HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM & DAD!

I have listened to a lot of people talk about their parents, some have good stories, some not so good. I can honestly say that I have been blessed with some of the best parents in the world! Thank you for being examples of love and care to your children and grandchildren.

Thank you, Mom, for giving me the "nurture" bug. You have taught me what it means to care for others and to follow through with promises. As a mom, I now realize that my sensitive heart and desire to "be there" was something that I received from you. I think that we are a lot alike (must be the "middle child" thing). You also taught me that simple pleasures can be the best pleasures, and most don't cost a thing. Thank you for always making our house a home. I gain great comfort in knowing that I am loved and safe each time I walk back through the door of my 'home'.

Thank you, Dad, for being an example of hard work and principled living. You always gave it your all in everything you did! Your words of encouragement throughout my life have given me strength through the most difficult times. Thank you for being proud of me. You express that often and it means a great deal to me. You also gave me your sense of humor, which I think is one of the best traits that you could have passed on to me. We are a family that loves to laugh!

Thank you BOTH for praying for me and my family daily. This is the GRANDEST gift that you could ever give me. I know that God has truly blessed our family in a mighty way. I still love how you greet us when we pull in the driveway and how you wave goodbye until we are out of sight. You both have given me a firm grasp of what it means to have self-worth and to believe that I can make a difference. The legacy that you are giving each member of our family is a precious resource...it will continue to captivate and inspire future generations!

You always told us to "Remember Who You Are", and I promise to never forget!

I love you!

Amy

Plates With Pizazz

I thought that it was time for a DIY post. This one is super easy, can be mastered in no time, and will have your guests thinking that you are SUPER creative!

I originally go this idea from the infamous Martha Stewart, but I have done this and it was very simple to do. Here is what you need...
1. White paper plates
2. Colored paper plates (same size as white)
3. Scissors with a scalloped or curved edge. These also are referred to as scrapbook scissors.
4. Hole punch or other decorative punch.

Just cut out your designs on the white plates, then place them on a colored plate (not cut)and voila!

Blessings!
Amy

Bon Voyage!!

Well, my buddy Rachel is off on an Alaskan Cruise this week with her hubby Ken. Make sure to say a prayer for her, she tends to get a little "yuck" on boats, but is well equipped with anti-nausea patches. I just know that they will have a blast and will enjoy the time together. I am sure that she will come back with lots of pictures and stories to share, but wanted to give you a glimpse of just one of the activities that her husband has in mind...
a good old fashioned log rolling competition. I just know that this one is at the top of Rachel's list!! Hilarious!

We will look forward to her posts next week.

Amy

I've been working on my house room by room and have been lingering in the foyer and great room for too long now. Over the summer I commissioned an artist I found down in my old stomping grounds of Jackson, MS. This lady, Joyce Street, and her daughter, Noel, both paint and have a gallery on the square in historic Canton, MS. Their work is very unique and caught my attention the first time I saw it. So after the first painting UPS put a hole in, the second one managed to make it on the wall. It's in my foyer over a black and stained large casepiece. My problem has been what to put between the lamps in the center of the piece? I by no means want to distract from the over-the-top incredibly gorgeous painting(can you tell I LOVE it?) but my foyer is large and very open. I am crying out for ideas, people, so if you can help me out, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do so. I welcome any comments. By the way, these ladies do not have a website(this is very unfortunate, I know). Their place of business is The Gallery in Canton MS.

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These are some photos of some of their art that is hanging in The Gallery. I can't wait to get down there and check out more of their work!

Party For All Ages

I saw this idea in a magazine and thought that it was very creative, but simple! The article focused mainly on using the idea of storytime for a baby shower (colorful and ingenious), but I thought that it could also double for a child's sleepover.
All you would need is a sheet that fits your theme, a pillow for the head of the table, and some bright colored plates and napkins. It would also be cute to use the children's books as a centerpiece or as chargers underneath the plates. There are too many ideas running through my head for a party like this!
I attached a cute picture of a slumber party cake for you to see. I have seen a similar idea using twinkies and vanilla wafers on a flat sheet cake to resemble the bodies in the bed and then covered with fondant.



