{Weekend Wrap-Up}

Happy Leap Year and Happy Monday!!

We had such an amazing weekend and the weather was glorious for the most part. We got in so much family time and it just makes my heart so full and happy. Friday started out with me meeting my two {Texas-based} co-workers for breakfast. We met at a neat little place over where our office used to be. I love the atmosphere there and wish I had most of the furniture in the place. It's all farmhouse industrial type! So neat.

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That afternoon Mason entertained us until it was time for supper. The three of us went to Applebee's and had a great time! After supper we went to visit Nate's family. They invited us back the next morning for breakfast.

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Saturday morning Mason and I squeezed in some cuddles before we went to Nate's parents for breakfast. We ended up spending the day over there because Nate helped his dad down cut down a tree. Mason, Nana and I hung out outside while they did all the work. Mason jumped on his trampoline, played in his sandbox, made stick guns and rode his tricycle. It was a great day!!

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That evening we went to my family's house for a get together. I didn't take a single picture, but a good time was had. Sunday morning was church! And it was amazing. There were not many dry eyes in the sanctuary!! It was so, so so good!!

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After church we went to Dairy Queen for a quick lunch and treat! Then that evening we went to supper for Nate's dad's birthday. I didn't take any pictures there either. Dang it!

But, it was a wonderful weekend. How was yours?

{Five on Friday // New Design, a DIY, etc. }



Happy Friday!!


{O N E} // Posts from this week

In case you missed it, here is what I blogged about this week.

$10 Target trip
Currently
Hope
Guys Behind the Blog


{T W O} //  New Design

I'm sure you noticed...but I changed my design again. This time it was more of a have to than a want to kind of thing. I loved the last one, but it just wasn't working. It was a pre-made template that I had purchased and there were things that I couldn't change about it. And it was missing some key elements that I wanted on my posts. And, it wasn't responsive. So, I am hoping this one works out. It's simple, but clean and I think I love it. Not 100% sure on the header, though. Looking for a font I like better. Any suggestions on what I should change? Should I add color somewhere?

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{T H R E E} //  New nightstands

A couple weekends ago we bought some night-stands from an antique store in town. Nathan and I both saw them and thought they would be perfect in our bedroom. They go great with the headboard that we made. All we did to them was change out the knobs on them, We love them...but now we need to paint our dressers and my tall jewelry box to match!


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{F O U R} // DIY Farmhouse Tray

A few weeks ago Nate whipped up another little DIY for me. We have several of these wooden crates that we've been collecting. Not for anything in particular, but for something. We've seen many projects on Pinterest with them and knew we could do something with them. Then I ran across this cute little DIY Farmhouse tray that I loved. Nate said he could make me one out of one of the crates we had. And, he did.

Ignore the horrible quality of the picture! 
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He cut the top layer of the crate off, got some chicken wire and stapled to the bottom of it, cut off the access and then took some linseed oil to the wood to bring out the natural grain. I need to get a better 'after' picture of it, but it's pretty cute!

{F I V E}

I've got nothing else. Have a good weekend!!








{Guys Behind the Blog // February Edition}


Linking up with Betsy for Guys Behind the Blog // February Edition. I know I sound like a broken record, but this is hands down one of my favorite link-ups of all time. There is just something so fun about interviewing the hubs and showcasing him on the blog. It makes he wonder what it would be like if the husbands were the bloggers in the family. haha!

I normally send the monthly questions to Nathan via email while he is at work. This month the questions were ready and Nate took an unexpected day off work so I used that as an opportunity to ask him in person. I don't think I will ever go back to interviewing him via email. I liked seeing his expressions to the questions. Fun times!!

