We made it. I'm too tired to write any more, but we are now official homeowners, and sleeping in our new house tonight! YAY!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Kate and Emma are 2!
It seems almost surreal that two years has passed since my baby girls were born! What a miracle they are, and I am grateful everyday that they are here with us.
It was just 2 1/2 years ago that we decided to go ahead with IVF (invitro fertilization), after years of trying to have more children. Hundreds of shots, ultrasounds, doctor visits, and checkups later, Kate and Emma were born on April 27, 2006.
I can't imagine life without them---they are delightful girls, full of energy, laughter, mischief, and fun. I love being around them, singing and playing with them, and re-discovering things that I had forgotten about long ago. I love fixing them lunch, cutting their food into tiny pieces; I love pouring milk into sippy cups, and putting them into their carseats; I love getting them dressed and doing their hair everyday, and I love watching them take care of their "babies". I love seeing them play and interact with Ryan, dance around the room with Rick, and laugh at funny faces. Every day I thank my Father in Heaven for these two girls--they, along with Ryan and Rick, are my life.
This is me, the a few days before they were born. I was GIGANTIC! I measured about 50 centimeters around 34 weeks, which is around 16 weeks ahead.
.....
This is their birth story.
I had been going to the hospital for twice weekly non-stress tests since I was around 29 weeks. I had also been on moderate bedrest for this same length of time, and having fairly regular contractions, although nothing that would indicate I was in labor. The night before they were born, I was even more uncomfortable (if that was even possible)! I clearly remember waking up suddenly, feeling a very hard contraction, and feeling quite miserable for a few hours, but then finally falling back asleep. That morning I woke up, feeling okay, and headed off to my appointment at the hospital. It was a half day of school, so Rick was picking Ryan up and feeding him lunch until I could get home.
They hooked me up to all the monitors (two fetal heartrate monitors, and a contraction monitor), brought me my water, and I laid my head down to rest. When you have a non-stress test, you click this little button every time you feel the baby(ies) move. I remember clicking quite a bit that day, and feeling some contractions, but nothing unusual. The nurses were commenting on my edema, which had become quite severe. I was 34 weeks, 6 days, and I was just one day short of the 35 week minimum to stay at that hospital. It was a smaller, regional hospital, without a NICU, and so for moms of multiples, if you go into labor before that time, they send you by ambulance (if possible) to a larger hospital about 30 minutes away. I did not want to go there, and so that 35 weeks was a huge deadline for me.
About 15-20 minutes later, the nurse came to check on me. She glanced down at the monitor, and asked me if I was feeling anything. I was having contractions about every 8 minutes, and they were showing up fairly strong on the monitor. She quickly called the doctor, and within another 15 minutes she was there to check me. She determined that I was in labor, and asked for an ultrasound machine to be brought in. When you have twins, one of the factors that determines whether you can deliver on your own vs. a c-section is the position of the babies. If one of them is breech, especially Baby A, the risks are much higher and many doctors will go ahead and do a c-section. She needed to check the girls' positions, and figure out what would happen next.
She then asked me a funny question, and wondered if her 14 year old son could come in and watch the ultrasound! It was "take your child to work day", and he had come with her that day. I gave my consent, and she began. Quickly she realized that I would be having a c-section, since Baby A (Kate) was breech, and Emma was transverse (sideways). I will never forget her next words, and they sent me into shock: "We're going to go ahead and deliver you today, you're having those babies!"
Okay, so I knew it was a possibility, but there was something about actually hearing those words that sent me into a panic. All of a sudden, there was a flurry of activity. Once they know you need a c-section, and that they can’t let your labor progress, it’s all hands on deck. I had so many nurses prepping me for surgery, and doctors asking me for my consent that my head was spinning. I got an IV that started pumping fluids, and lovely blood pressure stocking that puffed air into my feet.
Meanwhile, I called Rick to let him know what was going on, and to make sure Ryan was set to go. His reaction was so funny, and he didn’t believe me at first. Even the nurses in the room could hear his reply…”WHAT????” Because Ryan is diabetic, we had already trained someone to take him in this exact circumstance, and Rick took him there and headed to the hospital. In the end, we were actually waiting for him to arrive, because they finished so quickly with their prep work.
