Entryway Redo

I have had a plan for our entryway for well over a year. But between life, crazy work schedules and just other things coming up (Hello, new air conditioner!) we just hadn't gotten around to it. So when Christmas time was approaching and Andrew's work schedule finally slowed down for the year, we tackled our entryway. I couldn't love how it turned out any more! 

Our plan was to get this done over Christmas break since Andrew had some time off. Well, the week before Christmas (Friday the 20th to be exact) Andrew and I had a date night and went to dinner. At dinner we thought, why not get all the things we need tonight? So we headed to Lowe's to grab our materials. What wasn't on the agenda was terrible weather and it was sleeting/icing and so the ride home with all the supplies was a little interesting. 

 

He's a keeper. 

         

Don't all date nights look like this? 

Our plan was to shiplap our entire entryway and convert our entry closet into an open closet with a bench. Shiplap is a simple way to make a statement and is a really affordable update. We had already measured our space and knew we wanted our boards 8 inches in height so the task was simply to find quarter inch plywood and have the fine people at Lowe's rip them for us. We also got some trip pieces to help finish off the space, supplies to build our bench, paint, and some odds and ends that would be needed for the project. 

The next morning we emptied the closet, took out all the junk coats, and took the base trim off. Andrew marked where the studs where on each wall so when we got started, we weren't constantly searching.  

Since we have angled ceilings that go into our cathedral ceiling in the living room, we started our first board at the top of that angled wall BEFORE it angles. {In essence, where the board would meet the corner of the connecting walls and the ceiling without needing to have an angled cut made.} We then lined up with our first board all the way around to give us a starting point to go off of. We did one more row all the way around before going back to the first wall and completing it. 

To create the spacing in our shiplap we used nickles. We also use an air nailer with staples to attach our wood to the wall. The project went fairly quickly. We had to make several cuts on the two walls with the door and the closet because the boards were too long (obviously) which was probably one of the most time consuming parts. We had interruptions that Saturday (going and picking up the boys from my parents and hanging with them) and on Sunday was my family's annual baking day for the holidays so that day was pretty shot. With that being said, by Sunday evening, all the wood was on the walls and on the wall inside the closet. See---QUICK! Sunday night I filled the staple holes with putty and then sanded everything day so on Monday I could paint. 

We put two coats of white semi-gloss paint on our shiplap and our trim. We used the same paint on the bench Andrew built as well. To give our entryway a POP, we painted our front door and sidelight black. I just love black interior doors! 

By Tuesday evening the shiplap was done, the trim was back in place and all that was left was to rehang the decor that had been on our entryway wall previous to the project. 

We were so happy with how it turned out and to have it all done before Christmas was even better! 

We have about a million and four more projects to do to make this house our forever home but we'll get them all one day! 

Weekend Recap: Baby it's cold outside!!

BRRRR!!! It is ridiculously cold here. Last week's teaser day of mid-50 degree weather definitely made me ready for springtime temperatures. And the weekend's arctic like weather further drives that point home!

We had such a great weekend though! I started looking forward to our weekend Thursday night. Whenever Andrew has a heavy travel week I start longing for our weekend days that much sooner.

{F R I D A Y}
It was rainy and cold on Friday so the boys and I spent the day playing indoors. The usual superhero, puzzles, Star Wars, Lego line up. Andrew got home that afternoon and was completely drained from his work week.  On top of that, he sounded terrible! Like hacking cough, blowing the nose, scratchy throat terrible. No one has time for that on the weekend so I made the decision to divide and conquer.  Hudson's first night of the new soccer season was that night and instead of dragging everyone out into the wet and cold, I asked Andrew to stay home with Beau and Gabe and relax.

Hudson is playing 3X3 for the next several weeks. He has two games every Friday night. He is on the same team as one of his buddies which is always fun.  Hudson first started playing 3X3 last fall and has since done a couple of skill sessions. It was fun to see how much he has grown since that first game.

I told Hudson he and I could have a little date after his game since it was just he and I. I love family time but there is something so special about that 1:1 time with your kids. I'll share more about that time later on.

Sweet boy

After getting the boys to bed (Beau was waiting up for us with Andrew), and hearing Andrew cough for the thousandth time, I made him put on some oils and we put the diffuser on. Then we pretended we were SUPER OLD and turned on the documentary Food, Inc.  No wait, we are old. 

