My KITCHEN Island Makeover!!!

Hey guys,
I'm so excited about this post!!! For about a year now I've been trying to gather the guts needed to paint my wood cabinetry in my kitchen. Every time I'd get close to doing it something would change my mind....... well after long consideration I finally decided to makeover my kitchen island:) Thanks to pinterest I realized that I could paint my kitchen Island one "color" and just leave the rest of my cabinetry for later ( give me more time to get the nerve to do it!) So I wanted to share this with you guys !!
p.s. please note that I tend to take shortcuts and experiment A LOT lol ....... My "recipe" is almost never done the same way twice;)

 

      So the wheels in my mind started turning rite after the Angel Sale when I bought a coffee table that I fell in love with! A big plus was finding out that it was Aunt Ronda who had "revamped" this piece which meant I could get a  really good tutorial right?? :)  When I brought it home and got it in place I knew this was the exact style I wanted!!! It was bright and had a little hint of aged beauty!! Here's a peek at it........


    Cozy right?? Kaiden seems to think so:) He was sound asleep :)


So here's what we started with.............

 

 

Not so bad right?? But my mission is to brighten things up a bit:)

 

Off I went to Lowe's while leaving the sanding to my old reliable:) ( Rusty, as if you all didn't know right?) He actually started out being my assistant sander but due to the rapidly growing anger i felt while sanding he decided to just do it for me!!! i was fine with it of course;)

I bought a slightly different color from the coffee table and some "wiping" stain and got to it....

Okay so maybe you guys noticed that the stain in the above pic isn't a "wiping" stain............

I sort of had to improvise........ (told you I like to experiment;)

That tiny little can of stain actually has a great little story.... It's one of those things that "certain" husbands probably get fussed at when they say "keep it, you never know we may need it" Guilty as charged girls!! I was that wife .....

I learned that my wiping stain was an epic fail.....because i bought mahogany stain...... everybody knows mahogany is red-ish right???? I'm not sure how i messed that up, but any who I did!! so unwilling to return to Lowe's I start thinking...... I'll bet I can just "wipe" regular stain on my cabinetry and all will be fine........now I just needed some stain....Rusty reminded me of that little can of stain that was bought over three years ago to repair a drawer in the first home we bought together:)...... I tried it and it WORKED!!!!! I'm in love with how the island turned out and even my kiddos are still making comments of how much brighter things are looking in the house!!! Now that I've started with this not so small project and completed it I can  sort of see  a few other things I'd like to change..... starting with my deep red wall...... I think I want it almost as light as the island!!!! I'm going to share a few---- who am I kidding, it'll be a lot of photos!!

I hope you like the transformation as much as we do!!!

With the new color added!!

 

 

Starting the sanding to give it that aged beauty I was talking about earlier!!

 

 

Sanding is sort of tedious but well worth it!!

 

The above pic shows the deeper colors the rest sort of look a bit white to me.....

 

 

Oh how I wish I had taken a before pic of this angle:(

Please disregard the mess and take focus on the sleeping baby in the background;) I guess this is what pinterest won't show you lol

 

Before...........

 

 

After!!!!

 

 

 

Before........

 

After!!!!!!!!

 

 

I LOVE IT!!! CAN'T WAIT TO PAINT THAT WALL! .....I REALIZE I'LL REGRET SAYING THAT FOR A BIT:)

 

 

 

 

DIY project gone completely WRONG!!!!

Good Tuesday morning to you all!!! Thank God for another one and be blessed :) Today I'd like for you to allow me to ramble a "bit" about something that has been on my heart lately.This has definitely , at one time or another, been a huge deal in my own life and figure I'm not alone in this:) So I started this DIY project some time ago and forgot to complete one very crucial step, I didn't really mean to but I just got so caught up in it that I didn't think I'd need to follow every step, besides my way was much faster and would probably yield the same results.......So yeah I got this right????? WRONG. Let him lead guys.....




