Entry-way Organization

Before

I feel like I have reorganized this daggum garage a million times. But Dave's Dad just tore down his old fence, so we used the fence posts to make a beautiful entryway locker for each of us the keep our shoes, coats, and bags. I love it! It only cost $45 for a few extra pieces of lumber, the $5 yellow plastic potting buckets from Wal-Mart (for the shoes), and for the hardware to hang the coats. Dave made this thing in, like 4 hours. Hopefully we can keep all of our gear a little more in control now, we'll see.

After

I bought $1 frames at Micheal's and covered them in different mod podge scrapbook papers that I had at home. Then I printed out our name in different fonts and colors. Dave just screwed those straight in to the fence posts so they wouldn't shake or fall off with the door and garage door closing all of the time.The potting bucket for the shoes. I looked at wicker baskets, mini garbage cans, mop buckets, etc. But i was so excited when I found these guys. We can just spray them off to keep them clean and they are the perfect size, and were only $5 each.

Happenings

Here's a few pictures of things going on with us right now:

Look who it is!!!!! We finally met up with some super awesome friends that we met in North Carolina who now live 20 minutes down the road! Chik-fil-a baby! Great times were had by all! We love you dang Smiths'! We need to get together more often. Lils and her favorite friend Parker have a lot of fun together. Parker is still in love with her, so we're all happy!

Somebody's getting a little too big for the Jeep.

Cutie Norie on the princess bike she got for Christmas. The weather has been gorgeous here (60-75 degrees), so bike riding has been an everyday occurrence.

My E-man on Lils scooter

Lil "I want to go roller skating!!!!!!!!"

me- "You got those when you were, like, 4."
Lil "I want to, I want to, I want to!"
me- "Good luck!"... I don't think it worked out very well.

Trader Joe's

We've recently discovered "Trader Joe's" again. The kids love it because they get their own cart and Dave and I have to take turns putting our groceries in each of their carts. They sure are quite the caravan of craziness.

MY Cool Playhouse

So, Dave may be able to create an amazing real playhouse- this is the best I can do with a cardboard box and a box cutter. But hey, there's a cool dinosaur window, a dolphin window and a horse one too! The kids played with this nasty thing for weeks until it got put up on the treehouse and drenched by the rain! It was a fun, free fort while it lasted.

Ebay's Bakugan Cake

Here's a picture of E's cool Bakugan cake. I made a rice krispie treat ball for the large Bakugan in the middle.

This is the recipe for the white cake and frosting I made, it was a perfect, fluffy, rich white cake:
http://www.food.com/recipe/magnolia-bakerys-vanilla-birthday-cake-and-frosting-139518

Painting of Rose

I had to post this! When we were at the art museum during Christmas break, there was a painting that looked a lot like my lil 'Rose. Especially in the eyes. What do you think?

Can You Teach an Old Mom new tricks?

So often I just go through life, get the daily stuff done, veg in front of the TV, and then go to bed. Tuesday I went to a much needed Enrichment night filled with words about Jesus Christ and music. It was so great! It made me really reflect on what's going on with me. I'm focusing on the wrong things. The things I can't take with me after this life. I am so distracted by all of the unimportant things going on around me. I mean, I go to the gym about every day and run or go on the elliptical while watching the most silly, unimportant, and goofy stuff. I mean, Regis and Kelly are fun and nice and all, but what am I taking home from that except a numb brain?

We are reminded every day that life is short. We only have a little time in this life to raise our children, work, learn. I reflected on my priorities so I can straighten them out! I am so focused on the wrong things. About every night Dave and I have a good 3 hours to spend together, we'll talk, watch a tv show or two, and relax. Lils just started piano lessons, so I decided to learn to play piano with her! I've always wanted to learn, so here it goes! I'm listening in on her lessons and doing the songs in her workbooks! Dave helped me last night and it really started to click! I can read music now! It is so fun. I'm actually learning something for real.

I have these precious few years with my kids at home to teach them and help them gain testimonies. I just want to really take advantage of this time, though I know I'll get lazy, it was good to get a kick in the pants! I do it to my kids all the time! Every few months Dave and I will come up with some new chore chart or "be nice" scheme to get the kids excited about jobs around the house again. I know that Heavenly Father has to do the same for us! We get stuck in ruts and need to get motivated to DO things, live a real life. I am excited about learning piano and Dave also said he'll start teaching me Portuguese. might as well, right?!

We're all in different stages of life and a lot of times we REALLY do need to just not use our brains and veg out. But I've got older kids now, no babies, things are getting easier and so it's the right time for me right now to add some real stuff and get rid of the lame. Well, that's about all for now. I hope everyone is having a great new year so far!