Pick me up

Thank you for your generous outpouring of solutions, tidbits, and truths regarding raising children. I treasured every response and read them all very slowly so as to sink into my thick head!

Feeling under the weather today after a very memorable {in a bad way} patient yesterday and the aftermath of travel. So some pick me up images were in order, happy Wednesday!

images via, last image unknown

Mothers of strong-willed children unite

{such a perfect picture for this post!}

So what I forgot to mention yesterday during our texas trip recap was how challenging our 3 year old is lately and especially during our time there, truly a pistol. I don't think I've shared too much about Gideon's temperament but it definantly falls into the strong-willed category and tests my patience on a daily basis, God bless him! While I can think of a million things I am thankful for that come with his personality like natural-born leader, matchless energy, and determination my parenting skills are a weak match to his big personality. We've tried many different disciplining styles to accomodate his willful spirit and some have worked others have not, so I'm curious can anybody out there relate? Any secrets to share or nuggets of wisdom for my weary soul?! Granted I tend to drag him to the ends of the earth on these trips and don't hold to the strictest of schedules so he's certainly not fully to blame

(part of my personality temperament!)

{Please don't misread I love this child with all that is within, just praying to be more effective in his life and love to hear any tidbits of experience out there!}

Did I say Dallas? I meant Fort Worth!

I got my cities mixed up, but boy was I glad because Fort Worth Texas was a gem! It was a whirlwind of time with Nana and Papa, splashing in the pool, seeing the sights, sampling bbq and fish tacos, and catching up with dear friends. We wore ourselves out quite literally and all brought home a cough; all in the name of fun.

Gideon and Papa throwing rocks in the stream, an absolute favorite pastime.

Fort Worth Zoo complete with Texas famed "blue bell" ice cream.

A Texas sized flower, so gorgeous.

Touring the water gardens in the city wearing my London shirt, probably a faux pas!

Handsome stud.

Grandparents are the best.

Historic Stockyards with a real cattle drive, our rowdy cowboy looked like an old pro on his horse, giddy-up Gideon!

Good times had by all, thanks Nana and Papa wished we lived closer!

Black and blue

Member those readers I was admiring? Got a pair and tried them out, very fun and perfect for covering tired eyes.

{and for those of you horrified by the glasses!}

Off to Texas today, miss you guys! Back with a full report soon.

{Cheating} Roman shades

Here's the finished product, I really love how it came out! Skilled sewers avert your eyes, I sprayed and hot glued my way to roman shade bliss. Yep, its true! The fabric is from Ballard and the bamboo roman shade Home Depot. I simply cut out the fabric, spray glued the shade and stuck it on. Then took edging fabric and hot glued the ends to cover up frays. Since Im so short on time and energy lately, this project really fit the bill literally and figuratively. I would have taken pictures during the process, but I really didn't know if it would work!! One shade down, four to go I'll snap how-to pictures next round if you'd like some.

Favorites Friday: Gone Country

In light of our upcoming trip to Texas, I'm dreaming of the slower pace that comes with country living. I was born in the North, but I swear I'm southern at heart.

How cute are these chicks? via audreyhepburncomplex

Country table via country living

I love square-dancing via country living

Loose and lovely hair via audreyhepburncomplex

Check out her hand-made blooms and swoon worthy country life via emersonmade

Emersonmade's pantry, isnt it amazing?!

We've got company this weekend, then its off to Texas for the week, so excited!

Have a lovely slowing- things down weekend!

To paint or not to paint, that is the question

While I love our dining room chandelier, the notion of painting it white has crept into my mind and won't let go! So I need your help to decide!

Here it is, now imagine it white, popping off of the gray walls also keep in mind the ikat roman shades going up on all 5 windows and our dining room and chairs is dark teak wood.

Now, let me try and convince you with the white beauties below.

images via domino and real living

So what do you think paint it white or leave it beige?

Random musings

My latest DIY, ikat roman shades for the dining room, member when I posted about this idea here and here. Its finally come to fruition! Stay tuned for the finished pictures and how I cheated, maybe tomorrow?!

Gideon's creation....gotta love play doh and toothpicks!

Mother's day love in the form of flowers.

Also on a motherly note, couldn't resist this precious depiction of mother with child art (ikea-the store that never ceases to amaze me) for this room, just in time for guests.

Dallas

That worn and weathered feeling is starting to take over, just in time for our next vacation to Dallas! Hubs will be working of course, but I'll be playing. Planning on hitting up the zoo and maybe the botanical gardens, any other recommendations for a girl with her three year old on the loose in Dallas?!

image via

Moms are the best

I love you, Mom

Happy Mother's day!!

Favorites Friday: Outside spaces

Completely enjoying any time I catch on our deck and looking to these lovely images for design inspiration, so pretty aren't they?!

via houseandhome

Also a nursery to die for,

a song that broke me in half {in a good way} and

thinking about these for more comfy counter stools but painting them white!

As always dear friends, enjoy your weekend, I'll be working part of it, while hubs paints our deck!! {pictures to come of course!}

Margherita pizza on the grill

I've been wanting to try pizza on the grill for awhile now and tonight we pulled it off, slightly burned on the bottom, but tasty nonetheless! Throw the dough on a pizza stone on top of the grill (used my pampered chef stone) and cover the lid and acts just like an oven. By the way, margherita pizza is hands down my favorite, simple and delicious- tomatoes, mozzerella balls, and basil.

Eating outside on our deck is our new favorite springtime thing.

And our deck space is starting to shape up, found these string of lights at Target, perfect for summer nights.

Nurisng redefined

image via audreyhepburncomplex

Yesterday had a delightful encounter with an 80 yr old patient who used to be a nurse. We talked about how nursing used to be and how it is now, though the basics remain the same. She shared antecdotes, stories, and even songs with me. Yes, we actually broke out into "You are my sunshine" in her room, she said,"You do the top part Maria and Ill do the bottom!!! I thought, ok, Im singing harmony to "You are my sunshine" in my patient's room?!! So perfectly funny and all together joyful. What a treasured moment she's already a permanent fixture in my mind and heart and reaffirmed my role as a nurse.....not just pill passer, but listener, joy-maker, and song sharer!

Thank you, dear Elizabeth for your charm and unending joy, I completely forgot you were sick, what an inspiration!

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliciton, faithful in prayer" Romans 12:12

Hot mess looks

My dear friend, Rebecca, has a great question/thought- how to look cute, fashionable, and stay cool in 90 degree weather while chasing your tot on the playground?! This truly applies because when I'm not at the hospital I'm at the park pushing Gideon on the swings or chasing the latest butterfly that caught his eye!

So here's the basics, lightweight fabrics, rompers (easy and versatile-pair with heels for night out), airy dresses and flat shoes for chasing.

By the way, all of these are under $50, no need to be in expensive duds while sliding down slides at the park.