Weekend Mayhem

Wow what a weekend!  I realized today that there is really a never a dull moment in the Harden household.  I have never looked so forward to sitting on my bootie than I was today.  Here's the scoop....

Bella wakes up early (of course) and surprises us by making her bed and cleaning her room. (Fantastic kid right)I should add that this was all while blaring her CD player which she has recently learned how to effectively operate. And pretending to have a Concert, loud vocals and all.

Upon awaking we bust a move and whip up some cinnamon rolls (thank you pillsbury, rolls in a tube).  Then it's time to start doing some serious crafting.  This is where I started to laugh when I took a good look around my kitchen.  There were 3 different projects going on, one by each of us.



Jerrod brewing up some homemade wine



Bella painting me another fantastic painting



Me making some new wreaths for the upcoming art show

 





Another art show piece



I'm pretty sure that none of us stopped moving today, destroying the kitchen in the process. It was tiring but productive and I now have some new goodies to show for the hard work.



This painting is HILARIOUS!  Bella is recently obsessed with a group called Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.  This was the concert that she was having this morning.  The above painting is our family having a Grace Potter concert.  Bella is playing the drums and singing and we are the backup singers?  In her words "Mom you look like a wild woman....you know Dad kind of looks like a wild woman too"  I'm sure he really appreciated that!  They are just sooo funny!



This is the new obsession...It really is fantastic!
Just saw them in concert for the second time and I would go again in a heartbeat.



Where was Eddy you ask............





Harassing the girl in the tub of course



The really strange thing is that while I am finally "relaxing" and sitting on my rear I can't help but thinking about things I could be working on........maybe I will try to stay idle until tommorow???


Happy Crafting

Darby



Book Love

I have come to the realization that I may have a bit of a book/magazine obsession.  Which I have also decided that comes to me honesty. (my mother has collections of old decorating magazine saved from years past).  Here are a few of my recent purchases......

1.  
2. 

Oh and one more...

Maybe just one more...

Oh here is my most favorite magazine of ALL time...

I could look at these books and magazines over and over again and it never gets old.  I also like to get out different colors of post-its and mark crafting and decorating ideas that I love.  Oh and I absolutely hate waiting for my favorite magazines to come out!   My favs only come out quarterly and when you have a serious addiction to fantastic reading material that can seem like an eternity!

To check out some of these fab magazines check out this link:http://www.stampington.com/

Happy Reading~

Darby



Really!?!

Not going to lie, it's been a rough week in the Harden house.  Today was the funeral for Jerrod's dad, Kent.  The day went well(as good as a funeral can be), Bella was great, we were able to catch up with some long lost family, and the weather cooperated.  However, all good things must come to an end. 

Jerrod and I were discussing on the way home that we were ready for PJ's, a cold beverage, and some relaxation.  We sit down on the couch and within 5 minutes Eddy jumped on my computer, his toenail got caught in my #4 key and rips it off. (I should add that this is my work laptop)  He then preceeds to begin making that awful dog heaving sound.....which as you dog owners know is one of the worst sounds your dog can make because you know it is going to result in something very unpleasant.  A few minutes later (as Jerrod is still trying to fix the broken computer key, and we are cleaning up dog vomit, Bella begins the bedtime meltdown, she was insistant that she needed to stay up a few more minutes because she wanted to watch the show that was on T.V. We just so happened to be watching Antiques Road Show (yes she threw a fit over Antiques Road Show)......this is about when Mamma was about to loose her cool.  Why, Why, Why???  In the defense of the dog he was a caged all day which equals an even crazier dog.  In the defense of the child she was basically caged all day too (it's hard work being on super good behavior day, especially at a serious event such as a funeral).  It's almost as if children know that when parents need some R & R it's time to see what they can get away with?  Same goes for the dog, we sit, chill, and relax.  Eddy runs, plays with the most obnoxious toy he has, and generally creates anything but a relaxing mood.

The culprits

All of this said I wouldn't trade either of them for the world.  Just one of the funny and joyful moments of parenting.  Pondering what goes through their minds and almost watching their wheels turning. I mean really... a meltdown over Antiques Road Show.  It's good but I'm not sure it's meltdown good.

I am looking forward to moving on with the week.  Should hopefully be less eventful, have some brighter moments, and spark some new adventures.

May you rest in peace Kent....You will be greatly missed.  Enjoy sharing your music in Heaven!

Darby

Hermit Life

Hermit=a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.  A recluse...huh?

I have come to the realization lately that I really hate leaving my house it I don't have to.  Don't get me wrong I enjoy good company, getting together with good friends,  a fun evening out, and especially a good junking trip....BUT oh how I love my home and my family.

I'm not sure when it all happened....I used to love being on the "go".  Always going, always on the move.  I still enjoy myself when i'm out and about but after so long I find myself looking at my clock and ready to be back at the compound.

I should also add that if it is not bad enough that I am turning into a hermit,  I also really enjoy being at home in my p.j's.  That's right folks...no make-up, crazy hair, and ugly granny jammies.  Yep I'm a real PRIZE on those days. (I pity the UPS man that knocks on the door). 

I really think this nonsense all started when I became the "big time crafter" (as Bella calls me).  What did I do with myself before I was sewing all of the time?  Obviously I must have had some sort of "wild" side....well now that I think about it maybe not.  I have seriously become the little old lady that brings her sewing projects with her everywhere. In the car, in my purse, and anywhere else that could warrent me to whip out an embroidery hoop and get busy.   

