Bedroom (+ the office) Makeovers

If you've followed the blog for any time, you know that we have had any number of bedroom configurations. Two years ago, I even had all four kids together for a period of time. It's not an exact science and my kids' needs are constantly changing, so our bedroom situation is also constantly changing. But I think we have found a solution that will last for quite some time. Hallelujah!

A week ago a friend of mine (after seeing this picture of the boys' beds all in a row) offered us her bunk bed for free.  Josh's parents agreed to bring it to us during their trip last weekend, and now (!!!) the boys have a fully functioning bedroom.  What an amazing community effort.  I am so grateful!

(Thank you Brittany!! Thank you Carl!!)

While we're in Vancouver next week I am going to hit up IKEA for some cute little bookshelves for the top bunk, which I think the boys will enjoy.  Currently Wyatt is on the top bunk, Jack on bottom, and Logan gets the loner bed.   I told the boys we will rotate every couple weeks.  That's what we did when they shared a room in Alaska and it worked well.

I also made the transition more workable/permanent by moving Wyatt's wardrobe into there as well.  That way he has access to his clothes all the time, no matter when Carly is napping. 

By far, Carly's room has been the most fun to redo. Both because all her stuff is so cute (!!!) and because the logistics of one kid in a room is just so much easier!  My mom made her the quilt you see draped over the rocking chair as a surprise for my baby shower, and the night I found out it was a girl, I ordered the blanket on the end of her bed.  They match, like they were made to coordinate, so when I was shopping in the fall for Wyatt's new comforter at Ross and found this coral one for $14.99 (!!!) I knew I had to buy it.  Now I'm so glad I did!

I am feeling much more settled with the bedrooms (and office) functioning again as we prepare for one last trip and then school starting. 

Here's some quick (poorly lighted) photos of the office as it's coming along:

I can't tell you how good it feels to be able to move around in there and have a majority of the work done. I got rid of the extra twin bed we didn't need any more and also the filing cabinet we didn't need.  I am hoping to pare down what we have in here and get everything to fit in a way that makes sense.

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Our Rooms: Before & After

Who doesn't love a good before & after? I know I do. And what a great way to start the new year-- feeling grateful for this space we have at Josh's parents house, and putting all my nesting tendencies to use!

When we first arrived at Josh's parents house, we were in the original two bedrooms we'd stayed in years before when Wyatt was a baby.  But this time, with homeschooling on our agenda, we knew we'd need a little bigger space, and thankfully Josh's parents agreed.  So we got to move into the bonus room (a large double size room that sits over the garage), and has an "office" (aka: our bedroom) right off it.

Our room was painted purple with sponge paint and had neither a closet nor dressers, so we set out to paint & purchase some Ikea furniture.  We also found a couch at Goodwill ($15! Steal!) and used the bookshelves that were in the bonus room when we moved in.

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Now our room is picture perfect and it makes me so happy.  Josh and his sister Julie painted it (since I'm pregnant and can't) and the color turned out perfect.  Sort of an ivory-pink that's really mellow.

For me, the best part of our room is the family pictures I had printed after our family session with Eryn Kesler.  They make me smile everyday!

{Umm, let's be honest, this collection of glitter vials also makes me smile, even though it's encroaching on my photograph wall. I had to put them up lest they be opened by little hands!}

I love Carly's basinet, her blankets & her bubbas.  I can't wait to put her in it!

{my dresser complete with the elephant hanger Logan made for Carly's headbands}

{Our printer/DVD player/calendar}

One of the things that was most fun to unpack from our storage unit was my collection of journals.  

 My life (age 10 & on) spans three shelves and makes me so happy to see after four years separated!  

It's been a work in progress to make this space work for us, but we've found a way that does and it's awesome.

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I have many more befores of the boys' room than I did of our room.  Their (giant) room had red walls and awesome sunlight, tons of space & bunk beds when we moved in.  

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Same as with our room, we repainted the walls a semi-neutral ivory/pink that really plays up the sunshine we get from those two huge windows, and gave the room a fresh look.

We also invested in a few pieces of furniture-- an entertainment center that we use as "homeschool central", two sets of Ikea shelves and a giant table we use for homeschooling. 

 We also hung some art that had been in storage.

 We used the second bookshelf (the first went into my room for journals) to store books, movies, puzzles & homeschool curriculum.

