What a Wonderful weekend it was!

I can't help but write about my weekend. A wonderful longtime friend of mine came up from Sarasota, Fl for a wedding and to my delight she stayed with me at my house Saturday night...hence the 'Nita Nest blog' I wrote previously. I know you all can relate to what its like to have a day or two away from the demands of your household, away from picking up after the kids, away from making 3 meals, away from all the craziness!!! Thats what kept me working my tail off the weeks prior. Redoing the guest room (so it was actually a peaceful escape for any guests instead of a dungeon that sucked you in and didn't let you out..!!!), painting the fireplace (ok i don't know why i did it because we never hung out in my living room but it is nice to have it

checked off my long list!), cleaning and everything else involved. It was all 100% worth it when I was with my friend. Gone was my to do list and hello to fun! We spent a lot of time catching up and being amazed at how we've both grown and the similarities in our lives. I can't wait til more times Nita! You are truly a kindred spirit!

I might add the the shirt i was wearing I got from www.shopruche.com I got soooo many compliments on it and I wish you could see it a lil better!

this would be my 'before' picture of my fireplace

and this would be my 'after'! whew!

yes one day i will get that chair reapholstered and that beanbag will be recovered and in the girl's room but for now it is brighter and a breath of fresh air to walk into than how it was before!

and for those of you wondering, the top picture is with my lovely twin sister, Heather! :) she's the one on the right, in the purple shirt.

The Nita Nest

Well I wanted to do a post dedicated for Lola B Boutique lady :) I had a guest room that i was completely at a loss at what to do....i would walk in there, stare at the ugly forest green walls and walk out thinking ' who in Gods green earth would put such a hideous dark color in such a small room?' I wanted to create a peaceful haven for all guest using furniture i already had but yet paint it a color to fit for a girls room or lil boys (one day!). Early last week I came across LolaB thru a friend, MaryJune, (thanks girl!) and it was like a lightbulb went off! I set to work, grabbing a gallon of paint from the local hardware store (funny, it took me 5 seconds to see the color I invisioned in my head) and away I went. Well, I should say we. I had convinced my twin sister to join me on this endeavor and what a day of memories it was!! We laughed and gabbed the whole time and got 2 coats of primer on, and later put 2 coats of the lovely pale blue. A few days later she came over again and helped me paint and sand a vanity/dresser my husband found at a local auction for less than $10 and a trunk that came with a set of dressers (a tall dress, short dresser with mirror and the trunk was $15). I also spray painted a wrought iron bed frame my father in law found in someones dumpster (seriously its gorgeous!! who would throw it away!!!) that my hubby sandblasted. I still have a few more things i want to add on the walls but all in all, i have the guest room done before this wknd's guest arrives!!! :) I dubbed the room 'The Nita Nest' because of a great friend who is coming this wknd and staying in it the first time. Hopefully i can enjoy it for myself one day...when the kids are napping :) Enjoy!

The bedding my mom and i found at a yard sale for $15. Pretty neat find huh? Thanks again LolaB for your inspiration! Im looking forward to your seeing your store soon!

Homeade Baby Wipes

So this morning i was runnin low on wipes and as I started to make them I thought..."Hey! This would make a great post!" :) When Sierra was just a lil wee baby I received this recipe and remember thinking why would I ever go thru the bother of making them when i can buy them easily on sale or for cheap? Soon after my second girl was born I realized how much we were spending on wipes (when you figure up how much you use in a year and knowing you're gonna use them for quite some time...it makes you wish there was ANOTHER WAY!! So I dug around my boxes til I found the recipe and have never went back since. I use the good brand of paper towels, because after using a batch of cheap paper towels I was really annoyed at how easy they fell apart. So I stick with thick Bounty kind. My mom gave me her ancient electric knife (which is wonderful after hacking away with a serrerated knife..makes it 100% easier) and I cut the paper towels in half. Next I place them in plastic containers and some in ziploc bags for putting in diaper bags. Next I measure out 2 cups water (cold or warm...doesn't matter) Then I squeeze out 1 tbls of baby shampoo ( I like the lavendar scented) and 2 Tbls of baby oil. I don't measure it out anymore, i just squeeze out what i think is nessesary in the measuring cup now. Mix well with a spoon, then pour over 1 container on top of paper towel. I do this for each container. Then i pull out the cardboard center, makes it easier when wet. And waalah! I've got enough baby wipes to last a long time! :) I learned that when you pull out cardboard insert, some of the wipes come up and its easier to pull out wipes that way.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this, it has saved us a lot of money and i wont EVER go back. I'd rather spend my husbands hard earned money on other things instead.

Have a great day!

Heidi

Momma's angels!

I couldn't resist putting more pictures up of my beautiful girls. When daddy came home for lunch, i let them play outside before the rain....

A new Beginning

I am starting this blog with slight uncertainty but also with an air of excitement because i have no idea where this will lead me. I have been inspired by so many other blog sites from mommies just like me who show their creative side in SO many ways!! So with my mind brimming with thoughts and ideas to share, I'm gonna start a lil about myself. I am a 29 year old stay at home mom, I grew up in the country near a small town smack dab in the middle of IL. I have Amish-Mennonite descent and am learning to love that side of me more and more :) When I turned 20 I left home and started off on my own, living in Ohio, Arkansas, Florida and well what do you know, I am back home again! I married a town boy that i knew all my life. I never dreamed we'd ever be together but I must say, he is definitely the Prince I always dreamed of!!! We have been married 5+ years and have two beautiful daughters, Sierra Paige 2, and Olivia Nicole 1. I hated the thought of being a stay at home mom but was determined to raise my own children and not someone else. Along the way I have learned that i LOVE to find ways to save money, do things on my own, garden, keep house and delight in watching my children grow. God has blessed us with a beautiful home and in SO many ways I see day in and day out. I wanted to start this blog because I wanted to keep in contact with the 'outside world' meet other mommies just like me, learn tips and ideas, share thoughts and possibly create friendships! Thank you for all who have read this and please feel free to post a comment of encouragement or tips on making my blog 'homier'. I can't wait to meet you all!

Heidi