Carter Moved Upstairs!

Hey friends!  Just an update! : )

I have been decorating, painting, and had disc surgery on some vertebrae..no big deal, haha!  I painted a house (whole inside), and got to stage it (soo fun!!), got to decorate for friends, and since my kids figured out I was well enough to paint..they all wanted room updates.  We decided to spend some of our vacation money on their rooms! (..since we aren't going anywhere any time soon..)

Here is the guest room before (all light Woodlawn Blue walls and ceiling):

Benjamin Moore HC-147

And here it is in progress..all moved out but a few pieces of furniture for me to set my paint can on, haha!

A whole new look!  Blue walls, white ceiling..I LOVE it!  And if he changes his mind again (or I do!), I won't have to repaint the ceiling again.  This is something I have NO desire to do again for the next 5-10 years.

Navy Madras Quilt, Ikea Pillow Cover & Desk

Pottery Barn Cameron Bookshelf, Wood Message Board

This is the most beautiful shade of blue (I've now used three shades of this paint deck strip!  This is Sherwin Williams Denim, SW 6523 (I've also used Honest Blue in Clay's room at the last house, and Sporty Blue in Clay's old room here!). It's the most perfect blue to decorate.

This is our original baby room furniture.  We bought the best quality since we planned to have lots of kids.  It is still in excellent condition!  It's nice to mix and match it with other furniture so it's not so "all one set" looking.  It has SO saved the budget in the long run.  I'm sure I'll still be using it in 20 years, haha! (We still have college to pay for..)

I recovered the guest room bulletin board with new fabric and trim.  I stapled it into the cork board, then hot glued the trim on!  I just pulled off the old pink and pompoms, so easy!

He just needs to fill it with his drawings now!

I found the MOST adorable little red and blue cars on Etsy!  I was able to send them to FedEx to print immediately (their color prints are such better quality than I can do!)  And these frames were perfect.  I got Ethan some black ones too! : )

I am still in the process of making Carter's bedroom drapes.  I have navy gingham Pottery Barn Kids drapes that are 84", and I'm adding a navy dot duck cloth to the tops with a trim (this, in blue/natural) that covers the seam.  I'm halfway done..but hungry people keep needing food, ha!

Hope you are having a sweet summer at home with your family.  I've decorated for a couple families this spring, and now I'm focusing inward on my own-trying to fulfill a Proverbs 31 ideal woman's role.  I'll never be perfect, but I can have fun trying! : )

Graduation, Europe, California, JDRF Ride to Cure!

Good grief, over a year since a post!  I was just thinking over my year.. (and I had to log into this old email to get Disney + ..so I remember this little site sitting alone online, haha!)

We worked bunches of days in our youth group's Pumpkin Sale!  This is one day after church..the only recent photo I have of the whole family! : )

I can't even begin to catch up..but I can try some shorthand.

Opening night of Ford vs. Ferrari!  Locals brought their Ford GTs, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis..it was a cool car club that all came to watch the film..and shared their awesome cars! 

Clay was a senior-and graduated with highest honors!  (Which we really didn't know if he would, honestly!)  But apparently it's about how many AP classes you accumulate, not GPA.  But he did leave Har-Ber High School with a 3.53, hooray!!  Band, cross country and track were his faves last year.  He's now living on campus at the University of Arkansas majoring in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology (switching early summer from Biomedical Engineering).

We've had a few low blood sugar scares with Clay-freakishly low.  He hadn't gotten up by noon, was 68 after 3 juice boxes given by his roommate and 40 minutes.. and maybe I can elaborate later.  Suffice it to say you need the roommate's phone number, RA (resident assistant)'s phone number, and probably campus police if necessary to get to them.  Also, a 504 carried to college is a huge recommendation!  (oh, and teach them to drop their basal if they stay up till 2am and use extra energy they haven't planned for!)

She had some fun shopping with me for Christmas!  

Mary Claire is a SENIOR (how is that even possible?!) at Haas Hall Academy, and she loves it!  She's exploring University of Portland, St. Louis University, University of Dallas, and the University of Arkansas.  I think she'll stay here, but if the scholarships are good, I don't know...  She's still in Girl Scouts, working, and plans to go to law school after her undergraduate degree.  She graduates in May!  

Eiffel Tower!!

We went to Europe this summer with her Girl Scout troop!  It was a wonderful trip in lots of countries.  We flew into London, went through Paris, Florence, and Rome and flew back out of Rome.  SOO BEAUTIFUL!!  (except they need more trash cans..trash is blowing around in the streets..)  It was a great time to spend with my girl.  I won't forget it.

