Thinking of Warmer, Brighter Days....

This is what I am imagining.....join me, if you like!

To Do List

A lot of times (ok, all the time), I am a contradiction of myself....I am equally sinful and obedient to God, extroverted and introverted, spontaneous and structured, and creative and OCD. This can drive a girl crazy at times!

I recently have tried to balance my love of fun, and my love of keeping a spotless house. This can be a very daunting task. Most days, my love of fun wins out. I find myself with the best of intentions to clean house or make that dish for dinner that is a little more complicated. But, then, it never fails, I find myself loading up the girls in the car, and heading out and about. It could be a number of things that distract me....a fun playdate, lunch with a friend, a mall outing with my mom. Then, my not-so-tidy house drives me crazy when the day is done! What's a slightly more fun-oriented girl to do?

I have made a list, and I am hoping this helps. So, all of you disciplined mommies out there, let me know what you think, and if I need to tweak it a bit:

Monday - one or two loads of laundry (and iron)
Tuesday - wash sheets and run errands
Wednesday - Clean Bathrooms
Thursday - one or two loads of laundry (and iron)
Friday - Vacuum and Dust

Little Side Note: My Magpie has already mastered the art of keeping her area neat and tidy. The last few mornings (without me ever asking her to do this), before she even comes into our bedroom, she has opened the blinds and made her bed. And, this is the finished product.....

Impressive, right?

Just What We Needed...

When I was in High School, I had a very fun and sweet group of friends. Even then, I realized that our friendships were very special and rare!

(Some 15 years after our first girls' vacation)

Last night, we went to my parents' lake house, to spend some quality time chatting, eating too much, and praying for ourselves and our children. Our time together was so fun, refreshing, and powerful! Who would have thought that as time passed, these friendships would only get stronger and our bond only tighter?! (If you had asked High School Ashley, I would have said it wasn't possible.) I thank God for these precious friendships and sweet, sweet ladies!

Jammer Sing-O-Rammer

*Pause the playlist!*

Even with ear infections, nasty colds, and a voice that sounds as raspy as a lifetime smoker, the Jammer Sing-O-Rammer must go on!!!! 

Princess Spotting

A few weeks ago, Matt, Kerri Grace, and I went out with some small group friends for dinner (Maggie was at Puggles with her Mimi and Papa).  As we were leaving and chatting at the door, Kerri Grace kept saying, "Rella, hold me. Rella, hold me.  Rella, hold me."  I couldn't figure out why she was making a reference to Cinderella until I turned and saw a young girl dressed up in a glorious gown.  She was eating with her daddy which I thought was so sweet.  I, of course, had to go tell the middle-school-aged girl that my little one thought that she was so beautiful that she confused her with Cinderella.  She smiled, and her dad said that they had just gone to a cotillion together at a nearby country club....so sweet.  

I thought that was a funny little story and the end of that.........not so much!

Kerri Grace has this conversation with me almost every night as I rock her: "Rella. eat. daddy. Rella, hold me. eat. daddy."  She really is just smitten with her new little Cinderella.

So, this is the beginning (much sooner than Maggie) with KG's Disney Princess obsession......

Do you think it is too early to talk about her beauty and identity in Christ?

Nothing Cuter

Than curls and a squatted baby tush!!!

We've Come So Far!

Do you remember this house...

with this front door....

And this den...

and this screened-in porch?

Here are some current pictures and a few projects we have in the works now that we have paid off all of our renovation expenses...PTL!

The Gaymons' front door....

The Gaymons' den...

The Gaymons' sunroom/playroom...

We really have been so blessed!

The first of our projects is that we are having a sprinkler system put in before we start trying to landscape our yard....yay!

  And, I am trying to save up to do a few finishing touches on a few rooms. (I am pushing the rooms that need a lot of decorating down the priority list for now.)  I plan on finding a small antique side table for my den. 

Now I need to pick your brains a bit....do you think that the collage needs more?  Maybe some casual mirrors mingled in or larger ones on the left and right?  Or will that be too busy?  Honesty please. =)