As wonderful as my husband is...i find myself more and more everyday saying that "The best is yet to come.." I love him with all of my heart and as long as we have been together...every single day still feels like a new adventure....and I kinda like that...I like not knowing what will happen next...because I know we will either enjoy it together or work through it together :) I hope this pic below is us in the future!
From another time, another place...
I want to print this and frame it in our house one day!!
I came across some AWESOME home design Ideas via Pinterest...here are a few of my faves!!
Log End Flooring
Log end tile flooring
Heart pine log end flooring
Log end floor made with custom fit 2” thick slabs
End grain hardwood flooring is known for it’s unique grain patterns and superior hardness
End grain driftwood flooring
Hexagonal end grain wood flooring
Historic end grain cobblestone
Reclaimed log end wood tile flooring
I’ve assembled some of the best photos I could find on log end flooring. This type of flooring is made with end grain (with the wood grain oriented vertically). Log end or end grain flooring has been used for centuries in palaces, luxury homes and high traffic areas because of its beauty and durability. End grain is harder than long grain (horizontal grain) and that’s why it is used on professional quality chopping blocks and top quality flooring.
“Residential real estate agents say homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster, and fetch higher prices, according to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). By a three-to-one margin, real estate agents said that a house with wood floors would sell faster than a carpeted house. Some 58 percent said a house with wood floors would bring a higher price. Health benefits are also a factor for those considering hardwood flooring. Whereas carpets over the years gather mildew, mites, animal dander, dust and pollen beneath the surface that can cause respiratory problems and aggravate allergies, hardwood flooring has a very durable surface that is easy to clean and maintain. Properly maintained hardwood floors are extremely resistant to mildew and the other ails of carpets. Hardwood and laminated wood floors are the smart and healthy choice.
Hardwood flooring is always made up of a real hardwood surface, whether it’s solid or engineered hardwood. The result is a natural, real hardwood floor that can be resanded, stained, and varnished to match your tastes and changes in your decor. If it’s well cared for, it will last nearly forever. A solid hardwood floor can be sanded and refinished several times over many, many years.”
Remember this wall in our kitchen? About a year after we moved into this house, I added these four frames and "temporarily" filled them to look like this:
I liked it. It worked. And it stayed. Until one of those frames fell down and broke. Then it didn't work anymore, for obvious reasons.
A couple of weeks ago, I was beyond inspired by this post at a really cool home decor blog called YoungHouseLove.com. "I can DO that!!!" (and it didn't hurt that there are about 100 frames floating around my house, so I didn't have to buy a single thing!
So, for the past several weeks, I've been semi-obsessed with getting this project done. Here's the process I took step-by-step:
First, I collected a ton of frames from around the house. Some were displayed, some were in the garage, but no frame was safe!
Next, I arranged them into a design on the floor in our kitchen, to get a general idea of how I wanted them to be layed out:
Since I couldn't pick up this whole grouping and eye-ball it against the wall, I decided to make a to-scale digital mockup of the whole collage so I could see how it would fit on the wall. I ended up with this:
And decided it needed SO much more!!! So I scooted this grouping up to the top right corner and went searching for even more frames around the house, until I came up with this design, which I was much happier with:
Next, I cut newspapers to size to match up with each frame and taped it to the wall where I wanted the frame to hang. I even numbered them (and the frames themselves) to be sure I didn't confuse myself. Once those were up, I did a little more tweaking (especially in that lower left corner, which you can see is quite different than my digital mockup) until I was left with this:
I left that up a few days to try and decide whether I was going to like this new design in actuality or not. Until Ben said "Oh,just hang them up already. Commit." So I did.
HUGE tip -- With a paper template for each frame, I pulled each template down (one at a time), layed it across the back of the frame, marked where the hole in the wall should go, taped the paper back to the wall, and hammered in the nail. WORKS PERFECTLY every time! Then we had this lovely mis-match of frames on the wall:
The night we left this up, it caught me off-guard every time I rounded the corner into the kitchen. I think maybe I was having some gallery-wall remorse. It reminded me a little more of a crowded old lady's house than the sleek and modern gallery wall I had envisioned.
During this whole process I flip-flopped back and forth trying to decide whether to paint all the frames black, keep them their natural color, or do a combination of silver, wood, black and white. After seeing them on the wall...we quickly decided all-black was a must! Good thing I have lots of black spray paint on hand at all times!
