Spring

Spring is finally here!

A week ago Monday, my Husband left for Texas.  There was a light dusting of snow on the ground.  It has rained on and off since then, but the grass is SOOO green now.

I took a few pictures to send to my Love.  I am so sorry that I haven't had much time to blog lately, but things are moving at break neck speed around here.  I also have to admit that I have been kind of depressed :(

My Husband and I have been a couple for 20 years now, and this is the longest we have ever been apart.  I am starting to adjust, but I would be lying if I said this has been easy.

I was telling Chris how GREEN everything is around here right now, and he asked me to send him some pictures.  I figured I would share them with you too!  If I had the time I would go out to the preserves and take some pics....but that just isn't possible right now.  
 

For those of you who live in the South, you all have seen your daffodils, tulips and hyacinths bloom.  Ours just started to bloom about a week ago!  

They sure are lovely.  Well that's all for now.  

Blessings! <3 Paula

Another picture fram re-do!

With all the crazy stuff going on around here, there just isn't enough time to blog.  I have a few blog ideas kicking around in my head, and plan on taking you all along on my journey of moving to San Antonio, Texas! 

My Husband leaves on Monday, and then I will be REALLY busy packing,sorting,and de-junking!  There will be plenty to blog about then!

I also want to take the time to tell you the amazing story of how God has put all this together.  That will be my very next blog, I promise!!

For now, I will just show you another brilliant picture frame transformation that my Sister in law, Erin did.  She has all this lovely artwork that her Mother has created around her home.  I love when things are special and unique, that have meaning to you around your home.  

When we were walking around her bedroom, she mentioned how she was dissatisfied with the lack of artwork in her bedroom.  The walls are mostly on slants because they live in a cape cod styled house. Their bedroom is upstairs, so the gabled roof makes for slanty walls.  She did have this beautiful Iris sketch, that I believe was done in colored pencils by her Mother.

She took the frame off already in this picture, but it was a thin yellow frame.  You can see how it looked before below.  I suggested she swap the mat out for a crisp white mat, and paint the frame.  Both Erin and my Brother like a more contemporary look and feel in their home.  This type of matting was typical for the late 80's and 90's.  Very matchy matchy.... But the artwork is timeless.  No one could deny the beauty of the Iris sketches themselves!

Here is the "After".  Don't ya love it??!!  It made a HUGE difference.  I think it looks very current now.  I think these will provide the right amount of color inspiration for Erin to pick accent colors for her room now too!  I think the yellows, blues and purples in this picture are just dreamy!

It is such a treasure to be surrounded by all the wonderful and talented women in my family!  I also, love getting to be apart of Erin making her house a haven.  Nothing feels better than having your home reflect YOU and Your FAMILY, and surrounding yourself with things that you love and are meaningful. That is what makes a house a HOME!

Blessings <3 Paula

Picture Frame Transformation and Some Jewels!

Erin is my Sister-in-law.  She is a fun and incredibly artistic person.  If you give her an idea, she is always able to make it become a reality!  I admire that quality about her very much.

On a recent trip to her home, I helped her figure out where she was going to hand or rehang some of her artwork.  Problem was there were lots of wood toned frames, and most of the fixtures and accessories around her home are in silver or nickle tones.

She had found two pieces that we were using as inspiration pieces.  She found this sconce at a garage sale a while back for $2.   

Those of you familiar with party lite remember this piece and how you had to be a hostess to even get it!  It works perfect with Erin's home and taste!  What a great find!

The only problem was, Erin has some lovely floral art pieces her very talented Mother had created over the years and they were framed in wood tones.

I suggested that she should try to paint them to "match" the sconce and the other artwork she recently purchased from Kirkland's.

This was her other inspiration piece from Kirkland's.

Here is what the frames looked like before, painting and after a Iight sanding.

Here are the products she used.

And HERE are the AFTER pics.

Isn't this picture gorgeous?  Erin's Mother is a VERY talented artist and quilter.

Didn't they turn out beautiful?! She also purchased a large wood framed mirror for the opposite side of the room that she plans on doing the same paint technique on.  I can't wait to see how that turns out!!

I knew if anyone could paint it and make it look like it was original it would be Erin.  She is meticulous in everything she does.  She also creates some of the most gorgeous jewelry.  

She uses freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, and sterling silver.  

Here are some of my favorite pieces.

She actually let me borrow this one once, I felt like a celebrity borrowing jewels from a ritzy jeweler!!  I kept waiting for the security officer to follow me around!  LOL

This is my favorite piece.  It is named "Tiffany" because of the gorgeous blue colors.

This is actually a ring!!  Isn't it fabulous??!! 

If you would like to see more of Erin's jewelry you can visit her website HERE

With Mother's Day and Wedding season right around the corner, I am sure anything you were looking for she could create for you!  

I love having such lovely talented ladies in my life! I will post pictures of the mirror and the dining room as soon as she finishes them and get the pics to me!

Blessings <3 Paula

I Have a BUTTON!!!

My Wonderful but ever busy Husband 

Made my BUTTON!!!

I am so excited!!!  

