uncompleted house tour….Girls Room

As I have been thinking about leaving our home in Arkansas and venturing to our new home in Pennsylvania, I realized that I never finished our House Tour.  Although we don’t live in our house in Arkansas any longer, I still want to have our house documented.

I want to make sure that I have memories of each room of that house.

I love that house.  I miss that house.

I also love love love my girls room.

When I picked the colors for my girls room, I hadn’t planned on picking green and pink.  However, I was given baby bedding for Tess from a friend and it just so happened to be in these colors.  I am a girl who loves FREE stuff.  I especially love CUTE FREE stuff.  I took those colors and ran with them.  Tess is no longer in her crib, but I still use that bedding.  You can see the quilt on her bed. It also helped me pick the most beautiful shade of green for the walls.

I had a lot of fun putting this room together.  In doing so, I kept Stella’s bedding.  She has a beautiful quilt in creamy whites and tans.  I love it because it is so neutral.  I was able to tie it all in by adding pillows in the pink and green shades.

I wanted each girl to have their monogram above their bed. I ordered them online from a vinyl company.  That company just so happens to be out of business now.

I made this fun flower mobile to go above Stella’s. 

When Tess out grew her crib, we bought her the most adorable pink toddler bed.

…and then Santa brought her a cute pink kitchen to match.

I found this white desk at a flea market for $30.

 

It already had glass knobs on it, and they fit the room perfectly.

I also found the milk glass lamps at the flea market for just $16 for both.  I had stumbled upon these shades at the dollar general; weird, I know.

The girls dresser in the room was mine as a young girl.  My great grandfather made it.  It has been painted several times.

…and it has been painted once again.  After these pictures were taken, and right before we moved; I found this new dresser for the girls.

The other dresser in the girls room was then painted black(like days before we moved out of our house; I know I am nuts) and I put it in the boy’s room.  Their dresser was falling apart, and I was looking to replace it before the move.

The new dressers will be the ones to go in their new rooms in Pennsylvania.

The details in the girls room are some of my favorite.

I added some antique pins to pillows, and glass knobs to hang frames.

I also used them to tie back the curtains.

Curtains that I made out of a flat white sheet.

I added some green pom pom trim to some of the pillows and blankets.

Pillows and blankets that I made out of a pink chenille robe that I found at a flea market.  It is so fun to think outside of the box when searching for the perfect fabric or textile for the room.  It is also fun to add monogramed pillowcases to beds.  Pillowcases are also so easy to make.

As I think about all these details and pieces of furniture I am aware that this room will not be able to go back together the same way in our new home.  The bedrooms in our new home are so small.  I will be rearranging everything to make it fit.

My head has been spinning as I have been thinking about how I will put it all together. 

Our closets are also so much smaller.  I will not be able to put all of this in the girls new closets.

We had great closets in our house in AR.

I am thankful that I documented how our home looked for the last four years.

Even though we will take all of the same items to our new home, I assume that it will all go together very differently.

Stay tuned for a house tour of our new house.

Same stuff, but very different house;  furniture and décor in all new locations.

I like to move things around.  You probably noticed that from a few of these pictures of my girls room.  Some of these pictures were taken at different times.

I am already moving things around in my head in our new house.

Thanks for touring my girls old bedroom.

P.S.  I finally updated my photography blog.  I am 10 sessions behind; check it out.

My Happiness…

I haven been thinking a lot about home these last few weeks.

What does home mean to me?

I have been worried about our kids not having a “home” and roots.

…but what is a home really?

We have moved around so much I feel like the kids don’t have any roots.

The day we walked out of our home in Arkansas…. I was heart broken.

I loved that house, and I will miss the memories made there.

It has taken me over a month to come to terms with not having a home.

I felt like someone had fired me from my job the day we left that house. 

My whole life and who I am centers around the home.

I am a stay at home mom.

My home is my office.

After a month of soul searching… I have discovered that not having a home doesn’t mean I can’t be a great mom, and make great meals, and create beautiful things.

I am responsible to create the feelings of warmth and love no matter where we are.

That is my job.

I am back on the map; and ready to be awesome again.

I am feeling more like myself then I have in months. 

I began mourning the move from our home months before it happened.

I will NEVER do that to myself again.

Heavenly Father has taught me many great lessons.

My Happiness does not reside in a beautiful home; it resides in my heart.

After all this soul searching, and putting my happiness back where it belongs; I have realized what matters most.

This last week, I have been trying to make the most of my time with these cute little people.

We are having a great summer. 