Ahh...much better, eh?
Then it was time to fill the frames with pictures & memorabilia and fill in the gaps with a few handmade projects. I started with these fun projects:
Then searched the house for a few meaningful memorabilia items:
wedding announcement newspaper article
decorative wedding certificate
our wedding invitation (perhaps I should replace some of these with NON-wedding things..hmm)
And finally, I filled in with photos. Some of the kids, some of us, some of family and friends. I tried to pick photos that have special memories attached to them, rather than just picking my favorite portraits or photographs that I love (though a few of those creeped in too). Some of the special pictures included are:
a picture of Ben & I at our high school graduation
Ben & I in our "Scrapjazz" shirts on a business trip (pre-children!)
our home in Rochester, MN which was the first house we owned
I may change a few of these out occasionally, but I tried hard to pick timeless and sentimental pieces to tell the story of our family.
So here's the finished product (for now...I just can't call anything complete...I'm sure I'll find some fun knick-nacks to add to those empty spaces!):
And here you can see some context with the rest of the kitchen/dining room:
The Make Room is an easy-to-use interactive room planner that allows you to plan your unique living space.
Create single rooms or entire floor plans by simply dragging and dropping Urban Barn furniture into your plan. When your masterpiece is complete you can save your space, email it, or print it out and use it as your shopping list.
I recently came across this story and it touched my heart! I now have it on my bucket list to go visit this place one day!!! The story is about two best friends....
At an Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN, Tara and the dog Bella became inseparable BFFs. Not only is it an odd pair, but when Bella suffered a spinal cord injury, unable to move her legs or tail, her best friend Tara stood beside a gate outside the sanctuary office. Tara waited and watched for three weeks until Bella was carried outside for them to be reunited. Bella’s tail started to wag and the BFF's stayed together until Bella could walk again....
Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest... It's about who came, and never left your side...
Indoor Picnic: Have a picnic on the floor with blanket, lit candles, and maybe even play a CD of ocean sounds! Since you’ll be indoors, try making hamburgers or grilling chicken. End with playing a card game or other game like Yatzee.
Dessert for Two: Make a homemade dessert together and eat it while watching a movie (with popcorn too of course and a yummy drink).
At-home Spa Date: Give each other relaxing massages while playing beautiful/ classical music. The wife could give her husband a full out pedicure and he could “try” to paint her nails. Put on facemask treatments – basically use whatever “spa” items you have. Eat yummy finger foods and appetizers.
Dancing at Home: Rent a movie from your local library that teaches you step by step how to dance together. Or, just look up a tutorial video on youtube. Country or ballroom dancing moves could be fun to learn!
Trip to Thrift Store: Go to the Thrift Store each with a certain amount of cash (like $5 each) and secretly buy a gift for each other. It’s also fun just to browse the store together.
Cuddle Up & Read: Choose a book to start reading together – like maybe a little each night.
Recreate your First Date: What were you wearing? Where did you go? What did you do or talk about? You could even try to recreate in your very home.
Musical Night: Find out when a local high school is putting on their musical production or attend a low-cost concert open to the public.
Git Fit: Exercise to a work-out video together. Then enjoy a protein shake or fruit smoothie afterwards....
Dream House: Sketch your dream-house floor plan and talk about the possibilities of each room.
Winter Snowman: Build a snowman together, then enjoy hot cocoa.
Spouse Sleepover: Drag your mattress or air mattress into the family room. Have treats, games, movies, and drinks just like you used to do when you were little. For the game you could play “Cheez-it Scrabble” – the crackers each have a letter on them. Wake up to breakfast in bed!
“Pep Rally” Date: Have pizza and appetizers, listen to jock jams to pump you up, wear the school’s colors, and go to a local high school’s sporting event.
Make life lists: A life list is when you sit down and brainstorm all of the things that you've never done which you'd like to do before you die.Things on the list can be as mundane and extraordinary as you want. Make your life lists separately and then share them; you'll be amazed how much you find out about each other.
Make Summer Plans: Plan where you want to travel and explore this spring/summer. You could even buy your state map and mark where you’ve been and where you want to go. Make sure you save your list!
Back to the ‘50s Date: Turn your kichen into a diner with burgers, fries, and shakes/malts. You could even have a babble gum blowing contest and dance to ‘50s music.
