DIY Project: Toy Chest

Someday I would love to flip a house. Overly ambitious maybe, but I think I could do it (with the help of my wonderful handyman husband). Of course my parents would probably get roped into everything and it would end up being so much work, but in the end it would look great! If this every happens it won't be for a long time since we are short on cash and time at the moment. But I am loving simple DIY projects around the house that make a BIG difference.

When my sisters and I were little girls we had a simple wooden toy box. We basically ruined it by covering every inch of it in stickers. Basically useless, my dad made an ice fishing concocktion, drilling holes in the side and using it to drag his poles, baits and other supplies in it. This piece of furniture was pretty much useless. But I decided to "save it". Probably about 2 years ago, I got this thing with holes and stickers and decided I was going to refinish it. Well, that was a big task. I couldn't get all the stickers off and the ones I did get off left marks in the wood. I tried to sand it but I didn't get an even texture. I was disappointed and decided to paint it black and only stain the lid. This matches the table and chairs I stained before Kellen and I got married. Well, I painted it back when we lived in the city but never got around to staining it. It has sat unfinished for over a year. We store our sheets and blankets in it and it just sits in the hallway and collects junk on top. Somewhere I got this idea to add padding and cover the lid making it a usable bench. So tonight we were out at Robinson getting dog food from Sam's club and I asked Kellen if we could go to Joann Fabrics-- probably my favorite store! They were having a huge sale so I guess on the supplies we needed and came home and got right to work!

I got a yard of padding for $4.99 and the fabric was just over $6.99. My grand total after tax was $13.66. It took me about 30 minutes. To measure and cut and staple everything. I ran out of staples so I will finish tomorrow...but it is mostly done! Check out the before and afters! I wish I had the pictures of it completely covered in stickers but I don't! Trust me, there was barely any wood left showing.

We are moving again soon and I can't wait to set this up in our new place:

What do you think? Was it worth the $13.66?

Fail!

At first I stopped uploading my pictures on here for my Project 365 because I put them on facebook. Then I slowly stopped putting them on facebook. Basically I failed. I took plenty of pictures- mostly of Lainey but it was too much to upload them all the time. Maybe when things calm down I can try this again.

Come to me all ye who are weary and burdened and I'll give you rest.

For my yolk is easy and my burden is light.

Days 6-10

Day 6: A princess in the making

Day 7: Both dogs got baths. Shelby showing off her clean self.

Day 8: Chrissy's 21st. One candle away from a wish come true.

Day 9: Celebrating Grandpa's 90th birthday

Day 10: Sour Patch fruit...a Cottrell (and Grau) favorite!

Today marks Kellen's first week at home since he quit Fedex. This means dinners as a family. He is quite excited to have more time with Lainey and I. This is the first time since we've been married that we will be able to consistently eat dinner together as a family. This also means I have to cook daily. I am looking forward to this because I feel like I finally get to do some "wifely" duties. I always wanted to be a stay at home mom who can cook and clean for her hard working husband. Call me old school- but I love it! Being a stay at home mom is by no mean an easy job. It is tiring. Cooking, cleaning, running errands, laundry, etc. Its all over whelming. Its a good day if I get to eat a meal by noon. Lainey comes first. She has be fed, bathed, clothed, and occupied before I can even think about eating or showering myself. Of course by being a stay at home mom I don't have the pressure of being fired (ha ha) but I also never get a raise and "pay day" does not happen every Friday. Heck- I'd be lucky if I got a bonus on our anniversay and mother's day. I think the biggest struggle I have is that it is often a thankless job too. I feel like so much I do goes unappreciated. I don't get a "thank you for doing the dishes." or "you did a great job folding the laundry today". For those moms who work full time and keep the house in order- you're amazing! Right now its so hard to balance it all and I thought I was a good multi-tasker. Now don't get me wrong I am by no means complaining- I LOVE that I am blessed to stay at home with Lainey and I love serving my husband and keeping the house in order for him. I just sometimes wish people appreciated the "homemaker" profession a little more. It is by no means an easy task.

365 Photos

As promised, here is the start of a year of photos. Each is a little reflection of something that happened during the day. I am going to upload in groups of 5 to make it a little easier for me.

January 1: A New Year and new food for Lainey. She loved it! We started her on Oatmeal cereal.

January 2: New recipe for baked potatoe soup. Very good!

January 3: Happy 2nd Anniversary!

January 4: Beautiful winter sunshine!

