Recent finds

I have been busy coming up with some fun and frugal ideas for the home by reading many a blog lately. I get much inspiration from so many crafty women. I am always on the lookout for a bargain so here are some of my finds.

I found this star plaque for 4$ and the chalkboard for $5 at the goodwill. Neither would work as is, but with a little spray paint and tlc, they are a great addition to the girls' room.

after... both a pretty shade of ballet pink.
I would really love to paint the girls' room, but I have a hard time justifying the expense since we live in a rental house. Of course paint is not very expensive...


This is a cupboard I found for free outside of an antique shop. Yes, it was in a pile of trash. I asked the owner if I could take it and she said go for it. It only had one door, was very dirty, and came complete with a wasp nest. I took off the door, cleaned it up, and sanded it down. It still needs to be painted, probably a pretty blue, but for now, the ultra shabby look is going to remain. Jaron said it was a piece of junk and ridiculed me for bringing it home, but I told him he could not complain because it was free.
It has character. I think it is great.

These are two of my absolute favorites. I got the antique breakfront a few months ago and adore it. It houses my beautiful books and every time I see it I love it more. I got in on Craigslist and though it was not free, I think it was a fantastic find.
I also found the chair on craigslist for $25 about a year ago. It came with a slipcover, but it is not my taste and I have resorted to covering it with a sheet. My goal is to make a new slipcover for it this summer. I need at least 5 yards of fabric if I just recover the cushions. I probably need 8-10 yards if I take on the whole thing. I will probably stick with just the cushions as the outer part of the chair is a beautiful cream. I now just need to find a shabby print that I love...oh and that also does not cost an arm and a leg.

I found this console table and mirror not too long after we moved in this place almost 3 years ago. I think I paid $35 for both. Great deal. Anyways - I always thought I would paint them but they sat for so long just yearning to be brought back to life. I finally painted the table last week with a cream colored paint that was given to us. I cannot decide if I should paint the mirror the same cream or a different color. For now, it hangs unfinished calling out to me each time I pass it.

I am in the market for a king headboard and a dresser for our room. I am going to try and find both for free if I can, knowing that paint can work wonders. Have one you want to give me? I love the dresser below and the two headboards. Hopefully something similar will find me soon.

This next week I will be working on an idea for the wall behind our dining room table. I bought my supplies, it cost me a whopping 8$ and hopefully it will turn out as I envision it. Pics to come when it is complete. :)

Smells to love

I went to kiss the girls good night yesterday and was just thinking about how much I love the smell of their hair after a bath. I then started thinking about all the smells I love...and a few that I do not, but I won't post those here.

The smell outside after it rains
sand and saltwater mixed with coconut sunscreen
gardenia flowers, thanks mom for sending me home with 2!
apple cider simmering on the stove
a crackling fire inside the house or outside while camping
coffee brewing
cookies baking in the oven

Thank goodness for some wonderful scents to fill the air!

Love this...

If you know me, you know that I love shabby chic and vintage items. I feel that I have become a bit obsessed lately. Jaron will tell you I have resorted to bringing home junky things that I find for free and also sending him out to fetch things I find for free on craigslist. I just really feel that I have found my style and I want that to be reflected in my home. I think it is so easy to bring something back to life. If something has good bones or lines, it is easy to remedy by adding some elbow grease and paint.
I have also really felt super creative lately and want to be sewing all the time. I really need a weekend to myself so I can work on something for more than 5 minutes before breaking up a fight, grabbing a snack, or comforting a crying child.
I came across this blog yesterday while searching the internet for new ideas. I love her style and she is super creative while also being frugal which is what I hope to be. I do not have much money to spend on things!
Avery is heading off to spend the night with Grams and Papa today so hopefully Riley will take a nice long nap so I can have some time in my sewing room!

I can't stop taking pictures!

Wouldn't you agree?

Avery has been obsessed lately wih taking videos on her camera. This is a pic of her wandering up and down the sidewalk capturing everything happening in the neighborhood.

Since Avery is heading off to Grams and Papa's house tomorrow for an overnight visit, we had to make our famous homemade doggie treats for Phoebe and Star.

