Handsome guy

Just a couple of quick pics to share of my oldest son. As a member of the football team, he is required to wear a dress shirt and tie to school tomorrow (in recognition of their game tomorrow night). So, tonight I snapped some pictures of him while he was practicing his tie-tying skills. He actually got on youtube and looked up a video demo of how to tie a tie. (Hmmmmm...all this typing of the word "tie" is making me forget how to spell, my words are not looking right??). Anyway, here he is and I think he looks so handsome. I can't believe how grown up he is becoming *sniff* *sniff*.
~K

OOOH! I want this room!

Yesterday, I received the latest catalog in the mail from Ballard Designs. They are one of my favorites when it comes to home decor...I keep all of their catalogs and love to browse through them all the time. I came across this picture in the catalog and seriously fell in love with this room. I think it's going to be the inspiration for my new craft room/office that DH is working on in our basement. Sorry, the picture is not that great, I had to photograph the actual magazine page. But, it's done in black, white, and a sort-of apple green. There are these adorable alphabet balls that are displayed in a glass urn, too cute! And, you have to check out these pretty cameo pushpins. Even though I cannot afford most of the things shown here, I can use it as a guide and look for similar, but, more affordable, items. What do you think? Isn't it just gorgeous!

Let your face light up!

I was laying on the couch last night watching a rerun of the Oprah show. I was only halfway paying attention, as I was also reading a book. But, I heard something that really made me think. This lady (sorry I don't even know who the guest was) asked a question....she said something along the lines of "when your kids come in the room, does your face light up?" Very interesting question. I hug and kiss my kids all the time, tell them "I love you" and all that good stuff. But, do they actually see in my face what I'm telling them? Too often, I find myself hurrying around, thinking about all the things that need to be done around the house or stressing over the bills that need to be paid, homework that needs to be done, etc. So, do I really take the time to stop and smile, look my children in the eye, and let them see "my face light up"? I truly want my kids to see that...that they make me happy just by being there. That one little question had such an impact on me...I'm going to make a constant effort to work on this and make sure that my children see my face light up every time they come into the room!
~K

Thrifty finds

Here are a few recent finds from my favorite Goodwill store. The airplane picture was 2.00, it looks great in the boy's camo room. The butterfly pictures were 1.59 each, haven't decided where I'll put those yet. The little yellow owl dish was a steal at .49...for some reason I just have a thing for owls now. I'm using it by my kitchen sink as a little soap/scrubbie dish. And, how could I pass up this funky monkey lamp! He was only 2.90. I'll need to find a shade...but, isn't he cute? I also found a Dunlop tennis racket for 1.59. It's purple and pink so Shelby loved it, it'll be great for the kids to play around with. And, for .50, a Lois Lowry book called 'The Giver'. It won a Newberry Medal and I thought Shelby would like to read it. Another Lowry book, 'Number the Stars' is one of Shelby's favorites. Pretty good day at the Goodwill store!
~K

More room updates

Well I can't tell you how happy I am that we finally bought some new living room furniture. Our stuff was looking so bad that it was getting embarrassing to even have anyone over to our house. We now have a new sofa and loveseat, plus, a great big ottoman (that can be used for seating, feet-propping, or even as a "coffee table"). Also got a new end table and a new sofa table. We have so much more room and it's nice and comfy! To make room for the new furniture, we had to move the piano into the foyer. I wasn't sure how I was going to like that, but, I think it worked out just fine. We needed something to fill up that big foyer anyway. I still need to get some decorative accessories for the tables. And, I want to find a HUGE picture to go on the wall behind the loveseat. But, for now I am thrilled with the new seating arrangements. On a related topic, our dog, Emma, formerly was the "queen of the couch". She literally slept on the living room couch or chair, with her big 'ol head propped on a pillow. We do not want her on the new furniture, so I was worried that we may have a problem. But, she has not even tried once (that we know of anyway, LOL) to get on the new couch. Awwww....what a good girl she is! So, these are a few pics showing the new furniture and also showing the foyer.

