My first ever "InstaWrap".

A collection of photos from the month of February and possibly some humorous commentary to accompany them. Yes, you've seen them all before, but not like this. This is on my blog. So it's totally new and exciting.

Stella. Enjoying her sunshine. And the peace and quiet of a sleeping baby.

Our apple orchard in February. I love that we live on 3 acres and have an apple orchard. At least while it's winter and there are no bees swarming the apples that we didn't pick up.

The only thing cuter than baby feet in a bouncy chair? Baby feet in a bouncy chair with shoes on. And corduroy pants. Melts. my. heart.

My adorable little family. I puffy heart my boys.

William's first Valentine. This kid was such a trooper for our little photo shoot. I'll have to show some of the outtakes at some point.

Red velvet cake with homemade (not to be confused with ho-made) buttercream frosting. And in reality it was pink velvet cake because I didn't have a gallon of red food coloring that the recipe called for. And yes, I call Erik "Cute Husband Boy" and have since our honeymoon. I don't even remember why I started doing it but I'm sure it had something to do with annoying him.

The kid. Napping. On me. This almost never happens. So when it does, I let him because he is so sweet. And it gets me out of housework :)

My attempt at getting both my kids ready to take a walk. Stella was super pumped about it. And so was Will. Until we got outside and he realized we were outside and it was cold. Then he got pissed. And then so did Stella because we didn't get to go on the walk I promised her. Unless you count walking 5 steps down the driveway a walk. And yes, I realize that in black & white it looks like I have my son in a prison jumpsuit (thanks, Tim). Just goes to show you that he'd be adorable even in a prison jumpsuit.

Turkey butts. They are not just for Thanksgiving anymore. They are for when someone gives you a gift that you wanted to be sure your son was able to wear at least once before growing out of it. Even if it is in February.

A typical Stella pose. I like to think that she is protecting the house when she does this. But in reality I think she is just enjoying the peace and quiet of being away from her brother. I can't say I blame her. There are some days where i wish I could just go sit out in the snow, too. Love this dog.

I have so much to update you on since I last posted almost 3 months ago.That's almost as long as it took me to finish my chair project.

But anyway, back to the things I need to update you on.

Like the trip to South Carolina that I surprised the hubs with for his birthday.

Or the rodeo we went to (also in honor of said birthday).

And the awesome gifts he surprised me with for mine.

Or the landscaping that is FINALLY (mostly) done thanks to our friend Zach so that our house doesn't look like the Addams Family house anymore.

Or our weekend camping trip to Indiana Dunes State Park with these awesome people...

And our master bathroom remodel that is just about complete. Except for the painting and staining that I still have to finish. Ugh. I'm so lazy.

But instead of updating you on all the fun things I've been up to, I've been really busy feeding my newfound addiction...

Yep. My name is Kristin. And I heart pinterest. A lot. Almost as much as red patent shoes, bacon and Stella.

If you haven't heard of pinterest you need to check it out. Unless you are prone to addiction like I am, then I recommend you stay as far away from it as possible. Because it will suck you in and teach you all sorts of things.

Like how to make a wreath with felt flowers. And the many uses for apple cider vinegar. And many, many recipes that utilize bacon.

I feel like it's been FOREVER since I've posted anything. But really its only been a few days. I think.

Perhaps its because I've been in the middle of staple removing and sanding my ugly old chair, which is not so old and ugly anymore. OK, its still old. But its getting less ugly. I promise it is. The mustard yellow velvet is gone. The old speckled stain color is 98% gone. The 4,762 staples are gone. The caning is gone. I still have a bit to do on this bad boy but I figure I should be done in about 4 years. Maybe sooner. I guess we'll see.

Perhaps its because we've been signing, scanning and e-mailing millions of papers in order to buy our new home here in Wisconsin, which is still set to close this Friday!!!! Inspections have all been completed. Loan approvals are supposedly in order. Cleaning supplies need to be purchased. Now all I need to do is stretch out my right hand for all the signing we will (hopefully) be doing on Friday!

Perhaps its because we have been signing, scanning and e-mailing millions of papers in order to finalize the sale of our home in Indiana, which has been a continuous roller coaster of emotions. Mostly anger lately. More details on that after closing.

Perhaps its because I'm revving myself up for Lent. I'm giving up swearing this year. This should be a very interesting 40 days. Especially when you consider the roller coaster of emotions I just mentioned. You know, the anger. I was actually thinking about creating a list of all the words I will not allow myself to say over the next 40 days. We'll see. Maybe I should post it on here. If I type the words is that the same as saying them out loud? Hmmmmmm.....

