Sunday Blessings

It's Sunday, and time for me to share more Sunday blessings and praises!

Cole is home for two weeks! That is a major praise! I miss him so much when he is gone, and it is so nice when he is home!

We went to dinner and watched a movie with our friends S and E, and their new baby last night. She slept in my arms through the whole movie...it was great! Cole fed her- that is so sweet to watch! We showered her with gifts that I have been collecting, which was so much fun! I just love her so much!!!

Have a wonderful Sunday, and praise be to God!

Rachel

FREE PAINT! FREE PAINT! FREE PAINT!!!

So I woke up this morning, and turned on good ole' DIY Network, and what to my wondering eyes should appear? An ad for free paint, from Glidden!!! Just go to Glidden.com to request your free quart of paint in your choice of colors. Now I must warn you, I am apparently not the only person who saw this magnificent, recession friendly ad, because I am having a tough time getting the page to load. But the offer is good today through July 2nd. Hey, it's FREE! Worth the trouble!

I plan on ordering a quart of willow leaf to paint my accent wall above the fireplace. What will you paint with your FREE PAINT?!?!

***Eggshell Finish Only***
Rachel

MAJOR PRAISE!!!! AMEN!!!

Tonight, I am thanking God for answered prayer! Many, many prayers in fact! You might recall that a few days ago I posted about our good friends, "S and E" and their new baby girl. Well today at 5:00, the adoption became FINAL! That's it! She is officially "their" daughter, although she has been theirs all along to us. We are so thankful that God has blessed them with this precious gift. She is a miracle, and we are so happy for them. So is Babies R Us and Target...I think they are going to survive the recession just fine with all of the cute baby things I have been buying from them lately!!! :)

I had a good friend in high school who was adopted, and on her wall hung a saying that her mom had given her. It touched my heart, and I wanted to share it with you because I think it is the best way to describe adoption...

"Most children grow in their mommy's tummy. But you, my dear, are so very special because you grew in mommy's heart."

How sweet is that!!! I tear up every time I think about it. This precious little baby is so blessed to have parents like S and E. They are loving, compassionate, dedicated, and caring. I know that they will be great parents, and that the baby will grow up to be a wonderful woman who serves and loves the Lord, and is a good person. Congratulations, S and E! And thank all of my wonderful blogger friends (all 10 of you) who prayed for this sweet family.

Have a good night!
R

Natural Birth...Are You Nuts?!!? :)

So as some of you know, the hubs and I are trying to start a family. We just started trying about 2 months or so ago, so no progress yet. But I have really been getting in "baby gear." Between the birth of our god daughter, my husband's cousin having a baby, my cousin's wife having a baby, and another one of my husband's cousins expecting, there has been baby mania in our lives! So I was watching a baby story on TLC this morning (although I can't watch the birth part...call me weak, but I just don't want to see that!!!) and this couple had done a "normal" (aka with drugs) birth with their first child, but she had some complications with the meds, so for her second, they decided on a natural birth. And OH MY WORD!!! She was freaking out!!! Now I have never wanted to have a natural birth. I don't do pain so well, and risk to the baby is pretty minimal from what my doctors tell me and from what I have read, so why not!!? And after seeing that...my mind is made up for sure!!!

Anybody had a natural childbirth and think differently? Let me know...I like to pre-plan, even if things don't go the way I anticipate. And that is usually how it happens. I think it's God's way of telling me that I can make all of the plans I want, but His plan is the only one that matters!!!

R

Show Us Where You Live- Master Bedroom

Well, it's FRIDAY again! And that means another fun party over at Kelly's Korner! Today is Show Us Where You Live- Master Bed Rooms. I have to say, our Master is probably my favorite room in our home. I feel so calm and relaxed when I go in there...it is like my own personal oasis! I hope you enjoy the tour as much as I enjoy the room.



First, a peek into what it looked like BEFORE...all white (flat, I might add...) walls, and the "staging" was nice too! The one part I did like, the drapes, didn't convey with the house. Oh well, I found some that are nicer that look just about the same.




