Think Spring!

I was fortunate enough to be raised around on a farm so when Spring rolled around we would see all the new life that the warm sunny days had in store for the world. New baby calves, lambs, and kittens.

Baby kittys my favorite - my sisters and I would always take our baby doll dress up clothes and dress them up in dresses and hats. They would just purrrr...

My Grandma Pattie had sheep when we were growing up and I loved visiting her lambing shed where a lot of the baby lambs were born. Sometimes we would have to take care of the lambs if something went wrong and we would feed them on the bottle. We loved helping her and later when we were a little older we got some lambs of our own.

For an alternate income in our home my mom raised bottle calves and sold them when they got bigger. We had quite a few and it was part of our chores to help her feed and water them.

Spring also reminds me of the smell of lilacs which is probably my favorite flower smell. My Grandma's whole driveway was lined with lilacs - purple and white ones. We had one smaller bush at our house. To this day I love the smell and I think they are gorgeous!

As many of you can relate I'm sure - Spring is when my hay fever allergy always flares up. When I was little there was always random pollen irritating me or there was a nearby farmer who was swathing hay or combining grain. Our little valley was just a huge sneeze for me... It was pretty common for my little face to be swollen up and I was trying to keep my hands down from itching my eyes out. I don't have allergies near as bad now - but I also live in the city. HUGE difference :)

Spring is also when High School Rodeo would start so many of my spring memories is of us girls on the road together going to rodeos. Listening to Patsy Cline and Dean Martin. Oh! and don't forget the practicing! We would ride every night almost all year long - My parents have an arena in front of their house. I would so love to go back and be a fly on the post and listen to the conversations between us sisters... and the arguments :) I'm sure it would be hysterical!

Casi, Jodi, and Sami (My sisters and me!)

Boo Hoo!

We are all sick here at the Melton House. We were all so stoked because my sister was going to come visit this weekend with my sweet little Macarti Girl. We were going to go to my Husband's Rugby Team's first game (he is coaching High School Boy's Rugby) and we were going to do a little visiting, movies, going for walks and all that fun stuff.

Oh how I wish they could still come. This croupy cold stuff just hit us on Wednesday around noonish and my poor little boy is just draggin'! He didn't hardly sleep a wink last night and went to sleep about 7:30 p.m. tonight which is about 2 hours before his bedtime... so I wonder when he'll wake up... we'll see if mama can get some sleep tonight. Speaking of which I better hop to it. Hopefully soon I'll get out of this funk and sick-o-ness and get back to regular blogging... Yes Krista girl - I too hate hate it when my kid-o is sick!!

Cute as a Button!

When I was a little girl, both my mom and my grandma Pattie had a huge container filled full of buttons. I would spend hours running my little hands through all of the buttons trying to find my favorites and just the feeling of the cold buttons in my hands and the sounds of them as I'd pick up a hand full then drop them back in the container. I am a huge fan of buttons and I love that you can do all sorts of fun things with them!

Below are some awesome ideas that people have thought up for using buttons in a different way rather than just the traditional to secure clothing. They're great!

This bow was found at bows2cute.com

These craft pics were found on ladyfort / sallyent's photostream in flickr. They have really cute stuff there - I couldn't find a business website or I would post that too. Very creative!

These buttons were placed so perfectly to fancy up a button sachet. These are found at the whiteaisle.com - I think these would be a fun party favor!

This was found at free-holiday-ideas.com

Great idea placing the buttons around the bottom of the cake! adds a ton character. This one is found at junebugweddings.com

I'm Back! Finally!

So... I haven't been blogging because our Internet modem died and they said they mailed it when they really forgot and we should of had it last Thursday but we just got it last night. The good thing is that since we went without Internet the company is going to credit $10 back to our account for when we went without and it was their fault!

It was totally strange not being able to have the convenience of checking things on the Internet and the I was really starting to miss being able to write on my blogs and to be able read some of yours.

