37 Weeks, Photo by Jonny Edwin
It’s getting down to crunch time! We finished our Childbirth Prep classes a few weeks ago and took a tour of the hospital we plan to deliver at. The nursery is almost put together, the car seat is installed, and the hospital bag is packed. Darin and I are getting excited to meet our little one.
Ever since we moved, I’ve been itching to put together the nursery. We really haven’t purchased much for the baby yet, as we’re on a budget. I think it’s good for me to learn patience. I tend to get overly excited about things and want to see the finished product asap. This will also teach me to save money by looking for deals and waiting for things to go on sale. For example, Target has some really great baby deals in their ad this week! I’ve also perused Craigslist.org and noticed quite a few cribs for sale. Just the other day, I found a nice, vintage, wood high chair for $6. In my opinion, it’s much cuter than a modern, plastic one (but that’s just me)! I’ve also scored a few vintage baby dresses and a pair of Minnetonka baby moccassins at the thrift store! Below is a collection of inspiring things I’ve found on Etsy and around the web.
Images:
-Heather Bailey fabric from Nicey Jane Collection
-Jenny Lind Crib (Walmart, Amazon)
-Plush Owl Pillow by Gingiber
-Vintage sheets sold by OllieBollen
-Finally Safe Art Print by Shirae
2011 was a good year. I have to admit, there were about three miserable months in there (morning sickness – need I say more?), but over all, a good year. I feel very blessed. God has given me more than I deserve (by far). Not necessarily material things (although I am thankful for those), but the things that mean more — reliable family, a loving husband, my needs met, an amazing church body, friends that I can have real conversations with, and most importantly, saving grace.
2012 is going to be a year of change for me and my husband. As I’ve already announced on here, we are expecting a baby girl in April. We are overjoyed to have the opportunity of raising a child of our own. We also bought our first home in December and are finally all settled in. It really does feel like home. I am anticipating getting the nursery in order and doing other DIY projects. Our house was built in the 1950′s, so there are plenty of cosmetic updates that could be done in the near future.
I’ve struggled with knowing whether to put personal things on this blog. Mainly, wanting to keep things strictly more design/informational than anything else. I don’t know — maybe to be more appealing to EVERYONE. But, honestly, that’s not what makes me who I am. I don’t find my identity only in the arts and crafts and pretty things. I’m a real person, with thoughts and opinions that I want to share without worrying if it is offensive to someone or not. So, with that said, 2012 is going to be the year I start blogging about life, too. Thanks to Bethany for inspiring me to do this. I’ve been thinking about it ever since she posted an honest entry on her blog.
This past weekend was a Baking Extravaganza! On Saturday, I got together with a handful of my close friends and baked up a storm. We each made our favorite recipe — double batches — and at the end of the day, each took a portion of the different varieties home! It’s such a fun way to spend the day with dear ones. And on Sunday, I made more cookies and some Banana Bread with my Mother-in-Law and both Sister-in-laws! Needless to say, I now have quite the supply of sweet treats sitting on my kitchen counter.
In other news, Darin and I are planning for a baby GIRL this Spring. We weren’t sure we were going to announce the baby’s gender since we still felt a bit unsure with the unveiling — mostly because our Ultrasound Technician didn’t seem super confident during the ultrasound. But, I’ve had a few people tell me that when it’s a boy, it’s usually pretty obvious. So, I’m going ahead and telling people, even if my hubby thinks I’m being too confident.
Additionally, we’re closing on our new home in just a few short days! We will be sealing the deal early next week and moving in time for Christmas! I’m so very very excited to finally be a home-owner!
Happy Thanksgiving! In honor of the Holiday, I’ve decided to give away a FREE printable gift tag pack.
Why spend a lot on store bought gift tags when you can print your own? Well, now you don’t have to. Enjoy this freebie and check out more thrifty options in my etsy shop. For only $3, you can purchase the file and print AS MANY as you like, at no extra cost. Love to you all.
Pack includes 6 gift tags (3 “from” and “to” tags, 3 holiday wishes tags).
File includes .ai, .eps, and .pdf versions.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Check out my other PRINTABLE GIFT TAG SETS in my Etsy Shop.
This week is National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child. If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s an operation run by Samaritan’s Purse to provide Christmas gifts to needy children, as well as bring them hope.
I turned in two boxes this week filled with candy, toys, hygiene items and clothing (forgot to take a photo). It was actually a lot of fun going shopping for my gifts. You don’t have to spend a lot of money if you think smart. I got most of my items at Dollar Tree for a buck each. I picked up a few additional items in the Target dollar aisle and made some too. I only spent a total of $25 on two boxes full.
If this tugs at your heart strings, check out OCC on the Samaritan’s Purse website. You can watch Idol Star, Scotty McCreery, give you instructions on how-to fill your box. All the tools and information is right there. But hurry – you only have until the end of the week!
Happy 28th Birthday to my lovely husband.
Darin, I thank God for you. I could not have asked for a better match.
Love these ladies. Better love performed by the women of Eisley.
As you know from a previous post, I’m dying to see this movie. My sister sent me the link to this article. It’s an interesting review of Cary Fukunaga’s movie adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, which hit theaters on March 11th. Have you seen any of the other adapations? What are you thoughts?
Unfortunately, MN theaters aren’t showing it until later, so I have to wait until March 25th to see it. I can’t wait!
Some of you are going to judge me by my country picks and probably stop reading right now. However, I went to the theater to see Country Strong, the movie, and fell in love with the character’s voices. We already knew Gwyneth Paltrow could sing, and some of us already knew Leighton Meester could sing, but did any of us know that Garrett Hedlund (Sam in Tron: Legacy) could sing? Wowser. After seeing the film, I had to get my hands on the soundtrack (both of them, actually). My favorite songs include: “A Little Bit Stronger,” “Give Into Me,” Coming Home,” and “Timing is Everything.”
Even though country isn’t my favorite music genre, I do appreciate quite a few country artists, including Johnny Cash, Neko Case, and the more folky, alt-country types. But, my guilty pleasure is definitely pop country like Rascal Flatts and T. Swift. Taylor has a youthful, nastalgia inducing feel to her music — at least for me. It brings me back to high school and crushes. And I kind of enjoy that. I always have fun guessing which celebrity boyfriend her latest songs are about. But mostly, I just love that I can easily sing along to all of her songs.
I was introduced to the husband-wife duo band, Tennis, only a few weeks ago but have already fallen in love with the soft, surfy, girly, music. It’s simple, but catchy. Easy on the ears. My favorite track is “Seafarer.” Give it a listen and you’ll know why.
I have long heard the name Brandi Carlile, but only recently did I actually give her music a chance. She has such a unique voice, and I love the folky-ness of the music. I had no idea I would love her so much.
