An Icon Falls

...but not without a fight.

Our "red" bathroom was beloved. It was familiar, comfortable, and all we'd known in this house. Jeremy painted it a few days after we had moved in (6 years ago). Crazy how time flies.

I had been throwing around the idea of repainting for a while, but I hesitated. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, but I also knew it would be a big undertaking. I wasn't sure I was up for it. And then there was the nagging doubt that my vision would be a lot better in theory than on actual walls and that maybe, just maybe, I didn't have the skills or the patience to pull it all off.

But the paint sale over Labor Day weekend at Lowe's lured me in.

Jeremy left town for a week and I got to work.

First up, covering the RED.

Valspar high hiding paint with primer.

It was pricey but worth every penny as you see how great it covered.

Base Coat: Pam's Lace (has a pearlized quality to it).

Love it.

Two coats and I called it good.

The kids were not happy.

They went so far as to tell me they couldn't believe I would do this to them. They loved the red bathroom and they weren't going to use it anymore now that I took the red away.

I'm telling you, there were some strong ties to this color.

But I pushed ahead, secretly hoping they wouldn't use this bathroom.

Maybe I'd have to clean it about 10x less often.

The next step was to tape.

That was a big step.

Took me almost 48 hours.

Partly because it's hard, partly because I wanted it to be perfect, partly because it took a lot more math than I had anticipated, partly because I was mothering 3 children single-handedly while doing it.

You get the idea.

I had a few pictures of the taping, but those were lost in the Great Hard Drive Crash of 2011.

Adding the accent color, Valspar's Beach House.

Pretty easy painting. Just stay in the lines. Sometimes I forgot which

line I was supposed to be painting and so I stared writing "white" and "blue" in pencil.

And it turned out.... OK.

4 days of work and I'd be lying if I didn't confess that I was just a little let down with the result.

To me, it looked like a bad polo shirt had exploded in my bathroom.

At 11pm I was less than thrilled.

UGH. Too late now.

There was nothing left to do but pull the tape.

So I did.

It looked better.

I could live with it.

Nothing prepared me for what it would look

like when I got it all put back together.

I LOVED IT!

And I think I loved it even more just because I did it!

Nothing feels better than a project that turns out better than you expected.

The bathroom is awesome.

It feels bright, I dare say it is brighter.

At least it has lost the cave-like quality it had with the red.

You should come try it out, for real.

Sometimes I Like to Blog

Since August we've:

*started school

*had 3 birthdays

*hosted lots of family for Kaden's baptism

*lost about 2 1/2 yrs of family photos after the most recent computer crash... boo!

*added two casts to the family

*welcomed lots babies (friends and family)

*learned the about the arrival of many more

*spooked it up for Halloween

*removed a 6 yr old's cast

*changed my cast a few different times

*stressed about and finally enjoyed the Primary Program

*started walking in the wee morning hours (loving my free therapy)

The next few months are sure to bring us a few more adventures. Stay tuned. I may, or may not, blog about it. You know how I am.

First day of school - 2011

Remember how the computer crashed?

This is the only shot I have of our family at the baptism.

I'm embracing the fact that I have ONE photo, even if my eyes happen to be closed.

Asking them to stand still for approximately 4 seconds when there is a

carnival raging in the gym is like torture.

Honestly.

A Sweet Epiphany (or three)

Wedding cake.

I was a little skeptical when the bride told me the color scheme but I actually love the way it turned out.

Jeremy was out of town so the kids watched Ponyo (one of the lamest movies ever- a fish that wants to be human... fail) like 7 times before I got all those hand-cut leaves and vines created and placed around all 4 sides.

My good friend was expecting baby #5 and so of course we've gotta have some cake.

I thought it would be funny/clever to have a question mark for the baby's initials since they hadn't decided on a name... turned out they had decided on the name and no one told me.

Jokes on the baker.

I'd been wanting to try out some argyle patterns.

