Painting Again...

Oh how I love to paint, create and design. Sometimes I am a little disappointed that the picture in my head is not the same thing that happens on the walls of the room I am decorating.

Olivia gave me a tall order for her bedroom.  She wanted...
*blue walls
*rainbows
*a sun
*flowers
*a picket fence
Let me start by saying that I like to do whatever the girls want in their rooms after all it takes a can of paint to cover it.  However, I don't like the color blue for decorating in my home, I wasn't going to paint a traditional rainbow or sun just because I didn't want her room to look stupid. Obviously, I didn't tell her that.

We started by finding a comforter that was both cost effective and likable by both Liv and myself.

From there I picked a "blue" out of the fabric, it's more of a aqua. Her walls have been transformed from pink & green to "blue" & green. It took a little lot more work than I expected because I had to SAND the walls first.  I did not love that!!!

I took this picture in the dark while Olivia was sleeping so the blue does not look right.

Another comment on this picture, I'm not sure what I am going to do where the blue and green meet, this is still in the planning stages.

Today Reagan and I enjoyed some QT punching flowers out of paint chips...thank you Walmart paint department. Then we organized them into a RoyGBiv type order.

I just finished sewing together 5 strips of garland from the colorful paint samples. When these land on the wall they will actually be an inverted rainbow. My next step tomorrow will be figuring out where and how I will secure these to her bedroom wall.

I have a "you are my sunshine" sign to make this week. I didn't make these but I will do something like this but probably square.

My errands in the next few days will consist of hitting several junks stores and Goodwills looking for ornate frames to paint in a high gloss bright color. Once again, this is fun!

Next week I plan to finally pull the old picket fence slabs from the garage and put to good use. Oh how I love to repurpose items. It's a cost effective way to decorate and makes me feel good about using someone else's stuff that would otherwise be in the local dump.

Please check back soon for an update on Livie's Rainbow Bedroom. I hope to not disappoint.

Blessings to you all!

30 Questions

I found this on Pinterest and thought I would share it.  Obviously it is not original with me so I have added the link to the blog where you can find more lists/information.  I have not looked at her blog much so if you find something offensive or something that causes you to want to judge me...get over it and know that I am not endorsing the blog. Smile and relax, it'll be ok.  :)

http://cherishinghopesanddreams.blogspot.com/2012/01/30-things.html

This list gives me some things to talk about with my hubby.  It is true that we occasionally get stuck talking about the children, the book, softball or some other mundane topic while we are out on a date.  Don't get me wrong, those are all things that fit into our life but sometimes we need to talk about us and not our responsibilities.

THE LIST:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why? (seriously, I hate this one!!)
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
(oh my gosh, we have talked about this as a family, mostly because of the book)
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them. (really? I don't have 5 hobbies)
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misundertand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

I hope this list gets you and your spouse, loved one or family out of the typical conversations.  I don't know that we will do all of these, it may even inspire different questions. 

ENJOY!!

Back to School

Holy Cow! Where did the summer go? It doesn't seem possible that I should be sending my 3 daughters (and husband) off to school again. I love having the family home for the summer but those summer months seem to be getting shorter each year. Our district ended school the last week of May and started up today, August 15th. What happened to the three month summer?

Ready for school

"Really mom?"

First Day of School

I love that Chris' school brings in the 6th graders in the morning and the 7th/8th graders in the afternoon on the first day of classes. What that means for us is, Chris gets to walk to school with us the first day each year. (He teaches 7th grade).

Olivia and Mrs Lombardo

My baby girl is a first grader this year. I am excited to get acquainted with her teacher through volunteering in the classroom. Olivia's kindergarten teacher, Mrs Mosby was fantastic, I think by the end of the year I will be saying the same thing about Mrs Lombardo.

Mrs Cork and Reagan

I can't say enough about Reagan's 5th grade teacher. I got to know Lauri last year and decided then that we had to get Reagan in her class. Truly, God's hand was in it because after I had been told that she would not be moved into this looping class, it was in the "final hour" I got word that my request was granted.  Hallelujah!!!

Emma would rather die than have me take pictures at school so I bribed her with lunch today before school just to get a few pictures. I had the joy of eating with Sara and Emma at Panda Express (Olivia's FAVORITE place) and then taking the girls to their first day of 8th grade.  Since we were early, I did manage to sneak out of the van and snap a picture at school when no one was looking.

You might think I had several hours to myself...think again.

