My son, the artist!

So yesterday we took a trip to the Knoxville Museum of Art...specifically to see my son's artwork on display!!! Yes, my six year old had his first art showing! About a month ago his art teacher ask if she could display one of his paintings from Kindergarten (last spring) during a show at the museum and of course he was thrilled! Take a look at his work:

I am SUPER excited!

For months now I have been trying to make some decisions on what direction to take my design company (DHB Designs). These last few years have been VERY difficult in terms of juggling my top priority - family- with the commitments I make to my clients. This is of course all of my own doing! So I had a super idea, that I am SUPER excited about...I cannot reveal it totally at the present time, because it is still in the works!!! But I can give you some hints...it will be custom interior design at an affordable rate for those who are the 'do it yourself' types!!! At present - it is called "Designer Space" and my sisternlaw, Emily - along with her new apartment, are my guinea pig in getting this project started. I am also SUPER excited because after six years of being out on my own in this industry, I am finally getting a website going! I found a great web designer named Lisa Bacon who is SO CREATIVE (she is into all kinds of creative things - very much like myself) to help me get it going! It will be up and running this summer! Check out her work at http://www.yummywebstudio.com/

New art work...

Just a glimpse of what I am working on at the moment...new art work This piece measures 36"H by 48"W...it was inspired by my daughter's love of butterflies.....it is a mixed media work...original collage on canvas with acrylics, paper, recycled magazines, etc...

Letting them learn...

Right now, I am sitting on my back patio watching my son be disobedient....I have told him to stop messing with his basketball goal, oh, about 5 times now...so I decided to let him learn a lesson... to step aside and allow the consequences to follow...not easy for a protective mother! I remind him of why God has given us rules ..one of those rules being "children obey your parents" it is to protect us...sometimes from ourselves! Obedience, this is a hard concept for all of us to hang onto...especially because we tend to think we know best...but I know that when I am ready to submit myself to God and his ways - his best blessings will follow! S0, Braxton has now exerted himself so hard that he is complaining of a 'headache' and has mashed his finger as well...did he learn a lesson? I'm not sure...only time will tell - but for now he is willing to call it quits on his way of doing things!!! Ah, success!

Learning about digital scrapbooking

I am learning about digital scrap booking...it appeals to me mainly because I have NO TIME to hand make scrap books for my family - even thought I love the idea of it....found this font on a great website...check it outgo to www.twopeasinabucket.com for more creative stuff!!!

Birthday money!!!

I JUST NOW spent my birthday money! Ok, I confess, I usually spend my birthday money(provided by mom and Pam) paying off bills, but I did get a few things for myself this time around!!! Take a look at what I got: JCrew sundress....gotta workout my arms!Jcrew favorite fit "pink" chinos...love, love, love these! and I don't actually have these, YET, but I want them!

This morning....

This morning brings good news...Liv slept well, no vomiting...thanks to my sis (Bedelia) who recommended Benadryl - strange, right...but her vomiting may have been caused by drainage!!! At any rate, I am thankful for her relief and thankful for a full night of sleep...need to get busy today!!!

Here we go AGAIN...

I have been up with Liv since 5am...she is throwing up AGAIN! We just went through a bad stomach bug about two weeks ago so I am needing some prayers!!! As I watch her suffer through dry heaving, her little body aching- I have to admit, I began to get irritated with God "why are you allowing this, allowing her to suffer AGAIN"... no sooner did this come to mind when God reminded me of His own son, Christ, hanging on a cross for ME..I cannot imagine the anguish God felt watching his son suffer and ache(much more than a little stomach bug)-knowing He could have stopped it at any moment...but for ME, he allowed it for a greater purpose! How thankful I am for that...So for now I will rock her, hold her hair back, clean up the messes and pray for quick relief!!!

A little comedy....

Here are a some pictures over the last few weeks...enjoy!

Up first is what we in the Baumann house call "crazy eye"...Olivia can make her right eye turn completely in while keeping her left eye straight on....it is pretty amazing and VERY FUNNY! She typically throws it out there when she is feeling ignored, about to be in trouble, or when we are trying to have a serious conversation about something....oh yeah, and that's chocolate all over her mouth...

Next, we have Valentines Cards which we made by hand - so much fun!!!

Catching up...once again!

I've been out of the loop so to speak...my youngest ended up with a terrible stomach bug that kept hanging on for about a week...luckily, no one else picked it up - which is a GREAT thing b/c my washing machine is almost GONE...I am having to run the spin cycle twice on every load!!! So here is my wish list for the week: 1) the new Electrolux Washer/ Dryer System in a more neutral color: stainless steel or my favorite - WHITE... 2) the Canon Rebel XSi ...It is a DSLR camera that is amazing! I think this is the one I am wanting, still doing a little research...any suggestions on others to look at??? My pic is a little blurry...

Of course, I will be saving up for MONTHS to get both or either one of these babies...but one can dream!!!!

My next design project...

This is my next design project for my own home... a picture wall that will be in my bedroom...I love black and white photography and I love the concept of these snapshots mixed with staged photographs...

"SEW" STYLISH

My latest creation...a small clutch with monogram (made for a dear friend and client) Just big enough to contain all essentials....lip gloss, band-aids, safety pins, soyjoy bar! Great if you switch purses everyday!!!

SNOW DAYS!

This week...we got some SNOW DAYS! This is something we rarely see anymore in our area...it is usually just enough to make you mad! So take a look at our fun....

January Happenings

It's about 10:15pm...can't sleep so I thought I would update my 'January Happenings'...

First up...planning the week's menu which means GROCERY LIST TIME...and as always Olivia has to help prepare that list...so I left her to it, sitting at the coffee table with paper and two washable markers (a must in my house). I went into the kitchen to pull out my cookbooks to find some new inspiration and upon returning found this:

My initial response was to SCREAM until I remembered the 'washable' on the marker label...so I composed myself long enough to grab my camera, at which point she happily posed for a few snapshots! Olivia was very pleased with her work...such a shame I had to wash it away!

Next up - my BIRTHDAY!!! Here are a few pictures to mark the occasion...

I have a wonderful husband and two great kids who made me feel EXTRA SPECIAL with delicious cupcakes, handmade cards....add to that a book I had been wishing for from my sisternlaw -EMILY!

and to top it off - two handpainted coffee mugs painted by Braxton and Olivia, with the help of dad! Look at the artistry...fabulous!

Such is LIFE!

Do you ever get tired of waiting for customer service to 'service' you....I have been on hold with a telephone company (will not disclose their name b/c I am too kind) for 17 minutes...concerning a service that I did not request! This morning I had to go pick up my husband b/c his car would not start after dropping off Braxton at school...I had to quickly pile up Liv and her school stuff into the car and rush to get him...then drive him to work, then Liv to school - on the other side of town no doubt...and in the mean time I had to go back to the house to get dressed for my work day b/c in my rush I forgot to put on a bra!!! (maybe too much info) SUCH IS LIFE!!! But it is a good life...I am so very greatful that God has blessed me with a family to serve in this way...Paul reminds me in Romans "to take your everday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work, walking around life and place it before God as an offering" Romans 12:1(the message) Sure keeps things in perspective! Now I am off to 'service' my design clients!!!