Turns out hand painted stitching sucks and takes forever.

At least it looks cute.

5-tiered wedding monster.

I seriously was having heart palpitations assembling this cake on site.

Having an audience didn't help the stress level either.

Classic, beautiful and not falling over.

I call it success.

What have you been up to this summer?

I'm Itchy...

.... probably because I have approximately 58 mosquito bites from last weeks trek, but also I am partly itching for change.

I'm itchy for some structure (and maybe a little peace?). School is right around the corner which means fall is trailing not far behind. Time for schedules. Time for kids to learn and grow up right before your eyes. Summer has been good to us, but I know there are great things in store for us.

I'm itching to know what and where we'll be come next spring. Most of me hopes right here in our quaint little house surrounded by all our friends and family, but then some days there are parts of my brain that think a fun adventurous move might be intriguing.

I'm itching to know why my friends have decided to purchase vans like they are going out of style. Seriously, like 4 in the last month have gone the way of the Caravan. What the what?

I guess I'm just itchy.

I know a girl.

A wonderful girl.

A thoughtful, loving, unbelievably generous girl.

The thing about this girl is that once she get her mind set on something she doesn't quit.

She's had cancer in her sights for a while now, and she's determined.

She's making a difference.

Wanna help?

Check it out here!

It's A Special Day...

and I'm celebrating with a post!

Recently I've....

* managed to explode the microwave while attempting to hard boil an egg. {apparently all of modern civilization knows this shouldn't be attempted. Well, of course, except for me}

* not been blogging.

* been maintaining an awesome looking garden. For real, the best we've had in a few years.

* gone to a slew of baseball and t-ball games and loved almost every minute of it.

* kept some semblance of sanity while Jeremy learns all about fire stuff and disaster stuff. Cue Adam Sandler: "Back to school, back to school...."

* prepped myself for one more Spanish speaker to grace our house by fall. Kindergarten people, no announcements here.

***AND***

* stayed married to the best man ever for the last 11 years. I'm not gonna lie, I'm one lucky girl... even though on our wedding day he kept me waiting and the officiant repeatedly asked me if I was sure he was showing up I'm glad you came through Jer.

{He claims he stopped at the gas station for pop beforehand. Awesome, I know. He'll tell you he was on time, but don't believe him. Temple workers don't lie, or worry poor innocent brides for no reason, do they?}

My Valentine-lovin Baby

She gets those big blue eyes from her mama.

Her sweet affection for chocolate...

that's my contribution too.

It's half full

Going on day 3 of no working dishwasher. Five people make a lot of dishes, and we even ate at the in-laws last night! The good news is the part should be here by noon. My husband/repairman should be here by 5. My dishwasher should be back in action.... let's just say sometime tonight. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that the $20 part is the fix because as much as I'd love a new dishwasher I would NOT love purchasing a new dishwasher right now.

Remember last year about this time when our car got broken into. Last night the same happened to the the other car. Only one of the doors doesn't lock so I don't know if it's technically considered a break in? The good news is nothing was taken (because there's nothing in there) but it's still creepy knowing people are rifling through your stuff. Invasion of privacy is a bad feeling. Being the only family that doesn't park in the garage has consequences, I tell ya.

I am feeling a little overwhelmed and very inadequate to fulfill my new calling. Excited but inadequate nonetheless. The good news is that I got released from the other three callings I was doing so I have only two things on my plate. Unfortunately Trek and Primary are still two really big things on my plate. But I'm loving them both and am very happy to be where I'm at.

*2nd Counselor in the Primary if you hadn't heard.

Monday Thoughts

*I'm happy for the new stake changes, simply because it's finally done and I feel like everyone can breathe and move forward. Like confidently move forward. Sometimes planning is hard when you aren't sure what's around the corner. know what i mean?

*I'm itching to paint my bathroom, but not just any old way.... like this. Blue and white, can't you see it? Camie please talk me out of it, or into it.

