Headboard Love

Saturday, October 31, 2015

We cosleep around here, and the other night, Mason started crying, and then during his crying fit, started crawling. Straight for the wall. In between dreams, I heard a thump, and then realized he had hit his head on the wall. Poor baby.

I've been looking at headboards, and am considering a tufted material, not just for Mason, but reading while sitting against a tufted headboard is a lot more comfortable than on a wood headboard, so there you go. I would so love any of these ones.











What Being a Perfectionist Means

Thursday, October 29, 2015

I'm a perfectionist. In other words, nothing gets started, and nothing usually gets done. Ha! I'm concocting the perfect room, the perfect lamp, the perfect couch, the perfect etc, but since it's supposed to be perfect, the task is too daunting so I usually don't even begin to concoct it. Does anyone else have this problem?!!! It's killing my decorating, and I hate it!

We are slowly adding furniture, and when I say slowly, I mean, slooooowwwwwllllyyyyy. Slower than molasses, really. As of this moment, the accessorizing of the room has stopped since I'm waiting on the living room rug to come. I want to see how it will look with the sofa and love seat, then I can decide on the chairs that will also go in there. I also want a couple of poufs for little one seatings. Right now the living room is still quite plain, and of course, I can't add paintings yet, because THE RUG! Oh man, this darn rug. I'm excited though, and I sure hope this rug will make me happy. I read about half of the 300 reviews one night (you're probably thinking, wow, this chick has too much time on her hand), but I mean, THIS RUG IS GOING IN MY LIVING ROOM.

So hence, you can see why this is going to be a lifelong process. Decorating my house. I can't get this until I get that. I can't get that until I think about this. Are things going to match? But not too much because I don't want to get everything at the same place, or make it look like a magazine. I want a little modern, a little industrial, a little rustic. A little of everything.

Which wall will be my gallery wall? Should either side of the fireplace be symmetrical in terms of paintings? Or maybe shelvings? Or maybe just pictures of leaves? Am I being minimalist enough? Am I adding enough colors? Is this boring? Is there too much going on? Is this muted? Is this trying too hard? Is this? Is that? Is the other?

I think you get the point now :) Hence, why this will take a while. But then again, we had very little to work with. So bear with me. Some pictures next week, I promise.

Kaolee

Finding Strength in Our Many Blessings

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Despite all that has happened this past week, I've found strength in our many blessings, and the kindness of those around us.

1. When Brandon and I got to the hospital, we were welcomed into his aunts' arms, in additional to family and church members. The support of family and friends has been especially warming to my heart. The scriptures tell us to mourn with those who are mourning, and without one another, the burden, and the sadness, would be too hard to borne alone.

2. A family in my sister-in-law's ward (church) were out of town, and they opened up their home to us and my in-laws. Their generosity really awed me. We were complete strangers, people they have never met before, and yet they left their home for us to gather together. We were able to be together to support one another, and to just be close, and that meant so very much. I am hoping to pay this forward in the future, as it helped us tremendously.

3. The amount of family and friends from out of town was overwhelming. Despite the distances they had to travel, families and friends made that journey. I heard so many comments about why we had to meet in such circumstances, and it's made me more conscious of visiting our families and friends, and not waiting. I also got to meet more families that I only knew on Facebook, and got to visit and talk with them, and that made me happy.

4. A fund was set up for the expenses for my sister-in-law, and the generous donations just blew me away. I had friends that donated, and shared, and it just made me so very grateful. I saw $5 donations, and was thankful for those, as I felt in my heart that those individuals and families gave all that they had. I saw big anonymous donations that made me get down on my knees and thank the Lord. I hope they know how tremendous of an impact that made, and I do wish I knew them so I could thank them personally. I saw donations with names, and I was grateful for those so I could keep them in my prayers.

5. Before we left the house that was opened to us, we cleaned with the help of my mother-in-law's family, and that was such a big help. I'm not the best cleaner, as Brandon would freely attest, and at home, I would set out to clean, end up reading the mail, and call it a day. With my mother-in-law's family, we were able to split up all the tasks and give it the best clean we could. That helped tremendously, and really got me thinking about delegation and teamwork. We can't subsist without others, and why should we when we can grow and learn with others?

