Girls' Room, Take...Fifty?

Here's some quick refresher pictures from early on in the girls' room:

I've changed a lot of things in the last 18 months. (It's probably an obsession. I call it a hobby.)

I repainted the light dresser to a deep teal:

And I made subway art for the girls as well as painting the frames to match the dresser:

White curtains replaced the purple, and a forest green-turned-white-turned-pink birdcage was hung by the closet.

Tonight I had a brainstorm, and the exact figuring of wall art came together! Today was beautiful, so I was able to paint the letters pink, which is perfect on the wall!

Here's a close shot of everything:

This is the view from Ava's bed:

The white pom-pom flower was a fun "can I make this?" experiment. Ava thinks it is "so pretty!" so of course, I hung it up in the corner.

I'm working on a gallery wall, so I'm sure I'll add a few little things here and there, but there is room to add more initials and subway art as we add children (well, girls, I suppose!).

The girls love their room! Ava talked and talked about the pictures and the new colors and curtains, and Lucy was happy that Ava was happy! :)

The view from the door:

I can guarantee you I'll be adding a few more little things here and there. Right now I love sharing the changes and creative bursts going on around here!

All Sorts of Random

I'll start with my biggest project recently accomplished.

First, when we moved in I put up purple curtains in the girls' room, thinking that I would go with a purple scheme. Silly me! I love pink, I should have thought through that better.

Here's the first look:

The ribbon didn't last long (maybe 2 days) and then the curtains stayed for over a year. I really did like them, but the more I planned and thought through the lighting in the room, the colors that looked nice in it, well, purple wasn't floating my boat.

I spent money on fabric for the curtains in the first place, and didn't want to spend a lot of money to replace them. I thought about patterns and solids, color schemes and trims, but everything cost more than I was willing to spend (because obviously it's practical to spend less than $5 on curtains...)

I took my time figuring these out, and the end result was achieved for $1.19. YES!

I scavenged a remnant bin and found some pretty pink fabric (which cost $1.19). Then I separated the white backing from the purple, and used the white as the "new" curtains. I ripped the pink into strips, gathered it, and sewed it on the white.

The end result, I love:

It's a bit whimsical, just right for little girls. :)

And the price was right! It's fun to have another step done toward a charming pink and teal girls' room.

(If you're interested, here's my inspiration board for the final product, on Pinterest.)

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I changed out the Christmas decor for a winter blue and white. Blue is definitely a favorite color in my home right now! :)

So, some sparkling stars in sugar "snow" for a centerpiece.

Snowflakes on branches, and blue books by the Willow Tree figurines.

A photo found online, it's a damaged negative that is absolutely stunning.

The silver vase was a gift from a friend brought from Singapore. It has an engraved dragon on it-definitely a favorite. :)

Hope is essential in life, and I've been posting reminders of this around the house:

I love this square vase. It's held many things, but I was at a loss how to make it fit my winter idea. I moved some stones, and found some cute printable tags online. Complete with twine and a blue candle!

I love this angel-I received her for my HS graduation and she is a favorite.

I love this quote, and I even found a blue-themed print to go with it to replace my Isaiah print that is more Christmas-themed.

Also, I had to make a pennant banner after seeing them around Pinterest and Blogland. :)

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My friend Heidi and I have been brainstorming some projects to sell at Farmer's Market this summer, and this pillowcase dress is part of our projects. I need to put a few finishing touches on this dress...and might eventually find the time for it. :)

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Miss Ava's latest fun has been to go to the "grocery shop" and "be back by a minute".

Then she has picnics on the steps.

It actually snowed a few days ago, and the bestest snowman started looking fresh again.

"Look, Mr. Sanders, the bestest snowman has hair!"

Miss Lucy is quiet in tongue for the most part (she loves to say "dada" to everything and screech at random), and explores the world of sound with objects. She loves to hit things to see what sound they make.

Just yesterday she even used her knee to crawl! Of course, she's quite mobile with her little arms and legs pumping army style, and it's a constant race to stay one step ahead of her.

Lucy is also exploring the world of food. She loves fruits, tolerates vegetables, and can eat a Ritz cracker in under a minute, I think. :)

Ava is taller than ever, and both girls have gone up a clothing size in the last month. They are growing up so fast! I'm enjoying being their mommy so much!

I'll leave you with the truth we are working to teach Ava and exemplify ourselves:

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2

They did...

Last night Miss Lucy was putting things in 4-wheel drive to get her toy, on the other side of a box. She's so adventurous!

Ava had her basket of food, and both her cups. "I'm gonna go to the grocery shop. I'll be back in a minute." Then she walked over the the steps, sat down and had a picnic with the "po-tay-to", "broccery" and "ce-rer-ree".