We as a whole, as a body, as a church have lived with our hurt so long that it becomes a part of who we are, even though we want "out" even when we've had enough and realize what we're doing is not God's will for us. All we can think about is the need to almost ..protect the hurt or the sin that we are in ... sometimes it's the only consistent thing in our lives..... so our blinders are on and we don't yet realize it. We've all been in a place of regret or in need of forgiveness at least a time or two in our lives and eventually reach the point of letting go but the cloud of condemnation still looms over our heads.... before to long we don't even realize we're held captive by a hurt or our own sin by our own choice... because we said we forgave that person orrrr we've said God forgive me (and he HAS!!! ) then we start thinking about all these things we can do to be free (we already are).... So it becomes our very own DIY project, that's ( Do It Yourself). So we try to sand off the edges slap a new coat of paint on and smile right?? But that feeling of hurt comes back with a vengeance- because we have been protecting it and haven't forgiven ourselves or that person ..... what would we do if the hurt wasn't there anymore... if  it went away... would we have anything to keep us company?? Sounds weird huh but all to often if we don't have "drama" in our lives we are just bored..... harsh I know.... preaching to myself :). Then we start feeling a bit like a broken record.. So we might try a bit more but like the Americans we are we get impatient and want that "fast food, dollar menu" fix..... Thinking " why can't "I" shake this....... Why is it that "I" can do all these amazing things for people helping to lead them to the cross or just helping them in general but every hour I'm having to remind myself that God loves me just the way I am...... That I'm the apple of his eye , that I'm made in his likeness and made for a purpose..... that there is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus........... AND I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.... Not through Teresa, through him!!!! Oh yeahhhh now I get it......  Ok now we're in his grace and feel miles better...... But then ...... That feeling creeps up again saying...... " hey you're not good enough....... Why are you even trying........ Come on just give up, you know you've wronged God to many times..... He'll never love you he created you to fail....... All these things creep up daily, or monthly if things are going ok......This time you turn your ear to that voice a bit more..... Without knowing it you're slipping back in ...... You can't see Gods grace and love for you through all fogginess of doubt and regret..... The fact of the matter is God knew us before we entered this world, he ALSO knew we would mess it up with all our DIY projects:) He loves us and wants us to "take his hand" and FOLLOW him. I like to think of it this way. I'm a pretty good navigator ..... I really am :) so you and I we're setting out on a long journey, one that I've walked before.  You have no clue where we are heading but you "say" that you trust me right?? RIGHT:) So you're going to follow me..... every step I take, you're on my heals. Every turn I take, you turn too..... Until we reach our destination. Why????? Because before we ever left you decided that you trusted me, and that by following me you'd get to your destination..... there may have been some bumps in the road or some long detours that got on our nerves a bit... But one thing is for sure..... If I turned, you didn't question me you turned with me..... If we as a church could grasp that concept and apply it to our walk with God saying ,God I lay down the map I've drawn up for my life and I will FOLLOW you lord, we would start to see this amazing world we live in through the eyes of the one who created it!!! The freedom we have in Christ is soooooo much more powerful than the chains that bind us ...... once we realize that those chains are truly gone we can trade those chains for the eyes and the heart of Christ.... Don't skip the first step in the DIY project that is your life.......

STEP 1: NEVER TRY THIS ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST FOLLOW YOUR CREATOR

Happy Birthday to My FOURTEEN Year old???????

Well guys, I went from putting one in preschool to helping one start her freshman year and celebrate her fourteenth birthday :( :) very mixed emotions about this..... My baby girl is growing into such an amazing young lady.....

I find myself trying so hard to hang on to her but she proves to me a little more with each passing year that she's "got this" ;)

She teaches me so very much that I thought I already knew ya know..... She's so much smarter than I was at fourteen (thank God)

We've had a lot of changes going on in our house in the past year or so and I don't know what I'd do without her help.

A lot of people would say that it's silly to be sad about your child growing older but I just don't see how I could be completely ecstatic about her getting older..... I mean I look at how busy my life is and how busy Rusty's is as well. I think about how hard it is to make time to see our parents and yes, that part saddens me!! I love waking up to the sweet sound of "good morning mama"...... Then on the other hand it's an amazing feeling to know that I had a hand in creating such a joy to be around:) Faith I love you and I'll be your mommy forever and ever, I know I only have a few short years left to mold you but I want you to know that in my book........... You are ahead of the class;))))) love you sweet girl....

Of course I took a few lol....... My baby girl will always be my baby girl :(  Yall look how much she's grown......

                                      

Nanny's Little Boy Growing Up Too Fast......

 

I remember the day you were born little dude J From that very moment you were like my ownJ I watched you grow, all too fast, you were one, two and then all of the Sudden you were 4 and starting your very first day of Pre-K . I never dreamed I’d have the privilege of helping you on this journey, but feel so very blessed that I can.

                    



 

                                                      
We signed him up and we  went for his testing ……

The teacher was super nice and let him play with her toys…. Of course he picked animals, his favorite!

The teacher was so very impressed with how smart and polite he was; of course I wasn’t shocked at all ;)
    Then the wait was on…. I’ll bet he asked me twenty times that very day, “Has my teacher called, huh, has she?”  Wouldn’t you know the day she called to say he was accepted, Jaiden was taking his much needed nap. I was so tempted to wake him up,,,,,,,, then I thought a bit LOL and decided against it! I couldn’t wait for him to wake up so I could give him his long awaited information! I invisioned the oh happy day moment a bit differently than he took the news ……. Watch the video of his reaction to what I thought would be the happiest day of his life (so far LOL……………)

 

 

 

 

 REALLY???? I think maybe I was more excited than he was! He was happy but when he figured out that the phone call he’d been waiting on only meant that he would have to wait even longer he was a little disappointed.

