Inexpensive Update- Waiting!!!!

So here it is! I know it's not completed BUT it's a work in progress and as the Romans once said. "Rome wasn't built in day!"

First I must let you know that there's a story behind this powder room redo! Since moving into this home there has been constant construction it seems. We took possession of the home and didn't move in right away because the kitchen was BADLY in need of updating and just plain function was needed. Long story short we were 4 1/2 months with no kitchen! The kitchen still remains incomplete now and it's been almost 1 year in our home. On top of that we had to smash the cement patio up to dig the foundation and repair water leaks in the basement (that was done in October right before we got the first snow)....I'll have to do pictures of that lovely mess another time...We had no closet doors on the front entry closet until March of this year and only one bedroom has closet doors on the closet!

So being the woman that I am. Be that as it may for good or bad! I decided that I was going to do the powder room because I wanted at least one room in this house to be completed and I didn't have to have help with any of it. Dennis agreed.... until I started doing it! I removed the old shiny, flowery blue, silver and pink wallpaper and then............. Dennis decides he's going to help. Well I really hadn't planed on replacing the vanity.... painting it would've been alright. It did need a new counter top it was chipped and falling apart. BLAH blah blah! As it stands we had to wait to get a bone sink/counter top piece if we wanted it to match the toilet for about a month and a half OR have it special ordered...still have at least 2 weeks to wait....or go with the in stock white ones and then replace the toilet so it's white also!! Well we got the white and now have to wait....until our property sale closes the end of JUNE to get the white toilet so it matches. Of course I would've taken a picture of the lovely mismatched bathroom as it sits right now but I decided NO. I'll take pic's of the completed project including the roman shades that I'm making for the window and let you sit in suspense for the blog containing the finished project. (Hopefully I can remember how I did the pic's again for that entry!) I think my next project will be the gardens etc. outside or the laundry room...I think it's safe to say both of those will not be enticing project to my wonderfully helpful husband and if by chance he surprises me!

Time for a change

So I know by now that my blog is boring. No pictures to entertain you and keep the masses coming back for more. No fab. links to wonderful sights to help you in your life's mission or latest endeavors, no jokes, no tips, no unbelievable things, no new baby, no new house, no grand gesture of a helping hand. So why did you come and read my blog?

SIMPLE you needed a change from the norm. All those other bloggers with fab. pics. and videos, fancy backgrounds and over the top exciting lives. You wanted to feel less....more relaxed and like you have all the time in the world with no pressure of being better than the others. No pressure of keeping up with the Joneses. I'm so happy I could bring you the inner peace that you are missing just trying to "keep up". Change is good. SLOW down and take a breath ....it's important that you remember to breathe and take a moment for yourself.

The past week, this is just what I've done. I was able to go and visit my parents with just the kids (it was spring break and Dennis had to work). Mom took me to this book sale...fill a box for $29.95... we fit 60 books into the box and one of the books, that I pick up, I've been reading. It's a wonderful book that has really got me thinking.It's helped me to readjust some of the things I thought and really put things back into perspective. The book is call Woman First family always , by Kathryn Sansone. She appeared on the Oprah show. She's the mother of 10 children and it's an amazing read. Simple to read! Put it this way I started it on Monday and only have about 50 pages left... we were away from Monday to Wednesday @ a hotel and I just couldn't put the book down, instead of swimming I'd read...than swim to spend time with the rest of the family. The one night I even took it in to the bathroom because the kids and Dennis were asleep and I didn't want to turn on a lamp and wake them up! Crazy I know but I have just enjoyed this book. I really don't read much so when I do I love it to captivate me and inspire me like this one did. It's a must read I swear ... she is so inspiring and wonderful I can't wait to get back on the horse and get things right. I think I've just been to laid back and worried about stupid stuff that I really don't have control over that I've forgotten what I can control and where that can take me. CHANGE IS GOOD! Look out world Cindy is back!

Ground Hog Day

So I hear that it's Groundhog Day!! Shout for joy and break out some bubbly (apple cider) because winter is here for another 6 weeks! Only 6 more weeks of freezing our toes, 6 more weeks of shovelling snow, 6 more weeks of hats, boots and mitts, 6 more weeks of colds coughs and zits? (it rhymes...). Now on to the sun and the spring like fresh air. We wait and we wonder if cream eggs will be there? With spring comes Easter and camping and things. That everyone loves once the green grass does spring. I know in our hearts we love the seasons all four even if we must hauler PLEASE SHUT THAT DOOR! I know that before long we will chill in the pool and sip lemonade from the stand by the school. So enjoy what you can while the snow is still here because soon it'll be gone until later this year!
HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY EVERYONE!

