 more kids that aren't in this one. Every kid and all the parents come out to ride bikes and stand around and chat. We love it!

Prayers

I don't usually get really mushy on the blog, but today I am feeling a little emotional and raw. I feel a change coming in my life and I know it will make me a better person in the long run. I don't expect it to be easy, and I know that some might not support my decision, but I know that it will be worth it. I ask for all of your prayers and support.