The Nesting Stage

From what I understand, every expectant mother goes through a stage before giving birth where they clean, decorate, organize, etc. in preparation for their new arrival. This phenomenon is know as the nesting stage. When I think of this stage pictures of pastel paints, stuffed animals, cribs and pillows come to mind.

Last week as I was talking with my sister Shannon and telling her about all the projects I'd taken on, she laughed and said, "Michelle, you're in the nesting stage". I didn't think this was possible since I don't even own any baby stuff yet, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that I am. My "nesting", is just a little unconventional. It hasn't consisted of baby blue, cuddly animals, & petite clothes, instead it has been sanding, painting, picking out staples & seam allowances, cutting, sewing, & using a staple gun. (Oh, and don't worry. I took the necessary precautions when painting)

Below are some of the pictures of the projects that I've finished so far.

My mom built this potato box awhile ago, but I've never had the time or space to finish the wood. Staining it was the first project I took on.



This cedar chest was a Christmas present one year. My mom also made this & had finished it with polyurathane giving it a natural wood finish. I wanted the wood darker & to look a little worn. This was my 2nd project. I don't think the picture does the cedar chest justice though.



My in-laws gave us their old dresser set. They were in great condition, they just didn't match our bedroom. Originally I wanted to stain it like the cedar chest, but the dressers were made from particle board with wood & laminate veneers, so I had to paint instead. These were my 3rd project(s). Here's some before & after pics.










My in-laws also gave us their old couch, love seat & ottoman. They were also in good condition, just didn't match our stuff once again. Originally I was going to sew a slip cover, but somehow that evolved into me taking on my first re-upholstering job. My mom has experience upholstering furniture. She was going to help me, but because she's been so busy, I ended up doing everything on my own. This was my 4th project.





My 5th project- still a work in progress...


...to be continued.

My favorite season

I love the fall! It is my favorite season. I love the way the air feels, the colors, the smells, the holidays, and the quiet peacefulness associated with it. For me, it represents a time in my life when I learned to submit my will to the Lord's. In that time period, as the seasons transitioned from summer to fall, my soul also underwent a change. Nature seemed to be calming down. The planting & toiling of the field was over and the quiet satisfaction of the harvest entering. It invited a stillness with it, and one that my own heart seemed to echo. For me autumn now serves as an annual memorial to take time to be still.

I can't think of a better way to be still and draw close to the Lord than to hear the words and messages of a prophet and the apostles. How thankful I am for this opportunity every October to listen to them as we watch General Conference. I know the Lord answered some of my questions and prayers through counsel given in conference.

Maybe it's the home economics teacher in me, but I get so excited about any special event and the chance I have to create new traditions associated with it in our own little family. And of coarse, what better way to commemorate any special event than with good food. I got up early that morning and made multi-grain & nut pancakes and I had prepared snack food the day before for between sessions of conference. All in all, it was a day of both physical and spiritual feasting where we felt the satisfaction of full bellies & full hearts.

It's a Boy!

The title and the pictures are pretty self explanatory :)

Walnut Festival

In Stockton one of the big community events is something called the "Walnut Festival". It is celebrated annually around harvesting of the walnuts. It was fun for us to attend, not only because it would be our first Walnut Festival, but because Lynnae would have a big part to play in all the festivities. She opened the ceremonies singing the National Anthem and would be representing Stockton in the Black Walnut festival pageant. Below are pictures of some of the different events we attended in connection with the Walnut Festival.

Lynnae singing the National Anthem.


You can see my belly is starting to show...


Some of the parade spectators...







And some of the parade participants...Lynnae, Kelsi, Royce & Cody.





Lynnae won!!!