He pulled on his scrubs, and they wheeled me down a very long hallway to the OR. Rick couldn’t come in with me until after my anesthesia was given, and I was ready for surgery, so we said goodbye at the door. I was so scared, and I remember just shaking and the nurse patting my hand. The anesthesiologist and his assistants were amazing, and so kind. They could tell I was scared, and I started to cry. They rubbed my hair, patted my hand, and talked me through getting the spinal, and all through the whole thing. It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, and I was grateful for that. It was just like you see on tv, and the little blue cloth went across my chest so I couldn’t see anything. I wanted to ask if I could watch, but I knew they would say no.
Once they were set, they brought Rick in. He looked so pale, and I was so nervous he would pass out! One of the forms we had to sign was a waiver, just in case Rick got hurt if he fainted or something in the room. I thought that was a distinct possibility at that point! He came up by my head and held my hand, and they started the procedure. I didn’t feel pain, just pulling and tugging, plus a little pressure. Within a few minutes, Miss Kate was born, and they placed her on my chest. I just remember this overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude, and amazement. I still couldn’t believe she was mine, after all we had been through, and the amount of time we had waited. I cant’ even describe how happy I was, and there was even more to come! One minute later, Emma entered the world, and I got to look at her for just a few seconds before they whisked them away. They were just shy of 5 weeks early, and that still presented some risks since they were definitely premature. We were blessed here too, because they were 6 pounds 3 ounces (Kate) and 5 pounds 9 ounces (Emma) respectively. It was determined that they didn’t need to go to the NICU, just some oxygen. In the end, they were ready to leave before I was, and only were on oxygen for about a day.
When I got to finally see them again the next morning, I was literally overcome again with love and gratitude. We were at the end of a most incredible journey—such a long, hard road, but one that was infinitely worth every spent tear and heartache. I knew in that instant how blessed I was, and that my Father in Heaven had seen something I couldn’t have possibly seen or known. I had been given a miracle, and I thank Him every day.
At birth:
2 months:
4 months:
6 months:
8 months:
10 months:
12 months:
15 months:
18 months:
It was just 2 1/2 years ago that we decided to go ahead with IVF (invitro fertilization), after years of trying to have more children. Hundreds of shots, ultrasounds, doctor visits, and checkups later, Kate and Emma were born on April 27, 2006.
I can't imagine life without them---they are delightful girls, full of energy, laughter, mischief, and fun. I love being around them, singing and playing with them, and re-discovering things that I had forgotten about long ago. I love fixing them lunch, cutting their food into tiny pieces; I love pouring milk into sippy cups, and putting them into their carseats; I love getting them dressed and doing their hair everyday, and I love watching them take care of their "babies". I love seeing them play and interact with Ryan, dance around the room with Rick, and laugh at funny faces. Every day I thank my Father in Heaven for these two girls--they, along with Ryan and Rick, are my life.
This is me, the a few days before they were born. I was GIGANTIC! I measured about 50 centimeters around 34 weeks, which is around 16 weeks ahead.
.....
This is their birth story.
I had been going to the hospital for twice weekly non-stress tests since I was around 29 weeks. I had also been on moderate bedrest for this same length of time, and having fairly regular contractions, although nothing that would indicate I was in labor. The night before they were born, I was even more uncomfortable (if that was even possible)! I clearly remember waking up suddenly, feeling a very hard contraction, and feeling quite miserable for a few hours, but then finally falling back asleep. That morning I woke up, feeling okay, and headed off to my appointment at the hospital. It was a half day of school, so Rick was picking Ryan up and feeding him lunch until I could get home.
