House Projects

So I am feeling a little overwhelmed with house projects, house cleaning, working, being a mom and wife.. etc... etc... I can't seem to figure out how some of these woman do all of these things and stay sane. The first problem is that I don't have the personality of someone who wants to be busy ALL of the time.. I do like my down time that is for sure, but I also love to do projects around the house.. it's just getting it all started that takes forever. The third problem is that I don't have a great work space in the house for some of the things that I want to do... I need my garage.. but it's 5 degrees outside so I can't use it this time of year.  I always seem to get motivated at the wrong time.. then end up frustrated because I don't have the tools handy, or the space or an extra hand when I need it. (Eric always helps but it's hard to motivate him at times as well)  So my list of projects goes on and on and on. I actually just put all my lists in my new kindle of house projects for each room that I want to do.. this is like the 20 year plan but hey.. it's fun to dream, plus, I am a little obsessed with lists. I get great joy in crossing things off the DONE list.

I have decided to just pick one that I can do completely on my own, without tools, without anyone else.. now the question is which ONE do I pick???

My top choices of things I can do in the middle of the winter.. by myself .. are as follows.

1. Paint Elise's room... turquoise/teal two toned colored... bottom half 1-2 shades darker than the top half.  Below is her new bedding that is ADORBS.. and I can't wait to do her room.  She is growing up on me and we are moving on to "tween" bedding that I hope will get her through the teen years without growing tired of it.

Pottery Barn Teen: http://www.pbteen.com/products/cottage-stripe-duvet-sham-pool/?pkey=cgirls-duvet-cases&

I can't get this photo to go larger without getting blurry but this is what her sheets look like.  It doesn't look like they match but they do... love stripes and polka dots together.  Then I am going to paint her trim work white and eventually we will replace her closet and room doors to be white as well.

2. Stain the master bathroom cabinets just like the main bath cabinets... but I have to spray paint the hardware.. I guess I could do that outside and then bring them in right away to dry since it is bitter cold out right now.

So now I have to decide.. Hmmmmm, will probably start with the bathroom but will keep you posted.

Christmas Morning ~ 2013

Elise's big scores.. she had all ready stashed her Lego Cruiseship in her room.. hmm where does she get that from???

Lauren is a happy girl.. Santa brought her a Barbie Dream House!!!

Dudley was a happy camper.. he attacked paper, shook bows, and got a bunch of toys from Santa too!

Looking for Dudley's leash.

A trip to the Science Center

We had a fun day at the Science Center with the girls. Jana Peterson and I took the crew down for the day and finished our day at Subway for lunch. This group is a hoot and am hoping they are lifelong friends like I am with my elementary girlfriends!

Lauren, Avery Peterson, Natalie Freundl, Paige Peterson, Elise
In the submarine...

On the dog sled.

Getting ready for the weather forecast. 

In the mini- IMAX theater, it was pitch black in there and there were lots of giggles and shadows moving.. this is what I caught with the flash.. they all screamed!

Getting in position to be on television for the weather forecast.

Annual Santa visit to Bass Pro Shop

We had to wait for nearly 2 HOURS to see Santa... which is totally our fault for waiting until 2 days before Christmas to see him! So we passed some time at the shooting range as usual.

Dad takes a turn.

We moved on to the craft table.. and still had only about one and a half hours left... felt like it anyway.

Reading Santa her letter.. so precious.  She wrote on her letter that she wished him a Merry Christmas and he told her she is the first one to ever put that on their letter... 

Sharing her letter with Santa too... actually Elise wrote that she wished Santa a Merry Christmas and Lauren thought it was a great idea.. but she got to see Santa first.  Still adorable.

Christmas in Minnesota ~ 2013

We spent the weekend in Minnesota at Grandma and Grandpa Divine's house. We ate fabulous food, opened gifts, hung out with family and played in the snow.. a full weekend of fun!

Ummm.. had to put this one in.. Charlie looks like some sort of crazed 3 year old.. so funny!

Gloria Dei Childrens Choir 2013

Lauren getting ready for the Christmas program at church ~ 7 years old.

Elise ~ 9 years old

My big girls!!!

Making picture frames.

Painting with Brady and Emma Christiansen

O Come Let Us Adore Him!!