new

Zach and I bought our first mattress! I know its hard to believe that there are any firsts after being married 15 years. We always have slept on hand me downs. I never complained because I always slept just fine. After being pregnant with Matthew my body decided that it was not happy being pregnant for the 6th time! It threw some tantrums. One tantrum was on my hip. Every time I laid on my side for more than 10 minutes a sharp pain would develop in my hip area. Laying on my back or stomach was completely out of the question as it hurt also. Every night I would toss and turn from side to side. The only place that was comfortable to sleep was on the couch in our bedroom. It seriously is the most comfortable couch.

In a bribe sort of way Zach gave me money to buy a new mattress because he was truly concerned about my sleepless nights and mental health. Or not. He wanted my approval on a new car and so he was buying my approval. Which I fell for. So he got the car and I got what I thought was enough money to buy the best mattress EVER! That is until I walked around a mattress store and realized I needed to be at the Goodwill buying a used one. I had no idea some mattresses sell for $7,000! At that price the bed should make itself! 

Anyway, I did found a mattress that fit my budget and seemed to help with my problem areas, or at least what I could feel in the 5 minutes I laid on it. In my opinion, the mattress companies are scammers, they actually want more money for a 30 day guarantee in case you don't like it plus pick up fees. The mattress stores should open at night, around bed time, so I can really sleep on it. I didn't buy any guarantee. So I may be stuck with this thing for 15 years or until Zach wants to buy another new car.

2 days later the mattress was delivered and let me tell you, IT IS AMAZING! I haven't woken up from pain at all. Crying children, bathroom trips, and snotty noses are another story. I seriously feel like I am sinking into a cloud. Zach has been complaining his neck hurts now and blames the mattress. I tell him its his paper thin pillow and stomach sleeping. 

Excited to finish the master bedroom, which isn't done yet, I worked on a few bedroom projects. I have many projects to do in the bedroom still. I finally hung the chandelier. It was the ugly brass chandelier that was originally hanging in my foyer. I completely rewired it to a hanging swag then primed and painted it.   I recovered the headboard a couple of months ago with cheetah print fur. Yes, its fur. Grrr, baby, very Grrr.

I am a long ways from being done. I did hang an old mirror that I found at the Goodwill. I need something on the other side of the bed and I'm in the market for glass night stands. Its been fun putting this ecletic room together since its nothing like any other room in my house, its not my normal colors nor taste.

Here's the car that got me the mattress.

 Our new mattress and a glimpse of my cheetah headboard.

Not the best picture of the chandelier. I painted it the color "Hotel Vanilla".

a wedding and a birthday party

phew...I am exhausted just thinking back on this weekend. It was so busy and so much fun. We entertained 2 celebrations. On Friday, my sister, Jen was getting married to her long time boyfriend, Anthony. She gave everyone a weeks notice so my Mom and I came up with ideas as quick as I could scroll through Pinterest, in an attempt to put this event together. We spent all day Friday decorating and shopping and cooking to be ready by 6:00 that night. First, let me say I'm an so glad that I am not planning my own wedding  or any wedding at all because I was hooked on so many fabulous and creative ideas through Pinterest. Oh, the joy of that place. It was all my Mom and I could do not  to decorate the entire house. I think the whole evening turned out wonderful. I enjoyed the time my Mom and I spent together.

 Here is a close up of the table decorations.

 

The cake

My sister and her husband

Saturday morning everyone (plus more) came back again for my neice, Mykas 2nd birthday. I didn't have to decorate for that thank goodness! And since the rumor is my house is always clean, I didn't even need to do that! It was a fun time. My sister, Chrissee, is so good at throwing parties. The cake and decorations are always beautiful.

We had a few moments on Saturday before Cara had a birthday party to go to. I tried to catch a quick nap before picking her up then heading to the church to clean the building. I was so tired. I slept like a baby that night.

a spare time project

My most recent and exciting (at least to me) house project is my master bedroom. I have been waiting to conquer this room for awhile. I usually put off doing anything to the master "suite" because it's not a public room that anyone sees. I figured it was time, 15 years later, that Zach and I had a place that was worthy of baby making procedures.

