Projects, projects, projects...

August so far has been a month filled with projects! I've had a list of things I've wanted finished  before school starts and I have been anxiously crossing off items on this list these past few weeks. The majority of the projects I've been working on are for baby boy Rose. He is scheduled to make his big debut in 9 weeks! That's right people, we are in the home stretch! I can hardly wait!

I have wanted to refinish this dresser my Grandparents gave me and turn it into a TV console for seriously like two years! This summer I finally made it happen.

I was in such a hurry to get going on this project that I didn't take a before picture! I'm so mad now that I didn't. If you can imagine it, before I painted the dresser it was that light-brown, laminate wood color before.

First, I took off the hardware and lightly sanded the entire dresser. Then I cleaned it all with rubbing alcohol. I used a black primer first, then I painted over it with an ivory color. After the paint dried (the next day) I distressed it using sandpaper. Then I used a black wood stain and rubbed it over the entire dresser. I let it sink into the creases and wiped the excess off. When that dried, at used polyurethane to seal it. I'm super excited with how it turned out! However, now I feel like I need to redecorate our entire living room around this piece, and I don't think Brian will have the same thoughts on this issue. : )


We are still in our cute little two bedroom rental on Stoddard Lane so for right now,  baby boy will be sharing a room with Lydia when he gets here. So, Lydia's side of the room is all cute and girly, but now the poor girl will have to give up some of her wall space for her baby brother. Since she is only 2, I don't think she'll mind too much.

I was looking on pintrest for ideas on how I wanted to do his side of the room and I totally copied this lady's nursery. It was just too cute and I had the perfect old dresser to refinish into a toolbox.

I remembered to take a before picture right before I began sanding this project. This dresser is actually one I had refinished a few years ago. I liked how it turned out, but it was perfect for a toolbox dresser so I decided to repaint it again. It was a pistachio color before so I sanded all the paint off. I painted this part of the dresser candy apple red, and painted the 3 drawers black.

My grandma got me some super cute stickers to put on the dresser.  I just put on one for now. Isn't it cute! I can't wait to find some silver pulls the put on the drawers.  We looked at Home Depot and couldn't find any that would work. Now, we need to make a stop at Lowe's next time we're in Ogden.

I wanted to make a pegboard to put above his dresser, like Vanessa's blog. So, we went to Home Depot one Saturday and bought some white pegboard, and trim. I painted the trim red to match the dresser, and painted the letter's of his name navy blue. And yes, we decided to name him Casen. :)

Brian cut the pegboard, the trim, and he glued it together for me. He did a great job! Surprisingly enough when it comes to projects he is way more a perfectionist than I am. I tend to get in a hurry and have the "it looks good enough" attitude. Brian will pour over a project for hours just make sure everything is straight, and looks perfect.  He was the man for the job, cause I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have gotten the trim as straight as he did.

I can't wait to put some tools around Casen's name, and get some wire baskets to hold his diapers and wipes. I'll post pictures of the dresser and pegboard when all the final touches have been made.


For Christmas last year Brian got me a sewing machine. I'm a novice seamstress, and I don't count my Home EC. class in 8th grade as a background in sewing. I'm now, regretfully paying the price from not keeping my mouth shut during class. So, I'm currently reteaching myself everything I should already know. It has been super fun sewing beginner projects for my kiddos though!

Since Casen's due date is during Brian's elk hunt, Brian wanted me to make him a camo car seat cover. I decided to do the Mossy Oak camo on top, and hunter's orange minky underneath. I think it turned out pretty cute. Even if I was cursing at the minky while sewing. I learned the hard way that you have to use ALOT of pins when working with minky fabric. That stuff moves, and drives me crazy! I found the tutorial on pintrest, like I do everything else. Here is the tutorial is any of you guys are looking for an easy one to follow.

Here is the finished project! I found the cute wood buttons at WalMart and I think they give it a cute woodsy feel.

This is what the underneath looks like. The hunter's orange I think, makes it super fun!

