Valentine’s Day Tsunami

February 17, 2013 / my3moons / Leave a comment

Well no to be totally boring but O-M-G it was an insane week. I wasn’t home until after 9pm every night which isn’t totally unusual but I think I must have been sidelined a bit with Brad’s injury and not on the go as much. So this week was full of extras…on top of Valentine’s Day prep for Whitney and Russell we had watch week, Ash Wednesday service, final touches for dress rehearsal and the finale was a very fun date night with Brad at the Zach Brown Band concert.

Yes, the Woods went to a country concert! I texted a friend and said “I feel like I’m on the wrong planet but it is fun and friendly.” Then the music started and I loved every second of it! Plus they played our first wedding dance song, Into the Mystic. Zach Brown even rapped! So fun!

Whitney wanted to go out with a bang for her last Valentine Card exchange so she designed a mama-made card. I used some photos from this Summer and some graphics I had from a Heidi Swapp album I made last year…couldn’t find the link online or I’d pass along some props.

Front of Card

Back of card

These were printed 3 x 3 and she taped candy to the front. Pretty cute!

The Dance Team dress rehearsal sent me promptly over the edge on Saturday. We had an 8am call time and Carter had his last basketball game at the same time. I dropped her and her gear and rushed off to make his game then back to the studio after a very heartbreaking loss…By the time rehearsal wrapped up at 2pm Whitney and I were balls of moosh. As soon as we were home we were passed out and napping the second our heads hit the pillow. Thankfully I had nothing on the books Saturday night, I enjoyed a snuggly night with my3moons watching the KU game while Brad watched it live in Lawrence. I needed that down time and so did my babies.

I’ve been contemplating what I’m giving up for Lent. I think I decided on chips and dip, fries and sweets. It will be hard but I need that one extra step toward healthy choices.

Pinning these!

January 31, 2013January 31, 2013 / my3moons / Leave a comment

I’ve been noticing really cool lighting lately. I know that is totally a trend but I find myself snapping iphone pictures often in restaurants. I think I might need to try out a lighting project soon! At lunch today I snapped this picture of our chandelier made out of wine bottles. I’m not a big wine drinker but my husband IS a big craft beer fan. They come in really cool bottles with cool names and labels. Plus my boss also is a fan so I’d have an abundance of bottles to use. I’ve already seen the Pinterest link for cutting glass bottles so I’ve got that under control. The handy guys in my life could help with the electronics of it. Now to find some sort of interesting wood.

Wine Bottle chandelier, I want to make this!

A recent Before/After that is for sale at Bella Patina in the West Bottoms https://www.facebook.com/BellaPatina is this lovely mid-century modern dresser. She was cast aside outside an apartment building. She smelled really smokey so I took all of the drawers out and fabreezed them and let them air out for a month…while I procrastinated on painting her. This was my first time painting wood veneer. My husband replaced one side that was peeling and damaged and fixed the front leg. I almost had a serious craft disaster when I couldn’t find one of the pulls…after a quick prayer to St. Anthony I opened the top drawer and there it was. PHEW!

BEFORE

After–see the turquoise peaking through.

That cute little rocker was also found on the side of the road. It is probably about 90 years old…she looks pretty good for being that old. I painted her turquoise and added a fun cushion with lots of color. I can see her on someone’s sun porch and even though she is sturdy she’s just so cute for a POP of color!

At Bella with her awesome mirror!

I love befores and afters so I’ll try to be good and post these as I go. I’m not sure I totally succeeded in the peak-a-boo turquoise and would work better on real wood. I painted turquoise here and there first then painted the whole thing the dark grey. I make my own chalk paint by adding plaster of paris. I don’t use a recipe…when I paint or cook so I just eyeball it. I spray painted all of the hardware with a bronzed nickel. I love how the drawers vary in depth but look like they are all the same.

Happy Crafting!

Are we there yet?

January 25, 2013January 25, 2013 / my3moons / Leave a comment

This week was funky. Just when I think I’ve settled into my role as house master and nurse to my injured hubby I had a complete and total meltdown. My precious little niece was murdered 4 years ago last Thanksgiving. It was complete and total devastation that sent my family into a tailspin. I was lost in a dark hole for a few years and yesterday, on Brooklyn’s birthday I had the opportunity to think about how far I’ve come. I look at this picture and remember how I felt that day. It was October 17, 2008. We caught up to my brother and Brooklyn at my dad and stepmom’s house. I had tears in my eyes looking at B, I knew her fate, my parents divorced when I was 2 which led to a not so fabulous childhood. She crawled to me and reached up for me to hold her. My precious first niece, giving me the awesome title of AUNT! I only saw her a few times because my brother was stationed at 29 Palms and before their split there wasn’t a lot of opportunity to see them. This angel baby was only 10 months old when she was taken from us. Seriously tragic. BUT, she is in heaven and not in pain or fear or trouble.

