Summer Fun!!

I've been spending quite a bit of time, on Pinterest lately. Mostly because I need some ideas, for Danny's birthday party. Between, if you have any ideas, please leave me a little message. :) Anyway, I've been hunting on Pinterest. But like with most things on Pinterest, I got a little distracted last night. And found this beauty!

Seriously amazing! Now if only we had a deck like that. We could make this amazing transformation! Could you just imagine? I'd NEVER get my sons to come inside again!! Heck I'd never want to go inside either! This is just so fun! A slide, sandbox, chalkboard, fun playhouse....and a great entertaining deck for Mom and Dad! :) Such a great inspiration!!

♥Rach♥

How About a Summer Beach?

Sometimes, I really miss Georgia! So much, that I wish we'd move out there. It was the best, of so many worlds for me. :) But one of my favorite parts of growing up in Georgia, were the quick trips to the beach. We'd pack up a few things, hop in the car, and head out.

I spent so many days, playing in the sand, swimming in the ocean, and enjoying the sun! I wish that my kids got to do that. But we live in the desert. I'm not knocking the desert. But it's so different!

When I saw this picture, I about jumped out of my pants! Are you serious? A little beach for our backyard? Wow! And ya, I found this picture on Pinterest. I told you, we're having a bit of a love affair!

I'm positive, my sons would adore this idea! To have their own beach, in our big 'ol backyard! They do love digging in the sand. And playing in the water. :) I think we could make a bigger "beach." We do have 3 kids. And I feel like they'd need some more space.

I'm gonna put this on our "to-do" list. :) Maybe Mike will get to come home soon! And we can tackle this project. Heck, we've got the wood, 2 kiddie swimming pools, and 4 of those little chairs. We've also got plenty of sand toys, and beach balls. I'm positive all we'd need to buy is the sand, something to cover it up (when we're not playing in there), some poles, and the fabric covering.

But honestly, isn't this a great idea? Something fun. And definitely unusual for the desert. I could see this little project, lasting for years. Meaning, our kids would get years of fun, out of a day of work. Good idea in my book! Now, we just need to be patient. And wait for Mike. Our head DIY-er. :)

♥Rach♥

We NEED One!!

Not even going to lie here. It's already insanely H-O-T! The rest of the world, is excited about summer. I'm well, not so thrilled that the temps are already in the 90s. Years ago, when I was in college, it was great! Welcomed actually. But these days, with 3 kids, it's tough. My boys want to be outside. 24/7! Never mind that it's 110 degrees. They don't care!

And I feel bad. I don't want my kids to be stuck inside. Not when our summer pretty much begins in May. And ends at the end of September. I want them to enjoy the summer months. And the nice weather.

But we need some activities that will keep us cool. And I'm not just talking swimming. So I took to Pinterest for some inspiration. Look what I found!

It's a sprinkler! Made out of PVC pipe. It might have taken me a week, to track down the original post. But I did! Mike told me, that he could make one. He's calling it the "Kid Car Wash." And after Mikey happened to spot it on the computer, I was writing down the supply list. Well it is essentially set in stone! Mike can't get out of it now. :)

I do have to say, we're blessed. Not only is Mike the kind of guy, that enjoys DIY projects. But the firefighters, are always excited to help us out. Especially when it comes to our kids. So guess what's on tap, for their next day off? This bad boy! My boys are so excited! They keep calling this, the "wimmin wower." If you didn't get that, it's the swimming shower. :) How cute! This momma might even have to run through it too!

♥Rach♥

Who Would Have Thought?

Mike and I, have been looking for some DIY projects to tackle. Outside. For our boys. They are very curious, and active. My boys, are totally the typical "boy." Their days include chasing our dog, hunting lizards, and digging in the yard. Nightly baths, are not optional in our home.

We have a nice playset for them. That they love! I tell you, I've got 2 little monkeys here. :) But we're always looking for something new. Something to keep the boys active. And to keep their sense of exploring going on.

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this. On I Heart Naptime. Which happens to be one of my favorite blogs! Who would have thought? A tire...into a sandbox. :)

We happen to have a friend, who has a Ranch. And I'm tempted to call him, and ask him if he has any old tires. I think this would be a fun project to tackle with the boys. Something that they've helped their daddy build.

♥Rach♥

Gardening on the Brain

Lately, I've had gardening on the brain. Do you remember this post? Well, I'm still looking for ways to "beautify" our yard. I like doing fun and unexpected projects. Here are a few ideas, that I've recently come across.

