fireplace

When we first moved into our house I wanted to paint the fireplace white. When we got to Lowe's to buy the paint, the paint guy talked me out of it {actually, he bullied me out of it... but that's another story}. Almost a year later I finally did it... and love the results!

before...

after...

sweet graphics (and they're free)

I've been trying to figure out a way to scrapbook for my kids without actually having to buy all the scrapbook supplies and spend hours upon hours putting it together. I just don't have the time... This took me 10 minutes to put together

thanks to this talented lady via Ashley Ann

Good bye dear friend!

Before we bought our home, David and I were fortunate enough to live in an apartment complex owned by the University we graduated from. Everyone there was a recent graduate, newly married, and there were many young families. We liked to think of it as the "married dorms". We'd share stories of marriage & parenthood, and play board games late into the night with our baby monitors lined up in the courtyard. Some of our best friends came from that time in our lives, and now one of these families is moving to Idaho. The Newberys have become some of our closest friends. Emma introduces their son as, "my Brody." We met them at the park today {probably for the last time}, and Kate put her awesome photography skills to work on my girls. We love you guys... and can't wait to visit Idaho!

let's hear it for the boys!

It is so easy to come across DIY's for my girls... anything that turns out pink, shiny, or "fancy" and they are enthralled. But little boys are much more difficult. I stumbled across this one - Genius!

check out the creator at her blog, homemade by jill.

pray

I first read the story of Daisy Love several months back. She's the pastor's daughter at a church up in Santa Barbara. Daisy has a form of cancer called a Wilm's Tumor. Maybe it was Ashlyn's time in the hospital {which in NO way could compare to the gravity of this situation}, but I have felt absolutely compelled to pray for her over the last several days, and ask that you would do the same... and ask any friends who would be willing to as well. God is so big and so great, he is able to do what we couldn't possibly dream.

joy

I've always loved summertime. It's especially nice because my DH gets to spend it with us.

The last few weeks have been rough {we're overhauling our only bathroom}

but the joy of summer is shining through...

{joy is her middle name!}

i adore those baby feet on the deck!

Design Studio

While working on my "extreme makeover" {it's not what you'r thinking} I came across this awesome graphic design studio. Adorable graphics, reasonable prices, perfect for invites, cards, or anything else!

find them all here at Cocoa Studio