Permission to CREATE!!!

All images via www.pinterest.com

More Crafts...

Just been feeling creative lately...

I downloaded this free printable, cut to fit and framed - easy peasy and sooo cute!

Get you one at www.simplecrafter.com/summer-free-printable-subway-art/ 

Remember those apples Kinsley was making a few weeks ago?  Yep - found a use for them - sweet little teacher gifts for the first day of school - found "Good Job" stickers, a list note pad - I know I love these, and some stamps in the dollar bins at Target.  We just wrapped them up with coordinating curly ribbon, and used Kinsley's apples as the tag - cuteness!

Found this idea on an art teachers website - let the kiddos put drops of watercolors on paper, then blow with a straw to make some modern art!  Kept mine busy at least 30 minutes - ha ha!

And my sweet hubby finally hung this bulletin board in their playroom - I let them each choose a few pieces of their fave art (notice the new straw paintings), and we will switch them out as they create new masterpieces - I'd like to do this seasonally:)!

What have you been creating lately?  Have you been inspired by something you've seen?  Or just not feeling it???  Let me know!

She's Crafty

I've been feeling a little crafty lately - probably from looking at all the amazing things on Pinterest.  So...my sister gave me all the supplies to make a yarn wreath a little while back and I decided to finally complete it! But first...I did my research...

This one is by Gloria at Little -White- Whale.com, I love the alternating grey and white!

And this one is from Sewcraftalicious.wordpress.com - love the "peacock-y" (is that a word?  It is now) decorations!

Here's how mine turned out...I'm thinking I might have gone overboard with the flowers...but for now...I like it!

Clean House

I'm not sure if I ever told the story of our house on here.  We love our house...it was truly a gift from God in so many ways!  We sold our first house in about a month and moved into an apartment while we looked for this house - we knew we would be here awhile and did not want to rush into choosing because we wanted to make sure it was something we could grow into and that it had all the things we could wish for.  We actually made a list of the things we wanted - knowing we would have to sacrifice something more than likely.  We actually had a contract in on a house in the perfect neighborhood that we thought was "the one" until ...a crazy realtor sold it out from under us to a higher bidder even though he'd given us a verbal contract - we were devastated...but God had better plans!  You see, if we would have gotten that house, we would have sacrificed so much!  God knows what he's doing and I'm so glad!  I took some pics the other day because I was cleaning for my inlaws to come - that means it was SUPER clean according to my standards and I just LOOOOVE when its like that...so, this is more for me than for any of you who read my blog, this house is a blessing to us!

Here is a verse we claimed and clung to during our search:  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God.  And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! - Phillipians 4:6

The pool

Our bedroom

Our bathroom

Guest bath

Dining room

Office

Kinsley's Room

Playroom

I have more pics I will add to this later...

Lovely Days

I love days like today!  Today we chilled at home, I edited, wasted lots of time on Pinterest, worked out, watched old Oprah's, then we went swimming - I love watching my kiddos under the water diving, kicking, trying to do handstands - I thank God for their healthy bodies and the fact that they can swim to their hearts content!  Such freedom and innocence to the summer and playing and laughing all day.  Here they are after swimming, no TV on - my fave, and playing a Star Wars guessing game!  LOOOOVE!

In other news, my sister, who was also my Family Reunion secret pal this year, came over the other day and as part of my secret pal gift she bought these plants for me to plant in my planters by the pool!  My parents gave me the planters and I was going to paint them, but after we got the plants inside I decided I kinda liked the rustic look - what'dya think?

Pinterest and Cute little girl clothes!

I just joined Pinterest, I am hooked!!!

This is how I would dress my little girl if I had all the money in the world...and if it wasn't 110 degrees here in Texas right now:)!!

I will give credit to the person/company who took this photo when I find out where its from!  Cute though, huh???

What's Up?

What's been going on in your world's?  Here's a little snippet of ours lately!  Just enjoying the summer!

Kinsley's been cutting out apples, when I asked her why she said, "I don't know, just in case I need them for crafts later"...ok!

We created this little art wall in the "art room" - Kinsley spends most of her time in here!

 Kinsley and I had a "girls night" while Curtis and Kaden went to Curt's basketball game the other night.

Kinsley wanted to color...all...night...long:)  So fun!

Here's my puppy checking up on us!  She made it mandatory that we have puppies to watch us color!:)

Coloring in my bed with the coloring princess!

My mom bought this coloring book at Old Navy a few years ago for the kids and I haven't seen a cooler one since!  

We colored this...

and this...

and this...

Today I braided her hair while she watched a movie - every woman should have a little girls hair to braid - LOVE IT!!!

This sweet little boy watched the movie with us!

And then she sat under my desk to flashlight read while I checked emails and updated this blog!!!

So...what have you been up to?

ARRGH!!! Kaden's 8th Birthday Pirate Party

I can't believe my little boy is 8 years old already!!!  We celebrated with a Pirates of the Caribbean Party!  Here is the cake and snacks table!

A close up of the treasure chest - complete with Pirate Booty veggie puffs:)

Kaden was able to choose 3 friends to go see the new Pirates of the Caribbean 4 movie - we saw it at the imax in 3D - AWESOME!  Here he is with Colton and Kayden - two of his fave friends, and since his other friend was out of town, little sister happily filled in:)!

Birthday sign in the kitchen!

So...we totally improvised on this cake - no store around us had ANY Pirate cakes, period.  Luckily, Curtis had the idea to buy some leggo Pirates stuff and just added it to a cake a lady at Target made us to look like water and a beach!...Whew...!

The pirate loot - Kade's presents!

Another shot of the table!

I had these cute little X's and O's dishes from Pottery Barn, they are actually for Valentine's Day desserts, but for this party - the X's really marked the spot!!!  ha ha

The little scalleywag with his cake!

Family pic!  We love this boy!

Opening presents with cousin Kai, and friend Kayden!

Then it was time for a treasure hunt - thanks to my sweet hubby for making these maps right quick - each kiddo had to find 2 coins at 5 different locations, and then trade those coins in for a treasure at the end!

This is team Kins and Kayden

Team Kaden and Colton!

And the little pirateer Kai Kai!

The party ended with a dip in the pool:)  Kinsley is a scary mermaid here - if you've seen the movie, ya get it! ha ha!

Sweet birthday boy enjoying life!

Can you see them - Curtis and David - Colton and Kayden's dad!

Mom, Dad, and my bro-in-law John!  And the last pic below is of me and Stephanie - Colton and Kayden's mom!  Fun was had by all!!!