~K

School Time

School started on Thursday for Shelby, Connor, and Zachary. (Since Cameron is going to a private school, he started about two weeks ago - AND, he threw a fit about me taking pictures of him, so for the first time in his school career, I don't have any pics from his first day of school). The first day went smoothly for the kids. But, for me it was a little rough getting back into the routine. I'm coping with a sinus infection and upper respiratory infection so I haven't felt very well at all this week. After the kids were off to school, I went back to bed and caught up on some much needed rest.

Around the house...

Just a couple pics to share from around the house. For the master bathroom, I picked up this "La Toilette" sign on ebay. It's from a great seller who has lots of affordable premade and custom signs. Her ebay store is called Black Dog Sign Shop. The little gold mirror is from the Goodwill (.85) It will go on the wall above the master bathroom toilet where I have a whole grouping of different gold mirrors. Next, for the kitchen...we recently bought this new kitchen table & chairs. It's the taller "barstool height" and I really love it.

School Supply Lists

School starts on Thursday and I am STILL not finished buying all the supplies. I have what feels like 'pages' of lists for my three youngest kiddos. I tried to make up my own "master list" but for some reason, it made things too confusing. I cannot find graph paper or 2nd grade tablets (why are these items so difficult to find? I just do not understand) Anyway, I have just sat down and went through each list yet again and now have 10 items left to purchase. I haven't kept track of how much money I have spent on supplies, at this point I probably wouldn't want to know. My oldest started high school this year. He is in a private school now so he started about 10 days ago. I just cannot believe I have a high-schooler! Anyway, wish me luck as I go out tomorrow and finish up my shopping.

~K

These boots were made for walkin'......

I love to read photography blogs and get inspiration from all the great photos that they show. I saw some pictures once that were of someone wearing colorful, funky rainboots and I just thought they were gorgeous. So, when I happened to find these bright green boots at the Goodwill store for $4 I was thrilled. Here's some pics I took of Shelby just playing around in the back yard. Aren't they fun!

Shelby

Today was the day - Shelby got her braces! She did great, although her mouth is starting to get quite sore now. Ever the fashionista, she immediately came home from the orthodontist office and changed shirts...she had to wear something blue to match her "blue braces". Here are some before and after pics. Good job, girl!

Great candles!

I love candles and this site, Coldwater Candles , has a fantastic selection of scents. They are a local company owned by a guy that my DH knew growing up. I've never seen so many different fragrances to choose from! A couple of my favorites are: White Tea and Ginger, Countryberry Hotcakes, and Pineapple Cilantro. Besides candles, they have other products as well. They also offer $5 flat rate shipping on domestic orders, so that's a great deal.

~K

Baby Luke

Just had to share this adorable picture...my best friend, Anna, is the proud new mommy to Luke Thomas. Isn't he just the sweetest thing! She also has three other beautiful children (Rachel, Neal, and Olivia). Anna and I have been best friends for 33 years. It's hard to believe that we each have four kids. When did we grow up and become so old, LOL! Congratulations, Anna, you are a wonderful and loving mommy!
~K

Recent find

Here's a pretty mirror that my DH brought home to me. He is a firefighter and just happened to find it in the dumpster behind his firehouse! Not sure why someone would throw this away, but, I was tickled pink to get it. It's in perfect condition...a nice heavy weight to it and silvery-bronze in color. I haven't found a place to hang it yet, but, I'm sure I will. Fun dumpster find!

Me....

1. I believe in God
2. I'm a conservative republican
3. I buy way too many magazines
4. I am a night owl
5. Before becoming a SAHM, I was a registered nurse
6. I am shy
7. I love rainy, cloudy days
8. I'm the youngest of four kids
9. I've had the same best friend for 33 years - we went to kindergarten together
10.Being in or around deep water is one of my biggest fears
11.I have never mowed the grass
12.If I could have any career I wanted, I would be an artist or photographer
13.I color my hair
14.I am very ticklish
15.I love Bare Escentuals makeup
16.I do not ride roller coasters
17.I love dogs
18.I'm very technologically (is that even a word?) challenged
19.I watch Fox News all the time
20.I am somewhat clumsy

~K