Insta- Friday

This week seemed to fly by...actually the month of September flew by. I can't even believe it's October and Fall time and soon it'll be Thanksgiving and I absolutely love this time of year.

Anyways, so middle lost a tooth this week and she kept forgetting to leave it by her bed. 

She's 10 and well aware that mom is the tooth fairy but still she likes to play along.... she's a 

smart girl knowing that as long as she keeps playing along, she will get money for those 

little teeth. Well I guess she wanted to make sure I didn't forget to leave her 

money {b/c I have been known to do that before...horrible I know} and so this is what 

I found when going in to turn off her nightlight.

Hubs and I were able to get away and go shoe shopping yesterday. 

While out & about we spotted the Bieber man and his new cologne he was promoting so we 

had to get a quick pic with him. We were going to play a joke on the girls and tell the 

them we got to meet him but they knew right off. I guess it wasn't hard to tell the B man 

was cardboard...oh well...

Hubs hates to spend money on himself and I usually just pick things out for him and bring them home. But with shoes he really has to try them on. Because you just never know if they're going to look the same on as they do on the shelf. So I've been luving the chuka boots {probably not their real name but I just like saying the word chuka plus they just look like chuka boots to me}. 

He wasn't really feeling the chuka boots at first...but he crossed over to the "right" side and 

found a pair he liked.;)  I have to say he looks really handsome sporting his chuka boots.

And speaking of shoes. My Gray man's shoes stink so incredibly bad. 

Not to throw him under the bus... he is very aware of the stink that comes from them too. 

We have bought the spray_ we have washed them_ we have put in the powder, but still the stink remains. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that he rarely takes them off. 

He has to have shoes on at almost all times..funny boy.

Everyday him and his dad throw the football together and I love to watch them. 

However, they throw to each other in the street...and it makes me a nervous wreck. 

I find myself yelling "car" more than actually relaxing.

I'm super excited that it's time for these to be dropping off the trees! 

We've managed to pick up a few and I can't wait to decorate with them.

And lastly, I'm working on another banner for the Fall. I have this one hanging on my mantle.

But I needed one for the dining room...in all the Fall-ish colors. 

This is what it's looking like so far...

And... this weekend is supposed to be be-au-ti-ful! 

The high is going to be like 67... I'm getting excited just writing it! 

We will definitely be wearing our chuka boots. 

Just had to say it 1 more time.

Have a great weekend!

Heather :)

Linking up with Rachel & Jeannett for

&

Comfort & Rest

Sleep was interrupted by the whimper and sniffle of tears.

Middle had had a nightmare. Two hours before the alarm was to sound_ the smell of coffee would soon be brewing_ the beginnings of breakfast would be made_ and another day would get started.

But sleep couldn't come for me now because child o' mine was afraid. She had dreamed of ones that rob and take of what is not theirs. Fear had set in, like the fog that sets in over the mountains, and seems as though it will suffocate. Only 2 hours before the light was to come.

What is of this fear that causes us to lose sleep? that causes us to have missed opportunity? that wishes to keep us contained? 

Child o' mine crawled into bed. The bed her dad & I share_

the safe place_ where comfort is found.

I lay awake and listened as she slowly breathed again sighs of sleep.

Just as comfort is found next to dad & I... so comes the peace & comfort from our Father above.

Always safe in His arms

Forever protected in His hands

Every fear is erased.... and there we are able to find rest.

From sunshineandpearls.tumblr.com  from Pinterest

Heather :)

Linking up with sweet Jami for 

DIY Chandy - Chandeliers

The choice between what color I should paint my chandy's was H.a.r.d.
I have trouble sometimes making that final decision. I like so many different color schemes that sometimes my decor, to me, can get all jumboggled{my made up word}. I think it has something to do with the perfectionist syndrome. Yes, it's a syndrome and I'm really, really aware of it...:)

I want it to be right the first time and not have to re-do or re-paint or re-hang. But it's just not realistic...like, I need to see it. And I may have to re-do the whole scenario if it's not working. So I had to really focus on what look I was trying to achieve and what worked with the accessories I already had. We decided to paint the chandy over the breakfast area a blue because I really like pops of color, here & there.. I'm incorporating a lot of robin egg blue throughout the house so this seemed to fit.

