This Old House: Vol 5

"This Old House" is tired this week!   No new projects happened this week, but I have been dreaming of wainscoting.  Last week before the party I started painting the wainscoting in our dining room, that is on one wall.  Got 2 coats done, and it still needs at least one more. This room has no outside windows, so it tends to stay quite dark.  Painting the wainscoting on just one wall white really brightened the room up.  Now, to enlist my hubby to help me put more up on the other 3 walls.

The other walls of the room have dark green on the bottom half.

 

 I have not done any changes in the dining room color wise, maybe it is time!

Choosing Happiness: Vol 3

Today is the 3rd week I'm joining Becky at Choose Happy.

This Link Up is intended to learn more about what makes everyone happy, what happiness is to different people & learn how we can share our happiness with those around us. I hope this post series inspires you to Choose Happiness & to help spread it those around you.

What are your favorite Happiness quotes?

First thing I think of is God's Blessings.

Via Pinterest

His blessings bring me much happiness.

Many time I forget...

Via Pinterest
This here is HAPPINESS!!!!!  What keeps me going each day.

Via

 Psalms is always a inspiring place to go when you are down and needing to be lifted up.

Praying you are receiving the desires of your heart.

Linked with Choose Happy!  Join and examine yourself.

Currently: Vol 4

A few weeks ago, I started joining Hannah at Joyful Life with her "Currently" posts.  I look forward to linking up with her each week with an everyday post of our lives.

This weeks topics were....

Thinking:  About how blessed I am.  Last week I shared a birthday with my youngest child.  It was a crazy day, being a mom there is no such thing as a day off.  Yet, I won't trade it for anything (after a good nights sleep).

Birthday girl and I on our birthday

Dreaming:   A few hours away this week, with friends to a concert.  Sometimes mom needs a couple hours to recharge that battery.

Organizing:   This week, I need to sit down and organize at least two essential oils classes in November.

Laughing At:  The music on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, (playing in the background) the new favorite for the kids to watch this week.

Reading:  Invoices for my sisters business.  Supposed to be entering them, instead I'm distracted with doing my blog post.  Things are always a bit better with a good cup of tea sitting with you at your work station!

Favorite pictures from last week....

Got my living room painted before the birthday party which was my goal.

The birthday display turned out nice.  Cake was easier then I thought it was going to be.  Cupcakes and acorns were very easy and fun!!

Linked up with Joyful Life, come join.

Owl Themed 1st Birthday

Pinterest has to be one of the best things ever for moms that plan little kid's birthday parties.  My youngest turned one on Thursday, and today was her birthday party.  Even before she was born, I planned out her nursery with an owl theme.  So, it seemed fitting to plan her 1st birthday party with owls.  

She had a owl cake.  Taken from a couple different Pinterest pins I saw.

Owl cupcakes

Acorns

 

Apparently, I forgot to take a picture of the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip to use with "Baby's 1st Food" (Graham Crackers and Teddy Grahams) and "Twigs" (long pretzels)

Being it is the end of October, I was able to use decorations from my favorite season....fall!

We made a fun "Owl Tree" from toilet paper rolls and cupcake liners.

Everyone was happily tired tonight!  I think a fun birthday was had by all.

This Old House: Vol 4

This week, I have been a painting fool!!  I finally decided on a color, blush pink.  Neither my husband 'nor I are pink faves, which made me nervous.  

It does lighten up the room, but it is VERY pink at night.  We have a birthday party here Sunday, so will see what people think.  Currently, my husband and I aren't too keen on it (especially at night).

During the week, I also touched up some of the trim, and painted the walls going up the stairs and the hallway.  It seems like once I start painting, the project never ends!  

Choosing Happiness: Vol 2

Today is the second week I am linking up with Becky, from Choose Happy.

This weeks topic is:  What is my Happiness Story this week?

Easy....

 
Today, is this little girls 1st birthday!  Plus, she so happened to have been born on my birthday too.

