Table before and after

I've been waiting to post these pictures for ages! I actually completed this project over Spring Break (it was on the many things on my TO-DO list) but my camera died on me and my old camera wouldn't upload to the computer. Now that I've figured that out, you can see the BEFORE and AFTER of my cheap dining room table and chairs that was looking pretty rough around the edges.

We got this table from my mom when we first got married and moved into our townhouse:

This is actually a picture of the table and chairs in its prime at our sweet little townhouse:

Well, over the last 6 years, it's a little worse for the wear. So, with a little help from this:

(keep in mind, these photos came off my old, screwed up camera - sorry about the lines)

I managed to create a whole new dining room set:

It seems to look very dull in this photo, but it actually turned out amazing - looks brand new! Maybe I'll take some pictures with my new camera soon so you can really get the whole effect.

Now that I've painted the back wall, painted the dining room set - I still need something to make this space POP. I have a few ideas, but I'm up for suggestions. What do you think would really make this space?!?

And don't forget to enter my first EVER giveaway - only two more days left!

Creative Itch - card making

From August to May, during Preschool, I didn't do a SINGLE crafty thing in my scrapbook room other than school stuff. Every Sunday night, I spent hours coming up with crafts, cutting, making newsletters, and using up all my creative juice on school related projects.

So now...my creative itch is coming back, and I'm so glad! I've got SO much scrapbooking to catch up on! But before I get to that, I have to say that I've started making cards. I always thought it was a great hobby, saves tons of money and practical (not to mention, a lovely personalized gift), but I never really did it for some reason. Well, after spending $10 on 3 cards last week, I decided I could make BETTER ones at home! It's been addicting. Who doesn't love homemade gifts? I sat down and wrote out all the cards I'll be mailing out through the end of the year, and got to work! And, I don't need to spend a penny on it cause I have so many scraps/stickers/paper to last a lifetime PLUS I'm repurposing some of our old cards that I've saved over the years. How thrifty of me!

Anyway, I was so proud of these silly simple projects, I thought I'd share:

Some Anniversary Cards:

And the birthday cards:

More birthday cards, inspired by in joyful retrospect, who is WAY more talented in card making than I, you should check her out!

That's all for now, but I'll definitely be making more! My ultimate goal is to make a few generic ones as well (I love the birthday cake one - so great for extra scrap paper!), that I'll NEVER have to buy a card again! We'll see! Hope you enjoy!

And don't forget....you have until Sunday to enter my FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY

pictures, pictures!

Great news: I got a new camera!!!!

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I am so thrilled to finally be able to take pictures AND actually get them to upload on my camera! Oh, but there's more!!! I also go the photos off the card that wouldn't upload and put them on a disk. So, lucky you, you'll get to see LOTS of pictures this week! Including my trip to Kentucky a few weeks ago, my table and chairs re-do, and a few surprise photos that I can't wait to share!

Here's the first round - they're actually new pictures I took today with our beautiful new camera. I was finally able to take the kids' birthday pictures for their mini albums. They just melt my heart:

I can't believe I have a 3 and 4 year old! CRAZY!

They are such hams!

I loved this candid moment...they were laughing at each other.

my 4-going-on-14-year-old princess!

My little goof ball, who still asks me everyday: "Mommy, am I still 3?"

And a few of my favorites from the day:

Don't forget to enter in My First Ever Giveaway before Sunday!

A face lift and a GIVEAWAY!

If you're reading this post, you've probably noticed my blog has gotten a little face lift. It was not on purpose! lol I actually was looking at the new design features and accidentally changed my layout and couldn't figure out how to re-center my header. By the time I figured it out, I had changed everything else with it - I've been meaning to do it for awhile anyway...hope you like it!

So, in honor of my new blog face lift and the fact that I now have 100 followers (WOO HOO!), I am going to do my very first giveaway!!!! And it's a pretty spectacular one, if I do say so myself.

I'm giving away a Vera Bradley wristlet in Loves Me! This little bag is adorable, and retails for $25.00! And since this is my FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY, I'll make it simple:

All you have to do to enter is become a follower and leave a comment. The deadline will be next Sunday, June 20th (aka Father's Day).

YAY! I hope you win!

Paint or no paint?

It's been awhile since I've had a decorating/design post, or anything remotely creative, because frankly, I haven't had the willpower. Now that school is over and things are settling down a little (I said a little) I would like to talk to you about a very important decision I've been mulling over for quite some time now:

To paint or not to paint?

Here's the deal: Since we've moved into this house, I've had the urge to paint the exterior brick. There are white spots all around that we'll not be able to remove, and I think a fresh coat of paint would really make the otherwise boring exterior of our house a little cheery-er:

It's quaint, but it just screams dull to me. However, I am scared to take this on. I'm not usually scared of paint OR color, and it's not like I'll be painting it bright orange or anything, but I'm scared it won't look the way I think it will. The hubs said I could do it if I wanted to, but I don't think he's 100% sold on the idea either. Here's where you come in. I've been daydreaming for awhile and looking up grand examples of beautifully painted brick to back up my rationale so I'd like you daydream with for a moment...

