It's all a"boot" me

I spent the better part of last fall searching for a fabulous pair of boots. My faux Target special uggs from five years ago just weren't cutting it (though they did keep the rain off). I searched high and low for the perfect boot, it was not an easy task. And I had almost given up in the illustrious boot search when I made a quick trip to Portland. Have I mentioned I'm in love with that city yet? Oh, I feel another blog post coming on. I digress. I got to stay and reconnect with a fabulous fellow blogger, and good friend, Imaya in her lovely home. She introduced to me, and generously gave me a giftcard to DSW where I found a delightful pair of boots that were perfect for me. Perfect in that, I could stomp through puddles, lug kids to Target in, and not get wet. Perfect in that I could do said things while still looking somewhat stylish in. While on this fabulous trip to Portland, I also bought a Pashmina scarf that I fell head over heels in love with. It seriously makes me smile just putting it on.

I know it sounds really strange, but I can be having the WORST day. I can change the grossest diapers, endure the most temper tantrums, and run the most errands (kids in tow). And as long as I'm wearing my boots and my scarf I will still be smiling. Seriously I was wearing mom pants and a stained shirt today and I threw on my boots and my scarf and picked up Elijah from school feeling like a diva. What it is it about these items that brighten my day so much? I can't put a total finger on it, but I think it has to do with the fact that they are totally and completely all about ME. They go on my feet and on my neck and they are not used as toys, or cleaning devices. They are purely to make me look, and feel, better.

As moms, I think we forget this little part about ourselves. For me, it's not making time for myself that's the problem, it's physically buying things for myself. I think about the new shoes Tim needs for work, or the socks the boys need or that cute hair thing for Olivia that I am just dying to get her. But what about me? I always forget me. It isn't until someone forceably gives me something that is ONLY meant for me that I remember, oh yeah... I kinda like this and it makes me feel good.

A New Resolution

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!! What? It's January 19th? Well, just pretend with me. HAPPY NEW YEAR'S and welcome to the blog where I reveal my new year's resolutions. Now, I'm not one of those kind of people that gives myself unrealistic expectations about what my year will look like. Usually, I like to give myself goals that I can accomplish, things I can achieve, so I don't feel like a total failure come December 31st. But this year, I'm just not so sure it's as attainable and it's scaring and exciting me all at the same time.

I've hesitated revealing this secret in my life for a few months now, mostly because I don't want to sound pretentious and also because I knew if I kept it quiet there was still a possibility that if I quit I wouldn't look like a total idiot for doing so. But, alas, it's too late for going back now, I've intrigued you too much.

I have recently started writing a book. It's a book about my struggles with being a parent of a child with special needs and finding God in the midst of the hard stuff. I've already written several chapters and my New Year's Resolution this year is to finish writing my book. I won't go so far as to send it to a publisher, but I think making myself finish should be a sufficient enough challenge. Besides, i think it sounds kind of romantic to finish writing your first book by the time you're 30. Besides, who wants to read the book of a 20 something anyway right? Well if it's not, don't tell me because it's what I am saying to motivate myself.

So there it is, my deep dark secret is a secret no more. It's going to be a year of challenge, and development and what I hope to be the accomplishment of what has been a lifelong dream. Who knows, maybe I'll even let someone read it....someday.

Easy wall hanging using scrapbook paper

So I just moved into this new home and the first thing I realized was that I didn't have nearly enough decore to cover all the walls of this house. So I did what any frugal crafter would do, I hit up Pinterest to see what I could come up with. I stumbled upon this idea and loved it but... no tutorial. Boo. So I and ran with it: It was 9 12X12 wood blocks, painted and using scrapbook paper.The blog tutorial it came with seemed fairly straight forward. It started out telling you to go to Lowe's and buy some shelving wood. Right away this intimidated me, but I put my best foot forward and braved the lumber department. I ended up deciding on a 1ft X 12ft shelving board. And I had them cut it into 9 12X12 squares. I had 9 pieces that looked like this:

Then came the tricky part, picking the scrapbooking paper. I wanted to center the colors around our favorite painting: Red Jazz. But I also wanted to update our livingroom by adding different color palletes, so choosing the patterns, and colors and then picking 9 pages that all went together was much more challenging than I thought it would be.

When I got home, I went to work. I had some leftover paint from when I painted Noah's nursery and it happened to be a nice shade of espresso. So I painted all the sides of each one of the blocks. Because it's January (why do I always choose January to paint?) it took 24 hours to really dry.

Next came the modge podge. I spread it evenly on the board with a paintbrush and secured the page to fit just right. It took some maneuvering and redos at first, but after a while I got into a rhythm.Next I bought those little saw teeth to hang picture frames on and had my hubby secure them to the back of each square. (I don't have that much hair on my arms).One of the most difficult parts of this project was securing all the boards evenly and placing them in a pattern I liked. It took me several times and lots of relevling and straightening for me to get it to where I liked it. But the end product turned out better than I could have imagined and it brought in a lot of rich and vibrant colors into my livingroom pallete.
Price breakdown:

9 12X12 scrapbook pages: $9

1 1ft X 12ft shelving board: $18

2 containers of picture hanging teeth: $3

mod podge: on hand

espresso paint: on hand

Total Cost:

$30

The best part is that it covers a good portion of a once barren wall. One of my favorite pinterest challenges so far. Have a pinterest project to share? Email me, or comment on this blog, I'd LOVE to see it!

He is Faithful

Here's a short video testimony of God's faithfullness to us:

Warkykid Chatter: About God's House

This last Sunday, I got ready for church in the usual way. While I was getting ready, Elijah came up to me and I had one of the most fun conversations with him:


E: Mama, where are we going today?


Me: We're going to God's house Elijah.


E: (After much thought) But Mama, God's house is waaaay up high in de clouds...up in Kevin.


Me: Well yes, Elijah God does live in heaven, but I'm talking about going to God's house today.

E: But mama.... we don't have a balloon.


Me: No, we don't but we can get there without one.


E: How are we going to get there then Mama? By an airplane?


Me: No


E: Oooh I know... an elevator!


Me: No, we're going to get there by car.


E: Mama, cars can't fly!


Oh this kid!