a mud corner...done!

The mud corner that I blogged about in this post is officially a done-for-now area! We had a lot of inspiration from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine and of course from my obsession with Pinterest.

We went from this messy, unorganized and "muddy" area,

To this beautiful, organized and bright corner! (That little sprout of hair at the bottom right is Brookie Page's head! Isn't it just adorable?!)

As you can see above, we used beadboard and trim and painted it in a semi-gloss white. Just to make it easier on ourselves, we decided to do the two levels of beadboard on only the area where the hooks were. This way we wouldn't have to rework the wiring for that sconce. And the first level of trim hits right above the light switch so that we didn't have to redo that either. Phew!

Don't-cha just love these hooks! I got these on sale at Hobby Lobby for super cheap. They are the initials of our first names! The kids' hooks are on the lower level and mine and Johnathan's are on the top level.

My mom bought me this cool rattan ottoman a while back from an antique store (although I know it's NOT an antique) for $20. I am thinking of painting it a bright color, but for now, I am leaving it natural. What do you think? Color or natural?

On the other side of the mud "corner," I added this simple mirror. It reflects the light coming in from the back door and makes this space much brighter during the day.

On the back door itself, I sewed up some new curtains...from what you may ask? The linen is an Ikea dish cloth and the green and white stripe is an Ikea bed sheet! They work perfectly with the color scheme.

I still have no solution to the shoe storage. I just basically cleaned out the old bin, and we keep ONLY outside shoes in there...unlike before when it was every pair of shoes each kid owned. Once I figure out that element of the corner, I'll let you be the first to see! ;  )

Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. ~Psalm 143:8

sick baby.

I thought Brookie Page wouldn't get the virus her big brother and big sister did, but she eventually got it. She hasn't had a fever in 24 hours, so I hope she's on the mend!

amazing how things change.

This is where we were on this exact date a year ago...at the beach, holding each other, with people we THOUGHT were our friends. It's amazing how things change.

breakfast.

Sometimes when my kids ask for something crazy for breakfast, I can't help but give in. Popcorn, cold pizza, oreos, are okay for the first meal of the day...every once in a while!

a "growing" gift.

Today is Easton's last day of pre-K...wiping away the tears now. He is growing up so fast, and sometimes I wish I could just freeze him and keep him as my sweet little boy forever.

But, since I can't ;  ( and he just keeps growing into a little man, I thought I would give his teachers and bus drivers a "growing" gift for all they have done to help him grow into the smart, kind, caring, curious, special person he is today.

I turned to my love Pinterest, and found this idea. A flowering plant in a beautiful pot. I decided not to "plant" the flower in the pot so that they could take it out and plant it in their yard if they wanted to. I created a simple little tag from colorful coordinating scrapbook paper and tied it on with a matching ribbon.

The planters were Better Homes and Gardens brand that I found at the Dollar Tree for only $1! ;  ) Don't they just look like they're worth more than $1? I thought so too.

The card was just a sweet little note thanking them for helping Easton "grow" this year!

Since I am on a tight budget right now, I wanted an elegant gift that was also very meaningful. Total cost for 6 pots and 6 flowers...$8! Rad huh!?


Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. ~Proverbs 22:6

my view.

I am helping with the golf tourney for my work today. What a great view to have for a day at the "office!"

free spirit.

I just adore how free spirited Brooklyn is every day. I call her my "hippie baby." She just loves to laugh, dance and play all day long. To her, life is just all fun...and I hope she is that way her entire life!

"spicy" bookshelves.

I know. This idea is all over Pinterest, so I am not claiming it as my own idea; although, I wish I could because it's genious!

Point blank: the girls have a TON of books and at one point, they were stacked in every corner of the room. So, I turn to the good 'ole Pinterest for some inspiration, and I came across this idea. Using Ikea spice racks as bookshelves!

Since the girls can't read and they are much more visual learners right now, this was a great way for them to see the front of the books, rather than the spines only, to select what book to look at or for me to read to them.

Genious. Just pure genious.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ~Colossians 3:16

from the garden...

to my bowl! I'm finally reaping what I sowed. Yea!!! And YUMMY!

little man.

