We haven't move yet, but...

I'm trying to figure out how we're going to combine a girl toddler with the baby on the way in ONE ROOM. Actually, for the first few months...the baby will be sleeping in our bedroom on a used cradle we bought out of Craigslist.com and Gwen's old crib set will be re-purposed/re-finished for the baby boy Caleb.

Since the two rooms of the house we bought are on the first level while the 3rd bedroom is in the basement, it just make sense for both of them to be in the same room for a couple of years. We can't put the the baby or Gwen in the basement, far from our sight when the master's bedroom is on the first level. So, I kept searching and searching the net for inspiration or design concept on having two opposite-gender kids in one room and I found some!

Found this at Apartment Therapy's "OhDeeDoh.com" website which is Jackie and Joe's room. That is what I actually thought of, paint the crib set and furnitures white. It will go well with the existing room's paint color which is light green.

I can't get over the elephant in my head, so I better add this decals on the wall where the crib goes! Decals by DecalHappy.etsy.com

This decals are cool also to put in their room! Found this again at Apartment Therapy's OhDeeDoh.com website.One last inspiration I found was from TonyaJoy Photography. She posted her kid's vintage-inspired room. I'm tempted to go this route...modern-vintage black and white room. Hmmm...still deciding, but at least, there's still plenty of time to decide. I just wish my sisters are around to help me put it together as it's not fun having cramps and back pain lately.

:)

Waiting Room

I feel like we're in the waiting room once again. Now that we're done with looking for a house as we found the one we like, made an offer, and now just waiting for the closing date which is next month, we are trying to be patient waiting. A lot of things can happen in a month...but again, the "the waiting room" is a place for us to learn to be patient, strive to be creative (as we anticipate decorating the new house) and at the same time, be prepared of any unexpected events.

The amazing part is the contentment being in the "waiting room" . It's not always easy, but with God's grace, we can find peace just waiting. It's not like I'm being negative or not trusting God...but as I said, a lot of things can happen and as we continue to trust God with the closing of the house...we are thankful for going through the process from the beginning.

On the other note...as I tried to sell some stuffs away to unclutter our apartment...I want to share some home decor inspirations I truly dig.

Since we bought this cute Alta Baby "Dido" Bedding for our upcoming baby boy...

...I'm digging some elephant items for the baby/kid's room (the baby and our little toddler will share their room), like this Modern Retro Elephant by BabyBomb

This will definitely stimulate the baby's vision.

I wish I can get this one for their room also...so not just the baby will appreciate the elephant theme, but as well as my little toddler. Anyway, the baby will be with us with the cradle in our bedroom for quite a while before we completely transfer him to the their room. But my little toddler would definitely like this modern elephant decor for kid's room. Elefant by Richard Hutten

Out and About

I haven't posted in a while...and it's all because of the house hunting my husband has been doing since last month. We had the thought of buying a house earlier this year but put it on hold for a while as we're not really sure if we 're ready to be home owners. After a few months, much thought and prayers...with the help of our family and friend's encouragement as well and their prayers, we realized we can...we can buy a house! Of course, that includes the financial planning stuff.

By God's grace, now we are in the process of getting everything in place and hopes to close by mid-July. What's funny is...we are moving to a town in a Kentucky where Tim brought me few months ago, and I said..."this is the last place we'll live in Kentucky". Now, here we are...I think on the way to moving there. It is a small town not too far away from Covington and Cincinnati (OH), but I came to appreciate the small town feel of it after driving there several times.

I'm so excited as well with the decorating process of having a new home. We've been renters for the past 3 1/2 years and this is very new and exciting moment. Well, I'll just post next time the design process I'll do. And by the way, it's an almost brand new house because the house was just built last year. God provides...and when He does, it's more than what we can imagine!

Coffee Time!

Coffee & conversation...a perfect combination when you're sitting by a café or local coffee shop. I remember the time when my hubby and I used to stroll around Worthington, OH...find a cafe or local coffee shop and just sit and hang out. A perfect location for us to talk while our little one at that time was snoozing on her cozy stroller. Of course, it is partnered with a perfect cup of coffee.

After moving here in Kentucky, overwhelmed by the transition and changes in our life...we lessened our café visit or tried not to go to coffee shops. We opted to make our own espresso and latte at home and grind our own coffee. It wasn't bad, with the economy...we did saved a lot by not going all the time to coffee shops. Although to be honest, I do missed the ambiance, music and the sound of the coffee being grounded in a coffee shop.

When my sister-in-law asked me to help her with her online coffee shop, I was more than willing to help her. Who can resist coffee...oops I mean who can resist my sister-in-law? She's such a sweetheart...and of course, can't resist the coffee! The mission of her site is to bring people together in one place online and experience good coffee. Visit Blarney Stone Cafe and see for yourself how you can experience good coffee and meet good people.

HOPE

HOPE...that's a 4 letter word, a big word which grown-ups likes us needs to re-learn again. After the series of events in the past year, we have focused on the economy and how to bail out the failing big companies.
As a mom, the word NO is also a constant word coming out from my mouth. No, you can climb up there. No, you can't eat that because it's not good for you. No, you need to sleep on your own bed instead of sleeping on mommy & daddy's bed. No, you can't chase the ducks onto the water.
No...no...no...

These two words, HOPE and NO are very different words with different meanings but it is the essence of removing fear out of our lives. I can only say NO to my child for as long as I can and I will continue to love her no matter what. Needless to say, I'm continuously hoping that she will learn from the words NO and if she makes mistakes or fail, the word NO will remind her that there is tomorrow and it's time to get up and move on.

For more hope...go to www.townhallforhope.com

One week so far

Last week was a different experience seating by my desk in front of the computer screen for long hours. Not working on graphics design or artistic stuff but answering calls from customers similar to a call center manner.

Yeah, I got a temporary job as a work-at-home agent in a call center which supposed to be a one-month project. Unfortunately, the one-month term lasted for only a week as the call volume became low and the project has to end. It was like a whirlwind of changes last week as I start the new job and at the same time, our daughter started going to the daycare for the first time. All in the same week, my husband started his new shift as well which became one big week of transition for us.

But that week is done as I bid farewell to my fellow virtual co-workers last night. We called my daughter's daycare this morning that she won't be coming in this week anymore. As I think about it, overall...it was a cool experience but we have to face the reality that with this economy, anything can happen. Tomorrow, I start looking for a job again. Today, I'll enjoy my time with my daughter and hubby.

Winter Wonderland Series Part II

I had fun playing around with my photographs in adobe. These prints invoke a painting-like scene. It's Groundhog Day and according to little Phil...we will have 6 more weeks of winter. If this is true, we will be having a winter valentine and I think, these prints would make a perfect gift to remember this time of the year.

Winter Wonderland Series

I grew up in the tropical isle that is why I am always amazed everytime this season of the year comes. The first snow falls I ever felt was only last 2005 when we used to live in Northern Indiana.

It was amazing to watch how the snow falls slowly from the sky as if it was falling on a slow motion. My sweet room mate asked me that night if I want to go walking out of the snow (that was around 1am).

We walked down the small village to the pier by Winona Lake. The snow was almost up to my knee. She let me borrow her snow boots which barely fits me (my feet were bigger than hers) because I only own open-toe shoes at that time.

So, I'm sharing with you my Winter Wonderland Series which features some of the amazing photographs I captured in this western part of world. More to come tomorrow! :)