BUT I am back and ready to get going again. Since my last post - Seems like not to much has gone on although some things have happened that are "in the works" right now so I can't disclose them quite yet... (Some of you know what I mean :)

Also my sister Jodi joined the blogging world so go visit her blog here - I can't wait to be able to read her blog of all the fun things that family is doing. I love her stories about her kids. They're hilarious!

I'm in a funk!!!

I just am! I don't know what it is or why I feel this way... I couldn't get up and going this morning - Pauly literally was playing on my bed for an hour - watching Handy Manny and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse when I finally got up and got breakfast - (granted he woke up right at 7:30 which remember the whole time change thing is sort of 6:30 in my mommy world)...

I do give myself a little credit tonight - I made yummy roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and steamed carrots for dinner.

Tomorrow my goals are to just get out of this funk and get going!! I always feel so much better... hopefully soon I'll get used to this time change :)

Tonight we are watching dances with the stars and so far both Ben and I are rootin' for the Gymnast!! Go Shawn!

Do you dare?

The other day when I was looking through some google images I found these three rooms that have very BOLD decor, paint and bedding! I just loved them and thought... Would I dare? Would you?

STOP and smell the roses...

With man this may seem impossible, but with GOD all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26

We had a pretty great weekend. We had a Blaze King Stove sell on Craig's List which put an additional $200 in our pocket and may all God's people say "AMEN"! We plan on using that and some of our tax money we got back to put into a garden and a little grass in our backyard. We will also put some money into a pump for a possible well Ben found on our property. That will surely cut down that darn water bill!

This verse above reminds me of new beginnings and what Springs has in store for our little home here. Yesterday when Pauly and I were outside playing I saw two robins pecking around in the lawn and I was so excited to see their ruby red breasts. They're gorgeous!

It got me to thinking about how impossible you would think it would be for a egg to turn into a bird. Such a beautiful metamorphosis. The robin's egg is a gorgeous shade of well yes blue... Robin's Egg Blue is one of my favs! The immaculate hand God has in every single thing BIG and small in our world. Whether we find it really important to dreadfully nonexistent and blah - it all cycles and changes and is beautiful and perfect because of his wonderful GRACE and impeccable plan and creation.

If it were all to stop what things would you finally notice because they went away or stopped? It is crucial to remember to open our eyes and appreciate everything we possibly can, because we never know when that one thing that we haven't appreciated might some day - be gone forever. Must have no regrets.

Photo by: Rosemary Cluley

I kiss the palms of your tiny hands and then lay them on my face.
I shut my eyes to savor the moment.
I love the feel of your soft precious skin against mine.
I grab you by your cheeks and pull you in for a big lip smooch.
I stroke your hair and help it all lay down, parted to the right.
You're my little man.
Your little arms swing back and forth as you run barefoot on our warn, sun kissed, wood floor.
I chase you through the kitchen, to the living room and on to your bedroom.
You trip and fall over the edge of the blue wool rug that graces the floor of your room.
I grab you up quick and hold you tight, your poor little eyes filled with tears.
You lay your head on my shoulder while you weep.
You squeeze around my neck with your tiny arms, still needing comforted.
The tears fade away and I inspect your little body.
You get a grin back on your face and you talk to me in that little adorable language you have.
I just nod and smile.
You grab your favorite book and plop yourself in my lap.
Your little head against my chest and your little hands in your lap.
You point at the pictures and repeat some of the words as I read to you.
You are so smart.
I wrap my arms around you and squeeze you tight.
We jump up at the same time and I hold your hand as we run through the house.
We play with the dog and you give her kisses.
She loves you.
You help me with the house chores as we wait for Daddy to come home from work.
Then suddenly we hear the door and you scream!
It's Daddy!
You run to him, he scoops you up and squeezes you tight.
His whiskers tickle you and you make a funny face.
You give him a kiss.
He asks you about your day.
You answer again in the little language you have.
He nods and smiles.
We eat dinner as a family.
You feed yourself with a spoon.You are doing such a great job!
We enjoy our night together wrestling, laughing and reading books.
Bedtime now and you kiss daddy goodnight.
You fold your little hands together ready to pray.
Your eyes shut and you are whispering a little prayer to yourself.
I pray with you and then give you a goodnight kiss.
I tuck you in and tell you I love you and that I will see you in the morning.
Soon, you are dreaming...