I have a small obsession with Pinterest, I mean really, who doesn't? I have been saving bedroom ideas and it wasn't until I found this one that I knew what I wanted my room to look like.

To me this says classy and comfortable and relaxing and clean with just a hint of feminine romance. I can't forget a man sleeps here, too. I have a lot of DIY projects in this room including recovering my headboard, painting a chandelier and mirror, making a Pottery Barn inspired wall shelf, finding and painting a desk, making throw pillow, and making 2 large standing mirrors. I think enough to keep me busy for the year. I must go paint now.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

updates gallore

To begin, my homemade dish washing detergent doesn't work. Totally besides the fact that I could potentially be poisoning my family (only on ugly days). Back to my trusted store bought brand.

And only the most important news EVER...no, not pregnant...Matthew walks. I am unimpressed by this accomplishment. In all reality I have seen this occur 5 other times so its no big deal. The other day Matthew was taking a few steps. Every time the children cheered, clapped, or got super excited yelling "good job!" I just sat there. Cara asks me why I wasn't excited? Oops. I didn't mean to LOOK like I could care less. I actually don't want a walker yet. This means he won't want to sit ever again! I do clap and praise when he walks I just don't do it every single time. Zach asked me if I blogged about him walking. No. Well, why NOT? It is only the most important thing ever! I'm thinking we all need a definition for important.

Matthew turned 11 months on the 22nd. He weighs 22 lbs which no puts him over his infant car seat weight. Besides the fact that he was about a foot too long for it. We bought him an upgraded child seat and he LOVES it. Now he knows where we are going and enjoys taking in all in. Each of the children argue every time about WHO is sitting next to him. I don't understand why. Its just a new seat. Same baby brother. He's almost one year. Unbelievable.

Michael passed the swim test at the pool. He can now jump off the diving board and go down the slide. This also permits him to swim in the deep end. Michael lost both his front teeth within 5 minutes. Amazing. I love the freckles dotting his sun kissed face and his smile. Adorable.

Olivia has turned into a monkey. She can flip, whip, and turn on just about anything. She swings across monkey bars back and forth effortlessly. Climbs to the top of playground equipment and hangs upside down. Zach sees a future Olympic gymnast so in September she will be taking lessons to perfect all those skills.

Sam has been in cub scout day camp for three days. They have done some pretty fun activities. Ashland Nature center, Blue Rocks Game, Bellevue park for fishing and BBQ, swimming, water rockets, sports, puzzles, and skits. He came home yesterday and told me how much he missed his family. So sweet!

Isaac was called as the Deacon Class President. He has grown up so much recently. There are definitely challenges as he gets older but it has been fun watching him grow. He cut his Beiber hair. His wave is back to remind me of what he looked like before he cared what he looked like. I loved his little wave (calick).

Zach is super busy all the time. He has been training to compete in the MudManX. A 5 mile obstacle filled race. I was repeatedly pressured into signing up but knew I was no where near the athletic ability needed to compete and finish such a race. It would be a disaster for me. Did I ever mention I was AFRAID to snowboard down a mountain and sat there until ski patrol picked me up on the ski mobile to drive me down? This race would have the same turn out just not on a ski mobile. Dirt bike perhaps? 4 wheeler? NOT for Zach though. He's amazing at anything he does. He had discipline and motivation.

I've been in project ADD. I have a few details (lights, doors, ceiling touch ups) to finish in the basement. Instead of finishing those I moved on to finishing the dining room. I always planned on adding metallic to the top half of the room but with 12' ceilings I procrastinated in getting that scaffolding back out. Plus, the room "looked" done. I decided I needed to just finish it and be done AND that's what I did. I can say the dining room is DONE. Isaac wanted to earn $ so I told him to rip down all the 80's wallpaper in the main bathroom. He worked on it for 3 days and now it needs my attention. Well, worth my 20$. Oh, did I mention the foyer floor that I never finished? My plan is to finish all projects before school starts...which is in 1 month!