We have such a little man! He's been a big helper to me today...especially when we washed the "spaceship!" ; )

sick.

I just had to take her to the doctor. Her symptoms were more severe than Easton's, who is now over it and back at school today.

Poor babies.

a team.

I always knew we were teammates, but now that he's not here, I realize it even more. We always had our individual "chores" and ones we did together, but now it's all on me.

I am so overwhelmed right now.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ~Romans 12:12

down for the count.

Easton, and now Reagan has a bad virus. I think Brooklyn will be included in that number soon...hopefully not though.

my precious angels.

Our sweet girls. They're so different in personality, but are so sweet to each other.

It's been a hard day, but I'm gonna stay strong for these precious girls and Easton.

20 kids and counting.

We have surpassed the Duggar Family! 20 kids and counting here at the Thomas'. ; )

that's how we roll.

Pajamas. With shoes. During the day. Outside. That's how we roll sometimes at the Thomas home. ; )

mom.

Today is Mother's Day. To a child, there is no person (other than a dad ;  ) equally as special than a mother.

My mom is my best friend. Now that I am adult (I guess ; ), she and I can talk about anything and have so much fun spending time together. She has always been there for me through everything. She has seen all three of my children born into this world. She gave me a shoulder to cry on when everything with Johnathan happened. And she knows how to cheer me up, and she encourages me to be positive and strong for my own children. I couldn't have asked for a better Mom.

If I am even half as good as she is at motherhood, then I'll being doing just fine with my own kiddos!

Now go spend time with your mom (physically or spiritually) and let her know how much you love her and how much she means to you!

'Everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this one about you: "Like mother like daughter."' ~Ezekiel 16:44

words can't describe...

how sad this picture makes me feel. He won't even get to kiss his children for an entire year.

for a while.

For a while, I may not have a lot of interesting posts or long posts. Maybe just some pics of the kids here and there and really short ones...unless I am happy not sad enough to write longer ones.

Maybe I'll tell in more detail about what went on three months ago and for the year leading up to that, maybe I won't if it might be illegal for me to say anything. Not sure.

I do feel like everyone needs to know what really happened. That his friend betrayed him. That our kids and I are being punished just as much for this, if not more.

Johnathan and I are going to make it because we are strong as a couple. I am his rock and I am standing beside him.

The next 9 months to a year are going to be really hard, for sure. But, I'm going to make it out in the end as an even stronger mother and stronger wife.

So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10

our graduate.

Congrats Easton!

the things we do...

to get our kids to eat! She's sitting on a ride-along pony placed on TOP of our banquette seat, which we agreed to do so she would eat her dinner. Oh the things parents do!

my favorite things.

It's kind of fun to sit down and think about all the favorite things in your life. So I did just that, and here's what I came up with!

My Favorite....

color: Aqua/Teal

food: Mexican. Love me some salsa, guacamole and chicken soup!

place to shop for clothes: Old Navy or Kohls, with coupons for both of course.

place to shop for groceries: Publix. You just can't beat their cleanliness and service.

place to shop for home goods: Ikea. I think I could live there.  ;  )

childhood memory: dragonflies landing on my grandmother's arms and her telling me that they were her friends. (She wasn't crazy, I promise) To this day, I can, like her, get dragonflies to land on my arms too.

adult memory, pre-children: our wedding day, coming down the street in the horse and carriage with my dad and seeing the look on Johnathan's face when we turned the corner and he got his first look at me in my wedding dress. It was magical!

adult memory, with children: each of their birth-days! They were all very different, but so wonderfully painful!

vacation/trip: traveling to Seattle and Poulsbo, Washington for my friend Kristen's wedding. It was mine and Johnathan's first trip as a dating couple, and one that I will never forget!

beach spot: Amelia Island, Fla. It's beautifully untouched by too much tourism.

characteristic of each of my children: Easton - his determination and intelligence; Reagan - her independence and quirkiness; Brooklyn - the fact that she throws all caution to the wind...she's climbing on top of tables now!

characteristic of my husband: his caring and loving nature, and his "never give up" attitude.

Those are just a few of my favs! The list could go on forever...

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37:4

our garden is growing.

