Simply Mel(Formerly Mama Monoblogs)

Pictures Of Our New Fence

I finally have all the pictures I wanted to post of our new fence. I know my mom has been dying to see them, so here they are!

These are the before shots. I took the pictures once they put the posts in but you get the idea of what it looked like before the fence

This is so you can see where the fence is in relation to the deck

 

And now.....voila! The new fence!

 

Here's a cropped version of the photo before this one so my mom can see Katelyn sitting  on the slide while talking to her the other day. While I was taking these pictures Katelyn said to my mom  " Geemaw, my mom is taking a picture of me!" (which I was really trying to get the fence but I was happy to include her!) So my mom wanted to see the picture that I took when she said that. Unfortunately the quality is not that great.

This is the view from the front yard in front of the little bushes.

 

This is the gate in front of our driveway(obviously). This gate has been a blessing and is keeping the kids, balls and bikes from going down the driveway anymore!

This angle is from the top of the driveway so you can see the fence opened and how our driveway goes right into a busy street!

We are so thankful for this generous gift from my inlaws. It has been awesome telling the kids to go play outside while I can watch them from my windows inside and know they are safely gated in the play area.

 

It's Called "Pumpkin Butter"

In case you were wondering. The new color I painted my living room yesterday is called "Pumpkin Butter". I apparently have a thing for food colors because Madelyn's room is  painted"Bran Muffin". Yesterday Mike and I spent our Memorial day taping and painting. Our whole weekend was pretty much taken up with house maintenance. Yesterday, Mike did the first coat of painting while I watched the girls outside and then took the girls to his parent's house while I finished the second coat and did some detail work. I love the color! It has made such a huge different in our living room and stairway. I wish I hadn't waited 5 1/2 years to paint it! Now I have the painting bug. We're going to paint the dining room next and then probably our bedroom.

Here is the before color of one of the corners in our living room

Pretty in need of a makeover isn't it?

 

 

Here's the same corner,(with all the stuff we took off, back on).

 Much better!

 

Here's a cropped picture of our stairway. Not the best picture but you get the idea of the color.

 

Here it is with the new color! What a difference!

 

Here are a few mor pictures so you can get an idea of the color.

 

There are some spots we have to touch up after we pulled the tape off. It ripped the paint too, so that was frustrating.

 

 

Oh fiddlesticks! I just realized I don't have a shot of the whole room! I meant to take one and forgot. Oh well, I'm sure I'll get one and post it at some point.

So, what to do you think of our new paint job?

Spring Brings These Things

Ahhhh....Spring. I love the wonderful hope it brings. The fresh smell, the lack of snow on the ground, the budding foliage. The playing outside, the open windows, the fresh air. And spring cleaning. Yes, I really do like spring cleaning.

 

These two pictures are of our budding lilac bush. I can't wait to see and smell it in full bloom!

 

 

This is our dogwood tree. Not much to look at right now. But in a few weeks it's going to be blooming with gorgeous white flowers!

 

Every spring when I see these little buds popping up on our dogwood tree it makes my heart very happy. It means summer is on it's way! Yes, yes, yes!!

 

 

And now for some Spring cleaning.....

 

After what feels like half a year of winter, our house starts to really feel like a petri dish. At the bottom of a dump. Once I got back from Texas, Mike and I got a little bit of spring fever and decided to tackle the main living area of our house. It hasn't been well set up or organized for a long time. We were using wobbly, ugly t.v tray tables as end tables, we had ugly, faulty, dangerous lamps from Mike's college days and electronics cords and wiring sticking out everywhere. It was not a soothing atmosphere. Add to that tons of toys that seem to procreate while we sleep. It was causing us both undue stress and irritation. So, we took a little trip to Target and bought some end tables, wall lamps, cord corral-ers and a storage cubicle for toys. Although those may not sound like anything to get excited about, they sure were for us. They made a huge difference in our living room! The new toy cubicle went into the office/playroom and freed up a ton of space that toys were taking up in the living room. And once we got a couple of things changed around and organized, it motivated me to keep on organizing, decluttering and cleaning. I've put a ton of stuff on freecycle. There's a light at the end of the clutter.  There will be pictures.

 

No, this is not what my living room looks like all the time. But, this is what it felt like all the time. This is the mess we made while assembling our new stuff and moving things around. The girls got into the Styrofoam packaging and had a ball.

 

 

Sooo, these are the "before"......

 

And these are the "after"!

 

Much better, don't ya think? We moved a shelf into the living room that was in the office, but then moved a chair out. I'm still not quite done with the living room yet but it's much better than it was before. Even Mike mentioned that the room feels less stressful. I'll post pictures of the office/playroom once that done.

 

Here you see my new wall lamps and the end tables. If you have seen the window over the couch before you will also notice that we took the curtains down and just left the valance up. I actually like it better that way.

 

Here is one of my new wonderful end tables! But, it's actually not even and end table. It's a fancy looking filing cabinet! (Gasp!!) These were sold in Target's office furniture section but we liked the idea of using these in our living room.  We love these because they have plenty of storage and are very sturdy. The large filing cabinet drawers hold the girls' puzzles and games(You didn't think we actually keep our stuff in these tables did you?) That smaller basket you see keeps our many remote controls......controlled.

