Our Christmas Home...And a Birthday Boy!!!

Today is our Caleb's sixteenth birthday!! It feels completely unreal. How is timing moving by so, so quickly??!!

Since I'm having such a hard time keeping up with posts, the shop, everyday life...everything in general, ha... I thought I'd share some photos of our home all decked out for Christmas. We moved into this house three years ago today- yes, on Caleb's birthday!- and while we've done lots, it still feels like there's so much to do. Including a mantel!!! Every time we get ready to make that happen, some life catastrophe happens and it gets pushed back. That's how it goes, I guess. But we are healthy and well, so no real complaints from me. :)

I'll share the family room first...

These were taken last Friday, when I was home ALONE. I dropped Levi off with my Mom so I could get some major sewing done. Yeah, right. I started to clean up a little, and one thing led to the next, and then the sun was shining for the first time in 800 years, so I pulled out my big girl camera to snap a few pics. #priorities

No themed tree for me, at least not while my kids are still living with us. It's a smattering of homemade and other special ornaments that I wouldn't dream of not putting up. Some years we put up our big artificial tree and I have more of a "theme" with that one, but this Mama ain't got no time for that right now. ha ha

I have two of these precious snowflakes from my Nana, who passed away twenty four years ago when I was living in Spain. Talk about time marching forward! Now I'm feeling very old. ;)

I'll have to update this shot because I moved all the stocking and the blue chair, but it represents our daily life pretty well. :)

And this turkey. Many a morning spent playing in here, and everything just seems magical by the tree's glow.

Occasionally I do sit down with a good book. Love this view too.

Onto the dining room...

I decided to start a new little tradition of making a big to do out of the first morning of December. Only it was the second morning because Jonah was working, and Caleb had plans. One thing I've learned after all these years: improvise. Our Dec 2nd special breakfast was great!

That little tree in the corner used to go in one of the boys' rooms when they were small, and Levi is a bit too small for it, so... it works nicely in here. He plays with it a ton, rearranging (and hiding or losing!!) ornaments on the daily.

He looks like such a big boy here!! And I didn't even notice that wrapper until now, ha ha ha!

Then we had our family birthday party for the two December babies. So fun!!

We had our annual gingerbread house making night, so these cute houses are now on display around the dining room. I got a huge kit, which was great, but there were SO many houses that I may have left a couple out back for squirrel food. They were completely gone within twelve hours!

Our back deck- the kitchen window overlooks this, so washing dishes has a pretty view at night. :)

Isabelle's pink tree. I've blogged about its significance several times, but just know, it's a very special tree.

Just a few holiday touches in our room...

Yesterday was a super long day for Caleb, between school projects and then driver's ed, so I surprised him with a few things from good ole McD's before his class started. He willingly posed with me, AND shot up to greet me and give me a big hug in front of everyone! Aww. Obviously NOT my best picture, but I'm sharing because that's how much I love him. We've got a big day planned, I'll try to blog about it before Isabelle's birthday on Saturday!! ;)

Joining in the fun here and here!  I just love seeing everyone's homes this time of year!

I post much more frequently on insta @bethanylivs_life so come find me and say hello!

From Angry to Inspired

Our neighbors have struck again.

It seems they've removed the "No Trespassing" sign from our next-door neighbor's yard and...nailed it smack dab on the middle of the tree that faces our kids' play fort. As in, three feet from their little hideaway. Needless to say, we were all very upset because it feels like such a mean, unnecessary thing to do.

So what did we decide to do about it? Well, now I can actually thank those neighbors who intended to be hurtful for getting me off my duff and finally putting some fun finishing touches on the fort. I loooooove how it turned out! And our kids do too!

I was really tickled when they all wanted to eat breakfast out there this morning!  =)

Bill built this- didn't he do an amazing job!?!

These two adventurers love the new window shade!

The ties you see are actually corkers that Jonah and Ethan made- so neat! I had no idea what we were going to do with those things & they work perfectly here!

The bright quilt hanging was made my my Gram years and years ago- it was just laying around the basement, but I love how it looks out here. Another faux wall that creates a cute little reading nook back there.

Secret hideaway corner, anyone?
This was the leftover towel  from my beach chair caddy project.

These poor windchimes have taken a beaten over the years but they sound so pretty...I tried to give 'em some new life with colorful beads. 

I know these won't survive for long out in the elements, but it was just the boost we needed for now.

And the sign that started it all...

And look! You don't even notice it now! I propped up an old stilt for the wind sock and pendants- so festive and colorful! (We ended up nailing a sheet to the entire back wall of the fort so when you're inside, you can't see the sign at all- I think I'll let everyone go nuts with Sharpies to decorate the new wall!)

It's so tempting to get angry and want to retaliate in some way, but I know that isn't God's way. I choose God's way.

Linking up here today.

Pretty Things for Baby Girl

I must admit that pillowcase dresses aren't nearly as popular here in the northeast as they seem to be elsewhere in the country...but they are so incredibly adorable! With a new baby girl on the way, it was high time to dust off the sewing machine and get busy. I decided to gussy up the traditional pillowcase style a bit with some tiers and ruffles- what do you think?

Happy July 4th!!

Sunday Snapshot...Special Time with My Handsome Boy

It all started with these...

Personalized "Date Cards" taped to the kids' bathroom mirror one morning

I knew the exact moment they discovered them because I heard STOMP STOMP STOMP, whisper whisper whisper, STOMP STOMP STOMP...

Later I found out they'd been running back and forth in search of a pen to circle their response, ha!

These have been proudly displayed on their bedroom window ever since  =)

 

  My adorable date

It was such a beautiful, sunny day, and it felt wonderful to be going out without heavy coats for a change

And just where were we headed? ? ?

a fancy restaurant, of course!

I've learned over the years that it is true- the way to a man's heart is through his stomach; boys associate a good time with FOOD!

And this boy is no exception!

Earlier in the week, in anticipation of our big date, Caleb had told me he thought we should go to a place that was romantic, with candles, like an 'EE-talian' restaurant.  I died on the inside, so, so funny!  I wonder if his charming, adorable, big personality comes across on the screen if you don't know him like we do.

He also let me know that it didn't really even matter what we ended up doing, as long as we were together...sharing our love.

Dying, I tell you!

We had a wonderful evening together.

Sharing our love.

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I heart faces- silhouettes

SilhouetteS

I heart silhouettes and that just happens to be this week's theme over at I heart faces

Lucky for me, Saturday was such a beautiful day we loaded up the van and headed over to the seacoast for an impromptu afternoon at the Atlantic, and I got to practice....I've still got lots to learn!  I think of it as one last hoorah before winter officially arrives.  It was such a fun day with my sweet, crazy, fun little family!

This picture cracks me up because the personalities of my children and husband are so evidently displayed through their body language- I love it!

I was trying so hard to capture more of the ocean in the photo, but the sun's rays weren't cooperating.  Silly sun.  This was around 3 pm.

To check out other great silhouette entries or to join in the fun, click here!