Two days after Brooklyn passed away, a dear angel ascended to heaven right behind her, Stephanie Vest http://www.stephanievest.com. She was the most amazing example of a Christian, mother and friend a person could ever know. I was an acquaintance and neighbor but had the good fortune to see her before she left for the Mayo clinic. I took her cozy pjs, trashy magazines and my favorite meal I make for people who are sick or just had a baby, stuffed shells http://allrecipes.com/recipe/stuffed-shells-iii. She called and left a message on my answering machine that night saying how much she loved those shells and had to eat them that night and ditch the other meal she had fed the kids. I think about that every single time I make them and am thankful for the gift of knowing she savored that meal. It was one of her last because she fought a brutal battle for 14 weeks at the Mayo clinic that certainly didn’t include much real food. Stephanie left behind a 3 month old baby girl she had prayed so hard for, a pre-school aged son and 2nd grader. The year between that week and the following exact week the next year was a total blur of darkness. I was not myself I think I pretty much blacked out. Thanksgiving 2009 my dad’s heart literally broke in half over losing Brooklyn, we buried him a year to the day of Brooklyn’s funeral…12/5/09.

This is how I picture them in heaven. Napping, at peace.

One of the last times I saw him. He was ready.

Me, dad, my little brother Kyle and my little sister Jessica at my wedding rehearsal dinner.

Dad, me and Jessica at Kyle and Kasey’s wedding. We were so happy, Russell was an infant, Kyle was home and we were celebrating.

So when I let myself go back and remember that time I see a dedicated path back to my current self, my current life. It was a battle, it still is a battle, life is something we have to work at. You can’t just live on autopilot. You can’t just medicate yourself and not have feelings…that is coming from a former overly medicated person. It is ok to have meltdowns, seems like I have them weekly now. It is like when people say to let babies cry a little because it is their body releasing stress and communicating. Same with grown ups. Pushing all of that down leads to over-eating, over-drinking, over-spending. This is the lesson I’ve learned from EXTREME heartache. I mean the kind where you can’t feel your body attached to your head. Your heart literally hurts and there is a constant lump in your throat. That is a gift though. How could it be? Well, when you feel exuberance from watching your child dance her heart out or your son make an awesome play or your 1st grader, reading his little heart out…you know how good those moments are and appreciate the heck out of them.

This is why I’m out of that hole, why I love my life, why I thank the Lord everyday for my blessings, for keeping me present and for carrying me in the right direction.

My 3 Moons.

Christmas 2012

and finally…

This is why I adore Russell’s teacher, BSSD Teacher of the Year, Julie Parker. I received this email this morning from her. After an overwhelming week it totally brightened my perspective and also brought tears to my eyes! I love that little man Russell, he is precious!

Dear Mom,
Today I read with Miss Parker. I moved up 4 levels in one month. I am now at a level L. My dad is going to give me a bunch of candy. I am happy.
I love you. Bye. Russell

Doesn’t get better than that people!

A treasure I found on Pinterest. That sweet little bear is the best, thanks Pooh.

Coming up for air

January 21, 2013 / my3moons / Leave a comment

My Whitney had her first of two surgeries on the 2nd day of 2013. All went well, it was rough with her waking up because she was really wiped out and nauseous. But after some crackers and chicken noodle soup she felt so much better!

Peace Out spots!

Surgeon marked her polka dots before surgery

The after shot, it is red from the tape getting pulled off. This little bit that’s left will come off on 3/7/13

The next day we were going about our normal routine and Brad came home from Carter’s basketball practice and could barely get in the door! The next day he found out he had ruptured his Achilles tendon and would have to have surgery the following week. So, Nurse Kim found herself back in a waiting room two Wednesdays in a row. Everyone had their follow ups last week and are on the mend.

Carter also got braces and Russell had a big crash at recess that little almost knocked him out. So all four Woods have needed extra TLC from mama.

OUCH GIANT BUMP!

Then came the GIANT BRUISE!

