Speaking of Scrapbooking...

So, even though I haven't found the time to enjoy my new scrapbook room yet, I'm still on the high of having my own space. A few times over the last few days, I've just walked in to stare at my room and imagine all the things I could do in the future with the room.

So, I'm totally a nerd cause Scrapbooking is my escape, and I'm not afraid to admit how much I love it. It's very theraputic for me, and I love having the memories forever to share with my kids one day. A few people have asked me in the past to share my scrapbook pages and even send them in, but I've never really been motivated to do so because it's my own. My scrapbooking has for sure evolved over the years, I've been doing it before it was ever an official hobby with a title. But, there are a few pages that are my absolute favorite, and I've decided to share them since I can't sit down and actually make new ones right now.

'Precious Moments' This is one of the first pages I ever made for Faith's album that I remember being really proud of...I did all the letters and pictures by hand. And I love all of Faith's little part.

'Seasons' I stole this idea I believe from an idea book, but I love the way it turned out and the way it shows Faith's first four seasons and how she changed. What a cutie!

'The View of Love' Also one of the first pages I made...I hate the pictures themselves, but I love the simplicity of the lines and colors.

'It's a BOY' There's something I love about this page, maybe because it took me forever to finally put together just right and sew all the buttons....and I loved the accent paper

'Remember' This is a more recent page I made, wanting to remember life lessons I've either learned the hard way or seems to forget on a regular basis. And one of the first times I got to use my Cricut machine!

'Mister Personality' I love these two photos of Caleb...and I loved the way the layout and journaling complimented it...and the colors were perfect. It just makes me smile.

'Sibling Love' A newer page, I love the distressed look...sanding is one of my favorite techniques! But I love these photos I'd taken of the kids for our Christmas cards.

'Caught Reading' This is probably my absolute favorite page. The layout itself is simple and subtle, but I love that it's not straight, I love the detail...but even more, I love this picture (that was actually taken with my phone!) of Faith reading to her babydoll...cutest thing ever!

'Daughter are Special, Especially mine' I kinda love the business of this page, it's fun but doesn't take away from the fun photos. Very modern, and makes me think of summer when I look at it.

There ya have it...a few pieces of my heart and passion. Let me know what you think!

Scrapbook room finished!!!

My scrapbook room is finally complete!!!!

When we moved into our house, I instantly claimed this space as my future 'scrapbook space'....it's small, but cozy and just right for me to keep all my things in an inspiring place that's all mine. This is what the room looked like before:

Last week, we started putting drywall up...just on the ceiling and unfinished wall, we left the concrete walls exposed so I didn't lose too much space in the room (it really is tiny already). Jeremy did an amazing job re-wiring the room so I actually had working outlets in there, put some pots lights in to brighten it up, and helped me mud and tape. But I would like to toot my own horn for a second, because I did a lot of mudding, sanding, and ALL the painting myself! This is how it turned out:YAY! I love it! The color of the wall is called 'Sparkler' and is just bright and fun, not a color I would ever pick inside my home (I am nuetral tones kinda girl, but I wanted something different). Once I get this room completely finished, it will have an inspiration wall, and of course, lots of beautiful photos to display. The room already have shelf racks screwed into the concrete that I didn't want to bother with, so Jeremy picked up the perfect brackets and white shelves to match! Just the extra storage I was looking for! Now...the walls are concrete, none of the desks match, nothing is fancy, but I love it!!! I'm so excited to get some scrapbooking done!! Yesterday, in anticipation of using my new room, I caught up on my digital photos and ordered a bunch that I want to scrapbook from Snapfish.com (love that place!)

Bartender = Evangelist?

I've now been working @ East Side Marios for five years....crazy how time flies! (though some days it feels like it's been a lot longer). In January of last year, I was asked to move into the bar to be a bartender. I really had to think about the decision, and it's turned out to be an unexpected journey.

People that have known me for years are always shocked when I tell them I'm a bartender. I would have NEVER predicted it, but I was excited to learn something new at work and of course, make more money. Even more surprising, I never thought I'd enjoy it as much as I do, and I've been thinking about it a lot this week...

I remember Josh Graves telling a story @ church about a ministry student who at graduation decided the best thing to do with his education was to become a bartender. People come in aching to be heard, to find comfort, and what better place to bring the Word to the lost? Now, I have to admit that this was not my motivation for working in a bar, I'm certainly not an evangelist, but the thought has crossed my mind many times. It always makes me laugh at how many customers make comments to me about my great attitude and smile....It's not like I'm overly bubbly, I think that people aren't used to that in their everyday lives. Most of them are surrounded by heartache, burdens, stress, overwork, addictions, and sorrow and they don't know what do with a person who is content with their life and enjoys what they do. 

