my happy

1. Watching this guy ^ drink out from a straw. I die from the cuteness.  2. Getting bit by the creative bug. Sometimes my creative energy comes and goes, but it really feeds my soul when it's on "high".  3. Morgan trying to put a new paci in his mouth while it's still in the plastic packaging. Again, I die from the cuteness.  4. The possibility of switching to a new shift. Ahh, to be able to sleep at night, every night!  5. Chocolate chip banana bread. Yumm. 6. My new "Happy Herbivore" Cookbook. Thanks, Kayla! 

That's all I've got today. 

Happy Thursday to ya!

xoxo,

Ashley

re-purposed wedding decor

Last week when I shopped my garage I dug out this chalkboard that had been used for our wedding guestbook:

After seeing this huge chalkboard wall-o-quotes in a home tour, I was inspired to hang it in our room with a quote scrawled out on it. But, what to write? Since it was originally used in our wedding, wouldn't it be appropriate to use something from our wedding ceremony? I decided on this line:

"I give you this ring as I sign that I choose you to be my lover, my partner and my best friend to the end of my days. Wear it, think of me, and know that I love you."

yes, my cursive leaves a little something to be desired. maybe, i'll rewrite it... someday.

Who wouldn't want to be greeted daily with that beautiful reminder of your wedding day and the promises made?

  

See that lovely {80's?} dresser in the background? Yea, it's on the to-do list. 

 

This ladder is situated under the chalkboard for now, but I doubt it will stay there. It was another thrifty find that I have yet to find a home/use for. We roughed it up a little the other day when we were painting the bed.  

Next up for this room is revamped bedside tables. I have an idea in my head, here's to hoping it turns out like I imagine. 

xoxo,

Ashley

a boy mom

Reason #10001 why I love being a boy mom...

things like these matchbox cars become a part of your home decor.

...

A few weeks ago I rediscovered this little note about being "a boy mom". I first found it when I was pregnant and could easily identify with that "what will I do with a boy?" moment. Now, 2 years later, I can't imagine life any other way.

...

So you're going to be a boy mom

I know that feeling, that excited but scared shitless feeling when the ultrasound tech tells you they see that extra bit of anatomy. “It’s a boy!” Your heart stops for a moment.

“But what will I do with a BOY?” you think to yourself, never daring to utter the thought out loud because, well, you *are* ultimately happy that it’s healthy… but… but… you don’t know how to raise a BOY.

You’re going to be a Boy Mom, and you’re going to be okay. In fact, you’re going to be great. You’ll love it so much that you’ll never be able to imagine NOT being a Boy Mom. It doesn’t matter that you LOVE being a girl, that you embrace every opportunity you get to dress up, do your makeup, get your nails done. It doesn’t matter that you much prefer shopping for shoes to browsing the sports store. Your love for all things zebra print, pink and soft does not mean you can’t and wont develop a love for “little man” clothes, toy trucks and OshKosh overalls paired with a toothy grin and muddy knees.

Being a Boy Mom means slobbery kisses and hugs that start with a running leap.

Being a Boy Mom means saving hundreds on clothes, even if only to spend that amount or more later in life on ER visits.

Being a Boy Mom means developing a keen eye for bugs and coming to terms with the fact that sometimes they can just be considered an extra helping of protein.

Being a Boy Mom doesn’t mean you won’t continue to be squeemish about things like spiders, it just means your squeels will be entertaining to the boy who taunts you by trying to eat one.

Being a Boy Mom means being the builder of block towers so big they lean and topple, leaving you both in stitches.

Being a Boy Mom means developing a very watchful eye while changing diapers, always on the lookout for that surprise pee stream attack.

Being a Boy Mom means having the pleasure of watching your son learn from his father, and then reminding his father that at a certain age they will start to repeat the F word, even if that F word is shouted at a TV during a sporting event.

Being a Boy Mom means you’ve been given the tremendous opportunity and challenge to raise someone who will grow up to be a respectful, loving and kind man. He may break hearts, but hopefully, with your guidance, he will do so gently, and ultimately he will make some lucky partner very, very happy.

Being a Boy Mom may mean giving up the fantasy of getting your nails done together after a frilly tea party, but it’s replaced by so many fun future memories that you can’t even begin to think up because right now you just don’t know what to do with a boy.

Don’t worry… it will come to you.

{Source}

xoxo,

Ashley

DIY Wall Art

Isn't she pretty? 

Not so much? 

I found this beauty for $2.99 at Goodwill months and months ago. I hated the picture that had been glued onto it, but I saw great potential in the wood underneath. 

It sat in the garage for months and months and even sustained some water damage, as you can see, before I finally decided to bring it inside and do something with it.

First, instead of dealing with the stuck on art, I decided to simply flip it around and move the hanging wire to the other side.

Ta da! Pretty wood shines through.

I outlined what I wanted to paint on it with pencil. Then, I painted my chosen words on with an off white paint. 

we do real. we do i'm sorry. we do love. 

Hung above our freshly painted red bed:

Moral of the story? Don't forget to look for the potential in the hideous art you find in thrift stores. With a little imagination and paint, you can turn it into beautiful, one of a kind art for your home.

xoxo,

Ashley

Easter Sunday

Why yes, my camera was glued to my hand all day, why do you ask?

xoxo,

Ashley

Happy Easter!

We almost forgot to take our kid to sit on the Easter bunny's lap this year.

Whoops.

Luckily, we just so happened to go to the mall yesterday, the last day he she was there {am I the only one that thought the Easter bunny was supposed to be a he?}.

Happy Easter!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

xoxo,

Ashley

red bed

I've been wanting to paint our ugly brass bed for a long, long time. And, I knew from the get go that I wanted to paint it something bold like red or yellow. Maybe that's why it took me so long to get around to actually doing it. I was scared to go so bold. 

But, yesterday I finally bit the bullet. I went to Walmart and bought 2 cans of red spray paint {Krylon Cherry Red}  and within a couple of hours I had the bed in the garage, laid out on a plastic drop cloth, and spray paint in hand. 

Luckily, I had my BFF {yes, I'm 25 and I just used that term} there for moral support. Turns out she has spray painted furniture before so it was great to have her there to give me some tips {and even take aim with the first spray of paint because I was still scared!}. Gotta love a friend that comes for a visit and gets just as excited as me over a spontaneous spray painting adventure!

The bed had to hang out in the garage overnight to make sure it was fully dry, so I woke up this morning like it was Christmas morning. I was so excited to get it back inside and to see what it looked like in the room.

I'm so happy with the way it turned out!

Now I can't wait to whip the rest of the room into shape!

 

xoxo,

Ashley