Seeking Painting Advice

In November I'm hoping to paint the downstairs of our house. I've been looking and thinking about colors for way too long. After changing my mind at least three times, I think I've come up with a basic idea. But I'm open for suggestions. Please, I need them. What do you think?

I'm envisioning three walls of our living room and an accent wall in our kitchen this blue color. (Anybody know what color this is? I came across this picture and love it, but I have no clue what the paint color is.)
Then the rest of the downstairs would be painted a neutral taupe color.

Maybe Behr Castlepath

Or Sherwin Williams Amazing Grey
(It doesn't look too grey though, does it? Matt and I disagree on what classifies as grey. I suppose the name does explain it all, though...)

The rooms which we'll be painting are pictured below. We don't want the neutral paint color to be too dark, since the kitchen is pretty dark already. But I don't want it too light, either. (This post is beginning to remind me of The Three Little Bears book I read to Skylie. Not too dark, not too light...just right.)
Here's the foyer and living room. The floral couches have been replaced with the ones you see below. I got found them on Craigslist. The couches, not the people.)
Oh, and we've also got a powder room by the foyer that I'm think of painting either a darker taupe or darker blue (in the same hue as the colors in the rest of the house.)
I haven't nailed down what color scheme I want for the accessories--probably lots of neutrals with a few splashes of color here and there. At this moment I'm loving the blue and red room shown above, or maybe a less-crazy combination of the blue, red, green, and orange in this rug.
And that's it. What do you think? What paint colors and brands do you love? I am all ears.

P.S. Happy Halloween. Tonight Matt suggested we go with an orange and black scheme in honor of the holiday. Nice.

Month 3

Kaitlyn,

You are getting so big! We love you. You still seem pretty calm and laid-back. You smile easily, especially at your dad. I'm secretly (or not so secretly) jealous. Your dad's certain that you're the easiest baby to smile.
Once while getting your diaper changed, Skylie came up to you and squealed right in your ear, "The baby!" The noise startled you--your arms and legs flailed, your eyes got big, and you gave me a look as if to say, "What the heck is going on around here?!" You tolerate all the craziness around here like a champ. Thank you.
Sleep is still your middle name. Once you slept without waking from 10:30 at night until 8:20 a.m.. Wow, that was wonderful. Most nights, though, you sleep 6-7 hours then eat and go right back to bed. You snooze quite a lot during the day, too. If only we could all have your life!

You've had an eventful month. This month you:

• Took your first trip out of state, to Louisville, Kentucky when your dad and I attended the temple.
• Visited apple orchards, parks, and a children's haunted house. Whenever we go out we receive lots of compliments on how cute you are--your pretty eyes, long eyelashes, and dark hair. Once at the grocery store, an elderly couple came by me three times to look at you. They oowed and awwed over how beautiful you looked with the cute headband and big flower in your hair. Sometimes people mention how much you look like me, but really, you're a cuter, girly version of your dad's baby pictures.
  

I love you more than ever, Baby Girl.

Love,
Mom

Month 26

The above clip is my attempt to capture Skylie singing, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" on video. Skylie and I are both usually much better at knowing the words, but we're not much of performers for the cameras. ;)

Skylie,

You are one fun girl. It seems like you're always going 100 miles per hour.

Your friend came over once to play this month, and I couldn't help but notice the differences in your two temperaments.

For example: I asked if you guys wanted to read books. She calmly said, "yes" and obediently walked to bring me one book. You, on the other hand, shouted excitedly, "I do!" and ran back and forth piling book after book in front of me. Similar instances happened all afternoon, partly, I think, because you were in your comfort zone but also because you are simply are so full of life.

Later you two hugged. You were a bit too vigorous at first and knocked her down--twice. She didn't seem to mind and even hugged you again. The two of you looked pretty adorable.

You still love your sister. If I ever am unable to sooth Kaitlyn's crying immediately (like I'm in the shower, changing your diaper, etc.) you'll tell me "Kaityn cryin.' Kaityn cryin'." Or you'll pat her head or try to shove her binkie in her mouth (which you're getting pretty good at). When you first wake you always ask, "Kaitin awake?", and before you take a nap or sleep for the night you have to make sure Kaitlyn is in her bed. You say, "Kaitin' goin' a bed...Kaitin close 'er eyes."

You miss your grandparents and frequently ask, "Gnana and Gampa? Wanna pway a dem."

This month:

• We went to the temple in Louisville Kentucky. You and I played at a nearby park while Daddy attended the temple, then Dad and I switched. Since then you've frequently asked, "I goin' a temple aday?"
• You visited a nearby apple orchard with your daddy and me and later you and I went with friends.You loved playing in the straw, looking at the apple trees, wandering the corn maze, and playing at the playground.
  
