Brennon's Blanket

I have found a new hobby.  My friend Jamie makes the cutest quilts.  She graciously taught me how to make them.  And I'm hooked!  I started a seriously cute one for Tyson that ended up almost going in the trash.  I don't have much confidence when it comes to sewing (those machines can be so intimidating!!) so when things started to go south one night, I almost hung up the towel.  I had purchased the fabric for Brennon's, so I set it up and started his thinking that if I did a good job with his, I'd feel better and more secure going back to Tyson's.  But, if I did an awful job again, I'd just be done with this project.  How happy I am that Brennon's turned out perfect!!!

 You find a cotton fabric that you like and match it to 3 panels of flannel.  You lay them out, mark at a diagonal, and start sewing lines.  100's of lines!!  Once you've sewn every last line, you square it up, slash between the lines with the coolest tool ever, and then bind the rough edges, wash and then dry.  I need some serious practice on the binding, but for now, I'm just excited to have a project complete and better than I dreamed I could do.

I have gone back to Tyson's, but the outcome for that one is leaning more and more to the garbage.  We'll see after the finished project.  Who knows, maybe someone will appreciate my first failed attempt after finding it at Salvation Army.  I'll just go back and buy the CUTE cotton fabric and begin again.  As of now, I have fabric for McKaylee's, Daphnee's, Austen's, Payton's, and Kenyan's.  Shelby and Keilie are begging me to go find their fabric.  Looks like I've got some projects again!!  Good thing my house is cleaned and organized to perfection:)  Otherwise it would be put on the back burner for a while.  It's enough just getting the kids fed and bathed each day:)  Just kidding, it's not that bad.

Scarves

My mother-in-law is SO crafty.  She is always doing something!  She has made some of the coolest things with women that she works with.  They are always working on projects.  It makes me jealous:)  Here is the latest project, Scarves.

 As you can see, she's made quite a few.  She's that good!  They are the cutest accessory to any outfit.  Or simply to use against the cold.  They look cute just hanging from your coat!

 Above and below are the same scarves, just zoomed in to see the colors better.  There is every color scheme you could imagine.

 I have the one on the far left.  It is the most beautiful Teal, Light Green, and Dark Blue.  It looks striking against my black coat!

 She makes them both long and short depending on which look you'd like.  The longer are prefect to wrap around multiple times, the short look good just hanging loose.

 I love anything patriotic, so that Red, White, and Blue one is calling my name!

And guess what?!  She is selling these babies!!!  If you'd like to purchase or commission one from her, call Jackie at 801-721-3245 or email her at jackiedirks (at) comcast (dot) net.  She's selling them for less than you'd find them at any boutique!  You can't go wrong!!  Give her a call today:)  My girls' love them.  But I love them more!

Rags to Riches

We have had our towels since the day we got married-almost 13 years.  I have only purchased two extra towels since then as decorations.  Needless to say, they're a little worn.  And holey.  They were even mistaken for garage rags.  7 years ago!  They're old, their used, and their worn.  I wash my towels after every use, but they always seemed to harbor a lingering musty smell.  So, when I heard about these...

I decided to give them a try.  I took a few days and washed every single towel, washcloth, sheet, and blanket in our house and then organized them as I put them away.  It was worth it.  They all smell so nice and have even been able to be used two times in a row instead of only one.  The kitchen towels still get used only once, but that's mostly out of habit.  I hate towels that are used way too much and have to have a million germs from so many sources.  I love these UNStopables.  I have new towels and see no reason to buy any for a long longer time!

Pinterest Projects

So, mingled in with me trying to finish up getting my house put together and organized, I've been trying to make more homemade food now that I know where all of my stuff is.  It's not as if we were going out to eat every meal, but for a while there, we went at least once a day.  Yuck for the salt/calories, Yay for ease/yummy:)  So, I sat down and found a few recipes and projects from Pinterest.

 Homemade Granola Bars
1/4 C. Butter
1/4 C. Honey
1/3 C. Packed Brown Sugar
2 C. Oats
1 C. Rice Krispies
~In a small sauce pan melt Butter, Honey, and Sugar.  Let boil for two minutes.  Pour over dry mix and pat into 9x9 pan lined with wax paper.  Use butter on your hands to help with sticking.  Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of Mini Chocolate Chips and lightly pat.  Let set for 2 hours, cut into desired shape, and wrap.  My kids liked them more than any other dessert we've had in a while.  Even the cookies below...

 Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies

I just used my favorite Peanut Butter cookie recipe and then sandwiched two together with Nutella.  They said they were good, but like the granola better.  Yay for my kids liking the healthy choice better!

