Gone Crafty

If you know me very well you know that I am pretty much ALWAYS crafting something or finding new things to add to my to do crafting list!! It is constanting changing and growing, and I frequently get lead astray and make quick edits and try other projects!!

My list also tends to change slightly when there is stress involved...this past week has definitely included that! So of course I got my crafting bug going! I worked and completed 2 projects, with another one in the works!

I will post the tutorial for this one later this week, it was super easy and perfect to add a little something special to a plain cork board.




I made this awesome star, and LOVE how it turned out! And the best part of these stars is that they are totally customized to my color scheme and taste. My daughter wants some for her room now...we'll have to see about that!



And just so you know, my list is getting longer by the minute! I have suddenly got into the kick of completing my decorated at the house, you adding curtains and wall decor, and best of all redoing my bedroom!! My husband isn't as excited about the last one, but oh well!!!

Challenges

I have discussed my daughter Emmah's issues on previous posts...and I hate to over due it, but I also want to share my story. Let another mom know they are not alone, there are others like her out there. Others who know exactly how she feels, what she is going through and give her someone to talk to.

I have always been one to keep these things to myself, for fear of embarrassment, but I have nothing to be embarrassed about. I haven't done anything we are just dealing with an issue bigger than ourselves.

We know that she has ADHD, but there is something else going on. She has extreme anger issues, and can get very aggressive. But then the next minute she is sweet and remorseful. Underneath she means no harm and doesn't mean to hurt anyone. She has always had those terrible temper tantrums where she cries for hours...and you just don't know what to do. I have had doors open on cars, while it was moving, my hair pulled out in chunks, and been called countless names. But deep down she is a lovable, precious, funny little girl that I LOVE very much.

I am hoping that as we start on this journey to dig deeper into what is going on and start looking for more answers we find some and along the way become closer as a family.

What I am praying for:
1. Understanding for those around us when things don't go as planned.
2. Some answers on what is going on with Emmah.
3. Insurance issues to be resolved.
4. Emmah to be willing to help make some changes.

New Perspective

As the years go by we have time to reflect on what has happened, and why. The last couple years have brought many new challenges, but have opened my eyes to all the wonderful things I have been blessed with AMAZING family, WONDERFUL friends, and countless reminders of how many great things are in my life.

The last week alone has brought on some new perspective. We have been dealing for 4 years now with Emmah's ADHD issues. You always first look at yourself and ask "What did I do wrong?" and "How could I let this happen?" Then you start looking for some answers....we have explored many in hopes of finding the right one for her. This has been a major challenge, we have recently hit the wall and are again on the hunt for answers. We will find them it just takes time, and perspective. We have to look at things differently, and do what is best for her.

I have enjoyed a wonderful day today, full of hugs, songs, laughs, a delicious meal, beautiful flowers, kisses, birthday wishes, and most of all love.

Tomorrow I start the next year of my life with a new perspective...life is a blessing, take what you have and make it wonderful, joyful, and be a blessing to others.

~snow much fun~

Playing in the snow is so much fun!! The kids will go out there for hours...but we have had bitterly cold temps, so we've had to limit how much time they spend out. Well we had a snow day this week and the kids were getting restless...so mom came up with something fun to do! I gave the kids some squirt bottles with colored water in them, so they could paint the snow. It didn't work as great as I would have like, paints instead of food coloring make better color, the kids still had fun! I also got the chance to take some fun pics of them in the snow!

Hope you are enjoying all the snow...we just got a boatload more guess that means sledding, snowball fights, and some more snow painting!

Deep Down

The last few days here have been very challenging.

When I became a mother it was the most amazing experience ever....I finally understood exactly what my mom had been saying all those years. It didn't hurt that I had the most perfect little girl in the whole world. She was happy, content, and hardly cried really. When she was just over 4 we started noticing some issues...she was extremely hyper, and somewhat defiant. After some testing...it was determined that she ADHD. We of course did some checking and finally decided that medication was the route to go.

She has always been a challenge exhibiting extreme behavior and leaving us puzzled. Deep down she is the sweetest little girl and even when she is mean or does something not nice, she is immediately remorseful....deep down she is a beautiful child just trying to get out...deep down I believe there is far more going on then we know.

We are currently entering the land of the unknown. The questions are plentiful. Where do we go from here? What do we test for? How do we treat it? What changes do we need to make as a family? How do we help her reach her full potential at school?

Over the next weeks we will be exploring these questions and hopefully finding some answers. I continue to pray for God to lead us in the right direction.

{This is Me}

New year, new changes...and with those changes comes grow both personally, spiritually and the spread your wings and head into the unknown kind. First off I am starting with one of my biggest fears...photos of myself!! I always feel I look horrible and just don't like them.
So here's me....

I was encouraged to take this challenge on by Ashley over at Little Miss Momma, she is a fun, crafty and down to earth blogger. I LOVE her blog and you will too!! I hope to make some growth this year, as well shrink a little (you know shed some pounds!!) I need to for me...for my kids, for my health, for my family!

And the Winner Is....

First off thanks to all those that entered this great giveaway!! I so excited to have some new followers and look forward to sharing fun ideas, crafts, and all sorts of things with you guys!!

I won't delay any more...the winner of the $25 to CSN stores is....

Comment #15

Kelly Koster

Congrats Kelly!! Can't wait to find out what you decided to spend it on!! Have fun shopping!
(Kelly I will be sending you an email with the code!!)

