Beauty in Bloom

instaFriday

It's week 3 and I am still obsessed with this app, so naturally I will be linking up with Jeannett again. I am beautyinbloom if you would like to follow.

Let me also apologize if you follow me and have already seen these photos. It's unlikely cause I only have about 10 followers. Ha!

Let's start with the bad stuff. Paying taxes. Enough said.

Hello Beautiful. I love you.

This is finally happening after 9 years of waiting. I have hated this bathroom since the moment I saw it. I thought it would be an easy fix all those years ago when we bought this house. HA! It has been completely gutted. We have yet to buy everything to put back in it. I wish someone would have told me to wait. I can NOT find a vanity that I like. This may push things back a bit. Ooops. I may have to settle. It will be ok. :)

Look at the super gross stucco looking walls! UGH!

(UGLY WALLPAPER...BE GONE!)

I found two things this week that could only add joy to one's life. Paper tape at Target. So cute! AND I rescued this dresser from the side of the road. I lit-ra-lee had to flag a friend down who was driving by to help me load it into the back of my van. Thanks Shelley!!! I am thinking of painting it a bold color.

Here is an example of my laziness. Faith is changing Olivia's diaper in this pic. I am not sorry. Faith doesn't seem to mind anyway and oh my goodness that room is messy!

Faith had her Spring concert last night. She is wearing yellow in the crowd. They may have sung a song by Katy Perry. I am still not sure how I feel about that.

And last but not least....Olivia. This kid is going to be the death of me. She has dug in her dirty diaper TWICE this week. Twice people. I swear I am watching her. She just hates me. I think. Well, how could I possible stay mad at this face?  She does bad things and always smiles after.

 

Happy weekend friends!

What's up...

Not much is happening around here lately.  Just life I guess.  Does it seem like everyone around you is leading such a fabulous life?  Sometimes it feels that way to me.  Just a thought.  I blame Facebook. :)

My poor husband.  If I am not having some sort of break down, then I am just about to.  I think I have finally figured out why(other than the fact that I probably need some sort of medication).

I put way to much pressure on myself. That has to be it.  It is not Facebook's fault. It's mine.  I started the year off with a long list of things that I wanted to accomplish for myself and for my family. A very long list.  Why did I do that to myself?  Way to many expectations and too much room for failure.  I am just exactly where I should be in my life and I am exactly the person God created me to be. I am enough. 

Do I wish that I could have it all together? {Yes.}  Do I wish that I could be thin? {Big YES.}  Do I wish that I could be the best wife and mother? {Of course.}  Do I wish that I didn't struggle with money? {You bet.}  There are a lot of things I struggle with and will probably always struggle with.  There is one thing I know for sure. If I have learned anything in my walk with Christ it is that there is nothing I can do to make Him love me more.  Nothing whatsoever. He paid it all.  Why do I always forget that one important thing while I am in the middle of these break downs over not being enough.  I had to write(type) it out so maybe I just might remember during one of my "laugh-so-hard-so-I-don't-cry-and-crumble-in-to-a-millions-pieces" breakdowns. I think it's gonna be alright.  Mainly because my husband rocks. 

Maybe I should show you some pics now. Yes!  Here is a pic of the Easter Bunny at our mall. Homeboy was HOT!

Do you watch The Apprentice? Well, I do and Sunday they had a challenge where they had to come up with a campaign for Walgreens. You walk and log your progress online and earn points/rewards. I am excited about it. If nothing else, I got a free pedometer out of the deal. Just go to your local Walgreens to pick one up.

I got this email today.

In fact, I also got the email today that stated that Instagram is finally available for Android phones. Instagram and American Girl all in one day! I die. You can follow me if ya want.  Beautyinbloom is my name.  Now I can stop coveting the iPhone. Happy Day!

I had intended to write this post about my Annie and her kindergarten registration that took place today.  I am going to be saving that for another time.  I didn't want my rambling earlier in my post to taint my memories of the sweet time I spent with her today.  She is amazing, that kid.  A special post on that very soon.

