Back to life...back to reality...

Well, life as a Stay-At-Home Momma abruptly came to an end last Friday, when I happened to call the human resource department for my district and they gave me a job. A full time job. A full time job starting Monday morning. What?! So yes, I am once again a teacher. I have to admit, I have missed it. There's something so energizing about 28 smiles greeting you in the morning. And while I am physically exhausted and miss my at-home babies, I think they may have needed a break from their momma too.

Case in point:
Liss, after 13 tiresome months, decided that she was capable of sleeping through the night after all. We're on day 8 in a row. Not only that, but she has taken 2 naps every day for the last week, and decided that it was OK to be weaned after all. She's up to 3 English words: hi, out, and ball; but she seems to be fluent in Dog.
Miles, after days and days of trying and failing, just up and decided that riding a two-wheeler is no big thing, and just took off today.

 I'm so torn about life right now. I had so many unfinished projects! (I'm SUCH a procrastinator!) So many places we were going to go! I hate seeing my babies grow up so fast in a week. But I know I've been called to teach and I truly believe that this job fell into my lap for a reason.  God, give me us the strength to manage and enjoy both jobs. September will be here before we know it, and I'll be able to take my babies to the zoo.

Big Reveal!

So I’ve had this problem for a little while now…

 My living room, even when “clean”, still looked like this:

 A horrendous, baby death-trap. Cords everywhere. DVDs that look like toys to a 12 month old. Sharp corners at eye level. And not very pretty to look at. I was cleaning up toys 24/7 and even when they were picked up, they were still there.

So my solution…
Driving through town one day, months ago, I spotted a really cool dresser out in front of the local thrift shop. I drove right past it. The next day, I admired it again. And again. This went on for about 5 days. I never stopped. And then one day it was gone. And then the regret set in. I’d been wanting a new entertainment center for a (long) while and that dresser was perfect! Oh well. Then, I was randomly browsing Craigslist one day and happened to click on a posting about a dresser. It was IDENTICAL to my thrift store regret!!! Somehow, (rather easily I might add) I convinced Josh that we needed this dresser and that I would refinish it. The next day we picked her up and brought her home. I set to work sanding, priming, and painting.

 So here’s the before and after!

No more cords, TONS of storage, and so much more me!! I LOVE it. All our DVDs fit in 1 drawer. There are 2 drawers for toys, 1 for CDs, 1 for cookbooks (since I have no kitchen storage either), and 2 that I haven’t decided on yet (maybe yarn??). Plus drawers for all the media stuff. I still don’t know what to do with the pictures. I kinda like them just sitting on top there.
And here’s the best part….

Fun, unexpected splash of color!! :)
Now I have some more work to do. The random oak side-table has got to go.

My newest treasure.

Just look at this beast! Isn’t she gorgeous?? Ok, maybe not. But I love her. All 81 inches of her.

Look at the detail on the cabinet doors! And they open up to reveal three more drawers. Love the storage of this thing!
 
I must admit though; she is beyond ugly. And totally not my style. But for 50 bucks, I couldn’t pass her up! Just wait until you see what I do to her! Muahahaha!