Where have I been?

Well, If you don't know by now I've started a business redoing furniture in shabby chic, prairie chic, paris chic or whatever styles suit me!

 It's gotten pretty busy and next month I"ll be opening my own store front here in Spokane.

We need to get the business out of the home!!

As you can see here:

 If you haven't already, go to my business blog

 www.paintinmyhair.blogspot.com

 and you can see more of what I've been up to!

And on a side note--I just love the ingenuity of my children. If you're going to protest going to bed by camping out in front of the door--might as well do it in comfort! Every night here's Kate--pillow and blanket and sometimes stuffed animal--camped out in front of the door. ;) 

Every Daddy Needs a Doppleganger

Every Daddy needs a mini-me!  Most people peg James as the little-James, but that's only in personality.  The real look-a-like for Justin is little Kate! 

A side table . . . with sass.

This little table has sooo much character. I love the detail on the sides and drawers--especially once they've been given a dab of antiquing to make them stand out! This table was sanded, primed, painted a oops color, distressed, glazed, and finally clear coated. The knobs were sprayed with bronzed black satin color.

Twins being twins

I know someday I'll want to remember what it was like to raise twins, I thought I better catch the moment before it passes. Honestly, my oldest three are more like a set of triplets--I do everything in 3's! But once in awhile Kate and Clara actually get along and act like "twins". On this day the girls were sooooo adorable, following each other around and playing together. I opted out of the "going potty together" shot--but I was tempted! They had pulled their potty chairs together and were going potty--or just sitting there. Then they hopped up on the changing table to clean their faces together. Next they were off to the couch to talk to the cat sitting on the fence outside. It was a rare moment of harmony between the two! Most often James and Kate run around being wild and Clara is off by herself playing dolly.

Kate-isms: (If I accidentally call her Clara) "I not Clara!!! I Kate!!
(I called her adorable) "I not Dorable!!! I Kate!!"
Picking her nose: "Look, it's a baby one!"

Clara-isms: Putting her ____________ to bed.
(could be anything--dolly, stuffed animal, car, buzz lightyear. Clara is mommy to it all! "Night, Night, I wub you! Be good, stay in bed" Hum, sound like anyone??

So in love with these!

These are two children's rockers I've absolutely fallen in love with! I picked both of them up at garage sales. Although they could have been left in their original walnut finish, I decided they needed a shabby chic finish! I gave them a light sand, and then painted them a simple white. I finished them off with a light distressing and a clear coat of polyurethane.

Jenny Lind Style Rocker

Adirondack Style Rocker

My first restoration project!

Alright! Here's my first finished dresser redo. I guess it's not really a restoration if I didn't return it to it's original 1970's glory. ;)

For this project I sanded, primed, and then painted it a Mojave white. I distressed it all over--adding an extra dose of heavy distressing on the top because I love the old world lived with feel. I antiqued it with a dark glaze--an artform I'm still learning--and then finished it up with a clear coat and sprayed the original hardware a brushed bronzed black color.

This piece is soooo versatile. It could be an entry table, changing table, or even with a little more work a flat screen TV stand. I wish I could keep it . . . It's up for sale!

Two words: Test. Cookie.

Seriously, I am WAY TOO EXPERIENCED of a baker to make this mistake. Not only did I not do a test cookie the first time I baked cookies in the oven in our rental, I put in two FULL pans at once. this is what came out. \ Now I know the difference between a convection oven and one that is not!!!

Andrew turns 1!

Our baby has turned 1!! He loves trucks and cars so we had monster truck birthday party for him. the best part was he was more interested in the truck on the cake than the cake!!

Andrew is meeting all his milestones well--I don't mean your regular run of the mill, pediatrician's list milestones. I mean the alternative list. Within the last month he as learned to empty the dishwasher, stick his hands in the toilet, unroll the toilet paper role (with glee), unload the dryer, goes up stairs (but not down), and most importantly, he has learned the fine art of pestering an older sibling by standing in front of the television. These are all milestones that every child must meet, and I am so proud of my little Andrew. He's turning into quite a little helper*.

Candyland . . . the Jochim Family Way

So, for family night this week we decided to play a game of Candy land with the older kids. I'm thinking, James is 4, Kate and Clara are 2 3/4--we should be able to start playing games for kids 3 and older, right? Well, this is how it went:

