DIY Sandblocks

I teach an infant/toddler sign language and music class and am always looking for new instruments...at a good price. The cheapest sand blocks I could find online were $2.80 a pair. Doesn't seem like a lot, but buying enough for all of the kids would've been too much for my budget. I saw these stamps in Marc's 5 for .99. and bought a pack of sand paper for .87. After removing the rubber stamp from the block, I hot glued sand paper to them. They sound just like the real thing and Ben had a great time playing with them!

Flensted Mobile

Preparing for Ben's arrival was a full time job for me. I had a major case of nesting and wanted things to be PERFECT when my little love came home. I scoured the interwebs for the perfect mobile and found this one by Flensted. $50 may be a bit pricey for a cardboard mobile, but my son thinks it was well worth it.


This is when Ben was still a bitty baby, but he still laughs just as hard when I hold him up high to look at his swimming buddies.

Ultimate Blog Party

Not that I need to spend any more of my time checking out new blogs, but I just can't help myself.
I'm Rachel, a SAHM to my almost 17 month old, Benjamin. I began blogging to document my son's life and decided to create one for my other interests. Here you will find posts about christianity, photography, DIY, my business (All the Little Birds), sign language, style, home decor, fitness, marriage, and whatever else strikes me. Can't wait to check out as many blogs as I can!

Lamp Revamp

When my husband an I purchased our house, we were also left with lots of treasures from the previous owner who had passed away. These lamps have been on craigslist and in two garage sales for as low at $2 with no interest. I decided I would give these lamps a permanent home in my dining room (still a work in progress).
Before:
I used white spray paint and fabric I found on clearance for $3yd. I was too lazy to sew the fabric, so I simply hot glued it to the shade.
After:

Making do with what we have

For 2 years I have been looking at our hideous outdoor furniture that was a hand-me-down from my parents. The seats were terribly discolored and a an awful shade of green. I didn't want to spend a ton of money on furniture, so I bought 3 cans of spray paint and voila! I know they still aren't fantastic, but definitely an improvement. I love how spray paint can make such a big difference for such a low cost!

Reason #567567567 not to watch Oprah.

Goldie Hawn and Oprah telling the world how to be happy and raise their "joy level." I think I'll pass.



You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
—Psalm 16:11

Sweet Things

I really enjoy participating in photo challenges, it makes me a more conscious photographer. Hmm, calling myself a photographer felt like a stretch...I suppose I'll settle for button pusher. The simplicity challenge this week was "sweet." Maybe I'll get extra points for a a sweet thing looking at a sweet thing.

Project 64-Scarlet

 

Holy Yoga...not so holy.

Child's pose, downward dog, warrior position, inhale, exhale...
I was invited by a Christian friend to attend a Holy Yoga class last week. I had never researched yoga or participated but I am always up for meeting other christian women and was looking forward to a new workout routine. I arrived at a non demoninational church, much like my own. The dimly lit room was filled with a wonderful scent and praise music. As we began our exercise, the instructor repeated the verse "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14
At the end of the class, we prayed and I felt really good, the endorphins were going and I was surrounded by fellow believers.
That night in prayer the lord brought this verse to my remembrance...2 Corinthians 6 came to me.."Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean; and I will receive you." I began researching yoga online and learned about its pagan origins. I went to the Holy Yoga website and saw how they were taking liberties with The Lord's Prayer and altering it to fit into yoga lingo. I felt sick that I been doing the same poses others have done to worship false gods. The bible says that the devil comes as an angel of light, and I believe this to be the case with Holy Yoga. I have asked the Lord's forgiveness but now I need to forgive myself. I am angry for the example I set for others when I told them I was attending, I am disappointed in myself for not praying about it before i went. I am grieved by the number of people who are practicing "christian yoga" and thinking they are honoring Jesus Christ.
Tonight I am thankful for the blood of Jesus
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."Isaiah 1:18

This is how my kid shops

Shopping with Ben is a blast...as long as his dad is there to chase him around.