Me and My Big Boy got some snuggly time.

QT with new braces

I’m hoping the rest of our year can be more normal as we move towards a busy dance season and basketball moving into baseball. I’ve really enjoyed cheering for this year’s basketball team…especially since it is mostly made up of baseball kids and families. So much fun to sit with good friends and cheer for good kids you know better than just the typical thrown together team.

My stud point guard!

Russell is very happy when they win BIG!

My world hasn’t included much of ME in it but that’s ok, I’m doing what I do best which is take care of everyone and make sure we are keeping all of our balls in the air. Bella Pantina continues to be a fun hobby and I look forward to our sale weekends the FIRST weekends of the month! When the weather warms up a bit I’ll be driving everyone crazy with my project crowding up the garage! I’ve also been trying to sell a few costumes here an there to make extra money.

Me being silly and showing off my favorite hair accessory from last year’s dances!

Keeping the faith and my sanity by staying organized and squeezing in fun stuff between the running around like a crazy person. I think it will be a good year even though the first month has been a doozy. It really has been a month we’ve been able to cozy up, my friends have showered us with love by bringing meals and coming to check on Brad while he is stuck on the couch much of the time. WE GOT THIS!

2013 is going to be BIG

January 1, 2013January 1, 2013 / my3moons / Leave a comment

I have had the best Christmas break in years and years! I did a lot of relaxing and although I look around and feel guilt for not being productive I will go back to work feeling bright and shiny!

So every year I have picked a word that embodies what I want my year to be. This year it is going to be BIG! I see a lot of my friends setting out to have a BIG year so I think everyone is really embracing the idea of MAKING a year great! I feel like the work I’ve done on myself, my life, living with purpose, being closer to my Lord, is all paying off. My walls have come down and I am so much more open (my word a few years ago) to great experiences, meaningful relationships, appreciation, treasures in everyday moments. I hope to continue to surround myself with bright, happy, loving people. I kicked off today by clearing out a few negative things that were nagging at me. That felt great! I hope to continue to be present, to be loving, to do all I can for everyone I encounter and to remember how important every second with my children is recorded and cherished so make those moments good ones!

My sweet family

Happy New Year! Make 2013 a wonderful year!

And then we have November

November 5, 2012 / my3moons / Leave a comment

As anticipated October was a total whirlwind further complicated by the addition of two sales, one at Charm and one at Bella Pantina. At least I cleared out my goodies and treasures to make room for more! This is Bella Pantina in the West Bottoms and they are open the first Friday-Sunday of every month. Best way to follow is join their Facebook page.

Halloween was a blast although my big kids were off like a shot so I didn’t get the annual group pic of the three. We are going to re-stage the pic as soon as I can wrangle them and bribe them into doing it for me. We had a super hero them which was pretty darn fun.

SuperFriends

Mom and Carter the *fat* morph suit guy

Thing 1, Bat Girl and Thing 2…my only pic of Whitney before she was off running with the girls.

Bat Girl Posse’

Russell had several friends from school come looking for him. It was cute, he’s a rockstar!

So now we enter the world of Cinderella for the week. Whitney will be performing at the Folly downtown Nov 9 & 10, she has a little part but the production is beautiful. My favorite part of Cinderella so far was taking photos at the tea and hanging out with my favorite horse, Annie and her mama, Carla. I couldn’t get enough of this little horse with a big personality! She greeted the little girls and their moms attending the tea. So cute!

Annie dressed up for Cinderella Tea

And my boy Carter turned 13 on October 25th! Sniff! At least he’s still the sweetest little boy I’ve ever met. He LOVES his mama! Last night he woke me up to say he was scared, I snuggled him in and he was able to go back to sleep. Granted he is as tall as me so it isn’t like a little baby snuggle but still such a genuine connection, I love it!

I conned the kids into doing a 3-kid photoshoot while working at Bella. I didn’t have a current one of them and as you can tell they loved it even though they complained. The serious ones were pretty easy since they were annoyed with me 😉

Silly pic 🙂

Oh Russell loves his sissy! Carter too but they are totally brothers, fighting best friends.

He makes our world go round!

: Too cool for you Mom!

Savor October

October 4, 2012 / my3moons / Leave a comment

I was contemplating why I’m excited for October to be arriving on Monday. Rhonna posted this photo challenge on her facebook and I decided I would commit to doing this. I’ll post my photos on FB and Instagram. If I had my iPhone5 I could do all sorts of crafty things like her…I’ll have to search again for Android editors this weekend.

