Monday again...

The weekends always go way too fast.

Every Friday begins the discussion...

"what do you want to do this weekend?"

Actually, this starts about Wednesday if we're honest.

 

I always say "I don't care, we can do whatever" and then the weekend happens.

 

And these past few they've been spent at home.

And I couldn't be happier.

 

Friday night we rented a movie and had pizza. 

Easton LOVES Movie Night.

He crawled up on the love seat with me while I was crocheting, sitting at the foot of the couch.

I've been working on Emerson's blanket a row or two each night but Friday night I decided to just put it down and nestle him in with me.

Within about 5 minutes, his breathing slowed and his never still self, was suddenly still.

Little thing was out like a light.

That's what 2 days of no naps at school will get ya.

We stayed just like this till I snuck out from under him and carried him down to his bed.

I cherish moments like that.

 

Saturday morning we made Blueberry Muffins from scratch.

And we had an issue with the wire whisk.

My mixer bit the dust a few months ago so I've been using a wire whisk.

However, these muffins were SUPER THICK and we had a hard time whisking.

At one point, the handle came up and off a smidge, revealing rust.

I didn't think twice, I pushed the handle back down and continued whisking, noticing along the way that some of the rust had powdered down into the batter.  TINY bit.  Probably not even enough to worry about but after scooping all the muffins into the tin, covering them with the streusel topping, sliding them in the oven, it's all I could think about.

We're all going to die from rust!

These are the things I worry about folks.

 

We ate the muffins.  And we all lived to tell about it.

 

We sent Lance to his Fantasy Football Draft with 2 batches of no-bake cookies and we headed to the pool. 

 

We pretty much had the pool all to ourselves.

We got front row chairs by the frog pool.

That's pretty much like gold!

 

After the pool, we headed home for nap time.

I got a few more coats of paint on Emerson's bed and changing table while Easton napped.

 

Saturday night we had Turkey Bean Burritos for supper and a low key night at home.

I never thought I'd want to cook supper on the weekend, but it's just something about staying put.

I like to stay put these days.

I like to just be home.  No rushing. No getting ready.  No deciding where to go.

Just us.  Together.  At home.

 

Sunday was church, Bass Pro, Subway, Lowes then home for nap.

I finished the bed and changing table while Lance mowed the yard.

My mom came for a visit. 

Mothers are a treat y'all.
Whether they come baring gifts or not!

Cherish your mother!

She brought the boys their very own TERVIS cups and me a new mixer!

We're all on a TERVIS kick around here. 

I got one a few weeks back when the dr said I had low amniotic fluid and I needed more water...and it's been ON ever since! 

Seriously, I can put down 3-4, 24ounce cups of water a day and not think twice.

Get yourself a TERVIS!

 

Sunday night we had leftovers IN the Jon Boat.

Yes.  That's right.  Turkey Bean Burritos on our nice Fiesta plates in the Jon Boat.

We've reached a new level of red over here.

We finished the night off with s'mores by the fire.

Lance had been burning sticks all afternoon so we took advantage!

 

There were no fancy dinners.  No nights out on the town.  No dressing up (other than for church).

No get togethers with friends.  No trips to the Mall (Bass Pro doesn't count).

It was just simple, at home, togetherness.

 

I don't ever want to forget how slow we took these weekends.

How we just let them roll as they came.

I cherish this time with Lance and Easton.  SO MUCH.

I hope Easton grows up with strong family values and traditions and remembers how present his parents were.  And how much we love him.

 

Together.  What a wonderful place to be. 

 

Hope your weekend was FABULOUS! 

 

Linking up with Blair at Wild & Precious. 



Weekend Review

Whew.  What a weekend.  A full productive weekend!

 

Friday night started off with some time in the garage. 

Last weekend we hit the honey hole of barn wood and finally purchased the wood for our headboard in our Master. 

After cleaning it and letting it dry out this week, it was time to cut and lay it all out. 

Two strong personalities, with two very different ideas of HOW this should be done.

