From Whiteboard to CHALKboard!

I may be slightly obsessed. With what?! Chalk paint of course. I just can't seem to get enough. It started when I ordered some cute chalkboard signs for Harry's first birthday. Then I painted the wall above our fireplace with chalkboard paint. Now I've painted a few random items in my craft room.

My latest conversion to chalkboard has been a whiteboard I bought from ikea a few years ago. I have hardly used it, but thought I might get more use out of it if it were a chalkboard instead.

Here's what I did:

 

 

I like it so much better now! My goal is to use this space to keep track of each month's birthdays and anniversaries so that I can be better about contacting people re: those things. I've already missed a birthday (or two) and an anniversary, but by September I hope to be on track so that this school year I can be more intentional about getting in touch with family and friends to let them know how much I love them!

10 on 10 :: August 2013 :: Just a Summer Day

I really LOVE taking photos on the 10th! In all honesty I woke up this morning kind of tired and grumpy. Not very excited about the clouds. And even though I had an enjoyable day planned for Harry and I...the thought of taking ten photos today was not very appealing to me.

And then today happened. I remembered to take photos all day, and was even working on using my manual settings on my camera (like a "real" photographer).

I am thankful that I will have these sweet moments captured to document this summer day.

Happy tenth everyone!!!

|| eggs and coffee ||

|| puddle jumping walking at the park ||

|| checking out all the police vehicles at our town's summer parade ||

|| firetrucks are always a hit in any parade ||

|| dishes, always waiting ||

|| peace and quiet during afternoon naps ||

|| my attitude has certainly improved throughout the day ||

|| he's a grape monster ;) my snack is always his snack too ||

|| dropping off daddy's ipad before his second overtime shift of the day ||

|| full circle, same plates (clean of course) but this time it's dinner and Bible stories ||

.    .    .

How was your day? Maybe it started off like mine...and maybe it didn't get any easier. Either way, I would encourage you to try to find the beauty in the everyday. 

Check out Rebekah's blog "A Bit of Sunshine" for more info on the Ten on Ten project.

And now, my favorite part...checking out all the other photos.

Click here to check them out yourself! :)

31/52

"A portrait of Harrison, once a week, every week in 2013."

30/52

"A portrait of Harrison, once a week, every week in 2013."

daily dose of summer | number 6

Lots of enjoyable moments have been had in the past couple of weeks...but not so many productive ones. 

Oh well ;)

We started August out right with two nights away from our little munchkin. At first two nights felt like one night too many (since we've only ever left him overnight once before, for one night). But I'm so glad we just went for it. We enjoyed plenty of Bavarian food, drink, and decor. It was relaxing, sunny, and laid back. Just what we needed!

While we were gone, Harry had a blast with my parents and brother. He seriously loves his uncle! (It's one of his favorite words to say). So precious!

This week has been a little of this, and that. Nothing too earth shattering, but we have managed to enjoy the sunshine, read books, and get a few of the day-to-day chores done around the house. We got a fun surprise in the mail as a result of a book exchange we participated in about a month or so ago. You were supposed to send one book to the kid on the list, forward it to six friends...you know the typical chain letter...but if everyone participated you'd end up getting 36 books in the mail. Seems like a good deal to me right! :) Well I'm just excited that we ended up getting one book in the mail :) 

It's a cute one too. If you have a toddler, I'm sure they would love it. Anything with hidden pictures and flaps to lift is a gem!

And here's me. I was trying to show off the cute polish color next to the light blue. It looks cute huh...minus my awkward face.

But hey...sometimes I figure I better take a picture of someone other than Harry...and I'm the other person available for picture taking most of the time so here I am ;)

Happy Friday!

What are you up to this weekend?! Try taking photos for Rebekah's Ten on Ten project over at "A Bit of Sunshine". Click here for more info! :)

Also...she just posted a recipe for adorable blackberry cobblers in tiny mason jars. So cute and it looks easy and delicious. Here's the recipe if you're interested. I think I may try this sometime before summer's up!

Living the Toddler Life!

So Harry had his 18 month check-up today. He's in the 90% which just means he's tall and weighs a lot for his age...but he is growing proportionately which is good.

I let the nurse give him a sucker during his shot (last one until Kindergarten, which is too crazy to think about). He's never tasted any candy before, and obviously he LOVED it! Didn't even cry or really seem to mind the shot...and normally he cries pretty hard for a minute or two. Hilarious. He made up for it by screaming when I took it away in the car...having him choke while  driving is the last thing I need!

I took him on a date to Starbucks and he enjoyed some fruit while I enjoyed some coffee. Then it was off to the library to check out some books. I know it sounds crazy that I've never taken him to the library (I know...I'm a teacher...what is wrong with me?!). But honestly we have so many books at home that I have never really thought about going. But I wanted to do something fun with him after his appointment...because that's what moms do with their kids right? I know he will never remember today, but I will :)

Seriously, who could resist this little face?

Also...it's August?! How in the world does time go by so quickly?!

Belated Father's Day!

I don't have as many fun photos from Father's Day. We enjoyed a meal with my family on Father's Day and with Josh's family later in the week.

And there isn't a Stitch Fix for men...and even if there was I'm pretty sure it's the last thing Josh would want ;)

I snapped this photo of the two men in my life when we were opening Father's Day presents! My parents gifted Josh (and I) with a weekend of watching Harry for us so we can get away and have a romantic mini-vacation. We will finally be cashing in on it this month! Can't wait (although I know I'll really miss Harry while we're gone).

Here's a funny little moment sometime near Father's Day. Harry loves his Daddy and wants to be just like him!

I got my dad a pizza grill pan (kind of selfishly because it means he has to invite us over for pizza on the grill...my favorite)! :) 

Josh opening his cards and gifts!

Here's Josh's dad getting a kick out of our busy boy! Harry was too busy for me to get a photo with him looking at the camera ;)

And here's my grandpa looking cool on Father's Day (photo credit to my mom)!

I love this picture! He looks like the same old grandpa that I will always cherish and remember. Even though he's still here with us, because of his dementia it just isn't the same. I really miss having him at family gatherings, and miss having him know who we are. But I know in Heaven his mind will be healed and we will be able to worship Jesus forever together! I am so thankful for such a great hope that I get to hold onto in the midst of a painful time!