What a Difference a Year Can Make…

Last year at this time my life looked very different!  Maybe not so much from the outside (we still live in the same house and it’s still the three of us), but inwardly so much has changed for our family. 

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A year ago, we had begun the journey to adopt and had started meeting with our social worker.  We knew it would be a long road and there were many nights I cried to Chris about how badly I wanted another child to love.  He would gently ask me if I wanted to carry the baby or just love the baby and the answer was always just to love it. I really never thought I’d get pregnant again because we were so committed to and excited about adoption. 

 

 

This year we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our little GIRL.  Now I cry all the time out of happiness because I can’t believe how overwhelmingly blessed we are to be given a son and a daughter.  None of the other couples we met in our adoption classes have been able to adopt yet…so most likely, we would still be waiting, too.  God is so good.

 

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A year ago, we were just beginning to scratch the surface of Luke’s developmental delays.  Everything was becoming more and more apparent and the pieces were fitting together like a big scary puzzle that I didn't want to see finished.  Again, there were nights filled with crying and terrifying Google searches.  I had SO much fear for his future and his brain progress and his speech and his eating habits.  His future felt very dark and scary to me.  I felt so overwhelmed.

 

 

 

In the last year, we’ve met with multiple doctors and specialists and Luke began Birth to Three in February. Now, a year later, he is enrolled in a fabulous preschool right down the street with two amazingly qualified teachers and sees an OT and a speech therapist at school as well. Every single person who knows Luke has commented on how much he is improving – I feel like my little boy is just blossoming before me in every way! He still struggles with eating but I just take my little victories as they come! Maybe someday I’ll do a more detailed post about his progress but for now I see his future as bright and happy. He may not ever be the smartest kid in his classes, but he is a joy to be around and that is more important to me! God is so good.

 

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Last year, my husband had a different position at the same company – but he didn’t really love it.  He had an extremely difficult co-worker that he spent the majority of each day with, one-on-one.  Without going into too much detail, this man shared many, many things about his personal life and habits that Chris would rather not have ever heard – not to mention all day, every day.   Chris worked super hard and excelled at his job but wanted something more challenging for his brain, not to mention a different work environment. 

 

 

 

A year later,  he has been promoted (in July) to a position much more suited to his personality and talents.  He has his own office, a wonderful new boss, and several people working under him.  It’s a stressful job, many times, with longer hours, but he is so much happier.  Plus we get to see him at work!  We were never able to do that before!  God is so good.

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The one constant throughout the past twelve months has been the precious love of my faithful Savior.   I have ever so much to be thankful for! 

This verse was printed on our wedding programs but it’s just as meaningful to me today as it was over six year ago:

“Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” {Ephesians 3:20-21}

Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving, friends! 

What I’m Loving Wednesday

{1} Electricity! 

In my last post, I mentioned that we were in the midst of Hurricane Sandy here in CT.  Well, about 2 hours after typing that, we did lose power - from Monday to Friday.  The first few days weren’t so horrible, but then the temperatures dropped and I started to get really scared.  We were helped by so many generous friends with generators and made it through the dark week!  As I type this post, “Storm Athena” is swirling around outside but I’m not as scared of it {although honestly I still think we’ll lose power again}. Currently, though, my house is warm and cozy and lit and I am SO thankful for it while it lasts!

So today I’m baking and making sure all our laundry is caught up.  Last year my mom traded me this bread machine for a big basket I was selling at my yard sale.  This thing is literally about 20 years old {we used it when I was a kid} but it still works great!  Today I’m trying a new recipe – Cinnamon Raisin Bread – and I can’t wait to eat it!  Hoping I have power tomorrow so I can have cinnamon raisin toast for breakfast!  Yum. 

 

{2} Deals and Steals

Does anyone else get super excited about Target holiday clearances?  I LOVE them.  Stuff gets to 90% off just because it was branded for the holiday and you can get great deals on stuff if you look beyond the packaging!  I’ve been shopping these sales for years and don’t plan on stopping soon. ;)

For instance, these Butterfinger pumpkins {one of Chris’s faves} were only 10 cents a package, as were the M&M packs – which will be perfect for making pretzel kisses over the holidays.

I also found these items at a different Target for 30 cents each – cute little brown bags, adorable baker’s twine {for holiday wrapping!} and cute apple tissue paper to use for Luke’s teacher gifts.  Love!

