blue... the new neutral.

As the school year winds down.. I find myself craving the beach... and pastels.  I've been collecting  blue patterns here and there.  That's the beauty of "treasure hunting"- low cost + thrill of the hunt = instant gratification! 

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I've neglected the poor builtins lately...

 so today they got a little pick-me-up!

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Blue is soothing to me...

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It's the Cooner coming out of me... she loves blue.

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It tells a quiet story without yelling like many other colors I tend to love..  **not mentioning any names- ORANGE in the loft**

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I think I'll keep her around awhile :)

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I found this little gem for $3.00...

  She needed a shade and a home- I had both :)

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and I'm lovin' some brass these days {gulp... after I spray painted nearly every fixture when we bought this house.  Case in point- EVERYTHING comes back around again.... big hair, skinny jeans, pencil ties, and now BRASS}

HELLO SUMMER!!

a pretty pic-nic for our teachers!

In life there are things worth boasting about... and our teachers are one of them!  We are finishing up yet another FABULOUS year at SCCS.  And with end of the year parties and programs, comes teacher appreciations luncheons.  My kiddos have had 2 of SCCS's finest {in our opinions} this year. A-man said "he wished Mrs. Proulx was smart enough to teach 1st grade. And may we please still take her treats next year too Momma?"  I laughed knowing and then realizing how blessed we are to have such precious teachers!! The kind that go easy on homework for ballet recital's TECH week and reschedule presentations so that a certain busy Daddy could attend.  The ones that text you when they get to the park/field trip to let you know they made it.  And the ones that love on my children when I can not.

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Those kind make me want to... cut out letters on banners...

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and wrap pretty packages for them..

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and make chandeliers cause the room needed something else...

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and wrap up wooden cutlery and cut out bird pins to match...

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They are ones that deserve a pretty pic-nic.... complete with hanging branches :) and real lemonade and southern fried chicken..

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So...  we made one for them.

  And is was my pleasure!!! 

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P.S.  and I'm so thankful for my sweet friend Shayne... Who gets my whole "need" for having wooden utensils, book page feathers, and dozens of other things that shall remain nameless.  She is a treasure to me!!!

Happy Memorial Day...

... coming from a girl who grew up knowing every word of every patriotic song.  Including, but not limited to- every branch of the military and anything about a flag :) And.... I still cry {nearly} every time I sing our National Anthem.  And.... I love dressing these cuties up in anything red, white, & blue- EVERY chance I get!!!  I'm proud of this country and of the men who died to make it free!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

I'm loving orange!!

I just made some orange pillows for the loft. 

 Which make me smile...

 It needed a punch of color.

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And... A-man's little league team is sporting orange too.  Orange was one of A-man's first words..  strangely enough...

**  he's loving baseball- playing 1st base, hitting really REALLY well, and looks adorable in his little uniform!  **

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Orange is cozy!  

try some :)

that time I begged my husband to knock a wall down... and he said yes!

So.. about 2 years ago I gotta thinking about making some attic space into a room??  Like the space above the master bedroom and bath and laundry closet...  "Wouldn't it be wonderful for another living space? A place for the kiddos to escape to.  A place out of site where messes could be left {but only overnight}", I thought to myself.  Then I ran it by the Mr.  who was at first reluctant, but finally came to his senses :) 

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At first it was just insulation with a touch of drywall... Then it became this!  We wanted it rustic- sorta-barn-feeling.  So we went with wooden paneling.  I adore it!!

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Then I dreamed up making a little loft for the kiddos to play in & still be able to see the TV for movie nights..

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Then I dreamed up some built-ins... Did I mention I don't sleep well??

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Then I found an old barn door at an estate sale....

  And some inexpensive barn style lights at ikea.

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And we have a little 1/2 bath that we love!  Now... it has quickly became the family favorite!  So much so that I have to keep their toothbrushes up here...

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Plus we now have a pull out sofa so BRING ON THE HOUSE GUESTS!!

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I'm ashamed to admit that I've only spent $20 on accessories...  I shopped the attic and filled the built-ins rather quickly :()

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My builder surprised me with these little cubbies in the knee wall.  Which sorta double as end tables for drinks and other fun!

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I gave up the skylight in my powder room to give the new room some natural light {Joey's brilliant idea".  It is fabulous!!!

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This is how the loft currently looks.... can you say Lego land?  I cannot begin to tell you the hours that my little curly headed boy spends up here...  PRECIOUS!

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It's LOVE. I. tell. you!

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Come on over...

"you surpass them all..."

today... I sat down {finally after almost 2 months of an unintentional blogging break} to catch up.  today.. is mother's day.  today my kiddos woke me up with nose kisses, lip kisses, and the per usual- kissin' whippin'.

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{from A-man this am}

today they showered me with gifts- gifts that I adore {like French prints from estate sales that I whispered I'd seen and would love to have} and hand written notes...

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today I relished in the fact that I get to be a momma.

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today I gave thanks that I am who I am because I have a wonderful mother {sweet Cooner}.

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today my precious husband made my breakfast and ironed the kiddos clothes for church {like nearly every Sunday}.

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today I fixed Prissy's hair in a fancy french braid twist, {even though I was tired} because she asked me... and I love her more than words!

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today I teared up knowing that these days are fleeting and that soon my mothers day will be a phone call or a plane ride away from them...

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today I squeezed my A-man's little chunky hands even tighter as we sang in church.  today.. I am filled up to the brim with thanksgiving for all that I have....

Happy Mother's Day to ALL the Proverbs 31 women I know...

{a little pearl for you...}

and all the people said...  "AMEN!"

  It's so important to be that kind of woman- y'all know the kind. The kind that we want to be..the kind that is quick to listen and slow to speak... 

 Let's be her today.