Taking On A Project

Several weeks ago Dustin bought a couple of fish tanks, a stand, and all of the stuff to fill the tank off KSL. I had told him I did not want a tank that big, but never really looked at it. He stored it in the bathroom downstairs, and since I never go down there it became out of sight out of mind.

The other day I needed to go downstairs, and for the first time I saw the tank and stand. Let me just say it was hideous!



But, I looked at it, and decided I kind of liked it. It just needed a LOT of TLC.



Yesterday afternoon, once Dustin was home, I decided to go to Lowe's and see what I could find. I had the idea of paining it teal with white over it. I don't have tons of money, so I just decided to go look at the oops paint. I found a can that was a blue/teal color for $2.50! I decided that would be perfect! I then had them mix me up a can of off white. I was going to buy some crackle but it was $24 and I didn't want to spend that much, so I just went home.

Once I got home I took off the doors and the hardware and began my little project. I painted the whole thing blue, and I loved it!!!



I knew I wanted to cackle it so I let it dry overnight. Last night as I was on the internet I decided to see if Michael's sold crackle, and they did! So, first thing this morning, I ran to Michael's and found it for $5. I then found the finishing spray and a basket on sale. I had a 20% off coupon and ended up paying $18 for everything! HOORAY for waiting!

I got home and applied the crackle and then had to wait a couple more hours.



Once it was dry, I applied the white. If I am being honest with myself, I am not sure how I felt about it once it was on. I have never done this by myself before and decided, what the hell, if I hate it, I will just junk the dumb thing anyway. So, I finished painting on the white. I then waited for it to dry and then applied the finishing spray. Still didn't know if I was going to love it.

The spray dried and I finally got to reapply the hardware. When I was done, I recognized I was grinning. I then couldn't wait to get it upstairs into the front room, to see how it looked. So, I carried it up and ended up taking a chunk out of my side, but it was worth it!

I got it in the right spot, put on the basket I bought at Michael's and I am SUPER stoked with how it turned out!



HOORAH!!!!

Starting To Feel Like Home

Saturday morning Carter and I went to Gymboree like we usually do. He wasn't feeling up to par and I could tell it might be one of those days where home is thebest option. I didn't want to just go home and do nothing, I wanted to do something, but didn't know what. So, on our way home, I decided to stop by Michaels and see what I could find to entertain myself with.

I have this wall in my house, by my back door, that I don't love. It is big, empty, and makes me cringe when I look at it. You should probably know I have hung a total of two pictures in my house and that simply is just so I felt like somebody lived here. I don't know if they will even remain where they are, but we hung them shortly after moving in and have done ZERO decorating since.




While at Michael's I thought of this wall and decided maybe I should see if I can find a way to decorate it. So I just started cruising,I had an idea that I wanted to hang letters and my family pictures done by Brein. Rather than that...I. HAD. NO. IDEA!!!

But as I cruised I found letters I like, so I spelt this...



I then found these words, and though I didn't know what I was going to do with them, I decided I like them a lot for a buck each.



As I continued to roam, I found paint on sale for 29 cents and ribbon 3/$1.



I decided I better buy Carter something to work on so that he doesn't want to "help" with my little project so I got him this, and let me tell you, he loves it!!!



So after some paint, some glue, and some much needed me time, it turned out like this!



I must say, I like it. I think it is different and something that makes our home feel more like our home!

I Believe...

That EVERYTHING happens for a reason.

That we are put into certain situations and it has nothing to do with COINCIDENCE.

That SPONTANEITY has unknown purposes a lot of the times.

That when PUSH comes to SHOVE, I have some of the, truly, best friends a person could have.

Last night we were all running a little low and needed to be recharged. The best way for us to recharge, is together. So, we through a spontaneous BBQ.

We made bbq chicken, until the bbq ran out of propane, then it finished as oven chicken, green beans, and potatoes. As the group began to gather, you could fill the charge start to fill. There was laughter, stories, and a bond that we all continue to make as a group.

About 9:15 last night, Nathan and Nick decided we should all be spontaneous and take a trip to Wendover. I debated due to money, Carter, and Dustin working, but when I spoke with Dustin about it, he said for me to go, and he would take care of Carter. I promised I would be home before he had to be to work, and we loaded up Nathan's suburban.

Nick, Heather, Chantay, Arthur, Bradley, Nathan, Kenny, and I all headed to Wendover for a few hours of fun. We first went to the Nuggett, but Kenny was the only one with a sign of winning, so we then headed over to Montego Bay. Nobody won there, and once we were able to recruit the crowd we headed outside for a trip to The Rainbow.