I'm pretty sure my way would have been better and more efficient, but he was the carpenter for the night, so I kept my mouth shut. Write it down.   

And, low and behold, there are more than 2 ways to skin a cat. 

 

 

Saturday morning we decided we were going to tackle the garage. 

My word.  How all of this stuff fit in our old house, I'll never know. 

Yes, we added a Jon Boat and a John Deere to the mix, but gracious me...this was an undertaking.  Good news is, we took a whole truck load of junk to the dump in the process! 

And by the end of the afternoon we had another truck load! 

We got started about noon and didn't stop till 6. 

Most everything has a spot now and I can possibly pull my truck in once we get the headboard moved from the garage floor to the bedroom wall! 

We finished off the night with dinner at Chillis. 

Chips & Salsa for era'body!

 

Sunday after church, we stopped at the grocery for weekly lunch supplies and headed home to spread it all out on the counter.  

One of my favorite memories as a child/teenager, was Sunday lunch. 

We'd stop at the store on the way home and get lunch fixin's and spread it all out on the bar at home and make lunch. 

I can still see the sunlight pouring in over the kitchen counter.

I can hear the Nascar race on in the background, hear the recliner as it was unfolded and rared back for a Sunday nap, taste the turkey sandwich, pringles and fudge round. 

It was nothing fancy, but it was sweet. 

Tradition. 

After lunch Easton played for a little bit while I got started on putting the groceries up and cleaning up the kitchen.

The house had been SO neglected over the weekend. 

Do you find that in the Summer your house goes to the wayside because you're outside so much?  I know mine does! 

Lance headed out to the lake to survey the Duck Blind and I laid Easton down for a nap and got to work. 

Chore after chore after chore was completed. 

Bathrooms cleaned, laundry hung up, corners decorated, counters cleared off of their clutter, crafts made, cake baked, floors swept, dishes put away, toys organized.

It was a really productive nap time.

 

 

 

Once Easton woke up, he played so sweetly inside, or out on the porch while I got supper ready.

Lance worked on the wood wall, nailing it up a plank at a time.

Easton would follow room to room with a handfull of random items just to be where we were.

He's our little shadow.  Never far away.

He played bubbles, he built a 'fence' with some of the barn wood, he did 'art' on the porch so he could let his glue dry.

Little thing was a JOY all afternoon long.

 

At one point he came running in to me saying he needed a bucket.

He said my flowers needed watering.

Little sweet boy. 

Please always be this sweet. 

Please always love your momma so good.

Please always idolize your daddy.

Please.  Please let that heart stay so pure and innocent.

 

After dinner we had our cake and finished off the night with Cars that Lance had recorded.

As I was tucking Easton in bed, he said "I had a fun day with you momma" in the sweetest sleepy voice I ever did hear. 

He then wanted to recount what we had done that day. 

And really, we didn't do much, other than be together. 

And that's what his little soul loves. 

Me too.

Us all together. 

My little sentimental boy.

 

As much as I love a productive weekend, and we did have that, those words are far more than any DIY or chore that needs to be done. 

 

{{Linking up today with Blair as we show:: Life Lately}}

 

 

 

Embrace the Camera:: Vacation Edition

Out of the 1600 pictures I have in my "Vacation 2013" folder, I am in about 75.  And, 27 of those, Easton is not smiling or cooperating, and 31 I took of us with my iphone.  Needless to say, I have a FABULOUS selection of Easton and Lance.  

 

Easton went through an 'all about daddy' phase while we were on vacation.  I'm pretty sure it had something to do with the fact that I was put on light restriction from my doctor to not lift and to take it easy.  It doesn't take them long to realize who's picking them up and who's not.  Despite that little hiccup, I did manage to get in a few that were pretty special and that I'll cherish forever! 

 

 So, here are a few of my favorites from our vacation!

 

These 2 beach bums.  I love them so very much.

Dog Races:: A tradition that started way back, before Easton.

