So I did a thing this fall....

and I love the way it turned out!

I have wanted a backsplash for a while now to help my kitchen stay looking clean (scrubbing white walls just doesn't get it looking clean....) I do know how to tile BUT the counter was not level in one corner! If I put in tile, it would have emphasized the uneven-ness...

So I put all my painting knowledge/experience to work:

 Several hours later...

Yeah!!!

And a big thanks to Luke for paying someone to get me black switches and plugs too!

Now after I clean, it looks clean too!

I am so grateful to be able to do some things around the house.

Missing Mom,...

but so blessed to have had her as MY mom!

This year I am officially older than my mother ever was upon this earth. It is more challenging to me to think of this than I would have ever guessed. I miss her very much sometimes. 

My mother was stupendous! (and always will be, actually!) Here are just a few visual reasons why:

I am so blessed to have had such a mother!

A Blessed Break this Fall!

This year, fall break was a week long!!! And with the end of the quarter, I got to add on to it too.

It was A LOT of driving, but Luke and I got to see all of our littles!

Including this guy! It was so great to meet Thomas and visit with his parents!

(get ready for picture overload...)

There is nothing better in this life than sleeping baby snuggles!

And the many faces of Thomas... (Luke says that he changes his expression nearly every second sometimes!)

This may be his most common one! This boy's a thinker, for sure!

I couldn't quite catch a grin, though... maybe next time!

Luke and I only got to see Claire and Olivia for literally a few minutes- but it was good to stop by! (and the new baby will be here so soon!)

And then Riley, Parker and Ashtyn...

Definitely my princesses!  (all 5!)

I am so blessed to be a grandma!