Family Rules Art

So since I entered the blogging world - I have loved the design blogs that are everywhere. One of my favorites is Perfectly Imperfect. In fact just ordered her ebook as I have a new computer armoire to house my imac upstairs to paint. More to come as I try to tackle one project at a time. 

Anyways I found this amazing family rules chart - I guess was all the rage like last year but nevertheless now my house as one and I love it. Other than D's comment on how it is our family crest. What?

So here is my go on a tutorial...hope you can make one for your fam too.

So I started with my rules - found and downloaded some great fonts from DaFont. Most of them are free and they are amazing. I made them so they would all fit on the size of my canvas - it was just laying around so I made it work. Plus it had to fit in the awesome frame I scored at a garage sale for $1.  So since I didn't photo the process I will try and describe it. I printed the rules on different sheets of scrapbook paper which I had to trim to fit into my computer. Then I cut them out with cute craft scissors - I just bought a 3 pack to make it work. Then I fit them on to my canvas and started modge podging them down. First like glue and stuck the paper down to line them all up and then covered the entire canvas with the modge podge on top x2 for good measure. 

Here are our rules as they may be tough to see (I blame the lighting in our house)

livingston family rules

love Jesus

have a joyful heart

obey mom & dad

speak kindly - be respectful - tell the truth

no complaining- no whining -no bad attitudes

there is no mine - its all God’s

ask for forgiveness - forgive when wronged

be grateful, humble & helpful

encourage one another - share in their joy

be silly - dance - laugh - have fun

be slow to anger, slow to speak & quick to listen

read your bible every day - pray often

jesus first, others second, yourself last

husband:love her. wife:respect him

This is the good stuff. Modge Podge! I learned to love it in college and I always will!

Next was the fun part. So I found the frame at the garage sale and scored some great fabric at Wal-Mart for $1 yd. Now if you sew you know that is crazy cheap. Like better than the clearance cuts. So I took some foam board from Dollar Tree as we frequent the place and cut it to fit the frame as it came backless. Then I took the fabric cut it about 2-3"larger than the foam board and stapled around the edges to cover the board. Put it in the frame and hung it up. Then I took a longer nail and punched it through the foam board into the wall to hang the canvas.  Now I had seen a ton of family rules charts but this one from Perfectly Imperfect was just a little different and I loved it. 

So now we have a new piece of art in our kitchen and I love it. Nothing too original just what the Lord says on our walls in a different way!

Two peas in a pod

If that doesn't say it all...This picture couldn't be a better description of these twos personalities. Shadd -the cautious, pensive thinker and Ellsyn - the energetic, happy thrill seeker.

Yummy Yogurt = I can use a spoon

Camping at Papa & Framas

So last weekend - our kiddos went to camp at papa & framas. Yep. It was their first time so they stayed in the backyard of course. Ells went to sleep early and her and frama slept inside but Shadd & Papa slept all night in the tent. Shadd the next morning said he didn't know if camping was it for him - "it gets pretty cold".  The next day we went down to spend the afternoon and Ross & Em and Blakes were there too. I think Blakely really enjoys all the noise that Ells and Shaddy make. 

Shadd loves to run around with Tank (ross/em's dog). The other night he asked if Tank could spend the night sometime and if he could come to his birthday party. They have become good friends. 

Cousin Blakely - enjoying the noise

Ells doesn't sit still for long

Aunt Em painting Ells toes

Playing in the tent the next day

Sharing strawberry pie with Papa

WANTED

Add caption

D took this photo on his phone - I find it absolutely hilarious. The name tag is from church and well the expression - I guess it's a Livingston thing.

Daylight Donuts

Sunday = Daylight Donuts. We have become a family of some fairly odd traditions. Our kids kind of expect it now so this might be a tough one to drop. What do you think?

Happy Father's Day Dad!

These two just wanted to say...Happy Father's Day  to the best dad in the world. We love you!

