When it Rains it Pours

As you are well aware, we are in the process of remodeling a room for Madison before her brother takes over her current space.  I will post new photos soon but really they've been dry walling and mudding for what seems like forever so nothing new to show.  Today though trim is going in and it's  truly starting to look like a room.  Yay!

This Friday I should have her dresser and will do her headboard.  So I will show you those pieces as we go.

In the meantime, our oven has decided to die.  The control panel has been imperfect for at least 2 years now.  We keep losing functionality of number buttons.  When I called a bit back, they said that the piece would be @ $750 and that doesn't include someone to put it in.  Now we've looked at new stoves which are of course at least $1000.  The worst part is that we feel a bit stuck.  We have a downdraft vent.  And the only range that is slide in and downdraft is the one we have.  So, we'd have to replace it with the same and they're not cheap.  OR spend lots of money creating a range hood, exhaust out, blah blah blah...

I've asked my husband why this is happening now to which he replied, "because we are spending lots of money in another part of the house".

He's right.  When it rains it pours.

Music Monday: "Jesus Music Box" by Yancy

Hello friends.

Today I'm here to talk to you about a really great album for children of all ages.  I mean that because I believe the album is geared towards kids from preschool up but please don't discount it as a "kids" album.  There are praise songs on here, yes.  There are Jesus rock anthems here, yes.  There are songs that are simple to sing, learn and dance, yes.  There is definitely something for everyone.

Yancy is an artist we've talked about many times.  She is currently focused on Kid's Ministry and really does a great job there.  Previous releases have been geared toward preschool, pre teens and everything in between.  She has released others that could be considered Christian pop/rock for the masses and my favorite, her Christmas album.  Yancy writes songs from the heart either speaking into the Christian life, teaching you about God's word or just celebrating God and life itself.  If you've read my blog, seen her in your church or done a VBS by Standard Publishing you are already familiar with Yancy.  So, now about the CD.



"Jesus Music Box" starts with the song "Not Ashamed".  I love this song because it is a rock anthem for sure.  It's loud, fun and your kids will scream the lyrics with you in no time, I promise.  "Better Than the Best Thing" showcases some awesome bgvs.  That's one thing I've noticed on this whole album.  Yancy is getting so great and creative with background vocals.  There are so many things going on and at times it's like there's a room full of Yancys.  Ha.

"You are Everything" is the first down song which has great reflective lyrics and honestly something I'd love for my little girl to be singing over and over.  "you are everything, I need.  You are what matters now to me."  Same with the upbeat "Evidence of You".  "I want my life to be the evidence of you.  I want the way I live to be somebody's proof.  In every word I say, in all I try and do."  Definitely great reminders for us and some great growing truths for the little ones to cling to.

There is a cover of Chris Tomlin's "Our God" which is my favorite version of this song so far.  Love what she did with it even though she stuck pretty true to the original song.  It's worth a listen if you're a fan.  "Always with Us" has a bit of a flashback keyboard part.  At least I think it sounds very 80s.  And, being a child of the 80s, I likey..  "Be Careful" is a great song for all but I feel this is the most preschool aimed.  I love it and Madison loves to sing along.  You can even come up with some hand motions since it goes through all kinds of body parts through the song.  "Be careful little ears what you hear.  Be careful little ears what you hear.  Input, output, what goes in is what comes out, be careful little ears what you hear."  The last 3 songs are definitely more worshipful.  "Our God Reigns" ends the cd with an awesome song that could easily be lead in any church.  It includes The Lords Prayer and though I believe any worship leader could have their congregation singing along and worshipping, Madison sings this song so loud and it just makes her momma smile!

I've mentioned the background vocals but I have to give Yancy props for continuously growing as an artist, writer and vocalist.  She takes many vocal liberties with this album that I admit I wouldn't have expected from her.  But, she carries it off beautifully.  Lots of different influences are felt throughout the songs and I love that.  It keeps it creative, interesting and even more fun to sing to.  I was even impressed at her range here.  Basically, girl can sing!

I should also mention that the album was #1 on Amazon.com's site for a bit.  So, if you're not convinced by me, listen to them.  Go now, listen and buy.

For more about Yancy and her ministry, click below:

Oh what you can find

You've seen the photos, now here's the news.  Behind those knotty pines were some hidden treasures.  How people miss this stuff, I have no idea..

The man tearing down everything first found this.  Crazy.  So you know, I was really excited by a label on the side that said it was manufactured in a plant in Missouri.  Kind of fun to find a hometown shout out in your old 1923 house.  Ha.

My father in law found this treasure while they were adding the electrical to the walls.  It's a pretty huge porcelain wash basin.  Cleans up pretty good.  Might be nice for Madi to play with in the Summer outside (water fun) or even to use as a display of some kind for some of my products at the next festival I do.  Or, maybe we'll use it to wash baby boy!  So many uses.  ha.