So that's it. That's what I've been up to for the last week or so. Not very inspiring or exciting, I know.

I think I might go have a beer now.

1. Today I walked into a door with my head. At a McDonald's. And my head still hurts a little. In my defense, the door was a little tricky. Or maybe I am just that dumb.

2. While at dinner with our very good friends last night, I mistook the name of a Mongolian restaurant in Lafayette, IN for the nickname some women have for their lady parts. Let's just say the name of the restaurant is HuHot. I'll let you fill in the rest with your imagination. PS - I laughed so hard I was actually in tears last night. Yes, I am 8 years old.

 

3. When Erik and I were on our way home from Lafayette today, without our dog, about 20 minutes before we got home I yelled out to her that we were on our way. I would like to blame this on the fact that I walked into a door with my head. However, the sad truth is that I do this quite often in an attempt to annoy my husband. I'm fairly sure it works.

4. I think this random thought was in my last random post but it still remains true: Erik is snoring. Loudly.

5. My dog is afraid of cell phones. And cameras. And beer cans. And pretty much anything you hold in front of her. Weird. She's lucky she's so cute.

6. We have an offer on our house in Lafayette! I'm happy. And sad. More on this in a dedicated post (hopefully) sometime this week. I've started writing it but I haven't felt completely inspired to finish it yet.

7. Our neighbor Terri (in Lafayette) made delicious chocolate cupcakes and gave some to us before we left town today. There is something to be said about awesome neighbors. And awesome cupcakes. Which we ate in the car on the way home.

8. I've decided that I am going to refinish my childhood bedroom set when we move into our new house. It should be an interesting test of my patience.

9. For Lent this year I will be giving up swearing. Erik is giving up coffee. I have a feeling that Erik will be doing more swearing once he gives up coffee. This will probably be the longest 40 days of my life.

10. I got to share my ice water with an adorable little boy today at lunch. He is the adopted son of our friends, is 2 years old and is amazing. Yesterday, I got to share my pickle with an equally adorable 2 year old. I have to say that I'm pretty lucky to have friends that have such cute kids.

11. Ha! I said number two. Again, I am a child.

1. I wish I knew what I wanted to be when I grow up. I have some ideas. But nothing set in stone yet. Still trying to find that thing I'm passionate about when it comes to my work.

2. I cried today. Pat & Amy (my brother and SIL) had to put their dog Chewie down. He was a great dog. Truly one of the first dogs I ever liked. And it was so sad watching my family (especially my niece and nephew) cry. So yeah, I cried today.

3. I love my husband.  Even if he is snoring right now. He is the sweetest man I've ever met and he makes me smile. Plus, he thinks my new found desire to blog is cute. Or good for me. I can't remember what he said exactly. He also said if I could figure out a way to make money blogging by telling funny stories about him to "go for it." I love my husband.

4. My dog got a bath today. Her tail is even fluffier and cuter than it usually is. Her toys and bed also got baths today, thanks to my mom. I can only imagine that the dog was pissed about everything being so clean.

5. I'm going to a candle party tomorrow. I'm excited to hang out with the girls at said candle party. I just wish I had a house to put some candles in.

6. I miss my house. I love my house. I wish we could pick it up and move it from Indiana. That along with the great friends we made while we lived there.

7. I've been keeping a food diary. I decided that weight watchers and myfitnesspal and all those other sites will not work for me. But I write in my food diary every day. And it truly does hold me accountable for what I'm eating. I've already lost 2 pounds thanks to tracking what I've eaten in the last 2 weeks. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

8. I want to go to Charleston. I absolutely adore Charleston. It is truly one of my favorite places to visit. A) because its so charming and B) because its the place I thought Erik was going to propose to me. Why that makes it one of my favorite places I couldn't tell you. It just does.

9. I also want to go to Greece. Not because I've been there but because I just think it seems like a beautiful place to visit. And Italy, too. Anyone want to go to Greece & Italy with me?

10. I am obsessed lately with reading home improvement blogs. This is a sign that I need a house. Or a life.

11. I want to see the movie Something Borrowed (based on the book by Emily Giffin). If you haven't read it you really should. And then read Something Blue. And all her other books. They are really good. I should start reading again. Any suggestions on good books you've read and couldn't put down?