I got me a pantry! Lengthy post coming up..

Yes I know I said in my last post that field trip photos were coming. They are pretty darn cute too I must say. Can't believe my youngest is in preschool and I have no babies and no diaper bags either!

Anyways...I was so excited about my recent project I had to slap it in on here. Actually Troy did most of it, I just pointed to what I wanted, he loaded and paid and put it up all before the Notre Dame game. And because he did it so fast for me which is a record I have to say and because I love him to death I made individual apple pies and hearty beef stew the WHOLE time the game was on. Missed out on my scrapbook store run because of it.

Just sayin'.

So the project isn't done yet but the idea is there.

I envy houses with huge pantries. I mean walk in lay down do whatever you want in there pantries. We have one in our kitchen that isn't a bad size but since we are Costco and Sam's Club whores we tend to have bulk and boxes and packages everywhere. Overflow is what we call it. I can't even put stools in our kitchen because that area houses water bottles, cups, tea and my scale. That ain't movin'.

So we converted the coat closet next to the kitchen into a overflow pantry.

This closet was more of a junk haven. The kids jackets are hung with the backpacks so no coats needed. I could never see the floor either. I found a broken picture, lint rollers, birthday party stuff and skirts I was supposed to hem for my Mom. Oops.

Much better don't ya think? I can even walk in and stand! Yes that's the most exciting part for me.

I am upset I didn't paint inside first. I have the color and everything but was so excited to see the shelves I opted for making it more difficult for myself and doing it AFTER the fact.

We, or I, went back and forth with the shelving. First I wanted wood, then we wanted the shelving to wrap around, then I almost nixed it all. But I like the look of the wire shelving the best. Plus I can hang things off of it. We still have a wooden shelf above I get to hand wire baskets from too.

Back of the door? I'm using all the space I have! Either Command hooks that I'm addicted to thanks to Jamie telling me about them or a over the door shoe organizer for small food items or anything we need to grab real quick.

Love these ideas..

my all time favorite inspirational blog for organizing. I could only wish I was this organized. But she gets me there slowly! I have used so many of her ideas. I love the menu board and pantry checklist on the clipboard.

So this week I'm hoping to paint and gather baskets and organizers for the rest of the stuff to go in here.

I'm glad we didn't wrap around with shelving. One because it's only 36 inches across and it would be too tight to stand in. Not sure yet what to do with the back wall.

Also don't know what to buy to organize the top shelf. I'll hang the wire baskets from there too. Still need to take the rod down, just noticed!

So $78.00 later and I am a happy almost organized gal.

We also have been tackling the garage bit by bit. Goodwill knows us by name now I swear. I have taken so many bags of clothes and furniture over there.

Our main goal in the beginning was to have an area for the kids when we are out there working out. Troy has brought all of his weights and machines house to house and has added another machine here. Not alot of room. Plus my area was a joke.

It's more practical for us, well me more, to exercise at home. I don't have the will or time to leave the house and work out anywhere else. Everything I need is here. Troy works out at work and wants to do it more here so making use of what we have was key.

Plus our garage is so well insulated which we never had before so it's comfy out there.

So Troy had the brilliant idea of putting the TV that almost smashed my son onto one of our many shelving units. He has P90X and I have my DVD's I work out to as well. Never thought of watching movies though!

Underneath is our DVD's, light weights, my many pamphlets and other junk right now. We took out the colored foam squares in our family room and he is gonna put them all in front of the TV so I have a soft spot to work out. Great idea babe!

Someone please take those table and chairs!!

I don't have the green light to work out from my surgeon yet. Just doing light walking for now. But when I do it will be more incentive to come out into the garage.

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Enough with the projects.

During my cooking marathon Mila and I made little apple pies.

Yummy gooey goodness.

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xo

therapy at the beach

Well sort of.



We have been wanting to get one for Max and Damian to help with their tactile issues and for the kids to play in. Seeing Damian outside playing is huge. It's usually too hot for him so we parked it on a tarp in front of Eric's door on the patio. Nice and covered and cool.



Oh and we finally finished these darn chairs. I ended up having enough plus extra to use for some other projects. Anyone want a makeup bag?
.....
xo

Saturday project overload!!

Not sure why we picked today to tackle numerous long overdue projects.

Right before the kids go back to school.

The day I need to shop for lunch items and snacks for lunches.

The day I need to clean my house.

The day I feel I need to download even more ringtones on this phone. And not answer my phone because i wanna hear the ringtone.


Yet I wanted to do this. Hope it's worth it!




finally covering our chairs! Thanks to Jamie this was picked out in 30 seconds after she yelled at me.



going crazy with Chalkboard paint. For some reason I feel my family room should resemble a preschool.



gonna get this finished and up? Maybe?



And thank you to my Dad the installer we will finally have a fan with an extension and lighting above our table!! This is the best project. Probably because I don't have to do it!
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xo

thnigs are going good so far!

So have I made the recipes yet? Nope.

But I did scrapbook, got bad news from the eye doctor and got a new faucet courtesy of my handyman hubby!

I couldn't wait until we re-did this kitchen to get a new faucet. The purifier was making it spray everywhere and the faucet itself was grody. Another reason I love being a homeowner. Pick out and do whatever the heck you want!





my handymen



Brandon sporting my ugly eye doctor specs



my layout with pictures I've been meaning to scrap for 2 years! It felt so good to surround myself with my goodies and all these great memories.

