Refinishing a toy chest

We were given a nice sturdy Disney toy chest for Alta many, many years ago... okay probably 9 years. It has made several moves, held lots of toys and stuff. It has become very beat up and scratched. I still need it for Jenna's toys, but it was too scratched up to enjoy. I came across a blog that discusses refinishing furniture, thanks to Cheryl Hunter. The site is... Here I got inspired, so I decided to try it out.

First find inspirational fabric.. fabric is limited here in Stephenville, so I found the best I could. (I wanted it done yesterday, to hide all her toys.) The fabric with batting will make a nice soft top so it could not only help with clutter, but provide little spot to sit and ponder the wonders of the world to a toddler. Second find a matching spray paint. The website recommended Krylon spray paint because it sprays and looks the nicest finished. It also recommends you prime with Kilz spray primer.

Okay, here is the before picture.. I had already primed the very front... It had a similar pooh picture as the top but just covering the entire front. The primer covered it nicely after 3 coats.

This is the finished product with 3 coats of watermelon Kryon paint, batting and fabric stapled to the box. I was pleased that the spray paint dried in 10 min. I really did this in one days time.

Here is a toy box I am happy to have in my girls room.

Jenna has already enjoyed sitting on top. She gets all excited that she can climb on top and have her own spot to sit. So fun and easy. Every little bit of toy management is greatly appreciated.

Now lets fill it up.

How to Make a paper Christmas Star

For this project we used 8x11 card stock, but can be done with regular paper. (In fact it is probably easier) You will need 6 pieces of paper, some scotch tape, and a stapler.
Goal is to make a folded square piece of paper.
Now, imagine a line from the open point to the folded edge dividing the triangle in 1/2. Next you will be cutting from the folded edge towards the point/ imaginary line, making 4 cuts down each side as shown in pics totalling 8 cuts all together. Do not have the cuts pass the imaginary line( leave about 1/4 inch of space)

The space between the cuts are approx 1/2 inch.

Now the fun part:

Open the paper

See the center square, 2 corners of the inside square are attached to the rest of the paper and there are 2 corners that have been cut. Pull those 2 points together and tape them. I kind of rolled the paper to mold it into a cylinder to help it stay circular.

Next, turn the paper over, grab the next set of flaps and you will staple them together or if the stapler doesn't fit, you can tape it.

Now flip it back over and attach the next flaps. Go back and forth till it is all stapled.

You will need to make six of these or just use one as a decoration.

Now you attach them together. The sides are just stapled to each other, and then the bottom points will be stapled together. I find it easiest to make sets of three and then attach the two halves together as shown in the following pictures.

Now to finish...

Staple the first top sides together, then the middle, then the bottom sides.

Voila! A large, beautiful, impressive, paper Star or Snowflake. Depends on your point of view. They are fun to make. Merry Christmas!

Enjoy

Pregnant with number 3, December 23rd

It is true. We discovered a short while ago that Max and I are expecting number 3. Now granted there was some shock value behind this, so much I was struck unfunctionable for a day. I had just become accepting of having 2 beautiful girls, satisfied as one may say, finished trying for another, after 4 1/2 years of trying. I was accepting what was before me, instead of my instinct. Instead of my hubby's feelings there was one more. I was ready to be happy with 2. There were moments of... I can afford 2. I can develop properly 2. A moment of grateful I am not in the baby stages, and worried about our world, bringing one more into this greedy world. One may feel 4 1/2 years of trying... and not being pregnant meant I was not able to be pregnant. My ability was finished, I need to be grateful I carried 2 beautiful children....... and beautiful they are. They are the light of my life. I love hearing their laughter, their discoveries, their delight in life. I enjoy helping them overcome obstacles, helping them help others, and realize the world is bigger than you and I. We are here to help others become who they need to become.
As the paradigm has shifted in my eyes about the size of my family, excitement and awe has filled my life. There is no doubt that this child is a gift from God. A child He has decided needs to be in our family, a child I will get the privilege of rearing and helping and training to be raised to fulfill His plan. I feel honored and very humble at this opportunity to, with my husband, bring another child of God into this world. To discover with this child the abilities, strengths and weaknesses. To help conquer obstacles and be triumphant!
I thought I had a little control over this aspect of my life, but I have come to realize I don't. I am at the mercy of God in this avenue. So through the nausea, messy house, tired days, hormonal, and very uncomfortable months, I get to experience a little miracle in creating life. Cherishing the moments.

Rocking Pancakes!!!

