2011 — We are THAT Family

Best of 2011

1:34 pm Bykristen

2011 has been an amazing year! I’m so thankful for new readers, but especially the ones who have stuck with me as my blog and life have changed so much.

Did you know that readers of this blog, turned supporters-of-Mercy-House have given in donations, purchased from the Mercy Shop, more than $120,000 in just 2011!! We’ve been able to do so much in a short time and have begun saving for a permanent future home.

Thank you for being a part of something so much bigger that this little blog! 2012 is going to be astonishing!

I thought it would be fun to highlight my most popular posts over the last year:

January: I Hate Your Blog
February: In a Shocking Turn of Events, I’ve Become the Older Mom
March: My Book: Don’t Make Me Come Up There!
April: You Are My Community
May: The Most Amazing Gift, You Won’t Believe It!
June: 100 Ways to Make a Difference As A Family
July: When Changing a Life Changes Yours
August: The Last Day of Summer
September: How to Make A Burlap Wreath
October: Be A Courageous Parent
November: The Best Idea I’ve Ever Had (This post received more than 115,000 views and keeps growing!)
December: Fifty Parenting Ideas You Won’t Regret

Happy New Year, friends!

Filed UnderMy Life 3 Comments

Inspiration for 2012

10:52 pm Bykristen

“Dreams are like stars…you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.” ——unknown

I think this is on our weekend to do list (because we all need a jar with our dreams):

Source: d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net via Alayna on Pinterest

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Happy New Year!

Filed UnderHolidays, My Life 4 Comments

WFMW: Laundry Brilliance

10:36 pm Bykristen

I have a tiny laundry room.

But it’s cute, that should count for something, right?

Although if you stop by, it won’t look like that. [hint: piles]

My big kids are in charge of their own laundry (which is a fancy way of me saying, once a week, I ask them to bring down their basket, put it in the washer, oversee their soap-usage, remind them how to start the washer, tell them when it’s time to move to the dryer, add in the dryer sheet they forgot and tell them to now fold and hang up. It’s a work-in-progess).

I’m always trying to look for ways to tidy up the laundry room (since I’m only caught up about 45 seconds a week-FREEZE, everything is clean. Ok, moment over).

I love this idea:

Source: google.com via Erin on Pinterest

What’s your best laundry tip for the New Year?

edited repost

Filed UnderWFMW 32 Comments

Pantry Pizazz

10:47 pm Bykristen

The Pantry

Before

I wanted to spice up my pantry a bit. I’ve heard about screen doors being used as a pantry door and that’s what we decided to try. We bought a plain $18 screen door at a local hardware store and cut it down to fit the smaller width of our pantry.

I bought some fancy scrolls to embellish the plain door. I decided to spray paint the unfinished wood. Red, of course!

My hubby nailed the scrolls onto the painted door.

And then my sweet guy took off the old plain white door and gave me the country kitchen I’ve always wanted!!

My hubby did an AMAZING job!

After

My favorite touch? The fork door pull. He just used pliers to give it a bend and then screwed it into the wood:

Pin It

And it cost less than $50!

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a favorite project from the archives

Filed UnderDIYP 11 Comments

The Day After Christmas {Sale}

11:15 pm Bykristen

Anyone else in recovery mode? We had an awesome day: it was simple and good. So good.

Highlights

[listening]: to Jesus Bible Storybook Audio (Jesus’ birth) on Christmas Eve

[playing games]: my favorite moment by far

[food]:We had a traditional New Mexican Christmas lunch with Posole. Have you ever had it? It’s one of our favorites and easy to make!

[birthday party for Jesus]: hooray!

[annual visit]: to the hospital NICU to drop off goodies to the nurses that saved our preemie six Christmas’ ago (she was born Dec. 16, but nearly died Christmas Eve).

[the wonder]: love

My kids got money from grandparents for Christmas, which can only mean one thing: After-Christmas shopping. Hold me.

I’ve scheduled some posts for the rest of the week, so I can focus on my family and do a lot of nothing.

I did want to share:

[Dayspring]: Sale: there’s a fantastic after-Christmas sale going on at my favorite store. These are items are 75% off! I’ve stocked up on teacher, neighbor and friend gifts for next year.

Christmas Carol Tree ~~$49.99~~ $12.49