I kiss the palms of your tiny hands and then lay them on my face.

I shut my eyes to savor the moment.

I love the feel of your soft precious skin against mine.

I grab you by your cheeks and pull you in for a big lip smooch.

I stroke your hair and help it all lay down, parted to the right.

You're my little man.

Your little arms swing back and forth as you run barefoot on our warn, sun kissed, wood floor.

I chase you through the kitchen, to the living room and on to your bedroom.

You trip and fall over the edge of the blue wool rug that graces the floor of your room.

I grab you up quick and hold you tight, your poor little eyes filled with tears.

You lay your head on my shoulder while you weep.

You squeeze around my neck with your tiny arms, still needing comforted.

The tears fade away and I inspect your little body.

You get a grin back on your face and you talk to me in that little adorable language you have.

I just nod and smile.

You grab your favorite book and plop yourself in my lap.

Your little head against my chest and your little hands in your lap.

You point at the pictures and repeat some of the words as I read to you.

You are so smart.

I wrap my arms around you and squeeze you tight.

We jump up at the same time and I hold your hand as we run through the house.

We play with the dog and you give her kisses.

She loves you.

You help me with the house chores as we wait for Daddy to come home from work.

Then suddenly we hear the door and you scream!

It's Daddy!

You run to him, he scoops you up and squeezes you tight.

His whiskers tickle you and you make a funny face.

You give him a kiss.

He asks you about your day.

You answer again in the little language you have.

He nods and smiles.

We eat dinner as a family.

You feed yourself with a spoon.
You are doing such a great job!

We enjoy our night together wrestling, laughing and reading books.

Bedtime now and you kiss daddy goodnight.

You fold your little hands together ready to pray.

Your eyes shut and you are whispering a little prayer to yourself.

I pray with you and then give you a goodnight kiss.

I tuck you in and tell you I love you and that I will see you in the morning.

Soon, you are dreaming...

Tea for two - well actually three...

At my church our Women's Group has started a Mentoring Group. We started this group this past October. The idea was that this would a great opportunity for women of all ages learn to get to know each other better and appreciate what every woman has to bring to the table. For example: each group was made up of approximately 3 ladies of all ages. What we do is we meet once a month to visit and fellowship and then all the time we are praying for each other and then we once a week we also try and remember to drop each other a phone call or a note in the mail.

This last weekend my group met. Every time we meet we alternate between each other's houses and this time it was my turn and I tell you I had such a wonderful time preparing for this little get-together!

The theme for my party was "Tea Party". I called my mom for all the fun Tea Party sandwich ideas and I ended up making Deviled Ham sandwiches, Egg Salad sandwiches, Chicken Salad sandwiches, Cucumber/Cream Cheese sandwiches. I also made a Carrot Salad as a side. One lady brought a Green Salad and the other brought a wonderful Fruit, Yogurt and Granola Parfait! We had quite the spread and I made sure before we got back from church that my table was all set and I had a three-tier little holder that I put on the bottom cookies, then peanuts and the top I put little mints. Of course along with this wonderful spread we had tea, coffee and ice water.

I had went to the local thrift store and bought precious yet affordable tea cups and plates. They were all white and matched. They were $ .75 each. These played as my party favors as well!

We ate, visited, cried and prayed together. These ladies just mean the world to me and I'm so blessed to have them in my life! Have yourself a lovely little tea party soon!

and counting...

Church this Sunday was awesome! I was there alone - well Pauly was in Nursery (hopefully behaving) and the husband was re cooperating at home as he had worked 6 days and nights right in a row - he needed to just relax for a little bit! I don't mind going to church by myself with Pauly it can be a little challenging but overall I love going... period! The music was awesome - we sang old hymns like "In the Garden", "Come, thou fount", and "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" It was just what I needed... you know when you've got fogged over and your eyes aren't focused. It really hit me in church when I realized how blessed I am.