She gives me something to celebrate now each year!

 Linked up with Choose Happy - Choosing Happiness

Currently: Vol 3

A few weeks ago I started joining Hannah at Joyful Life with her Currently posts.  I look forward to linking up with her each week with out everyday post of our lives.

This weeks topics were....

Doing:  Getting ready for my mentor call with my upline through doTERRA to catch up, set goals and plan for the week with my business.  Also have a cranky almost 1 year old who is getting very frustrated trying to learn new things.  It is a fun stage but also a slightly frustrating one as a parent!

Silly girl, climbs up but can't get back down.  You help her down then she climbs right back up!

Planning:  In the mist of planning a 1 year old owl themed birthday.  Pintrest is one of the best things!  If you are interested check out some of my posts for cakes and birthday's.  Cakes-Birthdays

via incredibleinfant

Hoping to maybe do a couple of those ideas for her party!  First I need to finish painting my living room though which will be featured on my "This Old House" series on Friday.

Remembering:  To take time for myself this week!  My birthday is also this week being baby girl was born on my birthday.  With 4 little ones in the house, it is hard to take time for myself.  The living room painting project is for myself but sometimes I need to take time when she naps for a few minutes to do something special for myself.  The goal is to do my nails this week.

Wishing:  Sadly wishing for 6 hours to do shopping childfree!  It won't happen but would be nice to do some shopping for my birthday and get everything needed for the birthday party on Sunday.  And to make it even better would be someone to come in and clean my house for me especially being I want to work on a few house projects this week.

Loving:  This fall weather!  Again today the drive to Fleet Farm for more paint was just beautiful especially being the movie "Planes" was being played and all was quiet in the Suburban.

I'm also loving the support from my Monday morning Mom's group I attend each week.  Those ladies probably don't realize how big of place in my heart they really have.  It is so refreshing to get together with other moms with young children.

Hope everyone has a good week!  Mine is going to be hectic but fun!

Weekend Fun!

Was a busy weekend with company from out of town. 

Fun game going on at the coffee table!

Jam session after church for Christian and a birthday party isn't complete without cake.  Can't forget about Diego who's birthday was during the week!

Jamming

Birthday boys :)

This Old House: Vol 3

"This Old House" to cover the never ending projects that go into the old farmhouse.

My kitchen got a workout today!  Getting ready for potluck at church tomorrow, 2 birthday cakes for the party tomorrow night, to start.

Apple crisp, rice crispy bars, chocolate cake

Anyone want to come do dishes?!?!?

I also starting painting the living room.  Hopefully next week I will pictures of it finished.  Not sure I like the color but it is growing on me.  It really does brighten the room up even though I only got 2 walls painted so far.

Now I wish I had someone who would come behind me and clean up behind me.

Have a good weekend everyone!  It's going to be a busy one here with company, joined church service with potluck, birthday parties, and I'm sure more fun.

-Rachel

First attempt Kombucha

 

Today my 1st batch of kombucha was ready.  Really quite a simple process, week ago my cousin gave me a kombucha scoby from her batches.  There is a few very simple steps of sugar in a quart jar, some black tea, adding hot water.  Letting it all seep and cool then adding your kombucha scoby and some starter.  Fun, simple and cheaper then buying in the store.  Since I know I don't like plain kombucha yet I went down to the pantry and got some grape juice from last fall and added it to it. 

How to Make Kombucha

And it is oh so good!!!!!!!!!!

Currently: Vol 2

Happy Monday!  Okay so not as happy as it could be here at our house.  Moods are in high swing here and the fog this morning I don't think helped much.  But...it's Monday and time to continue the Currently Series.  This is only my 2nd week but I think it is good for me to reflect.  Jenna at A Mama Collective has stepped down but Hannah at Joyful Life has welcomed us to link up with her.  I look forward to linking up with her each week with our every day post of our lives.


