ENTRYWAY

I have learned in the past couple years to not buy things unless I LOVE it, which is why it takes me forever to find stuff.  Not only do I need to love it, but it needs to be in my price range.  However, I finally found things I loved for my entryway. 

I searched all over for an entryway table and finally found one after several weeks.  And guess what?  It was 40% off at Hobby Lobby.

It was a little embarrassing trying to fit this thing in my car, and James was back there wondering what was going on.

Now I just needed a mirror, some lamps and baskets.  Picking out the lamps wasn't that difficult, I found some I had and used them.  As for the baskets, I had a $25 gift card to TJ Maxx so I found 2 of them there. 

I saw a mirror I liked at Lowe's.  So I ran home real quick to measure out 38 inches by 48 inches with painters tape above the table.

It looked about right.  The only problem was that I wasn't looking for a black mirror, so I had this idea to paint it cream!  I double checked to make sure it wasn't too big before I painted it.  So I placed it on the table & I thought it was the perfect size!

Then Jordan hung the mirror that night and I added a couple of pillows and a blanket to make it look cozy & homey! 

All for $150, not bad!  Happy early birthday to meeeee!


Check it out on Hometalk, click on the link below:

http://www.hometalk.com/b/7057844/room-makeover-on-a-budget

JAMES//9 MONTHS

I can't believe my sweet James is nine months.  These past two months have been my fave by far!  He is in that stage where he is super happy, but doesn't require disciplining quite yet!  He has been crawling like a champ, he has one tooth (got it around 8 months), pulling himself up, babbling a lot, wearing 18 months, terrible traveler, hates his pack n play, he fights sleep, eating like a man, burping like a man, grunts like a man, basically he is a man child.  He is 23 pounds and 29.5 inches long (90th percentile for both).  He is ALL boy and I love it!  He puts everrrrrything in his mouth, I guess he thinks he needs to taste test everything.  He takes two naps a day, a morning nap and an afternoon nap and goes to bed anywhere from 7-8:30 depending on how well he napped.  He is seriously as sweet as pie and brightens our days.  We love you more than words, James!

Here are a few pictures & videos from the past couple months:

 

BOTANICALS

So my dining room walls have been bare since we got married two and half years ago, and I'm finally getting around to it! It takes so looooong time to decorate a house! Anyway, my sister had this idea to hang botanicals, but the ones I found were $100-$200 for ONE framed botanical! Way out of my price range, so I decided to put some of my own together. I found printable botanicals on etsy for FIVE dollars! And I found six frames at Wal Mart for $60.  So I was looking at $65 as opposed to $600-$1,200!  

I looked on PB website for inspiration and here's what I found: 

And I put painters tape up on the walls in my dining room to get an idea of the placement: 

Then I hung my DYI framed botanicals! 

And there you have it! 

BOY MOM

Before we found out the gender of our baby, I really wanted a boy.  I would tell people I wanted a "little Jordan".  If we had a girl, I would have been just as happy because both are fun in their own way.  I just knew my heart would melt when I saw our son interact with his daddy, and booooy was I right!  I love, love, love seeing James and Jordan interact.  I know as time passes by it will get even more fun as James can do more things, such as play catch with Jordan or do yard work together.  Here are a few of my favorite pics of these two:

They seriously crack me up!  Love my boys...

PANINI RECIPE

Makes 1 sandwich
Ingredients:

• 1 Ciabatta Sandwich Roll
• 2 slices of mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 medium roma tomato
• 4 thin slices of Turkey
• 1 slices bacon, cut in half and cooked {for a total of 6 pieces}
• 1/4 avocado

Directions:

1. If it's not already cut, cut your Sandwich Roll in half. 
2. On one half, layer the cheese, tomato slices, turkey, and bacon.
3. On the other half of bread, spread the mashed avocado.
4. Press the two halves of bread together and then put in your toaster oven or panini maker.

It's so yummy & perfect with tomato basil soup or whatever soup you prefer!

CROCKPOT TORTELLINI

So I've made this recipe a few times and I love it. It's definitely not the healthiest meal & it's not that cheap either, but it serves 4-6 people or can make a few meals for a couple, like myself & Jordan :)

Here's the recipe:

1 package of tortellini (20 ounce)

1 block of cream cheese (8 ounces). I get the fat free kind

1 bag of spinach

1 box of chicken brother (4 cups). I get the low sodium one

2 cans of Hunt's Italian style, diced tomatoes. I get the no salt added kind

Put it all in the crock pot on low for 4 hours. Enjoy! 

KITCHEN CHAIRS

So on the weekends, my husband and I will do projects around our house.  This Saturday while he we was working in the yard, I was upholstering our kitchen chairs.  Here are the steps:

1. Pick our your fabric- I love stripes, so of course that's what I used. (Don't forget to use a coupon when purchasing fabric.  Hobby Lobby & Michael's always have 40% off coupons).

2. Cut the fabric into the number of chairs-I had 4, so I cut the fabric in 4 pieces.

3. Unscrew the chair pads from the chairs 

 4. I stapled the fabric underneath the pads

 5. Then you have to screw the chair pads back onto the chair

6. And there you have it!  

 I  love them!

JAMES// 7 MONTHS

Sweet James is 7 months.  

He is healthy & so happy.  

He is 29 inches long (97th percentile) & 21 pounds 3 ounces (90th percentile).  

He is now crawling (at a very slow pace) and sits very well.  

He talks a lot saying "mamama" & "dadadada" and words similar to that.  

I wish he would belly laugh more.  We will do something & it will catch us off guard because James will belly laugh. 

He loves for us to read to him & he loves being outside. 

 Can't believe he is already 7 months!  

Dear James,

Mommy & daddy love you so so so much.  We can't even express our love in words.  We cannot imagine life without you.  You brighten up our days with your sweet smile.   We pray for you daily.  Our continual prayer is that you'll love the Lord & His Word.    

Love,

Mom & Dad