Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Monday, April 25, 2011

Spray paint + Entryway + Easter

Hello friends!

Do you remember when I showed you 
our drab entryway?
Well it looking a little something like this:

{Boring}

Well, I'm glad to say our entryway looks a LITTLE
bit better now than it did back then.

But first, I have to show you a treasure that
I found at a local antique mall.
I forgot to take a true "before" shot,
so you will see it mid-transformation.
Check this out:


Do you think this is as great as I do?
Well just wait... it's about to get much better!


Wah-lah! Our not perfect, but much better than before entryway!
I still need to find some branches or something of some kind
for the tall red vase under the mirror,
but I would LOVE to eventually do a board and batten
treatment to the wall in this area.
But, for now, this will have to do!
I added a basket under the bench, handy for storing Claire's shoes.
I added a framed photo under the hook thingy (forget what those are called),
and I put a bonsai plant, or whatever that is, next to the bench.
I got the plant from my parents' house a long time ago.
The pillow has our last initial on it made from buttons hot-glued onto it.
Here's a closer look:


And, one more look at my fun new mirror!


What are some fun thrifty things you have found lately?

I thought I'd end this post with a few shots from 
Easter Sunday.
This year, the true meaning behind Easter seemed especially
significant to me.
As a new parent, I've found myself wrestling lately
with the idea of death- thinking about what would happen if I or Wes 
were to die and what that would mean for Claire.
Morbid, I know.
But, death is part of life and something we all have to deal
with at some time or another.
Wes, as a nurse, is faced with death regularly and so
hearing stories from him also reminds me of how
fragile our life on earth truly is.
Anyway, all this is to say that this Easter,
it really hit home to me knowing that I can rest
assured that Jesus conquered the grave, and death is not the end,
but really only the beginning for those who are in Christ!
And for those of us left behind when a loved one dies,
we have the great Comforter here who knows our pain
and can offer us peace that passes understanding.
This is truly something to celebrate, and to live our lives for!

Check out this song by Matt Maher...
I hope the lyrics touch your spirit as they have mine.


Here are some pics of our Easter Sunday!






{I think this one is my fav!}

Have a great week, and happy nesting!

Monday, April 11, 2011

A Week Without an Alarm Clock: A Tribute to Spring Break



On the last day of school before spring break,
I told some of my students that I planned on
"practicing for summer vacation"
during my spring break.

Well I am happy to report that I did JUST that!
My week at home was filled with most all of my favorites:
Spending quality time with Wes and Claire...


visiting with the grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles...

{Claire with her aunt Erin}

sprucing up our home...

{Spring "Mantel" Redo}

getting daily exercise...
{I didn't take a photo of this... you don't want to see it}

catching up with friends...




{We got to see Viktor and Kristen, and meet their little Emily for the first time!
Kristen and I are good friends from college, and we hadn't seen each other in 
over 2 years!}

and doing a little shopping.

{Claire loving her new glittery pink shoes so much that she had to wear them around the house with her PJs} 

I also got to experience some fun firsts with Claire:
Her first trip to the zoo...

{Petting the bunny...}

{...and apparently not too amused with the rest of the zoo.}

her first carousel ride...
{bad mommy forgot to bring the camera for this excursion... boo!}

and her first visit to the park!





So fun!

All in all, I was able to return to school today
with a full heart,
ready to pour into the kids at school
and finish strong the last 8 weeks.
Summer break... I faintly hear you calling my name.
Don't worry... I'm coming!

What fun springy things are you up to?

Be sure to check back in later this week...
I'll be sharing some more spray paint fun,
along with my new craft space.
I know, I know... the fun never stops here :)

Have a great week, and happy nesting!