February’s Questions

  1. This year is Leap Year — what are you going to do to celebrate? {shakes head}....I don't even know what leap year is or what it is good for.
  2. If you could create an obscure holiday, what would it be and why? Probably the day after the Super Bowl. Because it's stupid to have the Super Bowl on a Sunday and then have to work the next day. {note - Nate is not a drinker. This makes him sound like he needs a day to recover from a hangover or something. Well, I guess he does...but it's more of a Sports hangover!!}
  3. Have you seen the movie Leap Year? If not, tell us about another romantic comedy you have seen. Nope...{blank stare for a while}...I guess the Notebook, but I don't remember much about it. Me // Just Rachael McAdams? Nate // Yeah, pretty much.
  4. Tradition has it that women are supposed to propose to their men on leap day. Would you (or did you) say yes if your girl popped the question? Yeah! Me // Just a yeah? Nate // {big grin}
  5. If you had to have a special event take place on leap day, what would it be (ex: wedding, birthday, birth of your child, etc)? {silence for a while} I guess Valentine's Day. We don't really celebrate it anyway and then we'd only have to think about celebrating it every 7 years or whatever.
Me // I think you need to brush up on your leap year studies.
Nate // I told you I don't know anything about it. It's pretty stupid.

HA!!


For our other Guys Behind The Blog Posts:

April // May // June // July // August // September // October // November // December // January

{Hope}

Earlier this year I shared about my word of the year, hope and thought I would share some of my favorite scriptures on hope. These scriptures have been blessing me and reminding me of the hope we have in Jesus. I made these using some of my sunrise pictures that I have taken, mostly from my porch. 


 photo Hope 4_zpsolh93j0f.jpg  photo Hope 2_zpsdxes8zdq.jpg  photo hope 5_zpsckjdgmxh.jpg  photo hope 8_zpspzknbfdb.jpg  photo hope 3_zpsse3wc2yz.jpg  photo hope 7_zpskufekd6m.jpg  photo hope 6_zps6sjucnod.jpg  photo Hope1_zpsflynxnm0.jpg

{Currently}

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Loving // Life, my boys, our new church, the rain

Making // Crafts, DIYs {mostly furniture and pieces for the house}, lists

Reading // The Bible// She Reads Truth // Simply Tuesday

Looking forward to // Our vacation...even though it's not for several months. We are going somewhere new and can't wait to explore and take pictures!!

Wishing // It was vacation time! And that my hair would grow!! And that someone would come and paint my kitchen cabinets for me. Any takers?! ha!

Enjoying // My boys! And how sweet Mason has been lately. He has the most tender heart and I just adore every minute I get to spend with him. And I'm enjoying every time that he reads to me. It just amazes me how fast his reading has taken off.

Wondering // If I will ever get caught up {housework, laundry, blogging, etc.}

Hoping // to get more involved in our new church.

Marveling // at the grace God gives daily.

Smelling // Tiki Colada...a new candle I picked up at Walmart. It smells amazing and makes me want to get to the beach asap.

Thinking // About anything and everything. This mama brain never shuts off.

Feeling // Grateful, yet undeserving. Always.

Praying//  For a certain situation to work out without any hurt feelings. For peace and guidance with the decision that has to be made. 

What's currently going on in your world? 

{Ten Dollar Target Trip}

A bunch of my favorite bloggers do a $10 to Target post. Basically, you have $10 to spend at Target any way that you want. You post about the things you bought and post a picture of your receipt. Well, I have always loved this idea and {not-so-secretly} wanted to join in. I was so excited when they announced they were going to make it a monthly link-up!! Below are the hosts:

Becky at bybmg
Beth at Our Pretty Little Girls
Courtney at Sweet Turtle Soup
Elizabeth at Chasin Mason
Rachel at Garay Treasures
Stephanie at Wife Mommy Me
Tif at Bright on a Budget
Whitney at Come Home for Comfort
Whitney at Polka-Dotty Place

So, how did I do for my first $10 Target trip? This was hard for me! I love Target and always spend like $50 plus every time I go there. And if I am being completely honest, I completely failed...twice.