My last project that I finished up this month was a blanket I wanted to crochet for Casen. I already have a pretty good collection of blue and green blankets, so I wanted to do some different colors. I went with a granite and almond color of yarn. I LOVE how it turned out! The pattern was super easy to follow. You can ready the tutorial here if you are interested.

August has been so crazy so far with finishing all of my projects, but it feels so good to have them all done. I wanted the big projects done before I felt to big to bend over, and at a little over 31 weeks, I'm starting to get to that point. 9 weeks left! Hooray we can't wait for Casen to get here!!

Brian's Summer Semester

Our summer so far has been busy, well Brian's summer has been busy! Brian has been doing school non-stop. He has four classes and two of them have been accelerated; which means he had to complete a full semester's worth of school work in 6 weeks! He finished those classes about two and a half weeks ago. At the beginning of the semester he was all sorts of positive. He was ready to get after it, and hit the books hard. He asked good questions in class, studied every...single...night, completed each assignment early, and participated in the extra credit discussions. He was the perfect student.

EXTRA CREDIT ANYONE???

As the weeks drug by, it got more intense, more difficult, and more exhausting. He was sick of coming home at 9 or 10 every night just to go to bed then get up and do it all over again the next day. It took a lot of effort  to stay positive.

Soon, finals were approaching and the panic set in! He was so overwhelmed and began wondering why oh why did I even attempt these accelerated classes! 

Finally the finals games were over. 6 horrible weeks crammed with an entire semesters worth of papers, discussions boards, quizzes, and tests. Brian actually showed me this video the day he completed his classes and said, "This is exactly how I feel right now."

So hooray!! Brian passes all of his classes and we can bid farewell to worst semester EVER! The poor guy is so burned out we are wondering if it's worth it to keep cramming so many classes in each semester?? It's ok if it takes Brian like 7 years to complete his bachelor's degree right? Tommy Boy took that long, and he ended up saving his dad's company. :) 

SUMMER!

Summer seems to have come and gone just like that! I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, Brian just finished his summer semester  a few weeks ago, consequently I feel like summer is just beginning so I want it to stick around a bit longer. On the other hand, our baby boy will be here in October! Just 13 more weeks till my due date! I can hardly believe it. Just yesterday I was catching up on Lydia's baby book, and looking over pictures and videos of her when she was under a year old. She was so sweet and tiny, and I made sure to show Brian every cute picture of her. My expressions went something like, "Oh look how little!" or "I miss her cute little pebbles ponytail" and "I can't believe that my baby is now a toddler...sob."

Brian nodded in agreement and grinned every once in a while simultaneously going to battle on the X-Box. :) He has mastered faking interest in baby things while playing video games. He still things I don't know when he is faking, but let's face it a wife always knows. :) Anyway,  After staying up way too late we finally went to bed and Brian said, "I'm excited to have a baby in our home again." I was surprised to find that he did in fact listen to my sentimental rambling! My heart melted of course as we traded baby memories back and forth. So to get back on point, Fall can't get here soon enough! But since I have a few more months until little man's arrival, we will enjoy what little of summer we have left!

Though the month of June was pretty lame while Brian was taking his accelerated classes, we did manage to squish and entire summer's worth of activities into two weeks of July! To kick of Brian's first weekend free of classes we spend the entire time camping with our family. It was perfect!

Our weekend was filled with typical camping activities which no matter how many times you do them, they never get old! We played cards, sat around the fire, ate amazing food, and enjoyed spending some time together. It was the perfect way to celebrate the 4th of July.

 Lydia got filthy of course. She also enjoyed showed off her "mean face" which she does now on command, and whenever she is bugged. :) I was glad I finally got a picture of this epic scowl.

Playing at the creek was the highlight of the weekend. It was so hot all week and the cold creek felt AMAZING! We loved wading in the cold water while watching the kids build a dam.

Lydia taking a break from the water to keep Grandma company.

Maylee, Lena, and Lydia playing with the Uno cards. 

