Just a Crafting!

I have been so inspired by my friends and the other bloggers out there. There are so many inspirations and ideas that I would love to attempt that I have actually started a spiral that is broken down by categories so I an look up the sites when I am ready to tackle a project. I am horrible at writing tutorials! If you only knew how many attempts I have tried to share an craft idea you would laugh out loud! I just get to focused and excited when I am crafting that I forget to take pictures or my explanation is so horrible I just throw up my hands- Ha! So, I will just show you some things that have been going on in my home.

The above pictures are some purse size calenders I made for birthday gifts and my secret prayer sister at church.

I now have a craft closet thanks to my adorable husband and my Dad. I will share pictures of that at another time. However, here is the lamp shade I made to go on my table. Seriously, just a lamp shade can liven up a place!

Here is my magnetic clipboard and magnets I made for the fridge! I am always looking for a glamorous (Ha! Ha!) way to show off my boys art work and the grocery list- This will do for me now! Such an easy project with a feel good feeling in about an hour!

I have been a busy bee making curtains for the house. It has been almost two years since the move and I am just know working on curtains! However, to me a home is FOREVER a work in progress. Move...shift...reuse...you get the picture!

Here is my embellished sewing box...I love the colors!

Here is a glance at the curtain I made for the craft closet. If you add this curtain with the lamp and then with the sewing box you are able to get the color scheme I am going with!

VERY GIRLY!

Here is my kitchen window homemade treatment!

These curtains are my favorite so far...I completed them in about an hour.

Can you tell that I am all about a project that can be done in an hour!!!!!

I am one of those girls that always feels good when I am decorating the house or crafting. I just feel I always need about three things in the works...I know ALL THREE of my boys should count for this-Hee! Hee! But, decorating and crafting make me feel good about who I am and the abilities God gave me to make my house a HOME.

Oh...no children were starved during these projects. I have been staying up late after the boys are a sleep...

and what is a TV?

What have you been crafting???

When do you craft?

Baby It's FREEZING Outside!

What do you do when the temperature has not gone above 27 degrees outside?

You have a day long fire.

Which you eat every meal in front of...

and you camp in front of...

And you rest in front of!

Brrrr.
Baby, it is freezing outside!

Ch*na Fun!

Just in case it slipped your mind today is the Ch*nese New Year!

I'm always looking for a reason to celebrate and fun ways to teach the boys about this amazing world around us. With that said, today we are learning a bit about Ch*na. We have made fun dragon masks...

I have made a special fortune cookie out of paper and written a special fortune for everybody to read tonight at supper. I just love these take-out boxes!

The table has been set in red with things I already had and a little added punch with the chop sticks and take out boxes.


We made lanterns and hungthem on the chandler.
The boys enjoyed this activity
(anything they can use their scissors with is a plus for them)...very simple!

The K-man and Little Bit both added some special touches to the table...

Grrrr!

AND for the real fun...supper tonight on our festive table!
It is not fancy, but oh..so easy!
More take-out boxes seal the deal for tonight~

I have also printed some fun facts about Ch*na we will talk about tonight along with a couple of games (example: guess what animal month you were born on by characteristics of the animal). I have borrowed a ball globe (none breakable) for the boys to get an idea of where Ch*na is in relation to us.



I love learning stuff with the boys and watching their eyes get big with excitement as light bulbs go off in their heads! It doesn't take anything to make a big impression. An $11 meal with $5 spent on decor for the table (an using things you already have) you can make a night a learning adventure!


It's still early in the day so check out this site and have some simple fun tonight~

What kind of day are you having?

I hope...
your having...

a Mr. Potato Head Day!

(ie. a happy day!)

Little Bit is such a HAM!

I love to listen in on his imaginary adventures-

This morning one of his Mr. Potato Heads was asking for, "Help...Help!"

Special Delivery

The Fe*Ex (ie. "king cake truck"- another story) came today and

sent our family into a whirlwind of excitement.
It delivered these three boxes.
Can you guess what's in them???
Clue: It will bring much fun and laughter, but also a bit of worry...

