If you want.

A friend introduced me to this blog.
Its inspiring.
Its beautiful.
Its hard to read.
Its amazing to read.
If it tugs at your heart like it did mine.
There is something you can do.
Buy a beautiful Ugandan made necklace.
From recycled magazines.
These beautiful women hand make them to feed their children.
And just in time for Mothers Day.
Perfect.
We are so blessed to be-have-live what we are.

A room to eat my cereal in

The transformation of the dining room is done.
It turned out comforting, lovely, and now actually looks like a nice place to relax and enjoy a meal.
I'm terrible at taking before pics.
The best I could do was a picture of when we looked at the house before purchasing.
The owners used the space as their t.v. room
thus the
closed doors
dark wallpaper
food stained carpet
ceiling fan
dark blinds
It was no fun eating Raisin Bran in a room that made my stomach queasy.

Before:

After:
Light paint-white trim-Potomac hickory flooring-yellow, orange, and green accents-simple lighting-french doors removed. I also painted all the chairs white and my cute little yellow friend in the corner over there....making me fearless in the painting a chair department. ;)

In a series of fortunate events- I came across this hutch. It wasn't the original piece I had planned to buy but it was a smoking deal, I had to go about 1 block to get it and I loved it just as much-oh yes I did.

And then in superb TJ Maxx fashion, I found exactly what I wanted to go in and otherwise empty corner.

I'm pleased to announce I choose to eat at the table now rather than the couch.

I do have one item worth griping of though-
sitting in this complete room I have a perfect view of
my in need a makeover desperately kitchen and unfinished laundry room.
But my money well has run dry....
damn.

In Nebraska 50 bucks'll get ya....

(a big head during deer season ;)
Or
A piano
A year of searching
A devoted partyline listener
(small town radio craigslist)
One sweet elderly lady
A few blocks away
3 guys to bribe into picking it up
And
One-Happy-Me

It isnt new.
It smells like old house.
Middle B occasionally gets stuck.
And it needs tuning.
But I like it.
And so did my checking account.
Now I need to head to the basement.
And dig through boxes to find my
piano books.

It was looking a little drab.
But not to worry.
Leah filled a basket full of
"fresh nature"
to adorn.
And she couldnt have been prouder of her
decorating skills.

to train #3

And here we go:
2 days down
2 poops in pants
several pees on the floor
BUT
we are making progress
and
her little mind {and bladder} is coming to terms with the change.
There is a BIG incentive for me
If I can get her completely trained before summer ends
(a high possibility)
then
Trinity Preschool just may accept her 2 days a week.
Um....heck to the yes!

imagine the possibilities of a
kid-free 2.5 hours?
heaven.
and no. more. diapers.
Go Maya.

Sis

I love my sisters.
More than most.
And I miss them every. single. day.

Sister in law- April
The oldest of 9 kids. Mother to 5 boys. Incredible. Beautiful. Wife to ER doc Dan. Lives the closest in range to me (Kansas City). Amazingly patient.

Sister in law -Skye
Gorgeous. Happy. Driven. Funny. Served a mission to Montana. Wants to become a Montanian.
Student at Utah State. Leahs older self.

Sister in law- Cherin
Breath taking beautiful. Mother to 4. Wife to Phd student Sam. Resident of Durham NC. Incredibly talented. Fantastic laugh.

Sister in law- Kauri
Baby of nine kids. Stunning green eyes. Student at Pine View High.(almost). Loves fashion. Absolutely creative.

Sister in law- Tia
Has the hair of a Goddess. Musical Genius. Beautiful grin. Pursuing (boys) and music at Dixie State.

Sister- Julie
Just became a mother. Every bone in her skeleton is creative. SO beautiful. Wife to cinematography student Brad. Quick as a wit.
Stands up for what she believes in.

Sister- Kimi
GORGEOUS. Speaks in a Spanish American accent. Makes you laugh. hard. Home is where her heart is. Wife to handy man Devin. Injects people with botox every single day.

Sister- Britanie
Oldest of 7 kids. Adventurous. Incredible artist. Mother to 3. Wife to fire fighter Rick. Passion for fire fighting. Will give you the shirt off her back. (and has)

Sister- Summer
Baby of 7. Major heart breaker. Student at Dixie State pursuing teaching (and boys). Has love for every living thing. But especially equines. Loves to cuddle. Calls to talk just to Asher.

Sister- Lyndsi
Very focused. Brilliant. Beautiful. Infectious laugh. Studying to be a teacher at SUU. Wife to pre-med student Nate. Incredibly loving.

And just how lucky am I?

Very.
Now go cherish the sisters in your life.