Darn that IKEA!!!

I love interior design.  I like mixing old with new, antiques and modern, function and beauty.  I'm always trying to improve our home - make everything more organized and therefore, more efficient, yet still keep a warm, inviting, cozy atmosphere.

We've been in our house nearly 2 1/2 years now and the office has never quite felt right.  Its a small-ish room and needs to serve 2 functions - full time office and part-time guest room.

While the room "worked", it felt like the ugly duckling of the house....didn't live up to the warmth and comfort that the other rooms offered.  Other than quick moments on the computer, the rest of the room was never being used (except as a dumping ground.  You know what I'm talking about....where everything goes when you can't don't want to deal with it.)  And since we don't live in a big, sprawling mansion, it was foolish to have a one whole room room being so underutilized.  

Paulo, anxious to end my complaining, conceded to finally giving that room some love, as sort of a Mother's Day gift.  And that's how I ended up at IKEA....again.

This time it was their expedit system.  It works.  Its solid.  Its simple.  My husband,  a carpenter by trade, has said that while yes he could build it, its cheaper and faster to just go with IKEA!

So we did. And while I don't really like that anyone can walk into my office and immediately identify IKEA, I do love the new, organized set-up.

But seriously - this will be my last IKEA trip.

Really....

   maybe....

 

 ...okay - we'll see.

Kicking off the Season

FIRST deck dinner of 2013......

and boy did it feel good!

Reflections of a Mom on Mother's Day

Today is one of my favorite days.  I don't require much pomp and circumstance.  I don't ask for lots of gifts....or special meals or outings....nothing too outrageous. 

I just like waking up today, of all days, and know that am one of them....a mom..

I spent at least 20 years of my life wanting a child.  The desire started as a seed somewhere deep down in my heart....before it was even possible....make that feasible these days.  When I was in high school...deciding on college and the future.  Because when a girl-who-wants-to-be-a-wife-and-mom starts looking at colleges, its just a hop, skip and jump in her mind to graduating, getting married, starting her family.  I was quite certain at the tender age of 15 that I would be married by 24, pregnant by 25.

When that time came and went, it was okay...I was busy living....happily living....but the seed of desire was now a root, deeply planted in my heart...

For nearly a decade, I celebrated my friends as they got married, watched them as their dreams took off...patted their swollen bellies....patiently waiting for my time...praying....or was it bargaining....

At the age of 30 and 3/4 (I was indeed counting), it was my time for the gown and the vows and the bliss - and I was so touched that all I had celebrated with had come full circle to celebrate with me...with us...

And now the dream was in full bloom...ready to burst forth...so I thought...hoped....prayed. 

The months turned to years, the anticipation to tears.....the hope started to lose its grasp...

And so there I was...20 years into a dream when they finally placed that baby in my arms....our baby....my boy.  And there are times when I can admit that all the pain and struggle was worth it....soooo worth it. 

But then today comes around again, as it does every year...and I still wake up surprised...and overwhelmed with joy and amazement that I am one of them....

And as I lay in my bed in the dawn's first light, in prayerful thanksgiving and gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the gift He has given me, that baby...my boy....comes running in to my room, climbs up into my bed, and throws his little body deep into the awaiting pocket of my own.... smelling like sleep and chattering away with all he that is thinking and feeling after 10 long hours of silence. 

This is not a story for pity....nor to proclaim that deep rooted dreams really do come true (though they do)....

This is a story about a woman who will never take for granted that God answers prayer...her prayer.  This story is about a mom who will never overlook a moment of her son's life...will never grow tired of being a mom...
cook
cleaner
teacher

partner in crime
toy finder
ball thrower
driver
reader
friend
comforter
adventure seeker
builder
wiper (of all things)

to a boy... 

her boy.

May the force be with you

Further evidence he is growing up fast, Thomas has made the hyper-space leap into the world of Stars Wars (God help me!)  While we were in Disney last month, he was able to participate in Jedi training at Hollywood Studios.  He was OVER THE MOON (or maybe I should say over the planet Tatooine).  It was such an awesome experience for him....and for Mama and Daddy to see him so excited and actually focused...

Enjoy just a smattering of the 200+photos....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About a boy...part 2

Some more of what the boy 

has been up to....

 

 Helping Daddy measure and hang new art

Trying out a new recipe with Mama 

(one he actually ate and enjoyed - 

progress for a picky eater!)

 

Having a toy sale

 (this one is $9 in case you can't make it out)

Building a grave digger monster truck at Lowe's Kids workshop (our 1st time attending - we'll be doing those more!)

 

 

All these activities sure do

 make for one tired boy

  

Snow!

I had soooo been wanting snow.  We had none last year, and so far this winter was starting out cold and bleak but gray - not much winter white.

Then.....Blizzard of 2013.  We took a direct hit!

 More snow last week....more to come this week.

Ever heard the phrase "careful whatcha wish for"?
I'm here to tell you.....

they mean it!

But at least we've had a little fun....

 

 

Committment

 and re-committment.  

 

10 years seemed just the right time to do it.

 

Today I want you to know that I want to spend more time with you, talking and listening.
I know this will help me understand your needs,
as I learn how to better meet your needs.

 

I want us to spend more time together,
to establish mutual goals.

I know that God is with us, just as He brought us to this day, He will lead us in our home, in all we face.I want our relationship to radiate a passion for life and love and service to our Lord for a lifetime.


**I had arranged this as a surprise to Paulo, in celebration of 10 wonderful years together.  One of my goals was to get through my wedding vows without sobbing....oh well, maybe next time!

About a boy

Well, we may be "stuck inside" these cold winter months, but that does not keep a busy boy down.  He has such an wild, beautiful, exploding imagination...I just love it. Here is a smattering of what keeps him busy these days days.

ART CENTER

 

He's had his table here all along, but the mess was driving me nuts...so while this set up works for his stuff, it was really a gift to me (the organizing Queen OCD organizing freak!)  This kid draws and writes more than the average child I think.  We go through stacks of paper each week.  He's constantly needing to draw a picture of what he's thinking, or he wants to write letters to people...maybe you've received one?

LEGO TABLE

Well, he's officially a big boy in my mind.  Because big boys play with legos, and Thomas is whole hog into legos now.  (thank goodness Nana had the forethought to stockpile while she could.  She worked for Lego nearly 10 years before there were any grandbabies on the scene!!)  This table is not actually new - just the top.  It is Thomas' former train table.  Daddy and I both shed real tears when we made the conversion, but it was the right thing to do. Now he spends hours in his room building and creating - so good for his brain!

READING CORNER

I've long wanted an actually nook for reading for him....but I've been struggling with where to put it.  This corner should have been obvious - it is right in front of the book case (duh!) - but I thought it would take up too much room.  We read together here often, but I find him here on his own too - reading the books he's memorized.  As I obsess encourage in him more and more a love of books and reading, I want this to be his "go to" place.  Yes he has his bedroom, but I want him to understand that books and reading is not just for before bedtime.  Its for any time.   

But I must admit that I delight when I spy him curled up in bed all on his own reading  YES!  Its working!  My emphasis on reading is working!  He actually chose the activity all on his own.

IMAGINATION

He comes up with the CRAZIEST, most brilliant ideas.

The carwash he built with Daddy

some sort of angry birds game for his nerf guns that he made out of a pizza box just lying around

And then he wanted a camp-out/camp-in. He stocked his tent full with all his camping supplies - lantern, drink, books, headlamp, and his guys.  He even slept right there for a few nights.

WINTER WALKING WITH MAMA

 

We are continuously judged asked why he is not in a formal school program.

 

No one ever questioned him.