I am enjoying the little moments with them, and when I do I realize that they really make me laugh.

I am also treasuring every phone call, and text from my best friend.  He can’t be with me right now.  Oh, how I miss him.

He is working so hard for our family right now. 

Only 1 1/2 weeks left in his four year residency.  I can hardly believe it. 

I am so proud of him and all his hard work the last 4 years.  He is awesome.

We love you Daddy!!

What I have learned?: Sometimes Satan clouds our view so much, we can’t see the great blessings that our right in front of us.

What do I say to that?: “Get out of my way Satan, Heavenly Father has great blessings and responsibilities in store for me.”

I stumbled upon this in my darkest hour.

Elder Busche’s little secrets helped pull me through the dark clouds.

I think everyone who is feeling dark and sad should listen to his words. 

It is six minutes of some of the best advice I have ever heard.

His words, along with Heavenly Father’s love helped put my happiness back in my heart.

I am thankful for the reminder that love is not in things; it is in people.

Speaking of home and things….

Jonathan found us a really fun home in Pennsylvania. 

We will only be there for a year; so it is a rental.

Boy, oh boy was that a process.

It was so hard to find something to fit our family, in the right location, and at the right price.

Once again, Heavenly Father blessed our path.

I have been enjoying looking  at pinterest and thinking of some fun new ideas for our new house.

Here are a few spaces that inspire me:

Can you tell that I am excited about our new playroom? We will have space for one in our new home.

Color makes me happy.

Even though I don’t have a home, I can find happiness in just looking at pretty things.

Speaking of pretty things, I have enjoyed going to the parade of homes with my mom and sisters.

The parade of homes is full of pretty things.

In the past, I would have been depressed that I don’ t have my own home.

Instead, I went with the intent to just enjoy the time with my mom and sisters.

We had so much fun, and laughed the whole time.

There was one moment that I thought, man I miss these girls and just hanging out with them.

We were all inspired by several of the houses.

There is one house in particular that I just fell in love with. 

I took a lot of pictures.

I even dreamt about that house one night while I was sleeping.

When I woke up, this thought came to my mind:

“I love pretty spaces, and I love pretty homes.  I am so blessed to have pretty people in my life; an awesome husband, fun family, and amazing children to spend my days with.  A pretty home to share with them is just icing on the cake, but not where my happiness lies.”

This is all a good reminder that happiness is in living life, and just enjoying it.

Happiness is not in what we own.

I know I will have a house again soon.

I also know that I enjoy being home with a routine.

I enjoy creating in my home, making meals in my home, and spending time with my family at home.

I enjoy making my home beautiful.

I am also grateful that I found where true happiness lies, before we move into a our new home.

That way I can be happy no matter my circumstance.

Oh my goodness…. I am blogging.

After a month, I am finally reconnecting with my blog.  It has been a crazy month.  One of the craziest I have ever had.  In fact, it really has been a crazy year.  I have so much to say, and so much to share.  In fact, part of the reason I haven’t gotten to this sooner is that I really don’t know where to begin.  Today, I decided I would buckle down and share a little bit of what we have been up too.  Once I get that done, I will feel more like sharing my real thoughts and feelings about our life over the last few months and weeks. 

So… what has been up with us?

First of all, we sold our home.  As you may recall, it sold quickly.  We have spent many months preparing for our move.

To give you the short story, Jonathan is starting a new job in Pennsylvania in July.  He has to finish up his job in Arkansas and is under contract to do so until June 30th.  We had to be out of our home by May 13th.  The kids still had school until May 24th.  The dynamic of the situation posed just a few problems for us.  Among the move, life still went on.  We still had school, work, activities, vacations, and time to spend with friends.

This is what we have been up to:

The months of April and May, were full of lots of school activities.  Each child had a field trip; Jex had two.

There are so many of our activities that don’t even have pictures because I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind.

 

I did however take pictures of Jex’s field trip to the crystal mines.  I enjoy going on the kids field trips.  I haven’t missed one yet, and I don’t intend to.  It’s the little things that make kid’s feel special.  Even though going during this crazy time in our life seemed stressful, I wouldn’t change those memories. I may forget to bring my camera along, but I wouldn’t miss being with them. 

Jex played a lot of ball.  I don’t have many pictures, but I do have lots of memories.

Jonathan and I went on a trip to the island of Saba.  The island that we grew to love as it was our home for two years.  It was the best week ever.  The timing was perfect as it allowed Jonathan and I to enjoy one another and forget the move.