 

Spring fever must have really hit to possess me to post all these photos of just me and my new 'do. It's mostly a new hair color and a slight update on the actual 'do. My look needed a little breath of spring air, if you know what I mean. A spring makeover, if you will.

Meet my new hair color. Mahogany-Violet.

  

 

 

 

 

This the back. It's slightly shorter and "edgier" than my previous style.

 

 

This is how I wore it on Easter Sunday. My hair stylist actually curled it a bit when I got it done on Saturday, so Sunday it still had a curly, "messy" look. I don't think I could recreate that look again if I wanted to!

 

So, have any of you caught Spring Fever yet?

Vacation Bible School Recap

This past week we had VBS or "Cation Bible School" as Katelyn called it. It was the first time our church had one. Being a small, growing church we have never had enough people or resources to have VBS, but a church in Florida sent a mission team here to do VBS for us. It was a blessing! And fun! Unfortunately we didn't have many kids come and only one real visitor but it was still worth it. New England is definitely not the Bible Belt that's for sure! Katelyn had a BLAST and got very attached to Sarah and Brittney, two sisters who came with the mission team. Although, Kate is technically too young for VBS she was still welcomed. She took it very seriously and participated in all the activities. I brought Katelyn and Madelyn every day to it and after I dropped them off I drove down the street to pick up my friends two girls ,who are in daycare while she works, and bring them to VBS too. Jenna and Addy had a blast too. I was happy to be able to help out Jeannette and be a blessing. The last day the team brought in a huge bouncy house/obstacle course that the kids went crazy over. I still have all the songs that the kids learned stuck in my head. They were quite catchy. The curriculum was called "Outrigger Island" and had a Hawaiian theme to it. I enjoyed hanging out and watching the kids do the activities and help out wherever I was needed. Madelyn enjoyed the abundant exploring space and extra attention she got from all the ladies. I really enjoyed getting to know the people from Florida and visiting with them. I was sad to see them leave. Katelyn still asks if we're going to "cation Bible school" to see Sarah and Brittney. Breaks my heart! I posted pictures in a new album labeled "Vacation Bible School". Check 'em out. Videos from VBS coming soon.

The whole group

I'm working on a new post about how my "natural and healthier" lifestyle quest is going. It's not quite ready yet. I promise to post it soon! I've been so busy! We're also off to Texas on Wed. for my sister's wedding so there will tons of pictures and blogging material on that trip. Stay tuned!!

Thanks for reading!

LONG TIME, NO WRITE

You are all probably wondering where I have been! We've had a lot going on and I have not had the motivation to be on the computer. But alas, here I am!

My parents are actually visiting right now. They have been here since last Tuesday and are leaving early Friday morning(sniff) They have been having a blast with Katelyn. I have been working the whole time and they have been watching her and caring for her while I've been at work. And when I'm home too! I've gotten a nice break. We will both miss them when they leave. I have the rest of the week off;which I'm psyched about. One of the reasons I haven't been on in a while is that last week I had strep throat all week! It was the most miserable time I've had in a long time. It really knocked me for a loop. It started last Sunday and didn't end until this past weekend. I had fever, my throat was killing me and I could barely move. All I could do was sleep. I don't EVER want that again. Of course there is not much I can take right now to help pain and fever. I am so glad to be finally getting some of my energy back. My mom has been a big help in cleaning up my house since it all went to pot while I was sick. Katelyn has actually shown her bratty side to my parents while they have been here. She's been totally sweet to them but mean to us! She wants nothing to do with Mike or I and is constantly hitting us when we try to touch her or something doesn't go her way. My parents have gotten to see first hand what I have been experiencing recently with her behavior. When she doesnt' like something she hits. When we slap her hand she hits back and there we go back and forth until one of us hits her hand hard enough to make her cry. It is actually kind of funny and I have to stop myself from laughing. Mind you, I'm not laughing b/c I think her behavior is cute or ok. I just can't believe how stubborn she can be at such a  young age. She gets this angry scowl on her face and looks at us like "how dare you!" and starts swinging. She gets totally offended when she gets a spanking or in trouble. We never know what will set her off. Mike will just lean in for a kiss and she'll slap him! Hopefully this is a passing phase.

I went for my first prenatal visit yesterday. Everything looks good. The first appt. was really mostly informational. My due date is August 26th but at my next appt. they will firm that up with an ultrasound. I am 10 weeks now and almost out of my first trimester. Can't wait for that!! I have been feeling ok for the most part.

Katelyn went for her 15 month check up last week and is growing well. She weighed 23lbs 4oz and is 32 1/4 inches tall. She's only gained about a pound since her last visit. The doctor said she has long legs! LOL Let's hope she gets to keep those as she gets older. I know I wish I had long legs!

Mike started his new job this week and so far is enjoying it. Hopefully this job will be instrumental in allowing me to stay home. As we get used to his new salary and a new budget we'll get to see what will happen in regards to that issue. We will just have to keep praying.

Well, I need to go spend more time with my family. Ta ta for now.