House To-Do 2014

You guys, my house is neglected.  Don't get me wrong, we've definitely turned it around from the sad state it was in when we bought it now 8 years ago (What?!?!? When did THAT happen?), but there is still quite a lot to do to bring the old girl up to speed.

With our in-house crew about to grow from 4 humans to 5 (and don't forget the dog...and the fish, Madelyn would want me to remember the fish), we're quickly running out of space.  If we have any hope of getting top dollar for our house when the time comes to sell, there is a whole list of things we need to do, and a few I just want to do, this coming year.  Even if we decide to stay put for a little while longer, these things need to be done just for the overall good of our house and my sanity in living there.

So, without further adieu, I give you our Listy McListerson (title stolen from John & Sherry, I'm not above borrowing fun terms) for 2014:

1. Paint/Re-stain stair trim, treads/risers and railings
2. Caulk and touch up all base molding
3. Add shoe molding to all hard flooring surfaces
4. Re-paint 1st floor and upstairs hall, including the ceilings in the kitchen, foyer and stairwell
5. Price out replacing single sink in upstairs hall bath with double sinks and new counter
6. Continue 1st floor hardwood through living and dining rooms (budget-wise, this is likely not happening, but it's a goal)
7. Move cabinets/countertop from the north wall of the kitchen to the south wall
8. Remove 1/2 of the wall between the kitchen and dining room and rearrange cabinetry
9. Add open shelving to refrigerator wall in kitchen
10. Replace or repair basement ceiling
11. Hire electrician to figure out why half the ceiling lights in the basement no longer work
12. Clean up and possibly repaint laundry area in basement
13. Clean up and re-paint garage - look into cost of having unfinished walls drywalled
14. Build out living room half walls into full walls (still undecided on this one, definitely a want, not a need)
15. Stain deck
16. Power wash patio
17. Finish back yard landscaping
18. Paint shed
19. Address Master Bath storage - maybe build an extension onto the vanity and get a new countertop that extends down further?
20. Fix/clean grout in Master Bath tub/shower
21. New tub fixtures in upstairs hall bath
22. Paint basement walls white
23. Box out pillars in basement
24. Add trim in basement

I know this is a long list and I'm not unrealistic, I don't expect it will all get done this year especially with a newborn joining us in a few months. But I'm the kind of person who likes to list it all off and bask in the feeling of accomplishment when I get to cross it off.  Plus, I hope to take plenty of pictures along the way so I can blog about some of these projects.

So there we have it! If any of you are bored and want some DIY projects to tackle, come on over!  The painting starts this weekend!!!

Happy Birthday!

Today, I am very grateful.  I am grateful because 34 years ago this guy was born:

 



Isn't that picture precious? Ahhh a daddy and his daughter.  Melt. My. Heart.  Justin doesn't care about birthdays and he hates people making a fuss about him so I will avoid being mushy and telling you all the million things I love about my sweet husband, but please join me in wishing him a HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I'm also grateful today because today we celebrate 7 years with this sweet little bean, our niece, Isabelle!  I can't believe she's already SEVEN!!  Happy Birthday Isabelle!!!

Maddie is getting new bunk beds in her room soon and she can't wait to have you over for a sleep over!  Praying your birthday is the stuff dreams are made of.

Those of you who spent any time in Madison, sing it with me *holds Nitty Gritty mug in the air and dances* (I might be off on some of these words)...

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Happy Birthday to you!
There's a party, a party today, a once a year occaision.
A party! Comin' your way! So have a celebration!
Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Happy Birthday to you!

Mom with a Capital M

**I meant to post this a couple of weeks ago and neglected to do so.  Better late than never, right?

I don't know how I've found most of the blogs I follow.  A couple of my friends started blogs to keep family and friends posted on what they were up to, so I think I started by reading those and in searching for inspiration for a nursery re-do when baby #3 was on the way I stumbled across some others.  Through those blogs I found others and now I randomly find little gems here and there that are added to my reading list.  But along the way one of the blogs that has had the biggest impact on me is Momastery.