What do you think of this? A little vertical growing unit. And all those potted plants. I just love how this looks.

And this sweet, little idea. Would add a ton of color to our yard. Wouldn't this be so fun? You could build them around a deck. As the corners. Now that would be nice!

Lastly, is this idea from Home Depot. Have you noticed the commercial? The first time I seen it, I told Mike, that he needed to build us some of these! I'm thinking it would also be nice as an herb garden. Near the kitchen.

Have you started gardening yet? I know that we're late at it this year. But when I should have started, I was 8 months pregnant. And since then, well I've just been enjoying my kids. Although, a friend helped me plant some bulbs, early in Spring. They're just starting to pop out of the ground. :) And sometime this week, we're going to go pick up some plants. You know, veggies and stuff. Let's see what we can get done this season.

♥Rach♥

Yes Please

I know that it's just February. But around here, it already feels like Spring. Mikey and Danny, pretty much want to be outside, 24/7. And honestly, I can't blame them. It's gorgeous outside! In fact, for the last few days, we've found that jackets, are optional. :)

It also has me dreaming about other things. Like projects for our yard, new toys for our kids, and a big 'ol porch! You see, I'm from the great state of Georgia. And it's very common to have the big sweeping porches. Where you spend long evenings, rocking in a comfy chair. Sipping some sweet tea. And enjoying your family.

I've wanted a porch like this, for a long time! Since we moved into our home. I'm a subscriber to lots of magazines. And every time I see something like this, my heart just melts. I want a porch. To just hangout, while my kiddos run around the yard.

Doesn't this just look so peaceful and inviting? Those rockers, remind me of the ones at Cracker Barrel. Oh, how I love them! I'd love to have a space like this. With big flower pots, overflowing with pretty flowers. I'm going to add this to my "Wishlist." Maybe Mike will see it. And maybe, just maybe...I'll get me a relaxing porch too! :)

♥Rach♥

I Would Have Never Thought....

Back in the day, between moving out on my own, and getting married...I lived to shop!! I can't even lie. I'd head to the store, the minute I got paid. Well, I'd pay my rent first. :) But you get the idea!

I had this fabulous closet. Full of great clothes, shoes, and tons of accessories! Loved it! I'm pretty sure, I was the most stylish student teacher out there. Which was hilarious! Then I met Mike. OK, I still would dress up. Actually, we were just talking about this. How I was always so stylish. Had the most current clothes. Now, I wear my husband's firefighter t-shirts, and leggings. With the waistband cut out :)

After Mike and I moved in together, I realized I need to "downsize" my closet. Really, who needed all those clothes! And shoes. And purses. Little by little, I sold most of those things. And used the money for furniture. And eventually, our home. A much better use of my money.

But there were things that I couldn't get rid of. Most of that, was my jewelry. I don't know why. But somehow, I didn't find it hard to get rid of blouses, dresses, shoes, purses, or jackets. But my jewelery, I couldn't do it!

Since we moved into our house, I'm embarrassed to say this, but it's been all tangled in one of our dresser drawers. 1. Who does that? 2. I never wear any of it. Because it's all tangled up. And I don't have time, to untangle it. 3. I could think of a million better uses for that drawer. Like a place to put my pjs. 4. I thank God, that Mike bought me a jewelry box, for my nice jewelry.

Yesterday, as I was getting ready for church, I wanted to dress up a bit more. Put some effort into my "mom outfit." I opened that drawer. And I knew exactly which necklace I wanted to wear. 40 minutes later, I only had it half untangled. And I was annoyed!

We went to church. My necklace stayed home. In that drawer. And I was so annoyed. That I wasted all that time. I still wasn't wearing what I wanted to. And all that jewelry is being wasted. I told Manders about it. An she told me to check out Pinterest. Because she had gotten a few ideas, about jewelry storage.

When the boys went to bed last night, I started my search on Pinterest. There are a ton of ideas! But the one that I like best, was this one. Simple. Easy. And inexpensive!

Guess what I picked up today. Other than our weekly groceries. :) Yes, a few kitchen organizers. This is my project for the weekend. Hopefully Mike can get them hung, before he has to go to work. And fingers crossed, that I manage to untangle all my jewelry. You know, before I go nuts!

Isn't this a great idea? I love it! I still have a few things to search for. But I'm going to tackle this project, before I dig up anymore. And hopefully, by Sunday. So I'll be able to wear that necklace. Oh, that pretty necklace! It's been years...

♥Rach♥