Spring...Finally

After a record setting snowy winter here in Ohio, we finally had a dry warm(ish) day. Took the kids out for a walk with the husband. So excited for a spring full of long walks with my loves.

Vloggin Vednesday

Today's vlog topic was to show your favorite/least favorite room. Sorry for the whispering, Benj was sleeping in the next room. Also kinda wishing I remembered today was vlog day when I got ready...I looked at hot mess. There is always next week.

Seals and Fish in San Diego

We took a drive to La Jolla to see the seals ,they gather in an area that was intended as a children's pool. Several of them just had new pups, unbelievably cute.


It was a gorgeous day, so Matt and I strolled around while Ben napped in the car with gma.


Next stop was the aquarium. Ben LOVES fish. It was one of his first words. Having a child makes nearly everything we do a hundred times better. I'm not sure I actually looked at any fish, I was too busy watching his little face. <3

I Heart Faces-Peoples Choice

Simple Beauty

I want to keep it in a jar

I NEED to lose weight. I never knew the effect 15 extra pounds could have on me. Sure, I give it permission to, but if I don't I'll become complacent and never lose it. I have days where my motivation is unstoppable. I eat my allotted 29WW points a day, work out, get excited about how I will look and feel. When I'm having those days I just want to bottle that feeling and unleash it on days like today. Days where I lay on the couch with my son while he naps, days where I eat 3 too many muffins, days where I think about going out to eat and eating my and your fair share of hot rolls and delicious pasta.
I shouldn't have typed delicious pasta...it now had a home in my head until I give it a home in my tummy.

Contentment

Philippians 4:11 "...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
I have always found it very hard to be content. It's not a longing for material things I struggled with, but a place in my life I wanted to be. I prayed for a Godly husband for years. I thought once I'm married I can stop worrying about my future. Finally meeting my husband and marrying him did bring so much happiness, but contentment did not last long. I ached for a child. I know that God put this desire inside of me, but instead of worrying WHEN, I should have rested in the knowledge that the Lord has plans for my life so much greater than my own. As Paul said, he LEARNED to be content, it was not just a personality trait that some people are given and others not. I still find myself getting anxious over what will be, but i am learning to be content through prayer, God's word, and everything else that comes with this life.

Balboa Park in San Diego

I feel so blessed that I can lay my eyes on all of this beauty and add a memory of the architecture, the gardens, the mountains, how I looked up to the heavens with closed eyes just feeling the sun, holding hands with my love while we watched our son run free.

San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo was THE MAIN EVENT as far as I was concerned. The weather was perfection (which seems to be the norm for San Diego). Ben was in absolute awe when we saw the first animal...

Cutest kid ever? Yea, I think so.
Pretty amazing day.

Photo Challenge-Movement

Getting my pancake on in San Diego

I've been on some kind of crazy pancake kick lately. Vacation is a great excuse to fully indulge.
I love how Ben looks like a little version of my husband.


Swoon :)

Surfing in San Diego

On our first full day in California, Matt and I decided to take a surf lesson. Matt has been a few times, but this would be my first. We had a great instructor who pretty much threw me into a wave as soon as we got into the water so I could get over my nerves. I have nerves...about everything. Once I got into it, it was such a great time. I only got up a couple times...Matt was definitely a better surfer than I was.






Fish tacos and Mexican coke to finish out the day...doesn't get much better.

Thankful on Thursday

This week I am thankful for

1. Proverbs...I love the simplicity and truth in this book
2. Benjamin repeating "love you" (ovv ooo)
3. My father in law's generosity
4. Matt's never waning effort to make me happy
5. A new friend to work out with
6. A trip to California that holds the hope of warm sunshine and memories for a lifetime.

Bubble

Benjamin's Room

My favorite room in our house is Benjamin's. We had a very tight budget to put this room together, but that helped me choose items that I loved and to keep it simple. The dresser was left in our house by the previous owner, we painted it and added new hardware. The crib, shelves, leaf, and chair are from IKEA. Benjamin absolutely loves reading books under his giant leaf. The fish mobile is Flensted...a little pricey for cardboard, but worth it.