Toys...

I love all the crate projects that I've been seeing on pinterest. These two have just been sitting around my house. I painted them when I first bought them from a craft store but never got around to using them.

So, I thought it was time to put them to use. I painted both of them white, applied some wheels and then did a little stenciling. One for each of the kids rooms to hold all their favorite stuffed animals.

This one is for little miss A's room:
And this one is for B-boy:
Little miss approved...

and as expected B-boy found other ways to use his storage cart.

I'm happy with how they turned out and am thinking that these would be fun to fill up and give as a gift at a baby shower. Must remember to to this again!

Linking to......

The Farmhouse Porch- Cowgirl Up Party: http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com

let there be light...(a vintage one preferably)

I collected this vintage light fixture while waiting for our little country cottage to be completed. She needed some help.
I sprayed her down with paint and then did some distressing.
Here she is in all her glowing beauty.

I think ceiling medallions add the perfect finishing touch.
and... here she is in our lonely little dining area. The hubs and I brush painted my craigslist table last weekend. It's the perfect shade of blue/grey (thank goodness!!!).
While my table awaits chairs...I am already dreaming of tea parties. I have been enjoying unpacking some of my treasures that I have missed for so long.
These are the chairs that find me in my dreams. They are from Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture collection furniture. This is the August chair. I love the soft wood and think it would look beautiful with my table.
Now that you've met August...meet Darcy:) I think this would look great as "the heads of table" chairs mixed with the August chairs on the sides. Rustic meets elegant...charming!

While I dream of these beauties... I will keep searching craigslist for my actual dining chairs:) We'll have to see what kind of magic I can work.
Linking to French Country Cottage: http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Linking to Primp: http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/
Linking to Faded Charm: http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/
Linking to The Shabby Nest: http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/

Linking to The Farmhouse Porch: http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/

thank you for building our home... "how ardently I admire and love you"

I think my husband deserves a post and today (valentine's day) seems fitting. I don't think I would feel right about displaying pictures and posts about our home without paying tribute to the man that built it. This will be a great starting point for me. So, let me begin with one of the best lines ever written:

"My feelings will not be repressed, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you" Brett Thomas! (thank you mr. darcy for your inspiring words, that is EXACTLY what i must do)

I keep walking around my house thinking, "wow, he really did it, he built us our home with his own two hands". It was no easy feat. There was plenty of blood, sweat and tears along the way. The majority of the blood and sweat was supplied by Brett while I contributed most of the tears. I really don't have words to explain it all but I can say God is faithful and I am soooooooo thankful for this beautiful, little home! It's already become a very special place to us and I've promised God that I will open up my home to serve others and PRACTICE that fine art of hospitality. God be with us all if you are familiar with my cooking:) The guests are going to have to grin and bear it for awhile... I've got a lot to learn.

Anyways, back to that husband of mine. He really is an amazing man. I missed him so much this past year. The man did most everything for our home himself. I call him my "can-do man" because he can and he does...I love that positive attitude and outlook he possesses. He sacrificed a great deal for us. He worked through both the hot and cold extremes of the weather as well as through the days of being hurt, sick and fatigued. Beyond the demands of full-time work (providing for our family) and every other free moment of daylight working on our home, he tended to me and the kids as best he could. He is an incredible husband and father. His attitude and words remained gentle, kind and loving. He carried a tremendous load and he did it with much grace. I have a great deal of respect for this man.

We look ahead to our next chapter in life with grateful hearts for the blessings and opportunity we've been given. Our hearts are filled with lots of dreams for this little home and our little family that is currently in the process of growing. Somewhere in the midst of this crazy and exhausting year we managed to get pregnant again. Baby boy is due to arrive June 14th. The Lord listened to Brett's heart and prayers for this baby boy...he already holds a very special place in his dad's heart.

We've learned to trust the Lord with our dreams as we understand that "many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Proverbs 19:21). So what becomes of those dreams is in the Lord's hand... we just enjoy seeing how well our dreams fit together. It's wonderful to be able to share that with someone.

Brett, you are an amazing man and I love you. I'm just so grateful you chose me to build a life with. I gave you my heart years ago (this proved to be a difficult thing for me) and you have made it the safest place that this world can offer...thank you. And thank you for this beautiful place that we get to call home. You did it as I like to say "with a little hope and a hammer".

So glad to be looking back at these pictures. There is still much to do but we will get there.

Hopefully soon I can start sharing little bits and pieces as we get our home put together and finished.