• Daddy and I took you to the haunted house at the Children's Museum. (You and I worked hard reading books this summer to earn those free tickets from the library.) You were too naive to be scared or even think it was very cool.
• I gave a very lame attempt to potty train you, and you have used the toilet. I'm just not sure I want to commit to the work of training you quite yet. Soon though--you seem quite interested and ready.

At 26 months you can:

• Count to 14
• Sing lots of songs
• Use the toilet
• Give your sister a bottle (sort of)

Tonight we took a hayride and I asked, "Are you happy?" You replied emphatically shaking your head, "No, I not happy." Then you grinned your silly grin.

You're a happy girl, and you make me so happy, too.

Love,
Mom

Must Reads

Here in Indy and in other parts of the United States, the Church is doing a "I'm a Mormon" campaign which ultimately invites people to learn more about the church by logging on to mormon.org. (It is pretty cool to see LDS commercials on prime time TV.) Anyway, church leaders gave a special presentation about this campaign on Sunday, and part of it encouraged us to individually log on to mormon.org and create our own profile.

In the past few days I've heard friends repeatedly say, "I don't know what to write for my profile. I'm just a mom."

True, I haven't played in the NFL, I'm not an urban school teacher, nor am I the frontman in a rock band (those were a few of the profiles we saw on Sunday). Compared to the lives those people live, my life is pretty dull--but I have never considered myself 'just a mom', and I never want my children to hear me sell myself short. While the role I play in my family is my most important role, there's a whole lot more to me than being a wife and mom.

Two activities that help me recognize that there's more to me than my remarkable ability to change diapers, grocery shop with crying children, and sing Disney songs off-tune are 1) regular exercise and 2) reading.

There have been many, many days when escaping for a good run has been the perfect medicine to bring me balance and much needed peace.

Secondly--reading. I wish I could say that I read a lot. But I don't. However, most of the time I'm slowly working my way through a book, usually a self-improvement book of some sort. It helps me feel like I'm becoming better--more educated--in regards to parenting, finances, or any other specific topic I'm interested in at the time.

Recently I've read three books which I consider "must reads".

No More Goodbyes
By Carol Lynn Pearson

Carol Lynn Pearson is an LDS women who wrote a book in the 1980s about finding out her husband was gay. They get divorced; he contracts AIDS, and she cares for him as he dies. Shortly after this book was published the General Primary Presidency asked her to write a song for the Primary Songbook. You may recognize it, "I'll Walk With You".

Since she wrote the first book, she has had Mormons and others write to her about being gay or having family members who are gay. She compiled all their stories into this second book--No More Goodbyes. A friend thinks this book "should be required reading for all humankind." I am prone to agree.

I would have never sought to read this book on my own, but it is this month's chosen book for book club, and I have learned a lot. Pearson, I think, does a good job of not having any hidden agenda or desire to sway readers in any political direction. Her objective is simple--be more compassionate, more kind, more inclusive of others.

If you're interested in this topic and want to learn more, here's a link to a Mormon Stories podcast featuring a gay BYU professor.

Women and Money
By Suze Orman

Being more financially savvy is on my 30 Before 30 List, and recently I've been reading Women and Money by Suze Orman. Orman does a fantastic job of explaining everything you need to know and do with your money in a succinct, understandable way. The book's broken up into five sections, and her hope is that readers will spend a total of 24 hours becoming knowledgeable in each area--credit cards, savings accounts, retirement investing, etc. She outlines action plans that she hopes readers do in order to successfully manage their finances. Frequently she refers to specific websites for readers to find additional information.

This book is great because nobody's going to sit us down and explain the difference between a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA--or any other number of other financial decisions everyone faces. That is, unless we actively seek out more knowledge regarding our finances.

And last but certainly not least...

NurtureShock

By PO Bronson & Ashley Merryman

My friend--former school teacher, parenting book junkie, and person I turn to for lots of parenting advice--referred me to this book. She said if there's one parenting book that she'd recommend, it's this one. Sara explains this book much better than I can, so I'll just reference you to her blog post where she explains more about the book.

That, in a nut shell, is it.

P.S. Haven't made my profile for mormon.org, yet. Have you?

From the Mouth of My Babe

A few days ago Matt and I took the kids to pick up our van from the mechanic. On the way home I went by myself in the separate car to get a few groceries.

Matt said once they arrived home Skylie asked for me and wondered where I was.

"She'll be home in a couple minutes," Matt consoled Skylie.

Skylie then stood at the garage door loudly calling, "Over here, Mommy! Over here! Right here!"

(That's basically what I say to Skylie when I'm out of her sight at home and she's looking for me. Apparently she thought I was lost.)