If this blog is not currently on your reading list, stop reading this post right now and add it.  You will laugh.  You will cry.  You will feel empowered beyond belief.  It will make a difference in your life and you will be better for it.

Momastery's author is a monkee (read the blog, you'll understand) named Glennon.  Glennon is currently out on tour promoting her new book, Carry on, Warrior, so she has some guest posters and today's was exactly what I needed.  Go check it out...and then add Rants from Mommyland to your reading list. I laughed until I had a side ache.

Justin has been away since Saturday, celebrating his Grandma Black's life.  I always miss him when he's gone because he really does do so much in our family.  But for some reason, this trip was extra stressful.  I inadvertantly over-booked us for the month of May, so there has been lots of running to dance class, soccer games, swimming lessons (which involved me putting a bathing suit on, ahhhhhh!), family pictures, baby showers, celebrations of all kinds, all in between the regular stuff like laundry, yard work, eating, sleeping... You get the picture.

This is also the second extended trip J has been on in the last two weeks, so it's been crazy around our house. There may or may not be laundry piles to the ceiling and dirty dishes overflowing from the sink and we might have had pizza for dinner three nights in a row.  Might have.

But this is not meant to be a pity party.  I give you the background only to help illustrate how I've been feeling.  This is life and I am beyond blessed to have what and who I have in my life.  But some days, doesn't every mama feel like she's doing everything wrong?  Some days, don't we all feel like we are ruining our kids?  Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels that way.

When Justin is gone, I'm a little bit shorter with the kids.  I'm a little less patient.  They watch TV too much and eat too much junk food.  They probably get away with a little more than when I have my anchor around to remind me that no, Madelyn cannot have another cookie just because she has asked 16 times and I'm about to lose my friggin' mind if she asks why she can't have it one more time.  I yell a little more and I might use a few more curse words.  Might.

But then today, I turned on my computer and I came across Julie's post on Momastery.  And with every word I read, I felt more normal.  I felt less like a terrible mom and more like every other mom on the planet.  Because I know I love my kids with every ounce of my being.  And I know they know I love them that much.  Maddie wouldn't tell me I'm her favorite mom in the whole world and that she loves me to Jack and back if she didn't know that.  And Sam wouldn't feel the need to be on my hip or have a death grip on my leg as I try to maneuver around the kitchen to get him breakfast.  I'm not perfect.  Not even close.  I'm not always the mom I want to be.  But just like Julie, I love my kids "no matter what". 

Most days I feel like I'm stumbling through this motherhood thing.  No one told me it was this hard.  No one told me that seeing your kids struggle, and having to let them figure it out on their own so the struggles would become easier and fewer, would be harder than any struggle I'd ever have to face on my own.  No one told me how hard it would be to choose where to send my kids to school and how what once seemed to be the simplest decisions would now require weeks of prayer and discussion.

But the thing that no one can tell you, not really anyway, is how much having kids changes your heart.  How proud you will be when you see your kids randomly hug one another.  How exciting seeing your child score their first soccer goal can be...even if it is a complete accident and she has no clue what just happened.  How truly happy they will make you.

In case you have been living under a rock, Mother's Day is this weekend.  Even if you are not a mom yourself, know that your mom doesn't need a special day on the calendar to feel important.  She may spend a good portion of her time questioning whether she did the right thing or said what you needed to hear.  She may feel guilty for that time she snapped at you when you asked her innocently at the age of 5 why her legs were so big (yes, that really happened, followed by advice to get on the treadmill *sigh*).  She may remember the time you picked her dandelions and excitedly brought them over to you with a smile.  She may tear up at the thought of something hard she had to sit back and watch you go through on your own.  But if she's like me, all she'll want for Mother's Day is to know you love her...and that you know how much she loves you.  No matter what...

You see, to the world we are just moms.  But to our kids we are everything.  To our kids, we are Mom.  With a capital M.

 

 

Introducing...Moondance Interiors

A good friend recently told me that we have to have the courage to do what God put us here to do.  That the devil loves nothing more than to make us doubt ourselves and throw us off the path God laid out for us.  My husband tells me this all the time too when I find myself questioning and doubting.  He says just TRUST.  And that is why God put these people in my life.  He knows I need reminders.

