Looking Back on 2011

What a busy year we've had! We had another blizzard last winter (I believe it was January 2011). I could really get used to these. We had another 12 inches or so- like last year. The snow is so beautiful! The boys missed several days of school, which they could get used to also. Mason turned 12 in June & has been growing like a weed, specifically his feet :) We have to buy him new shoes about every two months- last winter he could wear my size & now he is wearing a man's size 7! He decided not to try out for competitive soccer this year, but instead to play on a traveling rec team. Evan turned 8 and no longer even looks like the same kid; how does that happen? He has let his hair grow out & has big kid teeth too. He had a Michael Jackson birthday cake & got a Thriller jacket & glove as gifts from us. You could say he likes to dance & loves music, but that would be an understatement! Lance & I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary in August (15 years is a long time & makes us sound old, but WE AREN'T!!) This was a record breaking summer for heat; I believe we had over 40 days of 100+ degrees! It was miserable!!! I love summer, but it was too hot to even go swimming. In November, we had several earthquakes- yes, earthquakes! The first one woke me up because it caused my hand to bump my face and was a rumbling sound. When we woke up that morning, the news said we had an earthquake. The epicenter was near Shawnee. A few days later, we had another large earthquake that was like a rolling feeling & rumbling sound. This time we were all awake & definitely felt it! It scared the boys. Our chandelier was even swinging back and forth. The next night, we had another smaller one. I've seen it all now- we survived being in the May 3rd, 1999 tornado and now have been here to feel the strongest earthquake recorded in Oklahoma. We're pretty resilient!!! In October we also visited Disney World & it was "magical". We went to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. We also rented a car & traveled to Universal Studios. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge & let me tell you, they have the best waffles in the world! Evan thought he was in heaven with chocolate chip pancakes with chocolate syrup- yummy! Animal Kingdom's Everest roller coaster was thrilling & we rode it several times. The parade there was fantastic as well. We really enjoyed Hollywood Studios- the Rockin Rollercoaster was well...Rockin'! Tower of terror was terrifying & Mason & I screamed like girls-LOL! Epcot was okay, the best things were the test track & Talking Turtle with Crush. Evan got to talk to Crush & asked, "What is it like living with Nemo?" We spent a day and a half at the Magic Kingdom. It is beautiful there. Evan also danced in one of the street parades, errr- I meant break danced.

He did the centipede on the street with characters all around him! It was the best thing I've seen in a long time!!!! We are looking forward to going back. December has gone well with lots of family gatherings, gifts, and too many blessings to count. We are anticipating a new year filled with family, friends, and laughter. Also the opportunities to live out God's plan for our lives and to use our lives to make a difference for others. Happy New Year everyone!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Latest Chest of Drawers

Hee are the before & after pics of the chest of drawers that I just finished. This piece is really heavy and has nice, deep drawers for storage. Could be great in any room of the house or with the masculine shape & black color perfect for a boy's room too! Now I'm off to work on a small dresser for a friend- more details later- let's just say it's been a huge sanding job :)

WE WILL NOT FORGET...

Etsy store open!

Well I opened an etsy store today, not sure what to expect, but I keep finding more cool things I want to be able to advertise. Dionne & I had our own Picker Sister (my new favorite show!) weekend. We found some great stuff in Purcell. The best find was the Barrister bookcase- so retro & industrial- love it! Wish me luck!

Have a Thrilling birthday!

Yes, Evan had a Michael Jackson cake & yes, he asked for a Thriller jacket & Michael Jackson glove! I think the Michael Jackson dance game on the WII that I had to have started all this. I'm not complaining, I love MJ music. Funny how some things are always cool :) Happy 8th birthday to Evan Michael Howell ( I promise the Michael wasn't after MJ)

No more Pool, it's Time for School!

Well, I wouldn't be more shocked if I woke up with my head sewn to the rug! My employer eliminated our division at work, so I thought ,"What the heck, I'll sub until something great comes along." Well, you know how God has that amazing way of having a much better plan than you ever expect and how He knows the gifts He has blessed us with even though we are too dumb to see it? He blessed me with a teaching job just 3 days later. Not just a job, but a job at the school where my boys go. We can literally walk to work (well if it weren't for those heels I like to wear). I am teaching fourth grade science & social studies- totally not what I would have picked for myself since I usually love teaching reading. Again, not realizing how much I would LOVE it. Teaching older kids and two subjects has been really nice & everyone has been so helpful & kind. So here it is, our first day of school; me & my favorite 12 & (almost)8 year old.

