DIY Ribbon Border

I originally posted about Ladybug's room redo here.  I mentioned a couple of How To's here is the first.  I love borders.  They tend to break up the color on a wall, add a little bit of visual interest, but the mess of removing is a big deterrent for me.  A friend of mine taught me how to do a ribbon border.  It goes up incredibly easy, and it peels right off when you don't want it anymore. It doesn't shred like a sticker on the wall like a wall paper border would.

First you will need to measure your room and buy enough wide ribbon to cover it.  When I painted Ladybug's room, I obviously used tape to mark the breaking point.  I needed to find ribbon wide enough to cover my tape marks.  The next items you need are wall paper paste and a sponge.

I cut the ribbon into strips that fit the wall.  I tried to have one whole piece of ribbon per wall.  My seams were behind doors or in a corner so it was less noticeable.  This also made it easier to work with.  See Ladybug at work?  Even a 14 year old can do it...

After applying the saturated ribbon to the wall (and I do mean saturated), I went over it with a wet sponge to smooth things up and made tiny adjustments trying to get the ribbon to line up straight.  From close up, it isn't perfect, but it's like a Monet, it pulls together from farther out.

 

Ladybug's Room Redo

Here is Ladybug's room redo project.  Ladybug picked all her own colors, ribbon, furniture arrangement and picture hangings.  

She pretty much had grown out of her pepto bismal pink.  

Here are her color choices:  Bermuda Blue and Prickly Pear

Finished Product

Ribbon Border

I took this normal boring shelf from Hobby Lobby and added
five drawer pulls to make a great place for Ladybug to hang
her necklaces.  Thanks for the help KT...

Celebrating her new and improved room!

Stay tuned for some how to's

Third year in a row...

Remember when TJ graduated, and then Miguel?  Well, last night we attended another graduation.  That would be the third year in a row...This is for my son who isn't really my son.  But we say he is because he is at our house a lot and he eats a lot of our food and we love him.  So that pretty much qualifies you as a member of our family.  And he makes us laugh, so yeah, you are in....A lot of times I'll walk out of my bedroom in the morning and there he is crashed out on our couch.

 B-Lew!!!!  We knew you could do it.  We are so proud of you!!!  

We enjoyed a little BLT last night.

No more Taco Bell Arena for four years.  You know until Ladybug graduates.
Unless, of course, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood or Rascal Flatts comes to town.
Then all bets are off...

Run, Run, Run

Ladybug ran her first 5k last weekend.  She didn't want to do it, and the loving supportive mother that I am, signed her up anyway.  We ran/walked as a family.  I wanted to show her how fun a race could be.  And you know what?  She absolutely loved it.  She was thrilled that she finished and amazed at what she learned her body could accomplish.  She ran with her daddy.  She kept saying, "But, Dad, I'm not a runner..."  and he'd quickly return, "Ladybug, you ARE running..."

Here is your photographic essay of the Famous Idaho Potato Marathon (5k version):

(PS.  Come to find out later that afternoon, there was a Mountain Lion lurking along the Boise Greenbelt)

A little pre run enthusiasm while waiting for the buses by Jenny

Ladybug right before the race starts

Yeah!  We finished!!!

Why else would you want to get up early on a Saturday and run 3.1 miles? To get your picture taken with Mr. Potato Head, of Course.  

Want to know what they feed you after the run?  

POTATOES!!!

Pshhh, I need a shower!!!

Dystopia

I have a fascination with Dystopian Society.  Dystopia is a society in a controlled, repressive state often disguised and promoted as being Utopian.  I suppose my fascination comes, in fact, because there is often truth in fiction.  I can see bits and pieces of our current society intermingled with these fantasy worlds.  While being entertained, it also scares me.  

Some books I have read and enjoyed in this genre are:

 The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins

 (Hunger Games, Catching Fire & Mocking Jay)

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The Matched Series by Ally Condie

(Matched, Crossed and Reached *releasing this fall*)

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My latest obsession is the Divergent Series by Veronica Roth

(Divergent, Insurgent, and a yet to be named and released third book *releasing fall 2013*)

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I have been told that I should read the Giver.  

