Little A's Nursery Reveal

This little boy is so close to being here. SIXXXX weeks or less and I will be cuddling his face off. I can't believe how FAST this fourth pregnancy has gone by. It's crazy town. With just a few weeks left, I'm knocking off items on my to do list like a mad woman. Raise your hand if you agree drawing a line through an item on your list feels better than actually completely it hahaha.

One of the last things I've needed to get done was Abe's nursery. Thankfully, when I designed Willow's nursery two years ago, I kept in mind that it could quickly change to a boy's nursery if needed because of our active homestudy. I wanted it to be girly and fun, but only because of the details and not the "bones" of the room. If you get my drift. With just a few simple changes, her nursery quickly became Abe's.

Here is her nursery. I can't lie, I miss having one room in the house be full on girly. So, here's to hoping a little sister joins this crew one day and we can let her share a room with W!! HA:) (but really, Lord please)

Like I said, a few minor changes, and here's Abe's new dig:
(unless stated here, you can find the sources for everything on the post linked to willow's nursery)



 I have dreams of drawing a big mural on that chalkboard wall, but at almost 34 weeks pregnant, I just don't have it in me right now. I'm also hoping to get a new more colorful crib sheet soon.


 I also have major dreams of redoing this dresser. I'm thinking white around the edges and re-staining the drawers to look like this. But you guessed it, it's not happening at 34 weeks. Plus, I think I want to wait until we move one day because I'm not sure where this piece might end up, and part of me wants to paint it a fun pop of yellow!

I took this image at my father in laws farm last summer and quickly fell in love with it. I loved the stance of the cows and how this little baby calf just stared me down. So precious. I knew I wanted to print it, but I haven't been able to find a home for it. Until now. I love it in Abe's nursery. When I went to print it, I freaked out because SOMEHOW all my images from that day are gone. Like can't find them anywhere. Thankfully, I had blogged them here (insert crying face emoji because my kids look so little). I knew blowing up an image from the internet would make this print really pixely, so I added a watercolor effect to the print to mask the pixels. It turned out perfect. I printed it at Kinkos as a colored engineer print, so it was pretty cheap! Not the best quality, but you can't tell until you get right up on it. The frame is IKEA. 


yeahhhhh, add "paint the outlets" to my todo list.


Still love those weaves from Willow's nursery! And this lamp I redid. 
 

The shelves were just a quick rearrangement of knick knacks. I added an image of us finding out we were having a boy. The letter A was from Canaan's old nursery (his middle name is Allen). Everything else was already in this room or I had from other rooms. 
 

 I can't WAIT to wrap him up in that tie-dyed swaddle!!


 I bought this sweet elephant for A at an adoption conference I went to earlier this month. And the plant is from Ikea!
 


It's very minimal, and I'm hoping the crib sheet will add the fun I'm looking for. I REALLY want this crib sheet to tie in the yellow and green from the weaves and cow print.
 
I do love this calm, bright space. Now, who wants to come draw my mural???:)

Our Boy and Girl Shared Room

This room has been a work in progress since the beginning of February. I've been determined to get it finished before Abe comes. Although we probably won't move W into this room with C until after Abe is born (because I value sleep and want to put off them waking one another for as long as possible), I wanted to go ahead and redesign it to fit a girl and boy. Before, it was pretty boyish, and hadn't been updated in 4 years. (I didn't take before pictures, but it still pretty much looked like this but the crib was replaced with another twin mattress and pics swapped out).

I really wanted this room to be pretty gender neutral and very light! It always felt super small, so my biggest goal was to make the room seem bigger. I think the wall to wall shelves reallllllyyy opened up this room, and painting it white did WONDERS for brightening the space. Not a shocker I chose white paint (all the other rooms in my house are, minus the kitchen). The paint is Swiss Coffee and it's my absolute favorite shade I think.


So here we go, so in love with the end result and I was able to redo the whole space on a VERY SMALL budget.

The weave is an old one I've had that I never found a home for, but I think I love it here:)



Hellllllooooo White!!:)
 

The clear shelves are from Clear Solutions Display. I got this one! The snake plant from ikea. The fox pillow I made. The Ikat pillow from target years ago, and the polka dot pillow from target dollar aisle.

Orange pillow is from target, the basket from a friend who lived in Africa for a while:)




The shelves are my favorite part of the whole room. It was so fun to fill it with random knick knacks and meaningful treasures. The sweet little brown doll is from this etsy! I bought it years ago when we started the adoption process, I long to see it in the arms of our babe one day. Willow has been rough on it, so it sits on the shelves now so that she doesn't ruin it haha. I HIGHLY recommend her shop!!!

The globes are old yardsale finds.

 I knew I wanted pictures in their room of the two of them. It took me hours to narrow down which three. Goodness I love these toots!
 
 
 And if I took apart his track just for pictures sake, he woulda lost his mind. Can't get more real life in this house than train tracks everywhere.