My in-laws are coming down tomorrow and I cannot wait. It's always so much fun when they are here and the kids go crazy when they see them. Plus I get to always go craft shopping with my mother-in-law. Another reason to spend moola!
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So I'm going blind. Yep. No O2 getting to my eyeballs because my kiddos broke my glasses and I'm lazy and I keep my contacts in forever. Soooooo.....

I have inflammation in my cornea and it is turning into an ulcer and I'm on steroids to clear it out. Then I get to go buy cute glasses and more expensive contacts apparently.

Troy wants to pay for me to get Lasik surgery but I'd rather have lipo and a tummy tuck. I may take him up on that offer because I'm kinda gettin' tired of these puppies covering up my eyes for the past 20 years.
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On another note...Max had his 4 year check-up yesterday with 4 shots. He didn't even move with the first shot but as soon as she kept stabbing him the cries got louder. But I soon found out that the 4 Band-aids on his legs was freaking him out instead!

Everything looks good. We are going to see a pediatric surgeon instead of a general surgeon for the little mass below his neck. They said the good thing is that it's smooth and it moves around a little. Bad would be rigid and stable. Phew.

We'll have him seen by the same behavioral pediatrician Damian sees to possibly have further assessments done on him to rule out PDD. His OT is a little concerned with behaviors so I wanna get him squared away before kinder time. May just all be sensory but with my kids you never know.

Plus they have a strong advocating and sometimes pushy mom who will stop at nothing to get every single service and evaluation they deserve. His speech is great, it's just the behaviors I want ruled out.

Speaking of that doctor, Damian has his follow-up with him today to see how he's doing on some new treatments we are doing for him. I told a handful of people and I'll let you guys know what's going on!

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xo

enjoying the weather

Finally no rain.

Finally playing outside.

Finally using my camera OUTSIDE.




we got flowers! The sweet girl who sent these to us posted a picture of them and a link to my blog on her Facebook page! I felt all special with my name amongst the "cool and hip" bloggers of the crafty world.



of course we HAVE to play Guitar Hero shirtless before we step outside



dining together



preparing leaf casserole and Brandon thinking "I ain't touchin' that."




asking the waitress why they only have leaf food and could she get some fruit snacks instead



or can I



peeved no one ate his masterpiece



mad she got fired



Taking a little break..LITTLE break



ok this shot is a result of having high arches and not wearing the correct shoes for it. or for the mud. Days like these make me happy I have no carpet inside.



showing Mila that he DOES do yard work..



still finding time to strum



still haven't finished the window decorations of course

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After getting sick of mud all over them they came in and watched Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs over and over and over



with pillows all over them.
.......................
xo

perks of owning a home

No more white walls, wanting to tear out flooring and you can't, painting the outside of your home whatever color you want. I am truly enjoying being a homeowner.


Next year Troy and I have huge list of things we want to do with the house. I have so many ideas..a girl can dream right???


-our bedroom and bathroom



I love the red walls!
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-finishing decorating the kid's rooms



cute color for the Jack n Jill bathroom upstairs.



I talked him into a chalk wall and building these adorable rain gutter shelves!







a little spot for the princess!



These colors and fun furniture would look so cute in Max and Mila's room.

Cute ideas for Damian and Brandon.

I like this for the family room/playroom. Great storage!

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-my favorite, the kitchen!!!

I love this color and I love the window design!

I'm partial to black cabinets though. I will not give those up!
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- hopefully tearing down the long Little House on the Prairie fence that was along the old garden. I want to take it down since that whole area behind is not where the kids go!

and I'm trying to sneak in another idea that beautifully popped into my head.

We have a nice big covered patio area that I love. It has 2 doors going out, one from the family room and one from Eric's room. WELL...I want to enclose the patio area and still have a door from it going out to the yard. Why you ask?

I want to build a sensory gym/room for Damian and Max and of course the other kids will jump right in! Damian doesn't get the therapy he needs at school and with Max talking perfectly he'll be booted out of speech soon I'm guessing which means OT is gone.

When Damian got the diagnosis of dyspraxia I knew that it was benficial that he receive occupational therapy. I haven't taken our insurance route yet but I got a good recommendation of a clinic in Folsom and she charges $85.00 an hour!!! an HOUR!

Well we'll see her a few times to get ideas on a sensory diet and what to equip the room with

I found some pictures online of rooms to get an idea.

I want swings, a huge ball pit, beanbags, tactile activities, etc. Man I missed my calling I think!!

I'm not sure if alot of people have sensory rooms in their house. I have educated myself on this subject for years and I have a diet in place for them already but I think they need the whole room to get the most out of it. Unless of course my insurance wants to cough up the coverage for sessions!

But with the new bill that may pass...I doubt it.

So for now it's up to us to provide! Cross your fingers we cna do this!!

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xoxo

their own park

Damian is soo excited about the "park" we have in our backyard! I never mind walking right down the street to the park but I admit watching through my window is much nicer!

Troy's family came with the cousins and they all had a blast! Yummy food, family and laughter made it a fun day overall. I even passed along some of my retired scrapbooking supplies to Hannah...I think I might've found my apprentice!

I love having such a huge yard for the kids! They played soccer while the grownups kept building.

Mila stuffed into her swing...

with pleased onlookers! It was the highlight of they day!

Damian's favorite place to be! Even with his balance issues, he still managed to enjoy it.

The final product after 8+ hours of labor! Minus some shutters and flowerboxes that my husband hasn't put on yet. You KNOW I have to have the flowerboxes for Miss Mila.

After playing on this structure ALL day, my kids are sleeping sound and earlier! They are so tired from it that they don't fight us for bedtime. I should've got this sooner....