There are so many people right now going through so much loss, hurt and turmoil in this world. I think about those people and it really makes me realize how silly I've been, how petty, selfish and completely un-acknowledging Christ and what a blessing he is to have in my life. Without him I'm nothing and any frustrations or lost feelings I ever might have if I didn't have him would control my life... but because he is in my life I can give it to him and I know he will never leave me!

I'm counting my blessings this week left and right! From my alone time in the morning, to my patient and loving husband... to the fact that I have a perfectly healthy body and I'm hardly ever sick to my beautiful precious son. So many things- somethings big some things small! We can pay our bills, my husband has a job, I woke up this morning and my wonderful family, church family and friends...

The list goes on and on!

Cruise to my loo my darlin'

This was found on Wikipedia.org

Made by Velorbis

Can't you see somewhere on this one - belongs to: The Lady?

Made by Land Rover
All I have to say about this one is ... Yes! Please! http://www.rei.com/

Pinky Pinky Pink! Love Love this one!

I know it's a boy's bike but it is gorgeous!

A Bike Store

This color is so awesome!

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock...

Tonight I'm rummaging (is that how you spell?) through google images of church doors... Oh my goodness so many cool pics! I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

JJ Photos at The Fine Art Print Gallery

http://www.salvo.co.uk/

Emilie Wood Photography

http://ameganfindsartinphilly.wordpress.com/

visualstpaul.blogspot.com

Artist: Lisa Engelbrecht

Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with Me. Rev 3:20

my little man

well my son has learned that men shake hands. he loves to talk to strangers in the line at the library and last week he put his handout to shake this 6'5" ft tall guy (i'm serious he was huge!) and my little boy put out his hand and the i had to tell the guy what he wanted (because one-year-old little boys don't usually shake hands and introduce themselves) so the guy kneeled down and shook Pauly's hand and Pauly continued to talk his ear off till i checked my books out. it was precious and of course i was so proud!

then he did it again this week! we were just walking out of the library and a man was walking behind us, he grabbed the door for us and talked to Pauly a little... then Pauly started to talk back (in his own little interesting language) and the man sort of looked at me for me to translate and i give him the look like - dude, you're on your own! then Pauly stretched out his little hand (and i piped up - because i knew what that meant) so i said, "he wants to shake your hand," the man gave me this look like - really? and there on the steps of the library he shook my little man's hand.

what a little face

the other day we were outside playing and my little boy ate some dirt. i wasn't paying attention - i was on the phone with my sister and i looked over and he had black dirt all around his mouth and he was crunching on something. i used my fingers to try and get it all out of his mouth but he honestly was acting like it was nummy! i was laughing so hard i was crying and couldn't breathe! this is the picture i got with my phone. what a cute little face huh!

Read all about Us!

1) Who is your man? a bald, funny, beautiful blue eyed man

2)How long have you been together? We met downtown at a restaurant/bar and he sat down beside me and started visiting - I offered him some chicken strips and he was in love :) We married September 25,2004

3)How long did you date? 3 years

4)How old is your man? 34

5)Who eats more? He does - but sometimes around midnight I can't help it!

6)Who said "I love you" first? I did...

7)Who is taller? He is.

8)Who sings better? He does... and plays the guitar... jealous?

9)Who is smarter? He is!!!

10)Whose temper is worse? He does!!!

11)Who does the laundry? I do until he has a fit because I'm doing it wrong :)

12)Who takes the garbage out? It is his job but I help some times...

13)Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do - it is closer to the bathroom and I always have to get up! It sucks!

14)Who pays the bills? He brings it in and I send it out... after he gets his allowance of course :)

15)Who is better at the computer? He is - he always has to fix it when I screw it up.. Thanks honey!

16)Who mows the lawn? Thanks God him!

17)Who cooks dinner? I cook the majority of the nights but he cooks when we have Pizza and when I'm pooped!

18)Who drives when you are together? He does... he's a gentleman like that.

19)Who pays when you go out? He does? We do...? It's our money :)

20)Who is most stubborn? Not me!

21)Who is the first to admit they are wrong? I do!!! It makes me crazy!

22)Whose parents do you see most? His - at least they're cool!

23)Who kissed who first? We kissed.