Travel from your Home: This fun date night can be done multiple times with different countries you are interested in. All dates could include eating food from that country, learning interesting facts about the country, watching a movie based there or about it, printing off some pictures, watching a short youtube tour of that country or famous city, and maybe even dancing to their music! It’s so fun to learn about different places! Some examples would be:
Italy – homemade pizzas, play Andre Bocelli music, painting or making play dough sculptures
France – French bread, cheese, fruit, and sparkling apple juice, watching Ratatouille, dancing to French accordian music
Indoor Campout: When it’s too cold to campout, enjoy making tin foil dinners in the oven followed by making smores (with your oven broiler)! If you’d like, you can go all out with the air mattress, glow in the dark stars, reading a book together, and burn a CD of outdoor noises for fun.
Dollar Date: Go to the dollar store and both spouses get to pick out one thing (and perhaps children). Go to a fast food restaurant and order items from the dollar menu. Then go to the dollar movies!
Bake cookies together and makeice cream sandwiches.
Light some candles for fun and have a SPA NIGHT.
PLAN an UPCOMING TRIP together, whether it’s just a one-day adventure or a couple day mini vacation with your kids.
PAINTING PARTY. Paint a piece of your furniture or grab some cheap canvas and paints and have fun! They could even become wall décor.
Recreate some of your dates from back in the day… even at home. I want to make tacos at home and wear the exact shirt I wore on our first date – and have a taco eating contest again!
PIGGY BANK. Create some kind of “piggy bank” where you can start putting all your spare change. Decide as a couple something fun you want to start saving for!
When it's warmer, bring the monitor and a blanket, and go in your backyard andTALK UNDER THE STARS
PICK OUT A BOOK. Find a book that you would both enjoy and start reading it together. On nights you feel like it, you can continue reading!
Interview each other! Whip out the video camera and ask each other lots of interesting, fun questions. Your kids and you will love watching this in the future! I got this one fromthis website- she has some great ideas
What if you could say or do just the right thing guaranteed to make that special someone feel loved? The secret is learning the right love language! In Dr. Gary Chapman’s book, The 5 Love Languages, he teaches couples the simple way to express their feelings and bring joy back into marriage:
Words of Affirmation
Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.
Quality Time
In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.
Receiving Gifts
Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.
Acts of Service
Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.
Physical Touch
This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive. Click here to take a fun quiz and find out your love language!! http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/
I think it is so easy for us women to have such busy and stretching days as full-time moms (and/or full-time work/school) that we sometimes have little energy or patience when we see our husbands. I created this post to offer some helpful ideas to SHOW MORE LOVE, since this is our MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP! Plus, children crave knowing that their parents love each other. So, here is a FUN LIST – some of which are my ideas but many of these were inspired from researching other websites. I’ve tried to include ideas from all the 5 love languages. NOT ALL OF THESE will fit with your current situations and personalities, but I hope some will inspire you.
This is NOT MEANT TO OVERWHELM :), but rather to PICK ONE and HAVE FUN!You can refer to this through the “Ideas for Wives” tab when you just want to re-focus on your hubby! The key is to REMEMBER TO TRY BEING AN INTENTIONAL WIFE. Growing in love doesn't just happen, you CREATE IT!
CHOOSE TO ACT NOT RE-ACT. Isn't it so natural and easy to react to others - to become offended when someone is offensive?! To reflect shortness to someone's being short or rude to us? You cannot ever change others, but you have the power to choose how you act and love. Experiment with showing more love in the moment rather than just merely mirroring how they treat you - this is one of the hardest things for us humans to do.
MIRROR & TOLIET MESSAGES. Write a little love note on your bathroom mirror with lipstick or a dry erase marker. Or if you really feel like being crazy and doing something totally-out-of-the-ordinary, write on toilet paper with a permanent marker and lay out message on top of the toilet water :)
SAY YOU'RE SORRY, before he does. This is not easy, but I love the quote by Ruth Bell Graham: "A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers."
TELL YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT THEIR DAD.
DROP EVERYTHING. Try putting aside your eternal to-do lists just for a moment, and give your husband your sincere, undivided attention.
INITIATE. Researchers report that "Marital Intimacy" is the #1 need of Men in marriage - or the #1 way that they feel loved. So make it fun, try new things, initiate.
