{picture wall}

I love this picture gallery idea from marthastewart.com. Its also in her current magazine. I've been wanting to add some more photos to the gallery in our hallway, but couldn't think of how to add to the current arrangement which looks like this:



Here are the instructions from her website:

Hanging multiple framed pictures so that they look orderly can be a challenge. The secret is to divide and conquer: Mark a horizontal midline on the wall, and hang all pictures above or below it.

The line can be delineated with a strip of painters' tape and then removed once the pictures are in place. To unify the group, choose a single color for all frames and, if displaying photographs, stick with either all black-and-white or all color shots.

Picture Hanging How-To

Unfurl a length of painters' tape (ours was 1 1/2 inches wide) horizontally across a wall, making sure tape is level.

Determine nail placement for frames above the midline by measuring from the bottom of a frame to its bracket. (If the frame hangs on wire, pull the wire taut, and measure accordingly.)

For frames below the midline, measure from the top of the frame to the bracket. Use additional strips of tape, positioned vertically, to create even spaces between pictures arranged next to each other.

When all frames are in place, remove tape from wall.

{words}

I happened upon a new website the other day that is really cool...wordle.net. You can input any text you want, or the url for a website or your blog, and it will create word art that you can customize with different fonts, colors and layouts. I entered my blog url and this is what I got...

It is fun to experiment with different words, colors and layouts. It would be great to create a gift using someone's wedding vows, favorite movie quote, bible verse, poem etc.

And in mommy news...the boys are 3 months old! They are growing so fast and have started to smile, giggle and coo at us a lot more. It is soooo much fun interacting with them. They are both staying awake a lot more during the day which makes it hard to get anything done around the house. I can't say that it hasn't caused some stressful times here lately, but we are dealing with it and learning how to adjust our schedules to fit theirs. Here are a few shots from their 3 month birthday. :)

{project nursery}

Ben and Landon's nursery is featured today on Project Nursery! Thanks Melisa..it is so fun to see their room featured on your blog!

{breathe}

I'm trying to do this today...and for probably the next few years...



As stressful as life is, and as hard as it has been with twin boys, I have to confess as crazy as it must sound I wouldn't change a thing. Well, I wish the hubby didn't have to work 3rd shift and I wish his back wasn't giving him trouble right now, so I guess I would change a few things. :)

All I can do is try to keep calm and go about life as best as I can. And pray. a lot.

{slow down, you move too fast}

Life is going by so fast right now and there have been so many ups and downs the past few months. Last week was a rough one, as the hubby's Grandma passed away. She was 79 and had been struggling with Alzheimer's/dementia for the past 6 or so years. Her body just finally started to give out and it was a blessing for her to pass on. His Grandpa passed away 26 years ago, so we all like to think that they are finally together again after such a long time apart. We took the boys to meet her two weekends ago because we knew it would be their last chance to see their Great-Grandma, and for her to meet them. It was a bittersweet time, as she wasn't conscious to be able to hold them or acknowledge that she knew they were there. We all knew that she was aware of them though.

I'm glad that life is moving so fast right now because it doesn't allow me the time to stop and think about things too much. If I did, I would probably have a nervous breakdown. The hubby went back to work on 3rd shift this week, which is a blessing because we don't have to send the boys to daycare anymore. It is going to be rough on both of us though, as it leaves me home alone with the boys most nights, and will be taking away much needed sleep from their dad. We're hoping we can make it work for awhile, until the hubby can find a part-time day job.

With all of this going on, my escape lately has been dreaming of new decorating projects for the house. I desperately want to decorate our bedroom and do some rearranging/redecorating in the rest of the house. Most of it will have to wait due to time and money constraints, but hopefully I can get a few things done here in the next few months. I've been looking online at HGTV's rate my space and other decorating websites to get some inspiration.

I'll leave you with a couple new pics of the boys. They will be 3 months on Saturday!! :)

{wish list}

Now that we have the boys we definitely don't have the expendable income to buy items for the house. So for now here is a little wish list of things I will have to wait awhile to get...

A new side table for the living room (to match the coffee table). We need all the storage we can get!


I would love to do something like this for our side tables in the bedroom (only with maybe white or a more subtle color on the wooden table (from HGTV's Summer Showdown) I love the idea of the clear acrylic table floating over the more traditional style table. David is a genius!!


Wanting to do a padded headboard in the bedroom instead of our uncomfortable metal frame we currently have. I love this one from Urban Outfitters but at a cost of over $300 I'll probably have to settle for something I can DIY.


I also love this lamp from UO...the nature thing is really inspiring me lately...



