More Fun Bedroom Finds

I found this sign at a resale store for $15.00.  I debated about  getting it...because I wasn't sure Brady would like it.  He's kind of funny about things that look worn down or beaten up.  I thought it might look fun on one area of his wall that was in need of a little something.   I'm so glad I decided to get it.  I love how it looks in his room.

Eric and I found this nightstand at Goodwill for $6.97.  We were looking for a nightstand...but it's wasn't really the style we were looking for.  But, it was too good of a deal to pass up, so we decided to buy it and see how it looked in the room.  Once we cleaned it up and put it in the room, we knew it was meant to be!  It matches his dresser perfectly and also the wood trim in the room.  It's the perfect height too!  We changed the handle on it with

something we already had out in the garage...added a basket, and there you have it! 



I cannot wait to show you!  I'm waiting for a little something I ordered from Etsy to come in the mail...and then I will be ready to take pictures.  Brady did not want to see his run until it was totally finished.  But,  Saturday evening we really wanted to get his bed set up so we could center the pictures on the wall behind it.  When we had it all set up, we took Brady in to see his new room. 
I was really nervous...hoping that he wasn't expecting something greater than it actually was.  He LOVED it!!  He has spent so much time the last few days in his room and he can't stop talking about it.

Stay tuned!

O'er The Fields We Go...Laughing All The Way!

We went to get our Christmas tree on Sunday.

We went to the same place we went to last year.

It's such a cute place.  You can take a little train out to where

the trees are and get dropped off.



No hats or gloves needed...it was sunny and 55 degrees!

I can't ever remember going to get a tree before when it wasn't freezing!



We searched and searched for a tree...but couldn't fine one.

Most of the trees were pretty dry looking and either to big or

mishaped.

Brady was ready to cut down any old tree...he didn't care he just

wanted one.  I think it was more about using that darn saw.

After looking around and getting some hot chocolate, we decided

to see if we could find another place that had better trees.

We found a place not too far from where we were that sold trees

that were already cut.  We ended up getting one there...and I have

to say, that it might be one of my favorite trees ever!  It's tall

and thin and has such a pretty color...it almost doesn't look real!

This was pretty funny- if you sang a Christmas song, you got $4.00

off the cost of your tree.  So, we told Brady he needed to sing Jingle

Bells with us.  He refused....but Eric and I sang the entire song as loud as we could!  Four bucks is four bucks!

I know every year after Christmas when we are taking our tree

to the curb I always say we should get an artificial one.

However, going to pick out our Christmas tree has always been one

of my favorite days of the year!

A Special Birthday



These are just a few words that describe my sister...



My sister turns 21 today.  She's exactly half my age!  I was a junior in college when she was born...and what a suprise!  She's such a happy part of our family.  She loves everyone and is definitely the peacemaker in the family.  I feel like I have missed out on much of her life because we live so far apart.  I mean, usually you "grow up" with your siblings...but I was already grown and out of the house when she came along.  But, even though there's a huge age gap and distance between us, we are still close.  I can pick up the phone and call her at anytime...and she is always there.  We always find things to talk about...maybe because she's always been so mature.   What really touches my heart though about my sister, is the relationship she has with my son.  They have always had a special connection.  It amazes me, because they usually only see each other a couple times a year.  But it doesn't matter....they pick right up where they left off.  They even have a special song that's "theirs."   Brady's not a big phone talker...except for when he's on the phone with Aunt Laura!    We're all so proud of the young woman she is!

We love you!

 

A Few Finds

Today, Eric and I met at Subway for lunch, and then headed across the street to check out

a re-uzit shop.  We're almost done with Brady's room...but we still need a few things.  It's not coming

along as smoothly as I hoped.  This decorating thing is sure hard for me.  I would so much prefer

Nate Berkus to come over and do it for me.  He makes it look so easy...and the room would be

awesome!  Anyway, back to the real world.  Here's what we found at the re-uzit shop....



tennis raquet- $2.00

metal basket- $5.00

wall mirror- $19.00

I was pretty excited about the mirror.  I've been looking and

pricing them for a couple of weeks now and the cheapest I could

find for a mirror this size without a frame was $40.00.  It only

took Eric about ten minutes this evening to remove the wooden

frame for me.  I'm hoping to finish a little project with that mirror

tomorrow.  We still need to find some sort of nightstand.  I have a

couple of used furniture stores in mind to check out...hopefully

Brady can be sleeping in his room sometime in the next few days!

Happy Christmas Season everyone!

And remember, presence is more important than presents.

What I Learned This Thanksgiving



  I did a bit of complaining this year over our Thanksgiving.  I thought it was going to be my year to host for the first time ever...but, no.  It could have been, but I didn't want to disappoint my in-laws....so we had it at the "clubhouse" in the new community they moved into last spring.  We ate in a big room with old people we didn't know.  Brady and his cousins sat at a different table from us with Grandma and Grandpa.  When it was our turn to go through the line to get dinner, the mash potatoes were gone...the thing Brady was looking forward to the most.   Later, Grandma had a hard time relaxing after dinner because the kids were noisy, so we left.  And, I didn't get one picture.  So, I complained to Eric much of the day about Thanksgiving not being so great.  It didn't feel all warm and cozy...sitting around laughing and talking and making memories.   My mom reminded me that my time will come one day to have Thanksgiving at my house...the way I imagine it to be. My expectations are often so high for these family times...that when things don't go perfectly, I am left feeling so disappointed.   After all of my boo-hooing, I realized that Thanksgiving isn't really about whose house we eat at or what food is being served.    Thanksgiving is about the gratitude we have for our blessings each and every day of the year.  I plan to remember this next year on Thanksgiving no matter what the situation.  I have so much to be thankful for.

I Prefer Weekends

I'm not feeling so hot today.  I've had a head cold for a few days now...and I just want to lay on the couch with my quilt and not do anything.  But, since that's not really what us moms do when we're sick....I went to the grocery store.  Thankfully I didn't see anyone I know, because I look pretty scary!  Not feeling well sure makes me appreciate my health and the days I do feel good.



Saturday night we partied with friends in this cozy cabin.  It was our friend April's 41st birthday.  Last year when April turned 40, she was in bed all day sick from chemo.  So, this year, her husband Keith planned a suprise party for her at this cabin that belongs to his great uncle.



I wish I would have taken more pictures...but I was busy having fun!



April is now cancer free and doing wonderfully.  She has been such an inspiration to all who know her. 

Happy Birthday April!

These four guys have been best friends since middle school.  I think it's pretty neat that they're still so close after all these years.   Thankfully all the wives get along too...not that we have a choice in the matter!  So many good times shared with this group. 



Here's the gang in our younger days!





Eric's parents watched Brady Saturday evening for us.  I always feel like I need to make them something to show my appreciation.  I made mint chocolate chip cookies using Andes Chocolate Mints. 

They were good....but I honestly didn't enjoy the green color.  I think I would leave out the food coloring next time!  Here's the recipe if you're interested:

1 bag sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter

1/2 tsp. mint extract

7 drops green food coloring :(

1 egg

1 cup Andes Mints

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix together and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.



Pumpkin Fudge

I know I posted this recipe last year...but it's so simple to make and so good...I think we will give it to Brady's teacher and bus driver again this year for Thanksgiving.  I'd really like to make these cuties again...but 3rd grade might be pushing it a bit!