Monday (August 20) was our little parent meeting (no children allowed) although there were many children there and I wished that I had broken the rules just a bit so he could’ve met some of his classmates. HE couldn’t wait to hear all about it but again, he was disappointed to find out that it only meant he’d have to wait yet again;) Except this time we had a definite day!! August 23, 2012!! We had lots to prepare for before then so we got straight to it!! We made the round of phone calls telling everyone the good news and decided to take a shopping trip for book sac, uniforms, and a few fun things that come along with being a big preschooler ;) So off we went, Grandma, Nanny, And JaidenJ

 

Store #1 looked like it would be a blessing, or so I thought…… We walked in and saw a huge isle of uniforms and better than that they were alllll on sale!!!!!!  We looked for a bit and came to the conclusion that someone took EVERY sz 5 uniform and hid them from us! So we looked for a book sac …………

 

 

It took some time but I think we have a winner!!!! I couldn’t be happier with his choice! A washed denim Jansport, and just his size!! With a little persuasion (help) from Grandma, Jaiden agreed that this was most definitely the perfect one for him! Now if we could just find some uniforms and some shoes we could get home!!!

 

 

Store #2 was a complete bust so we decided to try the dreaded Wal Mart ……….. AGAIN A COMPLETE BUST…… After a long evening shopping, while Baba (Rusty) was at home with FIVE kiddos, we decided to call it a night and tackle ONE more store the next day ….. (The one I should’ve went to in the first place) After a restful much needed sleep we headed out to what Nanny is calling the most amazing store in the world……. Sacs Western Store!!!!!! BINGO BANGO WE HAVE A WINNER!! We grabbed the uniforms and a beautiful school bow for my Gracie and headed for the door….. But not before visiting their little room full of bunnies, hamsters’   and birds!! The kids thought they were at the petting zoo!!

Now we were all ready for his first day of school. Thursday morning felt like it would never come for Jaiden. He also didn’t know that we were planning for his mom to come to see him off on his first day;)

 

Finally it was WEDNESDAY NIGHT!! A “good luck” phone call from MiMi and Aunt Anna, and then there was just one more sleep until the big day! So he falls to sleep with butterflies in his belly and even more in mine…….. His mom was nearly off of work and had planned to sleep at my house so Jaiden could wake up to her being there (he didn’t know this;)!  I just felt like I was forgetting something …. The morning went off without a hitch…. He was completely shocked when he woke up and there were 7 people waiting for him to start his big day all gathered in his room J He only saw one person though…….. His mommyJ it took him a minute to wipe his eyes and then he jumped out of bed and threw his arms around her……. Happy boy, that’s all that mattered to me in that moment…..

 

My first attempt at a morning interview was a complete fail lol only because he was still recuperating to all these people being in his face so early in the morningJ  He agreed to try again a little later! We planned to help him get dressed for the day but he wasn’t having all that……. He was a big boy and only wanted our help when he had tried several times all by himself;)

 

So he was ready right……. Everything had been done that needed to be done…. Even the pics had been taken……

   

 

 

 

 

............... UH OHHHHHHHH there was one more thing……… “Nanny……Mommy …….. Are yall going to leave me there??????? “ My heart sank…… his big brown eyes looked up at me and I’m telling you I almost put him back in the car and headed for homeL

  I tried to reassure him that Nannie ALWAYS comes back but even a talk with mommy didn’t seem to help….. We were walking down the hall and spotted his teacherJ perfect timing. He waved really big and we were, again, on our way!!!

 More sad eyes and a few happy looks,

 hugs and kisses and he was on his way J As much as he wanted to cry he just wouldn’t….. Sometimes I think he’s just too brave…… I mean I was fighting back tears for sure…. His baby brother didn’t quite understand and was pretty upset at the fact we were leaving his “ brothie” there….. My long day started and his mom and I were able to catch a glimpse of him while playing at recess since I live across the street from the playground area at schoolJ I thought we would cry again, but this time we were happy because he looked like he was having the best day ever….. Skipping and jumping;) Come on 2:45 …………



                                                                FINALLY IT’S HERE YALL!!!!! 

  So, here I sit in the car rider line waiting to hear all about his day and keep everyone informed ;) I’m waiting patiently to see his big smile…. No worries though…. Reece and Grace said they would keep their eyes peeled for him during the dayJ 

 

HIS BIG SMILE!!!!! I SEE IT!!!! IT’S GETTING CLOSER! Reece and Grace are helping him to his spot Rustin is in the back seat snapping some shots of him……..