Even though I didn't get into bartending to bring people to God, it's surprised me how many biblical conversations I've had with people that I wouldn't have expected. But much more often, I feel like I've been very subtly presented with people who just needed an ear to listen, a smile, a laugh, someone to talk to. In the process, it has allowed me to learn to be a better listener, which wasn't always my strong suit. I find that many times, the bar crowd is more open and willing to talk about God issues than many church members, and are much less judgmental. That in itself can be a breath of fresh air sometimes. (Not to mention, most days work is the only time during the day I have adult interaction, so I look forward to it).

I still have my bad days where I let the atmosphere sometimes get the best of me, which makes me doubt my decision about being around a lot of that negativity. But overall, I think it's really opened my eyes to the world and it's heartache and given me a better understanding of my place and purpose in this world, and for that I'm thankful. It's also helped me appreciate my own life and realize how NORMAL I actually am! If nothing else, I hope that I've made a positive impact on someone's life. That would make it worth it to me. Plus, the awesome friends that I work with that I wouldn't trade for the world!

One of my favorite regulars (and Steve's BFF), Dave Nash

Great Lakes Rally

We packed up the family and headed to Beamsville, Ontario for the weekend. The trip was for two reasons: Jeremy was performing with DeeperStill @ the Great Lakes Youth Rally, and Jer's parents happen to live on campus and we haven't been to the house in almost a year! (That's sad to say) So, we were especially excited to visit, and had a great weekend.

I'd like to first say that the worship over the weekend was incredible. DeeperStill did a great job (as they always do) at leading and put on an amazing concert! This has always been one of our favorite rallies, and we were glad to come back and be a part of it this year. I'm so proud of the guys in the group and how much they've grown since the last time they did this show...and I totally missed hanging out with them all, since we all live in different states and I never get to see them anymore! Jeremy and I, and Jon and Holly Knutson stayed behind to lead Sunday evening worship @ the Beamsville Church of Christ, which was uplifting as well. They were a very enthusiastic congregation who were so welcome and friendly.

We stayed an extra day (Monday) so that we could visit with Jeremy's mom, his sister Bethany, and her two kids. We really wished we lived closer and could see the family more often, especially since Jer's dad got stuck on a job and wasn't able to make it home for the weekend, and his sister Melanie was still up in Sault Ste. Marie helping his other sister, April with her new baby Brennen, and her two other boys.

Needless to say, we had a good time. But for some reason, I'm exhausted (Actually I know the reason - I have two toddlers!) and am glad to be home and start getting my house back together. I will leave you with some photos of our weekend:

Scott, Chris, and Lara & David chillin' before sound check.

Dan chasing after Caleb in the gym! The kids never stopped running around!

Dan and me. I really wish Dan lived closer, I miss this guy!

I managed to talk Jeremy into taking one picture with me...

wish it had turned out better. Oh well.

Trying to get the kids still to take pictures at Nana's house.

This one makes me smile

Faith and her cousin, Mason. She was lovin' on him all weekend!

Susie Homemaker

For those that read my last blog, you know last week kept me busy. This week has been no different. It amazes me that even when I'm not working much, I still can't find enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I want to do! But I go through spurts, usually season-related, where I'm a lump and get nothing done, and times when I'm a productivity machine!

This week marks our first official 'big project' in our house. We're re-modeling my scrapbook room (Before and After pictures to come...once we get the After done!) We decided it was a good place to start because it's a small room, it wasn't going to cost much to fix it up, and it'd be good practice for when we finish the rest of the basement. Jeremy amazes me...he basically learned electrical stuff this week, re-wired the whole room, put drywall up on the ceiling and wall, installed potlights and gave me a working outlet...what a guy! Hopefully, it will get painted and put back together by next week...I can't wait!

In anticipation for my new room, I've been writing down ideas for what I wanted to do with it, color schemes, etc....I decided I wanted a bright and cheerful room with lots of light that inspires my creativity. So, in honor of doing first-time projects, I decided to one of my own....re-upholster and refinish a chair. I found this great chair at Salvation Army yesterday, but it was a little beat up:

It actually ended up being a fairly easy project. I used Jeremy's sander to sand down the shiny finish....