Before

We put a thin coat of primer on them first and then sprayed 2 coats of color. Hanging them in the tree made them easy to get under & around. And at one point we moved them into the garage_ and worked on them in there, too.

After

In the dining room we went with a yellow...swoon_ still just swooning over it.
I have pops of yellow in some pillows and my Anthro curtains so I pulled from those.

Instead of putting the candle looking bulbs back in I replaced them with round ones. 2 in a pack for like $2 from Wal-Mart. I think it gave it a whole new twist. 

The house came with all brass knobs/ hardware. So over the next few weeks we are working on getting them all painted. We've already done the ones in the guest bathroom and it seriously is amazing at the difference it has made. I'll keep you posted on what's next....

Because working with what you have and turning it into a statement piece in your home...always makes life a little more lovely.

Heather :)

Linking up with Inspiration: DIY 

It's Friday!

With MawMaw being here this week we gave the kids the option to pick a day that they would want to stay home from school. Without my help they all agreed (which is rare) to pick a different day. So oldest picked Monday_ youngest picked Tuesday_ and middle picked Wednesday. They were able to get one-on-one time as well as get spoiled for the day. We all need those days.

 I forgot to take photos of the other 2 (shame on me) but I did remember to take some on  Wednesday. Middle had gotten a new shirt (which is so her)_ MawMaw got her a blingy bracelet_ and we took her to Starbuck’s to get a Frap. You know, because only big girls get to go to Starbuck’s. The fact that she enjoyed herself, is such an understatement.

The quote on the Starbuck’s wall for the season is in the photo below. It’s all about the taste of coffee and they compare it to berries_ chocolate_ but my favorite part is when she replies and questions by saying “ it tastes like home”…ahhhhh, I love that part. And I can almost see this quote being put on a wall in my own home.

So of course, while MIL was here we did some shopping. Which included hitting the thrift stores and Goodwill. We scored h-ugely! MIL got 3 pair of shoes & a silver cake stand. And I scored another chandy (like I needed another one)…omgoodness I can’t wait to share the ones we re-did in our house. They turned out sooooo cute.

This chandy cost me a whole $5. What?? I paid $19.99 for one of my other ones from the thrift store. Hence, the reason I couldn’t pass it up. I’m thinking it can go in the girls room_ an outdoor space_ or for an upcoming craft show I’m planning to be in.

My most Fav deal of that day was this pair of shoes for $4.50. I promise…I think I’ve seen them in Anthro’s catalog. Kidding…but they do look like they came out of there, don’t they? I kept envisioning them with a clipped flower at the top…. I’ll have to show you that idea later.

Then we went into World Market and saw this great dining room table with this metal top. Which got me thinking about our kitchen countertops. We are wanting to re-do them and after seeing that table I’m thinking they would look so good done like that. Hubs is doing some research on it.

Ya’ll, I love my camera. I mean really. It captures moments and so many things that before I got it, was missing out on. So thankful for it. I know it’s a camera..but if not for it, I wouldn’t get to document our life in photos….super thankful for that.

And lastly, Jeannett’s challenge was to take a photo of something we don’t like. Well this photo of my neck roll_ I really really don’t like. Neck rolls… where did that even come from? I dunno, but I don’t like it, that is for sure!

Oh, and 2 more things 1. my SIL, Stephanie from the HoneyPot (her hubs is my hubs brother. Those 2 …there ain’t no denying each other) has opened up an Etsy shop of lovely handmade goodness. Go show her some love if you have a minute… she’s awesome and will so appreciate it. She has a new grandson & we have a new nephew named Nate. He is a cutey and the first boy on their side.

And 2. We got a call last night that my brother and sister in law are coming by today to stay the night. They have been on vaca and are going to swing in our direction on their way back home to see us. Sweeeeeet surprises & phone calls like that are always exciting! Only I’ve got to get myself busy getting my house in order and food prepared. It’s going to be a great weekend here in The Holden household. Hope you have a great weekend too.

Happy Friday!
Heather :)

Linking up with Jeannett for

&

Rachel for 

Rain, Rain don't go Away

It’s been raining for 2 days…. and I haven’t minded it.

I think partly because I have a thing for rain boots.

I kinda want to smile whenever I see boots on someone.

The other part being it sometimes just feels good to not get dressed.

To just stay in your jammers all day.

