Use Your Imagination

Our big project the last few months has been redoing our kitchen. I didn't take any pictures of before, which I could kick myself now for doing because it is hard to appreciate how much better it looks now than what it was before.  That's where using your imagination comes in.... Our house was built in 1985 and had the original golden oak cupboard where the finish was starting to come off and they just looked sad.  We had cream formica countertops that absolutely did nothing for the room. The floor is what I HATED the most, every time I cleaned it which was at least twice a day, I would curse it! It was white linoleum that looked dirty all the time even after mopping it. We also had a stainless steel sink that looked like it had better days.  Needless to say it needed some love.  Trent and I did everything except installing the countertops, it's nice to have my own personal handyman. I'm really happy with the results, it's amazing what it has done for the space.

Amazing what a coat of white paint will do for sad cupboards, and adding hardware totally changed the look of the cupboards.

Here are the new countertops-black added so much more warmth than the cream did before



Here's a glance at the new sink-I decided on white porcelain instead of stainless since we don't have anything else stainless in the room. It's a much deeper sink which makes a much bigger difference than I thought it would. I didn't realize I had such a shallow sink before.



And here is my favorite part of all-the floors-so much prettier if I do say than UGLY white linoleum.  Trent did an amazing job. We also added the beadboard and trim for a finishing touch.

This was just a little side project that I did for my birthday with a little help from my friend, Erika. I have been wanting to do a gallery wall in my living room for awhile to fill the big wall above my sofa. I decided on the theme home. The thought that wherever you are is home.  I framed a bunch of maps of all the places Trent and I had lived before adding in a few pictures of family. It turned out just the way I wanted it to and fills the space so much better than the one picture that was there before.

I mostly posted this for my mom to see, since I have been promising forever to send her pictures. I finally decided this is the easiest route to post them.  So anyone else who reads this-thank you for indulging me.

SCHOOL DAYS, SCHOOL DAYS DEAR OLD GOLDEN RULE DAYS READIN' AND 'RITIN' AND 'RITHMETIC-

So another school year has begun. Phoebe and Miles actually started school July 27th-but I've been waiting to post pictures when Isabel and Oliver started on August 22nd. Summer flew by but I think for most of my kids they were ready to head back to school.


Miles headed into 5th grade-and his last year in elementary school.  His teacher is Mrs. Gelfand who he seems to like a lot.  She loves to read and has a Masters in reading. I'm hoping that she will be able  pass this onto Miles. Miles is a good reader, he just doesn't love it.  He is training to tutor kids in reading before school and loves it.  This proves to me what I already knew, is that Miles really enjoys helping people. He loves science and math so far, and loves being the class clown.  I think he likes making people laugh.

Phoebe started 1st grade-and going all day to school.  So far she loves it. Going all day wore her out at first, but now she seems to be in the swing of things.  I am glad that we don't have to leave for school until 8:25 because Phoebe is not an early riser. She likes to take her time getting out of bed!  Her teacher is Mrs Wenz, who was also her kindergarten teacher(she moved up a grade). This is great for Phoebe because she is already comfortable with her.  Phoebe loves having homework like all the other kids and loves going to specials(art, p.e., music,computers, etc.).  Her favorite subject is math-I don't know where that came from.  Phoebe who is usually really quiet is not at school according to her teacher, which I'm very glad to hear :)
 

 

Oliver started 7th grade, and has got the middle school thing down.  He started taking Spanish this year which he thinks is cool and is also looking forward to taking his encore class, Mythbusters. Encore class is his last period class where  they take a "fun" class.  They switch classes every quarter.  Like every other middle school boy I know- It's hard getting information out of him. I ask how school was and I get "fine", "good", "I don't know."  I'm going to have to think of different interrogation techniques to get information out of him.



Isabel is in 11th grade-I ask myself all the time-how is she already a junior???  This is going to be a very busy year for Isabel. She will study for and take the ACT, she is in Student Government (they are already working on planning for Homecoming), in National Honors Society,  training  dance company , and is taking a hard load of classes.  Isabel loves school and loves learning.  So far she loves all her teachers and thinks all her classes are going to be great (I'm sure I will have to remind her of this in the middle of the school year).

I hope this will be great school year for all of them, It's fun to watch them experience and try new things out.  I can't believe all my kids are in school full time-it's been 16 years where I have had someone at home with me-it's bittersweet I will tell you. Luckily with year round school I won't be alone for long, Miles and Phoebe track off September 22nd and will be home with me for 3 weeks. It's a good way to ease into this alone thing.

What happened to the summer?

I can't believe it's been over a year since I last posted. I have no excuses. I also realized I can't play catch up... its too hard. So, we'll just look at Summer- how it came and went in the blink of an eye.

Last day of school for everybody. Big day for Phoebe  where she graduated kindergarten and our  Summer began.

We did a little bit of hiking.

4th of July

Is summer really summer without sno-cones? 

What people do for free food (dressing up like a cow got you free food at Chik-fil-a)

Oliver went to 2 scout camps.

Fun in the sun.

Cooling off in the pool.

Look, she turned 16. How did that happen?!

Making a wish for dates and cars....

Family reunion at the lake

Oliver playing lacrosse... number 22 in the weird shorts

I introduced my kids to shaving cream fights

They loved it.

Isabel and Oliver trying to "cream" their dad.

Oliver turned 12 and made me realize he isn't a little boy anymore.

Oliver the day he received the priesthood.

Hanging with friends.

 Shaving their heads to support their cousin/niece, Brooke, who was diagnosed with cancer. The girls couldn't bring themselves to do it.

And there you have it, summer has come to a close. We crammed quite a bit in, there was also girls camp, youth conference, Miles playing summer baseball, trip to Utah, Grandma Hart visiting, frozen yogurt, staying up late, board games, rootbeer floats, smores, and movies. I don't know if I'm really ready to have it all be over. Oh well, what can you do?