More Before & After...

Here's one more and then on to the big reveal of what I've really been working on all January.

I had seen on a blog (sorry I don't remember which one or I would link to it) an idea for a wreath. I've been wanting something new for my front door, but didn't want to spend a whole lot of change on it. So,this was perfect! It definitely was a tedious job, so this is not a project for an impatient person (just a warning if you are interested in doing this as well).

This is what I used:

I also took out my second favorite thing:

Yep, that's my wonderful hot glue gun! Although by the end of the project, I wasn't very happy with it because my finger tips were burnt to a crisp!

To start the wreath you take the floral foam wreath (I found mine at Hobby Lobby & then realized you can get them at the Dollar Store for cheaper - DANG IT!). You put a row of hot glue down & then add your beans. I used pinto beans, but you can really use anything you want - nuts, candy, etc. I tried to make mine go diagonal, which for the most part they did. Here's a picture of it towards the beginning:

This is what it looks like once you get all the beans on there:

Then you take your spray paint color of choice & spray paint it. I used Green Apple. Then you take a ribbon and use it to hang the wreath. Here's the completed wreath hanging:

Before & After...

it's been a while since I've blogged...no need to say it - LOTS OF STUFF GOING ON at the Barrios household in January! So, get ready for lots of updates! I want to start off with a new hobby I have - refurbishing furniture & other thrifty finds. I LOVE it!!!! I've been a follower of blogs that do the same thing for quite a while. But I never thought I could do it. But then my sweet friend Holly called me one Saturday and asked if I wanted to go to the flea market. And I jumped at the chance! I was SO excited!!! We looked around and all of a sudden - I found HER!!! My dream chair!! Although, I don't know that it looked much like a dream. This is what she looked like: So, is she calling your name too? I know she'll be calling your name when you see the after! In fact, she might be growling your name! Here's the after:

Okay, so here's all the details. It took me what felt like 3 years to take out 2 trillion rusty, old nails. It was actually about 3 hours to take out 200 rusty, old nails. My hands have still not forgiven me - I am in dire need of a manicure!

Once I had all the nails and old fabric off, I could trash the old straw that was used for the stuffing. How gross is that! No telling how much nastiness was in the straw!!

Then I did a little sanding, but not much since she was in such great shape. And finally it was time for my favorite thing in the world! SPRAY PAINT!!! Is there a such thing as being addicted to spray paint? Cause if so, I may need a support group! I used Heirloom White and it all down. Then I cut my fabric out and used a little batting as my cushion and she was ready to go.

I think I need a little more foam in the seat, but she'll do for now.

What do you think?

I'm linking to

Date Night...

As you married folks know, it's important to always take time out to date your spouse. No matter what's going on, you always need to take time away from everyday life and spend quality time with each other.

During Christmas break, Emily and Elaina spent lots of time with Grandparents. One of those nights, we decided to have a double date with Sam & Holly. It was even a "school" night and everything!

We met up at Chili's and ate dinner. Then the boys decided they wanted to go to Best Buy because they both had gift cards, and us girls went to Target to kill the time.

Then we went back to Sam & Holly's and hung out for a few minutes (actually only stayed long enough for Steve to open his new toy - it was really late for a school night).

It was so much fun to just get out and do something with the kids in tow! I think I'm going to make that a New Year's Resolution - to have more date nights with my husband!

Playing with our toys...

The funny thing is she wouldn't eat it! She wanted to wait and take it so Aunt Candy could have some with her! Too sweet!

You know how when you were a kid you couldn't wait to play with each and every one of your new toys...well Emily is no different. She just about went crazy because I made her wait a couple of days before she could play with the gift Aunt Candy had given her.

She was so excited to make/decorate a cake just like our friend Kenya has made for us before. I have to admit, it's one of those toys that is pretty annoying. But I will deal with my annoyance for Emily's happiness. Emily was REALLY excited (I don't think I can emphasize just how excited she was) and I was having to read the instructions with CONSTANT questions. So that's why it was annoying. But once we got it going, it was so much fun for her.

Relaxing Day...

The day after Christmas Steve was off, so we decided it would be a pajama day! We invited our friends Andrew, Kenya, and Kooper over to watch football with us. It was such a good day! We relaxed, no one cooked, no one cleaned...just total relaxation. The kids had a blast! I love seeing the kids all playing and getting along.

I will say, I know why God blessed us with girls. I don't know if I could keep up with 2 boys. Kooper never slowed down. As you can tell, I had a hard time getting a picture of him because he kept moving around on me!

Elaina, of course, was in all the cords in the bonus room. I've never seen a baby so obsessed with cords!

Then she just had to show off how good she is standing up on her own!

See - I told you he wouldn't stand still! Emily was playing music and he was doing his "booty shake". It was absolutely hilarious!!!