Which is what I’m going to do today.

I also think the girls look adorbs in their boots.

Especially when they wear them with long socks.

The other day I scored these green & blue boots at the wonderful Target’.

I paid a whopping $5 for the blue and $6 for the green ones.

I’ve worn them both days…and I haven’t minded it.

“…for today she enjoyed the surprise of rain.”

Heather :)

Linking up my photo over with Rachel for

Sweet Treat for the Week

Jode's mom and step dad came in last week and will be with us for the most of this week. 

They came to see our house and to just spend some time...it's been wonderful...it always is. 

My Mother in Law is such an encouragement to our family_always has been.

She usually raves about whatever I'm making_ decorating_ etc. and I respect her opinion so much.

It's been a time of relaxing_ eating good food_ (FIL can cook up a mean hamburger) 

and catching up on some good lovin'.

We went downtown the other day to show them the area and I was a happy girl because I got to take some pictures of everyone.
I have very few pics of my Mother in Law and none of just her and I together.

It started out good. But...

it usually ends up like this. Those 2 play around with each other like their the same age.

We had some friends over on Sunday to eat some of those mean hamburgers FIL cooks. 

They said they really thought me & MIL favored. More so than hubs and her... I say... I will take that compliment any day.

This was their attempt at jumping... I think the girls were the only ones that made it off the ground.

Anyhoo, I've kinda been MIA round' here lately so I just wanted to give a quick update as to what's been happening in our world. Still just getting adjusted to everything. But having family here with us this week has been a sweet treat. And I like anything "sweet". :)

Linking up today with Jami for

Heather :)

Crazy Love

New friends_ old friends_ friendship that hasn't even come to be, yet.

They're all so exciting to me and today I got to meet and have coffee with a new friend.

Hold up, not coffee, I got to have my first Pumpkin Spice Latte for the season.

So many of you know SoSoBella and her amazingly beautiful creations.

I don't own one yet, but I hope to real soon.

Well she lives in big ole' California and I live in little ole' S.C.

But Kristy from SoSoBella has a friend named Nina who just moved to S.C. about 2 months ago.

And Kristy decided to refer Nina over to my blog beings we both live in the same state.

Nina then emails and tells me what city she lives in and gives me a little info on herself (which I was thankful for...always leary of the creepers) which turns out to be the same city I live in...isn't this great? We emailed a few times back & forth and decided to meet for coffee this morning.

Isn't God awesome? The fact that he would work through Kristy in Ca, that I've never met, to have me meet Nina, who literally lives 10 minutes from me...is crazy awesome_ crazy love.

He lavishes us with crazy love and I don't ever want to take it for granted.

I choose to believe that He is constantly working on my behalf for my good.

And only He can know what is good for me.

This morning was filled with laughter_ conversation of family_ dreams of the future_ blogging_

reality shows_ & Robert James Ritchie (Nina likes Kid Rock).

It was a great morning spent getting to know a new soul.

Had I never started blogging back in April I would have never gotten to meet you.

This has opened up a whole new world to me and I'm so thankful.

For each one of you, and for every time you write and I'm allowed into your world_

wherever that may be.

Some of you are in small towns_ big cities_ some a new state_ on a farm_ in apartments_ wherever you are makes no difference because we're all brought together when we hit that button to publish our post..

I think of Hannah and her pairing of ladies to start us as pen pals.

Stephanie at Four on the Shore is now the friend I get to write & receive letters from each month.

So thank you for having open hands & open hearts. 

My life has been enriched by you.

New friends are good_ old friends are good_ sharing life with other people is good_

and God is good.

Linking up today with Jami for

Heather :)

New-ness & Change

This weekend we got out and explored our neighborhood some. 

The other day we had spotted an area perfect for playing and wanted to further check it out. 

It's a common area with a hu-ge field_it has a big open circle in the middle_ 

 then it's all surrounded by trees, & picnic tables on the sides. 

It's beautiful.. and seriously, I kept having flashbacks of Twilight. 

The scene where they're in the big open field... yep, it's just like that one.

The weather has been beautiful and you can just feel the crispness in the air. 

Fall is coming and we will get to enjoy yet another season of beauty. 

Our lives are filled with new-ness and change right now.

 " to everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven."

Linking up with Carissa for 

& Heather for 

Heather :)