Trying to be Crafty

I have been looking at blank walls in my office for the better part of a year.  I don't want to spend money on my office, but I want it to look nice as well.  So I am trying to be crafty.  Our office was getting a face lift and somethings were going in a junk pile.  I searched through them and found some things I thought would be cute.  My co-workers looked at me like I was crazy!  BUT.....I think things turned out amazing!

The shutters came from work, as did the frame.  All I had to provide with the pictures, the small frames, some paint, ribbon and the flower arrangement.  The picture that was in the huge frame was something dreadful.  When I came into my office with it, I could see the looks on people's faces.  They were trying to be kind, but you could tell they were thinking "I would NEVER hang that in my office."  The looks got even better when I ripped the painting out and threw it away!  All I wanted was the frame.  I got the same looks when I asked the painters not to throw the shutters away, when they were taking them down.  I brought some pictures from home, painted the frames red and hung them on the shutters with ribbon.  Here is a close up of the shutters:

I think they turned out awesome.  I love looking at my wall now!!

There were some branch looking things in our office as well.  No one wanted them and I got more strange looks when I salvaged them.  I added some frames and ribbon, hung them on my wall and....

My wall still has a big blank space, but maybe after some bargain hunting I will find something cute to fill up the space.  I am loving the way they all turned out!  AND.....It was super cheap.  :)

Watch Them Grow....

Where does the time go?  It seems like I blink and weeks have passed.  I can barely keep up with everything, so I thougt I would do an update on the family.

CaRsOn - -

Carson just finished the 5th grade.  He LOVES: Legos, Star Wars, riding bikes, drawing, shooting guns, football, reading and hanging out with his dad.  He is a GREAT big brother.  Yes, he is bossy.  Yes, he loses his temper.  Yes, he can drive me nuts.  But he is soooo helpful.  He takes his role as big brother very seriously and I love him for it.  He gets sippy cups, snacks, reads books, fixes broken feelings and toys.  He is AWESOME!  Carson just turned 11 on June 4th and I can't believe what a remarkable young man he is.  He has a great testimony and keeps us on the straight and narrow.  I LOVE HIM!

NiCk - -

Nick just finished the 3rd grade.  He likes to watch tv, ride his bike, eat, draw, play out side and be his dad's right hand.  If you can tinker with it, Nick is there.  He loves to "fix up" old broken stuff.  Nick is funny, oh that kid makes me laugh!  He turns 10 in November. He still struggles with things that I take for granted.  I don't know what it is like to have eye's that play tricks on my brain.  He struggles, but doesn't give up.  He is a very hard worker and I love that about him.  When he is trying to do his homework and you can see him struggling to read those words that won't hold still, it breaks my heart.  But the look that comes across his face and wheels that start turning in his head when he figures something out, it is a HUGE proud moment for me.  I try to make sure he knows how smart he is, it takes a pretty smart boy to work around a disability like that!  I love Nick's sweet and tender moments, they are few and far between.  But I love them.  He is starting to realize you can be rough and tough and hug your mom :)  So that makes me  happy.  I LOVE HIM!

MiCa - -

Mica just finished Kindergarten.  She loves school.  She is so cute about it.  She also loves to color and draw, dress up, play outside, dance and be with her friends.  She loves to play and laugh.  She loves being a big sister and she is very good with Chrislyn.  That makes me happy.  She is also prone to whining....I still love her!!  I love that she isn't afraid to break into dance or song in the middle of a crowded area.  I love that anytime it is just the two of us in a room she says "we're having a girl day, huh mom?"  OH, I LOVE HER!

ChRiSlYn - -

Chrislyn will be two in July.  She loves to carry her belongings with her around the house.  She is a fan on blankets and babies.  She loves animals and will scream (with joy) when ever she sees one.  I love her smile.  I love that she knows that I love her smile and will freely smile at me when I ask to see it.  I love her little voice, even when that voice annoys me.... :)  She is demanding and silly, strong and snuggley, easy going and confusing.  I have my work cut out for me with her.  She loves her brothers and sister and she is definately a daddy's girl.  Oh my, I LOVE HER.