The Announcement

I've been trying to capture some moments and pictures of Tate, before I blink and I miss the times of him being a newborn. This last week I set up shop and snapped away with my two little ones. (Those pics will be posted soon)...and here is what I ended up creating for his birth announcement.

Oh Spring, Where Are You?

As I sit and watch the snow fall dump, I keep asking myself..."Spring, where are you"? I am getting cabin fever something fierce, especially since I'm still recovering from the new arrival of our new little addition to the family... all while balancing this new adventure with my three year old :) I managed to get only one small project done, and the list is growing for the rest of the house...but spring, I NEED you...to bless me with green grass to look at, and to bring some motivation and sunshine to my days. 

I hope spring is already on its way and alive wherever you are!





Image via Rachel Ashwell

The Blessings of Parents

 I am so thankful that my parents were able to be here the last 2 weeks! I ended up getting an infection right after Tate was born, and my mother was truly a BLESSING for being able to help with the new baby while I was recovering. I can't wait for them to hopefully come back and visit again in the fall...it cannot come soon enough. It has been REALLY hard having my parents move so far away when we have little ones. I was raised around my grandparents and was so close to my grandmas...I can't imagine life without grandparents!! I really miss having my mom around too...you get used to that best friend just being a car ride or walk away...it really makes you sit back and think of what is really important...and how short life really is...not to be surrounded with those we love most.

After the years have passed, I hope my husband and I can be such a blessing to our children, as our parents have been to us.

He's Here!

Do you remember my last post on Wednesday with the nursury sneak peak? Well that night, my water broke and after our 2 hour commute to the hospital, I had 40 minutes....then Tate Jorgen blessed us with his presence...5 lbs 3 oz. I was at 35 weeks, and he is doing amazing! He was able to be in the room with us, while the NICU nurses checked in on him every 3 hours or so. He got to come home with us and we are now welcoming a new little boy into our family!

My parents are coming into town this week to stay for the next two weeks, so I won't be on here much. I'm ready to have some much needed family time and enjoy my time at home with my new little one and the rest of my family. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers...I know they were answered :)

Nursery Sneak Peak

Because I'm on bed rest, it's been a little hard to get up and take updated pictures of the nursery. Today we had lots of sunshine and natural light, so I was able to take some pictures. It's not COMPLETELY done yet, but all I have left is some wall decor and some small odds and ends. But with bed rest, no projects for me :-)  Hopefully that will change soon...I'd love to get this room finished before the baby actually gets here.  So here's a little sneak peak...

For the Love of Marble

After coming across this parisian marble bathroom the other day, it reminded me of the marble that we used in our Kitchen Remodel last winter. 

When I found this tile at a garage sale, the woman who sold it to me told me that her son has used this marble to renovate a bath in a victorian home. She said he used EVERYWHERE...the floors, the shower, up the walls...what I wouldn't give to see a picture of that bathroom! So when I came across the picture above, it was just like the one I have envisioned in my mind.  I still have not tired of this marble in my kitchen...still IN LOVE.

Image via House Beautiful

 

Pics at 31 Weeks

So even though I'm almost at 34 weeks now...woot!woot!...almost two weeks past when I delivered with Teagan, here's some recent pics at 31 weeks...I'm making myself capture these moments, I know one day I'll look back and cherish even these uncomfortable and trying days of the third trimester :)

An "Aha!" Moment

From our Kitchen Remodel

I'm not one to really quote other blogs, but this one I could not resist. As I was reading a recent post from The Shabby Nest, who was describing why she obsesses over decorating so much...I had that "aha" moment when it finally clicked. THE answer. The one I've been searching for for so long...the same feeling that I've felt, when others just seem to roll their eyes at you with that "whatever floats your boat" look...the explaination I try to find to tell my husband why after loving something for so long, I now want something different. An answer to the feeling you get when you stumble across another's blog or devour over a picture in a magazine and it clicks...I want that. I have to have that. I don't think I can sleep until I figure out a budget friendly way to make that. 

So this my dear friends...is the explanation from The Nester and The Shabby Nest.

Enjoy...and I hope it may shed some light or give you your own personal "aha" moment.

