....In the Middle of the Street

Finding out that you are actually finally approved to buy a house is like Christmas morning.

But before that, you have to go through a lot of work. 

We searched for 6 months, with multiple offers, multiple fall-throughs, and a lot of disappointment. The first time we saw this house, though, we got a very good feeling about the home and the neighborhood. So we decided to offer on yet another house, hoping that this would be the one. 

We put in our paperwork...and found out our offer had been accepted! We were a excited, but since we'd had offers go through before we tried not to get too attached. 

I mean, seriously you guys, you have no idea how many random, "this never happens" situations we went through. 

But things continued to go well with this house. It was a newer house, had been redone with new carpet, new paint, and brand-spankin-new appliances, and it had a front porch. As more paperwork was pushed through, it came to the point where we were only waiting on the rural housing committee to approve our loan before everything was finalized. And that took 28 business days, to be exact.

Which is the equivalent of forrrrrrrrrever.

I believe we waited 29 business days before finally finding out.....we were approved! 

Which was a small miracle. 

Remember that one time the government shut down? Well rural housing is a government committee....which means it also shut down. And magically, miraculously, our approval was stamped and signed literally the MORNING BEFORE the shutdown. 

Skin of our teeth, right there. 

And I can tell you now, that I firmly believe this is the place we are meant to be. Because we were blatantly stopped too many other times, and this house came with too many small miracles to believe otherwise. 

First order of business? Painting the door of course.

I. LOVE. IT.

And I love our house.

Our great, big, beautiful house.

Easy & Adorable DIY Fabric Flowers

A couple weeks ago, I helped put together a baby shower for my sister-in-law. I picked the invitations and decorations, because she was having a little girl. And who doesn't want to decorate for a little girl??

These are the invitations I created:

I was pretty proud. I think they turned out so cute!

For decorations, I needed something simple, but still adorable. After searching pinterest for a couple hours a little bit, I found a really easy fabric flower garland. 

Here are the instructions:

First, gather up all your extra scraps of fabric, your scissors, and your hot glue gun.

Then, grab something to use as the base for your flowers. I used a combo of some old interfacing and some blue felt. Trace a small circle {smaller than you want your flower} and cut it out.

Be smart like I wasn't, and layer up your fabric from the very beginning to cut out several at once.

Then, layer up your flower fabric and cut out a slightly larger circle.

Take one circle and fold it in half, then in half again.

Do this to four circles, then glue them to your base circle like so:

Fold two more circles into quarters. You need a total of six folded circles to make each flower.

Glue the last two circles right in the very center of your flower.

If you want, you can clip the tips before you glue so they sit a little flatter.

Repeat this process six million times. I recommend having a good tv show {or several} to watch.

I ended up making two different sizes of flowers, along with a fabric-scrap letter. You can find instructions on how to make one yourself here.

If you are making a garland with your flowers, simply hot glue them to a piece of twine or string. I used twine, and used big lace bows to string it up. I can't believe I forgot to get a picture, but there you go. 

Here are a couple pictures of the table:

I thought the flowers were a cute little touch. And, if the other little children at the shower don't try to eat them, you can re-use them. {maybe some DIY hair clips or headbands!}

I would love to try my hand at making some different styles of fabric flowers, maybe to use as home decor. Or maybe just for fun because they are so pretty.

Just look how gorgeous!

{you can find all these on my pinterest account.}

Love Week: DIY

I LOVE DIY.

I don't know that much more needs to be said.

I love DIY dishtowels.

I love DIY maxi-skirts.

I love DIY refashioning.

I love DIY gifts...and DIY decor.

The DIY possibilities are endless!

I've redone end tables, re-purposed an old sweater, repainted thrift store frames, and refashioned everything from new knit fabric to oversized old tees.

DIY is FUN.

You really ought to try it sometime. As my husband always reminds me, the worst case scenario is that you might have to DIY again. 

Success Story

Yes, this is actually my hair. 

{proven by the crappy pictures.}

And people, I have zero skills when it comes to hair. I only learned to french braid like, a week ago.

It's called the Gibson Tuck, and it takes five minutes. Ten, if you're picky.

I'm so proud. 

{try it yourself here.}

Neglected

Dear Poor Neglected Blog:

I am only a little bit sorry for ignoring you. I have had a lot on my plate the past couple weeks.

1. WE MOVED.

Do you have any idea how much crap stuff accumulates while you've been living in the same place for over 2 years?

I have to sit down just thinking about it.

It only took us weekly truckloads packed to the sky, a U-Haul, an Expedition, and all the extra space in my Buick to get it all up here. No biggie.

2. WE MOVED IN.

Yes, that is a separate bullet point, because it is just as much work as actually moving. 

But believe it or not, after only 2 days, I have my kitchen put away!

There are probably a few unlabeled boxes floating around somewhere, but still.

Did you notice the dishwasher???!

Oh. Heaven.

What was I talking about? Ah yes. Neglect-ence. 

So sorry about that.

But honestly, the real victims of neglect here are my eyebrows. So stop complaining.

P.S. We now live within acceptable friend distance of two people whom we love very much.

{yesssssssssssss!}

I didn't even take a picture when they came over to help because there's no way a photo could contain all my excitement.

BIG.

Something big is coming.

We are moving.

To the Salt Lake area.

After months and months of searching and praying, Chris found the perfect job. He'll be working in a troubled youth home. Decent starting wage, great benefits, close to family.

We are so {flippin'} excited.

I have been in Cedar for six years now. Six years. That's a long time to get to know a place. 

And in about a month {and after we actually find a new place to live}, I'll be leaving it.

How weird is THAT??! 

Christopher James Diepeveen

He is quite possibly the coolest guy I know.

And today, he officially graduated.

But he didn't just graduate.

He also received an award for being the Outstanding Student in German for 2012, attained Magna Cum Laude honors, and {true story} will actually be receiving TWO degrees: one in psychology, and one in German. 

Pretty smart guy, huh?

And quite handsome, if I do say so myself.

His award ceremony was yesterday evening, and my mom, his mom, and his stepdad drove clear down to support him!

We sure do love him.

Even if he is a goof. {which nicely complements my cheesy side.}

That man is going places. {not a doubt in my heart.}

I'm so glad I get to go with him.

Kitchen Chair Redo

I love bright colors. They make me happy. And I've always wanted a green kitchen. 

It just seems so cheerful and...warm. 

Plus I am totally a veggie person. {does that relate....?}

So far, since we're poor and living in a rental, there aren't a lot of things I can permanently change in our kitchen, but I've got green plants, and green decor. So you at least get the idea.

And nowwwwww......I have green chairs. 

So AWESOME.

If you have chairs like ours, it's preeeeeetty dang simple to recover them. 

1. Take a cushion and measure how much fabric you will need. Be sure to wrap the measuring tape under the sides where you will be stapling the fabric underneath.

Here's our cushion:

Yes. Beige. Wonderful. 

2. Get you some fabric! Cut it according to your measurements for each chair. Lay a piece flat and center your cushion, making sure the fabric is right-side down.

Please ignore the mauve carpet in the background that I hate with every fiber of my being. 

3. Pick a side to start on and staple the fabric up and over the side of the cushion.

Monitor use of the staple gun carefully. 

4. Staple fabric the same way over opposite side, being sure to pull it taut. 

5. Fold and staple your corners. Here's how we did it:

6. Staple the remaining two sides. Flip it over....

....and admire!

Chair skeletons.

Lovely! 

I love the pop of color it adds to our kitchen.