Ahhhhh...I suck at Blogging

It's been just over a month since we got Margaret (Marge, Margie, Maggie, Mags). Even though we were not cat fans, we have grown to love our sweet kitty...ok, she isn't always so sweet but we LOVE her. We really didn't know what we were getting ourselves into when we got her but she has become part of our family. Stay tuned for the "birthday present" video although most of you have already seen it on Facebook. It's hilarious!!!

A Really Bad Blogger + Valentine Mantel

Since I have become a chronic Instagram user, I haven't really done a lot of blogging and stalking checking all of my favorite blogs. Let's face it, I'm a bad blogger. Not much exciting has happened in my tiny world and I'll spare ya all the photo dumping. Here are a few highlights.

Ava turned 12
Tren got accepted to three colleges
Matt & I celebrated our 19 year anniversary
Christmas was busy
I made some wreaths and door hangers
I drank a lot
I painted my bedroom
I painted my bathroom
soccer, soccer, soccer
basketball
volleyball

To come:
Issac becomes a teenager next month
Tren becomes an adult next month
Busy, busy spring season

Yeah, yeah yeah....onto what I really want to show you....my Christmas and Valentine mantels

I like to keep things neutral and simple.

It's Friday!

Happy Friday Everyone! Is it me or did this week just fly by? The older my kiddos get, the faster times seems to pass. Well, it was a tough week for my oldest. He had his last soccer game in High School. They had their first district game against rivalry, Holland Christian. Our boys have been playing together for so long and good friends with a lot of the boys on the team. It's so sad to see them lose and so passionate about their sport. Breaks my heart! I was so glad that I was not the only mom in tears. I held it in until his two (non soccer) friends gave him hug. Then, I lost it! Yup, bittersweet. Time to move on mom. Time to move on.

Here are some from his last home game, Senior Night.

In other news, since yes I do have a life outside my senior boy. Here are some of my favorite things I've been loving in the blog world.

Favorite DIY mantel

https://www.facebook.com/kristin.boeroverway?fref=ts

 

Favorite fall porch & favorite blogger all in one

http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2014/10/news-magazines-giveaway/

Favorite guest bedroom

http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2014/04/final-nc-home-tour-middle-guest-bedroom/

 

Favorite fall outfit

http://shalicenoel.blogspot.com/

Favorite dining room

http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/

Favorite thing to hang coats & hats on

http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/

Favorite fall combo

http://www.merricksart.com/

A selfish mothers struggle

I've told my friends & family to bear with me this school year as I will take on new roles as mom. I no longer have babies in diapers, toddlers needing naps, or kids that need me to make them their breakfast. (Ok I lied, I still get breakfast for all my kiddos EVERY morning....I like to do it).

Today, my focus has been on my sweet baby boy who is no longer a baby but almost a man! As I sit here seriously balling my eyes out, I can't help but feel so sorry for myself. I'm sad for me. I wish I could be more happy for him. I'm trying. I'm going through all the steps with him being a senior. We are taking him on college visits, re-signing him up for ACT's, college fairs, senior meetings, college applications. What is really getting to me right at this moment is senior night for his last home soccer game. Matt & I have to walk out on the field with him and tonight is his. last. home. game. We have been doing this soccer thing with him since he was 5 yrs old. How do I fathom this? How can this be? How do I get through this?

I know I need to cherish every moment with him. I am. I really am. I'm not sure if I should show him my tears. I don't want him to feel bad but I want him to know how much I really really love him, how much I support him and want him to spread his wings. That means this pathetic momma needs to let him. I know going away to college is what he needs to succeed. But why does it have to be so hard?

Aquinas College

MSU

Fall Mantel

Fall is quickly approaching and as I have said before I hold on to summer as long as a I can. Technically, it's still summer although the weather has not been acting like it.

We've settled into the first couple of weeks of school pretty well. I just realized too that I no longer have any elementary students!!! This will be a busy year as we will be preparing for our oldest to graduate HIGH SCHOOL...WHAAAAT???

Let the business begin!

Back to School Photos
These don't get any easier, I tell ya!

Ava 6th

Siblings off to different schools

Issac, 7th

Tren 12th

Ok, I'll take it!

Other fall decorating

http://www.thedomesticheart.com/chalkboard-autumn-banner/#

http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com/2013/10/fall-porch-ideas.html

http://tarahlowry.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-10-19T12:34:00-04:00&max-results=10&start=100&by-date=false

http://designdininganddiapers.com/2012/10/neutral-fall-porch/#_a5y_p=2314931

http://roomsforrentblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/fall-vignette-and-compass-arrow.html

http://mylulub.blogspot.com/

http://cityfarmhouse.com/2013/10/diy-dropcloth-driftwood-petite-white-pumpkins.html

What??? H&M has a Home Collection??

I'm probably the last one on board to hear about H & M and their Home Collections. I'm so in love with their line of products. Here are just a few of my favorite things:
You can also check them out http://www.hm.com/us/department/HOME