Seriously, i will never by instant pancake mix again. These were so perfect. Better than McDonalds or IHOPS.
This recipe gives you a pancake mix first (instead of Bisquick) as a bulk amount then you can pull from this when ever you want to make pancakes adding 2 eggs, butter and buttermilk. (I never use buttermilk, I use regular milk putting reg white vinegar to curdle it a little, it works great!)
Very easy!!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/instant-pancake-mix-recipe/index.html

Tagged, you may be next

Tagged by Kate. 8's

8 TV Shows or Movies I watch regularly

1. Wedding Singer-- Max and I love to relive the 80's

2. Pretty Woman- Love Julia Roberts

3. My Fair Lady

4. The Bourne Trilogy

5. The Biggest Loser

6. Days of our Lives-- I know, I know!!!

7. CSI- Las Vegas -I still enjoy the science

8. Lord of the Rings Trilogy

8 Things that happened yesterday.

1. I woke up with Chloe next to my side

2. Alta got ready very well for school, right up out of bed, dressed before I can say a word. Great job Alta.

3. Chloe did her piano practice with out complaining

4. I went to the bank.

5. I found a very fun kids learning store. They even have Madame Alexander Dolls. This matters because growing up we collected these dolls. They had the whole Wizard of Oz collection. Very nice.

6. I took Alta to a Dr.'s appt. She has lost 2 more pounds.. Dr isn't worried. I need to make sure she is eating healthier.

7. I talked to Lauren, Michelle & Tammy on the phone.

8. I did dishes. Whoooo hooo.

8 Favorite places to EAT

1. Piatto Novo in Cuyahoga Falls, Sheridan Suites Inn

2. Melting Pot

3. Cheesecake Factory

4. Quiznos

5. Chipotle

6. Olive Gardens

7. My Mom Dinners

8. Home

8 things I am looking forward to

1. warmer days

2. Our 10th anniversary

3. New car/ van/ SUV.. we cannot decide, but we need one pretty soon

4. Being Out of Debt, we haven't used a a credit card in 5 years.

5. Being at a healthy weight, you wouldn't know it by my favorite places to eat.

6. Playing the piano with out make mistakes or nervous in front of other people.

7. I am with Kate on this one, The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

8. Having all my needs met.

8 Things on my wish list

1. To be warm, I am freezing right now. I need a blanket

2. For my dishes to be done. I get tired of doing the dishes, I did them yesterday and it keeps needing to be done.

3. For Alta to not grump at me when I am helping her with school work. It makes me a little crazy.

4. A new kitchen

5. To be on a game show, I love Family Feud

6. Max to get a promotion, but I am just extremely grateful my hubby has a good job at this time of recession.

7. Someone to organize my basement, so I don't have to.

8. To go on a cruise with my hubby to a warm exotic place.

8 People I tag.. lucky you..I would love to ready your responses

1. Katrina

2. Amy F.

3. Mom

4. Phyllis

5. Mimi

6. Vicki

7. Nikki

8. Amy M.

Max is 39 Today!!!

To my husband. I am truly amazed at how much I love this man. He is a very kind and thoughtful person. I am so grateful for his willingness to put up with me. He is a guy who has an intense devotional love for his family. He has grown so much since I have met him. My husband is quiet and usually deep in thought or sleep. He loves to make people smile and laugh. He makes funny faces, and has a noise for everything. He can answer any music question regarding Rock and roll. If you want to know a word or artist to a song, he is your guy. We always play name that song or artist on 80's night. (He always wins, even on the one hit wonders) He loves space, and stars and rockets stuff, NASA is the perfect job for him. He loves being a part of such a fantastic program. He works on their budget and database. He is an amazing computer geek. He can fix, find, create almost any program. His favorite pass time would be with his family hanging out, or working on a project. He can be intense, but it just makes him that much more of a softy afterwards. He is a faith filled man who loves and worships Jesus Christ. He desires to continually increase his relationship with his Heavenly Father and knows it is searching through prayer he can discover the mysteries and truths of this Universe.

I made him a rocken current birthday cake, cuz cup cakes are so in....

Here is Max's Birthday interview:

If you could have one super-power, what would it be? Super Speedy, so I can get my work done quickly.

What was the last chore you did? Laundry (that is his only inside chore)

What is your favorite song? "Panama" by Van Halen, & "Pride and Joy" by Stevie Ray Vaughn

What do you like to eat for lunch?Quizno's Chicken Carbanera
What's the nicest thing you've done for someone in your family? I guess moved out of my mom and dads house. Special date for my wife... gave her flowers at work and a special dinner. (I love those niceys)
What makes you mad? Child Abuse

Where would you like to go on vacation next year? To Disney World w/ children
Who's the smartest person in your family? My wife- Absolutely! (I did not tell him to say this)
How are you like Mom? I am a people pleaser
What's one thing that Mom always says to you? "How are those girls?"