As we were bee-boppin' along Kenny says to the crowd, "is that a body in the road?" I say, "whatever," but look into the road, and see a mess of a pile. We all start to walk towards this mess, and low and behold it was a man lying in the road who had been hit by a car.

Nick and Nathan went running, I immediately called 911, and my group started to try to take control of a God Awful situation. We put people out to start monitoring traffic, Nathan began assessing, and Nick began talking. Nathan was able to tell us that it was very serious and we needed to make sure the man did not move. He was unconscious and breathing, but if he rolled we would lose his airway.

What seems like hours, but surely was only minutes, went by before the fire engine, ambulance, and police began to arrive. Nathan was able to quickly inform the medics coming on to scene the stats, and he was the man in charge. (Wendover is voluntary, and I believe the guys were relieved to have an ER Trauma EMT on scene.) We rolled the man on three, got him secured on the board, then onto the stretcher, and on the road. Life flight was meeting them somewhere along the way.

Once the man was gone, we helped collect the belongings, gave them to the officers, and then walked away. As we began to walk away, the reaction from what we had just experienced began to set. Nick needed to walk it off, I was shaking horribly, and Nathan and Brad just talked. They are used to situations such as this.

As we were walking away I had a swarm of emotions hitting me. As most of you know my little sister was a pedestrian hit by a car and survived her horrible scene. While I was walking away all I could think about was, there once was a scene, very similar to this, and it was some strangers who approached my little sisters accident. That I know there were people there to help her, but I will never know who they are or what role they played. And the feeling that got me the most, is knowing that somewhere, some family members and friends were going to be receiving a phone call tonight that would shake them to their core. It truly made me nausea's to think what that family will be enduring. It was a very real feeling for me and one I cannot shake even this morning.

We left shortly after, only one of us ahead, and headed back home. On our way home we would bring up the accident off and on, and we all agreed that if the only reason we went to Dover tonight was to help save a young mans life, it was absolutely where we were supposed to be.

I don't know if he is alive or not. I have tried to call the hospital but I may not have the name right, and if I do, they aren't telling me due to privacy laws. But, the man and his family are in my prayers and thoughts, and if he is alive, I can only pray, over time he is able to recover.

I want to give a big shout out to my friends. There were a lot of people last night watching, and we were the only ones who took action. I know it was rough on us, but I am so grateful we were there, with experience, love, and knowledge on how to respond to crisis situations. You truly are amazing people and I love each and every one of you!

I Clicked On What!!!!

Last night Nathan showed up at my work in a car he was test driving. We went for a ride and then returned it. He dropped me back off at my car, and we decided we should do dinner and homework. We sent out a message seeing who wanted to join, but when nobody replied we decided to stay in and eat pizza.

When I got to Nathan's he told me Bradley had replied and he would be coming to join us. Shortly after Kenny confirmed that he and Brooke would be joining us as well. Dustin wanted to come and play video games, and we were going to just chill.

I was looking over Nathan's homework, seeing what was due, double checking work, etc. Well, I then noticed that there was a quiz that was open, and I felt like that was the quiz we needed to make up, so in trying to determine what it was. In talking with Nathan, he tells me to click on the button, and before I knew it, we were on the test that is due this week that we had not even studied or read for.

With in minutes Brad showed up and shortly after Kenny arrived. So, we opened books, laptops, and the pizza boxes, sat down and took an unexpected test. We laughed and had no idea on some, but within an hour we had managed to complete the test on glycerol, cholesterol, tryglicerides, etc. Best part...NATHAN GOT A 90%!!! Hot Damn!!! We will take it!

We then talked. A lot. All of us.

We talked about Brad going back to school and getting things lined up and what it would look like if he could figure it out.

We talked about Kenny and got some much needed paperwork filled out and ready to print to be turned in.

We laughed and for the first time in a REALLY long time, we were "US."

Best part...I have told all the boys that I am not cheap. I accept large bills, chocolate, and candy. And when they are all done and I have a couple nurses in my crowd, I have informed them they will be paying for a vacation on my behalf where there is a beach and a week of not much to do!

Love to my boys and best of luck as you continue to work towards your goals!!!

Go Pack Go!!!

I am not much of a football fan. In fact I don't think I have ever sat through an entire game, start to finish.

However, I do love me a good party. I love being with my friends and gathering to celebrate. I am not one who needs a reason to gather, but when there is one, I have a group that pulls together, and we never fail to have a good time.