I exclaimed this to the children. "School starts in 1 month! Aren't you excited!!?" They are not. WHAT have I done? Brainwashed them? They are suppose to be excited because I am. I need to start making a list of all the things I want to do on that first day of freedom.

I'm still going strong with my Paleo eating. Its been 7 weeks and I'm stuck at 13 lbs. I have been here for 4 weeks. I'm a bit discouraged I must say. I can see progress fitness wise. My favorite machine at the Y is the stair climber (not to be compared with the stepper-HUGE difference). It has rotating stairs and is heck of a workout. I have worked my way to running consistently for 6 minutes. I only can laugh while writing this because it seems so minimal BUT its an accomplishment for me. One day I will run a 5K without stopping. That's my goal.

So there it is.

a little catch up

Friday I had a major migraine and needed  Zach to leave work early at about 12:30 to hold down the fort. It has been many years since I had a migraine that bad, but man, I never forget how awful they feel. I could not open my eyes without getting dizzy. I felt nausea. My right side of my brain felt like it was being hit with a hammer. After, writing my will because a friend requested my jewelry if something did happen to me, 2 Tylenol, 2 Advils, and a large can of Sugar Free Red Bull (at my husbands request), and 3 hours of sleep I could open my eyes and function at 75% capacity. I held on to a headache for the remaining hours of the day but slept well despite my overdose of caffeine (took 2 Excedrin Migraine in the evening).

Saturday, we had 2 baseball games. Michael played great. He didn't hit the ball this game but did a good job being catcher.

Isaac's team won 11 -2. He played AMAZING! He hit the ball several times into the out field letting some base runners advance but got out when he tried to steal home. Isaac started playing catcher position this year. He does really well here. This fantastic baseball playing, lunch money losing, 5000 texts in 2 weeks, handsome son that I claim will be 12 tomorrow. His last Sunday in Primary was this past weekend. He couldn't be less enthusiastic about being in there. Soon, he will be passing sacrament. We no longer can get him into places at a reduced cost or order from the children's menu.

Last week, I decided to paint the downstairs family room/game room/play room. I went to Joann Fabrics for inspiration as I have red furniture and needed fabric/colors that coordinated with red. After 6 paint samples of various shades of blue and green I decided on tan. Only to realize it looked very similar to the bland tan color of the upstairs. The same boring color I keep trying to paint over. However, I think any color looks better than mustard colored puke and dark brown 70's paneling which is what the downstairs was. Ceiling to floor.

In this picture, I already painted the ceiling white and started painting the paneling. I'm so bad at taking before shots.

On Sunday, I gave myself a break from cleaning, painting, and such (yea, yea, NEVER really a break on Sundays) and decided to make Olivia a quilt. I found this adoreable fabric last year and fell in love with it. The pictures don't do it justice at all. Where's my sisters camera when I need it?

Random Thought For The Day:
I scream and jump the same whether one of the kids game charging cords fall out of a pair of jeans or a snake. Pathetic.

Which led me to when I was about 7.....We lived in Arizona. Home to numerous poisonous insects and small critters. I had seen my share of dangerous spiders but it wasn't until I was sitting in a black leather chair in my parents living room, brushing my Barbies hair when I thought my life would end. I felt a tickle on my leg. I ignored it the first time. I happened again and that's when I looked down and saw a Black Widow crawling on my leg. Of course, I FREAKED out, jumped up, screamed uncontrollably. My Mom had to cover my mouth to get me to stop screaming. When I was calm, I explained what I saw and being so brave she searched our entire living room looking for the "thrown" spider. It was on the curtain. She scooted it in a peanut butter container (because as Moms WE are resourceful!) and tossed the jar.

BUT that's not the end. For weeks whenever I would be laying on the floor watching TV or sitting in the infamous black chair, they would YELL, "Becci, there's a spider!!" They were so mean! I would of course react the same. Scream. Jump. Cry.

