new look!

I love the new look my blog has!  It didn't take me too long to do it, unless you count the several times I stopped to nurse or to help the kiddos out.  The Cutest blog on the block is where I found the free banner and background, then I photoshopped the pictures into the banner.  Worked out pretty well!  Let me know what you think!

what a day... :)

Well, I am feeling ok.  I thought it would be much worse.  I had a root canal and a wisdom tooth extraction.  And I am a self-declared wussy when it comes to having a dental procedure.  I had anti-anxiety meds last night and again this morning, and laughing gas while I was there.  Plus all the numbing shots.  So all in all, a funky morning.  Luckily I am not feeling a whole lot of pain.   So off I go to make some more name letters for another friend's daughter.  :)  I am anxiously awaiting payday, so that I can go buy chalkboard paint and some wood- the kiddos are getting their own chalkboards for Christmas this year, courtesy of Shanty 2 Chic.

I did it!

The family rules canvas is finished!  While I am not entirely happy with the way it turned out (I ended up having to hand write alot of it, and I really don't like some of my writing!), I love the fact that it is done, and I am searching for the perfect place to put it. 

Since this is a really crappy picture (sorry for the glare, was in a hurry)- my rules are below:

Have a positive attitude.  Never give up.

Be strong in the Lord- take your time and pray.

Hands are for hugging, not hitting.

Always use your manners- yes, please and no, thank you.

Choose to be a blessing- take joy in serving others.

Never leave angry.

Be kind, ask first, no whining, clean up after yourself.

Keep your promises.

Thank God for your blessings- pray for our family.

Let all that you do be done in love.

Act responsibly, be respectful, choose wisely.

Always tell the truth.

Encourage your siblings... share in their joy.

Have fun and be silly!

Love the Lord your God.

I also am mostly finished with a couple of other projects.  I made name letters for my friend's daughter (thick foam board cut into letter shapes and scrapbook paper mod podged on.  Painted the sides of the letters brown, and just have to get to Hobby Lobby to get some coordinating ribbon to hang them with). 

And all that is left on my mother-in-law's Christmas gift is the sides need to be painted, and a picture needs to be put in.  I am also thinking of a small embellishment for the side..). 

I painted one letter of my FALL banner last night, and am hoping the baby sleeps long enough for me to go get 2 more finished.  After that, we will eat lunch, and then walk to our friend's house for a double birthday party. 

Anyone have any cool ideas for homemade Christmas gifts?  I would love to share your ideas!

Finally home.

Home, sweet, home.  I say that especially today, because we have been locked out of our house for the last 7 hours, due to the horrific incident on Fort Hood this afternoon.  I had gone to the doctor and the dentist this morning, and had left post to go pick up my kids.  As I got to my friend's house, apparently they locked down the post.  We are not allowed to pass any information due to OpSec, but if you turned your TV on at all today, I'm sure you know what happened. 

So, we spent the afternoon at a friends, and then another hour and a half waiting outside the gate to get in so we could go home.  Jon made it home before we did, seeing as how he was already on base at work.  We are all fine, just tired.  Thank you to all my wonderful friends and family that called, texted or emailed to check on us.  And thank you to those who passed the word on to others for us. 

Tomorrow, post will be closed.  It will be a day of silence for those who lost their lives.  Hug your family tight tonight, and thank God that you have them safe in your arms.  This could so easily have happened to anyone.  Say an extra prayer for the lives that have been shattered, and all of the families involved. 

Edie from Life In Grace is hosting 12 Days of Handmade Christmas- head on over for some ideas.  I think I'm going to try the dish mat- if I have some coordinating fabric and a towel!  :) 

What are your ideas for Christmas gifts this year?  What is your favorite tradition for Christmas?

how to decoupage a fake pumpkin

I did this a couple of weeks ago, but am just now getting around to showing it.  :) 

All I did was take a 12x12 sheet of autumn colored paper, tear pieces off, and mod podge'd them to the mini pumpkin from Walmart.  I put a coat of mod podge over the top to seal it.  It turned out pretty nicely.  I went a little crazy and mod podged a flat wooden jack o lantern, too. :P 

Supplies-
sheet of autumn paper
mod podge
mini pumpkin
paintbrush

I'm linking to Today's Creative Blog for Get Your Craft On Tuesdays!

Now, on to Thanksgiving!

Well, another Halloween has come and gone.  This one was better than the last two have been. Last year, we were just getting settled into our new house at Fort Hood.  And the year before that, we were in Hawaii, and it didn't feel much like Halloween- we were still getting used to the year-round temperature.  Plus, Daddy was gone. 

This year we trick-or-treated with a couple of friends from church, while Daddy stayed home to pass out candy.  Caitlynn was a ballerina bunny, and Jacob was a Transformer. I'm posting a couple of the shots I took on Halloween. 

Yesterday, we moved parts of the house around again.  Those of you who know me, know that I do this on a semi-regular basis.  I get tired of looking at the same old, same old.  Anyhow, this was prompted by the fact that the baby has almost grown out of his bassinette.  We moved the playpen upstairs and the bassinette down.  Which meant I had to move some of the bedroom furniture around, too.  :) 

We also moved the air hockey table into the other part of the living room, and moved the shelves in front of it so that it is somewhat blocked from the rest of the room.  I bet that sounds clear as mud, huh?  :)  It basically helps the puck stay on the table.  Now the dining room feels much bigger, and is not so cluttered up.  We had a bad tendency to pile things on the air hockey table when unloading the dining room table, and now have eliminated that.  In the afternoon, we walked around the block and went to a friend's house- got to stay and chat and play for several hours.  Came home, had dinner, kids took baths and went to bed.  I got some more crafty stuff done, and Jon got some of his hobby stuff done.

 All in all, it was a very good day.  Relaxing, just as it should be.  I'm looking forward to making some Thanksgiving items for around the house (I'm looking for ideas today), so look for some pictures in the next few days.