6. One of Brandon's aunts spoke during Michelle's service, and she said something that stuck with me. She spoke about what kind of "breeze" Michelle was, and gave comparisons. She then said something along the lines of how our "breeze" impacts those around us. I've been thinking a lot about that, and what kind of "breeze" I am to those around me. I am not sure what the future holds, and I've been thinking a lot about what I can do for my brother-in-law, and their kids. I don't have the answer to that question, and I don't know if I will be able to be impactful, but I am praying that something will come, and I will be able to do something that will help them.

The feelings comes and goes. It doesn't hit me all at once. It hits me at different times. Yesterday, we drove from eastern Washington. As we drove through one of the valleys, I saw two horses that appeared to have passed away, and three horses standing around them. That just hit me so suddenly, and despite all the things that we are doing this week, it just struck me. Here I am, going about my week like nothing happened last week! Sometimes I want to shake myself, and say What the heck! What are you doing?!!! We just buried Michelle last week. We just left her there in the rain, the cold, and soon, the snow. The leaves are turning, and they'll fall on her grave, and we'll be eating pumpkin pie like nothing happened. What the heck?!!!

But I'm glad to be close to Bryan and the kids. And though it hits me hard sometimes, I'm grateful for the memories I had with Michelle. I have to let those sad feelings pass, and if I have to cry, then so be it. I know she's in Heaven, smiling over us.

Despite all that we are dealing with, there is so much to be thankful for, and I'm thankful for them all.

Kaolee







Beacon Rock State Park

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Last Saturday, Brandon, Mason and I went to Beacon Rock State Park. We weren't planning on going since the weather did not look promising. I woke up at 8am on Saturday, and the sun was shining with some scattered clouds, so I woke Brandon up, and we packed a few things for Mason, and set out for Beacon Rock.

A daily pass was $10, and an annual pass was $30 so we opted for the annual pass.

This park gets super crowded so luckily, there were not a lot of people out there when we got out there. It's three quarter of a mile to the top, and it's a switchback trail. The trail is pretty narrow on the way up. The views are amazing and there are great picture opportunities throughout. I prefer the journey versus the destination - the top. At the top, the surrounding trees block the magnificent view although you definitely still have to take a picture up there.

On our way down, there was a large group coming up, and I'm glad that we came when we did. When we got home, it started raining so I think we timed it perfectly.

Kaolee










Give of Your Love Freely

Saturday, October 17, 2015


This week came and went. We received unexpected news Sunday night. Our little family was face timing my mother in law, and just chatting. All of a sudden, my father in law told us that my sister in law was in the hospital, and she was unconscious. Things happened so fast. We weren't sure what to expect. Brandon cried. We packed our bags, and headed towards Seattle. People called, we talked, we hoped, we prayed, we drove. 

Ugh, I just feel so sick to my tummy.

My mom had made three aprons for me, my mother in law, and my sister in law. I had mailed my mother in law hers. Earlier on Sunday, I had looked up my sister in law's address and stuck it onto the box with the letter and the apron, and was going to mail it the next day. I didn't have any good excuses. I had had the apron since August. I didn't even tell her about the apron because I wanted to surprise her. 

Ugh, I just feel so sick to my tummy.

When we were looking at houses, we bought based on family. I bought it based on my vision of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the other holidays. I thought about how it would fit everyone when they came. I had written my sister in law, and my in laws about Thanksgiving. Yes, I was already thinking about it. We haven't had Thanksgiving together in quite a while now, and I had envisioned me and the kids doing crafts downstairs while their parents slept in upstairs. I had envisioned me making breakfast, and the streams of smells wafting upstairs, and waking everyone up. I had envisioned board games in the kitchen, while we all visited, with food aplenty.

It sucks to not have these things come to fruition. It really does.

But one thing has been incredible, and it's the love and support of friends and families. It's the I love yous. It's the taking time to sit down and talk. It's the slow down, and tell you that you are a gift to my life. It's the compliment that I will tell you right now because I don't know if we have tomorrow. It's the love that I have for you that I want you to know. It's the hugs because you are loved.

It's so easy, and yet, we don't do it enough. But this week, I have felt it thoroughly, and I want to keep it going. I want to give of my love freely.

Kaolee

Weekend Link Love

Friday, October 9, 2015


Mason had his first dentist appointment yesterday. The dentist and the hygienist were so, so good! I have had rock solid recommendations for Mason's doctor, and now with this dentist, I am just ecstatic! I have had my shares of not the best doctors/dentists/etc, so this is just so, so nice. The hygienist watched Mason while I talked to the dentist which was just so helpful since Mason wanted to crawl around and explore all over the office. The dentist was so good with Mason, and playing with him, and talking to him, and explaining. Are all pediatric dentists like this, or did I just lucked out? 