So, the first time I went to Target I took one look at the dollar spot and knew this would not be my $10 trip. It was just fully stocked and had the cutest Easter/Farmhouse stuff. And if it's one thing I have learned about our Target it's to grab the dollar spot stuff while it's there. It definitely will not be there the next time you go back. So, I stocked up and scored these beauties...

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Metal trays, cute candle holders, a white bunny, light up easter egg lights, a tablerunner, chalkboard and Easter sign & tree...how could I pass those up?

I went back to Target two days later and tried really, really hard, but still couldn't do it. I found the cutest things to start Mason's Easter basket! And I knew I had to scoop those up before they were gone, too. I mean, most of everything I purchased just two days before was already gone! That's how fast it goes in my area. I guess it's because we have the only target in our area. Anyhow, here is what I bought at my 2nd ten dollar target trip attempt.

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So, I did better on my 2nd attempt, but still failed. I guess I will have to try again next month!

Did you join in on this? How did you do?


{Wine Bottle Label for Teacher // DIY}

DIY WINE BOTTLE LABEL


A few months ago I was scrolling through Facebook and saw a wine bottle with a label that said, "Our child is probably the reason you drink, so enjoy this bottle on us" and I laughed so hard. I knew that it was perfect for Mason's teacher. I was going to wait and give it to her at the end of the year...but then decided to do it for Valentine's Day! Wine and Chocolates just scream Valentine's Day to me.

I searched Etsy for a printable {or one that could be mailed} label, but I didn't find anything that I absolutely loved. I wanted something that was more of my style, so I made my own using PicMonkey!

This is how I did it...

Supplies:
Computer / PicMonkey
Sticker paper {I used Avery #3383} / printer
Scissors
A bottle of wine

I read that most wine labels are around 4x5 inches so I used that as my guide. I went into PicMonkey and chose "Design" and then custom size. I made the size 1200 x 1500 pixels.

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The first thing I did was add a border to the label. PicMonkey has a few you can choose from.

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Then I started adding the text portion of my label. I used the fonts Indy Pimp and In Screaming Color. Both are free downloads.

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Next I clicked on the butterfly {Overlays} to add a heart by our name.

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While still in the Overlays tab of PicMonkey click on "Your Own" to find the picture you want to add to the label.

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Next, just save it to your computer and print. I printed it at a 4x6 size and trimmed it how I needed it. Once you have it cut out you take the backing off and stick it to the wine. I used my favorite wine Stella Rosa's Stella Rosso. It's a semi-sweet red and so delicious! Definitely my go to.

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That's it! Easy peasy!

We gave it to Mason's teacher on the day of our Valentine party. I put it at the bottom of her gift bag and told her she could open everything but the bottom thing. She knew exactly. But, she wanted to see so she took it to a little nook in her room and looked at it in private. She loved it!

Have you ever made anything like this?



{Weekend Wrap-up & Catch-up}

Man oh man oh man! I am just now starting to feel a little human again. I was hit with an awful stomach bug early Monday morning! And it hit hard. I don't get sick that often, but when I do, I tend to do it BIG! I'm still feeling a little puny today, but on the mend. And for that, Praise Jesus!! Now I am a Lysol and sanitizing fool....trying to not let my boys catch that nasty thing!

However, we had an amazing weekend!! I had Friday off for Mason's Valentine's party at school. I dropped him off and then ran a few errands. I found a new nail place that I absolutely love and will continue to go to. Then it was time for the party. We brought stuff for the kids to make "Sweetheart Sundaes". They loved it! I also made them goodie bags with all kinds of Valentine's themed things in it, Kool-aid juices that said "Have a Kool Valentine's Day", cookies, a fun little heart craft and a few other things. The party went really well and we got to bring our boy home a 45 minutes early!! Also, I will be sharing a very cute and fun DIY gift tomorrow. :) It was part of his teacher's gift from us.

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After the party we had to take Nate's truck to get an oil change. It was a little busy, so the boys went to the field behind the oil change place and played a little soccer. Then they came in and Mason caught up on the local news.