Love this Man!

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary- can't believe how time flies! Everyday I love him a little more; I knew he was the one from the day I looked into those gorgeous eyes of his. We met a few months after high school and have been together ever since. He is an amazing husband, father, and follower of Christ. I - well we (the boys & I), are truly blessed by the man he has become. Lucky me- sorry ladies!

I had a wedding photo enlarged to poster size and attached it to an old window that I bought several months ago. Adore the way it is the perfect mix of old (the window- not us) & black & white (my favorite type of pic)- It is well suited to our home.

Shabby Chic Tables

I found these end tables/nightstands and thought they were begging for my help. I was surprised & pleased with the way they turned out- the sides have an almost beadboard design which really added to the style & distressing. Love, love them now- they would look lovely in a living room or next to a bed (even mine!) I also refinished a pedestal table I've had for several years- the curves are really pretty and stand out with the white paint. They're all looking for a new home...

A stuffed animal or two... or a hundred!

We had taken all Evan's stuffed animals away for punishment last weekend. We bagged them up (5 LARGE trash bags later) I could see the floor and bed-it was like Christmas for me!!!! Well, we gave them back with the only stipulation being he could keep out any animals he could fit on the bed- no more on the floor or in furniture around the room. I had a funny feeling it would end up like this- I braced myself before entering the stuffed animal zoo & well, the picture tells it all!!!!!!!!!!

Sun and Fun

Snapped this pic of my boys at the pool. It's been too hot this summer to do anything else but swim or stay indoors. Tan boy and hippie hair are growing up :) Summer has flown by and school will be starting on the 18.

Modernized

The makeover is complete. I am pleased with the finished product and really like the color too. This was the first time I used gray. Gray is one of my favorite colors- so sophisticated and sleek too. Listed it today on Craigslist. Sold as of 8/3/2011

Mid Century Modern Makeover

I , well my son, found this marvelous Mid-century Modern dresser. I am very excited to finish the makeover because it is a very different style than I have painted in the past. Planning on a sleek gray with white accents. More to come soon...

Owling is the new Planking

So have you heard of planking? This is where people take pictures in the plank position in all sorts of places. Now owling is apparently the new planking- you pose like an owl & take pics. The boys took all these & just cracked me up!

Finally some rain

We've had over 25 days of 100+ temps already & hardly any rain. Finally tonight a surprise shower. The boys were so excited and running around in the rain at 10PM. Got them to slow down for a second and snapped this pic. I also caught Evan in his Spider Man costume & got a really cool picture of him.

Last day of school

These are pics of my boys' from their first day of school & last day of school. Mason finished 5th grade and Evan fnished 1st grade. I overheard Evan explaining summer break to his big brother, "Everyday is Saturday Mason!" That pretty much says it all.

Tiffany Blue brings a smile to every girl's heart...

I bought this desk at the thrift store and later acquired the curvy mirror. Typical old 70's brown finish to start. A coat of beautiful Tiffany Blue paint and a white wash made her really special. Don't have any daughters, so on Craig's List she goes!

Top two reasons I'm the luckiest mom in the world...

Need I say more????

Spring means in with the old???

At my house it does! I've been looking for a lamp at the thrift stores, but no luck until this week. My intentions were to paint it with the mirror look spray paint to give it the appearance of mercury glass. I am still deciding because I found a lamp that I'm really found of & it is the lightest shade of turquoise. I added a new drum shade & voila- looks very chic. The other things I found this week at the antique store are the cutest little turquoise fan (that really works), an old scale, and a straw holder (big hit with my younger son). When he got a straw, he ended up dumping all the straws out, so I have to give him a tutorial. Today, I was also elated to find the mason type jars with numbers at Tuesday Morning for $4 each! My tea bags and sports drink packages fit perfectly in them. Happy Mother's Day to me!!!!

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful Easter starting with church last night. Pastor Craig never ceases to amaze me, he actually gave me goose bumps. Amazing message!! Then we awoke to thunderstorms and rain, we needed rain so badly. What a blessing! We had dinner and the boys hunted eggs inside the house. After we got home, I had a chance to make some changes to our living room. I added new curtains (which are actually drop cloths from Lowe's) -much cheaper than the linen panels I've had my eye on. I've also added the pics of my endtables that I recently finished. I am in LOVE with them- they make me smile everytime I see them with their stylish legs and retro marble tops.