 

{3} Apples

I normally like eating apples, but this pregnancy I just can’t get enough of them!  We have a local orchard about 10 minutes from the house and today I stopped into their store to pick up some so we’d have fruit to eat during the storm.  These were some of the last of the Macs they had for the season {my faves!}.  I love them plain or dipped in a little natural peanut butter.  Delish.  There is SUCH a difference in local, fresh fruit as compared to fruit from the supermarket!

 

{4} Paint decision- done!

I finally decided on a paint color for Livi’s room!  The color is called “London Fog” by Benjamin Moore.  It’s the one on the left in that super creepy photo below.  lol  It’s hard to describe – it’s a little beige, a little gray, with almost a faint hint of sparkle and purple mixed in (I sound crazy, I know). 

    

I was inspired to use it after seeing it used on the blog Dear Lillie.  I think it will be perfect for my girl’s neutral room – Chris is going to paint the weekend before Thanksgiving and I can’t wait to get in there and get decorating!! :)

There’s my scatterbrained list for this week!  Even though I’m not loving what happened last night – I really believed that Governor Romney would have been the perfect person to turn our country around fiscally – I’m loving that I serve a great God who is above all!

Have a wonderful rest of your week, everyone!

Linking up with Jamie today!

2:26 p.m. on a September Thursday

Making homemade tortillas for dinner along with my crockpot salsa chicken.  That little red and white stick thing is technically the bottom half of a street sign for a wooden train set, but for the last few months it’s been Luke’s “baton” so he can be “like E-Lo (Leo)” from Little Einsteins (Leo is the musical one who conducts).  That thing gets lost about eighty million times a week.  But I love his imagination!

We played with that bubble sword last week – do you think it has moved from my sink since then?  Nope!  lol

 

My view from above right now! :) My apron says “The Lady Can Cook” and my mom bought it for me on a trip to Savannah at Paula Deen’s restaurant.  Mom and I used to have a pact that when we turned 65 we were going to let ourselves go like Paula and eat biscuits and cobbler to our heart’s content and just wear loose button-up shirts and flowy pants and also somehow be naturally stunningly beautiful as well.  But then she had to go get healthy and lose all that weight.  So now I have no life’s ambition.  Thanks, Paula.

 

Cooking in my vintage yellow Pyrex makes me so happy.  Gwyneth Paltrow trying to be Adele on my Pandora station, not so much. 

 

Whizzing by me as I cooked.  Pants were optional today.  I’m just happy he was occupied! 

 

Just a regular afternoon at my house. :)

Coming up this week: fall decorations!  Stay tuned. :)

Her Name {And Why We Chose It}

I have a big thing about baby names.  I have spent a ton of time coming up with and thinking about Luke’s name and now our daughter’s name as well.  It is super important to me that our kids’ names have a special meaning *and* if possible honor a family member or something else meaningful in our life.  Plus their full given name has to have a reasonable nickname that goes along with it – no one-syllable names for me, please!  I take my job as a namer very seriously – can you tell?!  lol

For instance, I used to LOVE the name Landon (A Walk to Remember, anyone? haha).  But then I got pregnant with Luke and realized in the baby name book that “Landon” means “Long hill.”  Womp womp.  lol  Totally killed the name for me!  (Still love it and think it’s a cool name – just couldn’t do it.  Plus what’s the nickname for Landon??)

ANYWAY, I have actually had my daughter’s name picked out since I was eleven years old (yup!).  Are you ready?  Her name will be…

 

Olivia Noelle

{and “Liv” or “Livi” for short}

Now BELIEVE me when I say that I know that Olivia is SUPER WICKEDLY popular right now…and has been for years.  I know, I know, I know – and it kinda makes me cringe.  But I’ve literally had her name picked out for over 15 years  – and I just seriously can’t imagine having a daughter *not* named Olivia.  No joke, my whole life I’ve thought about having an Olivia some day.  I just hope she doesn’t hate me when she’s in high school and has 10 other Olivias in her class. 

I actually fell in love with the name watching The Waltons reruns on tv! Anyone else love that show?!  Oh my goodness, totally wanted to live in that house with all of them!  I thought the mom, who they called Liv/Livi, was so beautiful and perfect and gracious in my 11-year-old mind.  :) I just totally fell in love with the name Olivia then. 

Then in high school (college?) when Lord of the Rings came out and Liv Tyler got talked about a lot, it was only confirmed how cute I thought the name was. 