Using Your Heart

As the mother of three and wishing physically I could have more I can see the hand of the Lord working. Though my wants are for more children I have been feeling the need to be doing "something more". I've had to ask myself, "What is it that is needed of me"?

Children have always been a passion of mine even before I had my own and now I understand that I can do more than I am. If I can truly fulfill motherhood to the best of my abilities and even push myself beyond what I feel I can, leaning on my Father in Heaven for guidance and support I can accomplish SO much more!!! I've always known this or at least thought I knew it . Maybe I've known it but now I've actually FELT this in my own life. It's easy to get discouraged by what seems to be in others lives, but how do we embrace our own lives? That's what really counts. How we help those around us even when we may feel they don't need it or want it is also very important.

For me I know that fear always comes to mind anytime I try something out of my comfort zone. That's only the natural man! I've been discovering how I can reach past that man and let my heart be the first in line. It's a BIG change! It's a change that I want to continue to work on. I've seen the difference it allows me to make in the lives of my children and others that I talk to or have contact with. I really feel that if more people would work from their hearts instead of their heads this world could be so much more. When will we wake up and really feel instead of just do? I'm trying! It's not easy but I know it's worth every tear that falls.

So life is fun. Since the last update!!!!(I know it's truly funny and pathetic that it's only 2x's a year)....Hey I have a life filled with running and doing and cleaning and sleeping and exercising and driving and eating and dreaming and waiting and writing and drawing and , and, and,,,,,, you get the picture. As a mother and wife I try to take the time to help those in my life become empowered people. That takes time!!! I also realize that I too need time to myself to reflect, rejuvinate, and figure out my next move. It truly is a balancing act that I like to keep even.....otherwise?????????????????????

I have to thank all those in my life (you know who you are....probably anyone who reads this) for the encouragement that you are to me. Sometimes it's just that knowledge that you care is all it takes for my day to be brightened and my load lighter. I guess that's what life is truly about. People helping people.

My house is beginning to look more like a home (the last postings pictures were kind of empty and cold). My kitchen ,although not 100% done, is really my new favorite spot in the house. Maybe it's just because I bought blinds for the window finally and I LOVE them! They just set everything off just right and it's a warmer feeling....like a big hug every time I walk in to the kitchen....I LOVE IT!!!!! Yah ... ... pictures might be a while! I have started to hang pictures and shelves and things around the house too and that seems to be helping to give life to the skeleton that has been haunting me the past 8 months. I really cannot believe that it's coming up on a year since we started this renovation project. All in all though life is good and I have enjoyed (for the most part) the work that this home has required and still does require....I need to feel like I've accomplished something or, for me, life isn't balanced. This is something that I have discovered for myself this past year.

I hope and pray for all that this year is full of blessings and miracles that you are able to identify and show gratitude for. God is good and is always there with open arms to hold you when you need him...all you have to do is ask. If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. Go for the positive!!!

RANDOM THOUGHT
What is the purpose of our belly buttons once we are born?

Yes Virginia There is A Moran Family!

So where do I start? Well Christmas was good. Valentines day was LOVELY. March break we went to Disney. Now next came Easter? Yes Easter.... that too was fun.

Okay so I won't bore you all. Long story short we no longer live in 700 square feet. We purchased a little larger home and are in the midst of renovating... pictures are above .... couldn't remember how but \i guess \I should have inserted photos first and then done journal. oh well.

Summer vacation is now on and my youngest will start school in the fall... What will I do with my time? All of my children in school?! Hard to believe but it's true. Now to attempt to inset photos. I know it's short but you're updated so smile!!!!!

December's Post

Sarah thought she'd get her order in early. This is her at the Bonner's Christmas store in Frankenmuth Michigan.

Here is McKalyn getting a head start on the snowman making. This is also in Michigan.

Here is our little mop CHIP or CHIPPER as Sarah calls him.
This is Tanner trying to be like captain Jack Sparrow. Halloween 2007

So here are a few more pictures of my children and dog. And as far as an update on the family. Well we are ready for Christmas and the snow is on the ground. It will be a white Christmas ! Those pictures will be on the January's post because I have yet to download those. So hope you all enjoy yourself Christmas Day! Love you all .......

Cindy