I don't mind....

I have this family, this sweet, wonderful, crazy, kooky family.

I adore them. I cherish each one of them. I don't mind when people ask me why I would want so many children.

I don't mind when they stare and ask me if they're all mine.

I don't mind when they wonder which ones are Jeff's and which ones are mine. (if you're new here, they are all both of ours:)

I don't mind when they say that just their two or one drive them crazy.

I don't mind when people watch us piling out of the Yukon as if it were a clown car.

I don't mind when people ask what my husband does to be able to afford that many children.

I don't mind when people ask how we give them enough attention.

I don't mind when they ask how we will afford college for all of them.

I don't mind when strangers say, "Don't you guys have a T.V.?" "Don't you know what causes that?"

I don't mind when we're a little loud.

I don't mind that we fill a whole row at church.

I don't mind that it's a small fortune to feed us.

I don't mind that we don't go on vacation as often as other people.

I don't mind that I'm never alone.

I don't mind that my attention is on call 24 hours a day.

I don't mind that I have six people to teach, discipline and mold.

I don't mind when surprised strangers compliment us on how well behaved our children are(in public, not always at home:).

I don't mind. In fact, I welcome it. Because I am so glad to have this family of mine. To have them all to hold and love.

I am happy in my role as their mother, as Jeff's wife. I am fulfilled, happy, content, loved and respected.

My only sorrow today is for the families in Newtown, CT. My heart breaks for them.

And I will hold my children tighter, be more gentle, and appreciate them more because of it.

I love my children. Jeff and I had the best talk with my two oldest last night. Those girls make me feel like I'm doing something right.

I love you both so much. But Julia, I have to ask, where is that ring of mine I see on your finger in this picture? Hmmmm?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I love Christmas. I do. It's my most favorite time of the year. I love the traditions, the lights, the smells, the smiles on people's faces, the fun of looking for presents, the decorating, the tree hunting, the parties, everything!!!

Jeff and I got to go to his work party last night. It was honestly super fun. I've never met any of the people he works with, and I am now able to put names to faces when he talks about the delightful people he gets to interact with. And some of them laughed at my jokes, soooo, I like them even more!!!

I am also so fortunate to have two older daughters that so willingly watch their siblings for us so that we can go out. Is it ok to say I love my life? I think so too:)

Christmas is only 12 days away. What?! That's ok. I'm mostly done and mostly prepared. Which means I am not ready at all, ha ha ha!!!

Oh well. I love it anyway. We decorated for Christmas 2 weeks ago, but I've been holding off showing you cuz I still don't have that room together as far as curtains and such.(I returned the curtains that are in the picture. They just weren't right, you know?) And lets be honest. I HATE those black couches. Hate them in that room!!!But oh well. I am trying to weigh needs versus wants, and I have what I need. Just not what I want. Poor me (said sarcastically). There are impoverished people all over the world and poor me doesn't have the right color of couches. Uggh, I annoy myself. Anyway......

I hope you're all excited for Christmas too. I know the holidays can be as stressful as they are joyful, but if we pull back for just a minute and remember why we celebrate, it can bring more meaning to everything we do. I love my Savior, I am grateful every day for his birth, his life, and his atonement. I love Christmas!!!!

My friend Amber made that sign. Isn't it to die for?







Love you all. May your Christmas season truly be merry and bright!!!

Table redo

A few years back, my dear mother in law offered us her table. Her ginormous, seats up to 16, wide awesome table.

The table that Jeff grew up with.

Um, would I like a table that can fit my family plus guests? Uh, of course!

But with one caveat, can I paint it?

She had no problem with that.

And I had grand schemes to redo it's 80's oak.

But it sat. And sat. Other projects came and went. And the table sat.

Mostly because I thought I would have to take it into the garage to refinish it. And that thing is mammoth!!!

So it waited.

Until last week.

My boutique was over, living room and family room redo's over. So I had time.

And of course, as is normal for me, I get so excited to start a project, that I can't be bothered to take a before picture.

But here is the closest thing:



Brown oak, pedestal. Very typical of the 80's. And I'm sure in future decorating trends when my girls are adults, they will search and search for this table, untouched. And ask me, "WHY DID YOU PAINT GRANDMAS TABLE?"

Oh well.

I got all of my instructions on how to do this from Centsational Girl. Here is the link

I started with two coats of oil based primer. I like this best, you don't have to wait as long to paint it. It cures within 24 hours, unlike water based which takes a week.



And yes, I did it indoors. Windows open for ventilation.

After two coats of primer, I lightly sanded it to get rid of any rough spots.

Then I applied 3 coats of paint. Waiting 4 hours in between each coat.




I know the two pictures don't really look that different from each other. But let me tell you. The hours of painting really did go into this. Even if it doesn't photograph well.

I then very lightly distressed it. Seriously lightly for me. I just didn't want it to look too perfect.



I finished by putting a coat of wax on the top. Centsational girl recommended this. I love wax for other furniture. But I've decided after a few days, that wax is just not enough of a protectant for our kitchen table. So I will be going over it with good ol' fashioned clear coat.

But all in all, I love how it looks. It brightens up the space and really showcases the Christmas colors of the runner my mom made for me.



This project took 4 days. That is a lifetime for one as impatient as me. And I didn't skip any steps or rush through it. Again, it's a miracle. But I do like how it looks.

Now to do something with those chairs.......

Poor man's Gingerbread houses

Every year we slap together "gingerbread" houses as a family. Really they are usually graham cracker houses.

But as long as there is frosting and candy involved, no one seems to mind the poor man's version.

We also had special guests this year.



Jeff's brother Dave and his darling wife Rachel joined us for what I'm sure what a very loud evening:)

Jeff is the master of these houses. I just take pictures while he helps the kids. Oh, and I'm also good for noticing dirty windows. Sheesh.



I'm not going to say that gingerbread houses have lost some of their magic for Kate and Julia. I'm just not. Cuz that would be sad.




I will comment though, on the difficulty of keeping graham cracker houses standing.

 

Again though, it's really more about the candy and frosting, right? Especially when the frosting is in the hair. Saving for later is always a good idea I say.



At the end, we had just a few that were still standing and had not been stripped of all their candy. Dave and Rachel took theirs home to snack on for later:)



Oh, and like my table? I will try and post about that tomorrow. If you notice, it is no longer brown oak. Yay!!!!

A special thanks to Rachel and Dave for enduring 3 hours of flying frosting, falling down houses and lots of noise. It was super fun having you!!!

(The image is blurry because apparently someone switched my focus from auto to manual. And I didn't notice? I'm not sure how)

Why is it that Sunday's are so exhausting? He falls asleep on a couch or chair every Sunday afternoon it seems. He works hard all week for us and then needs a little snooze now and then.

I love this man.