Weekend Warrior Projects

We have seriously enjoyed our weekend at home without our Babylove, but I was so glad to get some sugars when he got home this afternoon!

I wanted to show you some of the projects that we accomplished this weekend! We had a huge list of things to do in the yard, but it was rainy and cold (about 40* all weekend...) and so we moved onto some inside projects that had been waiting on some free time to get accomplished.

I created this little sitting area to the left of my mantel in the living room. Prior to this, there was a single, lonely red chair here. All these items were in other places in my house, and I just shopped around and pulled them all together into this sweet little alcove setting. It needs a little picture or mirror or something - I'll be looking out for something, no worries.

Our guest bedroom has been needing some TLC for.... 2 years, since we moved into this house. It's been a storage room, office, and catch-all room. A couple months ago I cleaned out most of the junk, turned the bed around, and moved some nightstands that were in the garage back into this room. We took the lamps that used to be in our bedroom (see below) and put them in the guest room. We still have a little more decorating to do in here (I have some cutesy things to hang on the walls and sit on the nightstands), but it's definitely a lot better than it was.
We have been needing some new bedroom lamps for some time now. The ones I had didn't even really match my bedroom's colors or anything in my bedroom, for that matter. I scored these beauties at TJ Maxx, and one of them was a little cracked so we got another discount on it. Next on the list is a smaller alarm clock for my side of the bed, and that nightstand table will soon be antique white:
I have been wanting a rod in my laundry room to put hangers on for a while. Tyler and I had thought about it for a long time and had an elaborate plan involving some wholesale pipe, wood stain, and wood cornices. While walking through TJ Maxx on Friday night, we saw some towel rods (like you'd put in a bathroom) and thought - genius! I won't be hanging clothes on them, just empty hangers, so the weight factor isn't an issue. Here's the finished product:

Please ignore the cords on my dryer and my hubby's scrub cap on the key rack. My house is a work in progress.

Anyway, it was a blast getting to hang out with Hubs and work on some of these things together. I love that guy.

:)

Now back to the grind - 2 day work week, and hopefully a little more relaxing at the end of the week. Also on the agenda - continuing to run if the weather gets better.

I'm still alive!

Hey folks... I have been totally out of the loop lately taking care of my two boys - both of whom have been very very sick this week. Hubs has had the flu, and Babylove has had an ear infection and pinkeye! Boo for sickness.

Anyway, we've been stuck inside even though it's been a beautiful week, and I have had my hands full simply running my household and taking care of my loves. Thankfully, Babylove is heading to spend some quality time with his grandparents and uncles (my in-laws) this weekend, and Hubs and I have the weekend... ALONE.

I can't even imagine what this will feel like. On one hand, I think I am going to have withdrawals because I have been with Babylove so much lately. On the other hand, I have only been alone with my husband a handful of times, and only over night once, since having Babylove, and the last time was back in December. Unfortunately, we have a large to-do list including yardwork (depending on the weather as we are supposed to get rain) and lots of indoor projects we've been putting off. But I am sure we'll also sleep late, catch a movie, and eat out at least once!

Yesterday was the first time Babylove and I have gotten out since he has been sick, and we took full advantage of it by meeting up with a friend for lunch & shopping, and going over to my grandparents' house for a visit with some family that is in town. Here are some photos I took yesterday at my grandparents'.

I love this photo and am very proud of myself for capturing it... being honest here.
SWEETNESS! :)
Oh - the prayer clasp. How adorable is my child?!
This photo is very classic Babylove to me. This is what he looks like on a day-to-day basis.
I do NOT like how grown up he is looking. He is my BABY... not a big boy. Yet.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekends! :)

Because I've been cooped up in the house with sicklies for far too long...

Because I'm at home with my loves tending to their sickness instead of at work today (which is a good thing!)...

Because it was such a gorgeous day and we just had to get outside - even if just for a minute...

Because I love playing with the self-timer on my camera...

Because I really needed a newer picture of me with my babylove...

