Oh nap-time, how I love thee (mirror project)

Some days nap-time is filled with working out, taking a short nap, cleaning or reading, BUT the other day, I was feeling an urge to do something crafty (and FREE, since I already had the supplies on hand). I've had this old mirror since college and it's been sitting its lonely butt in the closet for quite some time. So, I decided to revamp this bad boy.

Here's the mirror....not ugly, but not too cute either.

I envisioned hanging it here:

I HAD to include this picture with an ADORABLE boys face reflecting in the mirror. I know, I know. I'm a LITTLE biased. Just a little.

I first taped off the inside edge and painted the edge with an"Oops" paint I found at Wal-Mart for 50% off. It's a deep turquoise color. My camera does not do it justice.

Then, I taped the outside and spray-painted the inside with......

.....THIS!

Here's the new chalkboard up on the wall next to the pantry. I've been using it to display what's on the menu for that night. And this is NOT the kind of food I cook on a regular basis, so please lower your expectations of my cooking skills. Haha.

A quick and cheap project that made me feel like I accomplished something today! :)

So long, farewell...

....and a mystery solved! This may be kind of gross, but I am just being honest. There has been a moldy, mildewy stench that have overtaken my kitchen/back hallway area for the last week, and it has been driving me insane! Smells bother me A LOT and I have not, for the life of me, been able to pinpoint where it has been coming from.

I smelled the drain and garbage disposal in the kitchen since it is likely food could have gotten stuck down there. Nope, smelled good to me.

I smelled the trash cans in the pantry. Again, another likely place for a rotten smell to come from. Nope, smells like regular old trash.

I could kind of smell it in the back hallway. So I walk down the hall and see the washer. Might as well smell there too. Nope, actually one place I have smelled so far that smells GOOD.

Then, I remember the fridge. Of course! I probably forgot to clean something out and it's starting to smell. I open the fridge and it is actually a miracle in and of itself. There is nothing rotten in the fridge! What the heck?!?

I go so far as to get down on my hands and knees and smell in cabinets and around the floor. Maybe, in my more-often-than-not cloudy brain I stuck a tomato in the tupperware cabinet and THAT's what's smelling! At least that would be a good explanation.

I've been asking M EVERY day if he smells the same thing, and of course he doesn't. While this can be a good since he can't tell if the house smells like lemons everyday, it also could smell like trash and he would have absolutely no idea (which it has for the past week). Side note/apology - if you have been to our house in the last week, I apologize for the stench. Yuck.

Ok, back to the mystery. M finally convinces me it was probably a mouse that died in the wall that is causing the awful odor. Let me tell you something about M. He is VERY convincing. And I am gullible. NOT a productive combination. I automatically believe it's a mouse. But then the more I think about it, the more I am certain that while this is a possibility (or is it, REALLY?!?.....how many people have ACTUALLY had a mouse die in their walls), I think it is just a scheme to keep me from going insane about this TERRIBLE smell that he has no idea exists in the first place.

I resume my search.....but to no avail.

Then, this morning, about a week after I smelled the AWFUL, TERRIBLE, GROSS odor, a light goes off. Oh yeah! I washed E's Mr. Bear last week after ANOTHER tragedy of gross, gross, gross proportions (that's for another time and another place) and it's been drying in the laundry room.

I make my way to the laundry room and take a whiff........and BINGO! Quickly followed by NASTY! NASTY! NASTY! Get that thing out of here and into the trash!

You see, Mr. Bear is a comfort bear and is filled with rice or beans or something that can be put in the microwave and warmed up to provide "comfort". We have never done this before, so the thought did not cross my mind when I placed him in the washer to get something else awful off of him (again, for another time and another place). Needless today, in something like this, you want to keep the rice or beans dry and NOT put it in water. My actions to get him clean actually caused him to rot from the inside, out.

So, sadly, Mr. Bear, E's bedtime and travel buddy, currently resides in our trash can where he awaits being transported to the big trash can outside and later, well, to be honest.....the dump.

E has NO idea...and I am currently trying to find Mr. Bear's clone online. Sad, sad day. But a glorious day since the mystery is solved!

So long, farewell Mr. Bear.

dresser update

I mentioned in my first post about my dresser re-do, that I did not apply a top coat of any sort. While I acted fine about it, I was worried that something might mess up all of my hard work (ahem....by "something" I MIGHT mean "someONE"....someone with 2 grubby little hands....oh wait, I have 2 of those someONEs....there's no MIGHT about it.....it WILL get messed up).

SO, my husband's cousin (who is VERY talented in the arts/crafts department) suggested I use some Johnson's Paste Wax. It is located on the Lowe's household cleaner aisle for a whopping $5.00! I was a little hesitant to use it at first not because I didn't trust family, but I wasn't sure if my ability was up to par. It took no skill, a little time and some elbow grease, and I LOVE the results! Thanks Dianne! My dresser now has a distressed look with a professional(ish) finish....and some built-in resistance to milk, banana, and peanut-buttered fingers which will lovingly touch it daily. Double duty!

And enough about this stinkin' dresser. My rambunctious boys are what fill my day. They are a mess, but they are MY mess and I wouldn't trade them for any other kids in the world (well, unless you have one of the those perfectly obedient, quiet ones who never makes a mess....then, I might reconsider. I kid. I kid.)

I told him to say cheese for the camera to which he replied, "Cheese!....Cheese!....Cheese? Mama, I have cheese?" I swear all that boy thinks about it food!

My baby...who is 16 months old now! Such a sweet boy.

Brothers having fun! I'm so glad they have each other. It's been a rough year and half since they are so close in age, but seeing them play and enjoy each other makes it all worth it!

Now, lunchtime and then heading outdoors on this beautiful day! You should do the same!

Rock of Ages

I have been singing this song in my head all week and wanted to share. It's such a sweet reminder of the constant, faithful, and loving Savior we have despite what we actually deserve!

snow, snow, go away....

M spoke at a youth conference at Shepherd of the Ozarks, AR in early January and we all got to tag along. The boys LOVED throwing rocks in the creek, petting the animals and playing on the playground! For me, it was a super busy and trying weekend. Keeping 2 kids busy by myself while M taught the students is MUCH more work than it used to be. But the kids seemed to have a good time and it was only for 2 nights, so it was over quickly! Ha!

We have had at least one snow a week for the past 5 weeks, and, although it was fun the first couple of times, I think everyone around here is ready for Spring! Here are a few snapshots and videos from the kids time in the snow!

Amidst all the crazy snowy weather, I gave Jude his first "big boy" haircut. He looks so much older now...I get kind of sad when I look at him and ALMOST cry. Almost.

And one last, funny video. Mom was reading the kids a story with an "axe" in it. Jude is SO proud of himself for saying it and we are dying laughing!

Happy Snow Day everyone! Don't get too stir crazy!