Bedroom Makeover.

I thought we were going to be snowed in this last weekend.  Well that ended up to be not much of anything, huh?  Since I figured we would need a project, we stopped by Sherwin Williams and took a gander at the mis-tints.  For $3.00 a gallon, you really can't go wrong. 

Our first plan was to do the kids' bedrooms.  We switched them around, gave them a new look, and everybody is finally settled (since Charlie's crib days are over).  Dallas was all over the painting and did awesome.  So awesome that the next morning I told him I had this grand idea overnight; to do our bedroom too! 

We painted just one wall, and I had a bedspread I had picked up major clearance at Target, so the vision was there.  I never did like our bedroom before.  And since I never liked it, I took horrible care of it.  I was hit and miss at making the bed, it seemed to be our dump spot, my laundry space, you know how it goes.  I decided that once and for all, our bedroom was going to be a retreat.  I want to fall into bed at night totally relaxed, and wake up feeling rejuvenated. 

Here's what we came up with...

Amazing what a fresh coat of paint will do!  And, this is a mis-tint.  Beautiful, isn't it?

New comforter.  Fresh and vibrant.

Took the door off of the cabinet in the corner.  Much better.

Woofta.  Those were the days.

Lovely and refreshing.

I still have a plan to execute for behind our bed.  But for now?  I am thrilled.  Plus, I've made the bed every day and it has been immaculately clean.  Yahoo!

Stitches.

There's a first for everything, and I am actually quite thrilled we have made it this far without more emergency room visits! 

Last Friday, Mrs. Bader called me that Maleah and her friend, Eli Schipper, ran into each other in P.E.  They bonked heads, and Maleah's glasses went up and split her eyebrow.  I talked to Maleah and asked her if she wanted me to come get her.  It was the very end of the day, and the bus was about to pick them up.  She told me she was fine, and would see me when she got off the bus (sounding totally fine and very confident).  No problem...

...until she got home.  You know when you see your mom and all of a sudden the tears come rolling?  She started crying, "I wanted you to come pick me up!" Charlie started crying, and the race around the house to get her bandaid off began.  Finally, after getting the bandaid off, I sent a photo to my friend, Nicole (the best ER nurse ever), and she said, "Ummmm yes, she needs stitches."  Off we went.

Maleah was absolutely awesome.  It went great, we went five days later to get them out, and you would never know anything ever happened. 

One more experience to put down in the books.  :)

Dubuque waterpark weekend.

Last weekend we had our annual escape to Dubuque with Dallas's family.  It's becoming a fun tradition, and something the kids look forward to every winter!  This year was so fun with all three kids being a little bit older.  The humidity of the waterpark room and bad sleep (everyone else did GREAT), paired with being pregnant didn't make for my most fun year yet, but seeing the kids' joy made it so very worth it.

Layla was very brave this year.  A year made a huge difference for her.

It was so fun to see these two swim together.  They liked the slides and "toys," but are getting older and were more into just old fashioned swimming, diving for sticks, etc.  They are good pals and play together so well.

Oh, Charlie.  You can imagine how much he loved going down the slides.  Up and down, up and down.  Only problem was he wanted to go by HIMSELF.  One day, little boy, all too soon.

Layla went by herself this year...

and was very proud.

We kept ordering pizza and Charlie kept hammering them down.  He would jump in the pool, get out to take a bite, jump back in.  Making baaad habits.  No grazing at home, so he thought this "self feeding buffet" was stinkin' awesome!

Layla went down the tube slide with Daddy.

Boys.

Thankfully my children have an amazing and actively involved Daddy who played with them the whole time since I wasn't feeling the best.  Charlie and him were buddies, and though Charlie escaped out of his sight a only few times, they had lots of fun together!

It was a fun weekend, and always nice to get away when the blahs of winter set in.  We have little fishies for children, and it makes for some fun times!

Happy LOVE Day 2013.

Yesterday (Valentine's Day) was wonderfully perfect.  Nothing exceptional, but simple and lovely. 

We kick started the week with Dallas whisking me away to a hotel.  In his surprise attempt, I caught on, but anticipation is half the fun, right?!  We went to a hotel, just locally here, and it was sooo refreshing.  Taking me out of my home (also my workplace) actually allows me to totally and completely chill out.  We drank pop, ate skittles, indulged in a breakfast buffet, and watched cable TV.  Fantastic.

Yesterday we had MOPS in the morning, with a lavish spread of food.  Then we came home to play with cousins and friends, and do some Valentine's Day activities.  Here's how it went...

The girls are VERY into rainbows right now.  So, rainbow Valentine's it was.

So exited for special drinks at supper!

Just adding this to the table sends everyone over the moon.

Seriously cute.

This girl love a little punch in her life!

More cookie making...

And my favorite photo of all.  This was my 13th Valentine's Day with my love, and I'm more in love than I ever thought I could be.  So thankful.

It was a great day.  The kids picked out gifts for me, and they were so proud of their chocolate rose, M&M candles, and silk flower for my window sill.  Nothing thrills my soul more than to see their little faces light up, knowing they worked hard to make Mommy happy. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Menu

Monday: bourbon chicken with peppers & brown rice
Tuesday: Dal and the kids
Wednesday: meatball subs & fruit
Thursday: to be determined...something special for Valentine's Day!
Friday: vegetable soup

Maleah & Charlie

Maleah and Charlie have a very special bond.  If Charlie gets in trouble, he runs to Maleah.  If Charlie gets hurt, he runs to Maleah.  If a babysitter is here, he sticks with Maleah.  He absolutely adores her.  I was looking at photos from the last couple years, and found that they have always had a really neat relationship; such a treasure to their mommy.

Charlie and Layla are getting to be pretty good pals lately, too (they get into lots of shenanigans together recently!).  And there is no bond like that of sisters, so of course Layla and Maleah have that, but for today, let's look over the years at these two...

You are dearly loved, big sister.  I'm proud of you for taking such good care of your little brother.  My prayer is that you continue your love for one another as the years go on.  Friends come and go, but family is forever.