*****

Today Skylie initially resisted going in her crib for nap time and jumped out of the crib and into my arms more than once. (I realized the crib has got to go.)

After a few tries, she calmly laid in bed and I left the room. Five minutes later I heard wails coming from the crib (which isn't unusual for Skylie at nap time). Then I heard a loud THUD. Footsteps. Door Opening.

Skylie stepped out and pleasantly announced with a big grin, "All done."

I couldn't help but laugh.

From the Mouth of My Babe

Last week I based our Family Home Evening lesson off a template I found here about the sacrament.

Skylie saw me drinking a glass of water on Thursday and said, "I drink water at sacrament."

Surprised that she actually remembered something from the lesson, I quizzed her.

Me: "What else do you eat during sacrament?"
Skylie: (long, thought-filled pause) "I eat the water and bread at sacrament."
Me:" That's right! And who do we think about during sacrament."
Skylie: (another long pause while she mustered up the answer) "Boys."

I guess she's got her priorities set. Let's hope this isn't any indicator of of what her teen years will be like! :)

On Saturday she stood like this while saying, "Upside down. Upside down."

I never thought I'd be so excited...

...to be driving a minivan! We drove this baby home today.

Our 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan

Nothing too fancy, but to me it's heaven.

In June torrential rains and bad luck ended up with our Mercury Sable's engine flooded and ultimately a totaled vehicle. This happened:

• three weeks after spending a chunk of change to get said car repaired for our cross-country travels,
  
• four days after closing on our house,
  
• and two days after buying a new second car.

Talk about bad timing. My hopes of getting furnishings for our house were dashed.

With a baby to be born soon and Matt's residency not even begun yet, I opted to wait a while to find a second vehicle. I thought being without a car would be awful. Surprisingly, it wasn't bad. I've learned I'm actually quite content being at home a lot. I admire the families that can get by with one vehicle, but I don't think anyone wants to discover what would happen to me if I were cooped up in our house during the long winter months!

Today was a good day. Not only did we get a second car, we got a light in the dining area. After eight hours of work and the culminated efforts of three guys, this beauty is gracing the dining space.
We also picnicked on the canal walk today.



I love my three crazies.

Long Overdue Adieu

(I wrote this almost three months ago, and it's been sitting in my drafts folder waiting for me to add pictures.)

In the midst of graduation, vacations, moving, and having a baby I’ve failed to give proper attention to a place that will always hold a special place in our hearts—Des Moines. I feel this blog would be lacking if it didn’t reflect, in part, the love we have for the people there and the mixed emotions we felt saying goodbye to that stage of our lives.

It’s been two months (four months at the time I’m posting this) since we left Des Moines, and I’m embarrassed to admit that I said goodbye to hardly anyone. If you’re one of the many, many people I didn’t give a proper adieu, please know that I just don’t like goodbyes (especially because I plan to see you again).

Matt and I called Des Moines home for four years. Despite the frigid winters and the sweat-drenched summers, Iowa grew on me and I came to love it—so much that I’d dare say that I could live there forever.

Perhaps I’m already seeing Iowa through rose-colored lenses, but I’d like to take note of a few of the features that made Iowa so great. Here goes!

• Walks around Greenwood Pond and the Rose Gardens
• Bike rides and runs on the Bill Riley and Clive Greenbelt Trail
• Paddle boating at Grey’s Lake
• Play dates at the many splash pads and parks
• Sampling food at the farmers’ markets
• Playing with Skylie at the Center Grove Apple Orchard (For some reason with fall approaching I’m especially missing this outing. Someone recently told me about an apple orchard here in Indianapolis. They must have thought I was nuts when I excited asked if they had cool activities for kids there, too.)
• Spending many, many mornings in the mall play areas
• The great state parks—Big Creek State Park and Ledges State Park were my favorites
• Going to the drive-in movie theater with the Ellis’s
• Pella's Tulip Festival
• Group dates, murder mystery dinners, holiday get-togethers, favorite things parties, and girls’ nights

But more than anything I loved the people in Iowa, especially the women. They were there for me during the tough times and the best times. They helped me transition into my role as mother and gave me many, many models to follow as I tried to figure out the whole parenting gig. Matt was traveling a lot the last year we lived in Iowa, and I felt so cared for by loving friends and ward members.

I'm thankful that every time I've moved, it's been with sadness to be leaving. I consider that a token of a blessed life. I lived a fairytale life growing up in Heber City, college at BYU-Idaho couldn't have been better, and Iowa treated us well for the four years Matt attended medical school. I'm sure Indy will be the same.

I'm really happy here in Indy. I am. But once and a while I find myself daydreaming about Iowa and missing the people and places there. Iowa, you were good to me. Thank you and adieu.