But,when one of our "people" is from Wisconsin, and the Packers are in the LXV Super Bowl, it is a whole new kind of gathering! Nick LOVES the Packers, and the love couldn't have been anything but contagious! And for the first time ever, I watched an ENTIRE football game, start to finish...Honestly...I. LOVED. IT!!!!





The half time show was SO fun. I know the singing may have been off, but as far as entertainment goes, I think The Black Eye Peas, Slash, and Usher, did not fail when it came to entertainment. I was so excited and thoroughly enjoyed this years show.



When the Packers won, it was bad ass! That is the only way I can describe the excitement in the party. There was roars, loves, and cheers! It was so fun and EXACTLY what the crowd was hoping for. The game was close and both teams played well, but we are thrilled the Greenbay Packers won!






It was a GREAT game with AMAZING friends! In fact, if every football game was that exciting, I might just become a real fan!


Good game Greenbay!!!....GOOD GAME!!!!

Fish Heaven

I have gone to write this post a half a dozen times and then always get side tracked. Then I think, well it happened awhile ago, so maybe just let it go. BUT, everytime I think about this little story,I smile, and it is one I want to always remember.

So...Here it is...Our tale of "FISH HEAVEN"

For Carter's second birthday, one of my dearest friends Kenzi, bought Carter a male beta fish. He was blue and Kenzi provided the bowl and the food. I fought this little animal for weeks before, but also knew there would be a fish joining Our Lil Adams Family fairly soon.

Carter decided to name the fish "Dorothy," because that is Elmo's fish name and Carter loveds Elmo. So, our male beta was named Dorothy. I will be honest, I had very little to do with the caring of Dorothy. Carter and Dustin fed him every day and every night Carter told Dorothy good night.

When we moved into our new house, Dorothy made the transition smoothly and all was well...until Dustin had to clean the fish bowl. Dustin did his normal cleaning, put Dorothy back, and after a few minutes Dorothy wasn't doing so hot. A little while later Carter comes in and says, "Mommy, Dorothy belly showing."

Turns out, fish can't survive water softener water...Oops!!!

So, Dorothy died. Dustin wanted to dig a hole and bury him outside, but I told him no...we were going to flush Dorothy.

We started to explain to Carter, "Fish Heaven." We explained that Dorothy had died so she could go to the biggest ocean ever. We told him that Dorothy would have so many friends and that in order for him to get to fish heaven, we had to flush him down the potty.

We went upstairs with Dorothys bowl, gathered around the porcelain god, and had a few nice words. We thanked him for being our first family pet, and told him how much he was loved by our Little Man. We then told Carter it was time to put Dorothy in the toilet and flush him down the potty. And that is exactly what Carter did. As Dorothy was being flushed Carter waved goodbye, and then closed the lid. He then immediately opened the lid back up and said, "Mom! Me go get my fishing pole and catch Dorothy now?"

I burst out laughing but then tried to explain that we could not catch Dorothy, that she was now in fish heaven, and fishing poles were not aloud in the toilet.

A few days later, we went to the store and bought two more fish. Bert and Ernie. However, Ernie didn't survive 48 hours, so we were quick to send him to "fish heaven" so he could be with Dorothy. Carter wasn't so sad about Ernie and flushed him quickly.

Carter continued to ask about Dorothy, and I would just simply ask back, "Where is Dorothy?" He always would say, "Dorty in fish heaven." So fun!

Dustin and Carter have now developed a love for fish. We now have a large tank with Bert, Zoe, Abbey, Donovan, the 5 for $5 fish, and 2 ribbit frogs. It is actually nice to have a tank and hear the water.

Not A Lot

I feel like it has been forever since I blogged, and there are just a few things I want to write down.

First, my big sister turned the big 30 this past weekend. I told her I was glad she was there first. It is probably the first time EVER I am not sad that she is older than me. When we were younger anytime she hit a mile stone, I couldn't wait to get there. Now, from 28 to 30...well that time can go as slow as it wants.

Today my baby sister, the youngest of all, turns the big 23! It is so crazy to think she is at this age! I feel like she should still be my 8 year old Smurf! How is it possible that she is now so grown up. What's even more weird, is when I was her age I was MARRIED!

Two years ago today Dustin and I finalized our adoption. Truly such a great day and one I hold very close to my heart. It was such an emotional day and one I will cling to and relive for the rest of my life.

Carter has started struggling with going to bed and then staying in his bed. The other night we had to put him into bed 11 times! It got down to "your turn mommy!" "Your turn daddy!" If anyone has tips on how to get the small child to stay in bed, feel free to share.

Other than that, we just continue to "Live the Dream!" It is pretty good most the time and we are grateful for where we are these days!