If I Could Freeze Time

On my way to bed, just one last peek in on them and I find this...

If I could freeze any moment, this would be it, the two of them cuddled up together, asleep in Kyan's room, tonight of all nights, with his little arm draped across his sister's body, like he is protecting her. He has been sharing his little twin bed with Lola because she says she is too scared to sleep in her room. Her big brother is her hero, mine too.

I just stood there and watched them forever, I couldn't move.

The words of this song played in my mind over and over and over again:

I hope they know how I feel.

Movie Day!

Today was a BIG day! Today, Lola went to see her first movie in the movie theater!

We picked up our girl Celeste (one outta two of the best babysitters in the world - we have been missing her, so we went to get her w/ our belated birthday present in hand, everyone was so happy to see her. We missed our Laken Bacon though and even got to talk to her for a red hot second at lunch)!
When we got to the movies, I went to pay and was shocked at how much tickets were. Then the guy handed over the 3D glasses (we called them goggles the whole time?!)...ummmmmm, I did NOT want Lola's first experience at the movies to be in 3D, but the next movie wasn't for an hour (online the times showed different, I swear). I looked at Celeste, back at the guy, at my kids...grabbed the glasses and said a quiet little prayer that this was going to go okay! Funny, Kyan asked if we could see the movie in 3D on the drive over and I said "NO WAY!", he was getting what he wanted and couldn't have been happier about the little mistake!
Lola actually did very well, she kept her glasses on for all of the previews and about the first three minutes of the movie, then really wanted nothing to do with them. She wanted them a few more times throughout the movie, but quickly took them off - she liked it just fine without them (it was a little blurry, but I took mine off to see if it was worth leaving over for her, it wasn't. Just felt like I needed to put my contacts in or something)! She laughed right along with everyone else, so I wasn't too worried!

I am so glad that we went to see the Toy Story 3, it was so cute and very emotional. I looked over at my little Kyan several times and just felt like squeezing him. He is getting so big. I LOVE him. Without giving too much about the movie away, when you go, you will be able to look back at this post and go, "oh, that is what she meant!". It was very sweet.
This was my test run with Lola and the movies, thank you so much Celeste for helping, and I have to say that I think it was successful! Now she will be able to go with Kyan instead of going to the sitters for movie time!

Notebook Makeover!

Thank you to the middle school that I teach at for such a lovely notebook, with such good bones, for teacher appreciation week months ago, so that I could make it over! Turned out to be one of the prettiest things I carry in my purse! Even the pen got a makeover!


Front and Inside Cover
To create this look is very simple.
Take any notebook that is plain looking and pick out your favorite scrapbook paper.
Use Mod Podge and smear it all over the front cover of your notebook.
Take the scrapbook paper and place on cover, smoothing out any bubbles. You will want left over paper hanging off of the edges so that you can wrap around the back side (kind of like you wrap a present) and glue down folded part on the back.
Then, take another piece of cut notebook paper, just the size of the inside cover and glue it on top of the folded pieces that is already glued down, again smooth down.
You can add whatever you want to both the inside and outside overs to make it pop that much more! I added rosettes (click here for a how-to) to the front and a picture of my kiddos with a glitter frame around it to the inside cover (think that is my favorite part, when I am busy working on the pageant, I just flip to the front and I get to see their cute little faces)!


Back of Notebook
Repeat the same process for the back and back inside covers of your notebook!
Mine was a little tricky because I was dealing with those tacks that were holding down the string that binds the notebook together. I thought that if I attempted to take them off and put them back on, I would have ruined it forever, so I worked around it! It was a challenge, but I love how it turned out!


Why give this notebook a makeover?
Why funny you should ask (ok, maybe you didn't ask, but I am going to tell you anyway)!
I was running out the door the other day to meet with Cyndee and I knew that I was going to need paper. NOTHING was around, but that thing. I threw it in the pantry when I first got it and forgot about it. It was the first thing I saw, so I grabbed it, thinking in the back of my mind - how embarrassing this thing is. Good thing she works at the same school as I do (she even made a joke about it when she saw it) and the paper/paper combo did come in handy! Whew! When I was taking notes, I was thinking about scrapbook paper and Mod Podge and how just a few little things could make this look notebook look so much better. Guess I am weird for not wanting to write on something BLAH looking.

My handy-dandy notebook is being used for all things relating to the Queen of Hope/Worldwide International Pageant that I was hired to be the official photographer for. To read more, head over to Rosie J. Photography! I have busted out the notebook more times than I usually write things down this past week and I am so excited for the opportunity that I have been given to work these ladies coming up over these next few weeks! I feel this really strong connection to Brion, and even though it makes me miss him and think about him constantly with each event that they add to the schedule, it is a good kind of miss you and I feel even closer to him than ever.

Wanna Go For a Dip?

