Home Decor on a Dime

I am always looking for ways to decorate my home without spending a lot of money.  I want a house that is welcoming, restful, cozy and 'home'.  I don't want it to cost me an arm and a leg though.  It can be done, you just have to be willing to look and sometimes get creative.

I have a lot of pictures in my house.  I have boxes of pictures that aren't even hung because I don't have enough room on my walls!  Here's why I have so many pictures:

I like to take images from cards, calendars, postcards, magazines, books and posters and cut them to the right size and frame them.  I don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a framed, matted picture when I can make it myself for pennies.  

This is a card I received in the mail years ago.  I cut it down to fit in a 5x7 picture frame.  (I got this picture frame in high school as a gift.)  I have always loved these Renoir paintings of the dancing couples.  Now I have one framed in my room!

This is a poster I had been admiring at Michael's for quite a while and finally bought when they had them on sale.  I also got the big frame from Michael's when it was on sale also.  They entire picture cost me around $40.  The side "matting" is actually the paper that came inside of the frame.  I actually saw this same picture for sale at Menard's for $249!  I was so excited that mine was 84% cheaper!

I found this black and white photo of a North Dakota farmstead in an old book that had been bought at an estate auction.  I opened up the cover and this treasure was inside!  I framed it in a frame I got as a Christmas gift and have plans to hang it in my kitchen again soon.  For now, it is gracing the top of my bookshelf.

The photos below are actually pictures I cut out of a magazine and framed in 4x6 frames I bought from IKEA.  The tulips are actually a postcard I trimmed down to fit in the frame.  

This picture is one of my favorites.  It is of the Chenonceau castle in France.  My 2010 calendar was titled "France" and I found this picture and a few others in it.  I just framed it in a 8x10 frame I bought on clearance for $2.  

I kinda go overboard cutting out pictures, but I have so many frames that I've been given or bought for SUPER cheap.  I rarely need to buy a frame for a picture I find.  I always have something to switch out when I want to switch up the feel of a room!

Have fun finding new inexpensive treasures!!

Blessings,

DIY Foaming Hand Soap

I got this idea from a friend of mine who makes her own hand soap.  I decided to try it a while ago.  It saves a bunch of money on hand soap and it's much easier for my kids to use than regular soap.  Yes please!

 First step, you need to buy a foaming soap dispenser and use up all the soap inside.  I bought mine for about $6.00 at Target.

  

Once you finish the foaming soap, put 2 tablespoons of liquid hand soap into the dispenser.  Fill with cold water and shake it up a little bit.

And that is it!  Super easy!  I refill my dispensers on average, once a month.  It really does save a lot of money on hand soap.

Saving money and staying clean is every mom's dream come true!

Blessings,

Readers in the Making

When I was a little girl, I used to read ALL the time.  I had a special pink lawn chair that I would sit in under our flowering crabapple tree and read and read and read!  I used to walk to the bookmobile at the end of our block with my brother and sister and our 2 neighbor friends with a red wagon.  We would load it up with books and walk home to read.  I loved reading then and I still love reading now.  My poor husband, when I'm reading a good book, I am lost to my surroundings.

My kids have started to develop a love for reading.  I enjoy reading to them and sharing books that I loved as a kid.  

Here are a list of a few of our favorites!  (BG, my 2 yr old, is helping me compile my list and his eyes are getting bigger and bigger.  He keeps telling me we need to read that book, and that book, and that book...)  :)

Room for a Little One is one of my all time favorites.  It's the Christmas story told by the animals in the stable and the pictures are fantastic!  The boys know this is my favorite.

The Tale of Three Trees might bring tears to your eyes as 3 trees dream of being important, only to be cut down for scraps.  You'll need to read it to find out the ending of this sweet story!


The Story of Ferdinand is a great book for my wild and crazy boys!  Seeing gentleness is always welcomed.

Make Way for Ducklings is another one of my favorites!

Little Quack and all of the other stories about Little Quack are so sweet.  We enjoy them all.

