Ugliness...Be Gone!

When we purchased our home we knew it would take a lot to fix it up. And as many of you already know, we live in a constant state of remodel. Well, this was our latest project. I think the kids' bathroom was the ugliest room in our home and quite frankly I should have done something about it sooner. Even Jillian was begging me to make it better. So, a couple of weeks ago we decided to at least get rid of the ugliness. This is what covered the bathroom walls:

Isn't that just nasty?!?

We had every one of our kids helping and they thought it was a blast, until of course they got tired of the job.

I think Logan just wanted to use tools like his dad.

So, now the walls are white. I still have to scrub them down to get the wallpaper glue completely off and Brad is going to scrape off the cottage cheese texture on the ceiling. We are still deciding what to do but I need to get some color in there soon; it is quite shocking to pass by the room right now. We are thinking about doing white and navy. Whatever it turns out to be will be a hundred times better than was it was.

Ouch!!

Jillian has really been into making her own Barbie clothes. I had some fabric scraps I said she could use and I pulled out a couple for her. Apparently it wasn't enough. She wanted more so she tried to get them without my help. I had the box stored up high in the cubby hole in her room. So, she stacked a small stool on top of a large stool and reached. You can imagine what happened next. The stools fell out from underneath her and as she was falling down her chin slammed on the corner of the cubby molding. She cut her chin open and bruised her arm and both legs. After looking at it, I knew it would need stitches.
When Jillian was about four years old she got a sliver in her foot. She was too scared to have me pull it out so I let it fester to teach her a lesson. I'm not sure the lesson worked because it eventually took four strong, grown men to hold her down so that I could pull the said sliver out. Brad and I knew she would need both of us there to help her. Fortunately Brad wasn't too far away so we sent Jorja and Logan to our neighbor's house (thanks, Amy!) and rushed Jillian to Liberty Urgent Care. Jillian was not well; I think her fear of getting stitches was worse than the cut.
When it came time to do the stiches, she was near hysterical. But the doctor did a really good job of telling her what he was going to do and yet being firm also. He very wisely avoided the "S" word and instead said he would "put some medicine inside" of her. The worst part was when she actually saw the needle. I had to hold her hand down and lift her neck up from behind to make her chin stick up. Brad had to hold the other hand and both legs down. She was super still when the doctor did the shot and stiches so we were very proud of her. She is on pain medicine but all in all she is doing just fine. She took the bandaid off this morning and saw the stiches. We put more ointment and another bandaid on and then she threw up. That's my Jilly!!

Christmas 2008

Here are some pictures of our fun Christmas this year!

Jillian's favorite gift was her robe, which she wore nonstop for at least three days. Her slippers light up when you move them. Very cool.

Logan begged us for at least a month to get him some "Bend a what? Bend a who? Bendaroos!" They are basically glorified twisty ties. He forgot to ask Santa for them so we stepped in. They have had hours of fun playing with them. My friend, Buff, gave me her son's complete set of Rescue Heroes and accessories. He has loved them! Thanks, Buff!

Jorja got some hair accessories to share with Jillian and a Bella Ballerina set including dress-up clothes. (The latter I got from Buff again -- she was cleaning out her house and I certainly benefited from it! Thanks again!!) Jorja often dances with her hands on her hips as you can see below. We have lots of fun watching her dance!

I got a box of...BEANS! Ha ha. Actually, Brad hid a very small MP3 player in the beans. I have really enjoyed that -- the MP3 player, not the beans so much :). Brad found a used Play Station in good condition and our friends, the Condiff's gave us their old games (can I just say that we have GREAT friends here?!). One of our favorite games is the Disney Channel "Dance Dance Revolution". Very Cool. Brad also found a used "Ratchet and Clank" and the kids love watching him play it. Actually this is no exaggeration; they beg him to play since he is further along in the game than they are. My neighbor was giving away a thing that makes a regular bathtub jetted. Since Brad loves taking baths (no joke -- I personally think they are yucky) I thought this was perfect.

Coolest Scriptures...Ever!

Brad and I really wanted to give Jillian some scriptures for her baptism. We didn't want to spend a lot of money on something that would get a lot of childhood abuse but then we didn't want something that would fall apart as a result of the aforementioned abuse. I was over at my friend, Kim's house and saw a paperback Book of Mormon with a very stylish cover on it and I thought, "that's perfect!!" So, she and another friend taught me how to do it and I set off to work. It does take a bit of time (to let the glue dry) but my finished cost was only $21, including the books! And, Jillian loves that they are girly and different from everybody else's. Here's what they look like:

Materials:
Paperback scriptures
Two 12x12 scrapbook paper for each book's exterior
One 12x12 scrapbook paper for each book's interior
Ribbon
Mod Podge

Directions:
Measure the book's face and binding width and length. Make sure you include an extra inch on each side so that the paper can be folded to the inside. Cut the paper out and glue it to the book using the Mod Podge. The paper should cover the book face and at least 3/4 of the binding side, with one inch left beyond the remaining three sides of the book. You will need to smooth this out with your fingers and a straight edge. Keep smoothing until all the wrinkles are out and then place a heavy object on top of the book until it dries. This makes the book very smooth. Repeat this on the back side of the book, only allow the paper on the binding side to stop midway across rather than 3/4.

When both sides are completely dry, cut out the corners of the paper and fold the hanging inch to the inside cover. With a paint brush, apply Mod Podge and press the paper down, making sure you wipe any extra glue off. I put a piece of wax paper between the inside cover and the first page so that the glue wouldn't stick while it dried. Repeat on the back side and then press the book again with a heavy object until the glue is dried.

If you desire, make a name tag. I printed this off my computer onto some card stock and then mounted it with the same color of paper that was used on the inside.

Brush the Mod Podge on each exterior side, allowing it to dry before turning the book over. There are several types of Mod Podge finishes; I used a matte finish. When each side is completely dry, measure, cut, and glue the ribbon onto the book. I used the ribbon down the side to cover up the paper seam. Cut enough ribbon so that it folds over the inside cover at least 1 and 1/2 inch.

Measure the inside cover. You want to cover up the exterior paper edges but allow at least a 1/4 inch border around the interior paper. Glue the paper down with the Mod Podge, wiping off any extra glue, then press with a heavy object.

You can decorate the books with different kids of brads (inspirational plaques, flowers, etc.) or connect the ribbon with a brad on each side and then have it tie at the book opening. Really, the sky is the limit. I wanted to keep mine simple since it was for a child. Also, if you get the Book of Mormon only, rather than the triple combination, you only need one 12x12 paper for the exterior.