My Home Improvement Project

I took on a new project for myself over the New Years holiday. I have this one room in my house that is a "formal living room/sitting room/Christmas tree room/I don't know what to do with it room". Since we've lived here I literally only used it for my Christmas tree. I only had one piece of furniture in it which is a huge antique cedar closet that was too big and heavy to put anywhere else and that was pretty much it. I hated that room because it was the first room that people saw when they walked in our house, but it was so empty.

Well, after my grandfather died there were these 2 winged-back chairs in his house that I asked if I could have. I had the perfect place for them even if they were 1970's pea green!! It didn't take long before I knew that I wanted to have them recovered and have a complete make-over for that room. So, with a little help from family and friends, I decided on new material for the chairs (thanks Susan!), a new wall color (thanks to Carrie) and a great place that recovers furniture(thanks to Melissa).

Unfortunately, I didn't take a "before" picture so for those of you who have never been in my house you don't get the full appreciation of the make over. For those of you who have been to my house, I think (or at least hope) you'll agree that this is much better!

Our Christmas...FINALLY!

We were so busy over Christmas that I just now getting around to posting about it. We truly had a WONDERFUL Christmas! This year was so much fun because the kids were so excited. They both are at that great age where they understand, and we could literally see the excitement in their eyes and on their faces. We had lots of family coming in and out of our house for the entire holiday weekend. I really couldn't have asked for anything better...I love getting together with family and spending time laughing, talking, and enjoying this wonderful time of year.

One of the most memorable things we did this year was something new that I think we will continue as an annual tradition. We made Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve and took them to a local nursing home on Christmas Eve night. I really wanted to emphasize to my children that Christmas isn't really all about Santa and presents, but about a time to give back to others and show our Christmas spirit and celebrate the birth of our wonderful Lord and Savior. It was so humbling and rewarding for me to watch my children light of the faces of these elderly people who wouldn't be spending Christmas at their own homes. MacKenzie and Mason sang "Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer" a half a dozen times, but it was definitely worth it when one little lady told us that we had made her Christmas by coming to visit!!

Oh yeah, and MacKenzie and Mason got WAY TOO much for Christmas (as always)! They both had only asked for a couple of things, but of course Santa and everyone else spoiled them rotten. One of the few things they had asked for was a Spiderman umbrella and a pricess umbrella. They also got a tool set, guitars, drums, Barbie dreamhouse, computer games, books, clothes, spiderman toys, barbies, and more!! Thanks to all of our family, especially the grandparents, for all of the great gifts. We love you all!!

Making cookies for the people at the nursing home


Putting out reindeer food