Valentine's and painting crafts

I've missed my blog. 

I always feel I don't have anything cool to write or anything to show.

These two babies keep me pretty busy.

Don't mind the iphone pictures...

this is our Valentine's day. Adam and I got to celebrate on Wednesday together. 

We aren't much of V-day people so grandma (and grandpa) bringing the cake was very exciting!

Thayne had to get frosting everywhere. He smeared it all over his little face and even put some on my nose. I made him this "big dada" heart on his tummy. 

The kids are growing up too fast. I have tried my hardest to enjoy the moments while I can.

Life gets chaotic but in all honesty I wouldn't have it any other way.

I love crafting but lately I have been decluttering and minimizing. 

Crafting=clutter + lots of I-might-need-that-for-something-I-saw-on-pinterest's. 

But I have to create. So I struck a compromise with myself. What if I do crafts that I already sort of have? Or get rid of ones I don't want anymore to finally make room for new ideas?

I'm doing it! 

I have taken pictures of our apartment but I keep changing it. 

For now this is my latest craft.

Painting! I need to be better at before and after pictures. Because my fridge looked ridiculous. Its amazing what frames can do. I will probably change it up again but for now this is what it looks like.

I saw this on pinterest and thought it was so cool I have Adam's schedule (I have to have it up I can't ever remember when his classes and labs are). I also decided I am in love with this blue right now so I brought it through out the living area.

Thayne and I painted this star and Lindsey helped me make the paint chip calender. I am in the process of moving these especially the calender so I will use it more because I decluttered and now that isn't my "command center" anymore. 

I also (with the help of Lindsey :) ) did this pinterest find. I love being able to display all my bracelets and necklaces. I want to make it more orderly I'll probably get rid of more things too. 

It's just two thrifted china plates and a candlestick holder. I don't even have it glued together :)

So for now I am trying to live a simplier life I read a great decluttering book, Clutterfree with Kids:Change your Thinking 

You can find it here on Amazon.

Every time I picked it up I had to quickly put it down because I wanted to get rid of things. It gave me some great momentum. Right now my goal is to get my kitchen minimized. What do I really need? If you think minimalism isn't for families this book will definitely change your mind. If you think minimalism is crazy this will change your mind. If you are scared to try it this will give you some strength. Our whole fam has some new friends (shout out to Taffee!). They are teaching us so much about simplier living and a clutter free life. They have 3 1/2 babies!!! and live in an apartment!!! I don't think I will ever be able to get rid of as much stuff as them however this book helped me realize that needs are an individual thing. And that I can choose my own level of minimalism if you will. 

So far I have gotten rid of toys lots and lots of toys and guess what? Thayne my 2 1/2 year old plays with toys better. He also reads more books BY HIMSELF. He and Joslyn both still have a ton of toys but getting rid of toys is actually much harder than I thought. 

I will have to tell you more about my journey in simplifying my life. I feel like I finally have some real momentum I don't want my stuff to own me.