Before you go...

You may not understand now..
but I can not believe we are to this point.

In one short month, you will be a Senior.

This #collegetour trip we took today made me quite aware of how fast your are growing up.

It's time to start making decisions.

Where do you want to go to college?

 What's your major going to be?

Do you want to stick around home for a few years?

or 

Are you ready to venture off on your own?

I'm good with either...really....really?

Today was just how I had pictured it to be.

Your dad and I driving you down to the cities.

The music cranked & you singing along to "our age" music.

I can't believe you know the tunes, "our tunes."

We realize you have great taste in music.

As we ride on...

You're in the back chatting with us about life!

Laughing at how fun life has been.

   At times, 

the converstions become serious,

 You opened up about some of the struggles you have had..

struggle we have endured throughout the years...

together.

We know your not perfect, but you must know.. your perfect to us.

 We thank you for bearing with us.

We were young & naive parents.

Almost the age you are now when we had you.

How is that even possible?

We tell you how being teenage parents was difficult, how we struggled..

how we never had the opportunities he has now.
However,
We make it clear, we would't change it in a million years.

On our way to hospital...Only 19 and 18 years old.

You smile and agree.

You thank us for being good parents & our hearts melt.

You remind us over and over again that "we are not that young!"

We all laugh..it's true, we are growing old..right along side you.

When we pull up to the college.

Your dad and I joke ..

We tell you that the admissions probably think we are here for the tour.

You shake your head in disagreement.

We quickly become "the embarrassing parents."

As we walk into the college.

I see young men and women.

You fit right in, looking just like them.

I quickly learn, we look like parents & you look like a man.

How did this happen?

The tour goes great and you LOVE IT.

You tell us that you hope your dreams of playing college golf here happen.

You "think" this is where you want to go.

Your sweet & caring personality quickly shines through.

You talk about the worry of private school tuition 

&

make it clear that if it's too much money, you will look elsewhere.

We thank you 

 but

 make it clear that we will make it happen if it's important to you. 

Whatever you decide, we have your back.
If that's right here in your hometown, 300 miles away, or states away..we Support you!

On the car ride home, I didn't want you to see ,but you did.

The tears just kept rolling down by face, as the station was playing all the wrong songs.

I should never have the country station on when I'm sad.

I text my close friends and share a picture of my current status:
Eyes swollen and red from crying.
They assure me, It will all be okay..

However, with the college folders reflecting in the windshield,

I couldn't turn away from reality that time is indeed ticking.

Your growing up and moving on.

I'm thankful we have another year together.

You're going to be a senior.

You quickly remind me of that as you see my tears,

"mom, it's okay..we have another whole year together."

Dad grabs my hand & the tears slow down.

I start thinking....

We have so much more to do before you go.

Thankful for our time...thankful for us...thankful for you!

Love,
MOM

Affordable & Practical Easter Basket Ideas

 "Hoppy Saturday!"

Hope everyones weekend is off to a great start.

Since the sun is hiding behind the clouds

 &

 some of us might be settling in for the day..

I thought I would do my "2nd Annual" Easter Basket Post.

I don't know if you guys can relate..

 I often struggle with finding 

affordable, 

practical items for the kiddos Easter baskets..

without going OVERBOARD.

I don't want the "Easter basket" to take away from the true meaning of Easter.

Last year,

I tried to put together an affordable & practical basket for them.

I ended up uploading our basket pictures to Pinterest
 &
 daily it is viewed by many.

That had me thinking..

maybe many parents are struggling with finding a balance for the Easter basket?

If you need "helping hand"..

Come check out our Easter Baskets from Last year!

#1. "Dear Daughter's Basket" 

All of her "Easter Collection" could be found in the $1.00 section of Target

  Basket included:

Bug net, gardening tools, kite, shopkins blind bags, & seeds for planting.

Paired with a new pair of jammies and her favorite snacks.

The personalized basket with made by a local crafter: Crafty B

Collette was all smiles on Easter Morning!

#2. A Lego Lover's Basket

Our son loves Legos, tractors, and snacks.

Crafty B created the perfect basket & we added a few of his favorite things.

*If any of you have children on the Autism Spectrum

 you can maybe relate

 to our struggle when it comes to Easter.

If we filled his basket with sugary treats, it would be a very hard day for him.

So, we tried to do a balance.

A few fun "sugary treats" like Orange Crush & gummy bears...

paired with,

 some chips and Jerky along with his favorite LEGO was sure to keep him happy with this find!

#3, "Blue Devil Golf Baskets"

Hard to see in the picture 

but,

for our other boys who LOVE golf & Everything Blue Devil...

Crafty B whipped up some Blue Devil golf baskets & we added a few of the favorite snacks!

