I was scrolling through the blog, as I sometimes like to do, and realized that I haven't posted an update on the home improvements since September. I've been feeling like we haven't done much, but seeing what it looked like in the old posts, we've done A LOT. But we still have a long way to go!! With the start of the new year, we've been really good about getting projects done around the house on Saturdays. So it's a great time to start back up with the blog updates of the house updating :) I wanna start with one of my favorite transformations, the downstairs powder bath:BEFORE: It had an ugly, pink, floral wallpaper border (unfortunately I didn't get pictures of), very dirty ceiling and walls, the old baseboards, a cushioned toilet seat, basic, cheap fixtures and was just plain boring with no accents. SO...I took 3 whole days doing this:To get this:
I painted these stripes ALL by myself and painted the ceiling. Mark helped by installing the towel bar and new light fixture. My mother picked out the gorgeous statement mirror and it is by far my favorite part of the new room. I'm still looking for some art to hang above the towels but it is SO much better than it was nearly 9 months ago. So, if you come to my house and need to use the potty...your welcome, enjoy the view!!

If I never get anything else in life, It's ok, because I already have you!!

“God made a world out of His dreams,
Of magic mountains, oceans and streams,Prairies and plains and wooded land.
Then paused and thought, “I need someone to stand,On top of the mountains, to conquer the seas,
Explore the plains and climb the trees.Someone to start out small and grow,
Sturdy and strong like a tree” and soHe created boys, full of spirit and fun
To explore and conquer, to romp and runWith dirty faces, and banged up chins
With courageous hearts and boyish grins.And when He had completed the task He’d begun,
He surely said, “That’s a job well done.” -Arthur E. KnightDallen got this sweet new book from my Grandma for Christmas and as I was listening to Mark read one of the poems to Dallen before bed, all of these images of Dallen starting running through my mind. I think I could illustrate the entire book with just 2 years worths of pictures of my little man, and I just might if we keep spending sick time inside and getting no new pictures. Dallen is the ultimate boy and I couldn't ask for a better kid!! I love being a Mommy to a boy :)

Sometimes I wish life would just slow down!! Dallen is growing up right before my eyes and I just can't keep up with the things around me. Nevermind that there are 41 items currently on my ever-growing to-do list, and that's just what I have written down and does not include all the house projects or daily tasks like dishes, cooking, cleaning, laundry and paying bills, you know, all the fun stuff!! For the last 2 weeks we have been taking turns being sick at home, with the flu. You would think it'd be a break but the fridge doesn't fill itself with milk. Movies are fun until Dallen starts picking up all the wrong things from them (choking people and saying things like "shut up" or "I'm gonna kick your butt". And you can only keep a 2 year old boy flat on his back for so long. I don't even want to mention that one of my New Years resolutions was to be healthy this year, and so far we've spent the first 2 weeks of January blowing our noses, coughing up lungs, barfing in cribs, sinks and toilets and spending lots of time being horizontal. Since life has been running along without us, I thought I would share some older pictures that never made it on the blog, but are too cute to miss!!This was from way back in November at Grandpa and Grandma's house in Texas. I just love his face in this one!!I love how nerdy my super cool little man looks in this picture. Oh how I hate those Pampers sunglasses!!
Dallen's #1 movie of choice for indoor days!! He LOVES to watch Despicable ME.Just because he's cute!!

Most people think that Dallen looks just like his daddy, and while they are sort of right, there are definitely a few things he inherited from me: his chubby cheeks, his high energy, his ears and unfortunately he got my teeth!! On Tuesday we had to take Dallen to the dentist to get a cavity filled!! I am certain that this will be the first of many so I am so grateful he sat perfectly still without having to be sedated, and kept his mouth wide open while the dentist fixed his tooth. The dentist told me that Dallen was "the best 2 year old they've ever seen". And I would have to agree!! Lately Dallen has been absolutely endearing. The other day while we were hiding under a blanket he looked over at me and said "you're beautiful Mom". Of course, there are moments when he is not completely sweet but almost immediately stops me from yelling at him when I give him the 'Mom is angry' look, by saying "Look Mom, I'm smiling, I'm nice now, it's ok, I'm smiling" :) The other day, he shut the door in my face and when he heard me sigh "awww" he opened the door and put his arm around my neck and in the sweetest voice said "What's wrong? What happened? What's wrong Mom?" He loves to have his picture taken now, which of course I just love! And he loves to take pictures too, he's learned from me obviously when he holds up his hand and shakes it and says "look over here; look at me; look up here"!! Every day is filled with some of the sweetest moments that I hope I always remember. So yes Mr. Dentist, he is the best 2 year old I have ever seen!! If only he could just stay this way forever :)

Almost 19 years ago, the Lord sent down one of His elect sons to our family. Today, He has called that son to serve His good people in Seoul, KOREA!!!For all my life I knew my little brother would leave us for a time to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I never knew that day would come so fast, (May 4th, 2011). From the moment the Messick family was blessed with a little boy, we spoiled that kid. His 3 older sisters loved him SO much, and his parents finally got the little boy they had been hoping for. All our lives, we knew this little boy was special and was a chosen spirit. He has been a tremendous example to me in my life, whether he knows it or not!! I am so grateful for the opportunity I had tonight, to watch his face light up as he read aloud his mission call for his family and friends. I got so choked up as I saw in his face the recognition that this call is truly from the Lord.I am so proud of the man he has become and so grateful for the example he is setting for my little boy. He is a great Uncle to him and Dallen just loves his Uncle Scotty!! While we were prepping Dallen to hear Uncle Scotty's call, he said "I serve a mission too?!?!" He is so excited to be just like his Uncle Scotty someday. And I'm sure that just as fast as Scotty's life flew by me, Dallen's will go twice as fast. Scotty, these next 2 years will be hard to not have you around, but we will muster up all of our faith and send you where you need to be, with the sweet people of Korea. You will daily be in our prayers and always in our hearts. We love you and are so proud of you. Good luck, Elder Messick!!

I'd like to begin this post by following the example of our sweet young son and paying homage to the Savior and the reason for all the celebrating. As the family all made our way downstairs, full of excitement for Christmas morning, our hearts were touched when we saw Dallen rush over, not to his presents but to the baby Jesus, lying in the manger. Dallen did a wonderful job of setting the tone for the entire day. He impressed me all day with how well he understood the true spirit of Christmas. There I was so excited to give Dallen fun toys and presents and he never stopped reminding me that it's about giving. He sat quietly with his arms folded as his Aunties and Uncle took turns opening their gifts.When it was Mommy and Daddy's turn, he left the room and brought in the baby Jesus. I was so proud of my little boy and the sweet example he set for all of us this year for Christmas.Don't get me wrong, he spent plenty of time enjoying his presents too :)
The last few days of December were spent with family and friends. Dallen was so lucky to spend lots of time with his adorable little girlfriend Siena. {I just love Dallen's "yeah that's my girlfriend" face in this photo}.

Dallen and I had the pleasure of driving up PCH to visit Siena again in Huntington on one of the most beautiful days we were in CA. The two were found racing under the pier, building sand castles, looking for sea shells, eating some grub and just plain being adorable:
{Um, engagement photo?!?!}

We spent the last night of 2010 at a super fun carnival. Well, it would have been super fun if we hadn't lost Dallen. I have never been so panicked in my life and am so grateful that my little boy was returned safe and sound so we could spend another amazing year together!! {Our first family photo of 2011}

Finally, a new year!! Dallen spent the first day of January loving on little baby Beckett. He just loves to hold little babies. We are so excited to begin another year of our lives together in our sweet little family. Here's to hoping 2011 makes this cute little boy a big brother...