{S A T U R D A Y}

I love when we don't have too much on the agenda and this Saturday we actually didn't have a thing! I made the boys breakfast--cinnamon rolls. And then whipped up some superfoods for Andrew and I. Andrew didn't sound great but said he was feeling a little better. So more oils and diffusing (I used Frankincense on his throat- neat; RC and peppermint layered on his chest and spine; and thieves on his feet. I diffused purification.) 

We have had some entry way decor since Christmas that needed hung but the mirror we ordered was damaged and had to be returned.  Andrew got that taken care of this past week so we finally had everything to hang.  I still need to add the cotton stems to the metal hanging bucket and also a few trinkets on our shelf but LOVE how it turned out. We don't have a large entry space so had to think of something beside a table. Eventually we will shiplap our entry and convert our coat closet into an open sitting area to hang coats and take off/put on shoes. 

I got my workout in while the boys played around me. It wrapped up my third week on my program and I am ecstatic with the gains I am making strength wise.  My challenge group checked in and are down some serious inches and pounds after just two weeks! So proud of them!

Winter can get a little boring when the weather is so cold. I didn't want to spend another Saturday night in so earlier this week I invited some friends to check out a new bowling and pizza place a couple towns over.  Hudson had been bowling before but Beau had not.  We had a kid's lane and adult lane. The service was super fast and accommodating; HUGE plus when you have 6 adults and 5 small kiddos. My kids loved that they could eat, get up and play a little, come back for some more.  They NEVER get to do that at home (obviously) so loved that! 

{S U N D A Y}

We woke up Sunday to negative temperatures and made the decision not to get out in the weather for church. Instead, I made a big breakfast and we all sat around not in a rush. I love Sunday mornings with our church family but this was definitely the next best place to be. 

It was a lazy day of play and naps and snuggles. The boys stayed in their PJs all day. I only got out of my PJs to work out and then got right back into some comfy sweatpants! Ha! I did get my food all prepped for the week and some laundry caught up on so I count that a success too. 

We ended our weekend with a family game night and finally finishing Farmer Boy. My boys loved reading about Almanzo.  I think they are a little sad the next book isn't about him too! 

Hopefully you all had a great weekend too!! 

Big Boy Room Redo

Last week, I gave a little teaser about re-doing our big boys room. Today, I want to share that room, and our DIY headboard's with you.

Before the redo, Beau and Hudson shared a room with Hudson in his full size bed and Beau in his crib.  When we  moved them in together, Hudson's room had a sport's theme and Beau's bedding was simple so we just meshed those two together knowing we would make some adjustments when Beau got out of his crib.

These pictures our from our old house when we first moved their things in together.

In November, we moved back to our home town and into a home that is a three bedroom with a fourth bedroom option in the basement.  Since our boys are so little, the basement bedroom is not something we are using as a bedroom right now, thus, Hudson and Beau are sharing.  

Around the beginning of March, Beau started climbing out of his crib.  We knew that the crib days were over.  Andrew and I went back and forth about what to do.  We weren't sure if we wanted to do bunk beds or two twins.  I don't really love bunk beds and the ones I did like were ridiculously expensive.  I decided on doing two twin beds.  Once we moved those in, I probably had Andrew re-arrange the room at least 10 times.  I just was having trouble finding a configuration I liked that left room for the boys to play in their room if they wanted.  

I scoured Pinterest looking for arrangements.  We were not going to really change their room's theme.  We had decor that we liked.  We did need new bedding.  And I did want to add a few more personal touches.  And of course, headboards.  But like the bunk bed search, I couldn't find a headboard I loved that wasn't expensive.  

Pinterest to the rescue again! I found a couple of options for DIY headboards.  I looked at the tutorials, showed them to Andrew and we came up with a plan to make our boys. 

We decided that we wanted an inch added to either side of the bed so that when the bed was made the headboard would extend to the edge of the comforter on either side.  We also measured from the floor up and decided on a height.  I had the bed made and knew I wanted quite a high headboard so that it was visible above the bed when made with pillows. 

After we got the measurements, Andrew went to get the lumber. It was about $100 for the lumber, nails, screws and stain that we would use for both beds.  Once we put the boys to bed, we set out to work. 

I would say that Andrew followed this plan the closest.  We did make a few changes.

**We used only 1x6 boards.

**We used a spacer between the 1x6 to give it a different look. 

**We made a frame before laying the 1x6s.

     Basically we laid the 1x6x50's out to the width we wanted and attached a board near the base to          hold the 1x6x50s in place. 

**On the frame, we laid the 1x6s and used an air nailer to drive the nail through the front of the board     into the frame.  

