My DIY Kitchen ReDesign Part 1

So last night we went on our first pallet picking expedition one of many I am sure. It went ok the quality of the wood really varies so I learned that we will have to shop for the ones for our table and benches for while till we have a enough good quality ones but right now we are just working on our garden boxes so it doesn't matter too much.

We took a little trip though Home Depot last night DH (dear husband) needed some accessories for fence and gate building. I wandered through some of the aisles searching out some ideas for my kitchen reno. I found a couple of wall papers samples to take home and test out see what I think, one is a big bold pattern and the other similar pattern just smaller scale. At first I thought I liked the bigger pattern but now the smaller one is growing on me, what do all of you think? Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know which you prefer remember this is only going on one wall which is only 10-15 ft long. I am also going to be installing wainscoting and chair rail at the bottom of that wall too.

I also spent some time looking at the tiles and flooring. I was looking for a plain white what Nate Berkus called penny tile for my back splash but the closed I could find was a 1" square tile which would work but isn't exactly what I had envisioned. For the floor I think we are going to go with a vinyl plank system at Home Depot and we are thinking tile or cork look for that I didn't really like any of the tile options I looked at last night but found a cork one I am sort of interested in so we will see what I think of it in the coming days I brought home a sample to ponder on.

I also looked at some paint samples didn't really find the colors I had in mind I am still really liking the ones I found on Design Seeds but we will see as I keep looking.

A little family

We just came home from a wonderful long weekend away, it is so nice to have a little break every now and then. We don't do it very often and probably not as often as we should we will be working on that over the summer. I have been starting to stand up for myself when people comment on my little family and on how lucky my Son is to get all the attention etc. I say yes he is and that is the beauty of having only one child. It's hard because sometimes I want to say more or get angry at them but I know most times it is not meant as a dig at me personally it's just once you have struggled as we have you are sensitive to those comments. People don't understand that for me just going out is a struggle that seeing so many people with the family we hoped for, dreamed for, and sacrificed my health for is hard. That a simple thing like taking my Son to a birthday party I dread, I cringe at the idea knowing comments will be made and that DS will see his classmates interacting with their siblings and that will make him say, "Mommy I want to be a big brother too" all he wants is to be like his friends. I have to say though he is getting better it was only just last week that he made a comment about it I hadn't heard it in months, that makes it easier. I had a chance to chat with a good friend while away and she too has only one child it was good to hear that she too has the same struggles and feels the same pressures.

I find it interesting that as mothers we find it appropriate to judge each other on our abilities to parent and raise our families instead of supporting one another and realizing that you do not know the full extent of that person situation and given time you may too experience the same thing. So instead of lifting that mother up and being encouraging we would rather stare and comment. I feel as mothers we should bond together and encourage one another be our own support system because lets face it this is the hardest job we will ever face with the toughest critic. I have been reading the book Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman, I am really enjoying it. I am finding some of things I did or do naturally but some of the history behind the french parenting method is very interesting. I really recommend reading it is worth the price or check it out of the library although very popular so hard to get.

I am setting myself a goal to not be judgmental of other Mothers when I am out and to try and give them a little smile or help them out when faced with a difficult situation. I will remember that I have or could be in their shoes one day too.
Had to add a link to this post by a fellow blog Mommy out there: 10 Days of Intentional Parenting Day Six: Grace by finding joy.

Rayna's Day of Play

I came across this today and I had the honor of meeting this beautiful little angel in my previous work I thought I would share this in her honor!

Rayna's Day of Play - August 26th 2012 

We are now in our planning stages for this years Rayna's Day of Play which will be held on Central Ave in Sutherland (replacing HarvestFest) Noon to 4 p.m. There will be rides, games, a Tea Party, Talent Show, parade, kite making and flying,  Entertainment including a show by Singing with Sylvia, craft stations, Concessions, Teddy Bear Clinic, Man Cave and Mommies Corner and more. A family filled event with family values of fun family time.  Wristbands will be on sale shortly for the cost of $15.00 which will include all rides, crafts and child's lunch, ages are 3 years and up for the wristband. This years event will be a growing stage from a very successful Tea Party we had last year on May 1st which was in honour of Rayna Korte, sadly Rayna passed away the next day on May the 2nd from a long battle with Cancer. Her very last wish was for a 100 days of play when she found out she was terminal and Rayna played for exactly 100 days to the day she passed. To keep her beautiful spirit very alive and in her honour, her Mother Cindy has let us rename the event to Rayna's Day of Play and we shall Play rain or shine. If you are interested in participating in either purchasing a booth space, providing a service, or entertainment please contact Kristy at the Children's Wish Foundation or Leanne at 384-4791 or email raynasdayofplay@hotmail.com

She also has a Facebook page feel to visit and like it! 

What have we been up to?

It has been awhile again since I posted life is keeping us busy as both my husband I are continuing to work on our recoveries. Slowly but surely we can see a light at the end of the tunnel! Our Son turned 6 in March can you believe it, I can't! This year we hosted a Star Wars themed Birthday Party and it was fun, crazy but fun! I purchased a wonderful party kit on Etsy from Delightfulprints it was wonderful and made it so easy!

Shown are just a few of the items included in the kit! We also made for the party a pinata replica of the Death Star from the a soccer ball pinata thanks to pinterest! We also did pretzel light sabers and Star Wars sugar cookies, all and all it was good fun!

After the Birthday I have gotten myself busy crafting here are a few of my latest creations!

So as you can see from the many pictures I have kept myself really busy which has been good for me in many ways. It has helped to keep my mind occupied while we wait for our adoption to move onto the homestudy part of the process we are still waiting for our application to be approved for homestudy. This process is very long and at times feels very frustrating. We have recently come to the conclusion that in 3 years when our mortgage is up for renewal we will see where we are in the process and if we haven't progressed at all then we will pack up and go travel for a year at least! Also once we return from our mini vacation I plan to start a 30 day Hot Yoga challenge and will blog through that for all of you to read. I have a friend who completed one in January and she has Lupus and says it made a huge positive impact on her health. I am hoping to kick off our traveling by taking a one month Yoga Teacher training through Rainbow Kids International at least that is my plan at the moment.
As for the next little while well we are working on putting in our garden soon I have it planned out now we must gather our supplies we plan to build a raised bed garden this year making the containers out of pallet would, find our inspiration here on Pinterest of course! I will post finished photos for all of you once it is complete and planted. After that we are going to start a partial reno of our kitchen, this will be the first time in any of the houses we have owned that we will have done a kitchen and I am really excited. In this house with my daycare and my lifestyle the kitchen is the one room I spend the most time in. I am planning on doing it in mustard yellow with plum, white and black accents. See this color combo on Pinterest it is one of the ones I am considering for the plum and yellow. We are also going to doing our own farmhouse table and benches as well as wood counter tops! So as you can tell from this list we will continue to be busy, I will try and take some before pictures for you all and post our progress as I can. Looking forward to a busy spring and summer!