Beginning of Quarantine

There have been lots of changes with Covid-19.

One of the biggest changes was having the kids switch to homeschool.

It wasn't always perfect, but I will admit, I LOVE having them home.

If I wasn't such a big believer in the importance of socialization, I would totally homeschool.

We transformed our basement family room into our new classroom.

Another big change was Lucy.  She used to get me all to herself, and she had a hard time with me spending so much time with the kids.  One day was particularly difficult for her, so we put everything on pause to make cookies.

Another favorite change has been "At Home Church."

I have been amazed at all the miracles that have come from a living prophet and being able to see first hand that President Nelson is a true prophet, seer, and relevator.   I marvel that a year before this pandemic hit, the church started "Home Centered-Church Supported Church" with Come Follow Me.  We had a good year to practice before we we doing it on our own.  Also, having all the boys ordained to the priesthood at the beginning of the year, instead of staggering it, then not having to worry about ordinations while everything was shut down.  I also love the change of not needed to wait a year to be sealed for those married civilly because now the temple is closed, people can still be married, but won't have to put their sealing on hold once the temples reopen. There are countless other miracles, but those are just a few that stood out to me. 

I don't LOVE doing puzzles, but it felt very "quarantine-y."

O

One of the hardest part of quarantine has been the change in funerals.

One of our neighbors died, and the bishopric organized for everyone to stand outside their homes as the family drove to the cemetery.  We loved Brother Pool and we will miss him!

 

The next day, our teachers did a teacher parade so we flipped the sign we made over to make a new sign for the teachers.

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Last year I read "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" by Mari Kondo.  

It was a FABULOUS book!

I went after my house in a hurry and made a lot of changes, and a lot of trips to DI, but I cannot tell you how much better life is when we simplify!  I am not perfect, but it does feel so much better! 

And this is very brave of me to post the before pictures--we were getting a little out of control!

Changes....

Since the day Andrew was born Matt has been asking if they could share a room and get bunk beds.

I tried to discourage it.  I told Matt that if they shared a room that Andrew would mess his things up.

It didn't work.

Luckily for Matt, Darin's brother came to stay with us for a little while.

It was just enough push for Matt to convince me to get the beds.

We took Andrew out of the crib and did the bunk beds.

It has gone REALLY well!

I love that those boys get along so well.

Here is their new room:

On a sad note...

this is the FIRST time in over 7 years that I've put the crib in storage.

When I was pregnant with Matt, I had his bedroom totally set up the week I found out he was a boy.

Since then, we've had to kick Matt out so Lindsay could use the crib.

Then, we kicked Lindsay out so that Andrew could have the crib.

Now, the crib and changing table sit alone in a basement closet.

I hope that one day we will be able to use it again.

Until then...sit tight little crib!

Twenty and Nine

I turned 29 last week.

I feel so thankful to so many friends and family that made it so special!

It really was a WONDERFUL week!

I can’t believe this is my last year in my 20s.

I have less than a year to accomplish my 30 before 30.

I think I’m going to have to make a few changes…

I don’t think Disneyland is going to happen. L

And I REALLY don’t think I am at the skill level to take on Claire de Lune. 

(Sorry Aunt DeeAnna).

28 was GREAT, and I think 29 will be DIVINE!

Improvements

Andrew had his baby blessing this weekend.

Since I knew we were going to have the family over for a luncheon afterwards, 

I've been working in the yard.

I'll admit, I'm not a lover of yard work--unlike my awesome farmer of a husband.

However, I couldn't help but smile over the improvements, and then take a picture.

I went back in my computer files, and found an old picture of our house to compare the two.

Then I REALLY saw the improvements!

 I'm really happy with the changes we've made in our few years here so far.

We've painted the garage door, front door, and light fixtures.

We replaced the ugly orange roof with a black one.

We've added more curbing, a tree, 5 boxwoods, and more flowers.

And slowly, our lawn is improving.

  

Look at the before and after and see if you can tell a difference, I know I can!

BEFORE

AFTER

I am really liking these new pots we added this weekend.

And the new black mat Darin bought be for mother's day.

We transplanted these hostas in the fall and I was worried they wouldn't come up....but they did!

I can't wait for the hostas, flowers, and canis to fill in a little more!

Yay for improvements!! 

Changes!

We've been making a few changes around our house.

We moved Matt down to the basement to make a room for the baby,

Lindsay is now in a big girl bed,
 the nursery is almost ready for baby boy,

and since our room was the only one without a change,

Santa brought us some new bedding! 

Here are some of the before and afters:

Matt's old room/now the nursery:

Before:

After:

Although, I will admit, I'm a little sad we don't get to use the bedding we made for Matt's nursery:

Our bedroom before:

And after:

Lindsay's room before:

And after:

(there are still a few changes coming..like her bed frame that I'm REALLY excited about).

Ch Ch Ch Changes!

For those of you who still read my blog, you get to play a fun little guessing game.
I will give you 5 clues, and you can guess what the big news is!

#1- Matt can get himself a bowl of cereal in the morning.
(Because his mom feels too sick to make him breakfast before 9:00)

#2- Lindsay is about to outgrow her crib.
(But not because she's too big or climbing out).

#3- I keep these next to my bed.
(Just for a little early morning snack).

#4- Next week I will know if I need to rewash the "girl" bins or the "boy" bins.
(Ok, this one should have REALLY given it away).

#5- Something is making my jeans a little more snug.
(And, no, it isn't the Halloween candy).

Any guesses??

On my way to #27

I recently reviewed my 30 before 30 list.  

I made a few changes.  

For one I switched taking a photography class (because they’re way too expensive) 

to milking a cow (I’ve always wanted to, but never have).

I also debated taking off relearning to do a back flip on the trampoline 

because I am never around any trampolines.

Well, last night that changed!  Because WE GOT A TRAMPOLINE!!

Matt LOVES it!  

Lindsay loves it too, as long as Matt doesn't jump too high.

Matt jumped for more than 2 hours, came in, ate dinner, fell asleep at 6:00 and slept for 14 hours! 

Hopefully I’ll get up my courage and learn that backflip before long!

Thank you Wellings!  We LOVE it!!

A few changes around the house

As I mentioned before we have been making a lot of changes around our house. Here are a few of the changes:

We painted our front door, garage, house numbers, and lanterns black, and we also added shutters and cement edging for a second flower bed. Here is our house before:


And here it is after:




Matthew is now in a big boy bed. Here is his room before:



And here is Matt's room now:



We also moved the office from the upstairs to the downstairs so we could have the kids upstairs with us. Here is the office before:



And after:





We also changed our weight room into a spare bedroom for Darin's parents. It will need some more decorating, but here is the change for now. Before:


And the weight room after:


We also got a piano this last month from my "cousin" Julie! We are so grateful to have the piano, and we have LOVED having it! (It also forced us to change the furniture around slightly.) The only problem with the piano is that the laundry, cleaning, etc. gets pushed aside for some piano time! Thanks a million Julie!!







I wish I would have taken a few more pictures before we moved in of our backyard and I wish I would have taken some during the summer! Darin has done an AMAZING job with our yard this summer. I just need to find the before and after pictures!

Oh, and we still have some work to do, but here is a little preview of the nursery! My mom has been awesome! We bought the potterybarn bedding used online and I didn't like the bedskirt that came with it so my mom has been awesome to go with me to choose fabric then make a new skirt, matching table cloth and basket covers! Thanks mama!!





I have also LOVED those vinyl trees online, but can't stand the idea of paying $90+ for one, so I bought my own vinyl and made my own!! I was pretty happy with the way it turned out!