We met with the pool company this afternoon and signed the paperwork to get the pool started!
We got to pick out the color of pebble sheen, tile, and cool deck! It was a pretty big deal! I am sure they thought I was a little crazy when I busted out my camera and started to take pictures!
I am very excited out the very large shelves that will make up a good portion of the pool! That was the most important thing to me and I think they gave me exactly what I was asking for! After playing with the direction a little bit, the fountain is going to get moved a little to the left (as you can see by the big red arrow), that way the fountain can be seen from anywhere you are in the yard or kitchen table inside the house, and the basketball hoop is going on the right side of the fountain instead of the left now!

It was really cool, with them, they brought over someone to draw pictures for us to give a better vision as to what our pool (he drew the picture above and below right at the table as we were talking about everything) and part of the backyard is going to look like from the covered patio! It was so cool to watch him draw it out and then actually see what they were explaining to us on how it was going to look!
They said they were going to get permits on Monday and as soon as they get them, start digging!!! They thought that by July 5th for sure they would start the dig! I thought maybe the hole would be dug by next week and he said that if he can get things going earlier, he would...so here is to every body part getting crossed! Either way, we are so excited to finally get this show on the road!

Two Very Important Birthdays!!!

Today is my little brother, Joel's, birthday. I like to still call him my little brother even though he is NOT littler than me by any means! I didn't really know that he took my blog so seriously over there is Bahrain and checked pretty much faithfully every day, even counting the number of times that I mentioned his name or posted a picture of him on here (since he never leaves a comment, just gives me crap!), so this is a special shout out just for him! Hope you can hear me over there Joel - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I love you and can't wait until you are home in just a few short weeks!

The second very important birthday shout out goes to my very beautiful mama! Truth be told I was so busy on her birthday that I forgot (throw stones now) to put this up on her actually birthday! But, I did get her cards sent to her ON HER BIRTHDAY, which is a bigger deal to her anyway. Now, if I could just remember to not have to overnight them or second day air them to her, my wallet would be so much heavier, but I can't do it, and she might have my head if they don't arrive on or before her birthday (and trust me, I have had to call in favors before to get cards to her on time by way of friends or aunts in NE, sorry mom, now my secret is out...but they have even snuck them in the mailbox for me). It is a big deal and she is worth it! So, I know it is already passed, but shouting to you all the way in Nebraska - HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA! I love you.

"We're on a Boat!"

Kyan and Lola play so very well together! Today was no exception! From the moment they woke up this morning, they started gathering ALL of their animals and babies and brought them into our bedroom, where they created a boat! Kyan called me in to the room and yelled, "we're on a boat!" with such excitement in his voice! I ran to get the camera!

Later that afternoon, after gymnastics and lunch, they went right back up to the boat they created on the floor and played some more! They begged to take a nap together! It was so cute! Kyan had to keep telling Lola to be quiet!

Fun with Spray Paint!

Another attempt to create a little somethin'-somethin' for my space in which I craft! This time I was making two projects at once, so I threw them both up here, just in case you want to try on your own! What I learned is that I am NOT the world's best spray painter. Good thing I was planning on roughing up both projects so that they wouldn't be looking perfect!

I have lots of little things in my craft room that need holders (scissors, brushes, beads, ribbon, etc.). I was trying to be a little creative and used these planters for flowers to use for some of those items! I wish that I would have tried this out sooner, as I just spent a small fortune on planters for some flowers my mom just shipped me (they are fake, the real stuff...I have trouble keeping those alive, plus in AZ, it is HOT)! If I would have know this was so easy, I would have bought 2 giant planters like this and customized them! I think I will for the backyard!

Pretty Planters How-To:

1. Start with any size terracotta planter you want. You could spray the inside too, but I chose to leave it the original color, since orange and robin's egg blue seem to be my two favorite colors right now and the two colors that will be used most in the room! Spray paint the outside white.
2. Let them dry.
3. Robin's Egg Blue, I LOVE this color!
4. Spray away and then let dry.
5. Once they are dry, sand until they look rough enough for how you like 'em! I wanted to make sure that both the white and orange were showing through, so I sanded them pretty good!

Now I have two planters that hold some of my supplies!

Now onto the second project involving spray paint! Remember a few posts ago when I gave you a little teaser, letting you know I was up to some sort of craft but didn't reveal what it was? Well if not you can go back and read it here. If you remember, keep on reading to learn how to create your own big letters with some spray paint, mod podge, scissors, and fabric that you love!

How-To Make Fabric Letters

1. Spray paint your letter white (I focused on the sides, as I knew I was going to put fabric on top of it) and wait for it to dry before you start with the second step.
2. Spray paint over the white with Robin's Egg Blue
***I matched my paint colors with the fabric, you can use whatever paint color tickles your fancy!
3. Sand the edges and rough it up to your liking! I wished that on this project the white would have shown through a little bit more, next time, I would add a heavier coat of white!

