Porch makeover!

This is what my porch looked like a few days ago. 
Basically, it was storage and a playroom. Neither of which are what a porch is supposed to function as! 
So the other day, I said to mahself "Self, this is ridiculous! Let's have a makeover!"

And that's what I did.  New cushion covers, new rug, some new little accessories, blinds, a garland, mirror, and voila! A functional porch :)

I made this garland last night. Just cut up all my scraps into different size squares, sewed them all onto a ribbon and I was done. So easy, and now I get to see all of my favorite fabrics at once.

I have claimed the pink chair on the right as 'my seat'. I set my coffee on the sill, put my feet up and read the Word. Love.

I bought the lamp at the thrift store and painted it that cute yellow. I also got the green vase that same day.

This mirror was a yard sale find. $2! Can you believe it? I envisioned it turquoise right from the start.

The full view. Beautiful. This is where you will find me every spare moment I have.

Isn't that so nice? I just love it. I've also been doing a little makeover in my bedroom.  A fresh coat of paint, some new curtains and a refresher coat on the trim.  I'll show you when it's done!

What are you doing today?

DIY Back to School Roundup

Hi all! For today's DIY post, I thought it'd be fun to share a bunch of back-to-school ideas I've seen floating around the Interwebs. I may just do ALL of them; they're that amazing! These all work even for kiddos who already back at school. Enjoy!

Go check them out and let me know which ones you're going to do!

1.

Teacher Gift Basekt

2.

Felt Pencil Case

3. 

Artist Containers - Tin can and crayons/pencils!

4.

Lunch box printables

5.

Fabric Cover for Notebook

6.

folder labels

7.

Homework Chart

Happy Sunday!

Courtesy of JoysHope.com

One of those days.

You ever have one of those days?
You know what I mean.
You don't get dressed into real clothes until 4:30 pm (and that's only cuz you don't want your husband to think you've been in your pajamas all day when he gets home from work), your kids eat hot dogs and popcorn for lunch, you spill nail polish on your favorite rug and scrub, not blot, to get it out, you step in the pee all over the bathroom floor and forget to clean it up until the entire house smells like pee, you trip on the bra you left on the bedroom floor and smack your head on the dresser, the kids scream every single second that you're on that important phone call you've been waiting weeks for, and your baby stays in that poopy diaper far too long because it doesn't really smell so you forget about it.

Not saying that ever happens to me.

But lately, I've been having days completely opposite of that. Pretty peaceful. It's kind of strange really. I'm sort of expecting something to blow up or fall from the sky.  Sure, my kids are a handful and sometimes I feel like jumping out of the window, but most days, I love every second of it.  Even on days like the above, it's not all that bad. Because they are worth it.

Motherhood...it's a strange word really.  It entails so much more than 'they' tell you.  Before I had kids, I pictured life with a baby as pretty hunky dory. You snuggle this little bundle til they fall asleep, then you go about your business. They wake up bright eyed, eat and poop, and then just fall asleep again and life goes on as such until they're eighteen.  No problem.

What?! You mean that ISN'T the way it is? 

Not my kid, but funny, no?

No, I reckon it's so much more.  All the stuff up there in the first paragraph is not what's important.
It's how I respond to those things that is important.  I find myself getting so irritated that I make this throaty, mad noise, just so I don't scream, throw stuff, or put my kids on E-bay.
Soon after, I realize that now, my 4 year old is also making this noise.
I do not like that.  Do I really want him responding that way when he's upset? Nope.
They really do hear everything, and repeat it.
I'm teaching my kids how to react when things don't go their way.
Ugly throaty noise?
No thanks.

Every response matters, even and especially on one of those days.   Take a deep breath, sit down, snuggle them, and forget about the mess.  Apologize and repent for responding in anger, pray for grace, and ask God to put some peace in your home where the enemy has sought to take it. 

Because after all, in the grand scheme of things, really, what's a little pee on the floor?

DIY Fruit Dish with supplies from the Dollar Store!

I sure do love me some Dollar Store, in case you haven't noticed.

Have you ever gone to a party where the hostess had these amazingly cute fruit dish and you thought, 'Gee, Id sure love a dish that cute!' Well, now's your chance, folks.

Today's DIY: A dish (or cupcake stand, candy holder, etc!) that will cost you less than $5 (including spray paint and glue)

Alrighty, let's get to it!

