Now That We're Home....

Now that we're home, I've never been so glad, that we built garden boxes last summer! We came home, to a nice garden. :) Full of gorgeous plants, and a few veggies, that were ready to eat.

Of course, we have my parents to thank too! They came by and watered for us. 3 times a week. The entire time we were gone. But I'm 100%, that our garden boxes, just made it so much easier for them.



Not to mention, there is a lot less weeding, that has to be done with garden boxes. Watering is usually, fast and easy too! The picture above, was our inspiration. And in 1 Saturday morning, my hubs and I, were able to build 4 of these. Definitely a gardeners best friend! ~Maggie

Researching...

I guess I should start off with, my hubs and I bought a house. When we were very young! We've dated since we were teens!! Yes, we're one of "those couples." But we were so excited and proud, when we bought our first home. I was actually still a teen...I was 19!! And weeks away from getting married. We had thought about just buying a "first home." But decided to look for a "forever home" instead. That was the best decision, we could have ever made!

My hubs and I, had looked at so many different houses. But we kept getting pulled to one side of town. Our realtor wasn't happy with us. She wanted us to buy a brand new home. On the other side of town. One that was overpriced, in our opinion, for what it was. No yard. Yes, they were gorgeous houses. But it didn't feel like home, to us.

Instead, we bought an older house. On the side of town, that we liked most! :) That sits on an acre of land. It's a HUGE house. I remember thinking, what are we going to do with all this room?? Now I laugh at that! We're a family of 6 now. And it feels like, this house was built just for us!

Over the last, almost 12 years, we've done a lot to our home! A LOT!! In fact, just a few years ago, my hubs surprised us, with a swimming pool. :) How cool is that? These are the things, that an old house can provide for you. And a BIG yard!! The opportunity to grow. To customize our home.

But let it be known, an older house is also tough. There is ALWAYS at "to-do list." ALWAYS!! Weird things are always happening. And we usually have to contact 10 people, before we can make a plan. It takes a ton of money. Which is tight, for us. A family of 6, living on 1 income. Oh ya!!

We are lucky though. My hubs enjoys DIY projects. Honestly, he is so proud of himself, when he can do the job himself. And do it good! We also have lots of help. My parents, my in-laws, friends, some other family.

We've wanted to update our kitchen for years!! Nothing too crazy. Because we really do like the "bones" of the kitchen. I LOVE our old cabinets! They're HUGE!! Definitely not something I want to get rid of. But they are dark. And a little dated. We want to make some updates.

My hubs has his plans all mapped out. We actually took a 4 hour drive, not too long ago, to score a GREAT deal on tile!! We got it, for 70% off!! We just couldn't pass up that deal. Did I mention we also got our counter tops? Expensive ones....on a great deal!! We were lucky enough, to have some good friends, who went with us. They brought back the counter tops, and we brought the tile.

When we first moved into our home, we updated the appliances. I remember thinking, we are crazy!! Those other appliances aren't so bad. Why did we just spend all that money?? In the long run, I'm glad we did. That and a fresh coat of paint, were all the updates, that we made at the time. But now, it's time to update the rest!!

We have everything that we need. All our supplies. Paint and everything!! We're putting in wood floors. The tile is for the back splash. We also bought tile for the last bathroom, that we have left, to remodel. In less than 12 years, we've remodeled 3 bathrooms already!

But this is where we're having an issue. I'm almost 100% positive, that my hubs would rather buy some cabinets. New ones. Ready to roll. Me? I want to keep our old ones. But give them a "face lift." That means, lots and lots of research!!



I've talked to my cousin. Who in fact, redid her own cabinets. Because in her words, she's a "poor college student, that can't afford luxuries." At the time that she painted her cabinets, I think she had owned her home, for all of 2 years. And was eating Ramen every night! Ya, this was a necessity. Girl couldn't afford food, much less new cabinets!!

Let me tell you, we've spent a good 8 hours, talking about the process. She's shared all the tips. And tricks!! Then I found this little article. And I'm feeling pretty positive about this process. I bought all the supplies. Including new hardware! For about $100. A lot cheaper, than new cabinets!

I've even convinced my parents, to watch all 4 kiddos for a weekend!! I'm praying. I know my kiddos will be good. But I'm almost positive, this will be the 1st time, they take all 4 kids, at once! For an entire weekend!!

I've even let my hubs know, I'll do the cabinets. All by myself. :) This really did give me a lot of confidence! I'm going to do it all! Sanding and painting. I'm even going to try and install the new hardware. But my hubs has got to do the rest! Because let's be honest, what do I know about tiling and laying floors? If you have any tips or tricks, please let me know! And maybe even, say a few prayers for me. :) ~Maggie

Summer Fun!!

I don't even know where I first found this picture, but it made me so happy! Because it would add a functional space, to our backyard. We live in the southwest, so there is plenty of sun around here. :)



I asked my hubs about it. And he told me, this project should be an easy one. If I do the sewing!! I think I can manage this project. :) I might even try to figure out, how to cover the top too!! We get so much sun, that it would be nice, to have a little shade. But not a heavy fabric. Something lightweight. That still makes it a fun and functional space. ~Maggie

Perfect for My Girls!

Very rarely, I find something on the internet, that I must try. I'm not a big DIY-er. I'm just not that skilled. Drills and saws, scare me. So when I find a project that I want to recreate, I generally have to convince my hubs. And he is usually game. As long as it doesn't take months to finish. And we have room, for the finished product.



Having 4 kids, we don't have much extra room in our home. We have a large home. But we also have a lot going on. This clothing rack, is just perfect! At least for my girls. They have so much going on. Play clothes, pretty dress, and tons of dress up clothes. I say, we convince my hubs, to make 3!! ~Maggie

Adding Color

I was reading some blogs on Friday. And this picture kept showing up. I had to just stop and take it all in. We've got some wooden spoons, that have seen their better days. Oh ya! Not only that, but it's Spring. And don't you feel like, in Spring, you clean and refresh your home? I feel like you do!