Two Words: Christy and Wally World

I'm not sure what I was doing when the TV series Christy was being aired, but I have totally fallen for the series! I am a bit weak for any type of series either TV, move, or book. I always seem to get wrapped up in the characters' lives. Well, I watched the final episode of Christy and it broke my heart...it just leaves you hanging!!! There has to be some rule against good clean romance just living you hanging. Ohhh...In my heart Christy chose Neil, but it just leaves you...heart throbbing! This is a wonderful series with wisdom, romance, and laughter. It's a must watch! Oh-the book series was good too!

Now, Wally World! I really think every time I go there for groceries I leave some of my sanity there! At one point this morning I looked over and Little Bit was laying in the floor making snow angles! Yes, snow angles! Then, as the freezing wind was blowing me over as I loaded the 1,000 bags into the car and the boys continued picking on each other another car just sat there the whole time! Yes, while I loaded my boys...then the 1,000 bags...then while I took the basket to it's little spot (Did I mention the 40 mile an hour cold wind!)! What in the World!!! There are 2,000 parking spots in the parking lot...I don't need someone watching me loose my sanity! It wasn't even a front row spot! GRRRR.


Two words Christy and Wally World!

Loving Good Mail!

I have been racing my boys to the mailbox because of the good mail that I have found in there lately!

My COLLEGE ROOMMATE, Sweet Ellen, who I haven't talked to in...FOREVER...totally surprised me with a box of goodies! She actually read my blog and sent me things that she knew would bring me joy (including an apron!)! Ellen, I know you are out there...Thank you girl! You are such a thoughtful person- you haven't changed a bit~

Kim, who is completely and totally thoughtful sent me this calendar to keep all my social events in line. Really, I am a very busy little lady...Hee Hee! Thank you Kim, I love it!

While my goal was to be a better good mailer...I have been blessed with some of my own. I am inspired to go buy some stamps! Thanks girls!

So Sad!

I have been working so hard to stay on top of things (Well, things that I want to stay on top of...). I often have the tendency to let Valentine's Day sneak up on me because of the craziness Christmas brings, so this year I'm working to not let it happen again and actually to get in to the holiday a bit more.

With that said...I had planned Valentines and goodies for the boys' school friends and teachers, church friends, family, etc. Then, as the boys and I were cruising the store looking for the things on my Valentine's to-do list the K-Man spotted THESE BOOGERS!

I call them BOOGERS because they have totally interrupted my wonderful, terrific, so special plan for Valentines! If you don't know what they are, they are Transformers. I really didn't know what they were either until a bit before Christmas. However, they have absolutely turned my sweet little boy into a sweet bigger boy (hear the sobs!)...Ok, back o the story.

So, K-man shouts, "I want THESE valentines for my friends!!" (Me) GASP! "Oh, K. don't you want me to stamp...you could color...I could add...we could...it would be so cute..."
Nope! He stuck with his bigger boys guns and we left with the booger transformer valentines
(sob!)

I am devastated! I want to do all the cute things for my boys! I want them to think cute is good! SIGH...My adorable husband reassures me K-Man will always be my little boy, but my heart aches just a bit. I think deep down my adorable husband is pumped with the idea of transformers finding their way into our home!

Oh...and Little Bit left with Mickey Mouse Valentines! I guess there will be no cute handmade Valentines this year...Bummer!

Manly Men

Yes, my adorable husband is an outdoor, hunting anything Manly Man! A couple of days ago he took the K-man for his first Manly Man deer hunting trip. While there were a few tears because of the early morning (K-man did get to nap a bit on the floor of the deer blind...) and the cold weather, I think the K-man has high hopes of becoming the Manly Man his Daddy is! What could make this bonding experience the best?...

How about an 8- Point BUCK!

For those who were not raised in a family of hunters (like me!)...I cropped out "Bambi's" face so you could tolerate the post. By the way...the K-man took the picture (That's my boy!).

The K-man was so excited to tell me the news about the deer. He talked so fast and so loud on the phone. To hear the play-by-play from a 4 year old is very entertaining!

Yep...here comes the next Manly Man in our home.

Ok, hopefully he will stay a Manly Boy for a while!

A WooHoo Moment!