Camping was so much fun, and we were  desperately craving some summer activities, so the following weekend we took Lydia to the drive-in to see Inside Out. We were betting that she would fall asleep during the movie but she stayed awake the entire time! I wish I would have taken some pictures of our little outing, but of course I forgot the camera. That same weekend we had a little get together with the Richins side of family. I had an aunt and uncle come to visit from Missouri, and one of their kids got baptized while they were here. After the baptism we went swimming. We thought Lydia might like to "swim" on her own so one of my family members gave her the funniest life vest you've ever seen. We got a kick out of the shark fin on the back so of course I had to snap a picture.

Though Brian was so busy earlier this summer we did have some fun. We branded calves in June, which is always a favorite summer activity of mine. This year I didn't do as much, considering I was in my second trimester at the time. Brian filled in for for me and vaccinated while the other guys cut, branded, and tagged the calves. We had some awesome ropers help us out this year so it went really fast. So fast in fact that Lydia actually fell sound asleep and slept through the entire thing! We actually had to wake her up to go home.

Here are a few pictures of our branding crew:

Brian is giving shots, apparently with an audience, so no pressure!

Grandpa Milan is branding while Brian hold the calf down with some help from Matt.

Grandpa Milan putting the branding iron back on the fire to keep it hot.

Grandpa's Mule Sally, our favorite spectator. 

Papa Matt cutting a bull calf.

A few weeks after branding me and my sister Kami decided to have a little pool party with our girls. Kami got some cute pictures of our little outing. When I have cute pictures on my blog, just automatically assume that they were taken by Kami. :) You can bet you boots I didn't take them!

The girls had tons of fun splashing and playing in the water. It was the perfect way to kick off our summer festivities!

Luckily we have a little more than a month of summer left! I feel like we've done pretty good accomplishing our summer bucket list, but I'm still anticipating some more camp fires, picnics, and swimming. We've had a blast so far, but I'm happy to say there is still more fun to come!

This last picture sums up Lydia's reaction to all this summer fun perfectly:

Graduation...Finally!

SO LONG WEBER STATE!!! My graduation day has FINALLY come and gone! It was so awesome! I went to commencement that morning, which was super cool, since I graduated with Damian Lillard! Way to go Lillard! You've put Weber State on the map!

I didn't really want to go to commencement at first, I thought it would be super long, and I just didn't know if it was worth it, but it totally was! It was cool to walk into the Dee Events Center with all of the other graduates, listen to Damian Lillard speak, and just commemorate all my hard work. I'm glad that I decided to participate that morning. The best part was I got to graduate the same day as my sister-in-law Kristi Lundgreen! I was excited to participate in the morning commencement with her. It really was awesome to celebrate our graduation together.

My college (The College of Education) graduation ceremony was at noon, where I actually got to walk and get my "diploma." Which was really just a purple diploma case. They are mailing our diplomas later. 

I'm so glad that I decided to go back to school and get my Elementary Education Degree. Now that I'm done, I can look back and say, "Yeah, it was totally worth it." I finally found a career that I love, and if I ever need to support my family, I can.  I couldn't have done it without my own family. They have been such a wonderful support system.

My sister Kami was probably the first person that really supported me with my decision to go back to school. I didn't know if I could do it, but my sister was the one person who cheered me on the entire way. She showed me how to apply for financial aid, she showed me how to register for classes my first semester, and she proof read many, many papers. She helped me get started at Weber State, and that last year when I was trying to finish up, she babysat my daughter whenever I needed her to. So, this is a shout out to my sister Kami, Thank you so, so, so much for all you've done to help me accomplish this goal! I couldn't have done it without you!

These are my grandparents Scott and Marie Richins. They have been there supporting me with every accomplishment from primary programs, basketball games, and now my college graduation. They were so proud when I decided to become a teacher, and I'm so glad that they were able to be there when I got my diploma. My other grandparents weren't able to attend; Milan and Susan Mecham. But I owe them a HUGE thank you! They have supported me whole heartedly. My grandpa was such an amazing teacher, and most everyone in our community remembers singing in his classroom while he played the guitar. Well, he passed on his guitar to me!  I was able to play it in the classroom while I was student teaching. I hope that one day I can be a good as teacher as he was. My grandparents were always willing to help me with my assignments, and answer any questions that I had about education. I'm so grateful to them for their support and guidance. So thank you grandma and grandpa! I wouldn't have even considered a career in education without you!

