Upside Down House

When Matt "move in" at the end of November I was ready.  Ready for some major change in our home.  It was time to get everything the way I wanted it to--nay, the way it should be!

During the first weekend he was home we switched all the bedroom, multiple times.  It was crazy.  And there was mild swearing.
I thought I was happy with one way, but really it needed to be another way.  Gosh, so overwhelming!

So from December till January there wasn't much "decorating," just organizing.
And the two little boys who had to deal with me all day, were kind of over all the crazy, and tried to find sanity in small and simply ways.

 

After Christmas I was a bit over spending money, and tired of trying to figure out how the house should "really" look.  So I took a break, and dealt with really blank walls.  

However Matt's parents are coming for a visit, which has sent "crazy decoration Shannon" into over drive.  Things still aren't perfect, but it's all coming into place... maybe with one too many nail holes in the wall. 

And once again the boys have tried to find sanity away from Frenzied Mama.

Here's a little sneak peak of what's going on. 

Livingroom, and things have changed even from when I took this picture last night.  And big empty space above the couch?  Pictures of the boys in white frames.   

And what meet me every morning when I walk into the hall.  My HUGE calendar: "2013: Every Day Is A Good Day."  Yes, yes it is.  I need this reminder especially with Matt's deployment!  

ANNNNNDDDDDDD!!!  

I got an iPhone.  

My BlackBerry has died, and a new phone is here to save me.  

Apple haters, I'm sorry, but we really got this so that me and the boys will be able to FaceTime with Matt over this next year while he's gone.  So hate if you must, but since FaceTime is like the best way to communicate it's worth being labeled a "mindless Apple Drone."

Plus, I really like Apple products.  Yes!  (So really there's no apologies, hehe!)   

Hammock Time!

I know.  Where have I been the last week?  Well, just around, I guess...

... and enjoying our new hammock!  Can I get a "heck yes!" from the crowd?!

Oh, what a wonderful addition to our yard.  When Matt first looked at this property he said, "We have to get a hammock."  I didn't get his enthusiasm at first, but was willing to go for the purchase.

We found one on clearance, hung it up, and it was an instant hit!  And now I can't imagine life without it.  Relaxing with trees!  What could be better than that?

Oh, right boys, wrestling with trees.
Take a look at the fun they've been having just this week:

(And for realz, we could hang up 6 more hammocks.  These oak trees are amazing.)

Look at that face!  Melt my heart, why don't you, Eli? 

Happy Isaac.
Secure on the hammock.

Sad Isaac.
Hammocks are tricky things, aren't they?  Flip you right over, if you're not careful.

Oh, and thanks Dad for the cold pizza for our Sunday morning snack before 11am church. 

Yeah, shirtless in October!  

Hard headed boys.  Literally. 

Love the faces, guys. 

Our backyard, looking from the side street.

Below:  my attempt to a full shot of the side of the house and backyard.

Awe, Daddy time is precious. 

Yes, Eli is playing a harmonica.  

Picture Our Home: "Boise Townhome"

Okay. I never got around to finishing the "Boise Townhome" series.  We changed computers around Christmas time, and all the "townhome" pictures were left on the old computer--which is very difficult to start up and keep running (thanks Eli, for dropping it on the ground... more than one time).

I still don't have the good copies from the old computer, but I do have some copies that I put on Facebook.  I'm not sure of the quality, but at least it'll be documented once and for all! 

Things I didn't get photographed (blam it!):
- The outside
- Kitchen
- Boys' room
- Mine and Matt's bathroom
- TV area
- Hallways and staircase

Again, I'm doing this series NOT because I think I'm awesome, but because we move a lot and I'd like to remember each of our homes... for better or worse.  I do NOT believe I am that great of a decorator.  However I do enjoy design, and I try to the best of my ability to make our homes look their best. 

I tried to take a picture of these spaces when they were put together and lovely.  I'd like to think our home looked this way all the time.  That, though, is a big "NOT!!"  I also liked taking these pictures because it made me brush up on my photo/camera knowledge.  Photographing spaces and architecture is no joke, and pretty frustrating.

The living room, looking down from the stair case.  I made those curtains... love me some clearance fabric.

The living room, looking from the kitchen.  When this space was clean and calm, it was my favorite in the house.

The chair was clearance from Ashley's Furniture.  The door was a garage sale find from our Rexburg Days, and the book case from a thrift store--also during our Rexburg Days.

Downstairs half bath.
I seriously love that moose.  I found it at a thrift store in Boise (notice a trend?).  It was a very ugly with "Alaska" stamped on it.  I spray painted it gold.

Mine and Matt's bedroom.

Headboard made from a door (also from the garage sale from our Rexburg Days. Two solid doors for only 5 bucks!) Side tables from a thrift store in Boise, painted.  Lamps from Target. Bedding from Target and my friend Christi.

 The boys' bathroom. We made the measuring stick.  I got the idea to hook a laundry basket on the wall from IKEA magazine.  Curtain and rug from Target. 


That was our home for less than a year!  It was a good one, too.  I kind of think of it as my "healing" home.  The previous year was extremely frustrating, and our living situation was a big part of that.  I really tired to make this house look and seem happy.  It may look a bit childish and whimsical, but that's what I needed. 

I have ideas for our next place, and I'm so excited to begin!  That's the beauty of moving--I get to reinvent my surroundings constantly.