I just had to share my Woo Hoo Moment! I just deleted over 900 e-mails from my inbox. I know...I know, how could I let it get that way? Well, I'm just not a good e-mailer...is that a word? I read e-mails and then I just hesitate on what to do...Delete? File in a Folder? Forward? Reply? So, I move on and they just sit there! Well, no more! They are all gone. What a free feeling!
I also just plain deleted an e-mail account that was just JUNK mail! Yes, Poof gone! WOO HOO! ...And not to brag, but I spent time organizing my desktop and I have started a binder of all my favorite websites, blogs, etc. Yes, all organized by topics. I am feeling mighty Focused!

Ok, now to the kitchen where I should have been focusing my time about 3 hours ago...oops!

Priorities 2009

With everyone talking about New Year goals and such I thought I would share what I have decided to call my Priorities for 2009. Now these should always be my priorities, but I have actually put them down to help me focus. I got the motivation and inspiration to do this from the blog like a warm cup of coffee .


1. God

I want have a personal relationship with Him. I want to fear the Lord. I want every decision I make to be based on this relationship. I want to have wisdom that only comes from the Father.

My commitment: Get up early each day to sit at His feet in Bible reading and prayer. Spend time memorizing the scriptures to focus myself for the day.

Verses of focus:

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; In the morning I lay my request before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5:3

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35

Also:
Proverbs 2:1-6; Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 111:10; James 1:5; Proverbs 31:30; Proverbs 31:26


2. Husband

I want to be a wife who brings glory to my husband. I want him to find peace and comfort in me. I want him to understand that I am his biggest fan. I want to bring joy to his life. I wnat to be his best friend.

My commitment: Make an effort to respond to him lovingly and intimately. Serve him and show him respect. Be patient and careful not to nag. Have date nights.

Verses of focus:

"A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands." Proverbs 14:1

"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:11-12

“Wives, submit to your husband as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.” Ephesians 5:22-23


3. Children

My goal is to train my children in the Lord. I desire for them to love God’s Word and for His words to be on their hearts. I want to have “play” time with them when I’m not thinking of what needs to be done. I want them to see how importance their Daddy is to me. I want then to learn how to “be still” in this busy world we live in.

My commitment: Work hard at getting my home in order so that I can be freed up to spend time with them. Gain control of my time and schedule so that I have time to focus on teaching them stories from the Bible in fun ways. Talk lovingly about their Daddy all the time. Schedule quiet times during the day.


Verses of focus:

"These commands that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road. When you lie down and when you get up. Write them down and tie them on your hands as a sign. Tie them on your forehead to remind you and write them on your doors and gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-8

"Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

“Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

Proverbs 31:28


4. Home

I want a clean home - a home of comfort and peace. I want a place where my children feel security and warmth, my husband has a haven, and place where people can show up and make themselves at home. I don’t want to let perfectionism to get in the way or discourage me. I also desire not be overwhelmed by the tasks that need to be done.

My commitment: Work hard. Don’t allow distractions and overwhelmed feelings discourage me. Put my family before myself by taking care of the home God gave me.

Verses of focus:

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat bread of idleness.” Proverbs 31:27

"Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23

"Do everything without complaining or arguing." Philippians 2:14


5. Gifts

I want to use my gifts and talents that God has blessed me with me to strengthen my family, friends, church and to be a light to the world and those sweet souls around me.

My commitment: Use my gifts to encourage our small church family.

Verse of focus:

"As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10


6. Personal

I want to find time to enjoy my hobbies and just do whatever I love doing! I feel I will be able to enjoy this time more when everything else is in order.

My commitment: Take time for the things I enjoy!

Verses of focus:

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- is anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

While these are my priorities for everyday life I also felt the urge to pick a word or a group of words to focus my attention on each month to address aspects of my life...12 words to be exact! one for each month of the year!

January- Focus
February- Forgiveness
March- Quietness
April- Sacrifice
May-Nature
June-Family
July-Learning
August-Simplicity
September- Routine
October-Hospitality
November-Thankfulness
December- Joy

I will see where all this thinking gets me...It's nice to have a clear Focus, but I'm prepared to also roll with the punches!
What are you doing to jump start your New Year?