My House- Part Six- A Christmas Tour!

Welcome to my home, dressed up for the holidays!  I'm posting this as part of the Nester's Christmas Tour of Homes!  Before you proceed I have to let you know... I have a five month old and a potty training 2 and a half year old.  I LOVE decorating for the holidays, so that was a priority... but in my mind, twinkle lights camouflage a multitude of messes, as do close up pictures, hahaha...

This little guy never knows where he may find himself, but this year he's ended up on this chair.  I'm enjoying him alongside this pillow!

These are hand made by my mother-in-law and are replicas of the original family heirlooms (made of out toilet paper rolls- yes I said heirlooms!) that reside at Paul's childhood home.  Aren't they sweet??  You have to watch them, though, sometimes I find them in some compromising positions, but I'll keep it family friendly for the blog...

Even the kitchen gets in on the fun!

Love this little Santa door hanger...

Charlie's room!

He's even made a few of his own decorations this year...

I bought this little candle tree several years ago at Target... I like it, but just never know where to put it!  This year it finds itself in the bathroom.  Not sure how I feel about it there...

There's a fun little penguin rug for the winter in here too right now, which, along with the tree, makes all our hours spent in the bathroom lately (potty training, remember?), just a little more cheery.

Here's our room... just a simple wreath hung over the bed with a push pin... so easy, but so merry!

Merry Christmas!  Hope you enjoyed the tour!  

Want to see more of my house?

Click here!

Santa, Baby

 Look who loves her some Santa...

... they look like they could be related with those jolly, rosy cheeks!  Reminds me so much of this picture from two years ago...

Charlie wouldn't go near the man this year, but let Santa know from across the room that he'd like a "blue car."  Good to know!  He did let me take a picture once we were outside and safely away from the scary bearded man.

The hustle and bustle has officially begun around here and I have been shopping, wrapping, and decorating up a storm.  With all the busyness, we do have some posts coming up- Paul's got a new video up his sleeve and I'm thinking its time for a new house tour post, Christmas edition (if I can just get motivated to clean up around here, it'll happen this week!).

Until next time...  

... with joy

We started a new tradition this year.  We're celebrating Advent each Sunday with candles and a short bible reading.  Its something my family did when I was growing up {and still does} and now we're teaching our children about this season of expectancy... of hope to be revealed in Christ's birth at Christmas.  Its a nice slowing of pace and remembrance of what this season truly means.  Even well-meaning Christians get caught up in the shopping, and wrapping, and lights.

But lest you think we are all candles and spirituality in our house, let me give you a little insight into what had taken place that day...

This was, quite possibly, one of my worst days as a mother to date... I decided to start potty training Charlie and it wasn't going well.  I felt like I had spent the day cleaning up mess after mess and growing more and more agitated with him, to the point of losing my patience in a way that I never had before.  Norah was feeling neglected most of the day and in her own way, was letting me hear about it.  Naps had not gone well, dinner was waaaay late (and too spicy- see the glasses?  I got poblano juice in my eyes- not fun!!).  It was one of those days.

 I don't think I got a shower that day.  And, yeah, that's probably poop on my arm {didn't even notice that until I saw this}.  I was tired, I was cranky, I was complaining.

 And then Paul read the verse.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2

We looked at each other across the table.   For a moment, we set aside our 'light and momentary troubles' and thought about Jesus' joy in His obedience to the Father.  We decided to look for ways to find joy in Christ this week.  We prayed.  Charlie got to blow out the candle.

And then we went back to our lives... clearing dishes, bathing children, cleaning up {yet another} accident, picking up toys.  And I still had that poop on my arm.  

But in my heart there was a reminder, that this isn't it.  There is more to come... because of our Savior, who for the joy set before Him, suffered for my sin- my complaints, my worries, my loss of patience, my pride.  

He endured it all that we may know the One who sent Him.

  Thank you, Jesus.

"No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.  For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."  

Heb 8:11-12

CWP Episode 1 - Basic Knife Skills

The Big Room Reveal #1

So a looooong time ago I posted this about my big design project at my in-laws' house.  Well today I am happy to say that I am ready to reveal one of the rooms!!