• I pull the game out. James immediately claims the red game piece and declares that it goes on the red squares. I'm not sure if he was claiming ALL the red squares as his, but I wouldn't have been surprised. I try to explain that we start the beginning and draw cards.
• Melt down #1 from James.
• Kate comes to play and claims the green guy. She starts dancing him all over the board. Finally get her and James' guys to start.
• We start drawing cards--James going first again, because well, the squeaky wheel does sometimes get the grease.
• He draws purple and I explain that he gets to move his guy to the purple square . . . Which he does with surprisingly little resistance.
• Kate draws a card and moves to her square. Nice. easy. No fights. No frantically trying to explain the rules through the tantrum. Huh? Isn't she the younger one? There's something to be said for raising girls.
• Clara draws a card . . . Oops. Purple. My kids don't share so well--as the lady at the Fred Meyer's play land recently informed me. James is upset about Kate's man being on his square and pushes it off.
• Melt down #2 goes to Kate.
• We play another round.
• Kate decides at some point to hijack her man by stuffing him down her pants.
• Man retrieved.
• James draws a Pink candy piece. Huh-oh. Now both the girls have to have pink pieces. I search for more pink pieces to conveniently be drawn next.
• James turn again. I make a fun little do-do-do song (think Bill Cosby and the magic drawing pen) to move his man. James loves this and now insists on moving his man all over the board to make the do-do-do song. Doesn't get that he WAS in the lead until then--now who knows where he was.
• Clara in melt down because she only wants Pink pieces.
• Kate in melt down because, well . . . If your friends jumped off a bridge would you too? Yes, yes she would.
• Mom declares game over. We move on to Memory--which is played face up, go fish style.

Bring on the Sunshine! or Spokane!

We've been wild busy getting settled into the house we're renting here in Spokane. It's in an older neighborhood, near a park that was used as a horse track back around the turn of the the century. We love the house, and not just because it has a basement to throw all the toys (and kids?) in. We're loving the sunshine and don't mind the cold one bit. I haven't had a chance to take many photos this past week so I snapped a few on the way to the park today. Take care!

about me . . . a post for my journal

So, as I was looking through earlier posts, I realized how much my short and long term memory has been affected during the last 4 years. I simply don't remember much these crazy, hectic, wild days--so I thought I would take a moment to write a bit about me and how I get through each day and what I love.

First, I have to comment on my love of word games. I LOVE them. My morning crossword is like a little shot of Valium to my brain. Some days I don't get time enough to get past 4 down, but I still love to sneak a minute here and there. I especially love my newspaper's daily puzzle because I can usually finish it and don't I feel oh, so smart then! See the kids haven't zapped all my brain cells!

My 95 point turn on Scrabble at the Christmas party. (grocers)

Yes, yes I did take a photo.

Secondly, What keeps me sane? Being able to create once in awhile. It doesn't happen very often--especially since I have no crafting area and EVERYTHING (incl. table and chairs) has to be brought out and put away before the kids wake up. But I do try to make the girls at least 1 or 2 dresses a year. Given my complete inability to follow a pattern--the results are usually mixed, but that's besides the point. I'm even learning not to despise gathering! If it's not sewing then I'm beading or baking. Whatever it is, it gives me a moment of sanity from the hum-drum of housewifery.

(side note: I had to wash the red and gold dress. I learned that washing something covered with mini gold dots in a regular load of laundry might end up bedazzling your entire load.)

The dress up kit I made for the girls for Christmas. Third--an adventure. It's not always possible, and most often the reality doesn't come close to the vision in my head--but I love having adventures with my kids--or if the fates permit--with friends and family. I love to plan a party, go on a trip, take the kids out to play. Of course we don't end up singing do-ray-Me through the Swiss Alps in matching homemade play clothes with perfect smiling faces that say "thank you mom for making such as effort on our behalf. Our brains are growing exponentially with all the sensory stimulation you are providing for us." No, I have one child running away with glee, one laying on the ground crying because the ground looked at her wrong, one (at least) happy and content, and one saying "I want to do bad choices" because in my effort to teach him about good and bad choices and consequences I introduced him to the concept that "bad choices" are an option. So, even if we take an hour to bundle up and get to our destination to only stay for 10 minutes because 3 out of 4 are crying (Ape Caves 2009) the point is we tried. Someday we'll see the Alps.

So for now, I take the kids out, have people look at me as though I'm crazy, and think to myself--'no crazy is staying home everyday with 4 kids under 5. Do you have any idea what they can do to a house???' shudder.

Say sister, mind if I lay my head right here?

Christmas and New Years 2010

Here's some pics from our Holidays! The girls got dress up kits from mom and dad, animals & puzzles & Tea party kits from the Grandma & Grandpa's. James got cars and trucks galore from everyone! He decorated the tree for us by hanging all the stocking on it--what else where those hooks for? Andrew got a top spinner thing which everyone wanted to steal. It was so much fun to see the kids finally get excited about Christmas--but not too much--they all slept till 9:30!

We enjoyed celebrating with extended family. The annual Camp family Christmas on the 26th, and Ralphs cousins stayed with us for a few days the next week. We made gingerbread houses and tested the bounds of sanity!

For New Years we went to the cabin with Grandma Sarah & Grandpa Ron & Aunt Debbie. We had a blast sledding in the snow and smashing ice at the lake. Clara insisted on being the chief sled puller to the lake. We all survived freezing temperatures when the fire kept going out at night!

2010--Counting My Many Blessings

2010 has been a year of tremendous trials and difficulties, but as is often the case, we have also received many great blessings and answers to prayers. Here are some of the highlights I wanted to remember. . . With a few random photos thrown in.