TEXT HIMSurprise him witha spontaneous, flirty text or a sentence about why you are so grateful for him. Finding your own ways to connect during the day makes a difference.
START A HOBBY TOGETHER.Ok, so with our babies asleep at home one night, we decided to write a “bucket list” of fun things we wanted to do together. We LOVE rockclimbing, so we've started buying the gear. Find something you both would enjoy!
PLAN A DATE NIGHTeven it is in your own home when the kiddos are asleep. It’s so important to have that time to fall in love all over again - just the two of you. We usually keep it super simple, but it really does make a huge difference.
START A “LOVE JOURNAL”where you can write letters to each other, paste in notes you’ve both written, special memories, and such.
KEEP YOURSELF ATTRACTIVEMaybe I'm the only one here, but I find it difficult to actually find time to shower and feel pretty each day- especially when I'm meeting the continual demands of my children! But I really do believe in the importance of looking attractive for our husbands. Whether it's throwing on some makeup, or finding some cute clothes that are actually clean, or getting your hair done - it doesn't always happen but it does wonders for how we feel about ourselves.
BREAKFAST IN BEDOne website I researched suggested to make heart-shaped pancakes. I've never actually made heart shaped - maybe just for Valentine's :) But, I guess a surprise breakfast in bed, that could be fun.
FLIRT WITH HIMIt's funny how we totally flirt while dating, but once we're married we can easily forget to be FUN!Just because you've snagged him, don't stop flirting. Try to bring it back.
DON'T TRY TO BE HIS MOMRemember you are his wife, not his mother. Don't jump him every time he does something differently than you’d like. Remember, YOU ARE EQUALS.
LAUGH AT HIS QUIRKS When living with someone it's natural for the "little things" to get on both of your nerves. Sometimes those very quirks can be endearing or even laughable and others require patience. Thank you babe for being patient with me over and over again!
WRITE A FUN "LOVE NOTE". One time I'm pasted "Top 10 Things I Love about My Husband" on our bedroom door. Or, just leave a note somewhere where he'll find it. One time Steve was really cute to leave random, funny post it notes around the house.
GIVE HIM A MASSAGE. I bet he would love a spontaneous head rub or go all out and give him a back rub with lotion. So Steve has introduced me to the wonders of back scratches... I will never be the same!
GRAB A KISS WHILE YOU WAIT Kiss your husband while you're waiting at the stoplight or in the food drive-through.
BE AWARE OF EXITS & ENTRANCESAs you and your husband say goodbyes and reunite again after a long day, be aware of how you show love during these important cross roads.
TALK ABOUT HIS INTERESTS Bring up a subject that interests him and listen to him talk. Even if the subject doesn't interest you, enjoy watching him as he gets stirred up over the topic.
SLOW DANCEin the kitchen when the kids go to bed. Actually, maybe dance in front of your kids!
VERBALLY SHOW APPRECIATION IN FRONT OF HIS FAMILY. When with his family, for example, share sincere appreciation for what your husband does or who he is.
SURPRISE GIFT.Surprise him with a fun gift of some kind that he’d really enjoy.
CALM DOWN FIRST, THEN TALK.When you are in a moment of frustration, try taking some deep breathes, perhaps hold you tongue momentarily, and discuss it as soon as you feel more able to talk kindly. It's easy to say hurtful, non-helpful things if you just react instantly in a heated moment.
FIND SOME SANITY AT HOME.With two little kids and being pregnant, our house usually is out of control :). And I need loads of help to keep things somewhat clean and organized! I do care about the environment of our home because it does affect EVERYONE, especially me and my ability to focus on the people in that home.
ENCOURAGE HIS HOBBIES, even if you’re perhaps not fond of some. Encourage him, even help make it happen! It will make a huge difference and help him tremendously to feel more balanced and to be his best self. I sure need this, and I know he does too.
IN A MOMENT WHEN YOU COULD BE IRRITABLE, TRY TO LAUGH instead! Hmmm, easier said than done. But I guess I could try to be witty in a moment when I could be quickly offended or grumpy.
TAKE A HIKE OR WALK TOGETHER. It's hard to hold hands while pushing a stroller, but at least you can talk!
EAT AN ICE CREAM CONE TOGETHERBuy one, large cone, and eat it together at the same time.