24)Who asked who out? I gave him my phone number at the restaurant and he called me.

25)Who proposed? He proposed on Valentines of 2004 on the steps of a old cute little church that I adored. It was precious!

26)Who is more sensitive? I am!

27)Who has more friends? He did but now his friends are my friends so We do! :)

28)Who has more siblings? He does - all sisters, he is the only boy... Pray for me (jk their awesome)

29)Who wears the pants in the family? He does, he is the head of our household.



This is one of those tag games... I don't really like to tag people - so do it if you think it's fun! I would love to learn more about you and your sweety!!

Idea Emergency!!

My back door is the door everyone enters in to. As soon as you open the back door you're life is jeopardize by a flight of stairs that goes straight down to my business or you turn to the left and step up two steps and you are in my kitchen - So NO back porch/mud room (I wish) Anyhow right up the stairs is where everyone (including me) tosses off their shoes and hucks their jackets... even my 1 year old has caught on that this is where you just drop everything and run!
This doorway has a door (which is nice because with Pauly I'm able to close off the stairs when I please BUT I never do close it - It's always open) and my kitchen is well probably 16 long and 9 ft wide... aka TINY! So one of those little - well these...(although I would love) won't fit...

We really do need a basket for odds and ends like gloves and hats and even a little bench would be nice to sit there and put on/take off our shoes with a rug under the whole thing.

I've considered putting hooks on the door - on the front side like these -

and then under the hanger put a little bench I already have w/ a rug and a basket - This seems like a really cute Idea but I'm concerned my bench will be too big and the whole idea a over all pain when it comes to wanting to close the door but...it is always open but then I won't have the option to close it as easily if I so choose.Then I've thought of getting hooks and putting them on the door - Behind the door there is only about 4 inches of wall then there is a whole nook that is full of windows and no wall space for anything to hang. I was considering putting hooks like these

in a row behind the door - I would put them vertical rather than horizontal like the picture- I just can't decide whether that would be too obnoxious or not ... because there just isn't hardly any space behind the door and then the coats would push the door forward into my kitchen space. uuug!

Honestly this kind of sounds like I'm just whining! whining! and I should just pick an idea and try it out... I KNOW! I'm not the type to have such a hard time with this stuff but I'm really struggling... I keep thinking of the Imagination Movers on the Disney Channel and I keep wanting to call out..."This sounds like an idea emergency" and then the whole wind machine would kick on and we could sing the Brainstorming Song. (Have I lost you?) That's okay -

Well leave me any ideas that you might have and I think for now, I'll put the little bench there today and see what I think. Maybe it won't take up too much room and be just what the doctor ordered (positive thinking - positive thinking). Then on the open side of the door I can put a few little hooks or a board of hooks mounted on the door with a little rug under the bench and a sweet little basket to catch our odds and ends... We'll see if that works - I'll keep you posted! Have a great day!

Idea Emergency!!

My back door is the door everyone enters in to. As soon as you open the back door you're life is jeopardize by a flight of stairs that goes straight down to my business or you turn to the left and step up two steps and you are in my kitchen - So NO back porch/mud room (I wish) Anyhow right up the stairs is where everyone (including me) tosses off their shoes and hucks their jackets... even my 1 year old has caught on that this is where you just drop everything and run!

This doorway has a door (which is nice because with Pauly I'm able to close off the stairs when I please BUT I never do close it - It's always open) and my kitchen is well probably 16 long and 9 ft wide... aka TINY! So one of those little - well these...(although I would love) won't fit...

We really do need a basket for odds and ends like gloves and hats and even a little bench would be nice to sit there and put on/take off our shoes with a rug under the whole thing.

I've considered putting hooks on the door - on the front side like these -


and then under the hanger put a little bench I already have w/ a rug and a basket - This seems like a really cute Idea but I'm concerned my bench will be too big and the whole idea a over all pain when it comes to wanting to close the door but...it is always open but then I won't have the option to close it as easily if I so choose.

