Weekend Project

We spent the holiday weekend tearing out the awful carpet in my hubby's office and laying a pretty new laminate floor. And by we I mean hubby, son and son-in-law. This grammy is VERY thankful for strong young men to help with the labor. I just provided the food and entertained the sometimes too helpful two year old :o)

The awesome work crew

Hubby's bionic knees ;o)

They did a good job


Grandma provided food and Olivia provided the comic relief :o)


Sweet little baby Ella and her momma


Aunt Melissa and Olivia saying "sheese" for the camera


Thanks to Melissa for the pics...I kept meaning to take some, but never got it done!

Our Young Heroes by Oliver North

So thankful for those who have served and continue to do so to keep us free!

The Things You Can Learn from a Two Year Old

For a while now we have been walking down a difficult road, facing a long-term, daily problem that only seems to get worse with no hope for a resolution. Many days I feel completely with out hope concerning this situation. Some circumstances this morning left the burden feeling particularly heavy, but in God's perfect timing our daughter-in-law called and needed someone to watch Olivia for an hour. Of course, grandpa said yes :o) So I ran home and pulled some lunch together for the three of us. While we were enjoying lunch our darling girl was singing for us. She was singing one of the songs we heard her sing in church last Sunday--I loved it then, but it has touched me deeply this afternoon as I have listened to the words over and over again. So I thought I would share the video...the message is perfect for whatever difficulty you may be facing. As you listen picture super cute little two year old with her arms wrapped tightly around herself singing at the top of her voice: "Oh no, you never let go..." and feel encouraged.

New Craft Room

We have been busy little bees for the last week or so--turning the old upstairs craft room into a guest room and the basement family room into a new, improved craft room. I have been asked to post some pics so here goes...keep in mind there is still work to do.

This is just down at the bottom of the stairs. The paper rack is something my sweetie researched and made for me; it is perfect storage and it is on wheels in case I need to move it--he thinks of everything :o)

Next is my desk. Once again a creation from my sweet hubby. Quite a few years ago he took the wood from Tom's dorm loft and turned it into a desk for me--he's a talented guy, isn't he?!!

Some canvas prints I did in an online class with Wilna Furstenberg...she's a great teacher! One of the things we'd still like to do is get rid of the flower border...but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

This is the new storage piece we got at IKEA. I LOVE it. Especially the new workspace. I was always creating in a little tiny square on the desk--so nice to have room to spread out.

This corner still needs alot of work. I have to go through books and weed out and store away, then hopefully move out two of the cases. But for now Olivia's table is set up in front of them. She was so excited when we moved "our craft room" downstairs. The first time she came after we assembled the IKEA unit she walked straight to the bin that I filled with her craft stuff and pulled it out and started working. We hadn't told her that it even existed...somehow she just knew. I love sharing my room with my favorite litte crafter and can't wait 'till Ella can join the fun!

These are cases I moved from my upstairs room filled with all kinds of stuff. I love the vintage coke crates that my father-in-law gave me years ago; the hold my acrylic paints.

Back to where we started with punches stored in a shoe storage bag on the door. This is another of Olivia's favorite spots!

And of course, this would be totally boring without including some cuteness. Here is Olivia making a Twizz-eler moustache for Grandpa. Twizzlers are her favorite treat for being a big girl and using the bathroom which she is doing amazingly well!


I am really, really happy with the new space so far and now I have room for friends to come and play-- consider this your invitation!

Some New Fish for Grandpa

Olivia came by today for a little picnic lunch and visit. Grandpa had been given some new fish from a friend who is draining her pond and he saved them so Olivia could help get them into their new home.





Now they need some food


And some more water

And more water from the other side

These two are up to no good




Pretty girl thinking about something

The whole ornery gang

It was a WONDERFUL lunch break...I think we should do it every day!

Great Grandma and a Blast from the Past

Great Grandma May came today to meet sweet little Ella Faith. We had a great day. Over the years May has made lovely quilts for her grandkids and now her great-grands. She brought Ella's today--it is colorful and beautiful!


Andy's two sisters came for the day as well. While they were here, they decided to try to replicate a favorite photo of the three of them when they were young.

Here is the original...


And the pic from today...


The stinkery one is still in the middle :o)

Simply the Best...

Tom and Jennifer came for supper tonight with their adorable girlies. We enjoy having them here so much. After supper while I was sitting in the rocking chair cuddling with sweet little Ella, watching Olivia play at her little table, a feeling of pure happines and peace washed over me in a way I have seldom felt before. It felt like this is exactly what my life was meant to be. Grandpa Andy and I are truly blessed...

Now that I am done being sappy I will add some pictures of the evening.

Grammy and Ella Faith

Getting to know Grandpa Andy

Blurry...but cute of Grandpa and his girls

Olivia took a picture of Mommy

And a picture of Daddy--not a bad photographer for 2 years old :o)

A Visit from Big Sister Olivia

Big Sister Olivia came to play this morning. We had a WONDERFUL time. She played and played with Annie. I think Annie missed her as much as we did! We also worked on making Olivia's very own little picture book about baby sister Ella. Grammy forgot to take a picture of her creation, but it was cute and she was quite proud of her work. We still have pages to fill with more pictures of her other grandma and grandpa and special people like that. We finished off the morning with a trip to Culvers for lunch. She really enjoyed that...especially the chocolate milk. When we were ordering, she asked the cashier: "May I have some ice cream please?" It was ADORABLE. Of course we finished lunch with ice cream :o)

The time absolutely flew by...Grandma and Grandpa TOTALLY enjoyed a special morning with our sweet girl.

Today Was the Best Day!

You will find one of my favorite verses from the Psalms printed on the header of my blog--The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy. That perfectly sums up my feelings today. This morning our family joyously welcomed a perfect new little baby girl...Ella Faith. Mommy, daddy, big sister Olivia Grace and sweet baby Ella are all doing wonderfully.

Daddy and Ella Faith


Love the chubby little cheeks!


She's already stolen Grandpa's heart


Grammy and her newest sweetheart


The whole adorable family


Big sister Olivia checking out Ella's tiny fingers


We are so thankful to God for her safe arrival and cannot wait to get to know our newest little blessing.

Scrap Inspiration

If you could use some scrapping inspiration, be sure to check out the March gallery at Freehand Scraps.
I love this kit called Clothespin full of new stuff from CHA and a special handmade flower made from vintage sewing patterns. Here is one layout I particularly loved by guest designer Jill Sprott

I still have some dress fitting pics from Melissa's wedding (way behind, I know) that I have not done yet...may have to lift this idea :o)

Love this one by Holly Stork too...


All the great ideas makes me want to scrap tonight--not likely, but at least I want to.

Who Gives the Song?

Some words of wisdom from Charles Spurgeon...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Olivia made a Valentine today for her mommy and daddy. She told me over and over that she was making a Valentine's Day for mommy and daddy and they would say, Oh Olivia, what a beautiful Valentine's Day!


She used the Cuttlekids for the first time...she uses my punches every time she is here. I think the scissors and glue were still her favorite.

Notice the mess on the table and floor...little Olivia crafts just like her Grammy :o)

She signed her own name. If you look closely you can see the O l i v --not bad for 2 1/2 years old.

Happy Valentine's Day from Grammy and Olivia!