Pink butterflies and polka dots

In my urgency to get our house in order, I attempted a crafty project last weekend.  That is a big deal for this left brained lady.  Channeling my inner Peter Marie and Kammy, I ventured to the garage to find an old canvas that I didn't like anymore.

 Before

After

I used leftover purple paint from Madeline and Lydia's room to paint over the canvas.  Then I stuck on vinyl polka dots I had originally purchased for our last house but never got up.  Finally, I attached those cute paper mache butterflies, from Hobby Lobby for $1.50, with a little hot glue.  I think it'll look great in Anna's pink room.

Let's get it done

Well, we're back from Marco, Easter is gone, and school is in a transition period.  I am in the mood to get our house done.  I'm ready to fill the empty walls and windows, and be completely moved in.

 Here are the kitchen curtains I hung this past weekend.  I was going to hem them to be just as long as the window.  But I lost my patience and just put them up.  Now I think I might keep them long.  What do you think?  Seriously, let me know.  Long or short?

For the curtains above the sink, I used Heat N Bond no sew hem tape.  This was my first experience with this stuff, and I love it.  The lady at Hobby Lobby was not too thrilled with my idea to use it for curtains.  But hey, I don't sew.  If I did sew, I would do a traditional hem.  This way, I just cut the length I wanted, and ironed in the hem tape.  I can do that.  

The Lord is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed.

We remember with heavy hearts...

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

     I John 4:10

Marco Island

Mark and I had a great time in Marco Island.  The girls had a great time with Nana and Papa.  All in all, it was a fabulous week away.  After eating fancy meals (without cutting up anyone else's food), laying by the pool (and reading books that don't include curious monkeys), and loving time with my husband (without little girls to pull me away), I am ready to return to my insignificant but oh so significant life.  Not to make you jealous, but here is a quick picture recap, courtesy of Mark's Blackberry....

The view from our room.
Imagine our delight when we woke up the first morning to feel the warm air and see this beautiful sight.  

The sand was stunning.  It looked and felt like flour.

The first night everyone was there, we had a party on the beach. 

We rode on an airboat through the Everglades, and saw alligators hanging out in a river.
Swamps freak me out.  Holding this little alligator really freaked me out.  But, I knew I would score with my girls and nephews.  

The week ends with a fancy dinner and dance.  I really wish we had a bette picture of us, and my dress.  I found it on the clearance rack at Von Maur and loved it.  Hopefully I'll have a chance to wear it again.

Really, the entire week was fancy.  You feel like you're in a different world.  We were there as hosts for Allied.  Our job was to talk to the 350 agents and their guests that were rewarded the trip, and to help them have a good time.  That gets absolutely draining for this introvert.  But, we are thankful for our time away to be revived as husband and wife.  

When it comes right down to it?  Our favorite place to be is with these lovely ladies....

Still alive and kickin'

Yes, I'm still here.  Thank you for keeping up with me, even during my slight disappearance from blog land.  Right now Mark and I are stuck in the Detroit airport, waiting for a flight down to Marco Island, Florida.  We were suppose to be there about now but our initial flight this morning was delayed because of fog, resulting in a 5 hour wait in Detroit.  I really don't mind the down time, but would prefer it on the beach rather than the airport.  We're heading down there for a work trip.  Don't worry - there will be time to relax on the beach, but also some work.  We left the girls at my parents'.  I may be a blubbering mess by the end of our seven days away, missing my babies.

What else has been going the past couple months?  A lot of fun.  Here is a quick breakdown...

My parents, sisters, and families visited us the end of February.  We visited a water park, children's museum, and enjoyed a lot of cousin love.  We had a full house but were sad to see everyone leave.

The next weekend, I traveled to Memphis for a big homeschool convention.  It was a great mix of relaxation, fun with friends, and encouragement.  

After that, I had a shopping day with my sisters while my parents took all the kiddos to Madagascar Live.  I have to wear real clothes for this trip, not my everyday uniform of t shirts and black comfy pants.  Lucky for me, my sisters are more stylish and adept at at dressing me than I am.  

Since then, it has been swimming lessons, soccer, finishing up Classical Conversations, enjoying the warmer weather, and drinking in the cuteness of four beautiful girls.