Olivia is a sweet, girly, traditional name (and I am traditional all the way!).  I love that her name means “peace.” God knew how much I was longing for another child to add to our family – I just thought that child would come through adoption, not birth!  It’s been a long three years (will be three and half by the time she is born) since we first became parents.  She has already brought so much peace into my longing heart. 

Her middle name actually came from me!  Noelle is my middle name (well, it was before I got married, anyway).  Again, I love that it’s super feminine and traditional (unique and modern names are just not me – at all).  It means “Christmas” – my parents gave it to me because my birthday is December 7th.  Even though my girl will have a January birthday, it means so much that she’ll be getting her mama’s name. :)

Our prayer is that little Miss Livi will bring peace to others’ lives and reflect the beauty of Christ {and the meaning of Christmas} wherever she goes! 

I can’t wait to meet her!! :)

It’s a Girl!!!!!!!!!!!!

We found out on September 10th - just over a week ago - that our precious baby is a sweet baby girl.  You guys, I am just OVER THE MOON. 

 

 

Before the ultrasound, I was really 50/50 either way.  Having a boy would have meant a brother for Luke and we already have all the boy clothes (the thought of purging boy clothes from the attic made me reeeallly happy!)  haha! 

But of course I thought about how amazing it would be to have a daughter to love and shop and bake with and do all those fun girly things with.  Plus….the clothes. ;) But honestly, adoption is still something we want to do and I knew we would just adopt a sweet baby girl if God had given us a boy again. 

Chris actually said “I hope it’s a girl!” the night we found out I was pregnant.  He has been saying “girl” all the way – as has everyone else, save for my BFF Lindsay (although I think hers was wishful thinking!  lol). 

 

 

Anyway, the tech told us it was a girl and I seriously just burst into tears.  I don’t think I realized how much I wanted a girl until I realized that it was my new reality.  I am SO in love with her and seriously can’t stop thanking God for His blessings.  I think about her non-stop. :)

I love that “her” and “she” is in my everyday vocabulary now!  And I love that little pink clothes with ruffly butts are starting to appear in my house!  After over three years of navy and brown and trucks and monsters, having girly polka dots and pink hearts on everything is a welcome change to my pink-loving heart.  :)

Most of all, we are SO thankful that she is healthy and growing just fine.  I opted to do the Down Syndrome/Trisomy screen at 12 weeks, thinking nothing of it other than a chance to see the baby again in those early weeks.  I am only in my late twenties so the thought of something being wrong honest to goodness never occurred to me.  Long story short, the baby measured fine on the ultrasound but based on my blood work hormones, I was given a 1 in 200 chance of Down Syndrome (and considered high-risk at that point). 

 

 

Those 7 weeks of waiting for the Level 2 20-week ultrasound (to look for physical markers of Down Syndrome) were some of the hardest of my life.  I don’t think I have ever cried or prayed more.  I had God on speed-dial, that’s for sure!  I read passages of Scripture like Job and Abraham sacrificing Isaac over and over and over again. 

In the end, God brought such a peace to my heart (that along with the prayers and encouragement of dear friends and the amazing patience and wisdom of my husband).  I 100% believe that Down Syndrome is NOT the worst thing that can happen to your child – it’s scary and sad to think about your child having to face extra obstacles from the get-go, but it’s not the worst thing.  I was honestly able to say the day before we found out that God is good regardless of the news I was going to hear. 

 

 

But praise God, the specialist wasn’t able to find a single marker of Down Syndrome during my Level 2 ultrasound.  Hallelujah! :) Based on my high hormone levels, my risk level only goes up to 1 in 400 even with a clean scan (someone my age is "supposed” to have a risk of 1 in 670).  However, 1 in 400 is no longer considered high risk – and after that ultrasound, I’m not worried in the slightest!  I had a number of people tell me that my situation happened to them or to a friend – those seven weeks of worry will really do a number on your mental health!

I keep thinking over and over how amazing it is that she is going to be here with us soon – we were not trying in any way to have her (remember, we had *just* gotten licensed to adopt when we found out I was pregnant) yet God clearly wants her here on earth with us!  I can’t wait to see what her life turns out to be! 

Tonight I am just counting my blessings for a sweet little boy asleep in bed and a sweet baby girl due in a few months. 

God is good, and He is faithful! 

{I’ll tell you her name in the next post! ;) }

A Silly Question–But I Want Your Input!