My mother and father-in-law are simply the best! Vicki watched Lydia often while I attended classes. She would even take her when I needed time to study. Lydia loved going to Grandma's and I never worried when she was with Vicki. I'm so grateful for her willingness to take care of my baby so I could finish school. Rodney works in education and he was always willing to share with me his knowledge and experience. I often picked his brain for advice and counsel when deciding what classes to take, what to write about for assignments, and education philosophies. He was an awesome supporter throughout my education, and I'm so glad I get to call these two amazing people family! I LOVE my in-laws. I couldn't have made it this far without them!

These two people standing next to me deserve a standing ovation for all they've done for me. They watched Lydia ALOT! My mom actually quit her job so she could be around more to help me finish school! There is no limit to the love and support they have given me. I remember when I got married, I had just been accepted into the education program and my dad told me, "Don't quit school now!" they pushed me to finish, and I"m so glad they did. My dad is the absolute hardest working person I have ever met. If it wasn't for him teaching me how to work when I was growing up, I would not have been as successful in school. If it wasn't for my mom's demonstration of such love and support I would have stopped going to school. My daughter loves going to my parents house, and even asks to go there still when we are home. I'm so glad that these two are my parents. I love them so much, and don't know what I would have done without them.  I couldn't have finished without these two! So, thank you Mom and Dad! I love you both!

I've choked up a few times, and have teared up writing this post so far, but now I'm pretty sure the tears will be flowing freely as I talk about my husband and all he's done for me. Words can't do this guy justice when it comes to describing everything he's done to get me to this point. Brian has helped me write papers, cook dinners, watched Lydia, all while working full time and attending school himself. He's worked a full time job all through school, and for the past seven or nine months he's worked two jobs. All so he can support our family. He takes his role as our provider very seriously, and me and Lydia always, always come first. This last semester we had to pay for my tuition. My scholarship didn't cover a whole lot. So, even after Brian got a new job he kept his second one in order to pay for my school. He did this without one word of complaint. If you know Brian at all, you would know that he is probably one of the happiest people you'll ever come across, and he rarely complains. After Lydia was born I had a difficult time leaving her, and I really wanted to quit school. I told him I would go back later when all out kids were a bit older. He said no of course. I was nearly done, and he lovingly reassured me that Lydia was well taken care of with our mothers. He has been my rock through everything. I don't know what I would have done without him, I hate to even think about it. I love this man more than words can say and I'm so glad that he is the person I get to be with forever. So thank you Brian! I love you so much, and hope that I can be there to help you as you have been there for me!

Lydia was messing with my cap which is why it looks so goofy.

So, now I'm a graduate and it's time to answer the question everyone has been wondering about: What now???  Well, after student teaching we realized that me working full time was something we definitely did not want to do. Kudos to all you hard working mommies that work full time and raise children. You deserve a medal! I feel like I've missed out on a lot with Lydia while I've finished school. So, what I wanted to do was find a part time job, and the perfect one came up. I will be teaching preschool at the Mt. Green Kids club just a few days a week. So, that way I can be home lots with Lydia and our baby boy who will be here in October. This job is perfect for our family, and we feel like it is an answer to our prayers. I will get to practice my teaching skills, keep some points on my license, and be home. I will return to the school district one day. I love teaching and I would love to run a classroom of my own once our kids our in school. For now, my current job is just perfect. I have actually been teaching there these past few weeks, and it's been great! Everything is falling into place, and we couldn't be happier with how things are playing out. Life is good!

Busy, busy, busy...