PRAY TOGETHER EACH NIGHT. Recently I attended a wedding ceremony where I heard some of the best marriage advice! So you take turns each night expressing 1) why you're grateful for your spouse and 2) what you want to do to be more worthy of his/her love.
ENCOURAGE HIM TO BUY THAT TOY he's been wanting so badly. Better yet, put some of your own things off, save the money and buy it for him yourself!
MEND HIS CLOTHESOne website suggested to surprise him but trying to "fix" some of his clothes. This may increase his wardrobe by 20%! Well for me, I personally would have to first learn how to "mend" clothes, but whatever! If "service" is your husband's primary love language and you happen to have that skill, it could be meaningful to him.
HAVE A WRESTLING MATCH This will get you both laughing, and it will remind you not to be so serious.
SEEK HIS ADVICEAsk for your husband's input and advice on anything from children to what he might like to eat. This will let him know he's needed and that his thoughts are important.
LOOK OUT FOR HIS HEALTH Encourage your husband to get plenty of sleep and exercise. Physical exercise seems to be a HUGE deal for many men and women to be able to face the challenges of each day. We happen to be P90X fans, but find whatever works for you!
MAKE HIM A COUPON BOOK Give him coupons to redeem—maybe for a back scratch or a shoulder rub or things that would mean much to him.
CUDDLE WHILE WATCHING A MOVIE. Maybe you could even pick out a movie you know he would really like and have a yummy treat!
DON'T BE A PESSIMIST Try not to focus too much on the negative. Try to have a positive outlook in your marriage and on life. There’s a difference between having real and honest talks (which is completely necessary) and just have a sour outlook on everything.
MAKE HIS FAVORITE TREATI just discovered after several years of marriage that my husband loves more than anything peanut butter cookies with hershey kisses. So, I picked up the ingredients for us to make together sometime. We often, probably more often than we should, enjoy "oreo parties." It has become our nightly ritual to dunk oreos and chat :)
PLAY A GAME TOGETHER. Ok, I kind of pride myself on being undefeated in Settlers
LOOK HIM IN THE EYESLook your husband straight in the eyes when he talks to you to show that he is your #1 at that moment.
DON'T PUSH THE BUDGETIf you can't afford certain things, don't buy them. Try not to complain about your standard of living or whine about the things that you don't have.
HELP HIM SHAVE This is a fun way to be close and to get you both laughing. ps. Don't let your husband try to take an electric razor to your own eyebrows.. bad experience :) Love you babe! And yeah, I've only cute my husband's hair once... also bad experience!
LOVE YOURSELFMany times we as women hold back on our husbands because of our own insecurities. Learn to let it go. The things that we're so worried about, usually don't even bother him.
DEFEND HIM Don't let others disrespect your husband. Even just a snide comment can hurt. Stick up for the most important person in your life.
JUST GO TO BED! I don’t always believe in the adage to never go to bed angry. Our kids sure struggle when they are over tired, and so do we. In a moment of frustration when tired and cranky, sometimes just go to bed. You'll likely wake up in the morning with a renewed perspective! :)
PRAISE and SHOW APPRECIATION When your husband works hard, or does something for you, let him know you appreciate him! Interestingly, researchers have found that praise and admiration is actually on men’s top 5 needs in marriage.
DON'T COMPARE. Be careful not to compare your husband to others - your dad, brothers, or other men. They may be great, but remember your husband is too. Likewise we should avoid comparing ourselves to other wives and moms - which us women are SO guilty of.
ENCOURAGE MAN TIME. Enthusiastically support your husband in perhaps watching sports with other guys, playing sports, or having time to hang out with guys he is close to. Women really need other women, and that "man" time can be important for some husbands.
KEEP LEARNING AND BEING CURIOUS. It can take some real effort and creativity to expand your intellect while tending lots of littles (or whatever your situation may be), but it will make you a more beautiful and interesting wife and mother! Maybe listen to interesting podcasts as you attack the piles of dishes, always carry a good book with you, or quickly research one new topic especially if it’s something your husband would also find interesting!
*Have fun finding ways to show your husband you love him in ways that are meaningful to him!
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80′s arrived at the hospital to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. The nurse took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, ‘And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?’ He smiled as he patted my hand and said, ‘She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.
