Enjoy the Moment!

Enjoying the mommy moment I should say has been my personal motto lately. I have two children one of which is 18 months old. I have to be honest 18 months to about 2 1/2 years is my least favorite age. I think we all have times that are harder than others and this is mine. It is difficult for me because they can't speak very well, understand no but don't understand consequences, throw tantrums at anytime and anywhere, make huges messes, etc.

Below is some pictures of Owen's current mess. While his older brother was getting into the fridge to get an apple. Owen got in and got into the butter. He spread it all over the carpet and couch. I didn't discover this for some time. When I discovered Owen my first thought was great now I have another mess to clean up before dinner, etc, etc. But I stopped and thought enjoy the moment and laugh! So I grabbed the camera and started taking pictures of Owen.

I've been discovered with the butter!



I have also been talking some gym and music classes at Gymboree with Owen to help enjoy and savor this special time (that sometimes on a bad day I think when will this stage be over) but that is just the thing I'm learning is that it ends all too quickly, so to all the Mother's out there and especially to myself enjoy the moment of messes, tantrums, funny speech, etc, etc...








What moments have you been or not been enjoying lately?

Someone else's trash is another person's treasure

We just moved into a new home about three months ago, and as I am sure many of you can relate, furnishing a new house takes lots of time, energy and money. Well, after spending a few thousand dollars at the furniture store and only ending up with a few new pieces, I realized I was going to have lots of blank spaces around my home, and instead of using painted cardboard (yes, I did see this on a home design show once) as furniture I decided to improvise while I save for the pieces I really want. In the process however, I have discovered some amazing deals. I have been searching various consignment stores, websites, etc. These are my finds:

This dining room table, six chairs and hutch was bought for half the price the original owner paid and it is only two years old. If anyone has any good ideas on how to decorate the top, I need help.

This TV armorie only cost me $140.00 off Craigslist and the doors slide back making it perfect for T.V. viewing. It did have a couple of scratches but I just bought one of those wood stain pens from Home Depot. I cleaned it off really well and used the pen and it covered all of the scratches. I also had to by a new roller latch which my husband installed for me (thank you honey).

A nearby store occasionally puts things on sale at 50% off. Last week I walked in and this piece of iron was only $20.00. I was really excited.


This iron piece above the pictures was only $6.00.

Lastly is my guest room:

I bought this lamp at the Goodwill for $2.99 and a new lamp shade for $14.00 from Lowe's.

The headboard I bought for $20.00. It was another Craigslist find. My husband painted it white for me.

This dresser and nightstand I already had but they just needed a fresh coat of white paint (thanks to my hubby again) and I purchased some crystal knobs at a nearby store for $30.00. The candle stick holders altogether were $6.00 and came from Goodwill (which I usually hate going into, but, I was inspired by my friend Laura's beach themed room(she got almost everything at goodwill).

Well, there you have it. This is my attempt at being clever and a little crafty. What clever things have you come up with lately?

First Day of School

Well, the first day of school actually happened two weeks ago for us but I wasn't blogging and I feel like it was an important moment. We went to the school to find out Derek's teacher and I looked on the list and didn't see any familiar names. We have met a few kids at church and I was hoping he might be in their class. When I looked for their names I realized all four of them got in the same class. It was kind of weird. I felt a twinge of saddness wash over me but I quickly called my husband and he reminded me that Derek makes friends with kids at the grocery store and he would be o.k. Today I asked Derek, "How was school and How was your teacher?" He said, "She is the nicest person. She is always so nice." I am so glad it is turning out well.

I also made Derek's teacher this little first day "survival kit". I just put a few munches in it with some flavored water. I also added a book called, First Day Jitters. The book is really cute about a teacher that is nervous (just like the kids can be) for school. I also gave her a gift card to the teacher store. The next day she sent me the most wonderful thank-you note. I just wanted her first day to be brighter!

Superheros

Before I was married I just wanted to have all girls (I grew up with three younger brothers) and felt like I had offically done the boy thing. But, now that I am the mother of two boys I can say it is so much fun. I wouldn't ever trade it. I love the trains, action figures, cars, and especially the dress-ups. Initally before children I thought only girls like to dress up as princesses, fairies, etc. But boys love to be superheros (especially at this house)! Derek had some friends over this weekend and they were all so excited to dress up and run around! What do your kids like to dress up as?

Our New House

We just moved to a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee it is about twenty-five minutes away from downtown Nashville. We are loving it here. The trees and hills are gorgeous. I also love that major shopping is just five minutes away from us and that we live only about one mile from the freeway so there is easy access to everything. The people are so friendly and helpful. These are some pictures of the inside of our house (they still have the seller's furniture but you get the idea)

I will post pictures with my decor later. Right now my house is kind of like a blank canvas that needs lots of spicing up. The top five things that made me buy the house 1) the entry way -I always wanted stairs and hardwood floors 2) the game room (where I could put all of my kids junk - I mean toys 3) the dining room (even though we haven't used it much but I loved the molding. 4) the yard - lots of room for the kids to play and run around 5) the storage - lots of walk-in closets and a big storage room off the bonus room (houses with basements are built on hills here). What are the things you love most about your house?

A Favorite Quote

My dad told me before I got married that marriage was a work in progress. He said that in a good marriage you have twice the joys and half the sorrows. I have always loved that quote and have thought of it often during my marriage.

The other day I came across this quote that was very similar to my father's , "Friendship improves happiness and abates misery by doubling our joy and dividing of our grief." Marcus Tullius Cicero

I am so thankful to my husband and friends that truly help me have the highest highs and truly understand and share my grief. I love you guys! Tell me what your favorite quote is and why?

My Little Cowboy

My Little Franklin (the city we live in) Football Cowboy. Derek has been playing football since the end of July. I can honestly say I'm not a huge fan of football but I have been getting into it more and more. I especially love the games! It is so fun to hear when they announce his name over the speaker. I also love the cute uniforms! They are the real deal, complete with pads and a helmet. Do you enjoy the sports your kids play?

I have joined the Blogging World!

After many months of sitting back and quietly reading everyone's blogs I found myself beginning to think about what I would say or post. So I have caved and decided to join the blogging world.