Enjoy!

Not So Boring Headboards

I thought it might be neat to research some headboard ideas for those of you out there that are looking for a little something different. Headboards can be as extravagant or as simple as the room they belong to. Always remember, though, that the headboard IS inevitably the focal point in any bedroom. With this being said, here's a sampling of ideas for your new headboard...


This headboard is an architectural salvage piece that was cut to size. When searching through salvage be careful not to go too small or too massive in scale. I good idea is to measure out on the wall using a paper template to check size and scale. Architectural pieces are usually heavy so figuring out how to mount to bed frame or wall may be tricky. Just make sure it is very secure!


Head out to the local flea market, antique store, or maybe someones trash to find this next idea...old doors. These make great headboards. You can paint, faux finish, add wallpaper in the panels,etc., to customize your look. You will probably have to cut these to size as well. Doors can be turned sideways for larger beds or stood straight up for smaller ones. Remember when using hard headboards you will need lots of pillows-some hard, some squishy- for sitting up in bed.


Talk about simple...using large pieces of art for a headboard may be the way you want to go. Of course there is an endless amount of art on the market or try your hand at your own work of art.

What little girl wouldn't want this headboard in her room? It's very easy to apply and very
inexpensive. This particular one can be found at walldecorshops.com. To apply, wet the back and slap it on the wall...simple and adorable!


If you are good at painting this one would be a great choice...and very inexpensive. This headboard is painted directly on the wall. Commissioning someone to help might be a better option for those of you who are artistically challenged! Still the outcome is Fantabulous!

So you get my drift...the possibilities are endless. Just because it's in your bedroom doesn't mean it has to be a SNOOZE!

School Ain't So Cool!

Okay...here is a picture of my little man Reed before his first day of preschool. Looks happy, excited, ready to go, right?

Here is his picture when I dropped him off at school.

I was still feeling good and was pumped that he was not pulling my pants off.

Now, here is the rest of the story...

When I went to pick him up, they told me that he had cried all day long!!! I was bummed! Of course, he would NOT tell me why he cried, but I suspect he missed his mommy (or that is what I want to believe;).

So, we tried it again today. We had a little melt down, a little grabbing of the pants, a few desperate cries for mom, but he stayed. I sure hope little buddy has dry eyes when I get there today. I told him if he was big, brave boy, that I would have a surprise for him later. I love BRIBERY!!! Is that wrong??

Spoiled Rotten

I wanted to take this time to thank all of my friends and family who have been so sweet to my new found love, Lucy. She is loving all of her new toys...the clothes she's still trying to figure out! By the way, my husband thinks ALL of you have lost your mind. I, on the other hand, think all of you are as PRECIOUS as my Lucy is...that's pretty dog gone precious, too. (ha, no pun intended.) The potty training is SLOOOOOW...some days good others not so! But we are pushing through because that's what we do around here. Hopefully, Lucy will learn to mind her manners soon!

The kiddos are loving school so far which is a true blessing with the little one just starting Kindergarten. I have been a little bored but again we're pushing on. I've been finishing these fantabulous frames my brother-in-law made for me. Staining and distressing, staining and distressing...they have really turned out nice. I'll post a pic of those another day with a link to his new website in case any of you are interested. I love to see God given talent being put to use. Which is what Amy and I need to get busy doing...paint, paint, paint!

Enjoy the new day God has so graciously given!