**Once built, we detached the stabilizing board at the bottom.

**I filled the nail holes with wood filler, let it dry, then sanded and wiped down before staining.

The entire project for TWO headboards took about three hours {that includes cutting, assembling and staining}. 

The next day we attached the headboards to the boys' beds.  We added some new decor, hung their curtains {FINALLY!} and called it a day! We LOVE how their room turned out.

I am thrilled to have their room complete.  I still would like to add something either over their headboards or over the dresser.  There is a lot of dead space there.  I've thought of adding a photo of each of the boys above their beds in black and white.  Across from their beds they have a collage of wooden sports signs {below} so I feel like it needs to have a more personal element. 

What would you do?

Sources

Dresser: given to us, painted and updated knobs

Boys' bedding: Bed, Bath and Beyond

Lamp: Pottery Barn Kids 

Shade: Pottery Barn Kids

Metal Initial Letters: Hobby Lobby

Basket with baseballs: Hobby Lobby

Curtains: Target

Weekend Recap: Memorial Day Weekend

I just love long weekends, don't you? I seriously think I could have Andrew home every day with us and not get sick of it {I think}. I just love family time and this weekend was no different.  It was a busy three days but oh, how I loved them!

Saturday we started early to make the trip to St. Louis.  It is only about two hours away but we weren't sure how hot it would get and we also weren't sure how crowded the zoo would be.  We left our house around 7:00 that morning and let the boys have milk and donuts in the car while they watched Jungle Book. {appropriate given the zoo day, am I right?}

I am really glad we got there early. It wasn't too crowded yet but the workers said it was generally one of their busiest days each year.  

We took our double stroller but the boys were not having it.  They wanted to walk and take it all in.  We did the reptile house and monkey house first.  Beau was so funny. As soon as we walked into the monkey house he started making his little monkey noises! Ha!  We really did see quite a few animals. The only disappointment was the penguins and bear exhibits were closed.  The bears are always my favorite because they are generally really playful and I think the boys would have loved that! We were there almost 4 hours and the boys walked a lot of it.  After the train ride and a snack though, they succumbed to the stroller.  Beau got a look on his face when we were viewing the elephants that said, "I'm done. We can leave anytime."

After the zoo we headed to Forest Park to have a picnic.  I don't love eating out all day long and I hate fast food so I packed a picnic lunch for us instead.  It was a really beautiful day.  Sunny with a breeze, high of 80.  We could not have asked for a more perfect day.  Our boys were fading fast after lunch so Andrew and I decided to head to Springfield.  We needed Benjamin Moore paint and the drive would allow the boys to nap.  We got our paint and went to the mall for awhile.  I could spend hours at the mall but the mall with two little guys is not the mall experience I enjoy if you know what I mean.  ;)

Check out how tired Beau was!

We had an early dinner before heading home. I don't think this mama really took into account all the walking (5 hours) and driving (5 hours total) that we were going to do.  Needless to say I was wiped.  As were our kids. They were in rare, but hilarious, form at dinner.

Sunday had been set aside to begin to tackle our outdoor project.  I mentioned on Friday that we were going to be finishing up the sprucing up of our outdoors.  The boys and I played outside and we got to work.  Our plans were delayed a tad due to the 30% chance of rain that turned into 100%. {Sorry, Andrew} About nap time though the rain stopped and I got to work priming the shutters.  My mom got to come over for a visit so the boys woke up to Gammy being there, which they loved! We spent the rest of the day playing outside and painting.  Andrew was going to grill but the thought of some burgers and ice cream sounded much more appealing so my healthy dinner went out the window and we walked to the Burger Joint in town.  When you are outvoted, you are outvoted.

Monday was a gorgeous day.  It was much more humid and sunny than Sunday so the boys got sunscreen immediately, even though it was early in the day.  I got water guns and buckets and their water table ready.  They were so funny squirting us all.  Hudson "washed" his car {cozy coupe}, bike and all our cars too! Beau was content to dump cups of water everywhere! After three hours outside, we hot, tired and hungry! My mom and I grabbed Subway and we all packed up and went to the lake for a picnic.  {We love picnics and eating outdoors.  I love the fact that my kitchen doesn't have to be cleaned up!} After our picnic, I gave our boys a bath. Yes, a mid-day bath, they were THAT filthy and sweaty from playing outside that morning!!

I got some things done around the house during nap and Andrew finished up our outdoor project.  I was just going to head out to take a picture when it started to POUR!!! We spend the rest of our weekend indoors playing and movie watching.