Eating the Alphabet is a great way to introduce healthy fruit and veggies.  I love hearing my boys at the grocery store naming the peculiar sounding foods.  "That's kohlrabi and that's a pomegranate!"

The Grouchy Ladybug is a great book to incorporate when teaching your kids to tell the time.  We change the words to say "Want to wrestle?" :)  (My boys wrestle ALL the time!)

Little Critter books are fun.  We look for the spider and the mouse on every single page.  Grandma, Grandpa, and Me is the boys' preferred story!

Ollie's Easter Eggs was a book the boys got from my sister.  I had never heard of Ollie, but am so glad she found him.  They are the cutest little books.  We really get into naming the colors, animals, and whispering "My egg."

A House for Hermit Crab has great ocean creatures and incorporates the months of the year into the story.  Lots of fun.

I love sharing books we enjoy with others and finding new books to read over and over again.  I hope you enjoy our quick list of favorites!!

Blessings,

Frazzled Hair and Sore Feet

I am often amazed that at the end of each day I don't fall on the floor exhausted with frazzled hair and sore feet.  I feel like I could; maybe I should!  I think my husband would have no clue what to do with me at that point.  But, I keep on ticking by the grace of God.

My kids have way too much energy and I often get exhausted just thinking about how much energy they have.  This stage of life with an almost kindergartner, a preschooler and a 12 month old (who is walking, almost running at times) zaps all of my energy, strength and patience at times.

It wasn't too long ago, when I had a 2 yr old and a brand new baby and life as I new it was OVER.  I would watch this commercial on TV and just start crying.   I didn't want to be in that 89%!!!  A bit dramatic, yes, but really, when you are living off of 4 or 5 hours of sleep, nursing every 2 or 3 hours, and keeping a toddler entertained, one is prone to crying at ridiculous things.  I couldn't wait for those days to end and move on to the next stage of life.  It's always better on the other side, right?

Now with 3 kids, ages 12 months, 2 and 5 years old, the days just seem to fly by.  It is easier now after some time and experience and I love being a mom.  I still find myself looking forward to no diapers, but realize that enjoying each and every day is more important than worrying about all the things I want to change, don't have or think I need.  If I take a look at what I have, it is wonderful!  Yes, dirty diapers that ruin clothes aren't all that great, wiping up spills that make my floors sticky aren't enjoyable, having my kids look at me like I'm speaking a foreign language can be frustrating, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  (Well, maybe a few of the looks!)

To give you a little glimpse into my day: it begins at 6 am and ends at 11 pm or midnight.  (I know...too late!)  It is filled with playing, chores, reading, schooling, eating, more playing, and lots of praise to our Lord.  I didn't throw in all the diaper changes, telling BG to go to the bathroom because he's dancing, outfit changes, stepping on toy cars, moving shoes, etc.  You get the picture.

It is crazy to think that all of this gets done during the day.  Looking back on the times I thought I couldn't do it, I know that God was with me, holding my hand and letting me learn and grow as I needed to.  I know that this season of my life won't last forever and that it will end before I really want it too.  I am taking time to enjoy my kids, my husband and our daily grind.  This thing called life is an amazing gift from God.  Cherish it always!

Blessings,

 Jman photos that I randomly find on my phone.  Such a goofy boy!

 BG and his crazy faces.  (I really like his blue shirt that reads "My mom kicks harder than you.")

Lulu, our little lady. :)  Yes, she is sitting in the pool with her clothes on and of course there is a little puddle in the bottom.  I wouldn't expect it any other way!

"Not in School" for the Summer Part 2

In my last post, I mentioned walking around in your own backyard to find lots of goodies for "non-school."  Apparently, our yard is FULL of interesting things!

I was already aware of a few of our "fun" spots, but the rest were something of a surprise.

We have mushrooms.

 We have moths.

 We have 3 mysterious holes; home to a snake or moles?  Unknown since we haven't seen either yet...

We have a wasps nest in the light on the back of the house.

(This is my camera work while trying to avoid looking into the bottom of the light!)

And another wasps nest in the light by our sliding door.

Surprise!!

