Family pictures can be fun, but they can also be exhausting. This year my kids did not want to cooperate, so it took some bribing. We did get some really great ones. Thanks to my friend Elizabeth who helped out. We will have to make this a yearly tradition.

Easy fix to the back porch, I was sick of the boring concrete slab. So I spray painted a pattern, just need painters tape and 5 cans of spray paint. It was fun and so easy.

Summer Vacation In Canada

We had a great trip out East, the weather was great for our first two weeks, then it rained and rained after that. The kids have made some really great memories. We got to see lots of family and the kids got to meet some of my oldest friends.

Flower clips!

So only 2 weeks until we leave for New Brunswick, Canada. We are all so excited. The kids got their green cards and we will soon be off. So I wanted to make something for my nieces, I went over to a my friend Ami's house and she patiently taught us how. I was able to make 3 there, and 9 today. I love learning new things and to be more creative, thanks Ami!

JAMES.....TOOLS......HAPPY WIFE!

I thought a DIY project was a good idea for today, so here's our new headboard. I wish we didn't have to hang it so high, but we have an outlet that we can't cover up.

More projects

I didn't want to throw out Russell's lamp shade, but it needed a makeover. Since I love the floor patch, I thought that would be a cool way to give it a new look. It was so easy.

I needed new pillows for the living room. and couldn't find ones I liked. So I dusted off the sewing machine, and whipped some up.

Projects around the house!

Crazy bold colors in the children's rooms, and their bathroom.






I love neutral colors, which I used around all the common areas. I chose sacred soil for my bedroom, it looks purple which I love. You can see all the other projects I have been up to. I'm a bit obsessed with NATE, his show is amazing. I also love blogs! I get inspired all the time. I have other idea's I hope to do on other walls, so we shall see. Russell's room is a calming blue and green. He needs a calming place to read and play.
I received my mother's china a few years ago and bought this cabinet a few months ago.
I have a nautical theme in my living room, which started with a picture of the bluenose, that I got from my Grammie Russell 10 years ago, she was going to throw it away. Then James the smaller replica, and I have been adding small things here and there ever since.
I love piknic, and I recently framed the black and white pictures that I made.
I saw the flower ball on a blog, and thought that would be a good way to use my bridal bouquet.
I saw a wall of the letter of someones last name, and had to copy it. So I came up with the "R" wall. It looks better than the picture, I took framed pictures of all of us, and different R's that I found. So this is what I've been doing.

We love Spring!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, HAVING FRESH VEGGIES,
WE ARE SO BLESSED!

Happy Easter!

I took the kids to the community Easter Hunt, we got there a little too late, most of the kids had already cleaned up. I thought they were pretty cute. Russell stayed in the car, heaven bid that he actually see someone he knows. That is what I deal with on daily basis. We did our Easter stuff Saturday morning, I learned over the years it's easier to do that morning instead of Sunday, and we can do a lot more fun things, and focus on Christ on the Sabbath. We had a wonderful meal. Just wish that I was in a better mood. We found out Friday, that my parents flipped their car. My Mom takes care of a cancer patient, and he needed a ride to get treatments, since it's all day, Dad went with her. They have a 2 hour drive to the hospital. When they were almost home, my Dad fell asleep at the wheel. They totalled their only car. Mom was badly hurt, broken vertebrae and broken bone in her face, one eye is badly bruised. She is still in the Hospital. Dad just got home yesterday, and he's on pain killers for his sore body. It's hard to live so far away from them. I am grateful for my brothers who are there to take care of them.

Softball!

It's been fun watching Rebekah improve her softball skills. She is so shy and is starting to warm up to the other girls. We have the best coach, he really puts forth a great effort to make sure they are learning and improving. Notice that she is grabbing her helmet in the first picture, she just got knocked in the head with the ball.

A DO OVER!

Ever wished you could have a do over day, well that was my day today. Here I spent the last 3 months training, running and more training. Today was race day.... To begin, I had major anxiety, but we had a great start. Ran the first 5 miles in less than 50 min. While suffering with side splinters. Then made it to the sand pit. WHAT THE HECK! Hills, I don't like hills, and I don't remember reading about any hills, and they were very sandy. from Mile 6-8 so it was hard to get my footing. Then I ended up with an ankle injury, Oh and Aunt flow thought she needed to throw in that challenge as well today! It just wasn't my day, I guess I won't be checking a full marathon off my bucket list today, lets hope for a better day tomorrow.

Updates

This is Russell working on his World Conservation award - making bird feeders.


Jacob throwing in the ball.


Russell playing at the park.


Jacob looking so cute in his Uniform


I had to get Rebekah to jump out of this tree, she is a lot like me. I climbed trees very well when I was her age.



Jeremy playing on the slide.


We have been busy painting rooms, cleaning closets and enjoying the sunshine. Spring is in the air. It has been colder here, which is unusual for this area. So we welcome the warmer temps. I have decided to run another marathon, this time it's a full. So it takes up a lot of extra time, training and getting ready. My friend Emily asked me if I would join her in training with her personal trainer. It's been a lot of fun, and also a lot of work. I can't believe how much more the trainer has pushed me. I'm just looking forward to crossing it off my goal list. i'm not looking to run the best time, but to run a good pace and finish. I love that I have friends who have also ran in races to guide me a long.

Jacob just started Soccer, he loves it, he's really taken to the sport and isn't to bad at it. Rebekah is in Softball, she has great coaches, they are helping her learn this new sport and she's having so much fun. Russell just finished up his wolf badge, and is looking forward to having the summer off. Jeremy is wishing I put him in a sport, but mom just doesn't have that much time at the moment. Next year I will try to be better at getting him into Soccer as well, he is only 4 after all.