Shelf Art (tutorial)

I have these wonderful built in shelves in my living room...but they have caused me some decorating issues. For one, I am not great at it so didn't even know where to start. Good thing I have a very talented friend who helped me get them started.

Now that I have recently found some INCREDIBLE blogs with some great new ideas I have started to give some a try and use their encouragement to take the simple and make it special and great!

I found this great canvas at Michaels for super cheap and new I had to do something with it. So I brought it home and did some thinking....then I gathered some supplies.

I got the stamp from Michaels too, for $1!! I then decided that because the stamp was small it would need a little extra detail, so I went with some burlap I had on hand.

I cut my shape out of the burlap, then stamped my "family" onto the canvas. To glue on the heart I used E6000. Then looking at it, it still needed something some I added the bow to the hear to give it a POP of color. I also noticed my stamp was a little off center so I added a tiny rhinestone to offeset it. I am in LOVE with how it turned out!!

Here is my final product! And here it is on the shelf!

Winner, Winner....a Giveaway!!

Who doesn't like to win something?? Well if you are anything like me I enjoy a good giveaway and love to enter! Well then today is your lucky day!! CSN stores is going to offer my readers a chance to win a $25 to use at csnstores.com!!

What can you buy you ask?? Well they have tv stands, home decor items, and things for babies and kids! You name it they have it! I had so much fun looking around their site and seeing all the great items they have!

Here are a couple of things you could pick up if you win:

Baseball Wall Art

Birdcage wall decor

Paula Deen Mixing Bowls Set

The possibilities are endless!! There are 4 ways to enter this wonderful giveaway!! Leave a seperate comment for each entry, and please make sure I have an email to contact you if you win!! And here's how to enter:

1. Tell me what is one thing you and your family like to do in the snow? (Of course there may be some of you that don't get snow, then tell me what you would do if you did get snow!)

2. Become a follower of this blog. ( See right hand side of the blog!) If you already follow, well then lucky you, you of course get an entry!!

3. Subscribe to this blog.

4. Share about this giveaway on your blog (please post a link), facebook, or twitter.

This contest is open til Jan. 15, 2011 at midnight. A winner will be chosen at random.

Good luck to all of you!!

{Clean}

With the new year starting the same old resolutions come around....you know the ones where you say your going to be "healthier", more organized, and lose weight? Are you with me?? I make the same ones every year, yet disappoint myself by not meeting those goals at all and just quitting. What good does that do...NONE!

Well this year we are going to start off small, I am going to make a list of goals for the month. These will be small goals, but I am hoping that in some ways they lead me to these larger goals, that I would truly like to achieve.

So here's January's list of goals: (in no particular order!!)

1. Organize closet...it's a wonder I find anything and why do I have so much??
2. Finish Emmah's room including wall decor, and curtains.
3. Bathroom curtains.
4. Take items to goodwill.
5. Chore chart for the kids.
6. Craigslist those things I have been meaning to for WAY too long.
7. Make dinner more...5-6 nights of dinner at home.

Okay I think that is a good start. I'll keep ya posted on how things start to play out!

Predictions

{Predictions}

I have joined in the fun with Katie at A List Maker's Life to make some predictions for the year to come!

Kate's Predictions

1. I will complete most of the crafts on my list.
2. The basement will be finished and we will begin to do the inside work.
3. Tigers will have a great season, and we will attend a game as a family.
4. Jake will master tying his shoes.
5. Jake will start to read more and discover a LOVE of reading.
6. Bloem & Grow will continue to grow.
7. Unemployment will go down...3%

What predictions do you have for the coming year??? Leave your predictions here or head over to A List Maker's Life and add them there!!

Top 10 of 11

Well in joining along with many other of my favorite blogs I thought it might be fun to make a list of my 10 projects to do this year!! Let me first state that it was really hard to limit it to 10....I have a folder for this and there is WAY over 10 in there!!

So here you go...

1. Ruffle Pillows-I can't stand the ones on my couch...they are horrible and these are easy enough that I can make them up and have some great decor!


2. Stencil Canvas Wall Art- I am slowly working to add some new decor to my walls...including my bedroom.



3. Subway Art-I just love these and can't wait to make one...or two...well I am actually leaning towards making this in a baseball theme for Jake's room!


4. Camera strap- Would love to make these for some cousins....and maybe an extra one for myself!


5. Finish up my craft room...this will take A LOT of work, but it will be so worth it to have a guest room and a special area for my crazy craftiness!!
   
6. Fabric Flower Choker-I like these...A LOT so of course I am going to have to give these a try!


7. Fun Chalkboard-Not sure where this will go...but I am thinking in the kids play room as a fun and functional addition, but how cute and fun is this???
   
8. Great Hooded Towel-These are such a fun and cute idea, perfect for a birthday, a baby shower and any well anything!!
   
9. Silhouette Wall Art- I am sure you have seen these all over the place, on pillows, on jewelry, on cards...everywhere! I just have to make one for my wall...I want to make small ones to put in the living room on the floating shelves I want to add!!
   
10. Fun Photo Holder-Perfect for the top of my cabinets...and maybe in the bathroom too, well almost anywhere really. I might even make some for my kids rooms.

What fun projects are you going to try this year??? I can't wait to get started on mine!!