A Little Labor of Love

The Finished Project....I thought they turned out pretty well!!

It's amazing what a little black paint can do!

Apply some Mod Podge to the back of the picture. Allow to dry for 15 minutes and then brush it over the top of the pictures. Let completely dry before working with them.

I <3 Mod Podge!!! Nothing is safe in the house......

These old picture frames were given to me by my wonderful friend, Stephanie, back in the fall. They were her husband's grandmothers. She got them after his grandmother passed away and didn't know what to do with them. They are metal and Made in Italy so wanted to preserve them for her in some way. I had a total of 6 to work with. (Didn't post pics of her 3,b/c I want to surprise her. :-) Had some time on my hands this past weekend and decided to get to work on them. So I decopaged some pics of the kiddos on the wooden backing, gave the frames a fresh coat of paint, put some rubber coasters on the back, and in the end I made some unique coasters to set on an end table. For Stephanie, hopefully everytime she sees them she will smile and they will make a great conversation piece for the family.

Inspiration from Just a Girl

The finished product....isn't it soooo cute?? It's going straight in my office at work!

Took some matte black spray paint, some left over cork from another project, bought some cute push pins and created a new look to a once boring and ugly ole' photo frame....cheap and quick craft!!!

Bought this rather ugly, cheap metal frame from Dollar Deals....for $3

Was stalking my most favorite blog, Just a Girl, the other night and found this cute idea. I loved it, because I love pictures and picture frames. This was a little different twist and adored the idea of being able to change pictures quickly and easily. It would make a wonderful inexpensive gift to a co-worker, friend, or even yourself!!!! (Note: I apologize, the pics should be in reverse order. ;-) ) Just wanted to share.......

It's been a while....(this one is for you, Mom)

Big brother pulling little brother and sister with loyal canine following in tow...

Ryan (eating a Victory cookie) is so proud of his Biddy Basketball medal

Grant playing basketball for Holy Cross & Sts. Peter and Paul

It's been a while since I have blogged. Ironically, my mom, who is not technologically savvy...wants to be. Luckily, I got to spend the day with her and showed her around the computer, facebook, and blogging. So I'm posting this for a little practice for her to see if she can find "us" without my help. But, since I last blogged, basketball for both boys have come and gone. Grant had 2 awesome coaches, and learned that hard work and perserverence, do pay off. Ryan played Biddy Basketball at Owensville. It's hard to believe the improvement, when you compare his first game to his last. Way to go boys!! AND, then Old Man Winter decided to visit and I guess he likes it here because to me, this is the longest winter in recent history!!! We've tried to make the best of it; went sledding, played, rode the 4 wheeler and made the tradtional snow ice cream.

Double Digits

(Disclaimer: I am a little behind on my blogging. Trying to catch up here...)

Double Digits!!! I cannot believe that I have a 10 year old son!! Seems like yesterday I was changing diapers, cleaning up spit, holding onto his hands as his toddling legs were trying to walk.....sniff, sniff. BUT I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. We've seemed to have bonded more in the past year, and am thoroughly enjoying our talks and time together. He is full of life and more boy than I could ask for sometimes, but he is GRANT!!! His birthday has always been special in the fact that his Grandma Holzmeyer's birthday is the day before his. We always celebrate them together. Happy Birthday Grant and Happy Birthday Grandma H. With Grant being the HUGE Notre Dame fan he is....we HAD to have a ND cake!!! Go Irish!!!

My Fan Club

When I started training for the Half Marathon back in July, it was for several reasons: 1) to cross off my Bucket List 2) to get healthy 3) to prove to myself I could do it. I could list a couple others, but you get my drift. Yes, this Half Marathon was something for ME, little ole' me.

But the funny thing is that with all of the walking dates with my Marathon Mommas there ocurred a sacrifice from my family. Whether it was dinner, bedtime routines, napping or just lack of my presence, my family never once complained. For that I am soooo grateful!!! It was no secret that I was disappointed at the last minute because Jason and I felt that taking the kids to the Finish Line would be to much. So their absence was felt because after it was all said and done, I didn't do the Half just because of me....I did it for them, too. To say that I was overjoyed when I got home is an understatement. When I walked in the door, my kiddos and husband were there to greet me with open arms and posters. I know it may sound a little sappy or corny, but I was almost brought to tears.......they love me for ME. Not for what I look like, how much weight I lost or what I have done, but for ME. To me that means EVERYTHING.

"I want some more corn cob, pweeze Mom"

Emily absolutely LOVES corn on the cob. Grandpa Roger brought us some of his last ears of sweet corn from the summer over last week. She could smell it cooking and was getting so excited yelling "I eat some corn cob, Mom?" I do believe she ate more ears than I did that night.

The Products of my Sowing

This purple flower is called "scaveola" or fan flower. I have planted this for about 5 years now, and this is the best it has looked since the first time I planted it. I was beginning to think it was "beginner's luck'.

Some impatiens and fan flower....

I transplanted these Black Eyed Susans back in June, didn't think they would survive, but somehow they did.

Every year I let the boys plant some wildflowers and sunflowers, just to see what will survive and pop up.....thought these were pretty!

And the kids' favorite...the Sunflowers...they love to get the seeds out of them and we always say we will roast them but I never have....will make a point to do that with them this year.

We all are guilty of complaining about the weather, especially when it disrupts our plans for the day with our family and friends. But this summer's abundance of rain has produced some of the most beautiful flowers in my garden and yard. Just goes to show us that God has a plan, even when we don't.....:-)