And because Babylove's eyes are looking so much better today....

stand firm

Some days it's so hard to be the peace keeper and sweet, calm presence in our home, like I believe the Lord has called me to be.

Today has been one of those days. Babylove has been sick for several days now, with diarrhea and just not feeling well. Yesterday, we were supposed to leave for a weekend in Branson, but decided not to since he was still not himself. About 5 pm yesterday afternoon, he started having green gloop in his eyes, and woke up this morning with both eyes matted shut. He has also been running fever for about 36 hours now. All that said, we took him to the walk-in clinic this morning, and after waiting for 2.5 hours found out that he not only has double pinkeye, but has an ear infection as well as most likely still a touch of the stomach bug. Whew! He has been quite the trooper but, as most sick one year olds are, very demanding and screaming more often than not screaming. Add that to a mommy who is still on antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection myself as well as in the middle of my monthly 10 days of hormones that can bring on fatigue all by themselves, and a Hubs who is running fever and probably has an upper respiratory infection himself, and well... you have one very tired, very exasperated momma.

How do we stand firm as ladies of grace in these situations? How do I speak love and kindness to my husband when I am so exhausted and emotional and cranky? How do I temper my words and touch with love to my sweet one who is sick and overly tired and needs to take a nap? How do I let the Spirit lead all my words and actions when I am just simply completely exhausted and miserable myself?

Maybe this comes naturally to some people, but it's definitely not an easy task for me.

Well, I want to share something I'm reading in a book called Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide To Finding Contentment by Linda Dillow.

The Proverbs 31 woman was not controlled by her circumstances and the demands of her family, her household, or her home business. She was the ruler of her attitudes, her time, and her schedule. Her relationship with God was central. All that she became was a result of her yielding to His sovereign control. She allowed Him to place His brushstrokes on the canvas of her life. But she also chose to rule her appearance, her mouth, and her activities.

This reminded me tonight that it is a choice to be graceful and kind in all my actions and words. It is a choice to be the peacekeeper and sweet presence in the home that God has called me to be. Together with the Lord's help, I can rule over my attitude and emotions.

Just some food for thought tonight. I'm off to choose and cultivate kindness, gentleness, patience, and self-control. As well as hopefully, some sleep.

the power of words

Our words are powerful. Our words mean something.

Genesis says that God used words to speak the universe into creation. John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word WAS God." Proverbs says that the tongue has the power of life and death.

I think that in today's society, words can be taken a little too lightly. If you're like me (and probably most of us!), you wake up in the morning checking your e-mail, you spend your day bombarded with the words of books, the radio or television, and you go to bed at night checking your Facebook. Our technology has made it so easy to be constantly immersed in a world of words.

What are those words speaking to your heart? Which words are you allowing to take root and grow inside you? Who is doing the speaking?

Are you filtering the things you allow to reach your mind and heart? I know it's hard sometimes to stop and think, how will this affect me in the long run? But we must be conscious of what's going in to change what is coming out.

What words are you speaking? Are they words of life or death? Are you uplifting and encouraging, or depressing and pessimistic? What about the manner in which you are speaking - is it lifegiving?

I want to be a light to those around me. Things may not always go my way. I have bad days just like everyone else. I struggle with the same things that every one else struggles with. Even so, I am incredibly blessed. I want my words to reflect the hope and blessings that God has poured out in my life.

These are the questions I am going to be asking myself this week as I encounter all those around me - in the workplace, at church, with my husband, in online interactions, on our mini-vacation this weekend.

cleaning spree

Hey blog world, I've been a little MIA this weekend/week. Saturday, we spent a lazy, lazy day at home and literally did not change out of pajamas until 3 p.m. All I can say is - wonderful! Sunday, we had a full day with church, and Mon/Tues are my crazy work days as you know.