They hooked me up to all the monitors (two fetal heartrate monitors, and a contraction monitor), brought me my water, and I laid my head down to rest. When you have a non-stress test, you click this little button every time you feel the baby(ies) move. I remember clicking quite a bit that day, and feeling some contractions, but nothing unusual. The nurses were commenting on my edema, which had become quite severe. I was 34 weeks, 6 days, and I was just one day short of the 35 week minimum to stay at that hospital. It was a smaller, regional hospital, without a NICU, and so for moms of multiples, if you go into labor before that time, they send you by ambulance (if possible) to a larger hospital about 30 minutes away. I did not want to go there, and so that 35 weeks was a huge deadline for me.
About 15-20 minutes later, the nurse came to check on me. She glanced down at the monitor, and asked me if I was feeling anything. I was having contractions about every 8 minutes, and they were showing up fairly strong on the monitor. She quickly called the doctor, and within another 15 minutes she was there to check me. She determined that I was in labor, and asked for an ultrasound machine to be brought in. When you have twins, one of the factors that determines whether you can deliver on your own vs. a c-section is the position of the babies. If one of them is breech, especially Baby A, the risks are much higher and many doctors will go ahead and do a c-section. She needed to check the girls' positions, and figure out what would happen next.
She then asked me a funny question, and wondered if her 14 year old son could come in and watch the ultrasound! It was "take your child to work day", and he had come with her that day. I gave my consent, and she began. Quickly she realized that I would be having a c-section, since Baby A (Kate) was breech, and Emma was transverse (sideways). I will never forget her next words, and they sent me into shock: "We're going to go ahead and deliver you today, you're having those babies!"
Okay, so I knew it was a possibility, but there was something about actually hearing those words that sent me into a panic. All of a sudden, there was a flurry of activity. Once they know you need a c-section, and that they can’t let your labor progress, it’s all hands on deck. I had so many nurses prepping me for surgery, and doctors asking me for my consent that my head was spinning. I got an IV that started pumping fluids, and lovely blood pressure stocking that puffed air into my feet.
Meanwhile, I called Rick to let him know what was going on, and to make sure Ryan was set to go. His reaction was so funny, and he didn’t believe me at first. Even the nurses in the room could hear his reply…”WHAT????” Because Ryan is diabetic, we had already trained someone to take him in this exact circumstance, and Rick took him there and headed to the hospital. In the end, we were actually waiting for him to arrive, because they finished so quickly with their prep work.
He pulled on his scrubs, and they wheeled me down a very long hallway to the OR. Rick couldn’t come in with me until after my anesthesia was given, and I was ready for surgery, so we said goodbye at the door. I was so scared, and I remember just shaking and the nurse patting my hand. The anesthesiologist and his assistants were amazing, and so kind. They could tell I was scared, and I started to cry. They rubbed my hair, patted my hand, and talked me through getting the spinal, and all through the whole thing. It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, and I was grateful for that. It was just like you see on tv, and the little blue cloth went across my chest so I couldn’t see anything. I wanted to ask if I could watch, but I knew they would say no.
Once they were set, they brought Rick in. He looked so pale, and I was so nervous he would pass out! One of the forms we had to sign was a waiver, just in case Rick got hurt if he fainted or something in the room. I thought that was a distinct possibility at that point! He came up by my head and held my hand, and they started the procedure. I didn’t feel pain, just pulling and tugging, plus a little pressure. Within a few minutes, Miss Kate was born, and they placed her on my chest. I just remember this overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude, and amazement. I still couldn’t believe she was mine, after all we had been through, and the amount of time we had waited. I cant’ even describe how happy I was, and there was even more to come! One minute later, Emma entered the world, and I got to look at her for just a few seconds before they whisked them away. They were just shy of 5 weeks early, and that still presented some risks since they were definitely premature. We were blessed here too, because they were 6 pounds 3 ounces (Kate) and 5 pounds 9 ounces (Emma) respectively. It was determined that they didn’t need to go to the NICU, just some oxygen. In the end, they were ready to leave before I was, and only were on oxygen for about a day.
When I got to finally see them again the next morning, I was literally overcome again with love and gratitude. We were at the end of a most incredible journey—such a long, hard road, but one that was infinitely worth every spent tear and heartache. I knew in that instant how blessed I was, and that my Father in Heaven had seen something I couldn’t have possibly seen or known. I had been given a miracle, and I thank Him every day.
