Bathroom Demo...

I had a minor breakdown about our blue bathroom last night. It's been in need of major help ever since we moved in. We did some work at the beginning...but didn't come close to finishing it. It's always been on my list of "kind of embarrassing things" about the house because it's the bathroom people use when they come over. I always feel like it has an odd smell....we can't figure out why, the bad paint job (my fault), and all of the things that aren't finished about it. So, today Mike is doing something about it!! He knocked down the wall to open it up. Looks WAY better already. He's going to finish all the demo parts (obviously), put new baseboards down, trim around the mirror, fix my crappy paint job around the ceiling and put a cabinet above the toilet. Hooray!! All in 3 weeks....done in time for Sophia's birthday party. I'm going to be one happy woman!!!

BEFORE


AFTER DEMO TODAY

Strong work ethic...

We try to instill a strong work ethic in our children. We've started Joshua a little earlier than the other 2. He was doing his morning chore this morning and I caught him on tape. Notice the attention to detail!!!

Decent progress....

I joined a Facebook group with some friends for motivation to lose weight and shape up. We did our measurements and took a swimsuit picture (scary!!) about a month ago, so today I redid them. I'm down 4" total. Not bad...thought it would be more. But, it's a good start. Sadly, the picture seemed the same to me.

January in South Texas...

Jake has been working to earn cards at school for "handling his disappointment appropriately" (as his teacher puts it!!). Basically keeping his anger in check...which he's done a lot better at...until this morning when I took him and he was a puddle of tears and screaming on the hallway floor.

Anyhow...he gets a reward at 10 and something a little bigger at 15. Yesterday he made it to 10, so I brought out this snowman cupcake kit that I had found at Penney's for $2. The kids were thrilled. They look like snowmen...right??? I thought so!

And...as you can see...perfect snowman making weather! Got to love Texas winters!

Thoughts for the day...

I was watching Oprah from a couple days ago and she made the comment "Be cute for yourself."
Hmmm...good point. It was part of a conversation about stay at home moms getting up, dressed and looking 1/2 way (or even 1/4 way) put together. Good point Oprah!!

And...if you're in need of prayer ideas, I'll share Sophia's from last night (all on her own):

Dear God,
Thank you for a nice day. Help my cough to feel better. Please help Jake use his manners.
Amen

Toddler Gone Wild...

Joshua has been fussy lately....and by that...I mean TERRIBLE!!!!! He's been so hard to deal with. I think it's a combination of teeth and possible ears. I keep thinking I might take him in, but decide to wait one more day.

Yesterday afternoon was no exception. He threw fit after fit about cereal in a bowl. So, being the good mom that I am, instead of trying to intervene and calm him down...I grab the video camera.

This is about 4 different little clips of the tantrum all put together. While you watch...don't feel sorry for the little guy. Sophia was fairly justified in her reaction!! And notice how she says "madness!!!" Hmmm....wonder where she got that from??? The last part is when I put him in his crib. Figured at least I could contain the madness to one room then!!

Kitchen decor...

I saw this idea on this blog: http://www.joyshope.com/

So I tried it today. Super cheap decoration. I used scraps that I already had. The canvas board was $5 at JoAnn's. I was trying to think of a word to use...and since we say this to the kids about 100 times a day...I figured it was a good one to use!!!

I think it turned out pretty cute. Needs a little tweaking for next time. The

fabric gets a little pulled when you stitch around it. And then it's hard to get it "just right" when you staple it onto the board. But, I think it has great potential for kids rooms, gifts....etc!