Pool Time w/Daddy

So Fridays are great days at our house. Why? Well daddy usually gets home a little earlier so we get to do fun afternoon things with him. Like go to the big pool. Shadd even tried out the slide. Both d and I took him once and lets just say i don't think is really geared toward adults as I scrapped by bum pretty good.

We were only there a couple of hours but they loved the water and the break time - good thing i packed lots of snacks. Then we headed out to one of our favorites for dinner - Pancheros. Shadd even knows where it is when we drive past. He's pretty good at picking out all of our frequent stops - like Fareway, where daddy gets his haircut, Target, etc.

Two = Trouble

Just a new hot spot in the backyard - who would have thought. If only Ells could get up there on her own. Don't get me wrong - this little dare devil tries but the planks are just a little too far apart still. I wouldn't be surprised if one day I turn around and she has gotten up there on her own.

P.S. If you haven't bought a no-spill bubble bucket - I highly recommend it! Its awesome.

The great outdoors

Saturday we got to spend some time at one of our favorite places with some of our friends. It is a real treasure among the state parks. It is called a natural playscape park - pretty much exactly like it sounds and well our kids love it. Who wouldn't love to run around trails, play in the water and sand, throw rocks (yes - even that is allowed) and just enjoy nature. So we love it so much we have been there 3 times in the past couple weeks and I finally remembered my camera.

So we get a little dirty - daddy didn't even want to pick this one up.

there are even bison and elk beyond the fence

solon got soaked to the bone

just splashing with rocks

All in all - a beautiful day at the park. The men golfed prior to meeting us at the playscape, then on to grill a picnic lunch. It was so much fun.

Later we checked out the new bike trail that we have been patiently waiting for since we moved 4 years ago. We believe it may be finally connected to the Neal Smith Trail but with the kids late Saturday night it wasn't the time to explore how far it went. We will have to give it a try on another nice day!

Friday = Garage Sales

So one thing I love about fridays other than my hubby coming home early is garage sales. This morning we went with a friend in her little boy who is 10 weeks younger than Ells. They rode in the double stroller today and we got asked multiple times if they were twins. I should have taken a picture - I would probably have one if I could figure out how to get my phone photos off and onto my computer (crazy mac).

Nonetheless we scored some great finds - one cool picture frame that will hopefully work great for a project I have been working on. Hopefully I'll knock it out this weekend. Of course we scored some great finds for my newest little niece or nephew. Biggest score were some 25 cent (yes) water shoes for shadd which i almost bought him some from target for 8 a couple of days ago. So that was worth it I think. Plus time spent with a great friend - can't think of a better way to spend the morning.

Then we got home, had lunch and baked some muffins. Even had time to play some drums. Oh the things these guys will come up with.

Yes. We own toys. But these two seem to enjoy the kitchen utensils more.

Oh the smallest things bring the greatest joy

So today - I have pure joy! My big guy went #2 on the potty. He was #1 trained in 2 days but this has been quite the battle. I'm not gonna throw away the diapers or anything but it was a step. We rejoiced in the bathroom - the trigger maybe was the thought of getting a fudge bar out of the deal. We have also promised him this package of hotwheels that has been sitting in the bathroom for about 4 months now. Neither of these incentives previously spurned any activity but today was the day!

Wow...they just seem to get things. I don't know why I ever spend time worrying about it. I had come to conclusion that he would get it before kindergarten but well well he showed me!

I am so proud of you, Shaddy! You are so Big!

DIY - Patio Furniture

So I am super cheap and picky and since we have this beautiful, new stamped concrete patio this year. We needed some comfy furniture to adorn it at least what space is left after the grill, pool, slide, water table and multiple cars take their place. So I found this rocker along with a couple of other pieces last year at a garage sale - however derrick broke one of the pieces trying to repair it and my parents were housing the lounger and they decided to toss it. Well i just hope they don't toss a couple of other items they are currently storing for me. Lets just say I didn't come home from Junk Bonanza empty handed last year. 

So I purchased the rocker and 2 other pieces which I no longer have for $15. But can I make some cushions for it! Of course I can. With the encouragement of my mom of course. I am a big self-doubter, but these turned out great. Got the fabric from Joanns half off so about $10 a yard and used some old foam and pillows to stuff. And wala...