Magnet Makeup

Since we have such a small house (that I love more and more each day and with each new organization project) I wanted to have a way to keep my make up off the counter and out from under the sink.  I found this project and knew I could do it and love it.  Sorry for the awful pictures of each, but knowing that my computer won't download my camera for some reason, I knew I'd need my phone camera to get it documented before next year!  I simply got a 12x12 frame, put a piece of metal behind the paper, and glued magnets onto the backs of the stuff I use most often.  There are other things that I only use on special occasions, but for the most part, this is my haul.  Kinda fun.  I love looking for ideas of how I can have my house more organized.  And decorated.  And good food in my belly.  And a good laugh!  I love Pinterest.

Library Loves

After an appointment on Monday morning where the kids had to sit out in the lobby with the receptionist while I was seen, I decided to take the boys to the library as a reward for being SOOO good!  I went in search of some books I wanted to read and ended up settling for one that had a cool cover.  I took the boys over to the kid area and turned them loose.  I sat down and watched them for a minute playing so well together and cracked open my new book.  20 minutes later, the kids were still being so quiet, enjoying their toys.  There was no arguing, no raised voices, no greedy wants, just pure enjoyment.  I reflected on how great it was to be able to stay home with my kids.  Sometimes it is really hard, like really hard.  Most of the time I'm hurrying from one thing to the next, wether it be in the house or out.  I always seem to be doing something that is for my kids.  But on Monday, it was so nice to be able to take them to a place where they needed to be more quiet and have them play so well.  It was so nice to be able to allow them to stay as long as they'd like.  There were other mothers there that would allow their kids to stay for 5 minutes and then leave.  For most of our visits, that's how it's been for us!  However, on this day, we were able to stay for an hour and a half and just enjoy the atmosphere of the library.  When I told them it was time to go, they quickly cleaned up their toys and followed me out without so much as a complaint.  How grateful I am for those moments when life is perfect.  We I can reflect on how LUCKY I am in this most perfect life I've been given.  I truly am so lucky!

Teams

So, you know this seriously cute look that Tyson gives when he's upset?  The one that melts my heart because he looks so sad/ticked at the same time?  Well look at that cute mug and imagine him telling Randy, "I don't want to be on your team!" after he'd been scolded for putting a AAA battery in our space heater.  Where does he come up with this stuff?  All of these cute words?  We might have a Bill Shakespeare on our hands:)  Cutie!

Conference Countdown

I found a cute craft here to get us ready for General Conference this year.  Each day you do the activity on the back that has something to do with Prophets.  There are 15 day's worth to coincide with 12 General Authorities and 3 First Presidency.  I want to make it more of a tradition instead of just something that we do every once in a while that has more significance than church.  More than just a two hour nap in front of the TV.  I want my kids to look forward to it, ask about it, and LOVE it!  Here is the first of many idea I want to do to get ready.  You can see that the bead board is not centered or even straight.  I put glue on it, set it down, and left it to dry.  I didn't realize that it wasn't on an even surface and would dry looking like I had palsy.  Woops!!  It's handmade with love:)  Here's to more organized General Conference weekends!!

 Let's listen to a Prophet's voice!!!

Negotiator

Randy was mixing up a Crystal Light in a water bottle asking Tyson if he could try a Schwan's Toaster waffle (these are totally the only reason I have Schwan's come to our home.  They are the BEST!!)  Ty said, "Um... you could have one of these if I can have a sip of your drink."  And that is how a negotiator is born.  It's in their genes!  I shouldn't be surprised:)

Small World

We have been waiting for a package for a few days now.  After many phone calls to headquarters saying they'd sent it and then to FedEx saying they'd left it on our front porch on Tuesday at 2:00, we decided that it must be at the other house on Jason Loop.  Randy went to see if they'd received it at the rental.  Yep!  The weird thing is that the new renter used to work for New World Systems as a recruiter.  He name dropped some people that still work there and worked closely getting Randy hired.  How weird is that?  We moved out of the rental, they moved in, and at one point in their lives worked at New World Systems.  Funny!  Not monumental, but cool just the same.  Let's hope that Randy works here for a long time.  More than 3 years long time!  Hopefully forever:) 