1. Measure out the fabric, make sure you have enough to cover your letter.
2. Mod Podge the top of your letter.
3. Put fabric on top of it, smooth out any bubbles with your finger.
4. Once it is almost dry, cut off excess fabric.
5. My pants, it was messy cutting off all of that fabric! Be prepared!
6. The letter with the fabric cut out, before you put on the top layer of Mod Podge.
7. Cover the entire top of the letter with Mod Podge
8. Make sure that when you are doing step #7 you wipe off excess with your finger tip. I didn't want any spilling over onto the side (even though it dries clear).

Here are a few shots of the finished letter, a bit roughed up around the edges!

The final product! I love how it turned out, although I won't be hanging it on the wall, think this one will sit on a shelf in my room!

I figured out how to get spray paint off of my finger tips with this project too! A little nail polish remover with acetone worked like a charm!

Happy Crafting!

PS - If you haven't voted for Miss Lola in the "pink" contest over at Daisy Pink Cupcake, pretty please go and vote for her! She is contestant #2 in the 2nd contest! Thank you!

Vote for Lola!

Ok, usually when I enter contests, my friends can't do anything to help win (usually I enter through Rosie J. Photography and they are judged by guest photographers)...but today you can! When I was featured on Shabby Blogs, the other gal that was featured has a blog called Daisy Pink Cupcake, where everything is inspired by my favorite color, PINK! When I was reading through her things, she was having a pink contest so I decided to submit a few pictures of Lola in her tutu, by Dear Lillie! Well, what do you know, I was contacted last night and told that one of Lola's picture was in the running for the pink contest! So pretty please, with pink sugar, if you haven't already done so, go to Daisy Pink Cupcake and vote for Lola! She is part of the second contest and is contestant #2!

Lola says thank you!

Happy Father's Day!

To my dad. Think the quote on the picture says it all. I love you and am so happy that I get to call you MY DAD!!

To Chad, the amazing father to my children! Hope that you enjoyed your "Boss for the Day" button (I will be collecting it at 11:59 pm, thank you very much) and our lazy day with the kids!

Happy Father's Day to all of the daddies out there! Hope your day was special!

PS - Pretty please with pink sugar on top go to Daisy Pink Cupcake (just click on the name) and vote (anyone can vote) for Lola! Daisy Pink Cupcake was the other featured blogger on shabbyblogs with me and when I was checking out her blog I noticed that she was having a "pink" contest so I submitted pictures of Lola in her tutu, by Dear Lillie! She is part of the 2nd contest and is contestant #2!

Pool Crashers!

We are what I like to call, pool crashers! We are always swimming somewhere and the pool we like to invite ourselves over to the most and crash is Auntie Susie's! I always laugh when I hear Susie inviting other people over to swim because it usually goes a little something like this: "You guys are more than welcome to come over anytime to swim, just invite yourself over like Jenni, she does it all the time!" Our summer has been off to a crazy busy start and we haven't had a chance to crash her pool yet - but wanted to before they move - so today was the perfect day! She had a few other crashers along too and we were so excited to play with everyone!

Aren't they so cute?!

And the mommies...I am trying to be better about taking pictures of the mamas behind the camera's usually (and trust me I got some grumbles today) because we are usually left out!
Thank you to Kyan, my future photographer in the making! He loves to take pictures. Funny story to go along with this picture - as soon as he snapped it, he pulled the camera down from his face and checked out his work on the screen to make sure it was acceptable! Guess it was because he only snapped one and I think it turned out pretty dang good!

Thank you Susie and Jayla for letting us crash your pool today and for feeding us lunch! Don't worry, it won't be long before you get to do it to ours!

Splashin' at Westgate!

Yesterday (geez - now almost 2 days ago) we met up the Keilman girls for a morning of splashin' at the Westgate Splash Pad! It was the first that we have been able to see Camille and Avery this summer, so we were all very excited! Think that splasher has to be my favorite because of its simplicity (just has the fountains shooting up, no toys) and because it doesn't usually get too busy! At one point, Kyan had the place all to himself! Everyone had a great time!

Waiting for the water to start!

Bikini Baby!

What I love most about these pictures - NO GOGGLES!
Ha! I actually forgot to bring them and he survived! So happy to get some summer pictures with him + water where you can see his eyeballs!

The girls splashing together! Avery is not afraid of that water at all! At one point she was standing in the middle of the whole thing and the water was shooting up from all the fountains! She loved it! I snapped pictures of her and helped Camille out with a post full of pictures! If you click her name, you can see just how cute her splashy faces are!

There are those eyeballs are again! Love him.

Lola is very dainty around the splash water. She doesn't get to close for fear of this happening! But when it does it is oh-so funny!

Again, not much for the water or pictures (as you can see by her little hand all up in my lens, little booger)! Instead, she preferred to feed the birdies almost all of her goldfish "cackers"!

The three of us. Makes me happy that it is summer for sure.
Can't wait for more Adventures in Summerland together with them!