Here is my score of a swinging bench - $20 at a sweet little shop in Winterset - Teddy Bear Turnaround. Still need to paint it but I am doing a little research on this new stuff called chalk paint by annie sloan - all the decorating blogs are talking about it. Especially one of my favorites.  Perfectly Imperfect. Oh yes - never and I mean never throw away pillows...at least if you are getting rid of some give them to me. They are the easiest thing to recover out there! 

The long skinny pillow is probably a little long but I guess I just got carried away! 

Lastly - got have some fun flowers. I love gerber daisy and always splurge on some for the deck. Which I should have posted a before and after of that project last year. Lets just say it was a lot of work - not to all never ever paint a deck. The owner before us did and it was the biggest chore ever to get it all sanded to stain but my hubbys the best and he did a terrific job. All in all this backyard is looking better and better. Now if only our storage box could all the toys.

Its a balancing act

Do you ever predict that your child will become something based upon things they are currently doing? Well we do. At least we used to comment that Shadd would go into cleaning, laundry, or lawn care.  Pulled out some old ones to show you his loves!

Now Ells enjoys cleaning too especially the vacuum cleaner. However - I think she will probably be a gymnast who excels at the balance beam. Literally, you lay anything on the floor and instead of avoiding it - she rises to the challenge and tries to go right over it. Or balance on it! Here is the proof!

a book

the wipes case

a piece of foam board

Every time I take her picture she is standing on something. She is a dare devil. I have caught her on the little tikes picnic table on the deck, Shadd's stool, the slide, chairs, etc. She has only been walking for a couple months yet she has great balance going down hills and over rocks - I believe she lives for the thrill of uncharted terrain.

 

Chose JOY today

What a day? Yeah. I know its not even close to over yet. Well I could easily use this whole post to rant regarding internet/cable companies and how I nearly spent 2 days worth of my time to literally stay with what we currently have for about the same price. If only they would have done that for us 3 days ago uh?

Well enough said. So I was having a little pity party for myself when I started to look at my Samaritan Ministries Newsletter (another blog post) but a huge blessing and if you are in need of something terrific for an alternative to health care this is the ticket. And I was taken to Psalm 30 when I read of a man who recently lost his wife to Alzheimers.

 I will exalt you, LORD, 
   for you lifted me out of the depths 
   and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 
² LORD my God, I called to you for help, 
   and you healed me. 

³ You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
   you spared me from going down to the pit.

 ⁴ Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people;
   praise his holy name.
⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment,
   but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
   but rejoicing comes in the morning.

 ⁶ When I felt secure, I said,
   “I will never be shaken.”
⁷ LORD, when you favored me,
   you made my royal mountain^[c] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
   I was dismayed.

 ⁸ To you, LORD, I called;
   to the Lord I cried for mercy:
⁹ “What is gained if I am silenced,
   if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
   Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
¹⁰ Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me;
   LORD, be my help.”

 ¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
   you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
¹² that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
   LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

Its fairly short so I thought I would include it. It just was a great reminder of why I am on this earth. To glorify HIM. Was I glorifying in all my phone conversations?- NO!

Yet this is just a small nothing in this life compared to what I could be battling. Yesterday, my hubby had a headache. Something many of you know we used to deal with quite a bit. For one night it brought me back to a few months prior when I was virtually handicapped after knee surgery and he came home from work with the worst one ever. I just remember calling my brother and watching him do everything for me as I couldn't stand with Ellsyn or anything.  It was a moment where I thought the Lord was going to take my husband. We were trying everything 3 different neurologists, chiropractors, acupuncture (real needles). However, a miracle through a chiropractor minutes from our house has literally saved our lives. I guess I just needed a little perspective adjustment and God usually uses His word to do just that!

So as I am typing this blog - I have chose to restart my day - with JOY! Turning my whining into dancing and asking the Holy Spirit to clothe me with exactly that JOY!