My parents came to take care of the kids.  The kids had a great time, and I can’t thank my parents enough.

I can’t wait to share our trip with you.  Until then, a sneak peak of the beauty of Saba.

While we were gone, Stella had her dance recital.  I was so sad to miss it, but I love that my parents could be a part of it.  I don’t have any pictures as of yet, but I have friends who have some for me.  (Marji and Pam, I need those pictures… hee hee.)

Once we got home, we kicked it in to full gear.  We had to be out of our house in just six days.

We are so grateful to our friends who helped us load and unload the moving truck.

Once, it was all loaded, we unloaded it all in my friend Lindsey’s garage.  She is awesome.  She let us stay with her for two weeks while the kids finished school, and is housing all our crap in her garage until we can move it to Pennsylvania.

We had a great time living with Lindsey.  This is me and Lindsey getting ready to go out with some of my girlfriends.  Behind us is her cute house that she welcomed our family in for two weeks.  What a wonderful person who welcomes six people in her home.  She is a great example to me of kindness.

We spent the next two weeks at Lindsey’s wrapping up the school year, and laughing with one another.  Lindsey is a kindergarten teacher at the school our kids go to.

The kids each received awards.

We enjoyed their field day.

I took them pizza for their last day at school. 

It was really hard to say goodbye to teachers and people who have made an influence on our kids over the last four years.  Bye Davis Elementary…. We love you and miss you.

We also had such a hard time saying goodbye to Jex’s baseball team.  Jex loves those boys and his coaches.  We love the parents, and our kids love the siblings who come to watch.  My friend Randy took some nice pictures of Jex at his last game because once again my brain was not in picture mode.  I am hoping to get those from her soon.

We did go to lake Catherine with some of our baseball friends and spent the most wonderful day.  One of those days that will go down in Arkansas History for me.

Jonathan gets husband of the year award as he went all out for Mothers Day, and our anniversary which all happened while we were living with Lindsey. It would have been so easy to let them slide with all that we had going on.  He still made time to acknowledge both.  He is awesome.  13 years with the most wonderful man.  I couldn’t be happier or more in love.

My Mother’s Day lilies.  This picture was taken with my Iphone so it doesn’t do them justice. They were so beautiful.

We enjoyed some great evenings out with friends, and said our goodbyes.  I will miss you all.

On Memorial Day, we made the journey to Utah.  I came alone with the kids, so that we had somewhere to live.  Jonathan stayed behind to finish work.  He is living with his friend Brady.  Thank you Bradford’s for welcoming my hubby.

We have been here a week now.  I am beginning to feel settled.  I am feeling less anxious and worried about all we have going.  I am enjoying being in the home I grew up in.  It helps me feel like I am “home.”  While a home is something that I don’t have. It is so nice to be home with my mom.  I am grateful that she still loves me enough to let me come back to my old bedroom.

We have spent a lot of time with family.  All the cousins on the Swenson’s side enjoyed spending the day together. 

taken with my iphone.

The kids have loved being with their cousins.  I think it has helped them with their feelings about leaving Arkansas.

I have enjoyed hanging out with my family, and Jonathan’s family.

 

taken with my iphone

I have enjoyed just chilling at the park, or sitting around catching up.

Although I haven’t had a minute to breath as of yet, I am feeling better.

I got to help my mom redecorate her office.  Here is a sneak peak.  We are not quite done; but I love the way it is coming together.

I have also been busy editing pictures from the last few weeks in Arkansas.  I had several photo shoots.  Here is a little peak for those clients.

Speaking of photography; I am so far behind on sharing my photography on my website.  I promise to catch up soon; so stay tuned for some awesome shots.

As for our future, I plan to leave Utah sometime in July to meet Jonathan in Pennsylvania. 

Jonathan will load up the truck once again, and drive with his dad to our new place in Pennsylvania at the end of June.  He will start his new job the beginning of July.

Speaking of new place, that is one more added stress.  We had a home to rent all lined up.  That recently fell through as the family is no longer moving.  Jonathan is now on the hunt to find us something new.  We will only be there a year, so it shouldn’t be a big deal to find a rental.  I totally trust him, and know he will do well for our family.

After Pennsylvania, I just don’t know.  We have lots of dreams for our family, and I am sure we will try to make as many as we can come true.

However, a lesson I learned long ago; my plans are not always what God has planned for us. 

I just hope he is listening to my prayers and takes some of those thoughts in to consideration. 

Thanks to everyone who has helped us in this crazy time. 

We are truly blessed.