Our first tomato recently appeared. Exciting.

a mud corner.

Like most Southern homes, ours was built without a dedicated mudroom...since a mudroom is technically for keeping muddy and snowy winter clothes and boots for muddying up the house, which doesn't seem to be a problem in the South, but more so in the North. That's your geography decorating lesson for the day. Moving on.

We needed some kind of area to organize our shoes and coats because we were living with this for I don't know how long.

Junky, right? I TOTALLY agree. As my life evolves around the latest pin I've pinned on Pinterest, (say that three times fast), I found the perfect solution to our problem. We would create a mud "corner." Reference mess above. This is the pin I was going on for inspiration...or "pin"spiration for that matter.

So, as the cute handy couple that we are, we set to work this weekend, sans children who were at their Mama GiGi's. Fortunately (or not fortunately), since our budget is tight right now, we had most of the materials already from another project we had done recently.

We, or should I say Johnathan, cut and installed the beadboard and 1x4 molding...I did cut some of the boards.

and now we have this! A mud "corner" that's still in progress...our life story.

Last night I got the first coat of paint on, which is white of course. And I will paint the second and hopefully final coat tonight while Johnathan is at his meetings.

I am debating on a few things for this "corner."

1. Do we want a bench/seating there? I am thinking no. As you can see before, we had a little yellow bench, but we ended up just piling things on it and never sat there.

2. What should we do for shoe storage? I love this idea from Young House Love (my most favoritest blog in the entire world). They used recycling bins from Ikea that work perfect for shoe storage. Here's a pic where you can see the shoes stored inside.

Here's one with them closed and hidden from view.

  

I love that it will hold a lot of shoes and is really narrow, not taking up a ton space. BUT, with FIVE people in our household, I would need at least two of these, and at 19.99 each, I am not sure I want to pay $40 just to hold shoes...maybe an Ikea gift card for Mother's Day would be in order. HINT HINT. Wink. Wink. This would make my life less stressful in that my OCD-self won't have to look at a pile of messy shoes. Less stress is a perfect gift for Mother's Day. HINT HINT. Wink. Wink.

3. Even though this area is next to the kitchen, it has its own four walls technically separating it from the kitchen and the adjoining hallway. Should I paint the walls a different color? Johnathan would say no way, but I am thinking maaaaybeeeee.

Here's a few other pics I am going on for inspiration for various parts of the "corner."

I love the staggered hooks in this mudroom. This is key to hanging more items in a smaller space.

I love the bright colors, the shelf ledge above for storage of mittens, scarves or smaller items, and the boot/shoe tray of this one. Oooooh, and the rug for sure!

And I adore the simplicity of this corner with that little bench and that sconce.  

I can't wait to show you how ours turns out. Any how it ends up is better than it was before.

times of refreshing may come from the Lord...~Acts 3:19



the gallery wall is ...uh ...done?

Well, I wouldn't say done...but we are definitely 85% there. This weekend I spent about an hour off and on, between policing, breaking up fights, loving on and playing with our kids, to hang the pictures.

I had originally tried to lay it all out on the floor as how I would hang it on the wall, but once I got started I just decided to wing it, and I love, love, love the results!

So we went from this blah, boring wall.

To this! (View from the kitchen)

Here's the view from the living/family room.

As you can tell, there are several frames that still need pics in them. I am working on it. That's why I say I'm only 85% done. One step at a time people! ;  )

We have so many great pics of our kids...as seen in these three matching style frames that I grouped vertically.

We used family history photos too. This is one of my grandmother, who is 84 now, and my mom as a baby. Sweet.

I also framed items, other than photos, that are important to our family. Like our wedding invitation. You are all invited now! ;  )

And our last name initial in bright yellow...it's not framed, but featured here, resting on what will be a photo of the five of us. (I got this letter from Hobby Lobby. It once was an ugly gold color...'nuf said.)

Here's one more shot more straight on. Don't worry. I know some of the photos are crooked. I just need to come back with some command strips and position the frames in place permanently.

Don't you just love it? I do.

Oh, and here's a sneak peak at what we are working on right now.

Yep, he's all mine! ;  )

As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. ~Joshua 24:15