8am take the girls to school

9am errands with Emma

1045am lunch with Emma and Sara

1130 to the middle school

12-1pm clean the house & laundry

1pm Oma and Opa arrive

2pm pick up the little girls

3pm take Oma and Opa to doc appointment

4pm grocery store

5pm make dinner

6pm family eat

7pm start bedtime rituals

the day is over and for the most part I will repeat it all tomorrow.

I love my life and wouldn't have it any other way.

Oma and Opa getting their post dinner nap

wATeRmeLoN CaRvINg

I got this crazy idea from my friend Susan who asked me to create a sea turtle for her daughter's high school graduation party in May 2013. I decided that I should get a little practice in before all the watermelons disappear this season.

Tomorrow is our Fusion Soccer Party so why not create a 

soccer ball out of a watermelon???

Did you know there are tools that make doing a project like this MUCH MUCH easier? I didn't think about that until 5 minutes before I was ready to start. Does that surprise anyone...that I'm not a highly organized person?  ha I did get out the pumpkin carving kit which helped do the design but a paring knife did all the carving.  

Geesh, it wasn't so easy!

AND THE FINISHED PRODUCT!!!

I guess this isn't the finished product.  Tomorrow I will dig out the fruit and try to do something creative with melon, kiwi, grapes, strawberries, cherries and blue berries

College World Series

Yes, it's long gone, but the memories will last.

Each June, thousands of college baseball fans pour into Omaha in hopes to see some good baseball, watch an underdog capture the prize, or possibly be one of the rowdy college kids who manage to sneak onto the field for their 30 seconds of fame. Not to mention the hopeful 18-23 year old boys who are here to play in the coveted College World Series. These 10 days in June could be a part of their childhood dreams coming true. It truly is a fantastic time in Omaha!

Sometimes tickets can be hard to come by but thanks to our friend Alan Hove we had amazing seats right above the first base dugout. Our (non-baseball) friends Kelli and Chad joined us for dinner and an exciting game at the diamond. The rowdy outfield fans were a hoot, I don't think I was that brave as a college student.

 Chris grew up spending everyday at Rosenblatt Stadium. Boy, have times changed. Now there is no way I would drop my middle school kid (and friends) off at the ball park all day without a parent at least spying on them. He learned at an early age what it took to get a ball from the players.

In the picture above, Chris is "coaching" a young boy (we didn't know) how to get one of the UofA baseball players to throw him a ball.  After a couple of unsuccessful innings Chris started to yell the players name.  When that didn't work, people around us started to yell as well.  By the 7th or 8th inning our whole section was yelling and the boy finally got the ball. Honestly, I'm not sure if Chris or the boy was more excited. What a sweet man I am married to!!!

 The shot after the final out...and the Arizona Wildcats win!

 A few pictures of Rosenblatt Stadium as the destruction process started.

The new stadium downtown is beautiful but there's something about the history at this old place!

The Henry Doorly Zoo is located just to the east of the stadium.  Our world class zoo is benefiting from the relocation of the CWS stadium.  The zoo will expand it's exhibits and I believe this landmark will turn into a large parking lot. 

Blast From The Past

I found this draft from August 2008...the year we moved to Omaha.  I must have been too busy working on the house to realize I started this but never finished it.  That summer we wanted to get the girls involved in something right away and we found a christian musical, The American Ideal at Back Stage Dance in NW Omaha.

I can hardly believe how much my girls have changed in the last 4 years.

taken last winter

Emma signing and doing her dance steps

Reagan didn't have to dance too much but she sang and did cartwheels all the way across the stage.

Fast forward to 2012

Reagan and Olivia are about the ages of Emma and Reagan in the first picture. You wouldn't catch Reagan in a musical if her life depended on it but she still does a pretty good cartwheel. Emma on the other hand was born to be on stage.  She loves to sing and dance but I don't expect to see her doing any cartwheels in public.

God, You graced us with three completely unique daughters. Thank you for the blessing of these girls in our lives. We cherish and love them.

Husker Soccer Camp

Just a little light packing?

Good grief girls, I hope you brought enough stuff.

Reags and 3 of her EGA Soccer teammates

These girls just got checked in, new t-shirts, new soccer balls and can't wait for their mamas to stop taking pictures and get off campus.  I know Reagan will be fine however that doesn't stop me from having a hard time leaving my baby at the University dorms.