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He kills me with his little legs crossed!! While at the oil change place I told Nate that I really wanted Mellow Mushroom for supper. We invited his parents and brother and it was a date! We love that place. Although this time we had to wait forever, but we think there was either a mix-up with our waiter or the kitchen. It was still delicious and worth the wait. After supper we went to Kohl's for a little shopping. I scored Mason 4 pairs of shorts that he can wear to school and they were half off! I was so excited and probably should have grabbed more.

Saturday Nate had to do responsible homeowner stuff like installing a new septic pump and a new toilet in one of our bathrooms. His dad helped him with the septic tank so Mason and I ran to town for a little shopping. And he was so, so, so good so I took him to buy a new toy. And since he went shopping with me for a new purse it was only fair that I played superheroes and soccer with him.

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That evening Mason has his very first sleepover with his cousin Tanner. And I didn't take one single picture! What the what?! I did catch the sunset and cows in a couple of pictures though...

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Sunday was church, grocery shopping and then we visited with Nate's family for a bit. Then it was home to get ready for the week.

How was your weekend?



{Toddlerhood // Mason-isms}



Oh sweet Jesus! I just found this post in my drafts and it pains me that I never posted it. This was back in his early toddlerhood days. I wanted it on the blog...so I am posting it a few years later!! I just posted Things Mason Says {as a big ol five year old}, but I loved finding this and seeing the things that he said back when he was my little baby!!

//

Mason has always been a big talker. He started talking very early and, well, hasn't stopped since. And what I've loved most? Is the words he makes up on his own. But, as he's getting older he's starting to say the correct words. Not, gonna lie...it makes me a little bit sad. Also, he has always said "T" for "C" sounded words. Came home from school one day and was saying his "C's"...Cat, Kitty, Car....no more Tar, Titty, Tat...just like that!

 He still has a few "Masonisms" and I am hanging on to them as long as I can....

Hick-up Truck
{pick up truck}

Four Liter
{four wheeler}

Sprinkles
{freckles}

Manilla
{vanilla}

Hear Phones
{ear phones}

Squares
{cinnamon toast crunch cereal} 

Got Dr Pepper
{diet dr pepper}

Burt
{burp}

Beep Beep and Beepsters
{his boy parts}

Hancupps
{handcuffs}

Pooter Pooter
{computer} 

Ruffle Man
{wrestle man} 
 
Mote Patrol
{Remote Control} 


And some of his phrases - 

"I already only got that"

"Don't leave without about me"




{The Kids Behind the Blog // V1}



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It's finally time for our Kids Behind the Blog link-up! I have been impatiently waiting for this day for several weeks. To read about all of the details - click here.

Questions for February // With Mason's Answers

1.) Where is your favorite place to go?
Disney World!!

2.) Who is your best friend?
Tanner

3.) If you could be a superhero what would your superpower be?
Mmmm...everything!
Me // pick one superpower
Mase // every power!
Me // but what is your favorite?
Mase // teleporting

4.) What is your favorite candy?
Ummm....every kind?!
Me // don't say everything, pick one. What is your favorite kind of candy?
Mase // Gushers
Me // Gushers? That's a fruit snack. Pick a candy.
Mase // a sucker

5.) Who is your Valentine?
You!

I asked Mason these questions in bed one night and I recorded his answers. It's just a black screen, but it's the only way I can video him these days...video below.




Hosts // 



Dates // 

February 10th {first link-up}
March 9th
April 13th
May 11th
June 8th
July 13th
August 10th
September 14th
October 12th
November 9th
December 14th

Grab our button and link-up with us!!

Hall Around Texas
Now for next month's questions. Here are the questions for March 9th.
  1. What do you enjoy doing with Mommy and Daddy?
  2. Name one thing you are really good at?
  3. What's one thing that Mommy and Daddy tell you often?
  4. What do you want to be when you grow up?
  5. What do you think Mommy and Daddy do when you go to bed at night?