Any other Dystopian suggestions for me?

Treasured Time

I recently got to spend some Treasured Time in the Temple (notice the alliteration?) with Miguel. In preparation for leaving on his Church Service Mission, we went to the Twin Falls, ID,  Temple as a family.   Please do not judge the extra 10 pounds on my small frame.  Dang winter!  But, I'm working on it...

(Consider turning down my music player below)

If you'd like to know more about LDS Temples, you can go here.

Things I Wish I Could Change

There are things I wish I could change about my home, my marriage, my family,and the way I raised my kids...There are somethings I wish I had done differently.  Not that I didn't do things well, I don't think I did too badly, but, you know, there are always some kind of regrets or room for improvement...

1. I wish that television wasn't such a focal point in our home.  I honestly don't really like it that much.  That isn't to say I don't watch a few shows here and there, but I can do without it most days.  Point in fact, after I get home from work at noon, the TV is never turned on.  I prefer the peace and quiet, my thoughts or a good book.  Unfortunately, most everyone else in my home is fairly addicted.  I wish we could just unplug.
2. I wish we had played more games with our kids.  KT doesn't like games, but I grew up playing them.  My favorites are word games like scrabble or any kind of card games.  I love to play cards.  The only child who likes to play games is Ladybug.  Sometimes two people aren't enough. 
3. I wish we had prayed together more as a family.  I did it when the kids were much younger religiously, but then the aforementioned point number 1 came into play later on.  How can a mama compete with sports and Disney?  We do pray, don't get me wrong, but family prayers were totally lacking.
4. Electronics ie, computers, phones, ipads, handheld games, video game systems have created such a distraction.  It's like people are in the room, but not really "in" the room.  I really love to talk to someone and look in their eyes.  It is so much more meaningful and really denotes true listening.  Isn't it fairly sad to see couples out on a date, so engrossed in reading the news or facebooking on their phones that they totally neglect each other?  We are truly becoming an anti social society...

What are some things you wish you had done differently?

Cops and Robbers

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Recently, Miguel's car was broken into.  He swore up and down that he had locked his car, but there was no forced entry.  If you saw his car, you would wonder why anyone would think there was something of value in it...They rummaged through his jump box and took his Zune and $150 Rayban Sunglasses, not to mention his favorite hat.  Miguel was upset, he felt violated...But, he didn't want to call the Police.  He figured it was useless, and sometimes it is...

So, I called the Police.  They came out, dusted the car for prints, took the report and item descriptions.  Turns out our neighborhood was hit hard over the weekend.  In fact, I had seen some kids that didn't belong in our neighborhood, I even questioned my husband who they were, but BSU graduation was this weekend, families could have been having a party.  I rarely assume the worst.

Yesterday while at work, the Police called Miguel to tell him that the Perps were caught and his items recovered...all except that hat that is...

How often does that happen?  

We are truly grateful!  What a blessing!

Who's Older?

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It's true, I started my family young.  But not TOO young.  I was 21 almost 22 when my first son was born.  I was 23 when my second son was born.  I think that whole experience of having children 15 months apart aged me...midnight feedings, bouncing boys, diapers, etc.  That's no lie.  But I don't feel old, yet I have a 20 year old and a 19 year old and let's not forget, of course, the 14 year old.  Interestingly, I have some friends from high school that seem to have just barely started having babies.  They are my age and they have infants or two year olds...I honestly just can't imagine.  Here I am close to the "empty nester" stage, I feel young, I feel great, and these friends are just starting out.  I have a hard time wrapping my brain around that one.

I'm not sure I would ever do it any differently, but they had their child free time when they were young, but are going to have children at home most likely till they are 60!  Then there's me...had them young, and only 4 more years till my youngest goes off to college.  Sometimes I wonder who is feeling older....Me, because I have such old kids, or them because they are doing midnight feedings and changing diapers at 43 and 44.

I know there is no right way to do it, but the vain person in me wants to know,

Who's Older?