Since I got home tonight, I have been on a cleaning spree. Can I just say that there is nothing I love more than putting Babylove to bed, putting on some amazing tunes, and putting on my rubber gloves to do some deep cleaning (especially if Hubs is helping me)? There's just something so.... rewarding.. about taking something so very dirty as my floors and making it sparkly clean. I could even go so far as to say that it is a form of relaxation for me. I can sleep so much better knowing that my house is clean, shiny, and smelling good. Love it!

If you haven't tried this stuff, you really owe it to your floors (& your nose!) to run to Wal-Mart and buy some of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day all-purpose cleaner in the lemon verbena scent. It makes me want to cry it smells so good.

I don't really know what else I have to share with you, loves. I hope everyone is having a lovely week!

Roast Beef Burritos

Okay, so I am passionate about cooking *and eating*. I try to make things fairly healthy most of the time and I promise we don't eat this type of stuff every night, or every week. It's kind of a special been-a-stressful-week type of thing. But if you do make this.... honey, you're gonna love it! This recipe is a standard in my family. I tried to take a couple of pictures, but they're not that great! Also, I generally regard recipes as a "guide" and throw my own twist on most things I make. So, if you need more specific measurements, let me know.

Pot Roast Burritos

• Leftover pot roast (however much you have leftover! I think I usually have about 1 cup chopped. These also taste amazing with an entire pot roast and no ground beef, but I like to get more out of my money by making pot roast the day before, and turning it into burritos the next.)
• 1 lb ground beef (I usually use deer because we always have that, but beef works just as well)
• 1 can green chiles
• 1-2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup or more to taste salsa verde (located by the taco shells at the grocery store)
• If you really want to blow your taste buds, chop up some potatoes and throw in there. Just trust me. I didn't have any tonight, but it does kick it up a notch!

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Once brown, add chopped leftover pot roast, green chiles, garlic, salsa verde, and potatoes if using. Let simmer for 20 minutes or so, adding salsa verde if the mixture looks dry. (If you're adding potatoes, you might want to add a little water to hasten softening, and you'll have to increase the simmer time.)

Meanwhile, you should mix up a little of this:

Mexican-style Rice

• 1 box Beef flavored Rice-A-Roni
• 1 can Ro-tel (I used mild because I was going to feed it to Babylove, but you can use any variety)
• 1 can corn or 1 cup frozen corn

Make Rice-A-Roni according to box directions, and add Ro-tel and corn when you add water & seasoning mix. You'll either have to drain the Ro-tel or cut back about 1/2 cup of the water or you'll end up with soupy rice.

Those burritos can stand alone with just a little cheese and more salsa verde before rolling them up in a soft flour tortilla. I'm a little purist, but that's the way I like them. But they are great with sour cream, lettuce, tomato, and chopped jalepenos as well!

*And if you just really really love the folks you're cooking for.... try frying your own taco shells! Heat some oil in a deep skillet, take a corn tortilla and lay it flat in the bottom of the hot oil, and before it gets hard and crunchy, use a spatula to fold in half. You can do it, and you'll never buy taco shells again!*

So here was my finished dinner tonight. Throw a little cheese on top of the rice, cause cheese makes everyone happy *unless you're lactose intolerant... in which case, don't. Try soy cheese.* Oh, and please don't serve this with anything other than sweet tea. ;)

Happy Weekend, folks.

FBFF!

It's already Friday again! This has been the weirdest week for us. I didn't work Mon & Tues because Babylove was so sick, but the week has flown by anyway because of multiple doctor appointments and just general errands to run. So my plan today is not to leave the house, get caught up on laundry and chores, and have a nice dinner waiting on Hubby when he gets home.

So far all I've done is make a cup of tea and sit here browsing FBFF posts.

FBFF- Beauty Products

Can I preface these questions by saying that in the world of beauty products, I feel I am pretty low-maintenance. I don't wear full makeup every day, and I don't have thirty five things in my shower. That being said....

1. What's your favorite drug store makeup product, and your favorite higher-end product?

Well, hands down, my favorite drug store product is Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara. I tried to find a mascara that I liked for years, and finally found this one that looks great on, stays put, but comes off easily with water since I can't use eye makeup remover because I'm prone to eye infections.