"...A couple of weeks ago, the Nester did a series of posts on thrifting and buying things just because they are "a good deal". In the final post she brought up an interesting point. She asked if it's wrong to enjoy a pretty house. And her answer was "not at all". An answer, that I wholeheartedly agree with. She went on to point out that house tweaking - as I like to call it - is not a sign of discontentment for her. And then she said something very eloquent (so I'm going to quote her directly.)"


"Nobody accuses the writer who is restless with the pen and a blank page of trying find her contentment in the wrong place. Is the singer who changes the arrangement, the pianist who craves the keys, the painter who tweaks the canvas, the collector searching for that one last treasure, the songwriter who paces the floor waiting for the perfect words, are they looking for meaning and contentment in all the wrong places simply based on what they are passionate about? Is it about time they smartened up and stopped wasting their time? No one would dare accuse them of such. I think they are created to pursue their art."

"That was my "Aha!" moment. It made me think about myself and my own desire for a beautiful home. And how that may be interpreted as materialism or discontent. But it isn't. It's my form of art..."

The Ottoman that we built

From Nursery to Big Girl's Room

Picture Ledges that we built...and a Painting from my husband

Who knew? That my obsession was a form of art...the same obsession that I have been guilty of criticizing my husband for since he's an artist and his wheels are ALWAYS turning...The same one I have had to tell myself that sometimes artistic people just look at things a little differently than the norm...The same one I criticize but am so thankful for that he can dream up and build anything he puts his mind to...Yep, that's me...The one who has finally accepted that my obsession may just be MY form of art...The one who did indeed...marry an artist.  Aha!

Bed Rest and an Update

So we've had a VERY eventful last couple of days. What started as a basic 32 week checkup, turned into finding out I had started to dialate and the onstart of contractions. So after a few days in the hospital, all is going well. I am ordered to bedrest the remainder of the pregnancy and am ordered to also stay in the Denver area, since we live 2 hours away up in the mountains. This has been very hard being that my husband and daughter will have to be at home during the week, and I will get to see them on the weekends.

Since I'm on bedrest and not at home, the inspiration is a little short, so there may not be much posting for a short while. We are just trying to stabalize this pregnancy and hoping to keep him inside as long as possible! But i will confess, as a person who doesn't know how to sit still, this has been VERY hard to adjust, but I know the Lord is using this time to draw closer to him. 

Image via Alice Lane

Do You Do...Red?

I have to admit, I have never been a huge fan of red. While I know that all colors appeal to different people in different ways, no matter how many times I have tried to use red in my home, it's never really set well with me...never really felt like...well, ME. 

I think red can be one of the harder colors to work with as well. It can easily give you a very modern, sharp look, vintage charm...or country chicken in a second.

But after seeing this home from House Beautiful, some of the rooms appealed to me.

While the red in this room is the dominant source...my eye is instantly drawn to that vintage wicker trunk at the end of the bed...HOW I WANT YOU.  I love the mix of textures in this picture.



I love the use of the books with one simple painting on this dresser. While utilizing storage, it's a no fuss way to do a simple display, without a lot of fussy knick knacks, which I have a hard time with. I'm a person of need, so if it just looks useless, I have a hard time displaying it.

A simple and beautiful white country kitchen, with just a FEW touches of red. I think the hardware in combination with the floor really makes this space.

A seren white and grey bedroom, with just a subtle touch of red. Notice the texture the simple jute rug adds to the space.

I love this window nook. The details with the ceiling and the floors, the chandelier, the fabrics and the natural texture...very easy and comforting.

Then this outside space of all the trees, with of course a red and white hammock. While I would love to lounge in this, I have a hard time picturing myself lounging very long or quietly with a toddler running around and another one on the way.  Maybe if they're busy playing outside in the trees like I used to when I was little or enjoying some daddy time while mommy rests...hey, I can dream!  

Images via House Beautiful

Thank You Dear Hubby

I just wanted to send a big THANK YOU to the dear hubby who surprised me last night for my birthday with flowers, a yummy chocolate cake...and then had already hired a sitter so we could go out to dinner and have some much needed alone time! Love him to pieces and I don't know how this family unit would function without him!!

Wordless.