What's one thing that Dad always says to you? "Catfish"
What's one thing that you and your Dad do together that you'll always remember? deer hunting
If you had a million dollars, what's the first thing you'd buy? New house
How do you know that Mommy and Daddy love you? I just do.
What's your favorite breakfast food? Sausage McMuffin

What's your favorite TV show? M.A.S.H.

What's your favorite vegetable? Corn

What toy would you never give away? Wii Game Console

What's your favorite game? Fishing Frenzy Wii game
What's your favorite book? The Book of Mormon

What food would you eat every day if you could? I like Cheese
If you could choose a different name, what would it be? Keep Max, I love my name.
How do you like to wear your hair? Very short, but my wife doesn't like it.
What's the scariest thing you've ever done? Flew to D.C. to meet a girl from online... that would me by wife.

If you could eat at any restaurant for the rest of your life, where would it be? T.G.I.Fridays, or Ruby Tuesday
What is your favorite candy bar? Skittles is that a candy bar?

What's your nickname? Dic Dic (his sister), DD (his children), Mad Max (His H. S Friends)

What do you and your sister fight about? Can't remember the reasons, just that we did.

What's under your bed? Dust Bunnies
What's your favorite holiday? Christmas or Easter, (I thought it would be Halloween.)

What's the best present you ever got?Red white and blue Bike with a banana seat. at 8 y.o.

Insight

I got this list from sister in law, Mimi's blog. I thought it gave some insight into who she is and want to do the same.

I live for peace

I work in mouths

I talk to myself

I wish on eyelashes

I enjoy a clean home and happy children.

I look for the silver lining most of the time.

I smell clean clothes

I hide my imperfections (probably just from myself)

I pray for forgiveness

I walk on sore feet

I sing very loud and off tune in my car with the stereo turned up.

I can do what I set my mind to do

I watch people.

I yearn to give my children all that they need.

I daydream about being financially set.

I want to live a righteous life

I cry when my hubby cries.

I read the ticker tape on the news

I love Max and cooking good food.

I wonder what the future holds for our country

I touch people when I talk to them, usually on the arm or shoulder

I hurt when I hear of children being abused

I fear God

I hope to someday fit into a size 10

I break an egg with one hand

I eat beef tongue

I quit when I am done.

I bathe my dog

I drink my soup

I save coupons

I hug people when they are feeling sad

I miss my college friends

I forgive quickly

I learned never to cook bacon naked

I have a warm home

I don't have cool cars

I kiss my children on the bridge of their noses.

Snow bunnies

Yes we are getting hit with lots of snow!!! It looks like 8 inches, by our ruler, and it is still snowing. We are in our warm home, playing the Wii, computer and watching movies. The girls decided to play in the snow... cute kids if I do say so my self.

Chloe found out that she can roll

down our front steps.

They loved the hot cocoa with whipped cream and marshmallows that greeted them when they were ready to come in.

Christmas Catch up!

I know it has been a while and lots of fun things have passed, so I will catch up as much as possible.

My Mom and Dad have returned home from their Cambodia mission. We enjoyed the early morning airport scene. They had a nice open house and enjoyed hearing about their experiences.

One Christmas gift was seeing Disney on Ice: The girls loved it!!!

They also enjoyed Santa's work shop:

We spent a lot of time with family this Festive Season, but forgot my camera for most of it. Besides sharing the flu with many, it was truly a wonderful way to celebrate the Birth of Christ.

I Love This Season

Things I am thankful for:
a great family
a loving husband
a warm home
The Gospel Of Jesus Christ
Scriptures
my husband having a job
a new school that helps Alta realize her potential
the spirit of Christmas
good friends
repentance
forgiveness
sweaters
my parents staying safe
my sister returning from Egypt safely
pre- lite Christmas trees
food, specially turkey dinners
chocolate
good advice
Life Lessons
cars

Things I look forward to:
Decorating our home with Christmas fun
Baking Christmas Wreaths
Decorating Christmas cookies
Christmas music
Cinnamon/ orange potpourri on the stove
Christmas pictures
Buying the perfect gifts
Wrapping and decorating these perfect gifts
writing a Christmas card-- hopefully sending them out
Greeting my parents after 18 months of having them in Cambodia
driving around and looking at Christmas lights
Searching for Santas
Teaching Chloe how to read
Kissing Max under the mistletoe
Teaching my children it is better to give than to receive
reading the Christmas story on Christmas eve