These last few months have been CrAzY!!! I've been student teaching which was great, but so busy. Between teaching during the day, and writing lesson plans and papers at night, let's just say that the house was never clean, and we had dinner out of a can more often then not. But really, I learned so much about what makes a great teacher, how to better manage a classroom, and how to plan effective lessons. My co-operating teachers were great, and I loved both my 4th and 1st grade students. There were both ups and downs during this semester, but I learned that teaching is really what I want to do.

(Just as a little side note, for all you moms out there with kids who attend Morgan Elementary, the teachers there are awesome! They work so hard for their students. Often putting in 10 hour days and buying classroom supplies with money out of their own pockets. Just to better teach their students. I was blown away with how hard these teachers work! I'm so grateful that my daughter will have the opportunity to attend Morgan Elementary School and be taught by such amazing individuals.)

Anyway, to get back on track. The craziness that has been our lives here at the Rose household is starting to come to a close! Yay! I, Laci Marie Mecham Rose am nearly graduated!!! Can I get a hallelujah! I'm so excited to FINALLY be done with my degree! May 1st is the blessed day that I've been looking forward to these past few months. Hooray! I've got my cap and gown, my last class is Monday night, and I'm all but done with my assignments. That deserves another Yay! By the way, I'll be totally fine if I never have to write another paper as long as I live.

These week has been so awesome! Last Friday was my last day student teaching and I'll admit I totally cried. I loved my students and though I was so excited to be finished, it was difficult leaving those sweet kiddos. But, as soon as I picked up Lydia from my mom's after school, knowing it was the last time I'd have to leave her all day everyday, I was elated. I'm looking forward to spending my days with my sweet daughter. Being Mrs. Rose was awesome, but I'm looking forward to just being Mom for a while. 

Our house was severely neglected these past few months so I spent a lot of my new found free time cleaning, catching up on laundry, and playing with Lydia of course. We've gone to the park a few times, colored, and spend a lot of time running around outside chasing bubbles.

I think she is ready for the splash pad!! 

So, I'm sure most of you have already heard the big news. Lydia is going to be a big sister!! We are expecting baby Rose #2 to arrive sometime around October 17. Oh yeah, IT'S A BOY!!! We couldn't be happier! So, when I was pregnant with Lydia I was so, so, so sick. It was truly awful. I threw up everyday, I had a giant cyst that she pressed up against for weeks until it finally ruptured, and the pain from the cyst was so awful I couldn't walk! It was worse, way worse than labor! Labor was seriously the easiest part of my entire pregnancy. However, in January this year I got my gall bladder out, and it has made all the difference. I've not been nearly as sick this time, and whew, there is no cyst in there! I was super nervous about trying to student teach during my first trimester, but it wasn't too bad. I was tired, really tired, and a little sick, but this pregnancy has been cake so far compared to my first. So we are very grateful.

She doesn't look too thrilled with being a big sister in this pic, haha, but hey Mom and Dad are excited!

Brian is doing awesome these days. He got a new job a few months ago! Which, by the way he LOVES! He works in the office at Precision Structures and designs the trusses for houses on the computer. He also manages the computer network, it's a small network since it is a relatively small company, but what a great opportunity for him since Network Management is the degree he is working on. We are hoping that he will be graduating next December! He took this semester off so he could be around more for Lydia while I've been finishing up with school.

Lydia was so tired and grumpy this night. I still remember! She was cutting her top molars.

Dad tried everything to cheer her up.

 He starts summer classes in a couple of weeks. It will be nice to just concentrate on getting him done instead of us both going to school. He is still working his second job at Weber State on Friday and Saturday nights. Just for a couple more months though. We want to get a nice savings account all ready for when the baby comes this fall, so he is keeping that job a little longer. I'm totally ready for him to quit so we can have our weekends back, but having a nice emergency stash is probably a good idea. You can tell whose idea it was to keep he second job for a while longer. Not Laci's. :) But I admit, even though I am totally ready to have my hubby back on weekends, his idea is the right thing to do.

The busy, busy, business is starting to subside around here, and we are happy about that. Lydia is happy to have her mommy home, Brian is happy about his new job, and we are all happy that Laci is cooking dinner again :).