Okay, so here goes. :)

This week, the first day of school for our town is Wednesday.  However, for the preschool students (like Luke), Wednesday is a special day – it’s called “Meet and Greet.”  Instead of a regular school day, the kids come with their parents and it’s a short session.  Luke will meet and play with the other kids in his class while Chris and I learn more about the program, get parent handouts, etc. 

Thursday will be his first day at school without us – he goes for the whole time alone.  Chris is already going into work late on Wednesday so that he can attend the parent session, so he’s not going to go in late on Thursday, as well.  It will be just be me getting Luke dressed and sending him off. 

SO.  (Just hear me out – I’m a mom and ex-teacher and trying hard not to be a perfectionist anymore but sometimes it gets the better of me!  lol)

If I wanted to take a picture of Luke with “First Day of Preschool” signs, should I do it on Wednesday or Thursday?  The town considers Wednesday the first day of school, plus I’ll have Chris here too, so he can help me get in some pictures with Luke, etc.  Or would you wait until he’s actually going to school by himself on Thursday to consider it his first day? 

And furthermore, which day would you put him in his cute “back to school” outfit?  lol

Anyone?!

What I’ve Been Up to the Past Month {And Announcing an Upcoming “Series”}

Holy cow.  My last blog post was April 24th!!!  My BFF actually sent me a Facebook message yesterday asking, “Did your blog die?”  haha

Nope, she’s still here….just went on hiatus. 

I know I can’t be the only person out there who starts to sit down at the computer to write a post….but then gets so overwhelmed with all the catching up that needs to be written out that you just end up reading other people’s blogs instead of updating your own.  Anyone? 

So without further adieu….let me sum up my past month as concisely as I can!

My last post mentioned that I was traveling to Florida with my parents. 

We had an amazing time and we got to do some really fun things…..like my first EVER visit to Hobby Lobby (I’m totally in love with that place!  Consider yourself lucky if you live near one because we don’t have any up here in New England!)

 

We also went to Disney World! (Epcot and Downtown Disney)

 

I also got the pleasure of finally trying out CHICK-FIL-A!  It was delish. 

 

I started freaking out with happiness because we ended up eating at Mimi’s Café one night for dinner and I‘ve heard Kelly talk about that restaurant for years and years on her blog!  I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t able to get poppy-seed dressing and chicken salad for the full-on Kelly experience but I did get a delicious salad that came with a chocolate muffin on the side!  Have you ever heard of such a thing?  I feel like that menu was Paula Deen-approved.  haha (Not that I’m complaining – that muffin was awesome!)

 

On a completely different note, on May 4th we got the GREAT news that we are licensed to adopt!  Now we wait for the right match for us.  Super exciting time! :)

Last Sunday  was Mother’s Day and I had a GREAT day with my two favorite men.  We moved Luke into the big boy bed the night before Mother’s Day, and the poor thing was up 4 times that night crying (I think he was disoriented, plus we cut him off from the paci so he didn’t have that to soothe himself, either).  Needless to say, we mutually decided at 4:00 am that we were not going to church! haha My amazing husband let me sleep in til after 9 (it was pure bliss) and then we hopped in the car to go to Chipotle (our mutual favorite). 

      

We also stopped at a beautiful nursery to pick up some flowers and plants for the garden.  Luke had a great time checking out the animals. 

On the way home we stopped to get my favorite ice cream (Almond Joy!) from one of the only places around here that serves it.  Super yummy. :)

 

Luke is still getting services every week for his “issues” (he has a speech teacher, an OT, and an early childhood teacher come to the house to work with him).  His speech is improving and he is starting to make more sentences.  He has also gotten a LOT better at pronouncing “l” in the beginning of a word (so now he says “look” and “lion” instead of “yook and “nion.”)  His latest thing is “Mommy hold you” when he wants me to pick him up.  It just melts my heart!  (Not just because it’s cute but also because he typically never shares wants/needs so that was a big developmental step for him, too). 

On June 8th we go to a meeting to determine if he qualifies for a special preschool program at the local elementary school.  This program would be the MOST perfect fit for him so we are really praying hard that he qualifies to get in! 

Wow, okay, I think that about sums it up! 

The “series” that I mentioned in the title refers to some posts that I’ll be doing over the next two weeks that show our house progress one year later.  We bought our house exactly ONE year ago tomorrow (May 16th)!  I seriously can’t believe a whole year has passed since then!  This whole house is just such a testament to God’s faithfulness. 