It was a pretty perfect weekend.  And, this morning, it was another gorgeous day so I popped out to take some photos! What do you think??

Here's before {again}:

And after:

Here are some close ups of the deets ;)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend with your loved ones, celebrating those who sacrifice so much!

Five on Friday

Did this week just fly by?? Seriously! We have a busy little day planned to get ready for all the fun we are doing this weekend! Linking up again with Darci, April, Christina, and Natasha for Five on Friday! Love this linky party! Always so fun and I find so many new blogs. :)

O N E
Happy Memorial Day! I love the start of summer and our weekend is filled with fun with boys and some fun projects around our house but I always hope I remember the true reason for this holiday.  I have always respected the military, their families and the sacrifice but this past year even more so after getting to know personally so many military wives whose husbands are/have been deployed this year.  They hold a special place in my heart for sure.

T W O

Tomorrow we are taking the boys to the zoo in St. Louis.  The weather is supposed to be perfect.  And Hudson and Beau are obsessed with our small hometown zoo so I know they are going to be really excited to see even larger animals.  We have been talking about our little trip all week, even making a countdown chart for Hudson. {Sometimes we mamas can only hear the same question so many times :) }

T H R E E

We have been sprucing up the outside of our home the past couple of weeks.  While the boys and I were visiting friends, Andrew we did the very front flower bed area.  The boys and I went and got flowers for the window boxes and pots on our porch earlier in the week.  Now we are FINALLY painting the front door and shutters.  Andrew is now a believer that it needs done.  And since I systematically chose coordinating flower colors that would make the new door/shutters pop, he is totally getting my vision.  I wrote about the color ideas I had way back here.  And here is a little before teaser. I am hoping these changes make others love our house so when we are ready to sell, they are ready to BUY! HA!

F O U R

I am planning on getting maternity/family pictures done before the baby arrives.  I have been terrible about getting the boys pictures  but my go to photog friend had triplets so has been pretty busy! I am trying to decide when to get these done.  I am due the third week in August..so end of July? Beginning of August? How close to your due date did you schedule maternity pictures? I love lifestyle and candid.  These are sweet..

F I V E

And, let's just wrap this up with a bump update, shall we?

25 weeks

How far along: I will be 27 weeks this week! Almost third trimester, what!?

Gender: Boy (#3)

Weight Gain: 15 pounds

Maternity clothes: I am still wearing basically all my regular clothes.  A few maxi skirts I have are maternity. I am sure I will need some more as my belly grows these last months!

Movement: ALL the time! Super busy little guy but more so in the evening post after-dinner walk.

Sleep: I am still sleeping just fine. I still sleep on my side.  I just have really weird dreams! Ha!

Miss Anything: My flat tummy! Ha! I am starting to feel HUGE!

Cravings: Ice Cream...but I have been resisting! I think it is more me than the baby!

Labor Signs: None

Wedding Rings: On!

Looking forward to: Getting more things ready for the baby.  This summer will be so busy so I am sure we need to prep a little more. Oh how things change by the time the third baby comes along! ;)

Growing up

It's been awhile since I have done a post about the boys and the stages they are in.  I can not believe how big they are getting and that we are already halfway to meeting baby boy #3!

So this past weekend as we were unpacking and organizing from our Easter weekend back home, I got the itch to just move our boys into the same room.  Like, that moment! Ha! It was something Andrew and I were planning on doing eventually and as I posed the question, "When do you think we should do that?" before he could really answer I suggested to just do it now! Bless him for going along with my crazy notions! We were both a little nervous to see how it would go.  Hudson's sleeping habits aren't terrible but there are some issues we are trying to get resolved with him.  Yet it's been three nights and so far, it has gone really well! Beau goes down about 20 minutes before we put Hudson to bed.  He is either asleep or content when we go in to tuck Hudson in.  Feeling super grateful that this transition has gone so smoothly.  I know we have more transitions to come as the year progresses!

Excuse the poor iPhone quality 

We need some curtains

Along with the room change, here is what else is going on with the boys.

Hudson 
Personality- Hudson has changed so much these past few months.  He has found an independence.  He loves Andrew and I to play games with him and draw and color but he has also learned how to play on his own.  I love seeing him pretend and create his own stories in his world with his toys.  It is so neat to see that imagination unfold first hand in your child.  He also has developed this wit and sense of humor that has Andrew and I in stitches many days.  He is a pleaser and really wants to do the right thing (most of the time). He is tender hearted and helpful.  I am really proud of the boy he is becoming.

