Crystal Clear Monday

I need your feedback!
I rescued this beautiful frame from the dumpster. It wasn't IN it, just beside the dumpster (thank heavens), but I'm so excited about it!

So, what I've been wondering is, what to do with it now? Here's where I need your input:

Should I:

• Spray paint it white then add a brown glaze to accentuate detail. (This is the fun, classic look I'm seeing everywhere and I love it!)
• Paint it black, then distress it. (This would match more of my furniture which mostly black.)
• Paint it white then add a black-ish glaze, then distress it. (I admit that I'm a little afraid to use a black-ish glaze, but I'm willing to try.)

What do you guys think? I love any other ideas too.

And I'm thinking that I'll put in a mirror and kick out the paris painting. It's beautiful, I know, but doesn't really go with my decor. Maybe for another room sometime.

So, let's hear it. What should I do??

Crystal Clear Monday

Short and sweet today.

This is what's been on my mind a lot lately: I am so blessed!

I found the man of my dreams, and was able to marry him. A man that loves me unconditionally; that cares for, provides, and protects me and our little family.

We have a comfortable home. And even though sometimes we wish we could buy a house like a lot of our friends have, living in our apartment has made our lives better and easier. We live within a 50 ft (ish) distance of 3 other little families that are our very close friends. We spend time together, exercise together, help eachother, and support eachother. It's wonderful!

I am blessed with the most wonderful baby girl. She is perfect! She eats well, sleeps well. She is always smiling, and is very content to play by herself.

I've heard that those with the strongest character are the ones that are tried the most in life, and I think maybe I'm not counted among those because my life is so great and seems so easy to me. Maybe it's just perspective, I don't know.

Of course I have an incredible family, and In-law family as well! Which is something everyone hopes for, and I got it! :)

And YOU. I'm grateful for you! Anyone who is reading this little blog, or has read this blog. I appreciate your support in my little attempt at having something that I can to to remain ME in this new transition of life. Mamahood ;)  In this new crafty world I need all the support I can get because it sure gets hard to find any motivation to just get it done. I like crafting, but you know that little voice of doubt, that doesn't know if it will turn out great, or if it's just gonna clutter your house (aka: apt) and you'll have to toss it. Anyway, I'm making headway, and I'm getting there, but still thanks for your help.

I could go on and on, but I"ll stop here. I love my life!

Crystal Clear Monday

4 in 4? 3 in 6? 6 in 10? How fast did you have your kids, and did you like the way you did it? I'm in need of some feedback!

This subject has been on my mind a lot lately.

I've heard of doing 4 kids in 4 years, and always thought that was insane! BUT I know that I want a lot of kids. Not like 10, more like 6. Of course we'll take it one child at a time (hopefully no twins, I don't know if I could handle that), but we're thinking about 6 for now.
I used to think that waiting 2 years was perfect, but for some berserk reason I keep thinking I might need another baby now. You know, to give little angel (up there in the picture) a friend? Then again, having one newborn and one toddler...hmmm, I don't know. How about pros and cons? Cons first, let's get those out the door.

Cons: Pregnant again. Morning sickness most likely, while tending the little pumpkin. Pregnant again (I list it twice for emphasis of discomfort). Possiblity of being pregnant during Arizona summer can you say "hot, hot, hot". Crawling/walking baby girl while pregnant, nursing, or and giving birth. Disgruntled Mama (side-effect of pregnancy). Two babies in diapers.

Pros: Two lovely babies. Little pumpkin has someone to play with. They will play together and keep eachother busy so I don't have to entertain, and can get stuff done! Better chance that I won't be having babies into my mid-thirties, and getting all that birthing done and out of the way quick. Kids will be close together, very important to me, since I'm 9 years apart from from my next sibling, and I'm the youngest.

I hear both ways are good. Kids a little farther apart, and closer together.
Hmm...I still don't know. What do you think? What did you do? Pros and cons?

*Disclaimer: This is assuming that we can get pregnant again fairly easily. The last time (also the first time) took about 6 months.*

Crystal Clear Monday

I know, it's been a while. Eeek! But I've got things ready to post, so hopefully it'll be a good, productive week this week. I'm back and inspired, and ready to get it done!

But I wanted to start something new. A weekly posting, for Monday's specifically, called Crystal Clear. A look into the chaos of my thoughts and mind. And hopefully it'll be an entertaining or interesting little blip for you to read, and also help me sort out and organize my brain. Since it feels like it's gone to mushhh................where was I? Oh yeah, brain gone to mush, since getting pregnant last year. ;)

So something that's been on my mind today is acts of service. I had an interesting experience at church today. We have a class that is made up of almost all the women (called Relief Society, if you're not familiar), and we were talking about serving others. Which I think is a good principle to live by no matter your beliefs, right?

Well, our teacher had everyone write down on a piece of paper an act of service that someone could do for them (the person writing it. I hope that makes sense). No one wrote their names down. She took them all and read them out loud. It totally pierced my heart to hear some of them. Such as:
"Ask me how I am, and really listen."
"Babysit for an hour or two so I can take a break."
"Talk to me, I need a friend."
"Help me with my daughter's wedding."
"Pull my weeds."
"Babysit so I can get caught up."
And so many more.

Strangely enough the ones that were repeated the most were the about pulling weeds, babysitting, and chatting or listening to someone.

It actually made me really sad to know that these women that I meet with at least once a week may be so lonely, or in need of help, and that I could be doing more to be a better friend. And what really hit me is how often I can spend hours and hours on my laptop looking at blogs, and checking facebook, or reading this and that, then I realize I've wasted so much time doing nothing really. All that time that may or may not have been wasted, I could've been helping a friend and lighten their burden.

So, in lieu (cool word) of that I want to share this awesome video of an incredible high school basketball team, and their friendship, kindness, and service to a young boy.





And happened in New York of all places!

Have a wonderful day!