Did you know that red and green plastic peppers, when placed on an area of injury, will instantly cure it? Ava has apparently stumbled on some groundbreaking information with this one! :-)

Ava Said:

"Bear said no to Lucy Mae...because he got married!"
"Jesus makes flowers and fountains."
"I'm going to work." (asked where she was going for work) "I'm going to Sam's!"

Supper and Smiley Faces

We picked this book up at TJMaxx last weekend.

The recipes are easy and healthy (packed with vegetables), and the price is right!

I've been getting back into meal planning, and I'm working on the price breakdown per meal after shopping with a strict ingredient list.

Tonight was Roasted Cauliflower with Pizza Burgers. The secret to making the meat stretch was black beans and shredded carrots.

It was delicious!

And the Husband's system for rewarding Ava's good behavior (I love that he came up with this) :

If Ava rudely tells Lucy "no" or whines, or displays bad attitudes she gets frowny faces. 5 frowny faces equals a quiet time in her room to think about good behavior and kind actions.

Her good manners translate into happy faces, which are rewarded with good consequences. Tonight she had 5 (!!!!!) happy faces (full quota for rewards) and got to watch a Thomas after supper.

(I should mention that it is NOT easy for Ava to maintain 5 happy faces. She is 2, after all.)

She's been doing better. Less whining and shouting "no" every time Lucy so much as looks at her, and more singing songs to the little sister, telling her stories, playing peekaboo, and generally being sweet and congenial.

It's pleasant.

The Bestest Snowman Ever

Lucy was content to observe the creating of the snowman.

Daddy showed Ava the best snow-packing techniques.

Ava has been talking about snowmen for weeks.

It was wonderful to have just the right snow for making one!

Rocks for eyes, a genuine carrot nose, and sticks in a smile.

"He's so big up high!"

Ava cried and cried over going inside, and was excited to see that the snowman was still in the yard even though she wasn't right there with him.

My Favorites

Imperfect

Sometimes I get stressed.

I'm told I'm a very happy person. I find that to be true, usually because I see too much joy in Christ to walk around a sad person.

That doesn't mean I ignore real life.

Last weekend was so busy that it left poor baby Lucy a constipated mess.

My days have been full of fussing, crying, and Ava responding to her grumpy little sister, "NO, Lucy Mae!" then running away. (This was happening about every 30 seconds.)

Yesterday I was fed up.

If she says "no" one more time...!

Then she did.

I had no idea how to get my 2-year-old to want to encourage, rather than yell and run. I didn't have a way to communicate to her. I was exhausted by her whining, her refusal to obey, the jerking and throwing when I picked her up...everything.

I looked at her, gripped her shoulders...her angry eyes glared back.

"Mommy is so frustrated, and I don't know what to do. I need you to be in one place and be quiet." On the couch she went with her books.

Later, Scott came home. Out of nowhere, a perfect little angel appeared at my dinner table! This is it! Daddy must always be here! He must never leave!

Ha! Sure enough, the minute daddy went somewhere else my defiant little girl wrenched herself from my cleaning attempts and sent taco meat flying.

Angrily I faced my husband. "It's not fair! She's a perfect little angel for you! I'm tired of being the only one she's naughty for!"

I most definitely pouted. In fact, my behavior wasn't too different than my daughter's.

I grudgingly opened my evening devotional and was bowled over by what I read:

"Do I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? 'I am Almighty God...' -El Shaddai, the All Powerful God (Genesis 17:1). The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality." (Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest)

Reminded again that I had forgotten my Lord, forgotten to look at Him, to speak His name in place of my frustration, I asked forgiveness.

Today hasn't been perfect, but my perspective has again been shifted.

It is about GOD.

Definitely not about me...and thank Him for that!

"Approach this day with awareness of WHO is Boss. As you make plans for the day, remember that is is I who orchestrate the events of your life...On days when your plans are thwarted, be on the lookout for Me! I may be doing something important in your life, something quite different than what you expected. Don't try and figure out what is happening. Simply trust Me and thank Me in advance for the good that will come out of it all." (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling)

Isaiah 55:9-11

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

“ For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

Twenty-Three

I'm one year older, and one more year blessed.

It was a beautiful day.

We explored the snow, and it was marvelous!

I had to show you this. Lucy's eyes are really this blue and clear in the light. She is so beautiful!

I didn't technically make these on my birthday (I had the cake baked on time, I suppose), but these are my version of enjoyable birthday cake.

Orange cake, mushed together with cherry frosting and coated.

Delicious!

My sweet husband knew I needed a jewelry holder, so he let me pick one out for my birthday.

I love it!

(Sorry, no action shots of this one.)

I received many happy birthday greetings, all so sweet and kind!

"O my soul, you have said to the LORD,
'You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.'

O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance."

Psalm 16:2,5-6