At birth:
2 months:
4 months:
6 months:
8 months:
10 months:
12 months:
15 months:
18 months:
2 years:
Happy Birthday, baby girls!
Happy Birthday, baby girls!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
3rd grade "cool"
This morning Ryan asked me to please comb his hair "so it didn't look combed". Apparently, it is not cool to have combed hair if you are a boy in the 3rd grade of his elementary school. I obliged him, even though I did sneak in a few extra swipes of the comb to conquer a few stray pieces of hair. My rule is that he either has to wear a hat or comb his hair, and if he's not going to school, he almost always opts for the hat. He doesn't yet understand the merits of combed hair, and I'm really starting to think my explanation regarding a good presentation of yourself, to society, and in the future workplace isn't quite working. :)
I suppose I can work with it...after all, in 3rd grade I had a perm that started a 1/3 of the way down my head, and I turned out okay.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Opportunity, ingenuity, and persistence pays off!
Every nook and cranny of our townhouse is packed full. There is not one space left, literally. We have 500 pounds of wheat, 3 cases of peanut butter, cases of diced tomatoes, and lots of oatmeal under Ryan's bed, hundreds of pounds of rice under the girls' cribs, and the list goes on and on. Really, a place for food storage is one of the things I'm most excited about in our new house.
Well, last week there was a fantastic sale on cereals, fruit snacks, crackers, and granola bars at Meijer. So, even though Rick had told me no more food storage (space issues, as previously mentioned), I couldn't pass up all the great deals. So, I bought a bunch, brought them home, and managed to fit them under Kate's crib.
I didn't think any more about it until today, when I happened to find the girls in their room, with the sack out, some of the fruit snacks out of the box, but not opened. I put everything back, shut the boxes, closed the bag, and put it way back under crib against the wall and behind the cereal. I figured that even if they got under the crib they would just find Cheerios and not go any further.
On my way home from Young Women tonight, I called Rick to see how the girls went down, and if everything was going okay. He told me a very interesting story. Apparently, Miss Kate had worked her hand down behind the crib, got the grocery sack open, got into the fruit snack boxes, and proceeded to open them and pass them on to Emma in her crib. When Rick came in to check on them, they had already downed 11 bags of fruit snacks and had more in their hand ready to go. Hello Kitty wrappers covered the floor (I had no idea they could open these!)and they were as happy as can be.
They may not be very happy tomorrow--come to think of it, I don't know that I'll be very happy tomorrow either...
Well, last week there was a fantastic sale on cereals, fruit snacks, crackers, and granola bars at Meijer. So, even though Rick had told me no more food storage (space issues, as previously mentioned), I couldn't pass up all the great deals. So, I bought a bunch, brought them home, and managed to fit them under Kate's crib.
I didn't think any more about it until today, when I happened to find the girls in their room, with the sack out, some of the fruit snacks out of the box, but not opened. I put everything back, shut the boxes, closed the bag, and put it way back under crib against the wall and behind the cereal. I figured that even if they got under the crib they would just find Cheerios and not go any further.
On my way home from Young Women tonight, I called Rick to see how the girls went down, and if everything was going okay. He told me a very interesting story. Apparently, Miss Kate had worked her hand down behind the crib, got the grocery sack open, got into the fruit snack boxes, and proceeded to open them and pass them on to Emma in her crib. When Rick came in to check on them, they had already downed 11 bags of fruit snacks and had more in their hand ready to go. Hello Kitty wrappers covered the floor (I had no idea they could open these!)and they were as happy as can be.
They may not be very happy tomorrow--come to think of it, I don't know that I'll be very happy tomorrow either...
Monday, April 14, 2008
Part of the job
I have just cleaned up the worst, most disgusting mess in my whole history of motherhood.
That is all.
