Kitchen Update!

Our kitchen is finally almost finished! Hardwood was installed this summer, all the window treatments are up, and my new stainless steel dishwasher is installed! We still need to finish the baseboards, but I love it!

BEFORE hardwood:

AFTER hardwood, new dishwasher, and window treatments!

We also had new carpeting and ceramic tile installed in the rest of the house!

Kitchen Redecorating! (Part 1!)

We started re-painting and re-decorating the kitchen last week! We are almost done, I just still need to get window treatments made, but thought I would post some before and after pics!

BEFORE:

I really liked my checks and primitive border, but alas, it was time for a change!

So I decided to do neutral colors and keep some of my primitive touches with a more updated feel.

I took it all down and started pulling off wallpaper -- I was committed at this point!

 After ripping off the wallpaper on the bottom half of the wall, I had to spackle, sand, and prime because it pulled half the paint off the wall underneath it. That took a couple of days!

 I did have some great help with spackling -- thanks Isabelle and Jack!

 And I had a great friend who did all the cutting in for me -- couldn't have done it without her! Thanks, Ecko!

So, it is a week and half into this project, and we are almost done. My dear hubbie put up the chair rail for me and did all the paint touch ups.

In the picture above, the kitchen -- all cleaned up -- almost finished! Just need window treatments. I'll post pics in part 2 when everything is done!

Easter 2013

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Easter this year!

 

 Time to decorate eggs!

 Easter Morning!

My little scholar with his new Bible!

Our Family!

 

My Sweetheart!

 

 

He is Risen, Indeed!

Tired after a busy day!

A Christ-Centered Easter

Easter is right around the corner (although the weather here in Wisconsin is still more like winter) and I really want my children's focus this year to be on the sacrifice that Christ made for them and the wonderful gift of salvation He provided for them.

Following are several ideas I have found from different sources that I may (or may not!) use this year!

He is Risen Paper Plate Tomb Craft
This would be fun to do with the kids during the week before Easter as we retell the Easter story - and possibly after coloring Easter eggs!

 

Instructions and PDF here

Christ-Centered Easter Baskets
Each year I have tried to make the focus of the kids Easter baskets on their spiritual growth with a new Bible or devotional book as well as some special treats. I found some great new ideas on the blog linked below.

Some great ideas here

Easter Printables
My new favorite (and free!) decorating trick for each holiday is to print out a new Scripture or cute subway art onto cardstock and place in a decorative frame. Here are a few favorites for Easter!

He is Risen Indeed Printable here

I LOVE this one! (Printable here!)

Another nice printable here

Easter Poem (Another Printable)
I have M&M's this year for the kids' baskets and found this neat poem to go along with them that reminds them of the Easter story. I think I'll print these out and roll them up like a little scroll to put with their bags of candy!

5x7 printable here

Printable Basket Gift Tags
I love printing out my own gift tags instead of purchasing them! They are so much fun to personalize. Here are some cute printables I found!

PDF here

Printable here

Resurrection Eggs
Rather than buying resurrection eggs, here are several ideas for making our own with free printables!

Printable here

Cards to print out to go with resurrection eggs

Pretty resurrection verse cards here

Printable Toddler Activity Pages
These printables are so cute. I may need to print some to do with Caleb!

Add caption

Resurrection Basket Printables
I LOVE these beautiful printables. They will be the perfect addition to our Easter baskets this year! 

Instructions and link to printables here

Easter Story
We are enjoying reading the Easter story "Amon's Adventure" this year - the story of a boy in Jerusalem who encounters the Messiah and the resurrection! Our kids love this story collection and can't wait to read a chapter each evening.

"He is not here, for He is risen as He said!"

Sleigh Ride!

We experienced our first ever horse-drawn sleigh ride last Saturday. We went with a group from church to Apple Holler and took about a 20-minute ride through the orchard. Everything was covered in beautiful, fresh snow, the sun was out, and it wasn't even too cold!

Cliff and Me

A picturesque ride!

Kim feeding the horse carrots!

Me and my sweet husband!