Memorial Weekend!

I hope you all had a safe and fun Memorial Day and weekend. I know we did. My goal was to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Friday night, Aaron's brother came into town to spend the weekend.

Saturday, we went to Greer Spring for the first time. We hiked to the spring and took in all the pretty scenery. That night we hosted a cookout at our house with a group of our friends.

Sunday, we went to the creek. I swam and soaked up some sun while the boy's fished. Then, I attempted to fish and I actually caught one! He was little and cute. 

 Aaron caught these 3 small mouth bass.

My little perch friend.

Monday, we headed to the lake with some of our friends and spent the day boating and enjoying the water. It was the perfect weekend and exactly what I needed. 

FYI- this Sat I'm having a garage sale so if you live in the local area, please come buy some stuff. I'll be selling two headboards, all the stuff in my booth, tons of clothes, bridesmaid dresses, purses, shoes, etc. Come check it out!

My New Kitchen Table

I was not in the market for a new kitchen table. I had a big wooden table with six chairs and it worked great for us and fit all our guests, but I had dreams of a table with antique white distressed legs and a barn wood top. My plan was to re-do our table by myself. It was a project that intimidated me and I kept putting it off. Then, one day I was antique/flea market shopping in the area and I laid eyes upon the most gorgeous table that was exactly what I was looking for. I thought it was a reasonable price and I ended up buying it that day. The only problem was that it didn't have chairs. At first I thought I would keep my chairs and just paint them to match, but I really didn't like the way they went with the table. I had trouble selling my old table without the chairs so I finally decided to start looking for some new chairs. I knew I wanted parson chairs, but I didn't want to pay the price (I'm a super tight wad).

I got online to browse Facebook and a set of parson chairs on an online yard sale page popped up on my news feed. I knew it was meant to be. I messaged the girl and scored these two parson chairs for $25. I was pumped. They needed some TLC...the springs were broken, I wanted to stain the legs, and recover them.

The chairs before

I researched fabric for hours trying to find exactly what I wanted. Finally, I stumbled upon a website called Warehouse Fabrics. They had tons of fabric to choose from and they are super cheap. I got my fabric for less than $9 a yard. Shipping was free on orders over $35, and it shipped to me in less than a week (and that was with it being back ordered). Needless to say, I was super impressed and I will for sure be using them again.

I found the sweetest lady locally that is a saint and a pro at reupholstering. I'm so glad a friend referred me to her and if you need her name and info, please let me know. I'd be glad to give her more business and I know  you will be happy with her work. She fixed the springs, recovered the chairs, and stained the legs all for $66. In my opinion, after getting quotes from many other places back home, that price is unheard of. I picked up the chairs tonight and I was so pleased. They are exactly what I wanted.

The chairs after

I wanted 3 parson chairs and a bench, so if anyone finds a good deal on a parson chair, please let me know. I'm on the lookout. I found a little bench at a local antique store a few weeks ago. It was cheap and had a rustic, shabby chic look. I'm not quite sure if I'll stain the wood like the top of the table, or if I'll just leave it be. I'm kind of liking it as is. It has white chipped paint on the legs, but I think I'm okay with that. What do you think?

I guess I'll stop boring you with all my explanations, and just show you the finished product. Just imagine it with one more matching parson chair. 

I'm super happy with the end result and I'm so glad I found the table, chairs and an awesome new upholstery friend. I will be using her again! Oh and I'm happy to announce that my old table sold this weekend...YAY!!!

It's Mother's Day, I'm Not a Mom, but I'm a Mess!

Church today was good for my soul. Not that it always isn't, but it really was today. You see, the older I get, the more sentimental and emotional I am about certain things. Motherhood is something that has always been emotional and amazing to me. I love nothing more than watching the bond between a mother and child. Hence the reason why I love doing newborn photography.


I am not a mother. I am not ready to be a mother yet, but I constantly dream of that day and wonder what it would feel like.


It all started at church today when the preacher asked everyone to raise their hand if they were sitting in church today with their mother. It seemed like almost every hand in the sanctuary went up.....except for mine and Aaron's. And then, I cried. I looked over at Aaron and I could tell he was feeling the same way as me. We missed our moms (and of course our dad's too).


Then, the preacher asked for all mother's to raise their hands. Next, he gave flowers to the oldest and youngest mother's in the room. The oldest was 80 and the youngest was 21. Then, he gave flowers to the mother with the most children with her at church....she had all 4 grown children with her. And I cried.


All of that got me thinking. I began thinking about everyone in that room and in my life who has lost their mother this last year, or in year's past and how hard this day must be for them. And I cried.


Then, I noticed the mother sitting in front of me with her baby who was of a different ethnicity than her....assuming he was adopted, I began to think of all my friends and family members who would make the most amazing mothers, but are struggling to conceive and those who have chosen to adopt...and I cried.


Then, a group of women and their children went to the front of the church to take the offering and a woman standing next to her mother and daughter was asked to pray and she couldn't get through the prayer without crying. It took me back to Easter Sunday when my mom prayed over our lunch and she boo-hoed during her prayer thanking God for having both her children home. Her tears were contagious...and again, I cried.


Then, I thought about all my friends who were given the gift of motherhood this year and year's past and all their precious babies whom I love dearly...and I cried.


I don't know what got into me, but once I started, I just couldn't stop. When we got into the car after church, Aaron asked what was wrong with me and I explained it to him just as I have on this blog and I was bawling.


All this to say, I am thankful for my mother and all other mother's out there. The way you sacrifice and provide for your children is a beautiful thing to me.


Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels...
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.
Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
He husband also praises her:
Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
~Proverbs 31:10, 25-30

I love you mamma!!