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Okay, seriously? I'm sure it looked amazing without the paint, but I love this painted brick!

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This is a little closer to what I mean. I was thinking about doing a light tan color, but this picture makes me wanna go even lighter.

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I also love this one. This house, along with a house I pass on the way to work everyday just like this, makes me wanna paint it a darker gray.

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Look at this AMAZING transformation from painting brick! Gorgeous! If only paint would make my house look like that!

Perhaps this would be an easier decision if I didn't have the siding and it was all brick. I wish I had a photoshop program that would let me play around with the colors on the photo and see what it would look like (if you know how to do that and want to humor me, that'd be awesome!)

So, I need your vote:

Choice 1: Don't paint the brick. Leave it alone.

Choice 2: Paint the brick a lighter tone, perhaps and creamy color.

Choice 3: Paint the brick a darker tone, like a gray or brown.

By the way, my door is now painted red I just don't have a picture of it. I'm excited to hear what you think!

Sunday's Getting to Know You

Ahhh...my favorite. Talking about myself and sharing random bits of information to strangers who probably couldn't care less! LOL Just kidding, this is fun. And I always love reading your answers too!

The questions..

1. If a person has a booger in their nose. and you can see it, do you tell them?
Depends on the person. If it's someone I know well, I will probably tell them. I would want them to tell me!

2. What are you passionate about?
Singing, being a mom, and I never thought I'd say this....but staying fit. Exercise has become a drug for me, and I love that it makes me feel great!

3. How long have you been blogging?
On this blog, about a year and a half. But I've been blogging long before, in different forums (i.e. Myspace, Xanga)

4. What is your favorite "summer" drink?
Love me some sweet tea. And of course, the perfect summer drink: The SLURPEE. =]

5. What is your favorite type of music?
I used to answer with Top 40, but I'm getting old and kids these days! Oi! I like a little bit of pop, little bit of country, R&B, Gospel, Oldies, basically.....anything I can sing along to, I like.

6. Something I do before I go to bed is......?
Set the alarm, then check on my babies and make sure they're comfy and covered. Love watching them sleep, so precious!


7. My Summer vacation plans are...?
My summer vacation will make up of paid-for gigs to travel and lead worship, cause we afford much else. I DO plan on enjoying the pool at the gym and trying the water park in our area this summer, though. I also just love chillin' in my back yard catchin' rays while my kids play on the slip N slide and sprinkler.

8. My favorite must have, can't live without, beauty product is?
I'm not one to stick with one beauty product normally, I like to try new things. I can't live without mascara, and I usually stick with Great Lash Mascara by Maybelline. I also love Oil of Olay Beauty Fluid lotion!


What about you?!?

The Dude turns 3!!!

I'm finally getting off the crazy Roller Coaster that was May 2010. Enjoying a few days of break before starting my new job at LifeTime. I would love to tell you about my fantastic trip to Kentucky and King's Island over Memorial Weekend, but there's something more important on the agenda:

3 years ago today, about this hour exactly, I was sitting in triage at the hospital about to have a baby....3 days past due. The docs let me go past my due date, even though I had gestational diabetes, because I desperately wanted to have a natural labor (which I've yet to experience). Instead, my stubborn little redhead had to be taken via C-section, by appointment. So, the nurses called me in the room, and I sat on the edge of the table, literally rocking back and forth with anxiety. I stood as still as possible while they gave me an epidural shot in my spine and laid down to wait.

I found this post from my old Xanga blog from after Caleb was born and I wanted to share:

"Let me tell you about this new little amazing man in my life...

Because my second pregnancy was unplanned, and not nearly as pleasant physically as my last one, I felt like I held a bit of animosity towards the whole idea of having two kids. I was really just worried about how to handle it. When I found out we were having a boy, I worried because I was like "what the heck do I do with a boy?!?" I was afraid that I wouldn't feel the same connection to Caleb as I did to Faith when she was born. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Caleb has completely stolen my heart. He's such an amazing little guy and every time I look at him, I melt. I remember laying on the table for my C-Section, feeling the doctors pull him out, and i was overcome with emotion that I didn't expect. I didn't think I would cry, but I did. All that anxiety left and was replaced with an overwhelming appreciation for the miracle of life. When I heard his cry for the first time, I just couldn't believe that I could ever feel anything but love. He's an angel and he's all mine. My little guy. I am so lucky.

No woman will ever be good enough..."

3 years ago today, my life changed forever. A phrase I've coined about my little man: "God knew what He was doing when He gave me Caleb." I love you, sweet baby boy - you are my joy!

I will leave you with a few pictures from the last few weeks, taken with my phone since my camera is still on the fritz! 

Getting ready to ride a roller coaster @ King's Island

Caleb with his cousin, Braiden and best buddy for our whole trip! (Note the vintage Dukes of Hazzard shirt that was his daddy's when he was a kid...awesome!)

Love this kid!!!!

Celebrating his birthday at Preschool last week. We made cookies, and he wore his paper crown ALL day - never took it off! He sweat right through it playing outside for gym! hehe