Gentleman

Caden has been working really hard each week on earning merit badges for Scouts.  There happens to be a clinic each Saturday that allows him to go work on many different ones.  Sometimes he complains that he has to do it each Saturday, but for the most part, he's doing well.  He even got special recognition the last Court of Honor from many of his leaders showering him with praise for earning a badge that most earn closer to the end of their Scouts experience.  He was super proud!  I was even more so!!  His newest badge he working to earn is Service, where he has to give 8 hours of service to someone in the community.  He decided to help his school each morning for 30 minutes as a crossing guard at his school.  They call it "Safety Patrol."  Today was his first day.  He woke up all excited at 5:30AM (remember Christmas morning this year or that we're all trying to recover from Daylight Savings Time?) ready to leave by 7:00AM.  We got to the school the same time as the white car ahead of us, however, Caden bolted from our car as if he were on fire.  The girl ahead took her dear sweet time.  As I was pulling away around the white car, I turned around to take one last glance at my son.  With face almost plastered to the door, and back turned to the girl, he waited to hold the door open for her.  Remember, she took her dear sweet, so he was standing there for a little while.  Not ten minutes, but enough time that if he'd walked in without holding it for her it would have been just fine.  And just like that, my heart swelled to capacity:)

Front Room

I've been trying to take a picture of our front room/living room for a few days now.  Since I know my computer won't download them from my camera, I've been trying to take one with my phone.  The lighting was never good, so I haven't gotten one.  Today wasn't too much better, but enough to take a decent picture that will have to suffice for now.

 Before

 Also a Before, but with two cuties in it this time:)

After.

I would like to draw your attention to the couches.  Squeal!  They're new!  I've been looking at them since first arriving here in Richland.  I was disappointed the second time I went to look at them- the price had actually gone up.  Thinking back now, I realize it was around the time of the Super Bowl.  A few weeks later, around the time we moved and President's Day, I went again and saw that they were at their original price- exhale breath held for weeks thinking I'd missed my opportunity at the good price:)  Then, Tuesday I went looking for curtains (remember the broken sliding glass door?) and happened to walk by the couches.  Please, I went to them first!  And guess what?  They were 50% off!!  I casually called Randy to tell him the news and was surprised to hear him say, "I don't mind if you buy them."  I almost started crying right there in the furniture section clutching my beating heart.  My front room is exactly like I had always imagined it would with these couches.  I've always wanted this look!  The whole room house looks better in person.  Come visit us, we have room for you to sit now!!!

Kitchen

I'm having a hard time waiting for my computer to upload these pictures.  Here is a before and after that isn't too bad.

I love to go into a house we're buying while having an inspection done and just taking pictures, measuring, and getting excited for our stuff to adorn walls and shelves.  This house was just as fun.

 Before (duh!)

After (ahh!)

Since this is eventually going to be a rental, we saved the dumpy white fridge to move back into the kitchen when we leave.  That AWESOME SS one will go with us.  It's amazing!!

So, we added the better fridge, added a better dishwasher (since the last one sounded like a train going through the kitchen), added the microwave, added the handles, and added the decorations.  Next will be a new sink (that holds more than 5 kid cups), a new faucet, and maybe countertop paint and backsplash.  Little projects that would be fun to do together, but not too expensive.  We'll see what ends up happening.  Even though it's small and has mismatched appliances, it's still a great place to gather.

Shred it up!

"Hello, our names are Randy and Stephanie Dirks.  We are victims of identity theft." 

Randy got a call a few weeks ago from Visa asking us if we'd tried to purchase a sandwich from Subway in Indiana.  Nope.  We were told to shred our card and had a new card sent to us.  It was not a good feeling.  Thankfully there wasn't anything else charged and we got off easy.  That night we went and purchased a shredder that can crinkle cut 12 pieces of paper to 1/4 in shreds.  And a credit card.  And 1/4 of a....

 Nickle.

I know it's hard to see.  My camera phone didn't like how close it had to be to even remotely tell that it was a nickle.  The side view is a little better.  And it looked even better when I changed it to Sepia.  It's actually shredded it.  It stripped the motor and ruined the shredder, but you can tell just how strong that thing was.  We have since gotten a new one with STRICT orders to keep money away from it.  We find ourselves shredding everything:)  We love the feeling of power!!!  And destruction!!!  For the record, no one knows how the nickle got into the shredder.  Apparently, there were a few elves that snuck into our home while we slept and ruined our stuff.  No one is safe.  Lock up your valuables.  You've been warned!!!

Storm Door

Front door.

 Front door with fresh coat of paint and a surprise storm door!