The trouble is, it's not always clear to see where God's path is taking us.  Does anyone else struggle with that?  I can't be the only one. 

One thing I do trust is that God wants me to be happy.  He wants all of us to be happy.  You know what makes me happy?  Well, a lot of things make me happy, but one thing that makes me really happy is designing and decorating spaces.  It makes me happy, it comes easily to me (thanks Mom) and I love to do it!  So...I thought to myself, I said, "Self, why don't you offer your talents to other people?"  So I am.

I'd like to announce that Moondance Interiors is open for business!!  I have debated doing this since before Jack was born, but I've always found a reason not to promote it.  I didn't have the right name.  I don't have the capital to invest in developing a logo, business cards, a proper portfolio...I didn't have projects for a portfolio.  But, enough is enough...and Justin is tired of me coming up with projects for our house and he'd prefer I spend your money decorating your home and leave ours alone for a while.  I don't think he buys the adage that "design is never done". 

For now, I've simply added a tab to this blog outlining some of the services I will offer and their pricing, but in the future I might chronicle some of my work separately.  I will be putting together a portfolio of things I have done in mine and others' homes, but it is still a work in progress.  If you would like to see samples of my work, feel free to request them and I would be happy to send you some photos.

So, do you have a room in your house that is in need of an overhaul?  Are you in the market for a new home but having trouble seeing the hidden potential?  Struggling with organization?  Can't find the right paint color?  Pinning and pinning and pinning, but need someone's help pulling it all together?  Do you need someone to put together a plan that you and your spouse can tackle DIY-style?  Help with holiday decor?  Realtors - have a listing that could use some updating?  Send your clients my way (ahem, ahem listing agent NEXT DOOR to me!)!!
Whatever your design dilemma, big or small, email me at staeblerannie@gmail.com to get started!!  And feel free to spread the word.  Don't worry about a job being too small...nothing is too small for me:) And don't worry about a job being too big. I will let you know if it's not something I feel like I can devote enough time and energy to right now. After all, I do have a full time job, this is just something fun for me to do "on the side".

To those of you who have been encouraging me all these years...thank you!  And to those of you waiting for the courage to do what you have been wanting to do...here is your kick in the pants.  Get after it...you've got this!!  Ready.  Set.  Go!

Lighten Up

We've lived in our house for six and a half years.  When we bought our house it was a...I don't even know how to describe what it was.  It was like 1973 married 1988 and had an unfortunately hideous looking child.  It had potential, we knew that, and if we had a bigger budget its makeover would have been much more potential-unleashing, but let's be honest, whose house wouldn't look different if that ugly word...budget...wasn't part of their lives?

 

One of the things we did to bring the house into the 21st century was update the trim and doors to a crisp white.  Of course now we have children and that crisp white is laden with dirt and a whole host of other things I won't even list lest you should judge my housekeeping skills.  What?  You don't think you'd judge? Oooookie dokie.

 

Anyway, it's taken years to finish this update and it's still actually not 100% complete, mainly because painting trim is worse than water boarding.  Honestly, you want some terrorists to talk? I say we give them paintbrushes and trim with lots of nooks and crannies and force them to paint until there are no brush strokes and no sign of the dark red stain that previously existed. I think we'd have caught Osama 4 years ago.

 

One of the spaces that was ignored until just last week...yes, it was ignored for 6 and a half years...was our front door.  Our fifteen-paneled, dark reddish front door with two sidelights.  Fifteen panels people.  Now do you see why I waited 6 and a half years?  Here she is shortly after we moved in (please forgive the plastic bins and too-small rug, it's slightly better now):

 

 

 

Notice the mismatch of trim on the stairs? Yeah, that's still there. Spindles, folks. That is a job I am not willing to take on yet...but I'm mustering the courage and may endeavor on that journey soon.  I'll keep you posted.

 

Anyway, that door was like a black hole.  We have very little natural light in our house and in our little 8x10 foyer that dark red stain was all your eyes could see and really overwhelmed the space.  Not to mention the scratches from when Winston thought every person that came to the front door was a serial killer who needed to be told who was boss.  Shock collars are a wonderful thing...but that's another post.