I am nost sure why these came out so small. Oh well. Here is our room now...this is as you walk in the door-
Looking at the bed. Again, not sure why so small...or yellow?
Our anniversary gift to each other last year. A new TV. The little table was a STEAL at a local furniture outlet for only $35.00! It is real wood and has a slate top! Not damaged or anything. Just discontinued! Painting the white cord cover the same color as the wall is on my to-do list. I just haven't gotten there yet!

This is a cloth map that my husband brought home after serving in Iraq. I had it mounted in a frame and surprised him with it.

This is my side of the bed. I love my lamps!
This is the hubs side. Our night stands are not usually this clean and tidy. Mine usually has sonic cups (at least 2) on it, and his is usually covered with change and papers. Because he is a man and can't figure out all of the hand storage items I get for him. *SIGH*
This is our dresser. I love it, but it doesn't have as much storage as you would think. Or as we need. Or maybe I just have too many clothes! At any rate, when we bought our furniture, we were still in the apartment we lived in when we first got married, so now that we have a house and a nice big bedroom, we are going to get the chest of drawers that matches. It is what I asked for for my birthday (which is in August, by the way...). :)
This is the hubs side of the dresser. It is usually a hot mess. He was out of town when this was taken, so it wasn't so bad. His puzzle ring and "spare" flight watch are there, along with the paperwork basket and change holder I have for him that he can't figure out how to use. No one ever told me that men were so messy. I just thought it was my dad. And pilots are worse I think because they have so much STUFF!!! Sorry...I have spent all week dealing with his pilot stuff everywhere as we get ready to move back into our kitchen in a few weeks.
This is my side. My change bowl and jewelry box that my grandpa gave me the last Christmas he was alive. Don't you just love the candlesticks?!?! They were a wedding gift that we didn't register for, but they are probably one of my favorites! I just think they are beautiful. They are lead crystal and SO awesome when the light hits them!
And finally I thought I would show you the occupants of our bed when we are not in it...our pups Wesley and Hugo. Hugo is the black/tan Brussells Griffion, and Wesley is the white Westie mix. Don't be fooled...they occupy our bed when we ARE in it too!!! PS- Hugo helps with the blog. He sits in my lap as I type and sometimes even trys his hand at the keyboard. Although paws are not good for the small keys!!!
Hope you enjoyed our tour!!! Please feel free to comment and follow! I love meeting new people and making new friends!!!

Rachel

Sunday Blessings...a day late

So yesterday was Father's Day, and I was busy with family and didn't get a chance to write my Sunday blessings. So here they are on Monday. Which I figure is okay, because no matter the day of the week, the blessings are all wonderful gifts from our Lord!

*First of all, for my father. He is the most talented and wonderful man I know (aside from Cole, of course!). He would give someone the shirt off of his back if they needed it. And the man can do ANYTHING!!! If you don't believe me, just look at the pictures of my kitchen. He did that. ALL of it!!!

*For Cole. He isn't a father yet, but on Fathers day, I think about how lucky I am to have him and how there isn't another man in the world I would rather have to be the father of my children. I know he worries about how much he is away from home and how much that will impact our children, but I tell him that he will be a better dad in the time he is home than many men are who are at home full time!

*For my grandfathers. Both are now deceased, and it breaks my heart to know that they are gone, but at the same time, it gives me great joy to know that I will see them again in Heaven someday! This was just the second fathers day without my PaJim, who passed away early last year. And I especially miss him. He was my "special" grandparent, and I will always cherish the memories and love that he gave me.

*For our good friend, "S" on his first Father's day as a new dad! This is such a sweet time. The adoption will be final TOMORROW at 5, so please continue to lift them up in prayer. They need it!

*And most of all, for our Heavenly Father. He has given us life, freedom, and salvation. His sacrifice has made Heaven possible for us, and gives us hope beyond this world. Thank you, Father, for all you have given to me and my family, and for each day you allow us to remain on this earth together. Praise be to God!

PS- One other praise that has nothing to do with fathers... My friend Jessica and her husband Alan just returned from a mission trip to Kenya. I haven't talked to Jess yet, but from the pictures, it looks like they had a great time and many people heard about and accepted Christ! Amen!!!