Here is a phone dump that I made into a collage. I meant to post this over the weekend.

(Dance recital. Bubbles. My NON-winning mega lottery ticket. Steak n Shake. More bubbles. Target toy department. More bubbles. My favorite treat. Liv's favorite thing to do.)

Thank you for listening.  If for no other reason that now you no I am a big fat mess. And I am ok with that.

 

 

 

A friday phone dump.

I do not have Instagram, sadly. Although, I just researched it a bit and it was announced a few weeks ago that Instagram is coming to Android phones "very soon," so YAY!  I can finally be one of the cool kids who participate in Instagram Friday :)

For now, I use an app called Streamzoo. It's kinda similar to Instagram. At least I think. Anywho, here are some photos that I took this week with my phone. I always have it with me so I take a lot of my photos with it.  People look at you funny when you carry a BIG camera. Especially on your kids field trips. Yes, I am that Mom. HA!

We had to work in the nursery at church on Sunday in Liv's class. She is such a poser!

Pretty much the highlight of our week around here. New trash cans issued by the city. Do you know how many trash cans we have lost to the wind and cars running them over? Too many. I also hope that squirrels will MOVE ON! A girl can dream :)

I purchased this shirt while I was at Hearts at Home. It had owls on it. I mean, it begged for me to buy it. The other two girls are also the proud owners of an "Owl always love Jesus" shirt too.  Serious love.

I am also reading the Hunger Games.  I will not lie, it took me a while to get into it. I put it down a few times.  When I heard there was a movie coming out, I picked it back up. So glad that I did cause I love it. My book club has decided to read it too, so that's a bonus!

Child labor at it's best. For the record, it was empty. Homegirl did it for nothing. Ha!

Waiting for Faith to get off the bus. When it's nice out, we do this everyday. She loves her some faith.

I am going to miss this kid when she goes to Kindergarten in the Fall. BIG time.

 

Another reason to love my husband. Last night while I was helping Faith with a project for school, he cleaned up our closet. I can see the floor! Do you know how long it has been since that has happened? Yeah, me either!

I love it when pineapples are only .99 cents. My kids love it. We are eating Spongebob's house Mom! They crack themselves up!

Annie had a field trip to the bowling alley with her preschool today. It was just her and I.  That is very rare. Usually, we have lil sis with us. Thankfully a friend took Liv for a playdate with her little one. It was special. She needs just mommy sometimes. :)

We went to the Mills for a playdate Thursday. Annie had to have these bunny ears. She informed me that she will be wearing them on Easter. Well alrighty then!

Faith was the only one to volunteer her face tonight at dance. They were practicing how to put the makeup on their faces for the spring recital on Tuesday. It's a CATS theme. That is Molly, one of her best friends. She is spending the night with us tonight, so she had to tagalong.

This is what the girls are doing as I type this. They are making a magazine. I think they are up to 20 pages so far. I hope they sleep tonight!

Oh, and I took this next pic because it's kinda strange. What's with the bear? Are those pasties?! Weird.

Wow. That was long. Can I just say that those were only about 1/4 of the pics that I actually took with my phone this week. Geez. Someday my kids are gonna be annoyed with how many photos I took of them. Or maybe the won't.

Have a great weekend!!!

Eleven

Every month Rebekah over at A bit of sunshine hosts a monthly link up called Ten on Ten. You are supposed to take 10 photos over a period of 10 hours on the 10th of the month. Well, I forgot to take photos on the 10th(this shouldn't surprise you), so I woke upon on      11-11-11 and decided to take eleven photos over eleven hours of our day.

Here is what we did today on one of our country's most important days....Veteran's Day. There are no words that can show the gratitude that our family has for all who have served and sacrificed everything for our beloved country.

Thank you.

Without you my girls and I could not have had a day like this...

8am: Wake up the whole house Olivia!

9am: Snuggling in Mom and Dad's bed

10am: Laundry...my nemesis.

11am: Early bath time..she is trying to pop all the bubbles.