Gather your supplies:
candle stick
bowl or plate
E6000 glue (found at walmart or any craft store)
spray paint

Apply some E-6000 around the top of the candle stand, and gently place the bowl on that. Allow to dry until it doesn't budge when you try to move it a little. (I estimate about 30 minutes?)

Now you have this!

You could leave it like this, or,  you could paint it! I used white so that it looked like porcelain, but you could totally do any color. Remember, when you paint it, do not paint the inside of the bowl because if you do, you won't be able to put food in there without some kind of lining like a paper towel. (which isn't quite as cute, am I right?)

If you want it paint, it's easy as pie. Just take it outside, lay it upside down on your surface, and paint a few thin coats (letting dry in between, of course!)

So pretty!
You can also stick a plate on top instead to have a super cute cake stand! Or you can do 2 candle stands and 3 plates alternated, and have a super cute 3-tiered cupcake stand!

The possibilities are endless...Have fun :)

Ode to my job.

Actually, I think an "ode" is a song or poem, so maybe this isn't an 'ode' so much as it is a 'shout-out'. Say 'ode' again.

ODE.

Doesn't even sound like a word anymore.
But I digress.

Lately, as I've been paying more attention to my kids and less to my home improvement endeavors (I know, I should have been paying them the most attention to begin with, but hear me out.), I've been struck by some thoughts that I've thought of before, but are just now hitting me full on.  Bam. In the face.

I am responsible for teaching these little people that I love right from wrong.
I am in charge of raising them in their destinies and talents.
I, therefore, am responsible to find out what those talents are and once I learn that,  I have to help them grow in that way.
And get this: I'll be held accountable to the Lord if I fail to do my best.

Yikes McGee!
Thats tough stuff.
And a little heavy.
But seriously, moms and dads out there, this is our JOB. It's more important than your finances (what?! Did she just say that? Don't get me wrong though; if you don't provide for your family, that's bad news too), more important than your friendships, and more important than your house. (did you hear that, self?) In fact, parenting the children you've been given is the most important, impactful thing you will ever do in your lifetime, other than giving and living your life for Jesus.

So as I sit, watching my children play, I re-up.
I'm committing again in my heart to raise them in the way they should go.
I know it's not a guarentee, but I sure would love to see my kids grow to be loving, kind, caring people who go hard after God in everything they do.
I'd love to see them walking through this life caring about nothing more than their relationship with God, and consequently, sharing that with the people in their world around them.

Discipline matters more than everyone thinks.  Especially for the little ones. I see my almost-3-year old daughter getting feistier (word.) and sassier every day, and I know that it's part of who she is, but it has to be honed through loving discipline. My 4 year old has begun whining and so, it's time to crack down and be consistent. 

I've seen what children can end up like when the parents are too lax in their discipline, or when they're too involved in work so that their children don't see them as the true authority figure in their lives.  That's not to say those parents don't love their children; of course they do! But, I so desire to be that mom who, when looking back on their childhoods, my kids can say this about me: "My parents were consistent and loving in discipline, and we always knew we were precious and loved by God because of them."

So, to all you moms and dads out there, you've got these little lives in your hands, just waiting to be taught boundaries. To be shown love and affection more than you sit at your computer. To be read to and tickled rather than sit in front of the TV all day. To be hugged and kissed good night every night without you being in a hurry to get away.

(I'm saying this more to myself than you, believe me!)

I know this is kinda heavy, but it's a big deal, yes? Let's step up and take this job full on! Let's bear the weight of this, knowing it's for the glory of the Lord and for the good of the next generation. Let's leave a legacy, friends!

Make it Monday - Hungry Caterpillar, Pinterest faves, and shop stuffs!

Hey all! This is not a tutorial, but just an idea for you for your next bday party! Or just a decoration for your kiddos.  Of if you just really like the Hungry Caterpillar book and you want to see that cute little caterpillar every day.

And here's a couple of my faves I found on Pinterest this week.

I will now proceed to the thrift store and buy candle stands and make all of these. Where I will put them, I dont know, but I can't resist.

Uh. Yes please.

'Nuff said.

Joel doesn't know yet that I'm painting our house hot pink.

Head on over to the shop if you're looking for some scraps for your next project. I just listed a bunch of packs in different colors, shades, and patterns! Such as these:

Have a good Monday! Praying God blesses you today!