Then I've thought of getting hooks and putting them on the door - Behind the door there is only about 4 inches of wall then there is a whole nook that is full of windows and no wall space for anything to hang. I was considering putting hooks like these in a row behind the door - I would put them vertical rather than horizontal like the picture- I just can't decide whether that would be too obnoxious or not ... because there just isn't hardly any space behind the door and then the coats would push the door forward into my kitchen space. uuug!

Honestly this kind of sounds like I'm just whining! whining! and I should just pick an idea and try it out... I KNOW! I'm not the type to have such a hard time with this stuff but I'm really struggling... I keep thinking of the Imagination Movers on the Disney Channel and I keep wanting to call out..."This sounds like an idea emergency" and then the whole wind machine would kick on and we could sing the Brainstorming Song. (Have I lost you?) That's okay -

Well leave me any ideas that you might have and I think for now, I'll put the little bench there today and see what I think. Maybe it won't take up too much room and be just what the doctor ordered (positive thinking - positive thinking). Then on the open side of the door I can put a few little hooks or a board of hooks mounted on the door with a little rug under the bench and a sweet little basket to catch our odds and ends... We'll see if that works - I'll keep you posted! Have a great day!

Your turn

Okay Mom... Now it is your turn. I thought it would only be fare if I were to post some red paisley bedding. I'm not sure if it is stuff you would like. But me being your daughter, it is what I thought you would like the best from what there was to choose from. For all of you who do not know my mom, she likes things with a western flare about them. Conchos, hair-on-hide, Paisleys, No frillies. Bold and well ... Classic Western - not cheesy western. So hope you like at least one of these mom and if you don't... well keep it to yourself :) JK!

I put these in the order of liking (as did I with my black and white bedding - so the top on of each is my favorite then working down to my least favorite but still good & yes Krista I did like that bottom one BUT too much white with kids and a dog is NOT SAGE :)

Love ya guys! SJ

what a face

Today Pauly and I were out on a walk. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm! We were gone about a half hour and when we got back and before we went in the house I decided to let Pauly play in the back yard a little to let out some energy since on the walk all he does is play with a stick I find on the side of the road, beat Daphnie when I'm not looking with the stick and ride in the stroller.

While we were in the backyard I decided to call Jodi and touch base for the day like I always do. Obviously I wasn't playing close enough attention to my boy because he came to me with a black dirt like substance dripping out of his mouth as if he was chewing on an oreo. Well since I knew we didn't bring out any oreos (nor do I ever buy them) I knew he must of took a mouth full of dirt and boy was he enjoying it. Just crunching away. I was laughing so hard with Jodi I was crying! I just kept taking my hand trying to clear it out of his mouth.

Once we got in the house I couldn't help but take this picture! I guess mama better pay a little more attention next time... Ha

Dapher Doo!!

Our family pet is a creamy beige colored cocker spaniel named Daphnie. Currently she wears a purple collar with her little identification charms. She gets her grooming from her mommy (me) and I always love to leave a little tuft of hair on top of her head to give her even more personality then she already has.

I got Daphnie as a gift from my mom for my 21st birthday. At the time I was living by myself in a tiny little apartment so it was wonderful to have a little friend. Daphnie is 6 years old. She loves chasing squirrels, going for walks and playing with her boy.

Pauly loves her to pieces and she puts up with him and I think she loves him too! He always tries to sit on her so in some little part of his brain he think she is a bench. It is pretty funny. He can be pretty hard on her trying to pull her ears and stuff but she puts up with it and is always gentle towards him. She loves kids so much!

Here are some picks of our baby girl we love so much. Enjoy!!

Black and White

A couple of weeks ago I sent my mom a picture of black and white bedding simply hinting to her that if she had a little bit of time on her hands she could make me something like it.

I have been dreaming of a black and white master suite. All the drama and romance that a black and white suite could hold takes my breathe away just thinking about it. So today our little conversation came up again and she told me about the bedding she wouldn't mind me working on for her (all of this is all just our style of joking back and forth of course) But I decided to Google some images that were similar to what I'm looking for - just for you mom, I mean so you can get a better idea of what I'm thinking. teee heee!

Check these out - tell me which one is your favorite!