Girl Scout World Center in London, Pax Lodge.  They got a special pin for traveling there!  There are only five world centers in the world.

In Rome at the Coliseum

Ponte Vecchio in Florence!

Playing with a puppy in the River Seine in Paris just below Notre Dame Cathedral

St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in Rome (inside Vatican City)

Our covered shoulders at Vatican Square!

She's managing her diabetes pretty well..we keep adjusting her basal lower since she's trending super low.  I think she's lost weight or is building muscle (girls have so much pressure to stay super skinny..but we don't talk about it much..just lots of encouragement that she's beautiful just the way she is!!).  She's very responsible, so she's pretty easy!

In Covent Garden at a pop up photo booth by Jo Malone London! : )

Ethan is in seventh grade and started band!  He's smart, loves video games/computers, and is GROWING!!  I'm not sure if he'll try to go to Haas Hall again, or stay in Springdale schools.  He's a sweetheart, and he'll be the one taking care of me when I'm old.  Love his tender heart for others.  He's not loving his religious education class or youth group..so Ches and I may tag team that for next year.  We'll see!

Beginning of School Photo! : )

Carter is in second grade, whew!  He has big front teeth, so he looks sooo different.  He really likes school, loves his teacher, and he draws, writes, and creates daily.  I'm so thankful he's not into electronics-he has a tent, a desk full of creative stuff, and tons of Legos!

Carter ready for some football!

I'm actually at Carter's school this year!  I renewed my teaching license this year, and am 2 hours away from finishing all of my professional development to catch up.  I'm working part time there as a math interventionalist (mouth full!).  Basically pulling small groups of kids from kindergarten through second grade to tutor and grow their math ability.

I got hired after we got back from our last JDRF Ride to Cure in Sonoma, California!  We took the kids for a week (cheap airfare, haha!) to see everything we could from Los Angeles to the Redwood Forest!

San Francisco with the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance!

After Ches finished his 100 miles!!!

at Pismo Beach for lunch!

Santa Monica Beach and Pier for dinner and a night on the pier/rides!

Mary Claire and I out riding!  Still smiling..so early.

and a trip to Cali isn't complete without a trip to LA to see Grauman's Chinese Theater to find our favorites.  And mine?  Mister Rogers!!  Love him.  And his new movie, go see it!!

Fun trip down a one-year memory lane.  I might try to keep up more often, haha!  Especially since I just finished a fun gingerbread house! : )  Hugs!

Friendly People!

Tonight we went to Ches' work picnic, then to trivia at Jose's! : )  We were in third place before the final question..but we took a chance.  And lost!  It's ok, we had a great time!

She's helping Carter with homework!

Marta is going to join cross country track, so we will go to get her sports physical tomorrow!  She has just jumped right into American life, I love her enthusiasm!

She said Italian people aren't as friendly, which I just can't believe!  I'm glad we are all being hospitable, and I haven't actually been to Italy..but in movies they seem so kind.  I guess I should get out more, haha!

I'm thankful for super friendly kids at her school, and really precious friends (and NEIGHBORS!) who have already loved on her!

Bike Riding again last night!

And Mary Claire and Marta are going to volunteer at Diabetes Family Camp from Friday till Sunday!!  I'm proud that Mary Claire is even GOING..I mean, WooHoo!!  Maybe Marta is giving her confidence?  Or she knows Emma, Elizabeth, and Ashley will be there?  Maybe it's because she gets to stay in the AIR CONDITIONED volunteer cabin with private bathrooms?!  Whatever the reason, I'm THANKful!! : )

Welcome, Marta! : )

We've had a wonderful start to school!  Mary Claire started last Thursday, and Marta, Clay, Ethan, and Carter all started Monday! : )  We are doing well, and I hope we haven't kept Marta too busy.  She's totally fallen right into step, and has done everything we have!  She didn't even take a day of rest after 18 hours of travel from Bergamo, Italy to our little corner of Arkansas! : )  

She's been awesome.  We are blessed.

Clay is still running daily for cross country and practicing early every day for band.  Mary Claire is learning to drive.  She drives every day to school (with me!!) ..although as soon as she masters not turning left on a red light (!!!), and parking, she'll be driving herself and Marta to school.  Ethan is enjoying middle school and changing classes.  He is not thrilled about dressing out in physical education with a bunch of kids..but he'll make it.  We've all suffered the indignities. : O  And Carter loves first grade!  He has earned five WOW tickets (he gets to turn them in for a treat or special event when he earns ten)!

My dinner is almost done, just thought I'd record a little history as it speeds by.  It's been a blast!