And this one, but the hubs would definitely veto it...way too girly...


My earrings would be so much happier hanging on this lovely stand...


A girl can dream :)

{swoon}

I am on cloud nine this morning.

I received an email from Cottage Living, asking if they can include a picture of my kitchen in an ad for their online message boards in their October issue!!!!!! Seriously?!?!

MY kitchen is going to be in COTTAGE LIVING?! I'm so freaking excited that I can barely concentrate on work right now. I can't imagine how cool it is going to be to see my kitchen, no matter how small the picture, in print in my favorite magazine!! AND in my favorite month of the year at that!

I think this is the picture that they are going to include...but I'm not positive. :)



Somebody pinch me!!

{me time}

hold your own
Originally uploaded by {mandyford}

I got a little me time last night and was able to scrapbook a quick page. I had this idea in my head for a few days and just had to see it come to life. The lyrics are from a Jason Mraz song and they really spoke to me about how I would like my boys to live their life. I don't want them to be scared of being who they are, of trying new things, of stepping out and being brave. It is a gorgeous song too...on his new album.

{inspiration}

I don't get much time to blog about what is inspiring me these days, but I saw this photo on another blog today and love the idea. I think it could work over our office/kitchen doors in our hallway...


This is also inspiring me...a necklace I just bought and am impatiently waiting to find in my mailbox from Etsy seller moxiedesigns. LOVE!



On my lunchbreak today I picked up a couple treats. I've recently become obsessed with headbands...the kind that have elastic around the bottom so they stay put and don't give you that dreaded headband migraine at the end of the work day. I'm wearing one today that is from the Vera Wang line at Kohl's...I love it because it looks like a regular headband but is so comfy.

I found a couple more at Kohl's today, an almost asian-inspired black one and a brown, cream and turquoise scarf/headband. And for a sweet treat to keep me going, I picked up an orange-mango-banana Vivanno at Starbucks on the way back to work. Heaven!


(yes...I took these photo at work...LOL :) Good thing I have a private office!)

On a yucky note, the hubs hurt his back. It has been bothering him for quite some time now, and this morning he woke up and wasn't able to move without it hurting or find a comfortable position. He went to the doc and got some pain meds, so hopefully those will work. If not, he'll have to get an MRI. Poor guy. :(

{sad and random}

It has been a rough morning...first day we had to take the boys to the sitter. *sigh* She seems great and I know they are in good hands, but I shed quite a few tears driving away. I do feel like super mom though, getting them ready by myself and out the door AND on time! Go me!

A few random thoughts in my head this morning...

I keep forgetting to zip my pants because I'm so used to those darn elastic maternity pants! This is really going to cause me some embarrassment if I don't watch it!

I am in love with a new headband I got last week from the Vera Wang line at Kohl's...super comfy! It looks like a regular headband, but its flexible and has an elastic band to keep it in place. I need to go pick up one in black...maybe on my lunch break today...

Saw Dark Knight on Saturday. I'm going to go against the grain and say the I wasn't super impressed. It was entertaining enough, and Heath Ledger was a good joker, but I wasn't blown away by any means.

Trying to find the hubs a new job so that he can work part time and be home with the boys more. Daycare costs an arm and a leg, even with the affordable one we found.

Loving Etsy right now...looking for a few things to buy with my birthday $$.

Trying to eat healthier and sneak in exercise when I have the time. I walked my pre-pregnancy route last night. It was tough but I did it...felt sooo good!

And some new pics of us and the boys...I could just eat them up they are so adorable!!

{it's here}

*30*

Do I look any different? LOL :)



Oh...big baby news!! Landon rolled over last night! I think it was his early birthday present to his mommy. :)

{au revoir 20's}

Today is my last day of being a 20-something. *Sigh* I had to take a photo to commemorate the day, and I must say I'm pretty happy with how I look for being on the cusp of 30.

The 20's have proven to be quite eventful for me. I became a fiance, a wife, an aunt, a full-fledged career girl, a home owner, a daughter-in-law, an obsessed scrapbooker, a coffee lover, and my newest role, a mother. I gained a husband, two sisters, three brothers, a wonderful 2nd mom - a whole new family who make life more exciting and fun every day, and most importantly, two adorable baby boys. I lost two grandparents, who I still miss on a daily basis. I earned my college degree, went through a rocky career search, but came out on the other side with a rewarding job.

I didn't really have specific goals for my 20's when they started, but now that I am looking back on the past decade, I have achieved almost everything that I would have liked to. I am married with a husband that reminds me every day, every minute, just how blessed I am. We own a cozy house that we have been able to make our own. I have a career that is fulfilling and pays the bills with plenty to spare.