SO this is why if a piece of sea weed or a great white shark rubbed my leg, its all the same to me.

I'm almost done painting the doors black in the hallway. I have one door left. I have replaced the brass (and one chrome) door knobs to nickel to match the rest of the fixtures. I like how I have taken a normally forgotten, uninteresting space and gave it personality.

I am searching (thrift store searching that is) for some art work to break up the long wall of stripes. I realized when the doors are open, I can see the brass hinges. It looks like another trip to Lowes is in my future. Who would of thought the "we should paint the hallway" suggestion could turn into this?

How many Becci's does it take to change a light?

I'm working on this hallway project that I began almost 2 months ago. (begin here). Today I forwent (is that a real word?) my Tuesday Pilate's class to install the new light fixtures that I bought.

The old lights are original to the house built in 1961 painted over several times SO it was almost impossible to unscrew the bolts holding the fixture up. I twisted it, I turned it, I used a wrench, I debated about sawing those little buggers OFF until I realized that's NOT even HOW they come off. Hehe. (good thing Zach didn't see me). I dropped the screws and screw driver repeatedly cursing each time I got down from the ladder and back up. Now this isn't the first time I replaced a fixture (though it may seem like it) so I didn't read the directions. There were 2 screws in the bag, a big one and a little one, Zach corrected me and said "long" and "short". Whateva. I knew what I was talking about. I screwed the "big" one into the mounting bracket only to realize that the "little" screw didn't fit into the light fixture. Oops! I got them backwards. Take it all down again. UNscrew. REscrew.

After 1 1/2 hours I had itchy fiberglass all over my arms, dust in my eyes, drywall in my hair, and 2 new lights installed in my hallway.

"You didn't get electrocuted, did you?" Zach asks.
(I rolled my eyes)

old light

 new light

6 weeks later

I finally finished painting the moldings in the hallway. Moldings are my least favorite so I procrastinate. While debating on what house project I wanted to begin next, I decided to take a tour around Lowes for inspiration. On my search, I found ceiling lights for $17.77 FOR TWO! (Woohoo!) I snatched them. Since I got a fantastic deal on lights I went ahead and bought black paint for the hallway doors, which I began today. Guess, I know what my next projects are.

1 door down-6 more to go

A very productive day

Let me start by saying I DO NOT ever make returns to the stores once I get the item home. (clothing that ends up being too big/too small, rips, whatever). It's a big inconvenience and hassle. IF the bag just so happens to be in the van, with the receipt, while I just so happen to be going in to that particular store, and I just so happen to remember to bring the bag in with me, than it will be successfully returned. Can't really think of a time this has happened yet.

Well, today I made 3 such returns...on purpose! I am still in shock!

First, to Target where I returned a pair of jeans and bought hair accessories and products. Second, to Kohls where I returned pajamas and bought an outfit. Finally, I went to TJ Maxx to return a shirt Zach purchased. I left TJ Maxx with 2 organizational bins and a curtain rod. I have come to the conclusion that it is cheaper to NOT make returns. None the less I can say I actually did it.

As I mentioned I bought a curtain rod. It is for my bedroom to hang the curtains my Mom bought me a year ago that I have had pinned to the wall. With 10 foot windows, rods don't run cheap but I found one on clearance. Yay! The curtains are officially hung.

Matthew had his 4 month (at 5 months) check up where he received 4 immunizations. He was such a good baby. He cried for a minute after the second needle and then smiled at the nurse. He weighed in at 17 lbs 4 oz (75%), 27 " (90%), and his head is at 50%. He is tall and round with a small head.

let the stripes begin

My husband mentioned we (meaning me) should paint the hallway. I got this brilliant idea to paint stripes! Oh, it was a great idea! (very time consuming, expensive) Though, I do enjoy walking down the hallway admiring my hard (unfinished) work. It's so cool!

My next project on the hallway is painting the doors black.

I have been searching for the perfect pair of lights and found these. I'm still looking because these awesome flower lights are 90$ a piece. I better LOVE them at this price... I can easily fall in love.