3 Year Reflection

As with most things I'm sure...being a mom and hindsight go hand in hand.  If I knew then what I know now...well let's just say I probably would have done quite a bit different.  Oh I'm not referring to my parenting...although I'm sure that too could have used improvement.  I'm really referring to all the things I would have enjoyed more rather than wish them away. 

With Thomas I was so quick to wish he would crawl...wish he would walk...wish he would talk, mostly because at each of the stages prior I didn't know how I was going to survive.  Well I'm typing this today, so obviously I survived...so much so...I kept having kids.  I would say that I probably did as much wishing when Taylor was little as I did with Thomas, but in the last 3 years things have been WAY different.  I like to think I have this "mom thing" down!!  Don't burst my bubble...there are plenty of times during my week that I burst it myself.  Things in our house are the best they've ever been.  Oh it's chaos...but I like to think of it as controlled and managed chaos. 

I try hard to stop and listen more...really watch my kids.  All the moments that make me want to pull my hair out or grab for a wine glass pale in comparison to the moments that make me smile. 

Where am I going with all this?

Well I'm not sure I'm going anywhere...just sharing my thoughts, but it all stems from watching Tatum celebrating her 3rd birthday! It was so great...and it didn't take a huge party and lots of people to make it great.  A yummy breakfast...a few presents...and a homemade birthday cake was all she needed.  Oh and SPRINKLES!!  I sat back and just watched.  I watched her excitement and I watched the other two help her.  I loved it and I love that they are my kids!! 

Progress Report

Well I am happy to report that our kitchen update is going great!  Last Friday we had new granite counter top installed.  Who knew just upgrading counter tops could greatly improve your kitchen?  OK I'm sure everyone knew, but wow! 

A little PRE-installation pic!!  My hubby, myself and our wonderful neighbor removed all of the old counter tops.

 This picture may not QUITE show you how great they look, but the next one will.

My hubby and I are trying our hand at installing new backsplash!  So what do you think?  It really is a pretty easy DIY!  We have one more wall to finish and grouting, but after this weekend everything should be done except the cabinets.  We are working on getting estimates on having them painted rather than doing them ourselves.  We shall see...

Knee Deep In Projects

We are knee deep in projects around here.  I am seriously spending each morning cleaning to keep ahead of the dust madness.  Doing home improvements while sticking to our normal routine is challenging.  My hubby started a new job (same company...new job)...which is great, but he hasn't been home for dinner in a while.  It definitely makes for long days and lukewarm meals (for him, the rest of us are eating nice hot meals). 

Anyhoo...

I better back up and tell you what started this ball rolling.  In early December our microwave stopped working.  I know big GASP...you don't realize how much you use your microwave until you CAN'T!!  We took advantage of our Home Warranty and got this great idea to take the payout rather than have them fix it...WHY you ask?  Well you may not remember but our kitchen looked like this when we bought it..

All WHITE appliances!! 

Well...we weren't gigantic fans of the white when we moved in, but it was not top priority to change them...haha..nor was it in the budget.

However...when the microwave broke...I suggested that we start looking at NEW appliances!   And so the kitchen makeover began.

We bought all new Frigidaire Smudge-proof stainless steel appliances!  My only deal breaker was the refrigerator...I wanted a french door refrigerator!  Thankfully my hubby agreed!  As a bonus we bought a DOUBLE oven.  It was definitely not part of the original plan, but boy am I glad we did.  I have already taken advantage 3 times.  I can now broil and bake at the same time!!  Woohoo!

We also decided (well basically my hubby did) to get new counter tops as well.  They will be installed on Friday and because nothing is simple with us...we need to change the backsplash also!!

This is a sample of what we have chosen!!  What do you think?  That tiny little piece of granite is what will be in the kitchen!

AND...

We are painting the cabinets white!!  I am in the process of getting estimates!  To DIY or not to DIY...that is the question!!  Either way we will be ridding ourselves of all that oak!! 

XLIX

Well...unless you live under a rock you know that Super Bowl XLIX ended in a New England Patriots win.  Enter sad face now!!  It was definitely NOT the outcome my household was hoping for, but it really was a GREAT game.  

As soon as we knew the Seahawks were headed to the Super Bowl we decided to throw a party.  AND because I have no concept of low-key...I left no detail to chance! 

We turned our HUGE table into a football field complete with goal posts and end zones!

Of course this was BEFORE I added all of the yummy food!!  

I wanted a statement piece and I think I accomplished just that!  Best part...after the game we just removed the team logos and rolled it up!  Pretty sure I have added ANNUAL Super Bowl to the my list of parties. 

It gave us one last day to wear all of our Seahawk garb before it gets packed away til August!!

We made fresh mango pineapple salsa, fresh guacamole, homemade chili, cornbread muffins, chocolate covered strawberries, candied ruffles, bbq pork, deviled eggs and of course cookies from who other?  My mom of course!!  All was devoured, so note to self...next year add a few items!!

I always forget, but I must give a written shout out to my hubby for all of his help!  He is learning that when I get an idea...like throwing a Super Bowl Party...it won't just be throw out a bowl of chips and a cooler of beer.  He helped me make the table come to life and helped with ALL of the food!  I know it isn't his favorite thing to do, but he does it anyway!