Prayers for a Sweet Baby

I am asking all of my dear blogger friends to please say a prayer for our friends "S and E", and their new baby (who happens to be *smiles goofily with excitement* our god-daughter). They have been working on adopting her for about 7 months or so, and she is finally here and in their arms. But they have to wait an agonizing 10 days before things are final, which will be on Tuesday at 5:00 pm. Please say a prayer that things will go smoothly. S and E are wonderful friends and are going to be awesome parents to this lucky little girl. We already love her so much, and pray that God would allow the adoption finalization to go smoothly and to calm S and E. I know they are nervous and worried, as we all would be.

I just wanted to share a picture of the sweet little angel...her daddy and my husband are both pilots, and I bought this bib right after Cole and I were married. I didn't really have plans for it, I just liked it. When S and E told us that they were adopting, I immediatly went to the hall closet, got the bib, and gave it to them. It makes me so happy for them that now there is a baby wearing it....even if it is a little boy-ish. Her mom tagged this photo for me on Facebook, saying that "Yeah, she can fly too!" Indeed she can!!! And no worries...I am buying her so much pink that she won't have any shortage of girly things to wear!!!

Thank you all for your prayers!!!

A Kitchen Update...

Well, I would guess we are at about 75% complete. All of the "internal" stuff (water, electric, pesky pocket doors...) is finished, and now the "pretty" stuff is going to be happening!!! I can't wait!!! But I wouldn't mind some advice, so feel free to help me out!!! :)


Here is the glass tile laid over the bar backsplash. The entire bar backsplash is the glass tile. But it was going to be about $1000.00 to do the entire thing in glass, so the rest of the backsplash (on the wall) is going to be a glass tile accent with porcelain tiles. The porcelain was chosen for it's durability and ease of cleaning (but the cost wasn't too bad either!). Here you see the grainte tile with the glass. The granite tile will be the countertop surface. I just have to brag a moment about my granite tile. It was an estate sale find...just $1.00/sqft!!!! I found an online wholsaler that was selling this same granite tile for more than $13.00/sqft! Not too bad!!!




Another shot of the bar backsplash. The countertop of the bar will be the granite. We got enough to do the kitchen and both bathrooms. And maybe the shower surround. But those projects are all a LONG way off!

A larger view of the bar. It is angled on both sides. Bottom right (about where the clipboard is) will be the sink.

Speaking of the sink, this is my "mac daddy" faucet. It was on sale too. But it was still like $240! No way would I have ever splurged on anything like this at full price! And to me, $200 bucks for a faucet is a little crazy. But the whole "it's on sale" thing I guess made the price seem better! And just look at it...I call it the "jewel on top of the crown" when talking to Cole. I can hear him roll his eyes over the phone!!!

And since good 'ole Cole has been so nice and understanding about this whole kitchen project, I decided he needed a little something special! So this is his new 12" under cabinet mount TV and radio. Thank you Target...they are the only place I have found that carry them! Not even Best Buy had the TV kind!

This is the side of the bar. Is it weird that it just kinda ends? We were going to angle the bar off to the wall there, but A. it would limit access to my cabinet and drawer there, B. it would take up useable countertop space, and C. that corner is where the TV is going to live, so it won't block the view of the tv to the table (not that we watch tv while we eat...no, we don't do that!)


Again the bar. Room for two. I have already bought my barstools! I can't wait!

Stay tuned!!! More pictures to come...soon I hope!
-R

Show Us Where You Live- Laundry Room

Well, I don't have a bonus room or play room, so here is my beautiful laundry room..


The first two pictures are the before pictures....








And now the after pictures...


I painted the inside of the cabinet panel with chalkboard paint to make a family memo/menu board.

This mirror was something I picked up at Big Lots for $5. It and the chalkboard paint was added after the other pictures were taken.


These are my basket tags. I knew I would need something to tell us what was in the baskets.


This is our spare change jar. Not too full right now!!!


Here is the shelves above the washer/dryer. They were hard to keep organized, and cabinets were not in the budget (we did this at the same time as our kitchen reno) so baskets were the best option!


I have had the lamp for years, and the B is old too. The birdcage was on sale at garden ridge. It holds our dryer sheets!


These were fabric swatches in a pack at walmart. I loved the color, so I just wrapped canvases with them and presto! ART!


