Inspired by Family Magazine

Today, I have a post up on Inspired by Family Magazine.  Find me here.

Because Kids Live Here Too

I spent the past week at home, tending to our sick family (me included).  I didn't leave and spent much of the time with a sick head on my lap and staring at my home thinking of all the things I would like to do to my home.  Then, I would read some of my favorite blogs and lovingly stare at their magazine worthy homes.  They are beautiful.


I'm sure you can't see a basketball hoop from the front door.

or balls stashed in every basket - the only reason they were in the basket and not on the floor is because no one felt well enough to play.

The book cases were impeccably styled - with beautiful hardback books and not tattered pages of all sizes.

I am fairly certain there were no pebbles sitting on any of their vignettes waiting to be turned into crystals that my oldest read about in one of those tattered books!

But you know what - this isn't my home, it's our home and kiddos are a very large part of this home.  They live here too - and although I don't want our home to scream "I HAVE KIDS" when you walk in the door, I want them to know they are welcome.  

There is always paper and some latest thing that they decided to do.

I'm not sure what is going on here, but I was under strict instructions to not touch the scene in her room while she was at school!

We have closet doors filled with their latest obsessions.

Shame on me for dreaming of the magazine pictures when I really am living my dream!  I have a home filled with love and all the little signs that show it.

Grateful Sunday

Source: Uploaded by user via Laurel on Pinterest

I am grateful for a chance to see my little brother and my baby niece (and everyone else who was there), humidifiers, two good night sleeps in a row, G. got the "player that can shoot over mountains" recognition in basketball, and a hot bubble bath.

What are you grateful for?

We're Sick

image found here - I spared you a real picture of what our home looks like

The flu has hit our home and only one person remains unaffected - lucky dude.  We are spending our days coloring pictures, cuddling, browsing pinterest, watching movies, blowing our noses, sleeping, and doing not much more than trying to get better.  Hopefully this passes soon!

Chore Charts - MacDougall Style

I have gone back and forth on chore charts - I"ve tried so many things.  In the end, it seems that I always just end up doing things myself and try to avoid the fight.  This year, though, I knew with the arrival of the upcoming baby, I was going to need the kiddos help.  I figured it was better to start this now and have it well established by baby time.

I started with this:

 spent 

Source: blogs.babble.com via Laurel on Pinterest

This is a Modern Toddler Chore Chart and it was perfect for my 4 year old.  I have to write in lines so that she knows exactly where to put her stickers.  This is perfect for her - she is expected to make her bed, get dressed, clear her dishes from the table, brush her hair, and clean up her toys.

I looked and looked for something for my older kiddos and ended up having to make my own. I am not a graphic designer and there are such cuter ones that could be made, I'm sure.  I did it up all cute in color and sent it off to my printer (AKA - Tom's office) and he couldn't read the fonts.  So, I print it off on our black and white printer each Sunday.  This is what works for us.  

 I customized a different chore for each day.  These include putting clean clothes away, emptying the dishwasher, vacuuming the family room or the bedroom, etc.  On top of their daily chore, they are also responsible to make their bed, practice the piano, do their home work, and all toys must be picked up before the end of the day.

At the end of the week - every square must be filled up to pick out a treasure from my treasure box.  If they missed one day of making their bed, they don't get one.  It is tough, but I've stuck to my guns.  G. was making his bed about 10 minutes before bedtime last night so he wouldn't miss a day.

The treasure box is just filled with treats - right now there is a lot of Valentines Day candy in there.  My oldest loves squinkies and my son loves food.  It is pretty random and really nothing special or expensive.

On the weekends, we have more thorough chores.  And it works best if we just ask them to help us out by doing this or that.  Our kiddos are still young enough that I have a lot of control of their schedule.  We just say after breakfast it is time to do our chores and work together to get the bigger stuff done.

We've done this for 2 months now and I'm surprised how motivated they are to fill in a sticker.  I have had to remind G. to check his charts and there have been times when he has told me that he would rather not do his chores and doesn't care about any incentive.  It is then that I pull the "well, I don't feel like doing my responsibilities either today, so are you good to make dinner?" card.  I know the way to G's heart.

I'm not sure how long this new system will work, but for now - it's awesome.

Link parties I participate in: A bowl full of lemons, Be Different Act Normal,  Blue Cricket Design, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime,  Lolly Jane Boutique, Ninth Street Notions, Serenity Now, Sew Chatty, Skip to my Lou, Someday Crafts, Tatertots and Jello, The Real Housewives of Riverton, Thrifty Decor Chick, Today's Creative Blog

Ikea Chair Into a Swivel Rocker

What to do when you really want a comfy rocker for the nursery, but you don't want to pay high prices?  DIY  a rocker yourself!  After reading this post from Freckles Chick, I forwarded it to my friends who had just talked to me about this!  They went to work.

They bought an old rocker chair off Craigslist and took off all of the mechanisms.  Rather than explain something I really don't know - I just took pictures.  They attached it to the bottom of a slip covered Ikea chair.  You can kind of understand how the attached it by looking at the pictures!  I can get step by step instructions if you would like, but my husband looked at the pictures and said it seemed pretty self explanatory.

They saved hundreds of dollars and got the same look - it looks fantastic!  It is just the look they were going for.  I love it!

What have you been DIY-ing lately?

Link parties I participate in: A bowl full of lemons, Be Different Act Normal,  Blue Cricket Design, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime,  Lolly Jane Boutique, Ninth Street Notions, Serenity Now, Sew Chatty, Skip to my Lou, Someday Crafts, Tatertots and Jello, Thrifty Decor Chick, Today's Creative Blog

Happy Valentines Day

It's not all about cute cards, heart garland, and pink food today. Don't get caught up in the little stuff  and forget to tell your loved ones how loved they are!

Happy Valentines Day!  Thank you for reading and all your encouragement!

Grateful Sunday

Source: etsy.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Oh how I love serving with the Young Women in our ward.  These girls lift me up and make me a better person - this week especially!

Weekly Pinterest

G. turned 7 last week and I could not have done this party without pinterest!


Decorating the table was inspired from Delia Creates.

Lego sugar cookies was inspired from Cake Central.

The Lego mini figure was from zakka life - we played I Spy the Lego guy!

The game Lego Collaboration also came from Delia Creates!  She was a huge inspiration for this party - including all the links that she includes in her post.

Hope Pinterest is inspiring you too!  To see all of my pins - follow me!

Kate Spade Inspired Wreath

This wreath is inspired from me oh my!  I remember it last year and I loved the bright pink and red color combo!  Very Kate Spade-ish, don't you think?

I did two versions - a heart shaped wreath and a circle one.  One for my secret sister and one for me!  I like them both!  This could not be easier - wrap yarn and tie bow!  But it brings in some Valentines Day Whimsy - don't you think!

Link parties I participate in: A bowl full of lemons, Be Different Act Normal,  Blue Cricket Design, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime,  Lolly Jane Boutique, Ninth Street Notions, Quilted Euphoria, Rae Gum Ramblings, Serenity Now, Sew Chatty, Skip to my Lou, Someday Crafts, Tatertots and Jello, Thrifty Decor Chick, Today's Creative Blog

Grateful Sunday

Source: iammommy.typepad.com via Laurel on Pinterest

I could be really frustrated today - honestly, I was for a little bit.  I came home from church and we found out that the motor of our refrigerator was completely ka-put!  Water was all over the floor and everything was hot!  But I choose to be grateful:

• It is freezing outside, so I have a backyard sized freezer that can hold some certain food over for awhile.
• We have saved forever and have made a lifetime habit of saving - just for circumstances like this!

Plus - it is February!!  This is my favorite month and I am so glad it is here!  How can you be frustrated when there are hearts, sugar, and pink everywhere?  Plus - I had some awesome teenage girls drop brownies off at  my home today, just because.  How can I be frustrated?

What are you grateful for?

Getting Ready

We've got a Lego-Maniac that is turning 7 in 2 days!

This year he gets to have a "friend" party  - we alternate every other year.

I'm seeing mini-figures in my sleep!

Any free time is spent prepping for this party.  We don't have any Valentines Day decor up yet - hearts don't go with Legos, I've been told!

See you on the other side!