That is all.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
A new skill...and a request
The girls have been using tableware for quite awhile now, but I noticed this morning that they are actually using them as originally intended! In the beginning, they just held the spoon in one hand, and used the other hand to eat. It progressed to using the spoon as a means to pick up the food off of the plate, but they would still take the food off of their spoon and use their hand to get it to their mouth. Each stage has passed by, with their skills improving each time. Can I tell you how nice it is to just give them a bowl of cereal, and let them eat it on their own? It adds another 45 minutes to my day, and I take full advantage of it! :)
In another news, I got an amazing request this morning from my Miss Emma. We have a very definite morning routine: I go in and pick up their room (miscellaneous stuffed animals, blankets, pacifiers, etc.), change their diapers, get them dressed, and take them directly into the bathroom and sit them on the counter facing the mirror. I then proceed to curl their hair, and fix it for the day. We have been doing this for so long that they sit really well for me, and we have it down to a science. The hard part however, comes in to play when I want to put in a "bow". They don't usually last for very long in their hair, and I put them back in at least 15 times a day. However, on this very fine morning, Emma actually requested to have a "bow" in her hair, the very one that you see in these pictures. It may be a one time thing, but I for one think times may be a changin'.
In another news, I got an amazing request this morning from my Miss Emma. We have a very definite morning routine: I go in and pick up their room (miscellaneous stuffed animals, blankets, pacifiers, etc.), change their diapers, get them dressed, and take them directly into the bathroom and sit them on the counter facing the mirror. I then proceed to curl their hair, and fix it for the day. We have been doing this for so long that they sit really well for me, and we have it down to a science. The hard part however, comes in to play when I want to put in a "bow". They don't usually last for very long in their hair, and I put them back in at least 15 times a day. However, on this very fine morning, Emma actually requested to have a "bow" in her hair, the very one that you see in these pictures. It may be a one time thing, but I for one think times may be a changin'.
Can I tell you how much I love that they fold their arms for the prayer?
Friday, March 28, 2008
One month and counting!!
We are down to one month until we close on our new house and move in! The hardwood floors went in this week, and I'm choosing the stain over the weekend. The cabinets go in next week, and the template for the granite will be meausured. There is already paint on the walls, and I know that the next 4 weeks will fly by.
I have a ton to do to get ready though--I'm planning to paint two bookshelves, a desk, a hutch, and make a few things for the walls. Rick is building the armoire for the great room, plus two little tiny beds that fit crib mattresses (weren't planning on that one quite yet...). I still need to settle on a new dining table, and get it ordered. Packing is probably something that will be done a few days before, but my parents are coming and that will be so nice to have them here to help. It's actually seeming real now!!
I have a ton to do to get ready though--I'm planning to paint two bookshelves, a desk, a hutch, and make a few things for the walls. Rick is building the armoire for the great room, plus two little tiny beds that fit crib mattresses (weren't planning on that one quite yet...). I still need to settle on a new dining table, and get it ordered. Packing is probably something that will be done a few days before, but my parents are coming and that will be so nice to have them here to help. It's actually seeming real now!!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The next circus act?
Don't you ever wish you could be a fly on the wall inside your child's room? Well, today that definitely would have come in handy. My girls went down for their nap around 12:30pm, but they were a little wound up. I checked on them several times(to make sure their clothes were still on) before my piano students came, just to make sure they were doing okay. Well, I heard a bunch of giggling and laughing, so I decided to check once again. The door was open a crack, so I peeked inside where I could see Kate's crib. I couldn't see her, so I opened the door a tiny bit more. I still couldn't see her, and realized that she wasn't in the crib. I kind of panicked, thinking she must have figured out how to climb out, but wondered why she hadn't come downstairs. All of these thought happened in literally 1 second. I pushed the door all the way open, and didn't see Kate anywhere. Finally, I looked the last place I would ever have thought of...Emma's crib. There she was, in all her glory, having the time of her life. I honestly have no idea how she accomplished it. I have a Houdini, and an Evil Knievel!!
A few minutes later I was changing Emma's diaper, and saw something on the floor. I couldn't tell what it was, so as soon as I was finished I went over and picked it up. It was a HUGE chunk of Kate's hair. Emma must have "helped" her over the side, once she got up high enough. Seriously. I think I'm in for a very interesting ride!