I always want to remember this picture.  We'd had a rough start to the morning.  Lance had run to Wal-Mart to get some more groceries and a few more beach items and Easton was having a hard time listening and obeying.  I sat him down with me and explained to him that just because I couldn't pick him up didn't mean that I didn't love him or didn't want to love on him.  I told him I could sit and hold with him any time he wanted me too.  I told him if he was feeling like he needed me to do that then say 'Mommy, stop what you're doing and love on me.'  That did the trick.  He then realized that I'd stop anything I was doing to fill his little love tank.  This worked like a charm.

 

Even once we got home, Monday morning, we were getting ready for school.  He was having a slow morning, having a hard time getting going.  He was rubbing his head against my thigh and he finally said 'Mommy!  Stop what you're doing and love on me!'  I did just that.  We sat right down in the bathroom floor and had a few minutes together and he was all good, ready to go. 

 

Little thing is such a lover.  I'm so thankful for his loving personality.  The way he needs to show and feel affection.  Such a tender soul.  He has been from birth.  I'm glad it's still carrying on.

 

Thankfully the restrictions have been lifted and my doctor said just 'listen to your body' as far as lifting and carrying goes.

 

I'm so thankful for this vacation and the sweet sweet time we had together.

I will cherish this trip, the last trip to the beach just the 3 of us, forever.

 

Big Boy Bed

 

We now have one week of Big Boy Bed under our belts!

I found this bed for Easton on Craigslist a few months back.

I decided to paint and distress it rather than leaving it the natural wood.

 

Please pardon the mess of a garage.

The process is really quite simple.

I sanded down the original finish off of the bed.

I applied 2 coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey.

I distressed the corners and some of the raised pieces of wood.

And sealed it with a clear coat of wax.

 

Our first attempt to put the bed together FAILED when the wood rails that came with the bed broke.

 

Last Monday on a whim we got the new bed put together and set up.

Easton was amped up with excitement.

Come bedtime he was singing a different tune though.

I laid down with him and we talked about what a big boy he was.

How proud we were of him.

That his new sister would need his baby bed for a little while.

That mommy had painted it and daddy had put it all together.

That we'd get some new fun stuff for his room very soon.

 

He told me a few times he wanted his baby bed.

He didn't like this big bed.

He wanted me to put his other bed back together.

 

But, we talked a little more, I said his prayers, I laid with him a minute and I kissed him goodnight.

I never heard a peep from him after that.

He slept like a log and we woke him up Tuesday morning with praise and kisses!

{first night in the big boy bed}

 

Each night has gotten better.

Some nights we read books.

Some nights I lay in there a minute before prayers.

Some nights Lance and I both lay with him.

Some nights we go upstairs first then I just tuck him in and say his prayers.

All of these ways and he's done just fine.

{temporary covers & pillows- not that he cares!}

 

Sunday I went in to check on him during his nap and he was cacooned in his sheet.

Cozy as can be in his new bed.

I did get a new quilt & sham set for him last week.

Kelly Green & Navy are the colors for his new room.

 

We have some furniture moving around to do. Hanging up a water color cow print, a pallet with the US map painted on it, deer skulls (YES! I DID!!) and curtains, but once it's all put together, I'll post some pix.  It's super cute in my head.  I hope it turns out as cute!

 

I'm calling it "Farm Chic" as was my inspiration on Pinterest!

 

I can't wait to have it finished!

 

Happy Monday!

Hope you're having a fabulous week!

 

 

 

Kids Shorts- Momma Made It!

We're back from vacation, rested and tanned.

The laundry is ALMOST DONE and the beach toys are put up.

Until I can get to the 1400 pictures on my camera I thought I'd show off these little shorts I made for Easton before we left for the beach.

 

I purchased the Kids Shorts Pattern from MADE the day it went on sale but had yet to bust it out.

I went through my fabric stash and found a yard of nautical fabric from Hawthorne Threads.

I already had elastic on hand and thread too of course.