12pm: Heading to the St. Louis Mills mall.

1pm: Lego table at Carter's while Mom shops.

2pm: At the toy store getting ideas for Santa

3pm: Early dinner/late lunch at Panda Express...my girls love the orange chicken!

4pm: Glitter...a jewelry store where everything costs $1

5pm'ish: Pic with Mickey Mouse before leaving to head to dance class.

6pm: Dance class. Kinda tired at this point. Looking forward to bedtime.

There you have it 11 photos on 11-11-11. All of the photos were taken with my cellphone using an App that is supposed to be like Instagr.am. I however, am not cool enough to have an iPhone, so I have to settle for this second rate Android App. Just so you know, I am greatful to even know what an App is, let alone have any on my phone.

Life is good.

This weekend, we will be soaking up every minute with my sweet husband. He worked a 16 hour day today, and tomorrow will look kind of like today. I plan on making the most of the time we have together! Saturday afternoon will hold 2 birthday parties for the girls and I.  After church on Sunday, Bob's parents will be hosting an early Thanksgiving dinner in an effort to take the pressure off of all their children. At least, I think that is why they do it that way. We will consume 2-3 Thanksgiving meals before this holiday is over because of the size of both sides of our families. I am greatful, but my ever growing wasteline might not be.

I hope your weekend is everything you want it to be.

a Friday update....and phone dump

 

So, friends. It's the season of Ortho around here. Orthodontics & Orthopedics that is.  This week I took Faith to the orthodontist per her dentist's request. She has quite a severe open bite it seems brought upon by tongue thrust. Normally this kind of bite is from thumb suckers or binkie users, which she was neither. Instead when swallowing or speaking, she pushes her tongue forward against the back of her front teeth forcing the bone to grow upward. If you are still confused, Google it I guess.

On the bright side, her Orthodontist's office was great. She was welcomed with balloons and signs. There was a fab coffee bar and the coolest brushing station stocked with toothbrushes preloaded with toothpaste. A total plus because that was the one thing Faith forgot to do since I rushed her to make our 7:15 am appointment.

On the not so bright side, Faith needs to see a speech therapist to train her tongue from pushing her teeth forward. Which means a specialist copay once a week until further notice. Yikes! Tight budgets suck.

 

That is where we are starting. Hopefully, she will stop pushing her tongue forward. I have a feeling she will need an appliance in her mouth in the future to block her tongue. Kinda wish I wasn't so strict when she was a baby about not letting her use a binkie.

Didn't do me any good anyway.

 
 

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phone dump:

Crazy baby at the Goodwill.

 

Annie at ballet class.

 

Picture day!

 

What my living room always seems to look like.

 

A playdate at McDonalds.

 

One cool chick!

 

That's what happening around here. Monday we visit the other ortho dude. Here's hoping Faith's foot is all healed up! She is dying to go to dance class!

My hubby is off all weekend so we are headed to Eckerts to pick gobs of apples on Saturday then Sunday is my niece's baptism. It's gonna be great!

I live for time with husband cause there is never enough. Ever.

Have a great weekend & make it count!

Friday phone dump

                 (click on collage to enlarge)

1.  This girl has been begging me to do the dishes....I finally gave in. 2. Faith at Annie's preschool Open House. 3.  My baby with her bottle because I am not ready to face facts :) 4. Annie had her face painted at the Open House 5. Olivia playing on the playground at the pre-school. 6. Pioneer Woman's creamy mashed potatoes 7. Playing in the spaghetti 8. Playing in the fountain downtown. 9. Bounce house fun at the preschool open house. 10. Pioneer Woman's pineapple upside down cake. YUM! 11. A girl and her neeener! (banana) 12. Pioneer Woman's recipe-Marlboro Man's favorite sandwich. 13. What my sink looks like 99% of the time!

Have a great Holiday weekend!

Friday phone dump idea from:

 

 

These are days....

 Just got home from the grocery store. It was a pretty rough one. I don't even have the energy to explain.