A few minutes later I was changing Emma's diaper, and saw something on the floor. I couldn't tell what it was, so as soon as I was finished I went over and picked it up. It was a HUGE chunk of Kate's hair. Emma must have "helped" her over the side, once she got up high enough. Seriously. I think I'm in for a very interesting ride!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
It's Easter!
Really, what a fun time of year. To me it's the kickoff to spring, the time when you look forward to warmer days, blossoms, and being outside. YAY!! Even though it's still chilly here, I always know once Easter hits, spring is on its way.
I love Easter for many reasons, especially for its true purpose--celebrating the resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Last night for FHE we colored eggs, and then had our lesson about Easter. It was actually the girls' first FHE, because they are in bed so early they always miss it. But last night I wanted them there, and even though it was only about 1 minute (literally...we talked about how Jesus loves them, and how he wants us to be nice), it was so wonderful to have my family together and talking about something that is so important to us.
One of the other reasons I love Easter is that it's such a perfect time to instill family traditions, and to spend time together doing fun things. Now that our eggs are colored, we have even more to look forward to. We LOVE making sugar cookies, frosting them, and decorating them for each holiday, so this week we'll set aside a time to that. On Saturday morning the Easter Bunny comes to our house, and then we will be having an Easter Egg Hunt with lots of our friends. Sunday brings being able to go to church and enjoying special lessons, and then eating a yummy Easter dinner. What a fun week!
P.S. If you aren't the type to use a lot of hard-boiled eggs, try coloring them as is instead. No one will eat them hard-boiled at our house, and I was tired of watching all the eggs go to waste. Just let them sit until they are at room temperature (they color better when warm), and color as usual. We have three little kids, and never broken one! We then put them back in their carton, and it is so fun to use colored eggs in cookies, pancakes, and omelets. The kids love choosing which color will go where.
I love Easter for many reasons, especially for its true purpose--celebrating the resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Last night for FHE we colored eggs, and then had our lesson about Easter. It was actually the girls' first FHE, because they are in bed so early they always miss it. But last night I wanted them there, and even though it was only about 1 minute (literally...we talked about how Jesus loves them, and how he wants us to be nice), it was so wonderful to have my family together and talking about something that is so important to us.
One of the other reasons I love Easter is that it's such a perfect time to instill family traditions, and to spend time together doing fun things. Now that our eggs are colored, we have even more to look forward to. We LOVE making sugar cookies, frosting them, and decorating them for each holiday, so this week we'll set aside a time to that. On Saturday morning the Easter Bunny comes to our house, and then we will be having an Easter Egg Hunt with lots of our friends. Sunday brings being able to go to church and enjoying special lessons, and then eating a yummy Easter dinner. What a fun week!
P.S. If you aren't the type to use a lot of hard-boiled eggs, try coloring them as is instead. No one will eat them hard-boiled at our house, and I was tired of watching all the eggs go to waste. Just let them sit until they are at room temperature (they color better when warm), and color as usual. We have three little kids, and never broken one! We then put them back in their carton, and it is so fun to use colored eggs in cookies, pancakes, and omelets. The kids love choosing which color will go where.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Forgiveness
Dear Mom,
I'm so sorry for arguing. I will try harder to obey you. I have been trying to obey you. I will try harder tomorrow. But can I please come out. I will do extra jobs. Can you give me a different consqinse please.
P.S. Do you still love me?
Love, Ryan (insert heart here)
-as written (in 3rd grade cursive) by Ryan, after he was sent to his room for arguing
Sweet boy.
I'm so sorry for arguing. I will try harder to obey you. I have been trying to obey you. I will try harder tomorrow. But can I please come out. I will do extra jobs. Can you give me a different consqinse please.
P.S. Do you still love me?
Love, Ryan (insert heart here)
-as written (in 3rd grade cursive) by Ryan, after he was sent to his room for arguing
Sweet boy.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Pottery Barn deals!