Our friends and family in PA have asked about the house so I thought it would be fun to show how some of the rooms have changed (and how some have unfortunately stayed almost the same!  lol).  So check back here sometime this week if you like some good before-and-afters.  I know I do!  :)

What I’m Loving Wednesday {Home Edition}

I’m joining up with Jamie for the first time for her What I’m Loving Wednesday blog party. 

Here’s what I’m loving today:

1.  Easter Clearance 50% off at Target.  I had my eye on this banner for weeks  (yes, at full price it was only $6.99 but I just knew I’d be able to get it cheaper!).  Loving that I can still use it for a few more weeks and loving the person who decided to add the pop of hot pink to it.  :)

 

2.  Method hand soap in “Watermelon Patch.”  Ahhhhhh.  First of all, it’s PINK, and second of all, it smells JUST like Watermelon Bubbalicious gum from when I was a kid.  Anyone else remember that gum?!  It got me through a LOT of boring nights watching my brother play Little League.  haha  Loving the flashbacks it brings me!

{Frugal tip: You can get Method soap for only $.69 a bottle this week at Target!  Go to the Target website and print the coupon for $1/1 Method product (print twice), then go to Method’s site on Facebook and “Like” them for another $1/1 coupon (print twice).  You can stack the two – and since the soap is on sale for $2.69, it makes for an awesome deal!  I also got the coconut flavor, which smells great, too. }

 

3.  Loving my favorite Starbucks blend (Decaf Caffe Verona) in my favorite Anthro mug (from my sweet sister for Christmas).  I tried to cheat on Starbucks a little by trying other brands of coffee that I could get cheaper with coupons – all I have to say is, NEVER AGAIN, Starbucks!  I’m back to you being my one and only.  I’m so over the bitter, burnt, twiggy taste of other brands.   

 

4.  Loving the fact that my mom cleared some stuff out of the house since they just moved and gave me these four blue/green bottles.  Aren’t they beautiful?! 

 

 

5.  This beautiful PINK! tree that God gave me in the front yard.  How cool is it that my favorite color is pink (did you catch that?! lol) and I have this beautifully-colored tree to look out my front window every day?  What a gift.  Love it. 

 

 

6.  Last but certainly not least, I have to add this picture.  Luke had his speech therapy this morning and he did really, really well for his teacher.  He added a new three-word phrase this week, all by himself!  That is HUGE for my boy.  I know the picture is crappy (it’s a carbon-copy) but I wanted to document this good feeling.  Under “progress since last visit,” it says, “Luke said ‘I’ll get it’ spontaneously.”  Love my sweet boy. 

Okay, so that’s what I’m loving this week!  :)

 

Three Random Things to Tell You

Okay actually four. 

1.  A while ago when I posted my Crockpot Salsa Chicken recipe I also shared a recipe for homemade tortillas.  These tortillas are so, so good –and I had wondered if I could freeze them to use at a later time.  I just wanted to share that I have since tried freezing them two ways: first, I made all the balls and froze them that way and then pulled them out of the freezer, thawed them, rolled them out and cooked them when I needed them.  They turned out fine but it was a lot of extra work. 

Now I make a big batch, cook them all, then wrap the extras in plastic wrap, then foil, then put in a freezer bag.  Thaw before you need them and they come out great!  Still chewy and everything.  I love this because now I only need to make a mess of rolling them out and getting out the griddle once.  Just wanted to pass that along. 

2.  We made it to January 19th without any serious snow.  We now have about 8-10 inches.  I still can’t believe we made it to mid-January in Connecticut without snow.  It’s unreal!  I feel like I got a taste of a Southern winter this year and I’m not gonna lie….I’m kinda jealous of what it must be like down there every year! It was so nice to have such a mild winter.  But the snow is pretty, I will admit – so I’m trying to be content that it’s here now and I really have absolutely no choice but to live with it.  lol

3.  I’m still pressing on in the weight loss and exercise department!  I will post an update next week.  If you’re working hard at this, too, KEEP GOING!  You can totally do it!  :)

4.  My son Luke had a big eval this week for his feeding and sensory issues.  The reason I didn’t post at all this week was because we learned that he is going to need more therapies than we originally thought.  It has been a really hard and emotional week for both of us as we’ve processed this info.  I will share more at a later time but for now we could both totally use prayer for wisdom for us and the specialists who will be working with him in the future. 

Thanks all!  I hope you are enjoying your Saturday – whatever it may look like outside your window.  :)

Our Fun Weekend

What a fun family weekend we had together! 