The Best Things in Life are Free

On Friday, after dropping off my bus load of kids (they aren't all mine!) I was headed to the gym for a little workout. I had a sudden thought to go to the nearest park instead so I made a quick u-turn and was on my way. What a beautiful day the Lord made yesterday! I was in awe all day. So I was enjoying my power walk/run...maybe I should use the word "jog" instead...when a song came on my ipod "The Best Things in Life are Free." I began to ponder just that. The cool crisp air instead of the air conditioning; the soft gravely trail underfoot instead of the monotonous treadmill; the laughter of friends instead of the television; the ocean as opposed to the pool; the joy of playing with my children instead of fussing over the decor of my house...I literally thought of so many things that bring peace to my day that are free to us. The most important thing that came to mind is the GRACE of God that is free to us everyday...there is no working for salvation...it is freely given. Stop and think today about all that is freely given to us and be thankful.

Blessings!

Letter Perfect

Over the past few months I have noticed a trend at my house...whenever someone new comes in the front door, they automatically are drawn to a certain pillow that sits in a chair in our foyer.

What makes this pillow so unique is that it is made out of vintage buttons. I had never seen a monogram done in buttons and it truly adds some pizazz to an ordinary pillow in an ordinary chair.

Many of you have asked where to get one, so I am providing the link to the sweet lady to designed this for me. Her store is called Letter Perfect Designs. She is so kind and accomodating. She will work with you on fabrics, colors, letter styles, etc... to truly make your piece unique!

Ready, Set, Go!!!

Well...unlike my friend Rachel, we just sent one kid off this morning. Campbell started K4 preschool and will be going everyday, for half the day, this year. What cracks me up is that this is what she wanted!! I have two children who are "home bodies" but for some reason Cam asked for more school...huh?? We started our morning with a party (more for mom to have some "happy") that included cinnamon rolls, balloons, confetti and new lip gloss. She was PUMPED!

There were no tears from me this morning because they are ALL GONE!!! I have cried so much this week that my children think I live in the bathroom. When she walked in her class this morning and turned to tell ME goodbye, I hoped for a little hesitation and there was NONE!! I was like, are you kidding me? I have already taken enough pictures in one day that the yearbook staff will be contacting me soon!


I know that God has us in the right place and that Campbell will be just fine! Reed will start preschool next week and doesn't want to go at all...my story of his first day of school will probably read a little different!!!
*We will see if she is as excited next week when she really figures out that she will be doing this EVERYDAY.

I am BLESSED!

New Beginnings

Today was the start of new beginnings for our family. My baby started Kindergarten...no more kids at home during the day. Okay so you think I'd want to celebrate but I've been a stay at home mom for 8 years always with a kid at home and this has now come to an abrupt end. Maybe in a few weeks I'll feel like celebrating...today I'm just not sure what to do! So now I ponder what to do with my time...yes, I know there is still laundry to do and groceries, etc., etc. All in due time I'll figure it out...Here are some clips of my kiddos heading off to school. No, they did not take the pup with them. She's keeping me company at home. By the way, she is wonderful!!

Okay so the other day I got this new house plant...yes, it's real...I'm all about real! I was having a hard time finding a container I liked so I began searching through my kitchen cabinets. I came across this great glass trifle dish that, believe it or not, I have never used. Fourteen years that dish has been in my cabinets and never had food in it, very sad. Anyway, I dusted it off, added the plant, dropped in some filler...I used nuts, but you could use anything small...and I had a great centerpiece for my table. I think for different occasions you could add different filler...for a fun party add jellybeans, Halloween add candy corn, Christmas add cranberries or fake snow...you get the point right? Objects usually have more than one function it just takes a little thinking out of the box. I'll leave you with this quote I came across the other day that spoke directly to my soul..."It is through creating, not possessing, that LIFE IS REVEALED."-Vida Scudder

Blessings!!

Two For Tennis

We just completed our last tennis lesson for the summer and thought that this picture was a HOOT!! Hand in hand walking onto the court?? Usually they are plowing one another over so one can shout "I am the winner, and you are the loser." I think that this means that we are coming towards the end of summer and the energy is dwindling. Or...I will truly believe that the love my kiddos have for one another does exist and that they really are "on the same team."

Just wanted you to see that they are still holding hands even after they enter the court