This rug gives me all the feels. Its from Rugs USA and I'm OBSESSED! So so so soft and amazing quality. 



The rhino is from target. The deer is from here. The fox I made for C's nursery, and the artwork is by C:) The big ballerina doll is from Candy Kirby Designs. The good morning pillow is another target dollar aisle score. And the watermelon pillow was made by yours truly.


Once again, target dollar aisle coming in HOT! Love this banner I found there a few months ago! The curtains are from Ikea!



The little blue table is an old antique find from C's nursery. The square lamp is from target years ago.

I really want to find some cuter bedding, but my kids only sleep with their crochet blankets at night (they seriously refuse anything else). So, I'm going to wait on that for now. I do want to find a bedskirt though to hide all their under the bed toys. Suggestions?

Thanks for looking around:) It's honestly relaxing to me to redecorate a room and do it for as cheap as possible. I love finding deals and keeping the costs low.

Now, how in the world do I get two kids to nap in here at the same time??? haha.

Last Minute DIY Valentines & Our Valentines Date

Early this week, I was a major debbie downer (and that's putting it super lightly). Discouragement showed it's ugly face. Today marks 9 months since we officially started the adoption process. For most pregnant mommas that means today I'd have a baby, but for adopting mommas.... there's no due date. I'm stuck blindly waiting. I realize most you won't understand this or how it feels. And that's okay. And some of you may be sick of me talking about this already. And that's okay too. Point is, I love this little boy, and I'm ready for him to be in our lives. Yes, I'm focusing on the here and now. Yes, I'm SUPER thankful for C and my husband, and I praise the Lord daily for them. Yes, I really am content with where the Lord has my family. But I'm also really ready to meet him. It's just hard to explain if you haven't gone through it. It's a weird state. I'm ready for my son to come home, and in the mean time, I'm content with my two boys. They bring so much joy. I sound so confusing. I know.

I was sick of being discouraged (but more like the Lord majorly convicted me) that today wouldn't be the day, so I decided to celebrate not only my boys, but so many women in my life who have invested in my family, loved us, prayed for us, prayed for our adoption, and just been really great friends. I headed to Target last night and drained their dollar aisle. I found some a d o r a b l e mini mailboxes and wool bags. I made my homemade chocolate chip cookies & stuffed the bags with cookies, kisses, and "art" hearts by C.

This was such an easy, inexpensive way to remind these ladies of how much I appreciate and love them. While delivering them, I prayed for each one and rejoiced to the Lord for allowing them to be in my life. Hope this inspires you to do the same for some great gals in your life. Thankful my husband encouraged me to do this and helped me along the way:)

 ^^C scribbled on some paper and I cut out hearts. I then came up with my own little different, funny sayings for each lady. This was to my sister. She totally gets it dont worry:)

To you ladies, you know who you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a friend to me.

Husband and I celebrated Valentines last night with dinner & cookie making! And today he is taking me to the Lego movie. I could not even begin to describe my love for that man. I seriously don't deserve such a great catch. He loves me so sacrificially. He's just amazing. Seriously. And these pretty, little flowers and my big batch of candy.... babe, you know me so well. 

And to my C. my gosh I love you toooooo much. You are the sweetest little boy and are such a picture of God's grace. You fill my heart with delight and being your mother is my proudest accomplishment. 

And he will kill me but just to brag on my man. Here he is cleaning our back yard from all of Finn's poop for lack of a better term. Guys, my husband has a servant's heart. It continually teaches me to serve more. Gosh this man is the best. And hush, it's Valentines day. I'm allowed to be mushy!

And someone please tell me why Blogger makes all my images blurry and pixely? What is the DEAL! Do I just need to switch hosts already?

Christmas Card DIY IDEA, aka please help me

 Notice the title says IDEA and not project. That's because this isn't the final product. I need help!!

okay, so here's the deal. I've been meaning to make this DIY project since after Christmas, but as usual, time slipped away. I couldn't think of the right way to execute it, so I kept putting it off. Well, I was sick of that, so I finally made a quick fix option in hopes of someone out there (you) lending a hand or idea.

I LOVE Christmas Cards. Who doesn't? I happily display them on my chicken wire wall until days after Christmas. But after that, they were just collecting in a pile in my coat closet. I knew that this year I wanted to create a book out of them. Each year, I'll add them to the book. I love being able to see all these precious Tiny Prints Christmas cards year round. I love seeing the families change and grow. I love praying over them with my family every night at family dinner. I DON'T love the book.

So, for weeks I tried to think of the best way to create this book. I searched for albums, I tried pulling an existing book apart to use the cover and back, and I failed. I was sick of the cards just sitting on my table waiting until I came up with a grand idea. I was babysitting my sister's kids long with watching C one day and decided amongst the chaos that I was going to whip something out. No matter how crappy or temporary.

So a few pieces of card stock, grey acrylic paint, and small wire later here it is!