Mother's Day and Letting Go Moments

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Motherhood is letting go...

by Lisa Hamer

From our babies first steps, the letting go begins. They begin to learn their independence and autonomy in those falling down moments. We let go when they start kindergarten as we wave a tearful goodbye, later as they enter high school, learn to drive,  and date. They leave for church missions, college, the military and/or eventually get married. We are called again and again, as mothers, to let go of our precious children and provide them the space to grow into the individuals we hope we have prepared them to become.

Exactly one year ago, my nineteen year old son joined the United States Air Force. This was his mission, his dream, and, as his mom, I wanted to be completely supportive. As the day of his departure drew near, I contemplated our journey. I remembered as a young mother holding and encircling my son in my arms as I learned that Godly love; A love like a loving Heavenly Father must feel for each of us. I must have been like the Grinch back then because my heart grew three sizes the day my first son was born. His fun exuberance as a child molded me into a patient mother who often went to bed exhausted in tears. But, turning I could see a grown man, strong and capable. In my letting go moment, I hugged him goodbye and smiled as he walked away. When he was out of view I wept with sadness for the little boy I would miss and in joy for the man he had grown to become. Because motherhood is about the joy, it has to also hold sorrow...without sadness, we can't know joy.

My second son is now approaching the time of his departure. He will be serving a Church mission for two years in Atlanta, Georgia. For me, this is another letting go moment. A lump grows in my throat, I don't want to do this again! Motherhood is about doing a lot of things we don't like. Changing diapers, cleaning up vomit, and, yes, letting go. It won't be much longer until I will turn this precious son over to the Lord to finish raising him into a man. And again I will weep...

I thank my Heavenly Father every day for my precious daughter who will keep my husband and I company for the next few years in the absence of her brothers.  But then, before too long, it will be her turn. And I will again be preparing to let go.  

Motherhood is letting go...

Packing

The other day we took Miguel shopping for everything he will need for his Church service mission.  I feel him leaving me a little bit everyday.  He has to hang out with this friend or that friend.  He is busy, busy, busy.  But on Monday and then a little on Tuesday, the fact that he is leaving hit me hard.

I watched him pack up his clothes, white shirts neatly folded, new dress shoes stowed, ties...things that will make him more grown up than his mere 19 years.  Then on Tuesday, I received an e-mail from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Miguel's itinerary to fly out on June 27th.  My heart broke just a little bit more.

TJ, aka Military Man, is flying home for a visit before Miguel leaves.  Ironically, he will fly out the same day to return to New Mexico.  And then there will be one...

Either Way, Wow!

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I told my son this morning that Mom spelled upside down spells out 

WOW because we do amazing things.  

(Sometimes we do have to toot our own horn)

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He says I sound like a greeting card

Some "Light" Reading

What's on your "Light" reading list?

Over Burdened

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I have been feeling overwhelmed and weighed down by my burdens lately.  They are literally burdens, stuff, things.  I've felt the need to Simplify.  Remember that word of the year?  Since my recovery, I've been like a mad woman, a crazy lady.  Nothing is immune to my touch.  Everything is weighed and considered and either kept, tossed, donated or sold.  Craigslist, Ebay and I have become close friends.

When I am weighed down by these things, I find it hard to relax and feel God's love in my life.  Not that he doesn't love me, but all this stuff just creates distraction and noise.  I can feel God in a home of less clutter and fluff.   Does this make sense?  I can appreciate and value what I have if there is less of it.  As I create a home of simplicity, I am also creating a more Christ filled home.

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, 

even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, 

a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;" 

D&C 88:119

Call it Spring Cleaning or a manic psychosis...

Less really is more... 

Caroline County

Happy Friday y'all!  Enjoy one of my favorite tunes while I am busy with some home improvement projects.  I know this isn't really a home improvement blog, but I'll show you what I've been doing when I'm done.

I absolutely love this up and coming band, Caroline County. Julia Sheer has an amazing voice. She has a few songs of her own.  Even though this is a Thompson Square song, I like her rendition better.

  (be sure to turn down my music player at the bottom)