Needless to say, I am going to be a little more careful in the backyard until those nests get removed.  Maybe not even be in the backyard!  And I'm especially not thinking of pulling any Duck Dynasty moves to acquire the comb, whether there is any sweet honey or not!  Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog - Wasp Nest Removal 101.  Yikes!

Summertime, sweet summertime.  Full of fun and adventure!  What have you found in your backyards??

Blessings,

Plan into Action...Homeschooling Preparation

My brainstorming for lesson plans...not done nor in order.

I am really getting excited about next year.  Jman will be in Kindergarten and BG will be doing preschool again and little Miss Lulu will be along for the ride!  Brainstorming, online searching, printing, laminating, it's all happening.  I have finally decided to do my own curriculum for K, but I do think I will be doing My Father's World for 1st grade and on.  I had originally decided to go with the K curriculum from My Father's World, but felt that saving some money and making my own units was what I needed to do.  Panic hit me at first, but now that I'm into the swing of things, it is coming together!

Laminating and printing fun

I've had lots of fun planning out units.  I had saved a bunch from last year when I made my own lessons with Jman, so I am going to reuse them and just add in some extra materials for kindergarten.  I still have some work to do...lots more printing, laminating, cutting and organizing!  A few of the websites I've gotten unit ideas and packs from are Homeschool Creations, Totally Tots, and 1+1+1=1.

I am also making a calendar board like the one I found on Homeschool Creations and 1+1+1=1.  My boys have been peeking in on all my printing and laminating and keep asking "What is that for?!?!", "Can we play with that?".  It makes me smile knowing they already like it and haven't seen it in its entirety yet!  (And I'll say that I have already started looking for Velcro coins, laminating pouches,   hooks and rings!)

I'm still coming up with ideas for BG and Lulu to stay busy while I'm helping Jman.  I've come up with a few ideas: sensory boxes to go along with our themes, our Vtech Computer, and workboxes that have coloring books, learning games, puzzles, our Leap Frog Scribble and Write (my preschooler loves this), books and any other fun ideas/trinkets I find to throw in for a particular theme.

I really feel God's hand on me as everything comes together.  His plan does prevail and I know I'm just along for the ride.  I need to keep my ears open so I can hear Him.  I want to be an active participant in this ride of life.  It does make things easier and much more enjoyable!!!

Blessings!

Slowing Down

I am definitely a "Let's get this project going and get it done" type of person.  Lately, that's all we've been doing; little projects.  Between unpacking the last few boxes that have been set aside for an unknown reason, organizing rooms and home school materials, finally cleaning out the garage so Nate could park his car inside, and the everyday hustle and bustle, I had been feeling exhausted.  It's a lot of work!  I realized I wasn't taking time for me - physically or spiritually.  I quickly got that fixed.

Jillian Michaels, welcome to my world (again).  That's all I'm going to say about that!!  :)

We have started attending a new church and really enjoy it.  We are getting connected with a newcomers class and meeting new people.  God really does have His hand in every aspect of our lives.  We have trusted Him every step of the way on our move and are discovering more and more about Him and ourselves.  It is fulfilling and wonderful.  Taking time to slow down, read His word, wonder at His creation and worship Him has been uplifting.  All the stress, work and exhaustion begin to dwindle and I question why I wasn't keeping up with my personal time!!  How often do I need to get something done only to find out it really wasn't that important.  I need to worship God and praise Jesus for his gift of salvation!  Everything else falls into place.  I can do all my working, organizing, cleaning, etc once I take care of my heart first.

Praise God for His mercy, grace and everlasting love!

The Making of a Warrior

I resumed going to Women's Bible Study at our church last week, after a winter break. The study is on becoming a warrior for God. It was a new idea for me, so I was intrigued! I had never really thought about what it meant to actually be a warrior. Here are a few points that were made that I had to share. They are too important for me not to!

1. God's sovereignty and providence in all things: When things seem hard to understand or even just plain odd, assume God is up to something. Similar circumstances can result in very different outcomes.


