Happy Birthday Dallin

Dallin!!! Happy Birthday!!! This little man is a ball of energy! I had the opportunity to babysit him for a little less than a month last year and he kept me on my toes. However, I managed to fall in love with this little guy because he really is the sweetest kid! At the time he loved to lick...and he would lick me any chance he got...makes me laugh thinking back on it. He also loved to run, he kept me movin'!! Dallin and I would play cars and sing songs. I miss those nights when I would lay in bed with him singing primary songs trying to get him to fall asleep. He became my little buddy. I miss you Dallin, but I hope you had a very happy birthday! You are a wonderful little boy and my buddy! I can't wait till I get to see you again soon!!!! here's a little song for you because I know you love it!

Special Luke Day!

This little guy is getting baptized tomorrow~ I cannot believe he is already old enough to be baptized! Luke is such a tender sweet heart of a boy! I love this kid! He is S.M.A.R.T! He knows what he is doing and how important this day is for him. I am so proud of you Luke and I know that everyone who came to visit and be there for your baptism loves you and is proud of you too. I wish I could be there. Please know I will be thinking of you all day tomorrow. Remember this day, it is a special one, try to remember the feelings you felt and if you get a chance, write them down. I still remember the day I got baptized. It was a very special day that I will never forget. I hope tomorrow will be that way for you! I love you Luke! Happy Baptism day!!

Thursday April 8th is my brother Johnny's birthday. Here are a few reasons why i love him

-he listens with love

-he is the best person to have at a get together with our family because he gets everyone laughing, for as long as I can remember he has been the comedian in our family!

-he ALWAYS wants to do everything to the best of his ability. This is a great example to me!

-he loves kids! And is a great father, very hands on and always wanting to teach his kids by example.

-he has a green thumb...pretty much the only one in the family!

-he is really good with money....I remember he could save better than anyone else...when he was younger he had this big glass apple juice jar full of pennies

-he LOVES grape soda, candy, and junk food! This is one of my favorite things about Johnny...he is truly a kid at heart and it makes me laugh sometimes at the things he feels are special treats....and he is as skinny as a rail which makes it awesome that he can eat this stuff...BUT he also loves to try new things and loves healthy food too. His wife is an amazing cook...he really lucked out

-not only is his wife a good cook...but so is he! Johnny is someone who can do pretty much anything. He can even braid hair! When I was younger I remember him braiding my hair. That's just how he is...he likes to do EVERYTHING and learn EVERYTHING. i love that about him

-Johnny loves the gospel. He has a true testimony of it and lives it!

-Johnny loves family

-he loves to sit and reminice with his mom and enjoys their moments together...she likes it too

-Johnny is smart! he is good at dedicating himself to learning

-he has a very tender heart

Johnny is someone who I admire not only for his strength, but also for his love of life. One of his favorite sayings is "Carpe diem" seize the day....and that is exactly how he lives his life. I love you Johnny and I could list 1000 reasons why..but I won't embarrass you. I just want you to know that you make my life better because you are in it! Happy birthday Bishop....I hope you get to relax today! Thanks for being my big brother! Love ya- nat

I can make this...right?

I really am falling in love with this headboard....and maybe even the dash of blue color to add to my bedroom look...what do you think? I was blog surfing and came across this awesome blog: http://www.remodelaholic.com/you have to check it out...it's amazing! Anyway, I totally want to do this....

Headboard instructions:

Supplies needed:

2 - 4 old kitchen cabinet doors

Various 1 x __ Mdf boards (size depends on cabinet doors!!)

(we used: 1 x 3's approx 16 linear feet, for the bottom rail and all vertical stiles

1 x 6 approx 12 linear feet, for the top rail and top shelf)

9 linear feet of small base board molding

1 -8 foot 4 x 4 cut in half ( I had Home Depot do this)

3 - 8' long 2 x 2's

(optional: to hang on wall an 6' long 2 x 4

cut in half on a 45 degree angle on a table saw)

Tools:

Miter box and saw

Screw driver, drill bits and screws

Hammer and finish nails

Nail set

Sanding block (or sanding paper wrapped around a piece of wood)

**Measurements are all relative for this project.

They depend on a number of things, like the size of bed you have,

the size of doors you find, how many doors you use etc.