I had printed my pattern and cut it out just as instructed in the tutorial.

After cutting my fabric, I got to sewing and within an hour & a half (at most), Easton had a new pair of shorts.

 

I almost woke him up to try them on but I decided against it.

 

The next morning I tried them on him and they fit him perfectly!

 

I used the size 3 pattern, even though his normal shorts are more of a 2T. 

This size 3 takes out some room in the tush for potty trained kiddos and I knew he didn't need that excess back there, so I went with the 3. 

They worked like a charm!

 

He approves, don't you think???



If you've never been to Dana's site, you MUST go check her out!

She has lots of free tutorials as well as patterns for sale.

Dana oozes creativity!

She's one of my favorite DIY, sewing blogs! 

 

I have used several of Dana's patterns and have never had any difficulty.

{{I consider myself a beginner sewer}}

I have made the Beach Robe, the Summer Vacation Dress, and the Kids Pants. 

Her patterns and tutorials are easy to read and loaded with pictures.

For visual people like myself, I love the picture aspect of her tutorials & patterns.

 

I can't wait to get some more boy fabric and sew Easton some more shorts!

 

Hope on over to see Dana!

Buy a pattern while you're there!

 

It's a....

 

 

To say I am shocked would be an understatment.

I think I've felt all along that it was a girl, but never really accepted it.

I am carrying so similar to Easton.  Low and out front.  No real symptoms at all.

Her heart rate has remained consistent of what Easton's measured.

So I guess all the wives tales are really just that...tales.

 

But.  It's a girl!

 

As I lay there on the bed, Lance sitting at the foot of the bed and Easton standing on a step stool watching the ultrasound tech's every move, I was certain she would say it was a boy.

 

She started with the head and worked towards the feet, saving the NEWS for last.

 

At first glance at our baby, Lance said 'that's a little girl head'.

 

We continue down through the anatomy and sure enough, he was right.

She couldn't get a good picture for 'proof' but it was indeed a girl.

 

Lance was all smiles.

 

It took some time for it to soak in with Easton.

He looked at me, eye to eye when I told him that she just said it was a sister and said

"no, I wanted a brother."

We'd called her Levi for weeks now...yet suddenly, she wasn't a Levi afterall.

The tears ran down my face quicker than I could help.

I had visions of 2 little shaved heads riding around in the Gator, playing baseball, fishing.

 

But HE had better plans for our family.

 

Now, one of each.

A BOY AND a GIRL!

A little sister for Easton to look after.  To take care of.  To protect.

I always wanted a big brother my whole life, and now this little girl will have what I always wanted.

And he's gonna do a fabulous job at being her big brother.

 

I can't wait to see what these next few weeks hold for us.

Picking her name.

Deciding on nursery decor.

Letting it sink in that I can finally shop from the cute girl section at Target.

 

Stats for the memory book:

My BP: 102/66

Her heart rate: 148

 

There were a few things they wanted to monitor, but all things that they expect to correct themselves or show differently on the next ultrasound.  So, in 2 weeks, we'll see her again.

Hoping for a sweet little profile picture to see who she looks like!

 

Vacation is just around the corner!

So much excitement going on over here!

 

 

 

 

 

 



July 4th Celebration!!!

If we were ever closer to needing to build an ark, I don't think I remeber a time. 

 

It has rained for days! 

I so wanted a long SUNNY Holiday Weekend but we didn't get that! 

 

We had a fun celebration with the Mitchell/Landers side of the family despite the rain!   

Shirt made by me.  Tutorial here or here. 

Alex manned the grill all afternoon IN THE RAIN.

Their house is PERFECT for entertaining!

It should be in magazines!

Here's most of the gang.

This is obviously my mom's side of the family minus a few.

And.  My boys!  LOVE those two!

 

...and a little late night firework action of our own at home.

Our neighbors all around shot fireworks for about a week.

Next year, we'll save our money and just watch their show!

They had some huge fireworks!

 

 

Hope you all had a fabulous 4th!