Higher end - what's that?! Just kidding.... but seriously, as high-end as I go for beauty products is Clinique. I love Clinique's Continuous Coverage makeup. It covers every little blemish or color imbalance, and stays on all day. I've been wearing it for about 2 years now, and I love it!

2. Is there one type of product that is your go-to, can't live without?

Okay, I'm going to admit it. I'm a lip gloss junkie. I do not leave my house without making sure my lip gloss pouch is in my purse. I love shiny lip gloss from Bath & Body Works, Maybelline, Clinique, whatever I can get my hands on. I have 7-10 in my pouch at any given time. I'm just being real.

3. What's the best hair product you've ever used?

I am about to give away my secret here - not only am I a lip gloss junkie, I am a hair product snob. About 6 months ago, my hairdresser talked me into getting some Scruples White Tea Sulphate Free Shampoo & Conditioner.

Do yourself a favor, and get some. It has literally changed my life. The Restorative conditioner is so thick and really makes your hair so soft, without weighing it down.

The other product my angelic hairdresser turned me on to is Biolage Gelee.

This stuff works wonders for my curly hair. It's a gel with just enough hold, but never makes my hair crunchy. It also really coats every hair instead of being patchy. The bottle lasts so much longer than drug store products, because you don't have to use much of it to achieve your desired style. I'm serious. I swore by drug store products before finding this product, because I had never found a salon product that made my hair look "right."

My last hair product that I cannot live without is Aussie Mega Spray.

I use this on my hair after the gelee, while still wet, then scrunch with a towel and let air dry. It's been my go-to hair product since I was an adolescent. I don't leave home without this, either.

Ok, so now you know. I'm a little obsessed with hair products.

4. Fess up, what's the worst beauty look you've tried to rock and look back at now with a little shame or apprehension that you actually did that?

I guess I would say, super-short hair. For most of my high school years, my hair was very long. I cut it off very short before going to college, and I really regret that in a lot of ways. It's taking me forever to grow it back out to the length it was in high school.

5. When it comes to beauty products, we all use the same basic products. What do you use that helps show off your personal flair and personality?

I'll just refer back to my hair products on this one, because I feel like my curly hair is kind of my signature "look".

*****************************

Thanks for playing FBFF with me! FBFF was started by Modly Chic.

Fashion challenge!

Just wanted to share my new favorite piece of jewelry. I've been loving the gold for the past few months now. My wedding band is white gold, and maybe I'm a stick in the mud, but mixing white and yellow gold was really pushing my fashion boundaries. The diamonds in this ring were in my grandmother's wedding band when she was married to my grandpa the first time (yes, the first time... they got remarried to each other about four years ago!) and she had it made years ago into this ring, and gave it to my mom. Somewhere along the way, it ended up back with my grandma, who let me have it. As the only granddaughter, I get fun perks like that. Anyway, I am loving it. Fashion challenge: mix yellow and white golds.

And note to self: moisturize please!!

Thanks!

Thank you all for praying - Babylove's white blood count had dropped yesterday afternoon, and no further testing was needed! Such an answer to prayer! He still isn't back to 100%, but he is well on his way.

Thank you again!!!!

Please pray!

I don't usually use my blog like this - but my babylove is very sick, and I am asking everyone I know to please pray for my sweet boy! We saw the doctor yesterday, and there wasn't anything obviously wrong with him, as chest x ray, throat, ears were all clear. However, his white blood cell count was extremely high. We are heading back to the doctor in a few minutes. Please pray that his white blood cell counts have dropped. If they haven't dropped significantly, we are looking at a spinal tap to rule out meningitis. He had a blood culture drawn yesterday - please pray that this is growing something specific so they can treat it. Please pray that the doctors will have wisdom to know what is going on inside his little body. Please pray that each cell in his little body will work as designed by our Creator to fight this infection. Please pray that I will have strength as they poke and prod my little lovey.

Thank you all for supporting my family in prayer this morning. I appreciate it more than you can know.