So, I have attached an image with a few of our our measurements called out

so you can get a better understanding of scale, just keep in mind you will have to make it

according to your supplies.

*TIP*

When you buy MDF boards the length wise front edges are chamfered (or rounded off on corners) So, in order for butted edges to look clean, and well planned, after cutting all the vertical stiles to length, sand the top flat edge to match the horizontal edges. That way a straight angular end won't butt up to a curved edge, instead both will be rounded off and look even, and well planned!

To better understand the headboard, and see clearly what is what,

I color coded an image, and called out some things on the next.

To hang this on the wall attach the bottom half of the optional 2 x 4 that has been cut in half at a 45 degree angle to the wall like so. The other will hold the headboard to the wall!

This project can easily be customized. I saw a headboard online while surfing that could be made using these instructions. See, you could easily make the headboard below as well, by only using two large doors, and aligning the top of the posts with the top of shelf and attaching that top shelf all the way across.

(source E-how here and here)

I must tell you that we actually spent much less than $30.00 on this project by using old scraps from other projects. That price is more likely what you will spend buying all the wood etc. But, I thought it would be fun to give you our cost breakdown anyway, because honestly I am such a deal lover that it is fun to share.

Our Final Cost Estimate:

$8.00 - 4 Kitchen cabinet doors

$7.00 - 8' long 4 x 4 (we have scraps and an AWESOME project planned for these!!!)

Used old wainscoting molding(from Asheville Kitchen Remodel)

Used old 2 x 4's cut to 2 x 2 (from Asheville Kitchen Remodel too)

MDF (left over's from our Screen making tutorial)

Screws and nails from our stash

Tools already owned

Paint (left over from Laundry room remodel)

Caulk (laundry room remodel left-overs)

Plaster for patching (left over from our unfinished column project)

Grand Total: $15.00

A MUST SEE

My brother Benny has done videography for years, for as long as I can remember he was filming and editing everything. He is a natural and can capture memories like no one else. I am constantly amazed at the work he does and how much he loves it. I have watched him capture moments of pure bliss on a grooms face as he is watching his new bride, catch the moment of surprise on a toddlers face as they met Santa Claus for the first time, create touching dvds that seem to take a mom down memory lane as she watches her children grow up one home video and picture at a time, and he always finds the best music to coordinate with each of these projects that tug at your heartstrings. I am not just posting this because he is my brother, but because I believe in his talent. He is the best at what he does. Check him out by clicking here: www.bennyek.com

Souvenir Spoon Display

Ok, so here's my dilemma...I collect souvenir spoons. Yes, I am totally dorky like that. But I really don't like the ugly wood display racks. So right now they are all in a pile in my junk drawer. I have been having the hardest time finding a display rack that I like. I have searched and searched and they are all so masculine and boring. I have toyed with the idea of making one myself, but I don't know how to do the little notches that hold the spoons in place. I would love any ideas if you have any.......would it be cute to hang them from ribbons? Maybe a white beadboard backdrop? Use molding to help the frame look a little more feminine? Fabric backdrop? Try making a horizontal display instead of vertical display? What are your thoughts?

See what I mean...ugly

Oscars

ok, so here's my take on this years Oscars.....

George Clooney- man you are a good looking one, but why the too cool attitude tonight?

Miley Cyrus- Cute dress...but don't ever talk you just don't sound smart

James Cameron- your date is anorexic and your ex-wife is so much better looking...loved seeing her sit in front of you all night and oh yea...beat you in both best director and best picture

Sandy aka Sandra Bullock- you are just straight up classy and deserved that win! Your acceptance speech was the best and I'll admit I teared up

Interpretive Dance crew- started out thinking it was weird but ended up thinking you all pretty much rocked! Seriously talented

Horror montage- uh since when was "Twilight" a horror film...oh yeah scary vampires and wolves.

Zac Efron- sorry...he's just hot

Sarah Jessica Parker- uh..too much fake tanning girl. Matthew Broderick looked seriously pasty next to you...not good

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin- well done.

There's more but I'm tired and going to bed. What were your favorite Oscar moments?