On Saturday morning, I made pumpkin pancakes for all of us (Luke calls them “caycakes” and they are one of his most favorite things to eat.  Plus I love hearing him say that, so it’s a win-win.  lol)

(My boy is always in motion.)

Then we loaded up in the car and headed for the tree farm!

We had decided that we weren’t even going to mention the animals there to Luke until after we got our tree (see last post!), but unfortunately he heard some of the dogs barking before we got down to the field.  Pretty sure he said “Doggie!” about 17,000 times while we were looking for the right tree.  Luke may or may not have gotten spanked in the Christmas tree field.  Yay for happy family memories!! haha (But hey, you try finding a run-away toddler in a a giant field of trees!  He kept trying to run away to the dog, even after we told him “not yet” repeatedly – unfortunately it had to be done.)

We did let him play with the dogs and see the chickens after we paid, though. (He calls chickens “chichens” right now.  So cute.)

 

After we got our tree, we decided to go to Five Guys for lunch since we were starving.  My husband loooooooooooves that place (burgers and fries and root beer are his love languages), and one recently opened up somewhat near our house. 

Not gonna lie, girls…..I enjoyed every last bite.  I got mine with grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, and barbeque sauce.  Delish. :)

We came home and set up the tree while Luke took his nap.  I listened to Harry Connick’s Christmas cds while I put on the ornaments.  It just feels sacrilegious to NOT listen to Christmas music while you decorate your tree, doesn’t it? 

We had leftover chili for dinner and then after Luke went to bed Chris humored me by watching The Family Stone with me.  I looooove that movie.  I’ve seen it probably 5 times now…and it just.never.gets.old.  I love movies that can make me laugh AND cry.  Chris asked me why I love it so much…I love the beautiful New England house, how crazy the family is, how much they all love each other, how it’s funny and sad at the same time, how it’s about Christmas time, how it stars Rachel McAdams……do I need to go on?!  (Chris calls her my “girl crush” lol).  We turned off all the lights and I made hot chocolate and we sat there together.  And of course I cried at the end. 

I told Chris he was allowed to play a game on his phone as long as he sat next to me so I could lean on him.  hahaha!  He did play a game for about the first 20 minutes but then he turned it off and watched it with me.  :)

Yesterday we stayed home from church because Luke’s nose has been really nasty and runny lately so we certainly weren’t sending him to the church nursery.  I was contemplating going by myself so that I could go to choir practice, but I keep waking up with a really bad sore throat in the morning (??) so I decided not to go either.  We just had a lazy morning together, playing with Luke and organizing the playroom some more.  It was great.  This afternoon I did run a few errands by myself though – I went to 9 stores allllll by myself!  It was glorious. 

I did a little bit of all different kinds of shopping (groceries, home stores, etc.) – I stopped at Michaels to get ribbon for our tree topper and some pretty glittery berries to make garlands out of (like my fall garlands here).  I am really into glittery reds, greens, and whites this year.  (Doesn’t that ribbon totally make you think of Dorothy’s ruby slippers?!)

 

I popped into Hallmark to find Luke his yearly ornament.  I ended up finding this George one – perfect for my boy!  It only ended up costing me $4 and change after coupons.  I let him hold it when I came home AND it’s already broken.  Yup.  Hopefully hot-glueable, though.  Just keepin’ it real!

I also stopped at Home Goods and ending up spending my birthday money from my grandmother there.  I picked up this giant corkboard frame:

 

Isn’t she SO pretty?!! I have been wanting something for the empty space above our phone and answering machine.  I know what you’re thinking:  Why wouldn’t you just make one? 

Well truth is….I just don’t feel like it.  hahaha!  I love this color and I love how heavy and solid it is.  I wouldn’t be able to spray paint well for a few more months since it’s cold outside and spray paint doesn’t set well when it’s cold like this.  I love it, I had the money to spend, I bought it, the end, amen.

Today I think Luke and I are going to spend a day at home.  I intentionally plan on at least one day a week to be at home (both to save gas and to give Luke a break and to get stuff done).  I always schedule it on days when Chris isn’t working overtime, though….because otherwise mama starts to feel a litttttttle bit crazy by 5:30! 

Have a great day, everyone!