So why I love October…well the sweetest little boy to walk on this earth was born in October, my oldest son Carter. He is turning 13…holy cow! I also feel like it is the last deep breath before the holiday insanity starts. Halloween is one of my very favorite holidays so I’m excited for all the prep and seeing cutie pies in costumes. Total bummer that Russell is really the only one still totally jazzed about dressing up. Hopefully Carter and Whitney will participate and take him trick or treating. I’m sure he’ll want a new costume despite his closet full of super heroes.

In October we will be ending Russell’s flag football and Carter’s Fall baseball schedule. Hopefully I can get lucky and have a more laid back sports schedule so I can find more time to do all the crafty things I have on my list. On the 3rd Thursday, 10/18 I will be debuting my handpainted/upcycled furniture and knick knacks at the oh-so-darling CHARM so I’m hoping that is loads of fun and maybe even a little profitable.

I need to remember to breath through most of the month because starting on 10/25, Carter’s birthday, I’ll be running around like my hair is on fire. We will be celebrating him, the three kids are out of school for two days, Whitney has her first dance convention 10/26-10/28, I will be working the Madonna show for dance fundraising, final practice for the Cinderella ballet on top of normal dance and then the crescendo…HALLOWEEN! As my favorite blue fish says “just keep swimming.”

Carter Pitching!

Workin’ the red carpet

Russell “the Hustle” showing off at his game

A Diva Birthday party

September 11, 2012 / my3moons / Leave a comment

What do you do for a couple of super divas? Well it is tough but we’ve been celebrating these almost 11 year olds – together – since they were 3 so we have practice. Whitney came up with a fun hollywood/red carpet theme so I’ll figure out what else we are doing but so far I have an invitation done. My email to the dance divas included Star Appearances and paparazzi photoshoot info. Should be fun!

Bama or Bust!

August 30, 2012 / my3moons / Leave a comment

The Banana Cabana is in the background, our beachfront paradise for a week.

In the Fall of 2011 we started brainstorming on where we could take the kids for a beach vacation. My 40th birthday wish was to take them to Isla Mujeres but being in Mexico makes it so expensive to get a family of 5 there and back. So we opted for Gulf Shores, Alabama since we could drive there. Brad and our neighbor Leslie did lots of research and looked at 100s of houses to rent. He found Banana Cabana which was perfect for us and the 3 neighbor families. We ended up taking 18 people, 11 kids and 7 adults. The worst part was driving there and back but I read a lot so at least I felt productive.

We left after work on August 3rd and made it to Middle of Nowhere, Mississippi. We arrived at the Banana the next day, late afternoon, which was just enough time to make dinner, have a quick swim and run off some energy.

We made it!

Here is a picture of all the kids lined up as we headed out for a trip to Orange Beach, 30 minutes away.

It was a very relaxing trip. We had a pool outside our sliding glass door so if it was cloudy or sprinkling the kids could still go out and swim. The ocean was very calm the first few days then a tropical storm stirred it up and made giant waves. Many surfed and played in the waves, I’m a no-salt-water-in-my-eyes kind of girl so I lifeguarded at the pool.

Russell heading out to ride the waves.

Me and my sweet boys

Our favorite dining spot, on the deck by the pool.

Of course I had big plans for photo ops and got SOME but would have liked to take more. It is a trick to catch 3 kids kind of spruced and photo ready all at the same time with the right lighting and avoiding as much wind as possible. If I had known it would get windy I would have taken photos more photos that first day. BUT kids don’t want to cooperate when they are in discovery mode.

Carter-almost 13, Whitney-almost 11 and Russell-just turned 6. Summer 2012

Bye Summer, it has been a hot one but a good one.

Jumping in with both feet and the dream duffle

August 15, 2012August 15, 2012 / my3moons / Leave a comment

HADC kicked off the dance season with their annual Showcase in mid-March. I helped coordinate the video taping, silent auction and raffle prizes for this 4 hour event! Talk about an exhausting Sunday!

The practice was great for the kids and especially for my dancing diva who had 7 dances. She did great but got a little mixed up for a split second in her duo and started doing another dance. It was a good lesson for FOCUS before each dance. This will do wonders for her this year!

Carter is busy with Basketball…on tv and on the court. Russell gets dragged along to all of it.

Here are a few sneak preview pictures from the Showcase