January 5: Dieter- please sir, may I have some more

The new year has been treating us good so far. Kellen's last day at FedEx is tomorrow. That means more time as a family. We are still trying to figure out what to do about health insurance, but it will all work out.

The Good News

I was listening to the radio today and one of the news stories was on religious believes in America. Appearantly over 50% of evangelical Christians believe that "good" people of other faiths can go to heaven. That is a lot of misinformed people. You can read the whole article here.

This doesn't even make sense to me. Why would you have faith or specific religious beliefs if you can have eternal life in heaven by just being a good person? What constitutes being a "good" person. The article talks about giving blood, allowing a stranger to cut in line, help someone find a job and giving directions to a stranger. If thats all it takes, I'm doing pretty good in life- except I can't give blood because I'm anemic. But there are times I am in a hurry and don't let that old lady go in front of me at SuperWalmart even though she only has 3 items and I have a cart full. Do I lose my salvation on those days?

So here is the truth. Sometimes I do really good things, but more often I do bad things. I'm selfish, I gossip, I do things I know I shouldn't..etc. James 2:10 says, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at one point is guilty of breaking all of it." It only takes one sin to seperate us from God. In God's eyes all sin are the same- gossiping and murder. Although we hold them to different standards- they aren't. And we are all in the same situation- sinful, broken and distant from God. Romans 3:10 states: There is none righteous not even one. But here is the good news. God made it possible for man to have a restored relationship with him- to spend eternity in heaven. And its not about what we've done- but what has been done for us. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ- but the reality is that his birth is irrevelant unless you know the big picture. Jesus Christ left his glory in heaven to walk with man. Born fully man and fully God he was tempted in every way to do "bad" stuff. Steal, lie, cheat, hurt others, etc but he resisted all temptation and lived his life perfectly. He went on to serve as the ultimate sacrifice- the blameless Lamb. Overcoming death, the consquence of sin, and taking the punishment that we all deserve. We can't possibly be good enough, therefore we must rely fully on Christ for our salvation. When I die and I stand before the Lord and he asks me why he should let me into heaven. I will not say because I've been a good and deserve it because I haven't- instead I will say the consquences of my sins have been paid for by Jesus. I have no fear of death only the hope of the good news.

OOPPPS

I've failed. 3 days into my 365 days of photos I stopped. And then I got sick and stopped again. This project is officially on hold. I will restart the year on January 1. I will take and post atleast 1 picture everyday of 2011. Why? Well 1. to improve my skills and experiment with my camera/lens. 2. A picture tells 1000 words. Sometimes a picture can tell you more about what is going on in our family than I could ever write.

I've been pretty darn sick for about 10 days now. So sick I've missed 2 weeks of church- I really miss it! Plus I have very rarely left the house or more specifically the couch. For a week I wore nothing but PJs for 10 days I didn't wear my contacts! For 3 days I had a 102 or 103 degree fever. I was sick! Fortunatly for me, it was a slow week at the airport and Kellen was around a little more to let me rest some. And my lovely sister Chrissy came down one night to watch Lainey so I could shower and sleep and then on Sunday my parent brought some delicious homemade chicken noodle soup. It is incredible difficult having the flu and having an almost 4 month old that nurses every 3 hours. I was extremely limited on the medicine I could take and when I could take it. It was so tempting to give up nursing- but I didn't. I am still sick- coughing, sore throat and nasal drainage but I am slowly getting better. I wonder if I should see a doctor- could I have strep or a sinus infection?

The weather has been horrible for flying. Kellen has barely been working at the airport- of course during one of the most financially demanding time. Not just because of Christmas but our 6 month car insurance payment and increased heating bill. Oh well, God will provide. He always does.

Last big thing- we're going to have another niece or nephew come the end of June! Melissa is due June 28th. We're super excited for another baby to love on! Children are such a blessing. Lainey is going to have so much fun playing with her cousins when she gets a little older!

I could really use a vacation and we have some free flights to use...we're planning on going early May. Any good suggestions on where? We were thinking out west to the Grand Canyon etc...

Photos of The Day

So already on day 2 of I'm finding my 365 days of photos have been more difficult than anticipated. I'm lacking creativity. Hopefully, I can find better things to take photos of soon. Lainey and I had an adventure yesterday but stupid me I forgot the camera.

Day 2: November 15 Ever have a day where you feel like you are running on E? Thats how this week feels. The coloring isn't the best. PS: I also need air in my tires.

Day 3: November 16 I like the lighting a lot in this photo. The clouds were really pretty. Taken at the mall in Robinson.