Simple Tips for Inexpensive Fall Decorating {Part 2 of 2}

Today’s post is a continuation of yesterday’s.  You’ll see in the pictures below that some of the items I’ve had even before we got married 5 years ago!  I tend to be very traditional in my home choices – so I am able to use some items year after year without it looking too outdated.  (For that matter, the same goes for my wardrobe.  I am a traditional girl through-and-through!  Call it the oldest child/schoolteacher in me!  lol  Remember how yesterday I talked about discontent with finances?  God has taught me a lot about that in regard to clothes, too.  I just try to make the best of what I can afford, clothes-wise.  Sometimes envy and discontent rear their ugly heads and I have a little pity party in my head, but I am making big progress, by God’s grace!)

Anyway, on to the house! :)

Below each photo, I’ll let you know where I got each of the items. If I purchased it within the past several months, I’ll mark it with an asterisk (*).

 

Dining Room:

I simply switched over the “Fall” Subway art from October to the “Give Thanks” page now that it’s November.

 

Frame: $1.00, thrift store* 
Printables (via Pinterest): $1 each to get printed on cardstock at Staples*
Faux mini vegetables: Michaels, years ago
Faux wine corks: Target clearance, $6.99* (I bought them to do
another project but I’m using a few here as well)
Votives: from my sister’s wedding; free. :)

 

Living Room:

This is one of my favorite “fall spots” in my house. It’s so peaceful to me.  The photo you see was given to me as a gift from my uncle (including the frame!) who is a professional photographer.  I had yet to hang it up since we moved, and when I was decorating the house for fall, I realized that it would be perfect on top of our bookshelf!  So yes, I am super lucky in that respect! But you could also get a photo of your family (or of your kids playing in the leaves!), get it enlarged, then place it in a Goodwill frame. 

Picture: gift (free)
Vase filler: gift for my birthday last year (free)
Acorn “branches”: Goodwill 3 years ago (used to be a candle wreath; I simply unwound it so I could use it more as a filler)

 

Pumpkin: Cracker Barrel 4-5 years ago

 

Pear: 10 cents, yard sale*
Pumpkin: Goodwill, 3 years ago
Leaf plate: Target clearance, 2 years ago, $1.24 (see this post)
White candle: Big Lots, years ago 
Lantern: $.50, Goodwill (see this post)
Mendelssohn bust: $5, Goodwill
Orange candle: given to me (free)*
Decorative filler: $4.99, Michael’s*
Cigar box: $.99, Goodwill
Glass cylinder: $.99, Goodwill*
Faux walnuts: vase filler from my cousin’s wedding; free

 

Yellow runner: $5 at Wal-Mart when I was in COLLEGE! :)
Leaf plate: Wal-Mart, also from college
Orange candle: gift (free)*
Berry garland around the mirror: $4 (see below for how I made it)*
Candle wreath: $3 (see post here)

Side note: Can I just tell you how much I ADORE this sideboard/dresser/hutch in my living room? My aunt’s friend was moving across the country, and she let my mom and I come shop her house for the things she couldn’t take with her. She originally had this piece in her dining room and she sold it to me for THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS. Isn’t that insane?! I keep extra serving dishes, tablecloths, and candles in the drawers. I am totally in love with it. It’s SO well made (the company is Drexel) and I know from what she said that it’s several generations old. I am so thankful that I was able to afford it! I can’t get over the beauty of the wood and the timeless design.  I hope to have this for many, many years – maybe it can be an heirloom piece for one of my kids in the future.

 

Hallway:

I made this berry garland by simply twisting berry picks from the floral section at Michael’s into one long strand and then tucking it behind the mirror.

Berry picks: $1 each on sale ($4 total)*

 

Kitchen island:

Green bowl: $.50 at a yard sale, 2 or 3 years ago
Candle: $2.99?, Ikea* (I just removed the label)
Mini pods/filler: $4.99, Michaels (came from same box as above)*
Pumpkin candy dish: yard sale, years ago

 

Bathroom:

“Mulled Cider” hand soap: $1, Christmas Tree Shop*
Ceramic pumpkin: Goodwill or yard sale – had it for years
Orange towel: $.50 at flea market {definitely not a real hand towel, but again, who cares?  It’s okay to break “the rules” in your own house. :) }

Hope you enjoyed the fall tour! :)

 

Oh, and guys?  This is what the floor of my living room looked like the day I took the photos. 

 

Just keepin’ it real!! And I only have ONE kiddo!!!! So help me when I have more! lol

 

Linked to:

Show and Share Day @ Just a Girl

DIY Fall Festival @ The DIY Showoff

Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous