Baby update...

I had a Dr appt today and there seems to be an end in sight...If I don't go into labor on my own by Saturday, March 20 then I will be induced. We are so excited to meet our little girl.

Antiqued molding

First I have to say that I can't believe how long it's been since I posted on here. So much has happened and so much is about to happen. I am about, hmmm, I lost track, 33 weeks pregnant now. I have just started preparing for the arrival of Ava. I guess when you have 4 already the prep time is just not there. I am, however, starting to panic just a bit.

With our recent move into our home, I am finally able to have a "nursery" for this baby. She will be sharing, eventually, a room with her 2 year old sister Sarah. With the help of great friends and my husband, have managed to get the room painted. Today my friend Amiee and I finished the molding, which leads me back to the title of this post. I am addicted to the DIY channel and they recently did a kitchen makeover and I saw something I had to try. Antique finishing.

First I started out with primed MDF molding and painted 2 coats of Ivory on it. Make sure you cover the area you are working on in case of spills (sooo glad I took the extra time to do this...say no more).

Pick the color stain you want to use. This color is Early American. You won't need much.

In my current state of pregnancy, it is alway nice to have your best friend help. Thanks a bunch Amiee. Love you.

Use a rag of some type and dip it in the stain. All you have to do is rub it on the surface and wait just a short time (like a minute or two) and then wipe it back off. If you want a more antiqued look you can apply more or let it sit for just a little longer.

I wanted just a light antique finish and this is the finished product. The molding on the left is not stained yet and the one on the right is finished.


So there's my tutorial on antique finishes. I will post pictures soon on the finished bedroom that these are going in.

Baby Girl Name

I think we finally decided on a name for our baby girl. Daryl and I were having much difficulty agreeing on a name we both liked. I had kindof just figured she would be nameless until she arrived. The name we decided on is Ava Renee'.

Busy girls

Mom has finally tried her hand at soapmaking and I'm happy to report that she too is now addicted. How could you not be though. We made 3 fabulous batches tomorrow and we are both impatiently waiting for the Fed Ex guy to bring us more fragrance oils. I've thoroughly enjoyed making soap for the past year and I LOVE to share the process with other people. This is probably one of the first passions that I've had that my mom has been able to get involved in. Could be the mini football team we have with all the kids in our families taking all our time.

As I'm writing this my wonderful husband is out in our garage building my Christmas present...a soap room. I'm so excited about this. No more packing boxes in and out of the house to make a batch of soap. He really is quite handy and it's so great to have a husband that is so supportive.

O, Christmas Tree

We finally got our tree decorated last night (it's been a busy month). Honestly, I'm NOT a decorator nor do I have the need to have total perfection. Some of my family (mom, sister) has the decorating talent that sometimes turns into what seems to be some type of OCD!! I smile as I say this because everything they do is perfectly decorated and everything has it's perfect place. Me...not so much and I'm perfectly ok with that. Maybe it has something to do with having 4 young children and another on the way. Hmmm......

Anyways, several years ago my mom started what seemed to be a tradition. Each year she would buy each of my kids their "special" ornament for that year. She would put their name on it and the year it was bought. It's been kind of hit and miss with this but last night it really got me thinking. As I sat with my husband in the dark looking at our decorated only by children tree I felt so blessed. There is no "theme" or color scheme to our tree. Nothing is placed in order. It brought tears to my eyes because our tree is filled with ornaments that have meaning behind every single one of them.

Once upon a time I was one of those that had to have THE tree. The ornaments that were handmade by pre-school kids never made it to the tree because they didn't match. As I mentioned before, I am not a decorator and one year actually bought a display tree already beautfully decorated. It was ridiculous. Now that I am in my 30's and have found so much peace in my life I look back with sadness that appearance ever mattered to me. Someone always seems to have something to say about my lack of decorating sense or wants to criticize my lack of effort. REally, it's not lack of effort but sitting back and enjoying the looks of the faces of my children each year when they unwrap their special ornaments. Looking at the masterpiece they created with memories of their little lives. Looking at the future they will have and having so much excitement thinking about the day they get all their ornaments from their childhood as a wedding gift for their trees.

It's a Girl!!

I had my ultrasound today and I am blessed with another beautiful baby girl. This will make daughter #4. I was so anxious waiting for my appt...much more anxious than any other ultrasound. I'm not really sure why I was so anxious. I think it was the thought of possibly the unfamiliar (a boy). I honestly didn't have a preference, I have been praying everyday for a healthy baby. Doctor says she looks great. I am so excited to have another little girl. Thank you God for this blessing.

Christmas Trio...

This is what I have so far for yummy Christmas flavors. On the far left is Sleigh Ride. I used Titanium Dioxide to make it super white and added a bit of Pearly white Mica for a little shimmer. Then I dusted some glitter on top. In the middle is Santa's Spruce. I am still struggling with the whole swirling thing. It's always a surprise to see what the final bar will look like. Any swirling tips would be sooo appreciated. Next is Pumpkin Spice. I love how this one turned out. It really looks good enough to eat. I sprinkled a bit of cinnamon on top.

I haven't been making very much soap lately because the smells were really bothering me...due to the baby in my tummy. Seems that isn't a problem anymore. YAY!!! I am trying to get my stock built back up and get packed for our big move this weekend. This seriously has been like the longest week of my life. AAAGH!!!