2. What does it take to be a spiritual warrior: Be willing to be changed. Let God shape you and pour Himself into you. Give up control "Let go and let God". Trust both God's ability and willingness to lead, guide, and help you. Learn to use your spiritual eyes over your physical eyes; spiritual eyes "see" more than our physical eyes, for example angels. Rethink your perspectives and pursuits (1 Timothy 4:8). Acknowledge the battle going on around you and understand what it is (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Invest yourself in learning how to "Fight the Good Fight".


3. A Warriors Oath: "I am committed to the process of becoming totally involved and available to do whatever God wants me to do: I will put Him above everything and everyone. I will fully give my life to the purpose of fighting the good fight and to overcoming the powers of darkness that threaten all of humanity."


4. Jesus was harassed and hounded on earth for 33 years. He suffered even unto death. He never gave up because He never stopped thinking of us. He sweat blood because He knew what He was facing. Yet, He didn't back down and run from His mission when it got really tough.


5. So when He calls you to pick up your cross and follow Him, will you? It's not easy. When he asks you to defend what He gained (the dominion and power from dieing on the cross) are you ready? We will need to be prepared. Will you go to battle for your children's hearts and souls, for your marriages, for your neighbors?

This list was taken directly from the handout I got at bible study. It's a lot to think about! I was filled with a renewed passion to stand up and stay strong. It will take a lot of work, but it is worth it. I want to keep Satan down and God up. I know I need to prepare for battle and stay focused on God's word and will for my life. I can succeed; we can succeed. With God's power, we can do anything! Here are a few passages that were also given to read. They helped put into perspective what I need to focus on for preparing to be a warrior.

• Jeremiah 18:4


• 2 Corinthians 4:7-8


• Acts 5:38-39


• Mark 10:27


• Proverbs 16:9

I hope this gets you motivated to keep your heart focused on the Lord and started on your own transformation into a warrior!

Mom's The Word

This past weekend, I attended the Hearts at Home conference in Rochester, MN. It is a Christian conference that focuses on the needs and concerns of moms. It was amazing! I didn't know quite what to expect, but found myself soaking in the worship music, the workshop speakers, and the word of God!

It was a weekend filled with music, laughter and tears. Christy Nockels, of the group Watermark, was the worship leader. She was filled with the Spirit. Christ was shining through her songs. She did an amazing job!

The main speaker was Jill Savage. She had such a powerful message. It focused on the Power of Words. We want our words to bring life to people, lift them up and inspire them. Yet, so often we speak the exact opposite. I was forced to look at how I speak to others and really evaluate it. Am I glorifying Christ in all that I say? Am I speaking affirming, accepting, appreciating and apologizing words? It was an eye opener. Jill really asked us to look inside of ourselves and renew our minds. Jill has a list on her website called "God's Truth About You..." and it is filled with God's words that we can use to replace the old thoughts in our minds. Begin the transformation!

As a side note, she spoke during one of the small workshops. It was called Living With Less So My Family Can Have More. It was about living with less stress, less activities and less money so that we can have more to give our relationships. She spoke about attitudes to have: Counter-cultural mindset, Contentment, Sacrifice, Simplicity, Frugality and Faith. She gave a lot of good ideas for frugality. I recommend checking out her website for some ideas. It was great!

One of the other speakers I got the priviledge of listening to was Susie Larson. She was fabulous as well. The workshop I attended was entitled Growing Grateful Kids. It focused on teaching our children to be thankful and have perspective and gratitude. I was struck by one of her opening sentences. "We cannot impart what we do not express (possess)." I had to wonder if I am doing all that I can to become the woman God wants me to be so that I can show my children all he wants them to be. No pressure! Susie presented all of her points in such a real way that I truly felt like I could succeed. The fact that God pursues my children and me, lifts many burdens of motherhood. I will just remember that the pure in heart see God and that nothing is impossible when we humble ourselves to the Lord. Pure and humble; Christ-like.

I took away many ideas and truths from this past weekend. If nothing else, I was reminded that God loves me, despite the flaws and mistakes. I am His chosen treasure. We are all His chosen treasure. Live knowing this and praise God for it!

~Blessings~