The tinier ballerina

Ballet Class

Avery has really come to LOVE her ballet class. She gets really excited for it every Thursday. She has one more class next week, which I will get to sit and watch. Usually, Riley and I have to wait out in the lobby area but for her final class they will be performing for us. I will definitely be taking lots of pics then, but today I wanted some shots of her in the class by herself. She was semi-cooperative. We also took some shots outside before heading home. I am borrowing my parents' camera, which is super nice, and the quality is so much better than the little one we have so they may not get this one back! :)

This is Riley's smile when she says cheese.

The stinky girl would never look at the camera! After a few minutes of trying to get her to smile, she had a meltdown.

My beauty, Avery.

art and sewing combined

I have been wanting some artwork for the girls room, but everything I like is too expensive. I decided to try making something myself and I am pretty pleased with how they turned out. I painted 3 canvases and then used scrap fabric to create the butterfly, owl, and bird. I appliqued some of the pieces and used a zig-zag stitch for decoration. I also did some embroidery as well. I then took spray adhesive to attach them to the canvas and added chipboard letters to the top. I think they make a cute set and I may try my hand at creating some more now that I have learned a few things while making these.

A post for my mom

My parents are in Africa and are demanding some updated pics of the girls. Here are some from this last week.

Avery saw a pic of grandma balancing a bucket on her head while in Africa. Avery decided she had to try something similar.

Please Pray

This story of Liam was sent to us by Jaron's mom. She works with Liam's Dad in Colorado Springs. Liam is 16 months old and is fighting for his life as he was recently diagnosed with HLH. He is suffering through chemo and is waiting for a bone marrow transplant. You can view his website here:
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/LiamsLighthouse

I continue to hear so many stories of families in need of miracles. I know Jesus is the ultimate healer and He continues to work miracles today, but more importantly He is a comforter, protector, and cares deeply for his creation. Pray specifically for Liam and his family to feel the love and comfort of Jesus through hospital staff, family, and friends.

MRI results

Riley's MRI looks good. There was a little residual dye in the area of the resection, but that is to be expected in the healing process. There was no sign of tumor growth so that really is the best we can hope for. Her next scan will be in August.

FYI, May is brain tumor awareness month. I have actively been searching out stories of children, especially ones with a similar story as Riley to pray for this month. Join me! This is one story in particular that has touched my heart as her diagnosis story is very similar to Riley's. Every time I read it, I get chills because I feel as if I could have written the same thing. She was diagnosed with the exact same type of tumor but unfortunately her tumor is inopperable and she has had to endure chemotherapy. Here is a link to her story:

http://www.teamhailey.org/mystory.php

An old friend

Last night I cried my eyes out as we watched Marley and Me. I could not stop! I do not know why I was so incredibly emotional. It really is a good portrayal of how the kids win out over your treasured and beloved dog once they come along, but it was also such a good reminder of how faithful our old friend is. Roger has been with us for 9 years. We adopted him when he was 8 months old. He has been the best dog and last night I was reminded of how important he is in our family. I just wanted to cuddle up next to him and shower him with attention. He definitely does not get as much attention now as he used to, but we still adore him.

Beauty

On Saturday, my beautiful friend got married. Jaron and I flew down to Calabasas in the morning and then returned home on Sunday afternoon. Sarah and I met our first year at Biola and were instant friends. She is unique in the best sense of the word. As we arrived I saw Sarah in all of the details of the wedding. From the bumpy desolate road we traveled on to get to the open space preserve, the burlap squares across the tables adorned with a tub of old fashioned sodas, the empty brown bottles hanging with gorgeous orange flowers all around, big paper lanterns and tea lights illuminating the space, to many other small details she and others carefully planned out. When I saw Sarah (before the wedding) we just cried as we hugged. I don't know why I had this reaction, but I think it was a culmination of so many things...a celebration of 13 years of friendship, her amazing beauty in a dress that was obviously created just for her, excitement that we were now going to share marriage as another thing in common, but mainly I think it was pure happiness to be in that beautiful place sharing this perfect day with a woman I have treasured for many years.