From old to newer

Moving into this house has inspired creativity, this added to parking lot full of disregarded furniture called the Last Chance Mercantile, led me to some painting projects. Not completed entirely, need some knobs and maybe paint something on the drawers....

I loved this old gardening table, there were even some glass jars, screws, and a shovel in a drawer...if these "walls" could talk.

Deveraux wanted a desk, we found this great one for about $8.00 and fixed it up with colors that she choose.

This was the beginning "pile" of projects

Andrew helped me with some of the sanding

This $3.00 little table now graces our living room as a sweet little side table

Papa came in to help us refine our sanding on a new set of projects...outdoor chairs

Three of these chairs were $3.oo each...what a bargain! Although some of the chairs need a little work I felt like I had especially redeemed that black chair. The chair was also covered in negative and dark words that had been cut out and glued on. It needed a new life!

It is fun to take on something you have never done before...and challenging...and usually not as easy as you think it will be. It was a process with these chairs.

Bobo picked out this chair for his own

We had to start over with three of the chairs and have new boards cut and buy upholstery foam, I love a staple gun!

Andrew really helped...not always his first choice to do, but he is willing and knows it is important to me!

Deveraux's chair that she picked!

The once black chair

This picnic table we salvaged from the back which Tia and I painted. I still have some visions for this area, but it is on it's way and it is a happy space hopefully to provide many good memories.

Deveraux's Heart Party

Invitations given....

The party crew...new faces in this new home

The table is set

Everyone received a heart box for whatever treasures they wanted to store....

Painting heart frames

"Supplies" for decorating your own heart cake

From our kitchen window...our first event in our home since moving

A wonderful hostess

Cake decorating enjoyed by all!

A great party in many ways and one I was reluctant to have. I felt more organized and prepared than I have in the past so that felt good (maybe a little "hosting growth") and I also felt the stress and insecurities of opening our home and hearts. But I am glad my daughter pushed me into having a heart party! Our guests mother's seemed a bit surprised that is wasn't a birthday party, "no just a heart party for friendship."

Our highlights:

-seeing moms in my living room sitting on my couch (it's been awhile)

-Bobo thinking it was his party (with Deveraux's sweet encouragement) even though he slept through half of it

-Andrew being exactly what I needed (cleaning up after activities, coming in and making his presence felt, washing dishes) so thankful for his presence and his availability

-Losing my fears and just trying to offer

-Deveraux looking out for her brother during the party

-Deveraux and I in sync...she said, "I feel like our back area is finally together", I felt the exact same thing. There are just those moments for us...

Thankful hearts!

Headed to Santa Barbara

Deveraux pretty much packed herself and then Bobo

Bobo is a good helper when it comes to packing

We traveled the long way going through Big Sur with our final destination being Santa Barbara. It is so great to be on the road with your family, adventures await. I felt we had a feast for the eyes all day...Deveraux had packed for each of us in a ziplock bag special love notes, a little candy, and some pictures (Anderson received a drawing of a monter truck, fire truck, and a picture of him on his scooter). What a treat from our sweet girl and such a great way to start our trip together!

This picture I took while driving (I know mom) of the big rock in Morrow Bay, it is beautiful.

Okay this girl doesn't mess around when she packs. I always say, "not a lot Deveraux" but looking in the pack seat she was surrounded by her stuff, all essential. I cannot completely fuss at her because I believe I had the exact same tendency when I was little.

Okay a highlight....we received this tray within 15 minutes of arriving, cheese, spreads, bread, candy, and drinks...somebody pinch me. Things like this are never "lost on me". It was a treat, literally!

We think it was because of Drew being a manager at the Hyatt!

Deveraux always sets up a shop or work place when we are in a hotel, the ironing board is always an essential piece of equipment.

I will never get over seeing Bobo look at books....

Pixie Sticks!! Had to explain what this novelty was (they were on the surprise treat tray the night before at the hotel)

Bobo got a hold of a styrofoam piece and all of a sudden it was snowing in the backseat, had to laugh!

We found Devereaux's Point! Andrew had researched this area and found it! Very fun!

Poolside. Another highlight! We all miss our Maui pool time!

Another..."somebody pinch me" moment....poolside dining with my family, fish tacos, the moment couldn't be topped! For Drew he said it was his highlight just seeing my face! We received half off all our food for an employee discount...yahooo!

Beautiful sunset

Those are my feet saying, "ahhhhh"

Hyatt Santa Barbara, cool architecture, Spanish influence...

A little park across the street from our hotel

I told the kids that they are coming in at a good time in our life. Growing up we never stayed in hotels and room service was only in the movies. And for Andrew and I, hostels and "No Tell Motels" were our way of travel. I think that is why I appreciate it so much and I think I always will and I want our kids to as well.

Bobo has this funny thing that he can fall asleep in funny positions, often laying on top of us with his head off the side.

We also visited University of CA at Santa Barbara and Westmont College, we enjoy seeing College campuses.

Everyone loves the carousal!

The kids were playing at a park and Andrew went to check out a carousal we had seen the day before. It was all behind the scenes, (checking it out and then him having to go get cash. We told the kids we were ready). Deveraux was especially reluctant as she had made some park friends. We started walking down the path, navigating through the complaints and saying to them, "you never know what will be at then end of a path." And there is was. A big beautiful carousal, seeming like it had just been dropped there, encased in glass. Deveraux just stopped without saying anything. Bobo yelled, "Carousal!" and started running. Deveraux looked back at us and said, "can we go?" Their responses being similar to their personalities. Of course we can go, we had it all planned.

Kind of like God. He is working behind the scenes and has some really great things planned with just us in mind...if we would only trust Him!

A Great trip!