Thinking:  Hmm thinking about too many things.  Of my blog posts for this coming week.  Keeping my kids from fighting too much.  They are off school today and for some reason everyone is at each others throats today.  And I need to get baby healthy, she seems to have caught a cold, cutting teeth and poor thing is miserable.

Making:  Kezia's birthday banner.  Can't believe she is going to be a year next week already!  Where did the time go.

Thinking of doing something simple like this instead of fabric ones like I've made for all the other kids.

Anticipating:  Hubby's 40th birthday party Saturday night.  He requested a jam session after church which should be fun.  Need to figure out a chocolate, with more chocolate, and even more chocolate cake for him.   Sounds like we will have company also so that means getting the house ready.  Maybe I will feel ambitious and start painting the living room this week instead of next week.

Yum!  Too bad I won't be able to enjoy it with everyone but I enjoy making cakes.

Wearing:  Sabbath I actually took the time to dress up.  And felt quite pretty all day, something about putting on a pair of heels.  Otherwise I am living in jeans, fleece, and vests with this fall weather coming in.

Thankful for:  Not sure where to start!  Our Father above the loves us unconditionally, a wonderful husband, kids with only slight colds nothing more serious, a loving family and friends, heat in our house, some family time Friday night with a walk on the Red Cedar Trail followed with supper after at Culver's.

The kids enjoyed being able to ride their bikes since we are in the country and the driveway can get boring after awhile!  

This Old House: Vol 2

Last week I started a weekly blog called "This Old House" to cover the never ending projects that go into the old farmhouse. 

In this old house today it is smelling good since we are diffusing Holiday Joy to help with sniffles that the little ones have.

Lotus diffuser from doTERRA

 

 

 

Holiday Joy is one of my favorite oils for diffusing.  Not only does it smell wonderful blend of Wild Orange, Nutmeg, Pine, Cassia, Cinnamon Bark and Vanilla but it also helps get rid the ickies out of the air.

I'm still trying to decide on a color for my living room.  Last night when at the store I picked up some more paint samples.  Might have to keep Grandma Monson's tradition of yellow. 

Not the easiest thing to get a good picture of color in this living room.  Last week I showed the couch so here is a close up of a pillow from the couch.  Liking these 2 colors much better then last weeks choices.  Hoping my hubby can help me decide between Sandy Rose Marble or Wild Chanterelle.  Or he might even come up with a different one all together!

Have a good weekend everyone.  Looks like a beautiful fall weather weekend here.  Now to just get rid of the sniffles the little ones have and keep everyone else from getting it!  Looks like everyone will be oiling up this weekend!!!!!!!

-Rachel

Choosing Happiness

I would have to be honest, I almost didn't join Becky at Choose Happy  for the link up this week.  Last week or so I've been struggling with choosing happiness, then the mail came to find the new pictures of the kids, which then lead me to say I need to do the link up.

This weeks topic: 
 
Does your life purpose relate to Choosing Happiness?  

For these 5 right here I do choose happiness!   

 Jesus didn't come for us to be miserable and unhappy.  "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."  Luke 19:10 KJV  

My goal in my life is to share happiness with them.  And that they come to be saved and understand God's true love for them.

What is your Happiness story for this week?  

Simple things, having a freezer full of beef again from one of my dads cows, seeming to be winning the battle of the wasps in the basement, a wonderful hubby who comes home each day from working a full day of work, 4 healthy kids who are full of energy and happiness!  And can't forget the beautiful sunshine with a crisp fall weather.  

How do you teach or encourage your family members to Choose Happiness?

Best way to teach and encourage anyone is to show it and live it.  This week I've struggled with it, more they have been teaching me this week.

-Rachel

You are welcome to join this link up also.  Always enjoy something that makes me think.

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What I Wore - 10/8

New What I Wore - 10/8

Awhile back I happened across a blog called The Pleated Poppy.  And I enjoyed watching for what she wore each day, then life got crazy and I stopped reading her blog.  Funny thing is recently Becky from Choose Happy started linking up with her.  And since I am starting to blog a few times a week I decided to attempt to join. 

