Liam’s 3rd Birthday Bash

Well hello there, blog!  Forgot you existed.  : )  To be honest, it’s only been recently that I’ve felt very motivated to do much other than hang out with my fam, eat carbs, and snooze as soon as Liam goes down for his afternoon nap.  But over the past several weeks, in spite of my quite cumbersome self, I’ve found myself itching to do projects – and *possibly* nagging Matt to do them, too.  Thankfully, he’s been responsive to my nesting needs, and we’ve completed some projects that have long been on our list.  Our list of rooms that need to be painted is definitely shrinking.  : ) 

If you’re wondering what in the world I’m talking about, we are actually pregnant!  And we’re 30 1/2 weeks along.  Did I fail to mention that on this here blog?  Can’t remember… We are excited that this time around a little girl will join our family!  While it took Liam a bit to adjust to having a “gurl” instead of a “bruder,” we’d say he’s pretty excited, and that just makes my heart happy.

But back to the birthday boy.  We’ve never really thrown Liam a big party.  He was sick sick sick when he turned one, so we celebrated with balloons in the backyard and a few pieces of coconut dulce de leche cake bought from our favorite El Taco Rey. 

When he turned two, we were in the midst of moving houses, so we enjoyed a low-key dinner with grandparents and a digger cake and called it a day. 

But this year we wanted to celebrate with more of Liam’s friends, as that’s become an important part of his life this year, and because who knows when I’ll have the energy to do it again.  Ha! 

We went with a camping theme.  Loved it! 

Liam, you bring us SO much joy each and every day!  God has given you a tender heart and eyes quick to twinkle.  Your unique thoughts and sense of humor never fail to amaze us, and there is nothing I would rather do than sing old hymns with you after plowing through a stack of books together.  You’re truly becoming a help in the kitchen (baking is definitely in your genes), and while we thought the construction truck obsession might end last year, we’re beginning to wonder if you just might drive a digger some day.  : )  More than anything, watching you develop a love for Jesus and His people thrills our hearts.  We love you to the moon and back and can’t wait to see what an awesome big brother you will be.  May God bless you this year, that you might bless others!

Tinsel & Trimmings

Well, maybe not tinsel…I’m too boring for that much fun.  But I did have a blast decorating our “new” abode for our first Christmas in this home!  As I unwrapped ornaments nestled in tissue paper and detangled strands of garland, nostalgic memories of the sweet people represented by each piece flooded my heart – presents from 8th grade students, a nativity scene gifted slowly over the years by my parents, treasures unearthed over a weekend in Shipshewana, an after-the-holidays sale extravaganza with my mom & sisters, a handmade sign from a friend, the German nativity from the family I nannied in college - mixed in with a smattering of other items from around our house.

In the past, I’ve wondered if decorating was a waste of time, since we spend several weeks (can’t wait!!) back in Indiana.  But having an inquisitive and eager 2 year old makes me all the more excited to deck the halls these days.  He’s been pretty helpful in the baking department too – although if he asks me for one more cookie, I might lose my mind…  : ) 

As we celebrate Advent – the coming of Immanuel – with nightly Scripture readings, a lighting of candles, occasionally a song, and the completely unspiritual Playmobile Advent calendar, we rejoice in the opportunity to teach Liam about the true meaning of Christmas.  How special it is to see him catching the Spirit of the season as his understanding grows!

Dinner-Time High

We had such a hilarious dinner the other night.  After watching the videos - which we promptly sent to her & Dad - my mom said Liam seemed “high.”  Errr… He wasn’t.  Haha.  But he was in pretty rare form, so we took advantage of it and totally blew the rules of “no singing at the table” (wait, we always break that one) and no phones at the table.  Oh, and please ignore his hardly touched, smushed up enchilada…eww.  : )

Arnold Schwarzenegger Impressions

Our Pets Heads Are Falling Off

Skippyjon Jones

Singing

Holy Guacamole

Tractor Tractor Song

What Was That?

Hot Sauce

Basement Bathroom

When you have a hankering to tackle a project, my theory is to GO FOR IT!  Because before you know it your motivation might be sapped by a crying baby, dishes in the sink, or a cup of hot chocolate and a good book.  So carpe diem, people.  That is exactly the story of our basement bathroom, because with a bazillion other projects that I should have been working on, this is the one I felt like doing.  Maybe it was the towel bars.  I’m pretty sure there were about five of them, and that fifth one just did me in, I tell you.  I mean, towel bars are one of my least favorite bathroom accessories anyway – give me anything but a towel bar, please!  So yeah, that’s where it all started – with the towel bar that broke that camel’s back. 

There was nothing too noticeable about this bathroom – other than its ubiquitous towel bars – and the purpley tile. 

I decided to paint the stark white walls a blue-grey color, and this time I stuck with it.  : )  It’s hard to see in the photos below, but it plays nicely off the tile.  We popped up some frames that we already owned.  I wanted them both to sit centered on the wall, but the toilet is off-set, so we decided to off-set the frames, as well.  The bird art is one of my favorite pieces from the ARC (a local thrift store) – it’s actually embroidered with thick thread, and I love its cheery self.  The basket on the back of the toilet holds toilet paper, because I didn’t get around to putting up a new toilet paper what do you officially call it holder.

Gray rugs and towels from World Market accent the room in an attempt to draw out more gray tones, rather than purple. 

Sayonara towel bars!  Hello there lovely hooks.  Thank you, Hobby Lobby, for keeping your knobs and hooks on a continuous 50% off sale.  Or maybe you just mark them up knowing it makes me feel better to think I’m getting a good deal…

Some purty knobs to replace the old brass ones.  Can’t replace the other sassy brass (faucet, shower door, etc.), but we’re okay with it.  I’m getting more into mixing my metals these days.  At least it sounds kind of cool to say that I’ve got an “eclectic” vibe going on, right?

In a last minute decision, I painted the cabinets white, as the oak just wasn’t doing it for me.  The white also helps to brighten the room, since it receives no natural light.  And it’s always fun to leave a small bouquet of flowers in the vase for guests. 

Oh, and just a quick tip for when you paint a bathroom… No one ever looks behind a toilet, so we opt to toss a trash bag over the back of the toilet and simply paint around it.  It sure beats removing an entire toilet. 

Hooray for semi-quick projects that leave a room feeling fresh!