1) Visiting & Living close to family. Because of the great generosity of Justin's family we were able to attend his sister's graduation and visit with his siblings and extended family in Texas. Although the 100+ degree weather didn't help out Justin's campaign to get us to Texas!

Back in Washington I miss visiting with my sister Kate in Tigard before they (sob, sob) moved to Arkansas, but I'm grateful for the year they spent here. But on the other hand I am thrilled to get to see so much of my cousin Kristy since she moved to Vancouver. And she's been given the assignment of winning the Lotto since we seem to have parallel lives! After missing YEARS of family activities and holidays I love being close to everyone. It is such a blessing to be able to have wonderful family around us and in our hearts.

2) The sweet promptings of the Spirit: It was fall 2009 when I felt strongly that I should enroll James in preschool. Little did I know that path would lead to his diagnosis of SPD in August and getting him into the Vancouver Early Childhood Center for preschool. He has a long road of therapy and work, but I am so grateful we figured it out early so that we have plenty of time before he starts kindergarten.

3) Answers to prayers--even when it's not what you want to hear. After not getting a job I really thought was going to happen, I struggled with my faith in my ability to hear answers to prayers. The Lord patiently reminded me--yet again--that the promptings of the Holy Spirit I felt were real. One day as I drove down highway 99 I saw a couple and another man on the side of the road. Their car was still in the middle of the road. I suddenly felt I should offer them assistance. Something I DO NOT DO! I'm scared to even roll down my window to hand someone money in case they're really carjackers! The prompting came back. I said "Okay," and looped around. By the time I returned to them a fire engine and paramedics were there aiding them. The spirit quietly prompted me--"See they did need help. They've got it now--but I wanted to show you that you DO know how the spirit speaks to you. Don't doubt your answers to prayers." What an amazing experience and lesson in humility for me. Through the confusion and chaos of November a path we had not expected became clear. Instead of searching for a new job Justin decided to go back to graduate school. In just over a month he applied and was accepted to pursue his Masters of Public Administration at Eastern Washington University. Sometimes faith really is about walking into the darkness!

4) Andrew. Enuf said. But I will say more. I was not planning on having another baby so quickly, but the Lord knew the time was right for us. Andrew has been my little bundle of tranquility. When things get to crazy he calms me right down. He puts up so patiently when all his wonderful siblings hog mommy. Andrew the greatest gift we've been given this year and I wouldn't change a thing.

Pretty much the coolest Santa Picture EVER!

All, right. I'm not one to show off . . . Too much. But I'm pretty sure this has got to be one of the greatest Santa pictures ever. I think each kids expression could write a novel. Add your own caption!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Tree 2010 Update:
4' tree still in one piece!
Lights still working!
17 plastic ornaments never made it to the tree. All broken/Lost.
1 plastic ornament hanging on for dear life.

What I love about girls!

I have to take a moment to share what I love about raising girls! Kate and Clara are getting so fun. They are becoming little ladies and mommies--Clara a little more mommy than Kate!

**Kate and Clara--partners in crime! Just minutes after I took a picture of James' snack plate--which happened to be full of a bunch of junk food and cottage cheese--because James' had left all the junk and ate only the cottage cheese (thus making me feel like a great mom!) I found the girl's scavenging all the junk food!

**What I love about raising girls? Finding the babies they've put to bed all over the house! Here are two dolls Clara put to bed. She tucked them in and gave them kisses. Yesterday I found stuffed animals put to bed on the bottom 2 steps of the stairs and later I found another on a box in the entry way. This afternoon Clara was putting some tiny dolls to bed in my mom's room. Moments later Kate found them and wanted to take them to bed with her!

**The fight over "pretty pretties" in our house! Today it was over bead bracelets and shoes. They love to dress up and put pretties in their hair. It's so fun having little girls to dress up! Kate will sometimes have 6 barrettes in her hair.

***The obsession with purses, bags, backpacks . . . They love to turn anything into a purse with their precious things in it--which could be ANYTHING of course, but most often consists of dolls, animals, pretties, and food.

** Their quirks! After I put a hanker chief on her head one day, Clara loves to put towels on her head. She does it all the time! I'm not sure what the allure is, but then again a girl never has to have a reason for what she does, right?

***Kate LOVES to line things up. She put all her ducks in a row in the bath tub today and told me they were marching. Kate loves animals--especially cows, pigs, zebra's (which could be any ranch of spotted, striped or otherwise marked animal) and horses. She puts them in groups by type of animal and just watches them.

** Their fashion sense. Here Clara has paired a pink shirt with her brother's underwear--on sideways, and a blue head band. The girls love to dress up in their brother's clothes--especially pj's. They love to put on mommy's shoes and clomp around the house. They're always coming up with the funniest outfits they HAVE to wear.

Kate and Clara are so fun. They're becoming little mommy's and little ladies. Clara even once nursed her dolly at her belly button! It's such a blessing to be their mother. I feel like such a lucky lady to have two sweet, sweet girls. Speaking of girls--nap time is over! Gotta go.