FFA Challenge #3, Pick a Room!

It is all too easy for me to neglect this blog knowing I am virtually the only one reading it! But, nonetheless, I feel I must stay on track with my FFA challenge posts! I am sooo behind on this one, the next challenge will be here before I know it! {Actually, when I linked this post up to Mandi's blog, I noticed she has already extended TWO more challenges!!!!! Yikes I am behind!} So, I need to show some proof that progess has been continuing, in a big way, around here!

 

The above pictures are some SOLID "before" shots of a "semi-unfinished" room in our basement. Stay tuned for the full play by play when I complete it! My goal is to have it DONE by then end of June!!!! This is a big room in our basement that for the past year has been used as half storage, half playroom,

and half "craft room." I put craft room in quotes because really, no crafting has taken place in this room. I really HOPED that some scrapbook-catching-up-action could have taken place in here, but no. I was too busy enjoying every second of every minute playing with this little boy:

Time well spent wouldn't you say? Yes. But, nothing else has really gotten done around here and especially not anything in this room.

Currently though, it is FINALLY undergoing a transformation of sorts. Thanks to a trip to the flooring store

 

and a FEW trips to IKEA,

this room will be cozy and fun in no time! Come September, this empty room will be utilized as my in-home preschool business! Eight dear little faces will surround a child sized table and fill the room with laughter and fun!

So far I have ripped up carpet, installed new flooring, painted the walls and put together a ga gillion pieces of IKEA furniture. Needless to say, I haven't had a minute to blog about it. But, I am about half way to the finish line now! Just wanted to let you (myself) know that I am still in this game!

P.S. I realize that the pictures on my blog lately have been MORE THAN TERRIBLE! But, we had a camera mishap last year and have not been able to replace it with a decent one (A.K.A. the $500 camera). So, for now, we are using our tiny Vado video camera and I have been taking still shots on the Picasa editing software. SOOOOO not cute! But, it will have to do for now. Otherwise, how will I pay for all of these transformations???

 

At least there is some progress to see!

Progress

Just wanted to show my work in progress (I know, my camera is terrible)! Still a lot to do. Yes, some of the frames are black. Part of the reason this collage has taken so long is Michaels discontinued these frames. I had to settle for whatever they had left. I originally bought like 15 of the 5x7 window frames for super cheap! I was excited! But I could never get the arrangement right. So, I went back and bought whatever else they had. I am planning to paint the black ones white and I need to get two more of the larger and smaller frames (which Michaels still carries). I will come back and give a more detailed tour when it is all done and pretty! Just wanted to share!!! This has been a procrastinated project for many years!

Some Cute Conversation

So, spending every moment of the day with my cute, little, toddler man can be exhausting.

Most days it is difficult, draining, tiresome etc. But usually, by the end of the day, I just feel really blessed to be able to do it. Actually, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't stop whatever it is I am doing and just look at him with complete gratitude that he is here and he is MINE! I guess going 7 years without any luck at having a baby will do that to you! That is one perk from all the trials and stress I guess, SHEER GRATITUDE for every moment.

I haven't been doing much on this blog (I have done other "memory keeping" projects over the past year or so that have taken the place of this, but THIS year, 2012, I have kind of been dropping the ball on ALL things, altogether). Most days I haven't felt too guilty about it, but this past week or so, Brayden has been soooo super funny and quirky. He has been EXTRA snuggly and lovable and with his ability to talk improving, I am beginning to feel the need to jot down some of our conversations. Today, for instance, was one of those days where he spared no expense at making me smile! I figure I better whip out this new blog post in hopes of remembering it forever.

The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Brayden, what do you want to do today?"
Brayden (after thinking for a minute): "Go to Audrey's house." (Audrey is a cute lady in our ward whom I visit teach.)
Me: "Bray, we can't go today, she is sick."
Brayden: "Oh." (forlorn look on his face).
Me: "How 'bout we go to the library for story time?"
Brayden: "No, Mom. No story time."
Me: "Why not? The lady will read us a book and then they have crafts and games to play."
Brayden: "We have games here Mom."
Me: "Yes, but there are other kids to play with there."
Brayden: "I can play with you Mom!"

Um. . .and then I proceeded to pick my melted heart up from off of the ground.

He is quite possibly too sweet for his own good! Most days I just want to eat him. Doesn't help him too much either, when he spends the remainder of his time saying things like:

"I so love you mommy!"  or;  "You a cute little girl mom!"  or my favorite; "You my favorite mommy!"

Well Brayden, news flash: you are MY favorite little two-year-old boy and I SOOOOOOOO love you!!!!

PERK UP!!!

It is that time again. The new year! Time to refresh and DEFINITELY it is HIGH time for me to PERK UP!!!! Enough is enough and I have had enough of my excuses!

So, this year, I have made some resolutions. I made them very vague so it will be hard to "break" any of them. It is time for a change, no excuses style! So here goes. This year I resolve to:

1. Eat healthier
2. Complain less
3. Work harder
4. Get more done
5. Compliment more
6. Nag less
7. Love more
8. Worry less
9. Play more
10. Put family first

I can feel the change is in the air! I am planning to do so many awesome things with 2012! I sure hope I can keep up with it all. I am hoping to be better about posting things on here when I do. I am going to try to revamp this blog and make it more of a reflection of my goals, works in progress, steps toward a more balanced life. But hey, If I don't, I can also remember my secret resolution #11- Be patient with yourself.

HAPPY 2012 to all of you!!!!!