*drum roll*...... Joshua's ROOM! (still unfinished tho)

I'm posting the best pics first. Joshua's reaction to his room.

Now the best auntie in the world!

(Except for my aunt Jodi and Uncle Ric, who came right before this to design my front yard and wire my garage for my kiln. THAT was AWESOME for ME!! but I did not take pics of that :(

But THIS.....THIS is all about Josh.

These first two are "in progress", but I wanted to show some of the funny characters. Sorry it's so dark.......silly window.

And the sad picture.......I didn't put the paints away fast enough. I was able to repaint the blue and touch up over the grey spots. It's alright now. :)

We still have to put a silver-tinted varnish on his bed, touch up a few more places around the room, and add the glow-in-the-dark paint.

I can't believe I ever thought girls were more fun to decorate for. This is the best room in the house!

THANK YOU LINDSAY!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!

cousin fun and science project

This is a taste of what was going on while the AMAZING auntie Lindsay painted.

Apparently, Eddie needed a guitar......that's what he told me. So I made one for him, problem solved, money saved.....and it can be destroyed if desired.
(paint sticks, mat board, rubber bands, markers and glue)
Sneaking up to Lucas.

He is ok with Potter, neither frightened or entertained. Just watchful and curious. Lucas liked to utilize his pointer-finger in feeling Potter's toes and fur. That was about it.

It's not so much that Eddie spend HOURS painting and painting, it's the little "mouse" in the background that cracked me up in these next pics.

Grandpa has been doing his duty, Science Fair Project Guru. All six kids have had the benefit of his experience, now the next generation gets a turn. (*Dad, you are the best!!!)

I love having a civil-engineer for a father. :)

my productive weekend.....

My garage on friday, full of ceramic equipment, and the unwanted from inside the house. Believe it or not, I have unloaded BAGS of stuff already to Goodwill. I know, I know. Oh Tara.
My new "mini-studio" in progress, after this busy weekend of garage attention. (Joseph took a truckload of stuff for his Senior Class Sale, and I have 6 boxes of stuff to sell on Craiglist) This is my little ceramic studio for now. Not much compared to what I had in Utah, but it's still heaven for me. :)

AND my car fits on the other side of this. It's true! I really did clean and declutter THAT much. Yay for me!!!

I also paused to do a little creative treatment. I can't really go for too long without doing some little touch here or there in my house. :)

I added some beaded pulls using a mix of beach glass from Spain, recycled jewelry beads, and my own glass beads.

I feel SO good after this weekend of "letting go"! I really can't explain how good it feels. Some of that stuff has been moving around with us for 13 years! THERAPY! My wonderful friend Alyse said "Everything you own requires energy to maintain". I discovered how true that is this weekend. I felt like a ton of bricks was lifted off my shoulders when Joseph drove away with his truck full of junk, and I turned around to see a clean and half empty garage. :)

Now I just need to get through tomorrow, planning my academic future with a school counselor, and continuing my attempts at potty-training a very defiant/stubborn/intelligent last-born.

Getting there....

Ok, it's improving. Here are the kitchen cabinets, minus the assortment of different knobs I'm going to put on them........ after I collect scrap knobs. (We still have the side of the bar to finish)

So I still have a few more boxes on the floor to sort, but this is a MAJOR improvement. I whittled down to 7 bins of fabric....from 18.

Well, this is the growing pile of craft/sewing/art supplies I am letting go of. It's like the last 13 years of traveling with this stuff, over 14 moves, all the spousal-irritation, is leaving with this stuff. VERY healing.

This is one of my favorite spots in the house, I think just because of the wall and my favorite studio cabinets I made in UT. I look forward to sitting down and doing my homework here....right next to the kids doing THEIR homework.

Overall......my dining area. Still a few more things to sort, walls to patch up, cabinet doors/art board to put up, furniture to repaint, you know, regular stuff. I feel really good about getting organized and gearing up for the next 6 years of school here. :)

Good times....

We ALLL love Chewy. I myself enjoy walking around, doing housework, with him chillin' on my shoulder too. He is so cute!

Then there is Eddie, and his new sleeping habit.

I have spent the past few nights, up late trying to sort my craft crap. (next post) Eddie has quietly set up his bed at the top of the stairs and I have found him like this each night.......oh Eddie.

Sacrificing for the greater good....

Ok, so this is actually an improvement on what it looked like a few days ago. Really.

I pulled (almost) ALL my crafts/art supplies (minus my ceramic stuff, those are in the garage with my kiln), out into the kitchen area so I could attempt to organize my new little art room.

Yeah, I know, it's gross.

I'm only showing this because my sister told me I should, and then it's going to feel SOOOOO good when my creative world is simplified and organized.
Not there yet, but getting closer......

I still have to put up shelves, and I'm slowly sorting all this stuff and putting it away. (or *gasp* getting rid of it)

The ONLY reason it's nice to post horrific pictures like this, is to illustrate ones growth in life. Yes, I am growing, and I'm going to prove that I am capable of "letting go" and SIMPLIFYING.

I WILL conquer.....

Misc Family Fun (stolen from others)

I'm an Auntie. This is my blog. I'm posting Lucas pics stolen from Lindsay. Cause I feel like it.
I LOOOOVE this one, captures their spirits. (and he is wearing my favorite Eddie shoes)

Oh dear brother, I'm so happy with your choice.

I love being a mom AND auntie. Don't know why neither of them look as happy, they did the second before this was taken, I swear.

EVERYONE is fascinated by Jade. She is one of a kind.

The rest of the pictures are of the Danielson side, just random pictures my MIL sent me. (I can still call her that, right? not sure what the etiquette is)

Beckie's little Zane, who is a lot bigger than he looks, thinks Eddie is pretty cool.

Ed and Velda took the kids to the lake. Big Ed has a tradition with rope swings....everywhere he goes.

Thanksgiving time was in Utah. We had a gingerbread house contest. Diane, Jade, myself, Josh, and Lennon were on a team....the best team. We won.

We made magic with what we had to work with, don't you agree? The "other" team's house is sort of caught in this picture. (it was a really fun evening, and we all enjoyed ourselves. Of course mom D loved BOTH houses..."equally")

Diane's house is SO cute, I love her artwork around the place. The meal was gorgeous as well. Bill and I look a bit out of it, but we all had a good time. really. :)

Diane is a sweetheart. The big sister I never had. Having gone through her own divorce almost 2 yrs ago, she has been inspiring with her strength, and loving support.

Grandma Velda, Grandpa Ed, Jade, Josh, and little Ed. *grandma never fails to bring Eddie gluten-free sweets*

Thank you Lindsay and Velda for taking these fun pictures of times I want to remember. Love you guys!!!