The flowers are fake, and I have had the candle for a while. The frame is a $2.50 walmart find, and I just framed some more of my fabric swatches.


I can't decide if I want crown molding on top of the cabinet or not. I like that I can put my basket up there. It won't fit with molding...thoughts? This pic is pre-mirror and pre-chalkboard, obviously!


I just moved the shelf down from before and made it into a folding table. The washboard cabinet was made by my dad. He gave it to my Nana, and she gave it to me when we bought our home, which is our first house by the way.

Again, pre-chalkboard paint. But this is what you see as you walk into the room. It is a small room, but the pocket door makes it more usable. The floors are a white tile, and I am looking for a small jute rug for in there.




Hope you enjoyed the tour!!!

Sunday Blessings

Well, today is Sunday (Sunday, Sunday. Today is Sunday, all day long!)...Sorry. I am a preschool teacher, and the song just came to mind! Anyway, it IS Sunday, and thus I have some Sunday Blessings to share!!!

What a glorious week this has been...our dear friends, Shane and Emily, welcomed their new baby girl Cayden Elizabeth. She is beautiful! Cole and I went up and saw her and held her today. She is perfect!!! 6 lbs, 3 oz of pure sweetness!!!

Also, and this is no where near the praise that Cayden is, but Cole got to spend TWO nights at home this past week. Which is a big deal in our world. We thought he would only get one, but thanks to some repairs and updates that had to be made to an aircraft, we got an extra night together!

God is soooo GOOD!

PS-

If anyone is in need of a dining table, let me know. My sister has two for sale!!!

Show Us Where You Live- Bathrooms

Today is Friday, and thus another Show Us Where You Live Friday!!! Enjoy the tour...


We begin our tour in our guest/hall bath. This blue and white theme was the hubs doing. It was the only thing he wanted to register for when we got married (well that and the fancy-shmancy coffee grinder/pot). It's not really my taste but it has grown on me. Lots of work to do in here. I should mention that we are planning on painting the vanities, and putting down the granite tile from the kitchen in both bathrooms. We are about to lay down the bamboo floor in here too. The paint and tile will be next summer...the floor will be next week!


I have had the little indoor/outdoor table and frame for years. My sister bought it for me when I was in jr. high. But it works so well in here! The frame has been dropped so many times, all the glass is gone, but hey, who cares!!! By the way, I do NOT recommend white bathmats.



And now on to the master...

This is a great little door hanger I got at StienMart. 3.00 and the perfect colors!!!
This was a wedding gift from some friend's of ours. It is beautiful and is perfect in here!

I can't believe I am showing the INSIDE of my closet! This is the linen closet...the only closet in our house that is consistantly organized and neat. Thanks in large part to our baskets! My makeup hangs on the door, and my jewelry box is in there too. Baskets hold washclothes, lotions/perfumes, hair stuff, meds, and other odds-n-ends. The towels are there on the top shelf...hubs isn't allowed to fold them. He doesn't do it right. :)

Here is the view walking in. It was hard to get a great picture because of the odd shape of the room. The color is Kilz Chocolate Indulgence. I wanted something dark and rich, and this is it!!! Everyone said I was crazy going that dark, but I love it!!! (and now they admit they like it too...these people need to learn to trust me!!!)

The "Business" area. You will note the hamper is pulled away from the counter...this is because our little Brussells Griffion Hugo likes to jump up onto the counter from the hamper. A basket on the back of the toilet holds reading materials and a diffuser, for those "long business trips."
Our vanity. The only thing I like about this is the double sinks. Again, we are going to paint the vanity and lay granite tile on the countertop.
These gems were a HobLob find...on mega sale. I think I paid like $2 each? They were black but that didn't work against the dark wall, so enter my brushed nickel spray paint! Now they proudly hang above our closet doors...in case we forget who's is who's...

I just love my shower curtian...
This beauty was at a place we have called "the worlds largest garage sale." It is sort of an overstock designer store. I thought it was so pretty...lots of movement. And I love sticks. They add some texture and drama.


I hope you enjoyed my bathroom tour!!! Stop by next week to see my beautiful laundry room!!!