 

Anyway...So last weekend, I broke out the paint brushes and two coats of primer and 3 coats of bright white later, we now get to see this beauty when we walk down the stairs in the morning:

 

 

Here's another angle, just because it makes me so happy.  I really wish I had taken some more "before" shots, but I was afraid if I hesitated I wouldn't do it.  Did I mention there are fifteen panels?

 

 

And a side by side before and after for all you lazy people.  I can't even explain how much brighter it is.  Justin and I literally stood there and oogled for a good 30 seconds every time we came down the stairs for a few days.  And there might have been a few "oh wow!"s that first day or so.  I mean, I knew it was going to be brighter, but I hated this door before and now I feel like it's a brand new door.  Hooray for paint!



I still hate the rug, though the size is much better...and yes the landing does always look like someone's closet threw up shoes and coats.  Hey, I work full time.  Cleaning isn't always at the top of the priority list.

 

Watch out stair trim, you're next!

Heaven on Earth

Tomorrow is going to be another tough day in the Staebler household.  Tomorrow is a day that should be filled with laughter, balloons, cake and presents.  We will still have balloons.  We will still have cake.  I'm sure we will even muster up some laughter.  But tomorrow, our hearts will be heavy as we celebrate Jack's 2nd birthday without him.

As many of you know, Justin and I have been training for the last few months for our first half marathon.  It's been hard, but we've really grown to love running.  For me, going out to run is a little bit of therapy in itself.  It's time I get all by myself to think.  To push myself beyond my own limitations.  To pray and rely on God's strength and guidance.

I expressed to my sister recently how angry I have been lately.  I have really been missing Jack and wondering who he would be today.  What would he look like?  How would his little voice sound?  What would make him laugh and smile?  What kind of love, joy and challenges would he be bringing to our lives if he was still here with us?

I know many times when I tell people how I am feeling, they simply don't know what to say.  They know they don't really understand and they know in their hearts they never want to understand.  Because to truly understand, you have to have been here.  I've said it before, this pain is not something I would wish on the devil himself.  But once in a while, without even knowing it, someone says exactly what you need to hear (though sometimes it's not what you want to hear).  This time it was my sister.  She told me to use my running to turn the negative energy into positive energy.  I will be honest.  At first I kind of dismissed what she said because I knew my running was already having that effect on me.  But as I went out and hit the pavement for my next workout, I started thinking about Jack's birthday and her words came back to me.

Just as I did last year, I've been struggling to think of what to do for Jack's birthday.  I want so badly to be planning a big, fun party for our little guy, but to do it without him here just doesn't feel right to us.  So, last year we went away for the weekend, just our family.  We were going to do the same this year, but with a trip to Michigan planned the following weekend, we decided we just couldn't swing back to back trips.  We haven't decided exactly what we are going to do for birthday number two - maybe another picnic at the cemetery, maybe a trip to the zoo, or maybe we'll just stay home and have a pajama day.  We just don't know yet.  But we know we'll be together...and we know there will be cake.

And the cake will lead to more running...so back to that part of my story.  As I began to think about what to do for Jack's birthday I thought about how good it makes me feel to do things for other people.  And it occurred to me that even though I can't plan a giant party to celebrate the impending "terrible twos" (incidentally, I think three is much worse than two), maybe I can help my own heart a little bit on Jack's birthday by doing something kind for someone else.

So, tomorrow, to celebrate Jack Raphael Staebler's second birthday, I plan to do two random acts of kindness - one for each year since his birth - and I ask each and every one of you reading this if you could please do the same.  Maybe you buy coffee for the person behind you in line at Starbucks.  Maybe you pay someone a compliment that makes them smile.  Maybe you make cookies for your neighbor.  It doesn't have to be big.  It doesn't have to cost money.  But if you can take a little time to make the world a kinder place on August 11, 2012, know that you would be making my heart a little bit happier on a day that it will be aching and longing for the piece that will be missing as long as I walk this side of the gates. Know that you will be a little bit of heaven on earth.