Okay, so I am a stay at home mom that only tends to dress nicely a couple times a week I quickly came to the realization this was going to be a LOT harder then I thought!  Especially when I don't have a full length mirror that works to take pictures and never can remember to ask someone to take a picture of me.

Mom's Group

Corduroy Jacket - Chadwick's

Cream long tee - Old Navy

Jeggings- JCPenny

Brown Riding Boots - Kohl's

 

Cool morning waiting for the bus

Vest - VERY old

Spring Valley School sweatshirt

Skinny Jeans - JCPenny

Canvas Flats - Payless

Due to a couple migraines last week, I missed a picture of what I wore for church.

My attempt of last week, thinking next week will be better as I attempt to get better pictures of what I wore.  And I promise I won't wear jeans, sweatshirts, and vests everyday even though that is what I would prefer!

-Rachel

Currently: Vol 1

This week I am starting something new for myself with my blog.  My good friend Becky at Choose Happy has been joining up with Jenna from A Mama Collective with a series called Currently.  And it has been so much fun to read from both of these women I decided to link up and join them too.  So....here is my "Currently: Vol 1".


Thinking About:  How I can't believe how fast my kids are growing up!  Hannah is at her 1st 4H meeting tonight.  Kezia will be a year in a couple weeks, which means a party to start planning.  Ezra just keeps amazing me each day with how much knowledge he has in the mind.  Zeke brings sunshine to me each day, since becoming potty trained a couple months ago he is such a happier kid, I'm sure being able to eat everything again helps too!


Listening To:  Praise and Worship on Pandora which is Kezia favorite for going to sleep.  She's had a rough evening between giggling with peek a boo to tears cause her daddy walked left to take the older kids to 4H.

Thankful For:  For my Mom's group.  Currently we are going through the devotional "Beautiful Mess" based on the themes of the movie "Mom's Night Out" which I still need to watch.  It is so nice to have a group of wonderful women who are also moms of young ones to life each other up each week.  My life has not been the same since I meet this group of women.

Looking Forward To: What this month has in store.  It's a busy one with lots of birthday's, essential oil classes, church, and just busy with 4 kids.


Loving:  The color of fall this year.  I also enjoy the beauty of this time of the year even though it never seems to last long enough.  Also in love with my infloor heat!  My wonderful hubby got our heat going again after our boiler went out last winter, what a mess.  But excited that it is working and working well. 

Goals for the week:  


1.  Choose a color for the living room.
2.  Start pinning ideas for Kezia's birthday party
3.  Walk/Run 3 times this week.
4.  Get back into doing daily devotion each morning with my coffee.
5.  Write down 5 things I am thankful for each day!

This Old House Part 1

We live in a old farm house built in 1902 (my husband might have to correct me).  I love the farmhouse charm and try to keep that in my decorating.  But with that being said,  10 years ago I painted my living room, but now my trim is flaking (probably not the best thing with an 11 month old that sticks EVERYTHING in her mouth).  And we have pulled up the almost white carpet up and stained it a dark red tone.  Since then we have also been given a dark green couch and maroon chairs.  So ever greatful since with 4 young children new furniture is not really an option.  But....even as much as I love the brown on my walls, it is time to lighten up the walls.

Please excuse the mess from the little urchin hiding behind the coffee table!

Now it is time do decide on that color.  Personally I like brown since off this room is the dining room which is green and the baby's room with is tiger orange.

I also like the warmth of the brown but it was almost noon when I took this picture and I had to turn on a light.  So, can I find something with warmth and lightness?!?!?

When I picked up color samples the other day I completely forgot to pick up a really light pink which is one I thought might work.  Instead I picked up a color called "Creamy Parchment" and "Toasted Sesame".

Creamy Parchment is on the left and Toasted Sesame on the right

Currently I am leaning towards the Creamy Parchment even though I am worried it will have a cool feeling.   I'm open to suggestions :)