Shhhhhh....

I have been wanting to make one of these for months now. 

 Then, I spotted a cute one on Pinterest and decided it was now or never. 

 I was taking a walk and found some scrap wood my neighbor had thrown out...so I grabbed a piece, knowing it was the perfect shape and size for my sign.

Some of you, especially if you've never experienced the joy of finally getting your baby to sleep, only to have someone ring your doorbell, may think this is rude or extreme.

  But I can almost promise you that if and when you have a newborn and you're so sleep deprived you can't even find the energy or brain function to brush your teeth, when you look at this sign you will literally see glowing halo's all around it.

Okay, maybe not halo's but it will make your heart skip a beat!

I spray painted it aqua (surprise, surprise!) and then I used a circle foam brush to make polka dots.

After that dried, I used a Sharpie oil based paint pen to write my wordage, and just an FYI for all you paint pen folks, I will NEVER use another brand of paint pen again.  

The Sharpie oil based pens are amazing and they go on so smooth and even!

  No shaking or messing up because a big blob came shooting out.  

I can't say enough great things about them.

After that, I hammered in a metal hook to the back and used ribbon to attach it to my door.

Cute and functional...and I dare someone to ring my doorbell when my sign is hanging up! ;-)

Baby update:

Went to doctor this morning for 38 week check up and she said she definitely is seeing some progress!

I went from absolutely ZERO signs of labor last Tuesday to 2cm dilated today, so I'm happy :)

At least baby plans to come out at some point.

Here's my 37 and 38 week belly pics:

We are getting super excited about little baby!

Now, we just need to decide on a girl name since we are fairly sure about the boy name ( I say that reluctantly because it seems as soon as we think we are certain about a name, one of us comes back with another idea...ha!).

I'm off to finish the nursery...hoping to post pics by Friday...I have worked on this nursery for several weeks and I can NOT wait to show you the fruits of my labor...which hopefully will be followed by actual labor ;-)

Published :-)

I've officially been published...TWICE!

The excitement of receiving the magazines in the mail, knowing my articles were in there were priceless!!!

Ironically, the two magazines aren't affiliated in any way but I was published in the March edition of both of them.  

One is our local magazine.  My sweet friend, Lee Ann, asked if I'd be interested in doing a DIY piece and of course I said YES! 

She wrote the article and I created the Easter crafts (during Christmas...which was very weird).

I made an Easter-y tree, a chalkboard, and a bright, Spring wreathe (my favorite craft- very Lily P. if you asked me!)

  I love the way it turned out and I am so grateful that she asked me to be a part!

The second magazine is Military Spouse Mag.

  I wrote the article and did the DIY projects for this particular assignment.  

The article was about easy, inexpensive ways to decorate your home when you are constantly changing homes. This was obviously geared toward military families.

 I did a chalkboard tutorial, a personalized family monogram canvas, and some framed children's art.

I'm inspired to seek out more writing and crafting opportunities in my future!

  It really is so rewarding to put time and effort into something and then be able to see the finished results in hard copy.  

I'm hooked!

For the Girl...For the Boy

I will just have to tell yall that the suspense of not knowing whether Baby Wade #2 is a boy or a girl has finally gotten to me! I just can.not.wait to find out!!!

I am a little over 37 weeks and I go for my checkup in the morning.  Last week, my blood pressure was high but it came down before I left the office so I didn't have to go to the hospital and be monitored.  I hope it isn't high this week.  I've been trying to relax and not let anything upset or worry me...which is easier said than done!  I'm thinking I should go get a prenatal massage...what do yall think??? :)

Being that I can't stop thinking about whether we are having a baby boy or a baby girl, I decided to post some of my favorite baby things for both genders.

For the GIRL

Source: etsy.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: u-createcrafts.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: cutelittleclothes.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: rikshawdesign.blogspot.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: janieandjack.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via melissa on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

For the BOY

Source: etsy.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: craftycouturebylauren.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: ralphlauren.com via Agnieszka on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: livinglocurto.com via Paula on Pinterest

Moroccan Herb Pot DIY {Re-Post}

{This was originally posted April, 2011 but I decided to re-post for all my new followers throughout this year, especially with gardening season in full bloom! I hope you enjoy!}

I am such a cheap-o.  I LOVE all of the pretty pots that are everywhere, but I refuse to pay $20 for a POT!  So, I decided to make my own.

Supplies:

One can of spray paint (color of your choice!)

Terra-Cotta pots (I purchase my medium sized ones at Walmart for $1.98 a piece)

Plant

Chalkboard Paint (not pictured)

Lay out your pots, leaving a good amount of space in between.  It's a good idea to spray paint outside because it can be messy and smelly!

Give it as many coats of paint as you would like...allowing the pots to dry in between coats.  I did 2 coats...I liked the worn look of not covering the pots completely.  The terra cotta soaks up paint and creates a neat, rustic finish.

Make your own stencil.  Fold in half to make sure that you have an even stencil.  I did a Moroccan stencil, but you can do any shape...circle, square, polka dots....

Hold your stencil (or if you're not lazy like I am, tape it on!)

Using a permanent marker, trace around your stencil:

Then you paint inside of your stencil with your chalkboard paint.  It took 2 coats for me to cover the pot good.

Let them dry reallllllly good!

Plant your plants (I used herbs) and then label with your chalk.

Last year, I planted a big pot of 3 different herbs.  I used them to make a bean salad when my mom came to visit.  Later, I realized that one of my "herbs" was really a weed that had started to grow in my pot!  If I would've used a pot like this, I wouldn't have added a weed to my bean salad!  Although it makes for a pretty good story because we ate the salad before we figured out what I had done :)

Spring means...

It's definitely Spring around our house.

That means a lot of great things.

Caleb got to paint a special painting for the baby's room.

 I'm not sure what his inspiration was, but I really like his abstract eye ;)

Spring means beautiful flowers, in pots and flowers beds.

It means bright front doors...

and colorful, handmade wreaths.

It means flying the American flag proudly in the warm breeze.

Growing some veggies, like these green bell peppers.

Fresh tomatoes off of the vine,

and fences covered in cascading flowers that Caleb pulls off and uses as his trumpet.

Spring is one of my favorite seasons.

It's so fresh and new and bright.

The air is clean and there's still a slight coolness in the air.

It means longer days outside visiting with friends and neighbors and enjoying God's beautiful creation after the staleness of winter.

For us this year, it not only means new flowers and blooms but it also means a new little addition to our family.

This may be my favorite Spring of all time.

What is your favorite part about Spring?