Here is the before picture of the old squeaky full sized bed...

 And after a little TLC plus a new queen sized mattress...  The bedding is a combination of things from  TJ Maxx, and Bed Bath and Beyond.  The headboard is from Pier One.

Instead of a bedside table, we put in a small desk (from TJ Maxx, chair from World Market).  It turned out to be such a cozy little spot and really functional too!  Within a short time after getting there, my brother in law had his laptop and mouse set up and ready to go. :)  The lamp is from Pier One and the mirror I found at Home Goods.

Here is a before picture of the opposite wall...

And here is that corner now, cozied up with a floor lamp and picture (from Target, as is the one above the bed).

Here is the wall across from the windows.

Notice the dresser... its the same one refinished with new hardware.  It was sanded down and then spray painted a cream color.   And yes, its the only thing we saved.  Trust me, no one was using that Nordic Track, haha.  You got rid of it, right Teri?? :)

My sister-in-law and I dug around in the closet over Thanksgiving and found all these old family photos... we had them blown up at CVS and they turned out just beautiful in matching frames.  I love this wall!

While looking through the boxes of pictures, we also found some things stored away that had belonged to my mother-in-law's father, who died when she was a little girl.  We bought the shadow box at Target and my sister in law arranged everything so beautifully!  It turned out to be a really meaningful part of the room.

 I'm no professional designer, so I really have no idea about the "correct" terms used to describe the style of a room.  In my head, I was going for cozy, warm, and somewhat country, but not overly shabby or ornate.  Kind of a clean, cozy, country.  How's that for terminology? :)  But through my experiences with my own house, you don't need to know the "right" terminology, you just need some ideas and some inspiration!  I looked through tons of photos on blogs before starting.  Then we went shopping specifically for the fabrics (pillows, bedding, curtains).  After that we just did some more shopping... and I do mean "we"... Paul not only cooks but he is an amazing design assistant.  Didn't I hit the jackpot??  :)  We bought some things, tried them out, returned some things, kept some things.  You know, sort of a trial by error kind of process.  Gradually, the look developed and once the major pieces of furniture were found (the headboard, desk, and chair) the room really came together!  

Just for fun, here are a few pictures of my in-laws seeing the room for the first time.  It was SO fun to see their reaction.  It was over Thanksgiving break, so the whole family got in on the excitement...

Ooh, that ceiling fan is also new, as is the plaque above the closet which reads "The Lord is my Strength and my Song." 

 Love this picture... this is my sweet mother-in-law realizing its the old dresser...

The second room is close to completion but just needs a few final touches.  Here's a little sneak peek...

I'm loving these colors together, so warm and cozy!  Oh and don't forget to leave a comment on Paul's post yesterday if you have any requests for his video series coming up!  I am SO excited about it... he is very talented in the kitchen and I have learned soooo much from him.

Video Cooking Series Coming Soon

Just a quick post to let you know that I'll be starting a video series on cooking tips, techniques and recipes, the first episode of which should be up on the blog in a few days.  I hope you watch and enjoy it.  And let me know what you'd like to see, whether it be a "how do you do ____?" or a "what's a _____ for?" or a recipe you want to make known to others.  See you all then.

What I'm Thankful For

... my little brother, who's {much} taller than me now...

 ... these two children that I love so much I can't even understand it and a husband who knows loving me means forgiving me and accepting me even when I'm cranky {and loves me STILL!}

...holiday traditions, like using my Great Grandmother's butter dish with {just a little} butter...

...my parents who show me what marriage is, what love is, who Jesus is...

 ... my Grandma who came to spend a week with family and meet her first great granddaughter...

 ... the legacy of love and grace that has been passed down to me, that I am passing to my own children in this season of my life...

...the hope I have in Christ for the seasons to come...

I am overwhelmingly grateful.

  Israel, put your hope in the LORD,

   for with the LORD is unfailing love

   and with him is full redemption.

 He himself will redeem Israel

   from all their sins. 

Psalm 130: 7-8