 Rooms unpacked...cleats on...ready for session #1

 Bay and Reags

I have no idea what this is all about!

I'm not sure that Reagan is aware how cool it is to be playing soccer on the University fields with UNL players and coaches. This opportunity is not something I got to do as a young girl. While you learn new skills and grow your knowledge of the game be sure to have a blast...and drink lots of water.

Reagan, work hard, listen and give it your all for the next 5 days. I hope you text me every day with a brief report and don't forget to ice your knee. In the meantime, I will be praying for you and your team.  

I love you bunches!  Mom

Running from Place to Place

I guess I forgot to post this so when it says "this weekend" it really means the 3rd weekend in June

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I love watching our daughters participate in their activities.  There have been some pretty boring events but "at the end of the day" my heart is filled with joy as I watch these 3 girls do the things they love so much.

This weekend Chris and I had 4 different places to be so it was necessary to call in the the big dogs...grandparents.  Papa and Nana not only enjoying watching their granddaughters but are willing to help us out when we are in a tight spot.  Thank you so much!!!

Our 1st commitment of the weekend...Em played softball on Saturday and Sunday in Omaha, Chris and I missed both games but not only were Papa and Nana able to make the Sat game so were Opa and Oma.  What a treat. This weekend the Cats went 1-1.  Em had nothing to hang her head about, she walked, had some good hits and played well at short stop. Missing activities is so hard. Em, we are proud of you!

ready for BP

good eye Em! Never mind, you aren't even looking at the ball.  ha ha

 The 2nd place we needed to be was in Norfolk at Reagan's soccer tourney.  This was our last set of games together as Toro Fusion.  The club has fallen apart so when our coach decided to go to Elite, most of us made the choice to follow him.  (Try-outs are this week)  I hope the only thing that changes about our team is the color of our uniforms.  Love these girls and their parents.

keeping cool in the shade before the Championship game.

Reags taking a PK...if I remember correctly she made it right in the corner.

1. Saturday morning after a rain delay we beat a 12 year old team from NW Iowa

2. Sat afternoon we tied a Norfolk 11 yr old team in a poorly played game.

3. Sunday morning we dominated Columbus' tournament team which was sweet after the way they beat us in Lincoln 2 weeks ago.

4. Sunday at 5pm we headed into the championship game playing Columbus AGAIN!  They came for blood.  When I say that, I'm not exaggerating much.  I was so proud of our coaches and girls for playing with honor and not stooping to a level of play that includes illegal tackles and severe body checking.  

I don't say this lightly when I tell you I prayed for Reagan's safety.

Our girls brought home 2nd place and I couldn't be prouder.

 The team bonding that happens on overnight trips leads to very special friendships.

The parents bonded out around the fire pit as well.

The 3rd commitment we had for this weekend was in Red Oak,IA for Chris' 20 year class reunion and a book signing at the Pudgy Pumpkin Patch.  No, Chris did not go to a very small girls' school.  ha I'm not sure when everyone else showed up.

Last but certainly not least we were the drivers for my parents who were flying out EARLY this morning. Chris made it back home to play the role of chauffeur at 4am.

We got it all done and now I'm am happy to be home with my feet up and nothing but silence in the background.  Aw, just what a girl like me needs after too much noise and chaos.

Fabulous Foley Fourth

It's an annual thing for us.

July 4th actually it was July 3rd with our dear friends in Grand Island.

15-20 families come together for fantastic food, fellowship and fireworks

usually we get to GI a day or two early to hang out with the Foleys and other local friends.  this year we were on a tight schedule.  Em now has a babysitting job and braces (not that one has anything to do with the other) but we had to take care of both before heading to GI. Still had a great time with old friends.

 this is just the small stuff, I didn't get a picture of the table with all the loot.

these boys go a little CRAZY when it comes to blowing up their money fireworks

a string of firecrackers almost as long as Liv is tall

our little firecrackers

distribution to the kiddos

fireworks are not my thing, I like to watch but not participate.

our good friend Drew helped Liv so Chris could deal (fireworks) and I could sit & visit

thanks Drew...you rock!

Em was a big help with sparklers for all the little kids 

the big girls found their spot to watch the display

the finale

537 shots to say...we love you america

you can watch it click here

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july 4th at nana & papas

the girls' favorite "smoke bomb"

I love the lanterns.

we saw so many of them, this is my red lantern

spectacular

this is one of those unsafe things that my biggest kid lets his daughters do