 

 

 

 I start videoing for the “video” and it starts out soooooooo great UNTIL……….. Screammmmmmmmm REALLY????? Check out this video………

I mean REALLY????????? My poor poor baby.....

After we made it home he was able to calm down and remember how much fun he had!! I was excited to hear about his day but wanted him to be able to play a bit more before the final interview;)
BaBa came home and asked Jaiden how his first day went.......  Jaiden's reply was " I had a great day BaBa until I smashed my little finger in the door;("

                        So finally it's interview time!!!!! What we've all been waiting for lol !!

 

I have enjoyed this expierience so very much:) I'm hoping all of his days of preschool  will be filled with as much happiness as his first( minus the "little finger" being smashed of course)

 

 

 

 

My Maria Gone but Never Forgotten

Today Marks 4 years that this world has missed the amazingly caring and beautiful Maria Cruz Mills and four years that she has been in the presence 
of our savior Jesus Christ!So many things have changed since you've been away...... I can't say you'd be proud of every one of them 
 but you wouldn't be surprised ;)....Such a big piece of our hearts went with you the day you went home... Your smile is forever embedded in our hearts
 and your memory lives on through each one of the amazing stories told of your generosity, Love, awesome fiestyness(thanks for that ma maw) ,wonderful food
 that only you could make taste so so good, and your forgiving nature.God gave me to you to be your Grand daughter for 27 years of my life and I only wish, 
still to this day, that I could've shared so many more moments with you than time allowed. On the other hand I'm so very grateful for the time given to me.
 My children had the privlige of meeting, knowing,& loving you and still recall the sound of your laugh..... Blessed they are!!! People tell me more and 
more that I look like you, my emotion can't be put into words when I hear that I'm anything like you..... I wish for so many things back but I know it would
 only make me long for more.. You keep praising God, watching over us , and keep a spot for me....... I miss you so much each time I go home to Crossett the 
hurt cuts deeper, It's an empty space where such joy used to live... I'll find that Joy again one day, I know I will!Love you my sweet Maria!!!!! 

A New Year of Homeschooling With a Little Help From What I'm Calling a God-Send!!

So here we are again....... at the beginning of a brand new journey (biting my fingernails).
Lots of things have changed, and lots are still changing around the Carmouche household!! I'm happy to say that YES, we did make it successfully (and safely) through the 2011-2012 school year! (Lots of excitement about that!!!!!!!) This year is going to have it's new challenges I'm sure......... but I'm super ready for them all..... well maybe not ALL of them but for the most part I'm ready. I've got my super mom cape out and ironed, just in case ;) Okay so now to talk about the "God Send" that I mentioned before. After almost two full school years of research we decided to enroll our children in an online virtual charter school, K12, as with everything I'm sure it'll have it's flaws but here's what I know...... There will be real adults behind the scenes helping me along the way( My very own sidekicks as I like to call them, because I am still the super hero after all ;) It's an actual school that has actual teachers lol (again, HELP) not that mommies can't teach their babies.... I don't believe you need a degree for that :)  I have loved every moment of having a say in how my children are taught but am WIDE open to accepting the help they can offer:) My Darling Faith is entering her freshman year of high school in just a few short days:( :) I have mixed emotions about this..... I am so very proud of the young lady she has become but awfully sad about how fast it all happened...... She is soon to be FOURTEEN years old.... and 5'8" I mean really?? Rustin isn't far behind at almost 13 and starting his 7th grade year....... he is so much his father's son!!! ( yes that makes me happy) If you've ever had the privilege of meeting Rusty you know exactly what I mean :) He has been holding down a "summer" job for about 3 months now cutting grass:) which BTW if you need a lawn guy ........ Rustin is your guy!! Reece just recently turned 9 and he still loves his mommy more than he will ever love another woman in the entire world ( just let me savor it guys....) His little personality has grown so much this past year, of course he still LOVES Lego's and will one day co-own the entire lego corporation, along with his best cousin buddy Ethan of course!! He will be entering 4th grade...... Grace just turned 8 and is sprouting like a little weed..... or like a sunflower.....Little girls are just to pretty to be compared to weeds;) She has lost and gained so many teeth I've lost count! The tooth fairy must be taking a second job just to be able to afford it!! Grace is starting her 3rd grade year:) I'm almost useless around here...... ALMOST lol There are many many more things I could jot here but sometimes I think my life is more interesting than other people do so I'll save it ;) I really want to start blogging more than I did last year.... please please send me links to the best bloggers out there for crazy ladies who manage crazy households and come out smelling a little like roses!! I just wanna know I'm not alone :)