1. I've been using Biore Pore Strips forever now, and there is just something so satisfying about it. The released a limited edition set, and I bought some. I'm such a sucker for limited editions, and beautiful prints. See here.

2. I made a tassel keychain since mine broke, oh, three years ago. Target is selling theirs with a usb for $24.99. A bit pricey in my opinion, but the regular price is $34.99. Mine doesn't have the usb but it probably cost me $8. You decide. You can buy it here.

3. A friend told me about yet another grocery store within a 5 mile radius. It's similar to Whole Foods. I'm amazed at how many different grocery stores we have here. The cashier was super super nice. I think it's because of their motto. The friendliest store in town. Similar to Whole Foods and Chuck's, they also have classes. I really want to check it out. Oh, they also emailed me my receipt. Nice! Go here.

4. I read his book, and I'm thinking I'm going to be spending a lot of time here.

5. I just love the wash of these jeans.

Have a great weekend!

Kaolee

OMSI Fun

Wednesday, October 7, 2015








I have heard so much about the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and have been trying to find a reason to drive down to Portland just for it. Finally, we hooked up with our friends and made it a playdate. There's a lot more to the OMSI, but with our young kids, we just stayed in the Science Playground and they all had a lot of fun. Mason was especially attracted to the sand and water area, but it seemed like that was more appropriate for kids 3 and up. 

On the right side of the second picture above is an upside down cone that has been sliced apart. Coming up from the cone is air. Mason, along with a lot of the other kids, enjoyed watching as the ball floated due to the air coming up. It was pretty neat. 

Afterwards, we had lunch at Bunk Bar Water off of Water Ave. I ordered the Pulled Pork sandwich with the tomato soup, which reminded me of when I was pregnant with Mason, and had so many tomato soup from Jason's Deli. Yum!

Kaolee

don't ask for what you can't bear

Monday, October 5, 2015

Or something like that.

Mason was previously sleeping at 10pm, which meant he would sleep until 8 or even 9am the next morning. This also meant that once Mason was in bed, we ourselves didn't get into bed until well past midnight.

I casually mentioned to several people that maybe I should put him into bed earlier, say 7pm or 8pm. That way, once he gets to bed, and I finish up the dishes and cleaning up, it may just be 9pm and that will still give me some time to read, and relax.

In theory, it really seemed like a great idea. However, I failed to realize that since he would be going to bed earlier, that also meant he would be waking up earlier. And that means 7am. Ugh. I haven't seen 7am since February, when I was working.

So basically, don't ask for what you can't bear. Or if you do, understand the consequences. It's not all rainbows and butterflies.

And yes, I'm just complaining. But my problem is that I want to relax for 4 or 5 hours, and that turns into midnight. It honestly is nice that I get some evening time to relax and Mason gets to bed at a decent hour. And yes, once he's bed, I'm missing him already and wondering whether I should keep him up so we can play together.

Kaolee


this week's to-do



At the stores, I'm seeing pumpkins, and costumes, and decorations everywhere. I've got a couple of weeks, but around here, things take a little longer than usual nowadays. So here's the things that I must, must get done this week!

1. Figure out costumes for our family. Or maybe just Mason. Mason first and foremost, and if there is extra time, maybe us as well. All suggestions welcome!
2. Decide on a local attraction for a membership. There are so many fun things that we have enjoyed, and would continue to enjoy, but I'm going to limit us to one membership right now, and see how that goes. 
3. Plan out our October. I'm such a planner and yet, looking at my calendar, crickets. We are set to move towards the end of the month so that will keep us busy, but I usually like to have some things penciled in for us to do.

Happy Monday!

Kaolee

a house, a home

Friday, October 2, 2015

I was looking at my calendar yesterday, and I got all excited since we are supposed to be closing on our first home this month. Needless to say, Mason and I have been busy scoping out nearby home decor shops in anticipation of us moving.

I love going into people's homes because they all tell a story, and I hope we'll be able to tell our own story when we get into our house.

Here are some of my faves from some of my favorite shops.






























We are participating in our church's semiannual conference. You can participate here. Have a great weekend!

Kaolee
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