Instagram Thursday!

Chalk it up as a success!

For a long time now, I had hoped to add a chalkboard/magnetic wall somewhere in my house. I just hadn't figured out where would work best.

My first thought was to paint the door to the garage in chalkboard paint. It is already metal and it's just a big empty space.

Cutest door model ever!

 

However, it quickly became evident that Gabe playing behind, and potentially getting hit by the most commonly used entrance to our home, wasn't the best idea.

 

Plus, I have this chalkboard hanging on the door to the basement. Which is literally right next to the garage door.  Maybe a little redundant... 

So I searched for a new spot.

And Gabe searched too. Apparently under the tree looked like a promising area...

 

But then he found it (said in a dramatic voice)!! The space below our breakfast bar could be perfect. My super awesome sister has something similar, but I wasn't exactly sure I was ready to paint over the wood...

But good ol Martha Stewart came to the rescue an told me I could paint a sheet of galvionized steel and hang it anywhere I pleased in my house! So off to Menards I went.

 

It took a few coats of primer (and a trip back to Menards to get the correct primer) and lots and lots of drying time, but here she is!

 

 

I hung my masterpiece using about 8 pieces of heavy duty 3M command stickers - the type that are suppose to come off without damaging anything. Let's hope they aren't lying :) It seems to be very secure and will be a lot of fun for Gabe (and me) in the future :)

 

 

Instagram Thursday!

thankful.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I started to compile a list of all that I am thankful for this year. It was random. So I started to condense. And found themes. And created a countdown of my top 6 "thankfuls". (I am also thankful there is no rules to "thankful" posts.)

6. My childhood.

 

Always love, lots of love. Farm life. Working parents that taught me the value of hard work. Homemade, family meals each night. Mom planting a garden each year. Family vacations. Climbing trees.  Family as best friends. Feeding bottle calves. Sharing a bedroom. The sandbox. Bike rides. Exploring the Timber. Learning to drive a 4 wheeler. Running uphill on gravel. (Nothing ever seems that hard!) Tractor/Combine Rides. Chores (I guess I see the value now.)

 

5. Our home.

I am so very thankful for our home. It is ours. It will hold our memories. It is safe. It's warm and cozy. We have great neighbors with children Gabe's age. And I am thankful it is less than a mile from my sister :)

4. Pets.

I am thankful that I have always had animals in my life. I was blessed with an amazing dog, Spot, growing up. Noah and I adopted our fur-balls in college. Odin kept Noah sane while living on his own. And Bopper is, well, she's something :) They are part of our family. They make me laugh. They've taught me compassion and love. And patience.

3.Our extended family.

I am thankful to have our family. To know we have sooo many we can count on. To have traditions. To know Gabe is loved by so many. To know Gabe's first friends will be his family. Family is forever.

2. Our lil family.

I am thankful for a husband who is my partner. Who shares my values and beliefs. Who shares my parenting ideas. Who does not make fun of my diy projects. Who is an amazing father to our son.

I am thankful for my son who has completely changed how I look at the world. Who brightens even the earliest mornings :) Whose smile is contagious. Who makes me want to be the best person I can possibly be. Who's made me realize how big love can feel.

1. My faith.

I am thankful for my faith. To believe in something that you cannot see. Love. Hope. Forgiveness. So many times when I look at Gabe, at the amazing creation he is, I am reminded how lucky I am. How blessed. God is Good.

I am thankful.

 

Lately

Oh where to begin...

 

How about here - ISU Football! It's becoming really fun to take Gabers to the football games. I get to wear him all cozied up against me. And he usually takes a nap.

 

But then he wants down...to play with cars. I guess that's one way to make football games tolerable this year. Our Cyclones just can't seem to pull off many wins. Maybe this week, maybe...

Cousin Fun! Another impromptu Maggie Day. Won't be many more of these. I have started back to work this week. We'll have to schedule playdates now ;)

Busy Boy! G has gotten really good at moving his pusher around the house! Like running in circles good! He has also started to stand on his own a little, so we are making progress towards our goal of someday walking :)

YAY Basketball Season! We headed to Ames last week to watch one of the first games this season. Our Cyclones look pretty darn good! Should be a fun year! We are even more excited after Sunday's win over Michigan. Woohoo!

Last week, I may have done a little Christmas decorating. I couldn't help myself. I LOVE Christmas! And Gabe has pretty much left the tree alone. Except when he follows Odie under there. Which is all the time. More posts about Christmas decor to come.
 

And lastly, our major excitement, if that is what it is called. Noah's trip to the hospital. Not exactly where we wanted to spend our Thursday night...

or the collection of souvenir cups I hoped to collect...

But everything is ok. Noah was in a lot of pain and had to have surgery to remove his appendix at about 11:00 Thursday night. He's home now and feeling much, much better, but it was a not fun few days. I'm just happy everything went well. And for family to help take care of us all...

And Odie just wants cuddles...

Instagram Thursday!

Catch a tiger by the tail?!?

Mess-free window painting :)

Not mess-free breakfast :(

Van naps are the best!

Family pictures were exhausting!

I interrupted his TV viewing to take a picture. Oh Gabers.

Happy Halloween!

We have had lots of Halloween fun around our house!

 

We started by painting Gaber's first pumpkin yesterday. I know, I'm soo brave ;) 



 

Look at how intense he is! Every smear was very precise!

He kept laughing and showing me his hands after we were finished. I think he had fun!!

Pretty awesome for a first timer!

Then it was time to transform into his secret superhero identity. And just happened to meet up with a few additional justice league members!

The most adorable crime fighters eva!

Gabe had a blast handing out candy to the neighborhood kids, and even more excited when a few recognizable faces stopped by... our babysitters family! (Well, the big kids..baby was sleeping)

 

A perfectly, Spook-tacular day!

 

Happy Halloween!!