When I was getting ready to write this post I googled hermit. (yes I'm cool like that).  There are actually websites that teach you how to become a hermit!?!  That is a bit scary folks.  Please do not be alarmed I DID NOT take any of their ideas.

Well all this hermit talk makes me realize that I best be gettin busy.  Projects are waiting for me, Bella is calling for me to attend the birthday party that is taking place in her closet, and the Bed won't make itself. (darn-it). 

So on this icy wintery day I encourage you to try out the hermit-kind-of-life (just be careful, you might just like it).  Jammies, kids, crafts, coffee....oh yeah it's going to be a good day!

Darby

"Little" Brothers

When I talk about my "little" brother I should fill you in on the fact that this once scrawny little ornery boy is now a big, strong, and brave marine who is serving his second deployment in Afghanistan.

I should probably mention that I picked on him terribly when we were little and my parents would always say "one of these days he is going to be bigger than you". Well folks it happened. One day he was this little boy and now he can throw me around like a rag-doll. (paybacks are a .....)

When you are kids you don't EVER think that your "little" brother will find love and get married. Well it has HAPPENED! My brother found the most wonderful girl who I can proudly say loves him and his redneck truck, four-wheelers, and love of tractors! She can put up with his sarcasm, cutoff t-shirts, tight-wad antics, and workaholic nature. They are getting married on July 29th on the beach in Califorina and I CAN'T WAIT!

While Lauren plans their wedding, Zach is fighting in Afghanistan. He calls her as often as he can (now that he has a woman we seem to be at the bottom of the call list, Who would have though?) I am so very excited for them and their new life together. They are a beautiful couple (and will have beautiful babies.....yes I can't wait for that either)

I think about all of the times I was rotten to him and wish I had known a long time ago how much we should appreciate our siblings. They truly are a part of us and I worry daily for his safety and well-being. He would tell me to quit worrying. (I just can't help myself....to much of my grandma in me I guess.

So as we all count down the days until he returns home we continue to pray for his safety as well as all of the other men and women that are away from their families right now. I wish Zach and Lauren a lifetime of happiness and look forward to a beautiful wedding on the beach! (Bella is one of the flower-girls and is more than thrilled to be a part of the "big" day)

Please help us pray for a safe return!

Darby

A Little town in Nicaragua

For the past two years our church has been working with a church in Leon, Nicaragua building a school. I was so very blessed to be able to make the journey last march and am thrilled to be heading there again on February 10th.

When I went last time it was the most emotional experience of my life. I learned so many things not only about myself but just how big God can move within us if we just allow it to happen. There wasn't one day that those beautiful children didn't make me laugh or cry. What an amazing group of people they are and they all taught me soooo many life lessons. I could ramble on for days about this trip about how it changed me, made me stronger, taught me lessons, and gave me unforgettable memories. But, the important part being that it was Gods will that sent me, or put the little bug in my ear (however you want to look at it). When people asked my why I wanted to go I really had no explanation other than the fact that I couldn't quit thinking about the trip. I would go to church every Sunday and talk with others that had gone, asked questions, and went home wondering. I didn't have peace about it until I committed and said I was going.

Again I could go on forever with this but as I reflect back on this amazing group of people I think about how my heart felt as if were breaking when I was leaving them. Tears of my own, tears from the children and adults....I left apart of myself there last year, and I can't wait to see those beautiful children again.

The school is now finished and we will be working on their new church building.
I will be sure to post pictures of this years trip. I'm sure it will be another life-changing journey for me.

As I grow older it seems that I am not any less curious than I was when I was 5. I am never satisfied until I can explore, learn, and most importantly grow as person. I am slowly but surely understanding that the only way to grow and explore is by taking God's lead. He will always lead you in the direction you are supposed to be going.

My Mini Me

Today was a busy day in the Harden house.  I started by taking down all of my Christmas decor and decided I was relieved it was done but was a bit sad that the tinsel was gone. (Jerrod was more than thrilled about that)  Bella stayed busy working on art projects and keeping Eddy out of trouble. 

Santa had brought her some new canvases to paint on as well as some new paint and brushes.  She quickly went to work making me some new paintings for our bedroom.  She created a picture of our home (I should note that our house is NOT yellow although it is a nice color). and then on the second one painted a family portrait.  I must say I am especially happy with my pic.  I look incredibly tall and lean. (she sure knows the way to her mama's heart).

Bella's grandma has equipped her with a mini sewing machine which she is super excited about!  It is sooooo cute.  I would have been in love with this tiny machine when I was a kid!  I can't wait to work on some sewing projects with her.

I am so very proud that my daughter shares the interests of both her father and I.  She is happy working on bicycles and speaker projects with her daddy, and painting and crafting with her mama.  As she would say "Mom we sure are big time crafters".  I laughed at this statement because I thought can't there be a cooler word than crafter?  But then I remebered telling one of my co-workers that I like to stay home on the weekends because if i'm gone it "cuts into my crafting time".  It was at that moment for a very brief second that I thought ' I'm sure not hanging with the cool crowd anymore', but......no that is wrong I am hangin with my very cool kid instead which is soooo much cooler!

Have a Big time crafting kind of week!

Darby