 Logan's bed

 Jack's bed

 Wyatt's bed

 The boys' beds, all in a row.  It felt silly to not use the bunk beds, but these Ikea beds were only $30 each at a resale shop.  Plus, knowing I was pregnant (and only going to be more so as time passed) I didn't want to have to change sheets or make bunk beds.  

My sister said their three beds in a row remind her of the kids' nursery in Peter Pan and that makes my heart swell.

This is my grandma's rocking chair, which lived at my mom's house until I swept in and "borrowed" it for the boys' room.  I occasionally rock Wyatt in it (which is now reaching a hilarious state-- me grabbing at his legs and butt to keep him from falling, and him clinging like a monkey around my neck) but mostly I use it for read aloud during school and at bedtime.  

The boys' dressers are well organized and serve as a place to put their music, alarm clock, kleenex & other supplies. 

 These Ikea shelves were money well spent.  We had the boxes in the storage unit, so it made sense to buy an organization system that used them.  The open squares are used for homeschool curriculum, books and a tablet charging station.  I'm super happy with how they've worked out.

 By the end of Logan's bed we have the boys' laundry & our vacuum, plus Carly's crate filled with cloth diapers.  I'm not 100% sure if we'll cloth diaper or not, but I'm ready if I do decide to.

And this is the view from the boys' half of the great room.  Our beloved homeschool table (that is used more than any other piece of furniture we own) and all the homeschool storage behind it.  

I am really happy with how the space turned out and am so thankful for a safe, beautiful place to stay while our baby grows.  Just a few more weeks and she'll be sharing these rooms with us!!!  We can't wait!

To Be Needed...

These boys of mine... 

they are needing me lately, and I am so grateful.  The loss of the baby, whom I was so excited about having, made me feel quite useless when it came to parenting after my miscarriage.  That baby was going to need me in all the exhausting ways a newborn does.  Whereas my six & three year olds are nothing but more independent with each passing day.

{My Jack & me}

But the last two weeks, they have been gently reminding me that no matter their age, a boy always needs his mommy.

Jack asks to be tucked in at night and to be tickled daily.  I remind myself that even though he's big, he still needs to be held and hugged and loved.  Logan began requesting that I lay with him at bedtime and sing.  Then when I'm done laying with him, Wyatt has been asking to lay on my chest "Because it's cozy" he says.  Today he asked to sit in my lap during morning cartoons, and when I asked him why he said, "Because you are part of our family."  Well, you can't argue with that logic!

{Logan & Mommy}

In addition to daytime tickles & bedtime snuggles, I have become their go-to for bad dreams.  First it was Logan, dreaming that he had died and couldn't be with me anymore.  Then it was Jack, dreaming that Wyatt had stopped breathing in his sleep like Josh's baby sister Margaret did.  Both of them were seriously shook up by their dreams, and I happily slid out of bed and tucked them back in, whispering prayers in their ears as they drifted back off.

These moments, where my services (as it were) are needed have made me feel like a mommy again. 

{He hates kisses}

At bedtime I sing Dixie Chick's "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" and JJ Heller's "Keep You Safe" pretty much on repeat for them.  Their favorite is "Keep You Safe", which they call "Your Heart" and mine is "Godspeed", which lately reminds me of my baby in heaven.  

"Godspeed, little man

Sweet dreams, little man

Oh, my love will fly to you each night on angel's wings

Godspeed

Sweet dreams"

But laying there, as the sad feelings wash over me, I can't help but simultaneously feel incredibly blessed to have the three souls I do, in the room with me, peacefully tucked into their beds.

As I enjoy being mommy to these beautiful boys, 

another song I have been loving is 

Stand Still by Hilary Weeks.

"I've been taking pictures for a long, long time

Some are on paper, but most are in my mind

Snapshots and memories of the days when we were young

I plan to keep them

Long after you've grown and gone

I remember watching as you took your first step

Seems the clocks been running faster ever since

Every day a little taller, it says so on the wall

The days are passing

And they're not going to stop

And if I could

I would

Ask time to stand still

So I could hold you a little longer

I'd make the minutes stop

So we would always have today

I won't let the sun go down

Until you know how I feel

I love you so much

I wish time could stand still

Fingerprints all over the sliding glass door

And I can barely see underneath the toys on the floor

I have wished away the sleepless nights,

the noise and the messes made

But my heart reminds me

I'm gonna miss these days

So if I could

I would

Ask time to stand still

So I could hold you a little longer

I'd make the minutes stop

So we would always have today

I won't let the sun go down

Until you know how I feel

I love you so much

I wish time could stand still

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