The Cutest 25 Cents I Ever Spent

This is me trying to take a picture of Nya in the little green boots as she tries to take the camera from me

This is Nya having a tantrum and running away because I would not let her have the camera

When Noelle was a year old and starting to walk I wanted to get her some little shoes that were just for going outside to play, so I did not want to spend alot of money or even get something I really liked because then I would feel a desire to keep them clean, defeating the whole purpose. Back then Darren and I lived in Darren's parents basement suite and we loved to go to garage sales as we were poor. When I say poor I mean that we did not own a house or have a lot to our names, but we had everything that we needed - we were happy! One Saturday while we were out with our little 1 year old, in our little Honda Civic, with my little pregnant belly (Bergen) we can across some little green boots. They were the smallest rubber boots that I had ever seen, they fit Noelle perfectly and they cost 25 cents. Sold! Those little green boots have been through Noelle, Bergen, Emma and Tate and now it is Nya's turn. When I look back on the early days of our married life I am filled with absolute joy as I remember those simplistic times - the fresh new beginning of a family. I would not trade those poor, apartment living days for anything. Now that we have a house and the children and everything else we imagined for ourselves (not only material) I am not a happier person because of it. Grateful, yes, very. Happier - no. I am in the place that I imagined myself being, almost exactly, over a decade ago. Only now that I am here can I look back and see what we had - everything and nothing all at the same time. I loved being poor, but it's hard to be poor and feed five kids so I also love having everything that we need and most things we want. We have been so blessed, so blessed. With the children in particular. Five gorgeous, amazing kids, healthy and strong and we have been blessed with the means to provide, always, for them. Those little green boots will forever be a tangible reminder of a life that seems almost a lifetime ago, of a simpler time. They will help me remember that sometimes when you have nothing, if you look around you will see that you actually have everything, everything that is important. They will symbolize my dreams of what was ahead of us as we planned out our lives together and what is now behind me, sweet memories to cherish. When I am old and grey and I look back upon my life I will always remember my little babies in those little green boots and smile! They are truly the best 25 cents that I ever spent.

Socks Aren't Just For Your Feet

It was Emma's 7th birthday yesterday. Noelle and I made her a pair of sock monkey's. Emma had been admiring Noelle's sock monkey that she made with a pair of socks and instructions that she received for her birthday back in January from a friend. They are the cutest things! Emma loves them and Noelle gave her sister something homemade and heart felt!

Bathroom Re-do

When we moved into this house I thought that it was very nice, but it was never really mine. Slowly, room by room, we are making it ours. In the process of doing the boys room (which is soon to be completed) I got inspired and decided to re-do the kids bathroom. Warning: For those color loving friends of mine out there you will probably not like it very much, but I really do like the way it turned out. I love all white bathrooms, but I have never been brave enough to do it, thinking that it would be too boring. Changing the cupboards and the counter was not an option right now, so we just worked with what we had and some day we will change those things, but for now and especially since it is the kids bathroom, this will do. We have a couple of little things left to do like changing the light fixture and figuring out how to finish the mirror frame that Darren made for the mirror that was already there. I had an idea but after it was made I liked the way it looked so much that I think I changed my mind about what I was going to do. Now I think I will leave it natural and just protect it somehow, or I will end up finishing it and spray the picture frames a dark color, I don't know, we'll see. It was a cheap, fast fix up but for a can of paint, $20 dollars in wood and trim, a few hours and a willing husband I think it turned out pretty good.

before

after