Well, I decided our wooden utensils needed some sprucing up. On Friday, I picked up some non-toxic, enamel paint. I also picked up another 4 pack of wooden spoons. Wally World just has some good buys. I think in total, I spent $10.

We had some bad news last week. And we've had a difficult time, scheduling our week. Because we are waiting to hear, about my uncle's final services. We didn't want to plan anything, because we weren't sure if the services were going to be Sunday, or early this week.

Saturday, we decided to stay home. But the weather was so nice! I wanted to do something crafty with the kids. Preferably outside. I convinced Jake and Bri to help out. Beth and Audrey were happy helping daddy. My hubs was busy with yard work. Yes, it turned into a nice and colorful weekend. Complete with painted utensils, and new flowers in our backyard. It turned out to be a very nice weekend! ~Maggie

A Little Retro

Yesterday, I saw this picture. Stopped me in my tracks! It reminds me of retro kitchens. Those dishtowels look so fun! I want to make a whole stack. Something to make our kitchen a happier place. How easy are these to make? I'm thinking super easy! Something that I can whip up in no time!!

It doesn't hurt that I just scored a big stack, of plain white kitchen towels. On clearance. I'd love to mix it up, and add some fun to our daily life! Those spoons also grab my attention!! I want to make those too. :) Now I'll be hunting for a tutorial, or even just a few tips. I'm already excited, about making our kitchen, a happier place to hangout. ~Maggie

Happy Spring!!

Happy Spring everyone!! This year, I was so excited for Spring. Literally, counting down the days. Our weather here, has been so hit and miss lately. My entire family, has just been waiting for the warm weather, to roll in. And stay put!!

Last week, my kiddos were on Spring Break. Poor things. It snowed!! My hubs and I, had planned a fishing trip. Which we had to cancel. I know. I was even disappointed. But we made the best of our week.

Friday, my hubs went with us, to a local Kids' Museum/Fun Play Center. He had already taken the day off, to go on the fishing trip. In the end, we all had a lot of fun! Jake just adored playing with my hubs. Finally, he had another male to hangout with. I think he was starting to get sick of the girls, all their dolls, and even me....poor boy is totally outnumbered!!

But now that it is "officially" Spring, I'm starting to plan. For our garden. A bit for the back yard. That sort of thing. Heck, I even started pulling out sandals, Spring dresses, and outdoor toys. :) Yes, we're excited in these parts!!

A few weeks ago, we were looking through the weekly ads. You know, the ones that come in the mail. And I saw an ad for this bird feeder. It sounded interesting. But for the world of me, I can't find that darn paper anywhere. I took to google, and found this one....



Oh how I LOVE it! This bird feeder just fits our style better. I'm trying to convince my hubs that we need a few. Actually, last night, I almost begged him to make us some. :) I have faith in my husband. He can build anything. At least in my mind!! I think these birdhouse/bird feeder/planters would look nice, outside our front door. 2 would be perfect!

We have a few other plans for Spring. A little remodel. Some kind of big plans, for our garden. A fun trip. Just a lot of fun family plans. What are your plans for Spring? ~Maggie

Trinkets From My Past

I was just looking at Stacy's beautiful room. That she created for her daughters. So precious! And some of the things she used, take me back to my childhood. They make me wish for a time past. That was much more simple. Had a pureness to it. Something I'm trying to create for my own kiddos.



Like this little Umbrella Mobile. I remember this girl, having one. When we were little. :) I'm a few years older than my cousin. But I still remember the mobile hanging in her nursery. I wish I could find one like this. I'm 100% positive, that my auntie still has Lola's mobile.



And these little deer bookends, I had a pair when I was little. I wonder what happened to them. Mom? Do you still have them? I'd love to put them in one of my girls' rooms! They were one of my favorite things in my room. I'd put all my favorite books, between them.

Goodness, I just love this room! I wish that I could create a space like this. With such fun touches. Like those prints. Aren't they fun? This is totally my style. ~Maggie

They Need Their Own Space

I've been looking for some fun projects. You know, it's almost summer. And I'll have all 4 kiddos home. We need some things, to keep us entertained. Isn't this a great idea? I just love it! I'm wondering, if my hubs can make a bigger one. Maybe 2. This would be a good reason, to try my hand at sewing again! :) ~Maggie

Baby's Nursery

I finally made a decision on the baby's nursery. :) I don't know what was taking me so long. I'm going to chalk this up to pregnancy brain....

I don't remember what this set is called. But I got it on Amazon. And it wasn't too expensive. I just really enjoy the fun and bright colors. So unexpected!



I like that it's not all pink. But it's still girly. The bright colors are what sold me. And all the fun flowers. :)



We have white furniture. And we painted the walls a light aqua color. Or I should say hubs did that. And we're using the glider from Jake's old nursery. My parents have been storing it at their house, for us. I think they were a bit sad, when we went to pick it up. The glider has an orange cushion on it. But the actual glider is white. I think we're pretty much done with the nursery. Hubs and I worked on it last night. For some reason, our kiddos fell asleep really early. But this worked in our favor. We got a lot of work done!

So we have a nursery. And most of the things we'll need. We've only bought 2 outfits. Because we're using everything from our older girls. Saves so much money! Especially when you think about how quickly babies grow their first year. And we're pretty well stocked on diapers.

The only thing left to do...pick a name. And have us a baby! I can't wait. The closer we're getting to my due date, the more excited I'm getting. I think because the last time, hubs and I missed out, on all of this stuff. And we know, this is our last. So we're really enjoying every second that we can. ~Maggie