*I'm really, really, really wishing for some blue skies... I'll even take the cold as long as i can see blue. Pretty please?

*Got a few cakes/cupcake orders on the back burner. It's been a while, so I'm kind of excited to hop back in the saddle.

*Planning and gearing up for our family camping trip to Yellowstone this Summer.

* Two posts in one week! Madness I tell ya. Yeah, I about peed my pants too...

2011

It's been a while since pen hit paper over here.

A lot has happened. A lot has changed. Yet some days it feels as though it hasn't. Sometimes it feels as though I am the same girl wandering through life stumbling along and trying to find my way in this big old world. Other times I look back and can see the difference in myself, the person I am verses the person I once was. Sometimes I like it, and sometimes I see where I may have taken a turn I regret. I am learning, stretching and growing... always.

What I know for sure is I have friends who fade in and out of my life, yet always cheer me along. I am finding my way with a handsome husband and darling kids at my side who keep me grounded, safe and loved. It's a great way to travel. The only way to travel, for me.

There were candles, presents and loads of fun for this little one.

One year older, but still my baby girl...

Sugar, spice, and whole lotta something else...

You are everything I expected in a little girl, some I never could have imagined, and more wonderful than I ever thought possible.

You love to create.

{ribbon and paper necklaces are your current specialty}

You love to bake.

{cupcakes are the confection of choice}

You love all things pink, sparkly, frilly or

anything that remotely resembles make-up.

{you "borrow" anything you can from my jewelry stash}

You love to dance and sing.

{the songs you make up in the car are my favorite}

You love being you!

{and I love that too}

Happy 5th Birthday Brynners!

First Day of School

It came and went just like that!
I think it will be another successful year for this sweet boy.

The things we do for love

A sign-up sheet went around work.

It was a going away party for a fellow employee.

Jeremy noticed a slot for cake was still available.

He claimed that as his contribution.

He brought home a flyer and requested I replicate it on the cake.

Next time I'll keep my fingers crossed in hopes that he just signs up for a side dish

.

Fondant is hand cut and frosting is freehanded (aka: a huge pain in my booty).

The sky is a watercolor treatment, but that was fun!

Summer Dayz

We didn't spend nearly enough time lounging poolside this summer.... but there's always next year.

Can't Wait...

Anyone want to go together?

Cake Anyone?

A few things I've been up to this summer.....

A birthday cake for our good friend.

He is a VW enthusiast to the core

and I replicated his bus.

With only 26 hours notice...

I'm calling it a success.

***

Wedding Cake

Turns out the father of the bride went to high school with Jeremy.

True story.

***

Cake for a reception.

Simple outside, but the inside

was chocolate pound cake filled with dark chocolate ganache.

I think I gained 3 lbs that weekend eating cake scraps turned cake burritos*.

*If you aren't familiar with cake burritos come over and let me enlighten you!

Summer has been good to us,

and we plan on squeezing every last minute out of our remaining 10 days.

Kinda Forgot I Had a Blog...

I'm pretty sure you forgot too. Lots of things have happened, and yet I still don't feel the pull to post. Bad, I know, but my feelings all the same.

Maybe someday the blogging spark will reignite, and then again- maybe not. It is summer after all and blogging is supposed to take a back burner.

So there it is, enjoy life on the back burner!

{and if for some crazy reason the view from the back burner gets old I suppose we could always chat on the phone or meet up at the park, ya know do things that friends actually do}

Until then, enjoy the fabulously non-scorching weather.

33% of my Life

10 years =

7 cars

2 houses

4 moves

5 wards

16,000 feet of sod

3 great kids

27 trips to Utah (at least)

20 seasons of Survivor

2 dogs

7 fish

More happy times than I can count!

-Jeremy

Love seems the swiftest but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.

~Mark Twain

Delightful Pictures

Even though this bell doesn't have a built in light like it's amazingly mediocre predecessor I still think the copper beats broken and yellowed any day!