I have been saving up for awhile to get a few things for our new house. I knew I would not only need to spend it carefully because it would go fast, but I also that I would need to choose specific pieces to start with, and then add more over time. That's hard to do sometimes! Well, I happened to be going by Pottery Barn Outlet on my way home from the granite warehouse a few days ago, and I decided to stop in. I totally lucked out! They are currently having a 30% off the whole store sale, with 50% off lighting, furniture and a 70% clearance section. I'm so excited about what I found!
Our playroom is the bonus room over the garage, with loft-like walls and skylights. I found these great alphabet tiles (70% off--never would have spent the money otherwise!) for less than $15. I originally wanted to put them along the top of the walls all the way around the room, but because the ceiling starts slanting only about 4 feet up the wall, I had to re-think my plan. There is one full-size wall that I'm going to put them on, hung by ribbon through the hole at the top of the tile. I'm really thrilled about this find. I had been thinking of doing the alphabet in vinyl lettering, but it would have been much more expensive.
I also found this window drape shade for the playroom window, but mine is a white linen. The walls are a apple-y green, with white trim, so I think it will be perfect!
One thing that will not be new when we move is our family room furniture! That will have to wait a few years. :) I did want to spruce things up a bit with new throw pillows, and I had been on the hunt for awhile, never finding quite the right thing. The room will be a nice medium brown color, with red accents and black frames/furniture pieces. When I found these pillows at PB, I was so excited. I would not have spent the money for the original price, but the sale price brought it down to what I would pay at Target or similar store.
The lampshade in the girl's room was due for a makeover, and I was planning to go to the store today to buy a few things to spruce it up. But when I found this super cute lampshade for only $6.50, I had to snap it up!
I also lucked out and got euro pillow inserts, which I have been deal-searching on since I bought new bedding from PB a month or so ago. It was already cheaper than their online price, so the additional discount sealed the deal.
It was a good day. :)
Our playroom is the bonus room over the garage, with loft-like walls and skylights. I found these great alphabet tiles (70% off--never would have spent the money otherwise!) for less than $15. I originally wanted to put them along the top of the walls all the way around the room, but because the ceiling starts slanting only about 4 feet up the wall, I had to re-think my plan. There is one full-size wall that I'm going to put them on, hung by ribbon through the hole at the top of the tile. I'm really thrilled about this find. I had been thinking of doing the alphabet in vinyl lettering, but it would have been much more expensive.
I also found this window drape shade for the playroom window, but mine is a white linen. The walls are a apple-y green, with white trim, so I think it will be perfect!
One thing that will not be new when we move is our family room furniture! That will have to wait a few years. :) I did want to spruce things up a bit with new throw pillows, and I had been on the hunt for awhile, never finding quite the right thing. The room will be a nice medium brown color, with red accents and black frames/furniture pieces. When I found these pillows at PB, I was so excited. I would not have spent the money for the original price, but the sale price brought it down to what I would pay at Target or similar store.
The lampshade in the girl's room was due for a makeover, and I was planning to go to the store today to buy a few things to spruce it up. But when I found this super cute lampshade for only $6.50, I had to snap it up!
I also lucked out and got euro pillow inserts, which I have been deal-searching on since I bought new bedding from PB a month or so ago. It was already cheaper than their online price, so the additional discount sealed the deal.
It was a good day. :)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Revelation
What a GREAT weekend! It truly was one of the best times I've ever had, and I am still floating on cloud nine! Everything about it was amazing--I thoroughly enjoyed the event, the speakers, the food (ever heard of Portillo's?), the car rides, staying up all night talking like we were teenagers again, eating chocolate cake at midnight, and especially my friends. They are so dear to me, and such incredible women. I feel so blessed to have them in my life, and I can't tell you how much I learned from them. I also came home with a renewed spirit, and with ideas and changes I'd like to make in my life. I feel inspired, lightened, and refreshed. I never realized how much something like this would do for me.
I am so grateful for my husband, who surprised me with this trip, and stayed home with the kids so I could go. It was just what I needed, and I can't wait to go again!
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