I have wanted a storm door since we purchased our first home in 2002.  We have always talked about getting one, but that's all it ever was, talk.  Last night Randy took me to Home Depot to have me show him the one I've always wanted.  It's the one that has a self-rolling screen, so when you don't want the screen, you can't see it.  Unobstructed glass when not in use.  I die!  While I was at a meeting for Relief Society last night, he surprised me by installing it.  This was done after he'd finished my master closet with another hanging rod and shelves that can hold 12 baskets for clothing.  That closet is now SUPER functional even though it's the smallest one we've ever had.  Man, I sure love this house!!!  Can't wait until I can get the pictures uploaded and show you all the rest of the house.  It's coming along exactly as I'd imagined all those months waiting to get into it!

The Front

The pictures aren't the best quality since they were taken on my phone, but I wanted to get a few pictures up of some of the projects we got done this weekend on our home.  Here is the front of our house.  It's showing it's age a bit, but I LOVE it!  It's weird, but this is shaping up to be my favorite house we've ever owned.  I think it's because it needs us so much:)  If you love the people you serve, then it stand to reason that you love the house you fix up, right?  Looks like I'll love this one the best for sure then!!

 Front Porch

 I planted the flowers yesterday afternoon.  The colorful ones are Primrose.  My geeky Hunger Games side came out.  I even did a little squeal and may have even said "Primrose Everdeen" in Effie Trinkets affected accent:)  They sure are a pretty little flower.

Side note:  That AWESOME rock was a gift from our realtor, Alan Kowalski.  Isn't that amazing?  He dropped it off last Friday while Randy and I were running errands.  Imagine my surprise walking up to our door seeing a rock with our name on it.  So generous, huh.  Randy said he's glad it didn't have the address on it.  "Now we can take it anywhere we go."  I'm happy right here, thanks!

Our updated garage door.  I found these on sale at Home Depot for $10.00.  It took us 10 minutes.  Instant curb appeal.  And of course, the flag.  I always have to have one of those.  The cute girl at the checkstand said (in a foreign accent,) "Oh, what a good American citizen you are."  I simply agreed.

Welcome to our new home!!!

Freak Accident

Remember last night when I said that the house might not be clean because of my messy/naughty kids.  Well, it came true.  I woke up to find dry Rice Krispies cereal all over the floor.  I got upset and tossed the plastic container behind me, yelling at the kids to help me clean up the HUGE mess.  I heard a shatter, thinking it was the plastic container that is 2 years old that has had countless cycles through the dishwasher, but instead turned to find this...

Can you believe it?  I didn't throw a rock point blank at this.  I didn't even throw the container, I simply tossed it behind me to get it out of the way.  Thank goodness it didn't break the other panel as well.  So, we now how a single-panel sliding glass door.  What a nightmare.  Man, I wish my kids didn't need to have a locked pantry.  Why can't they just leave stuff alone.  Come on, who eats dry Rice Krispies????  Apparently, my carpet!

Pictures

I was so, so, so excited to post tonight!!  And then my computer wouldn't download the pictures off of my camera.  And now I can't show my new couches- the ones I've been drooling over since we moved here.  The ones that we got for 50% off the original price.  Or the master closet that Randy and I updated to be able to hang more than 25 shirts.  Or garage door accessories that added instant curb appeal and only cost $10 and took 10 minutes.  Or front door flowers.  Or main floor of our new home.  I cleaned and organized for 4 hours tonight to make sure it was perfect for the pictures.  That I can't even get- gggrrr!!  At least the house will stay clean in those pictures.  And tonight while the kids are in bed.  No guarantees about tomorrow morning.  Heck, it may not even be clean by the time I get the actual pictures posted.  Won't that be cool, "Hey, look at my uber-clean house that is a dive in real life because we live in this house and have 5 messy/naughty kids.  Enjoy!"  You'll never know, I'll never tell!  Until next time then.  Stupid computer.  Die already!!

Number Two?

Yesterday I walked into a totally disgusting powder room.  Tyson had just exited, so I knew the culprit.  There was a smudge of brown on the wall, so I called him in and asked, "Ty, is this poop?"  "Nope, that's fart!"  He was totally serious.  Then it dawned on me, whenever Shelby has "loose" stools, she always calls it "fart."  So, I sat both Shelby and Tyson down separately and asked them what "poop" is and "fart" is.  They both had the same answer.  "Poop is when you have to push.  Fart is when it comes out when you don't want it to."  And that ladies and gentleman is the answer!  In his defense, it also looked as if he'd bent over and bumped his behind on the wall.  Glad to know he didn't learn to smear his poop all over the walls/cabinets like his Aunt Ashlee:)  The stain on that white chest of drawers never came out!