You are more than welcome to grab it and display it on your webpage..........(if you want to that is)  :)

<a href="http://raisinghome.blogspot.com"><img src="http://iamchrism.com/pm/raisinghome_button.png" width="180px" height="180px" align="center" /><a/></a></a>


Grab My Code.

Thanks Baby your the GREATEST!!  Blessings <3 Paula

Texas

After waiting a week that seemed like a month, we finally got the news we were waiting for!!  We are Moving to TEXAS!!!

About a week and a half ago, my Husband went on a job interview in Texas.  Everything went really well, the job is a perfect fit! This past Thursday, they sent him the official offer, and it is exactly what he had asked for! Late Friday night, he signed and faxed it over to the company........


I am truly a bit freaked out by all of this.  He will be leaving months before my Parents, Children, and I are able to. 


Other than his job interview, I have spent all day everyday with him for the last year.  I don't know how I am going to adjust to his absence.  He isn't only my Husband, he is my best friend. And I really enjoy his company.



God's provision and faithfulness throughout all of this has been truly amazing!  I will write about how he has orchestrated all of this at another time.... It is a long story with amazing and abundant blessings, but for now I will leave you with some pictures of the state I have called home for over 35 yrs.


No matter how bad this state has become...there are things I will always miss about it.  First and foremost is the most BEAUTIFUL city in the whole country!!

No matter how awful our politicians are, how much they raise our taxes or tolls, or even how many dead people vote....it can never detract from her magnificent beauty.  She is gorgeous, isn't she?



I have many fond memories of the awesome museums our wonderful city has to offer.

Museum of Science and Industry.

Art Museum.

Shedd aquarium

Sue! @ the Chicago Field Museum.

U-505 submarine @ the Science and Industry Museum.

Ian, next to Sue's REAL head.  It is too heavy to be on her body in the main hall.

Sue's Arm length.  Either I have REALLY long arms or she has REALLY short ones.  LOL  "I have a Big head, and little arms!"  Name THAT movie!

Lexi and Ian a gillion years ago......actually it only FEELS that way.  It was about 5 years ago.  They are sitting in a Dino foot print!

Then of course I couldn't say goodbye to my lovely City without paying tribute to our amazing sports teams.  

If you are a Northsider, typically you are a Cubbies Fan!!  Let's Go Cubbies (clap clap clapclapclap)

If you are a Southsider.....typically you are a Sox fan.  You call cellular field "Sox Park!!"  My Hubby is a Sox Fan, but I forgive him.  :)

 Soldier Field,where the Da Bears play!!  If Texas IS football they owe a debt of "thanks" to Papa Bear, George Halas one of the founding Fathers of the NFL!!  Sadly, I haven't ever been to a football game at Soldier Field.  Sniff... Sniff.... 

My Boys!!! Marching out of the tunnel at Soldier Field.  I NEVER miss a game, and NEVER will.  Go BEARS!!! 

Also, I have to mention the food.  We don't have much.....being a melting pot and all. There are only a few things that are uniquely Chicago, but I will miss them terribly.

Chicago Style Hot dog, drug through the garden just like we like them.  Neon green relish, and don't forget the celery salt....it is THE most important ingredient.

Chicago Deep dish pizza.  I swear you could feed 3 families on one of these bad boys....but nobody wants to share!!!  Mmmm now I am hungry.

It would be wrong for me to mention "The City", without mentioning the city I spent 10 years of my life living in, and is home to My Brother and his family and My Aunt and her family.

Elgin, Illinois.  A place that will be dear to me no matter where I am.  Not just because it is where we bought our first home, or where I raised my babies, but because some of the people I love most in this world live here!

Yes.......those are BISON.  I don't think I EVER knew why there were Bison in Lord's Park...there just always have been.

Lord's Park, Elgin Illinois. 

 I couldn't leave home without mentioning how much I will miss the Fall.  It is my favorite time of the year.  The days are warm and the nights are cool.  The trees turn some of the most vibrant colors you could imagine.  Apple Cider, pumpkin pie, roasted corn on the cob, and shuffling through leaves as you walk along the sidewalk will be things I miss dearly.

 What I will miss more than anything is My Niece and Nephews.  They have grown up with my kids more like bothers and sister rather than cousins.  Leaving them tears my heart out.


Now for what I WON"T miss!!!

Lake Shore Drive blizzard 2011

You betcha!
I won't EVER miss that kind of snow, or cold!!  Well....Maybe just for Christmas  :)


I have spent the last 35 yrs in this state, and have never even VISITED Texas.  But I am assured God has a plan.

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

As a family we have been praying that the Lord would lead, and that we would be obedient and follow.  Now it is time to keep up our end of the deal!!  Through tears of happiness and sorrow, I am ready to do the work ahead and watch the Master unfold His plan.  

My children have been memorizing this bible verse for the last few weeks. I thought I would close this post with it.  God has been preparing their hearts all the way along, and they are excited to be moving.  Not one bit of hesitation from any of them.  Now THAT is how BIG our God is!!!

Proverbs 3:5-6

  Trust in the LORD with all your heart

   and lean not on your own understanding;

 in all your ways submit to him,

   and he will make your paths straight.

Blessings!!!  <3 Paula