Firefighter Lamp

As most of you know, Brandon is a firefighter and when we found out we were having a little boy (Lucas) it was an unspoken agreement that his room would be firefighter themed.  I have one talented husband let me tell ya.  He had this old extinguisher in the house (in his office which is now Luke's room to be exact) and he decided he needed to do something more with it.  He made it into this lamp and it is now one of my favorite pieces in the house.  

 

I love to think that one day Lucas will be bringing this lamp to his very own home.  Specially made for him from his Dad. 

A Life Motto

About 3 years ago when I decided to go back to school, I was a little nervous.  I felt as if the journey I was about to embark on was maybe just a little crazy.  Even for me.  I reached out to the person that always seems to have the best advice on ..well everything.  My Dad.  My Dad is probably the smartest person I have ever met.  He's really lived his life and has a way of putting things into perspective for me.  

I reached out to him via e-mail.  With him living in England, the time difference can sometimes get the best of us.  I had asked him if what I wanted was to far fetched, if it was unattainable and just a dream that I should keep as just a dream.  His reply to me hit home - it made complete sense, not just for school, but for everything.  It became my life's motto.  Thank you, Dad - sometimes words can change someone's life. 

That very day I wrote my Dad's quote inside my binder.  Every day that I opened it I was reminded.  That reminder got me through some tough days.  I'm still on the journey with college.  It might be a very long time until I'm done, but at least I can say that there will be a day that I will finish. 

Brand New (old) Table

The Husband has been busy today! I've always wanted a pub table in the eat-in portion of our kitchen, but I didn't want to part with our oak round pedestal table because 1. it was our first kitchen table and 2. we received from a very special relative that is no longer with us.  I'm kind of sentimental in that way.  The Husband calls it hoarding - I call it .... well I don't call it hoarding! 

ANYWAYS - He took on the project this morning of turning the table into a pub table and he did an ahmayzingggg job.  I'm lovin everything about it. 

Now, I'm going to walk you through step by step on how this fantastic idea is played out. 

1.  First step is to unbolt the table top from the base and measure the diameter of the base. 

2. Then you decide how tall you want your pub table to be.  We went 6 inches taller and with that we can accommodate 24-26in countertop stools for seating

3.  Ok, in order to add the height, you're going to need some wood. :)  The Husband used untreated pine that he bought at Home Depot for approx $11.  He bought a 2x10x8ft piece.  He didn't use it all - but that just means he can save the rest for another project!  He also had Home Depot cut it into 10 in pieces.  

4.  Trace the top of the base on to one of 10 in pieces of wood.  Repeat this 4 times in order to add 6 inches onto your table.  Then use a jigsaw (one of my favorite tools ) to cut out the piece that you traced.  Do this for all 4 pieces.  

5. After you have your four cut outs, you then screw each piece separately onto the base.  Use an inch and 5/8ths deck screw.  Use four per cutout.  Remember when you are screwing on each piece separately to offset your screws. 

6. After you have all four pieces secured it's time to get your sanding on.  Use your sander to smooth out the edges.  

7. Time to Paint! Paint or stain it the same color as your base.  We decided to paint the table with two colors.  The base color is black and the table top is a vintage red.  We used normal wall paint, but we sealed it with a semi-gloss clear lacquer. 

8. Final Step!  After your paint and seal is dry the last step is to pre-drill and use 4 inch screws to secure the table top back on the base.

TA-DA! You have a new (old) table! 

Obviously, I typed this up - not The Husband - so if you should have any questions, throw me a comment and I will get him to give you a more technical answer.

Snow Day Part Deux

Snowed some more last night... boys were ready to go this morning.  There was shoveling to be done! As I was taking pictures of my little humans doing hard labor ( I paid accordingly with eggs and toast when they were done ) I received a message from my Dad saying that he was playing in the snow too! Although his version of playing in the snow is quite different. 

Austrian Alps

My Dad is in the Austrian Alps for the weekend skiing.  In my entire life I don't think I have ever heard of my Dad skiing.  I'm concerned for his safety... well I'm more concerned for the safety of all the other skiers around him.  It's true. :)  Have fun Dad! Stay upright! 

Well not as exciting as the Austrian Alps, but the boys did have fun. 

 

These boys - make picture taking easy. 

SNOW!

Snow has FINALLY arrived in our parts of Illinois and Luke was so stinkin excited to get outside. 

Oh, Blue Eyes, My Love

We don't shovel no stinkin driveways! We shovel the front yard, apparently.  

Love, Love, Love that smile. 

Baby Fever

So I'm having a little bit of baby fever.  It's nothing new - been there for at least 2 years.  I'm constantly in negotiations with Brandon about having another baby. Every time I say the word "baby" the man fakes a heart attack to distract me.  I'm thinking that we need to try for a little girl...

See doesn't he look like a guy that would be such a good Daddy to a little girl?

Now don't get me wrong - boy or girl - I'm good either way.  Just need some new little feet around here.  Feel free to drop my husband a line to plead my case.  Majority wins, right?  The man acts like he just met me and has no clue that eventually I always win and get my way. **cue maniac laugh**

Welcome To The Jungle

Last week my little peanut niece, Brooklynn Mae, turned 3.  3?!!? It's hard to believe.

As you can see - not my best look, cut me some slack I was up all night waiting for her to arrive! 

 We went from little peanut to just a little bigger peanut

 

My sister-in-law, Stacy, planned a great 3rd birthday party! It was a jungle theme and she went all out as usual and everybody enjoyed it!  This lady can put a kids party together like no one's business. 

{Ok so I was 3 hours late due to a dodgeball tournament - you will just have to wait for that post to find out what in the world I was doing at a dodgeball tournament}

The decorations were so stinkin cute and yes I am wearing my safari hat as I write this post.  Just ask The Hubs - he told me how huge of a dork I am. 

Love that messy frosting face! 

So my Brookie Mae turned 3 and just keeps getting cuter by the second.  I am one lucky Auntie Mimi.