When the Walls..

Well, we have started the reconstruction (deconstruction) of Madison's new to be room.  We are so excited.  Of course, once it was destroyed, Madison responded with, "Well, now where am I gonna sleep?"

This is where Madi's bed is going to go.  She's getting a newly made headboard.

Honestly, I have no idea.  We have very little time left here and I'm just hoping I have a couple of days before the baby shows up to move everyone around.  It's insanity around here.  The dining room is filling up more and more and the upstairs guest room isn't looking too homy.  Wow.  Let me tell you, it's a lot.

This will eventually have built in shelves around the window and a desk/drawer area.  Coming soon...

But, here are some fun photos for you to enjoy or at least commiserate with us.
**NOTE**  I took the photos from left to right as you enter the room.  We have further plans and additions but for right now, we just need her up there.

This will house a newly renovated closet and a reading nook (coming soon) under the window.

This will be where her dresser is and the little nook to the left of the door will be a new closet.

Here is the to-do list:

1-Fabric headboard (work on with Wendy Lee)

2-Repurpose an old dresser from my pal Wendy Lee (she will be doing the work on this one)

3-Paint an estate sale find to be side table next to bed.

4-Find window coverings for now.  Every window is different and I don't have time to create curtains for them.

Make sure that you follow my pal, Wendy Lee in her own world of crafted creativity here at Punctuation Studio!

Wendy Lee's Site

Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming...

We've been swimming here. Summer is coming. Baby is coming. And we meant to start this last summer. Turns out it's perfect. She's getting in a lesson. We are getting another fun thing to do together before baby and she's having so much fun. She is actually really good. Her favorite thing is floating. Which is fun because I think she is the best at it. This other kids barely do it and she is basically doing it alone if she'd just let go. Speaking of letting go that is what she is worst at. Se won't jump in alone. The teacher is working on it but we only have two classes left so we will see. It's amazing to me what they do. She is swimming alone (with the help of a noodle). But she is. The teacher just looks at me and shrugs her shoulders. I hope she is more like a fish than I am. I'm not the best. I can swim ok and keep myself afloat. But I do get distracted by the water. She doesn't seem to care. Even if she is splashed in the face. I just don't want her to sit on the sidelines and watch the fun. That's what I did most of the time. Boo! Anyway, just keep swimming.. Just keep swimming.. Just keep swimming swimming swimming.

My Weekend View: Baby boy Blanket

Finally found the yarn and here it is.  The blanket for "baby boy".  It turned out great and Madi seems to like it so that's good.  Of course, she wants to hang out with it all the time.  At some point, I'll take it, wash it and set it aside.  Until then, I'm glad that someone loves it.  Soon, the boy will too.

Started this Saturday night and finished her up Sunday night.  Quick and simple.  Madi still sleeps with hers every night.  And, a friend I made one for says her son still loves on it so I'm hoping for a good run for this one too.

Time for baby

My poor baby girl. I feel bad. I'm assuming everyone goes through this but I'm pregnant and just not able to do as much as before. With her Daddy working so much I can understand her being mad at me. Every time she asks me to do something that I just can't I can see the disappointment in her face. I can see why kids rebel a bit, progress backwards a bit or just change when there is another baby one the way. Not only is the house abuzz with new things coming in and lots of conversations and attention to things that she doesn't understand. There is also the conversations about her "new room" and how much work she is going to have to do to help mommy when the baby comes.

No wonder when I ask her to name the boy she just says "how about baby brother for now?"  Or why she's says she doesn't want to feel him kick. I know she is excited about some things. She is excited about her new big girl room, but on the other hand I'm constantly reassuring her of what things she will take with you. "I'm making the baby a new blanket, darling. You can keep yours". She wants to make sure her favorite toys are going with her as well as her lamp, music, books, etc. so funny. I have never threatened to take her things. But she knows she is losing her room and can't seem to see that is different than the things in her room.

I can only imagine what she is thinking. I had hoped to have her big girl room ready by now so she would have time to adjust and  see how amazing it is. But just like when she was born, my hopes aren't my reality and the kid might just be tossed up there a few days before the biggest change inher little life so far happens. My heart breaks for her stress. For her confusion. For her reality shaking that is going on right now. But I know she will have no memory of this. She will only know that she has this fun baby brother to play with, to mother, to love.

I was the same age when my sister came into the world. I have no memory of when or how it happened. To me, she was just always there. I hope that is how she will remember this time. It actually makes the mommy in me sad that she probably will have no memory of life with just me and her.  Early in my pregnancy I was super emotional about this and even spent a whole day crying (hormones). It's just been such a life changing time for me and something so precious I will never forget it. So knowing she will makes me a little sad. But all things work as they should.

And I'm happy that I will always have these memories of the time with just me and my girl and how she shook my world.  I will be forever changed and am thankful. Here's to anticipating the next big change in my life.