Oddly enough, God put this idea on my heart before the shooting that took place this past Sunday in Oak Creek.  I can't help but think that maybe by just showing each other a little more kindness, more people will feel God present in their lives and maybe, just maybe some of the anger that fills so many hearts will start to wash away.  Maybe if we show each other a little more love and compassion, little by little we can make the world a better place for our children.  And maybe those watching from above will smile proudly when we do and say to their neighbor in heaven, "That's my mom/dad/sister/brother/aunt/uncle/grandma/grandpa/friend..."

Thank you, Jack, for inspiring us to be better people.  We love you!! 

"Be a blessing to someone today." ~Proverbs 11:25

Crazy 8

Believe it or not, Sam (aka Samurai, Sammy, Sammers, Sam I am...the list goes on) turned 8 months old this week!  Each day we get to spend with him reveals a new aspect of his personality - and it's a big one!  Here's what the little guy is up to these days.

• Sam, you are crazy!  No really, you crack us up.  You figured out what "no" means - though you seem to ignore the word when it's used to direct your action, instead favoring its use to tell us you are done eating or dislike something.  Let me be clear here - you do not say the word yet, you simply shake your head wildly and laugh when we subsequently say, "No, no, no, no, no!"
• There is still no one that makes you smile quite like your sister.  We keep waiting for the sibling rivalry to begin, but so far it's all love, love, love between the two of you.
• You now weigh over 21 lbs, which we only know because we had to take you to the doctor last week.  We thought you had an ear infection.  Turns out it was just a virus and teeth.
• Speaking of teeth - this week brought three new teeth in TWO DAYS! You have now cut all four on the bottom and one on the top.  The second on the top should be making it's pearly appearance in the next week or so.
• I'm sorry to say, you are not the best teether.  Dad scoffed at me when I said this, but I think girls might have a higher pain tolerance than boys because holy cow are you a terrible teether compared to your sister!
• If I had to describe you in one word it would be happy.  You are so full of energy and life!  As I type this you are jumping away in the jumperoo, squealing and screeching in delight.
• Two words.  Mama's. Boy.  If I walk into a room and don't immediately pick you up, cue the dramatics.
• You want to crawl so bad, but you can't quite make it happen yet.  You just started getting up on your hands and knees and rocking back and forth, but usually you have your head on the floor when you do it, ha!  I'm ok with you waiting a little while longer to crawl because once you are mobile I think we are going to have to take baby proofing to a new level.
• You grab anything within your reach and, of course, it goes straight into your mouth.  You especially like to pull hair and grab noses.
• Still eating like a champ! I now understand the phrase, "Boys will eat you out of house and home."
• You are all boy.  It's so funny to see the differences between you and Madelyn.  She was all glitz and glamour from very young - wanted nothing to do with boy things like balls and cars.  You, are the exact opposite - though let's face it, you are very easily distracted so you won't turn down a Barbie if it's what we hand you. Given a choice, however, you will pick up a ball and play with it over one of Maddie's toys.
• Much to my dismay, you are trying to become a tummy sleeper.  I flip you over about 5-6 times between the time you go to bed and when I come up, and probably at least once or twice in the night.  I know it's futile, but I can't relax knowing you are on your tummy - the fact that you always want to bury your face in the mattress and pin your arms underneath you doesn't help, ha!
• You went to your first Brewer game this past weekend.  Lucky little duck, your first game was in a suite, courtesy of our wonderful neighbors, the Prosperos.  We all had so much fun!  Tonight, your amazing luck continues and we will take you and Madelyn to Lambeau Field for the first time for the annual Packers Family Night Scrimmage...again in box seats! Thank you, GMR.
• You grow and change every day and we thank God for sending you here to be with us. You are so, so loved.

Now, for the part everyone really cares about.  Here are some shots of Sam at 7 months and now, at 8 months.

See those two new teeth that are popping through down there?

"I'm cutie and I know it."

Even though it's blurry, this picture captures the personality perfectly.

Hard to believe it's been 8 months since our lives were blessed with this little munchkin.  We love you, little buddy!