Thought I would throw myself a party. The theme you ask?

Pity.

A big ugly pity party. Wanna come? Well that's ok. I am gonna throw it anyway.

This week has been rough. Everyday I woke up with anxiety. The feeling of being constantly overwhelmed is getting old. Today I informed my poor husband that I didn't want to do this stay-at-home mom thing anymore. Scared him I think. He is worried about me. I know I will be ok. It's just there are times when I just don't know how I will make it through another day. There are other stresses too. Not just the kids, but also Life stuff. You know what I am talking about. On the other hand, there are days that I feel so blessed to be home with my babies. Taking care of them. Teaching them. Loving on them.

I just want to feel that way everyday. I never want to have the negative feelings. I want to be that Mom who is patient. Organized. So happy that she just can't stand it. I am praying to God everyday to help me through the feelings of negativity because I know a day will come in the very near future, that I will wish that I had my little ones back.

These are the days.

I don't usually share the ugly side of things here. But I know there are a few friends reading who understand. I don't mean to sound like I am whining. Just trying to be real. I hate feeling this way and the guilt just makes it worse.

Mommy guilt. It's a killer. Tell me you feel this way too. Please. I suspect you do if you have a pulse. :)

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Friday phone dump...

Annabel's haircut. Before. 

After. It was her idea. I swear.

Playing dress up.

 
 
 

A trip to Barnes & Noble.

 

Several trips to Target. It's being remodeled. I'm excited.

 

A view of them in the van. I heart DVD players. Gasp!

 
 

Nothing exciting this week. Except for 8 inches of hair being chopped off!

I am so excited to be getting out of the house tonight with Jill, one of my best friends, and my Momma to see The Help. So glad they made me read that book.

Thanks for listening! Just call me Debbie Downer. I might answer :)

Have a great weekend!

Friday phone dump....2 days late.

I have my life back.

Finally.

My router died on Friday afternoon. RIP, 2wire025. I bought your replacement this evening. Hello, 2wire823. Thank you for giving me life again. I knew I relied heavily on the internet, but I really had no idea how much since it was taken away so suddenly. Probably should address this issue soon, but for now I would like to share with you some photos that I took on my new and glorious EVO 4G.... The iPhone's stepsister. While I do not have Instagram, my EVO has a great little photo app that does something similar. I have certainly had fun capturing some cute candids of our life this week. Enjoy.

Saturday Bobby replaced the swings chains. Thanks Daddy. They have been dying to swing for a while. $70 in chain = Happy kiddos. That stuff is expensive!

 

 

Spotted some super cute lamps at Marshalls....think I see a project in my future. As soon as I figure out how to line the inside of a lampshade.

 

Sunday evening. 80 degree weather. A wonderful time at our church's Back to School bash that they put on for kids in Foster care in our area. I was so thankful that they also invited the kids in our church. It was a great time and such a blessing to the community. Great job to all that were involved in the planning and setting up!

 

Now she has her balloon.....
 

Now she doesn't.......

 

 
 
 

Meet the Teacher night & ice cream at Shivers

 
 
 
 
 

Storytime at the Cupcakery. Pinkalicious & a pink buttercup. It was a little crazy, but we will go back. I do not pass up a chance to eat their cupcakes. Period.

 
 
 

1st day of school. Cute girl. Fancy dress. Broken foot. Enough said.

 

Thursday. Barnes & Noble baby! We had to find something to do to fill our time since BIG SIS went back to school.

 

So there it is. The Friday phone dump. It's not a fancy collage like Kelle Hampton's over at Enjoy the Small Things. But it will do. I began reading her blog a few months ago. Honestly, I don't know how I didn't know about her sooner. She is so smart, beautiful, inspiring and honest. Love her.

So glad my internet is back. Oh wait. I said that already.

This week I am looking forward to getting back into a routine. I have not been to the gym in 2 months and I feel it. Its too bad because I was doing well with the whole weight loss thing. I refuse to give up. I need to beat this. In the worst way.

Wish me luck!