Spray painted it white, found a great fun fabric to brighten it up, and VWALA! A beautiful new chair for my scrapbook room!!!

Chair: $6.99 @ Salvation Army

Fabric: $6.00 @ Joann's

Spray paint: $2.00 (x2 - I used two cans) @ Home Depot

TOTAL COST: $16.99!!!

Now, off to getting the house put together, laundry, oil change, and packing to go to Canada for the weekend for the Great Lakes Youth Rally and see family! =]

Fantastically busy

This weekend was packed full for me, in a good way. Let's start with Thursday...

Thursday started with me pricing furniture and ended with me getting an AMAZING deal on a leather furniture set. It's very bitter sweet, considering we've been penny pinching like crazy lately, but I couldn't pass it up it's something I've wanted since I've been married (maybe even longer) and it should last me a really long time! I've never owned a matching set of any furniture cause I could never afford it.

Also note the start of a 'family wall' with a quote I found at Joann's with the picture I got from Jeremy for Christmas - love it.

I also became an aunt again on Thursday!!!! Brennen Tate McIntee was born 10lbs. 4oz. 24 1/2 inches - practically a man already! I'm so proud of April, she's superwoman in my book, and I can't wait to meet my new nephew!

Friday was a busy day for me. I got up early so I could drive to Troy to see my amazing hair stylist and friend, John for a haircut/color. I got there around noon....ended up staying there til 5:00!! But my cut is super cute (as usual) and even though I tried to get purple highlights in my hair that didn't turn out, the color is still really cute. Well, we had guests coming over at 7:00, so I wanted to rush home, finish cleaning, etc. I drove past a Tattoo place, and on a whim (ok, maybe not a whim, cause I had also been thinking about doing it for a long time) and asked how long it would take to get my nose pierced....I think I was in and out in 6 minutes!!! LOL Anyway, I love it and no one has really noticed or thought I already had it, which means it doesn't stick out too much. =] And it doesn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it would. I couldn't get a decent picture to post, so I'll try again some other time.

Friday night was great with friends, rehearsing for Easter service. Jeremy and I have really appreciated spending time with friends lately, we're so blessed to be making good friends our age in the same life stage as us. It ended up being a very late night, and we got up bright and early for the Easter Pancake Breakfast @ Rochester. Then, I worked Saturday night til 1am, was up at 5:45 to get myself and the fam ready for church and get there early for sound check and run-through, and participated in an AMAZING easter service that moved me in profound ways. (And as a side, my hubby is amazing too, and I have an even bigger crush on him after hearing him sing today).

I've been staring at this picture of Caleb all day - it just makes my heart smile.

My little princess in her easter dress from Nana.

Thankfully, I got to take a huge nap today and relax this evening with my unbelievably adorable kids. Watched some Friends, snuggled with the hubby.....the perfect way to end a perfect weekend. I am ridiculously blessed. =]

Kids say the darndest things...

Recently, the language of my kids has developed so much. And of course, the best part about watching their language skills evolve is hearing the things they come up with! I've been told by several people that I should record some of these silly sayings so that I don't forget them later but I never seem to remember to do so. Here's just a few of the funniest moments I can remember recently, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do:

1) Last night, while changing Caleb, he tooted. With a silly/shocked face, I jumped and said "Caleb, you silly goose, what do you say?" Thinking he was being funny, started pushing, trying to do it again, but nothing came out. He looked at me and said "Toot. Broken." HAHAHA

2) Along the same lines of potty humor (sorry, there are a lot), a few weeks ago Faith was on the toilet just chatting away with me (she has her most profound discussion while pooping!) In the midst of her conversation, she starting tooting continuously about 15 times without skipping a beat. I was just staring at her with a shocked look on my face. When she finally finished, I said "Oh my goodness Faith, what do you say?" She looked at me very seriously and said "Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me!!!!!" I almost fell off the tub I was laughing so hard!

3) This is just a cute thing that always makes me smile and I wanted to remember. Anytime Caleb thinks something is broken, he always says "Daddy fik it." What a cute guy.

4) This is an old story, but still worth sharing. At the peak of Faith's love for High School Musical, she got a shirt for Christmas from Jon and Holly Knutson with a picture of Troy (Zak Efron) on it. It was pink. The next day in the middle of a chat, I asked Faith what her favorite color was, she quickly responded, "Troy is my favorite color." =]

I love toddlers. Never boring, that's for sure! I'll post more when I think of more!