Favorite Foods- Hudson LOVES breakfast! He loves all the breakfast foods and eats them so well! He loves fruit, all kinds! He is starting to eat some vegetables better- green beans, potatoes, carrots.  He is also a typical 3 year old and loves chicken nuggets, burgers, hot dogs, cheese and crackers, yogurt, fruit snacks!

Favorite Activities- Hudson loves to play.  He enjoys puzzles and reading books.  He has been lining up his toys during play lately (cars, animals) which is sweet to me.  He enjoys being outside, going to the park, taking walks.  He loves to watch a movie and ask questions about what is going on.  He can be perfectly content to take in the world around him- watching animals outside, picking up rocks or pine cones.

Friends- Hudson's best buds are still in our hometown.  He talks about them all the time.  He also LOVES his cousins.  Their names are often brought up during our day or when he is playing by himself.

Beau

Personality- Beau has always been a mellow fellow.  He still is but he definitely is learning to express what HE wants! He is developing his opinions and wanting to make sure they are heard! He wants to do everything anyone is doing.  Beau likes to be where you are.  He definitely is a mama's boy but he sure loves the moment Daddy gets home from work.  He has a really comical personality.  We can definitely see him becoming a class clown.  If he can get a giggle from you, he will keep it going. He can be a stinker as Hudson says! He acts innocent but will often instigate a little tiff to get a rise out of Hudson.  He is definitely going to keep Andrew and I on our toes.  He is sweet and funny and definitely such a blessing to our family.

Favorite Foods- Beau eats pretty well.  He likes to eat when he is hungry which isn't always at meal times.  He gets into the pantry ALL the time to try to find crackers or bring me a box of something to munch on! He loves yogurt and cottage cheese. He eats sandwiches and tacos well.  He LOVES salsa.  I think he would eat it with a spoon if we let him.  If he can dip it into something, he will eat it! Ketchup would be eaten with a spoon too! He still loves fruit a lot and has started to eat eggs. If he wants to try something, he will let you know.  He opens is mouth SUPER wide and leans way in! So cute!

Favorite Activities- Beau is our little shadow.  He likes to do what we are doing.  He likes to follow Hudson around.  He really likes to rough house with Hud or Andrew. Beau LOVES to be outside.  He cries when it is time to go in.  He also loves to play ball.  Catch, hit the ball, kick the ball, basketball.  He is SO into it. He is very into books right now.  He loves to be read to. He has favorite books and mimics along as we read to him. 

 I have no clue what this third boy will be like but I know how blessed we are with the two we have.

Xo~Bekah

December Post #1

I hate trying to think of titles for my posts.  I am just not good at it.  I want them to be witty, or appealing, or inspiring, or something.  Today's is not.  I'm ok with it.  Let's just look back together, shall we?

This year it was my goal to do something each day/night of December.  I choose various fun activities with some acts of kindness thrown in there too.  I want my boys to grow up with a firm knowledge that Christmas is not about what we receive but also how to give.  I get so much joy watching others open gifts that I have chosen for them.  It truly makes me happy.  But I also want to teach my boys to bless others, people that serve our community, strangers, anyone.  And of course, more than anything, that the truest reason for the season is our Savior's birth and how that changed everything for us all.  In addition to our activities we read a verse or two of Scripture each night.

Via this blog (couldn't find her original post of it)

My goal was to take a picture of each advent activity but that didn't happen.  What I realized as the advent season went on, that doing an advent calendar and stressing about it wasn't the point.  If we missed an activity, or had to do it on another night, so be it.  That was sure better than me screaming at my kids or yelling at Andrew or ending up stressed because it wasn't going to plan.  When we did fit in our activities, it was really special.  I am so thankful that we took time throughout the month to pause and enjoy our family.  To share Christmas movies with Hudson and Beau that Andrew and I love; to bake goodies with them; to shop for our troops; to send treats to our mailman.  Whatever we did it was fun to make the season more magical, more meaningful. 

I'm already looking forward to next year's calendar and the memories we will continue to make with our boys!

In no particular order...a look back this advent season:

We decorated our large window with gel clings.  The boys LOVED those things and surprisingly, didn't ever pull them off!

Making snow donuts to watch with a Christmas movie later that evening. 

He loved adding the face and buttons 

Jack..some days he was sillier than others ;)

Beau couldn't always make it to the end of our evenings 

Dance party to Christmas music 

We went with our nieces to Chuck E Cheese.  It was our first time. It may have been our last! HA

Making stockings 

Salt dough ornaments 

A snow package from Mimi