^^I have to say these Tiny Prints & Shutterfly cards are my absolute favorite!

This is a great way to teach our son about praying for others, actually pray for others & I'm able to see the cards more:) win win!

It needs serious help. SO, anyone out there got ideas? Know of an album I could use? I'm thinking maybe clear sheet protectors of some sort so I can really protect the cards. I'd love a hard album so that over the years, it will last. This cardstock may last me a good 3 months at tops. If you have any ideas or links to any albums, PLEASE drop a comment.

I'd totally encourage you to make a book of your own using your saved Christmas Cards. I can't express how much I love the idea. I'm even thinking of adding birthday cards of friend's babies (and my kiddos) along the year too. Or birth announcements. Like I'm totally making and adding one like this to my book when we SOMEDAY get our match with our adoption!

Okay, people. Help me out! While this book is a great temporary fix, it's just that, temporary! I need ideas for something more permanent. And I've got major DIY writer's block.

I promise to do an updated post when I find a good solution!

How I Stay Organized and a Glittery DIY

 I like to consider myself as a very organized person, husband begs to differ on account of our always, messy bathroom and closet. But shouldn't he know that's just the way it's going to be with women? So besides those two tornado pits, I love me some organization. It's the tick to my tock so to speak. And none of it would be possible without my Erin Condren planner. My sister gave me one last year for a mother's day present, and it c h a n g e d my life. seriously. it did.

I used that sucker to organize in ways Mrs. Erin probably never dreamed imaginable. Okay, well it's probably exactly what she dreamed it up for, but you get my drift. It's perfect for organizing. I just had one issue.... where to put it? I mean, it came with me places constantly- to the grocery, to adoption meetings, etc. But, once I got home, it had no place to rest. So for months, I just let it lay on our counter. BIG MISTAKE. There is stuff dried on my old one that I don't even remember cooking, gross. Now that I have a brand new shiny one that I ordered off of Tiny Prints (totalllly recommend doing, it came it way faster than ordering from Erin's site), I want to keep it off the counters, but still in my kitchen. Thus the solution:

 AND VOILA. The most perfect and adorable planner stand. Or ipad stand when I cook, or to hold a print, etc.

(WARNING!! use some gloves when spraying that adhesive. It is no joke and will not come off of your hands no matter what you do. I mean, I'm speaking for a friend here.... of course iiiiiiii used gloves......)

Stand, glitter, spray adhesive can all be found at your local crafts store! Just spray, sprinkle glitter, and let set. I think I did go over it with some Mod-Podge just so it wouldn't shed as bad.

Isn't it darling?? I'm in love. It now sits on that sparkly, little stand all while showing it's bad self off, all while not getting gross on the counter. whoop! And, it's still totally accessible for organizing or grabbing as I walk out the door.

so, about organization, did I mention I like to organize?

 I ordered the Weekly Life Planner from Tiny Prints because I love that it breaks down each day into morning, noon, and night, as well as, shows the entire month on one spread. (if you order the Monthly Notebook, you will not have the date broken down, it's just the monthly spread) On the monthly spread, I list out events or activities we have planned for that month, duh. I also use the side column to list out my monthly goals. I love love love love really love listing my goals here. I can't tell you how accountable it's made me to finishing them.

 As much as I love the monthly spread, it's the daily break down pages that are my jam. I use the morning box to list out my daily chores and workout days, since I try to do them both in the morning first thing. Get um done and over with!

 The "day" box is for my errands, what crafts I need to complete, what sessions need editing, etc.

 And I use the "night" box as our dinner menu. I may not always fix exactly what I have scheduled for that night, but I love listing it out at the beginning of the month (yes, I shop for the entire month at one time) because it helps me see what nights I need to cook and what nights we will be eating out or going to an event.

 Then wayyy down at the bottom, I use this little space to remind me to blog certain posts. I have to be honest, I didn't do this last year, and I don't want to be a stickler about it this year, but sometimes I get overwhelmed with posts I want to write, but since I don't write them down I forget about them totally. I think this will help me this year remember to write certain posts. BUT I'm not going to live and die by it. Geez that all just sounds like one big contradictory mess.

I've used cheap little planners from various places in the past, but I just have to tell you, this planner is worth the investment. For one thing, it's like waaayyyyyyy prettier & you can customize it on Tiny Prints. Not to mention, TP is always having discounts and offers on other fun, personalized gifts! And two, most planners you find won't have near as much "extras" as this planner. For example, there's a notes section (my one from last year is filled with adoption notes and will forever hold a special place in my heart), a contacts section, pages and pages of stickers both premade and tons extra for you to customize (like I did for my monthly goals column), a cute folder for stray paper,  a ruler, a clear pocket, adorable birthday or happy stickers, and a place for special dates in the front. Told ya, this baby is the Rolls Royce of planners. 

Now, excuse me while I go stare at it on my counter. It's just so pretty!