Thrifty Treasures ~ Projects I'm Having Fun With!

I'm linking up with Rhoda over at "Southern Hospitality" to share some of the treasures I have found at the local thrift shop, goodwill, or garage sale.

I've been up to some fun stuff that's keeping me occupied as I save money for our family.

project #1

a chandelier for my kitchen

before

after

project #2

living room floor lamp

before

after

project #3

antique lamps

before

during

after

I have been inspired over the past several months by all kinds of decorating & crafting blogs to make or create things myself and it's been a blast.

It's been making this house into a home that's cozy.

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

Last year in England we celebrated by going out to a fancy Italian restaurant.

Braaten did a little photo shoot of us.

We have no set plans this year because in some strange way, our special day sneaked (snuck) up on us.

We will honor this day and cherish each other and share it with our children to teach them how important it is. We are blessed to have been married for the past 16 years. I look forward to many, many more.

We took the kids to Chilis for dinner and then went to a neighbor's bonfire. It was a fun night together.

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"But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Mark 10:6-9

from this to that

I have been the worst blogger on the planet I think. Well maybe a few of you are right there with me. I wouldn't know, because I haven't had time to read your blogs to find out.

Are you with me?

Life is good, but it's been hectic and we are still trying to settle in and feel comfy here.

We have a pool which adds to the busyness, but it sure is a blessing.

Check out the muck in that baby! Eoowwww! This is our first pool so we had no idea what was beneath the cover exactly. I know... your just dying to jump in, right?

My hubby is learning the ins and outs of pool care. He lovingly calls himself "Pedro the Poolboy." Nice one, Honey!

Ahhhhh, that's better! I think I will jump in if I can get this kitchen clean, or hang some more pictures up on the wall, or after I do another load of laundry... the list goes on, and on, and on.

Oh wait, it's Memorial Day Weekend! It's time to chill and take it easy.

And this is what you call "Pool School". Definition: Homeschooled children doing their work by their new-to-them swimming pool. (This was Friday morning).

Works for me!!

Have a great weekend and I look forward to catching up soon.

"Shoot Me" ~ 25/52 Photos of Me (baby shower)

Baby Update:

Emma Lynn has arrived!

Date: May 22, 2010

Weight: 8 lbs. 4 oz.

Time: 4:22 a.m.

Length: not sure (sorry about that)

Mom and baby are doing wonderfully! Thank you for praying. I am looking forward to meeting her sweet baby self soon. I'll take pictures and post them after I do.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a baby shower for a special friend.

She is expecting a precious little girl named Emma. Her middle name remains a mystery, but some things just need to be kept quiet until the baby arrives. I can't wait to know her full name.

Isn't Jamie a beautiful mama? Liz hosted the shower at her home. It was lovely.

Jamie with her twin sister and mom.

Sarah and Natalie helped to plan the shower with Lizzy.

Inside those packages were some of the most adorable baby girl outfits you've ever seen.

These little girlies loved seeing all of the cute little clothes and baby things. They were oohing and ahhing the whole way through.

Those snacks look good enough to eat right now.

Our church will have 3 new little ones before too long.

Jenny, Brittany, & Jamie

Missy & Christina

More friends to share the joy

Jammi, Jamie, & Laura

The Millers, Sarah, & Lizzy

Sarah prayed a blessing over Jamie & Emma and showered her with words of affirmation.

Virginia, Jamie, and Jammi

I love this photo of these pretty ladies!

Jenny, Christina, & Sydney

Dianne & I

For the record, Jamie is due on this very day.

As I was typing this post, I texted her to ask how she is doing and feeling.

She is more than ready to meet her babe.

Lord, be with Jamie as she soon will go into labor. Give her the strength to endure it and Lord we thank you for the beautiful life you are about to bless her and her husband with. In Jesus' name, Amen.

I felt the need to pray.

Sarah, Kim, and baby Kaleah

Natalie, Jamie, Sarah, Carol, and Lizzy

I posted this a couple of weeks ago, but wanted it in this post for the book I'll have made of this blog.

The silly one has to be included, too.

Jamie, I love you and I can't wait to meet Emma.

Carin hosts "Shoot Me" over at Forever in Blue Jeans. It is a weekly meme designed to get Mom in the picture. So often we are the ones taking all of the photos and not being in any.

WW: fruity electronics

Who needs an expensive blackber*y™ when you can make your very own

raspberry™?

I love the creativity. And her sister designed her own blueberry™. I have no photo to furnish for that one. Sorry, Mel.

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, visit "5 Minutes for Mom."

fun-filled day

Birthdays are special here.

We celebrated Shawn's birthday on Friday and had a day filled with fun planned.

Grant, Cooper, and Melanie decorated the kitchen and Shawn's chair.

All 5 kids made a special birthday card which I think is the best part of a birthday.

They are really creative and the things they say are sweet and special.

Braaten made scrambled eggs with cheese and Shawn made "dippin' eggs" for the men of the family. Mel prefers an egg with a broken yolk, nice and flat, splashed with a little bit of ketchup.

After awhile, we went to the batting cages to hit a few balls.

Braaten did really well.

Austin's a natural.

Me? Not so much.

We went to the local nursery to buy flowers for the new house. We pulled up to this little lady screaming at us.

What an interesting place to make a nest. I guess Kill Deer do that. They make nests on the ground and when you approach them they run in a direction away from their nest so that you will follow them and leave their precious little eggs alone.

Braaten made this delightful treat. Good for you? No way. Delicious?? Oh yeah!

It was ice cream sandwiches in a layer separated by Cool-W*ip, topped with Butterf**ger pieces.

Try it. You might like it.

Can the portion size be any bigger? Melanie wishes it was.

Told ya.

Happy Birthday, Honey. You're the best.