Stairwell Makeover

About a year ago I had seen some decorating ideas for stairwells in a magazine I love

(Country Living).  It gave me the itch to tackle ours.

 There was nothing really wrong with our stairwell, it was just kind of "blah" and simply an area to "pass through."  And as a SAHM, I think I've gotten poison ivy kinds of itches lately, as I've wanted to change a lot of things around in our home!

So, the last week of January it began...I repainted the ceiling white.  It made it look so much cleaner and brighter.  Good start.  Then about a month passed while I hung swatches of paint colors on the walls and would study them in the afternoons while Kale napped; watching the sun move over them and turn the grey hues blues and purples and khakis.  I didn't want blues and purples and khakis.  I wanted grey-straight up grey!  I eventually settled (again, after about a month) on Mindful Grey from Sherwin Williams.  I must say, I love it.  It's not too dark-it's subtle and lovely.

 The painting took some time as I decided not to tape.  I was in  no rush and just decided to work on it as I could, while Kale napped, and eventually it would get done.  I had 10 doorframes to go around so we're talking lots of trimming here, folks.

 Like the ceiling, the painting has been done for quite some time now but last weekend, we completed the project by hanging the picture frames.  Then much to my husband's dismay, I saw yet another idea in Country Living magazine (Your Christmas gift subscription is costing us money, Mom!)...a new light fixture.  It was black to match the black, grey and white theme I was going with, it was affordable, and I didn't care for the one that was up.  So, a few (more like 6) hours later, the new light was bright and shining (old home, former light not installed correctly, power out for 4 hours due to wind...etc...).

And now when we pass through the stairwell, I smile.  And when Kale passes through he points to the pictures and says "Mama!", "Papa!" and "Cedar!".  I think the 4 months' work was worth it.

Booyeahs

Since I've become a parent, I've turned into a crazy person.  Case in point: last week I began backing out of the garage before the garage door was fully up.  Crazy.  Thankfully, my sane husband, upon receiving my phone call, paused at the news and then laughed.  Yes, I'm confident he knows I'm crazy.

At least ten times a day I ask Kale not to yell in the house.  Then, at a moments' weakness when I am feeling so frustrated and tired after a long day, I find myself yelling.  At Kale.  In the house.  Crazy.

Yesterday was one of those long days.  To top it off, I got a cramp of sorts in my leg that would not go away and all I wanted to do was retreat to the bathtub for a long soak.  Got in, good to go.  Dropped my devotional book partially in the water.  Crazy.  Or well, maybe just clumsy.

At our moms group recently, the pastor's wife talked of "Booyeahs."  She watches a few of her grandchildren and after school she asks them for their "booyeahs" of the day; meaning for every "boo" of the day, they have to also give a "yeah."  I'm thinking this is an excellent idea.  So here we go:

BOO: Kale refused to try apple juice and only wanted to take the straw out of the juice box and make a mess as opposed to put it in his mouth.
YEAH: Kale did want to put chalk and tree bark in his mouth while playing outside.  Whereas this should be frustrating, I'm turning it positive that at least he'll put something new in his mouth.  There just might be some hope there.

BOO: Cedar knocked Kale down 3 times while playing outside.  One time was pretty hard but thankfully it was just in the grass.
YEAH: Cedar and Kale are forming a bond that I'm excited to see continue to grow throughout their years together.

BOO: Justin played basketball tonight which means he doesn't get home till later.
YEAH: I'm happy for my husband to have an outlet as he works a stressful job and I know how much it rejuvinates him.  And I like to see him get in a little exercise.  (Lovies, honey!)

Share your own Booyeahs of the day.  You never know.  It just might make you feel a little less crazy.

Easter Sunday 2012

Sunday's Coming!

With little one in bed, I was able to set out his Easter basket on the play porch (and will soon be putting my feet up!).  He'll find it in the morning by following the trail of eggs leading from his room,

down the stairs,

through the dining room,

and onto the porch.  His basket this year even contains some German chocolate bunnies, courtesy of Papa's last trip.

More importantly, we're excited to celebrate our Risen Savior on Easter Morning.  Sunday's coming!

Jesus paid it all!  All to Him I owe.  Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.

Month of March

It's been a great month.  Visits from Grandparents;

 sweet moments at home;

 homemade meals from mom and dad (My Pa & bro caught that fish and I had to have my melted butter in the tin cups like when I was a kid...);

 Kale ate his "fish" too...

 sewing birthday banners with Lady (aka Mom);

 Pa (aka Dad) reading with Kale;

 lots of trips back to the timber;

 rides on the "tractor" with Grams;

 park time with Mama;

 and lots of sunshine smiles.

Hope you've had an equally enjoyable month.  Here's to April!



Kale's "Field of Dreams"

Mr. Kale decided to turn the porch into more of a field today so he could roll his tractor tires through the dirt, just like a real farmer.

 While Mama is upstairs putting laundry away, the little boy will play.

No need for time outs.  Simply getting out the vacuum is punishment enough for our little man.  And apparently the authorities were notified as the firetruck showed up too...

Indoor Grilling with the ten Hoeve's

We enjoyed a "Dutch evening" at our friends' Gerben and Julie's complete with indoor grill.  As Gerben described, we were to take whatever food we wished (pieces of steak, chicken, meatballs, peppers, onions, and the like), and place them on the grill. It offered the opportunity to converse and linger while our dinner cooked. What a marvelous time!  We love this dear family and have cherished our friendship with them through the years.  God bless you, ten Hoeve's!

Starting the Day with Valentine's

When I was a kid, I always remember my mom having a Valentine card and small gift on our plate for breakfast.  It's one of those sweet memories that sticks with me and always brings a smile to my face. 

As I moved away and was on my own, when my Valentine came in the mail from Mom, I always saved it for Valentine morning breakfast.  Still do. 

This morning I got Kale in on the tradition.  He had Valentine's of his own to open and enjoy.

Think this tradition is here to stay.



Our Sweet Valentine

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him." 1 John 4:16-17

Building and Stacking

Bob Kale the Builder has been up to lots of building and stacking these days.  It seems no matter what the objects, he works to stack them up. 

Pantry items....

Teddy Grahams on sippy cup....

Airplanes on Lego tower...

No matter how he stacks it up, we love this boy.

Laughter

"Laughter is an instant vacation."  -Milton Berle

"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out my nose." -Woody Allen

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."  -Victor Borge

"You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in  your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants."  -Stephen King, Hearts in Atlantis

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."  -Victor Hugo

"Laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life." 

-Hugh Sidey