And most importantly, I am a mom. When my late 20's hit, I said that I wanted to start our family before I turned 30. Never would I have imagined that we would complete our family before the third decade of my life was upon us, but our two boys are all we wanted, and all we need.

What a journey the 20's have been for me. I have found out so many things about myself, and grown beyond measure in strength, self-consciousness, and maturity. If I could add one more thing to the list, I would find success using my creativity. If I have one goal for my 30's, other than to raise my boys in a healthy and fun environment, and continue to nurture my marriage, it would be to find a way to use my creative talent to earn money for our family, whether it be full-time or something I do in the evenings or on weekends. I love creating too much to let it just be a hobby that I keep to myself.

So here's to a successful decade, and hopes for an even more successful one to come. 30's...you better watch out...because I'm ready for you!

{two months!}

(Ben on the left and Landon on the right)

My cutie patooties are already two months old today! They are looking more and more like their own unique self every day. There really is nothing similar about them. Landon weighs more, Ben is more patient, Landon has darker hair, Ben is quieter, Landon is constantly moving, Ben likes to lay back and observe the world. I am having so much fun watching them grow!

{the daily grind}

My first day back at work since April 7th. *yawn*

Say a prayer for me. LOL :)

{smiles}

100_2861
Originally uploaded by {mandyford}

Love to see the boys smile :)

{long time no blog}

Wow...I've been away from blog land for awhile now. Obviously things have been busy taking care of two infants, but we are loving it and finally getting adjusted. Of course now that we're more comfortable I have to start back to work on Monday, and the hubby goes back the next week. Taking the boys to the sitter is totally freaking me out. Ugh...but we did find a great lady that lives close to my work and will be great for the boys. Doesn't make me any less nervous though.

I finally got most of the nursery decorated! Here are a few pics...and a few updated ones of the boys. They will be 8 weeks old tomorrow! They are starting to respond more to us and are more active and alert...so much fun to watch them grow and develop.


The shelf is an old drying rack that I painted white. Chair from IKEA.


The dresser is from IKEA and the cute cabinet was my parents...it has been recycled so many times and is perfect for storing their diapers, sheets etc. I love the brown and white polka dot fabric I found for the doors. The aqua suitcases are from Hobby Lobby.


Ben looking like a little man :)


Landon smiling..melts my heart!


My friend Stacy had a baby boy, Calvin, on July 15th...isn't he a cutie?!


Thanks for checking in everyone! I've missed you! :)

{happy day}

So many reasons why today is a happy day...

The boys are a month old today!

They slept in their crib for the first time last night...and we slept in our bed!

I'm wearing a pair of my regular jeans...its a miracle!

We took the boys with us out to eat AND to the mall tonight and there were no catastrophes!

Dan's brother is coming to visit with our niece and nephew on Friday...we haven't seen him in over 2 years so we are so excited.

The weather was gorgeous today...cool and sunny.

Life is good. :)

{me time}

Look at my new mommy hairdo! :) I love it...and it was sooo needed. Nothing like a fresh haircut to make a girl feel like a new person!

Dan and I got out of town yesterday and had a great time. His mom watched the boys and we went to West Chester to go to IKEA. We got a chair for upstairs so we can feed the boys at night...much needed. It was only $50 and sooo comfortable.

We also went to a huge grocery store called Jungle Jim's nearby so Dan could stock up on new beers to try...they have a HUGE selection. Finally we went to Target...oh, and we had lunch at Sonic. Mmmmmm :) It was great to get away, but so strange to be without the boys for that long. Parenthood definitely changes your perspective on everything.

The boys will be one month old tomorrow! It is amazing how much they are changing every day. They are a lot more alert and we are trying out new things like their activity mat and the bouncer. They still don't enjoy the bouncer a whole lot, but I'm sure soon they will get into it (hopefully). :)

{funny faces}

No matter how tired I am, these faces make me laugh hysterically and make it all worth it. :)

{big victories}

The past few days have included some big milestones for the boys...their first trip to the park and their first trip to a store! I never knew such small things would amount to so much pride and feeling of accomplishment! LOL :) We took them to the park on Sunday and took a walk around the pond in their stroller. And yesterday we got up the nerve to go into Kohl's with them and thank God they were perfect little angels. Landon had a major puke fest in the car on the way home, but thankfully he saved that for the car and didn't do it in the store. :) These trips have done Dan and I a lot of good mentally...we were both starting to feel very trapped in the house all day. We're going to attempt another trip today...maybe to Walmart!