We threw in some golf balls, t's, and golf towel to complete the basket.

They were "happy golfers" Easter morning.

If your feeling really brave,

try adding some "rabbit feet" evidence along the way.

It didn't come out as great as planned

 but 

I added water to flour and used my hand to create a foot print!

It will make for a surely messy Easter morning :)

Well that wraps up the "2nd Annual" basket post.

"Hop" over here for the 1st Annual Post: http://altobellipetersonconstruction.blogspot.com/2016/03/tackeling-easter-basket-on-budget.html

Hope these ideas will help your Easter be more enjoyable & affordable.

Remembering always the true meaning of Easter!

Rejoice in the Day!

Shelby

Hockey Themed Baby Shower

Hockey Themed Baby Shower
~Presented by: the Minnesota Hockey Mamas~

Our Star Player "Mom to be": Sarah

Have you ever seen four refs try to host a baby shower?
Well, today's your lucky day!

Introducing our Refferree's/hostesses & guest of honor:

Shelby (me), Kathy, Mama to be Sarah, Melanie,Nita
(..and our "paw"ty planner Charley!)
Let's get this Game "shower" started!

Grab a Seat..The Games ready to Begin!

The 1st Period:
Eat & Gab

The Menu Tonight 

comes straight from the:

"Concession stand"

We've got:





~Power Play Punch
(we bought some light weight rubber pucks to add to the punch)

Hockey Hammies:

~Victory Veggie Pizza~

We added the rest of the vegetables right before eating!

We also had:

Check & chirp chips

Penalty Kill Pickles

and

Face off Fruit

(a sweet assortment of strawberries, kiwi, and blueberries...with dip of course! :)

Oh, we can't forget the CAKE!
Featuring the little player herself:
~ultrasound with skates, helmet, and stick~

Table decorations included:
Pink table cloth

Vase with hockey puck & carnation..
along with Mini Chalkboards with painted rinks on them!

On to the SECOND Period!

..A little fun :)

Games!
We played the memory game using all things hockey!

The Winner won a Locker Room Love Prize..
Filled with things you may use in a locker room & some other "sweet" items!

By the way, if we didn't tell you yet..
You can't SAY anything related to hockey or you loose your pin!

Start out the shower with three pins..the guest with the most in the end wins!

Shhh...now don't say HOCKEY!

On to the third period...Time for Gifts!!!

Our beautiful Guest of Honor!
Getting her very own set of "knit" skates for the baby to be.
I think she likes them!

...And wait what do I hear?
Oh, it's the Zamboni clearing off the ice!

 Our Ref determined a Zamboni was in order...
Coming through!

It was quite the "paw"ty!

We sure LOVED showering Sarah..
We hope she enjoyed it!

Love,

The REFS ❤

"Spoooktacular" Halloween Decorating Ideas All for $1.00

Boo!!!

Oh my, Halloween is creeping in!

Are you all ready to get your house spooked out?

I did some digging...

and

I found some...

Spoooky Halloween Ideas for Your Home

ALL FOR $1.00!!

yes, your heard me right...

$1.00!!

~No need to spend a lot of money on a season that is short!

Come Along on the $1.00 Decorating Design Day!

Tour Starts here:
This First one was found on Parenting Magazine.
All you needs is a pool noodle~which can be purchased at the Dollar Store.
Add some striped tights, black heels, and You have Witch Legs!
Directions Here:
http://www.parents.com/holiday/halloween/decorating/spooky-decorations/?page=2#page=2 

Second Up,

Is a Spook From My Past!

One Halloween, I decorated our window boxes as Tombstones.

Just gathered some fake body parts plus an old tombstone at the Dollar Store 

and

You are all set to go!

I know it's too scary to even Look at, just keep scrolling!!

This last one comes from 

www.theidearoom.net
Just buy glass bottles from the dollar store or ones you having laying around
&
Simply fill with "halloween treats":)
Add a little Label that says
"Potion" or "witches mix"
and you are good to Go!!

Well I hope you enjoyed The $1.00 Ideas!
Have a spooooooktacular Tuesday!

If you don't mind, please come follow us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/altobellipetersonconstruction?ref=hl

For more decorating on a dime, Check out this Fun Fall Post:http://altobellipetersonconstruction.blogspot.com/2015/09/decorating-for-fall-on-dime.html

DIY Magnet Board in case you (misplace) the baseball tryout sign up

Spring Has Sprung...
For me, that means fun projects...
For hubby that means "more projects and more work!"!

But Last year...
He had a great solution for a problem we had!

Come along & check it out!

I need a solution for a recent problem I had.
No room for important notes/events.
Can you relate?

Do you ever run out of room to hang important notes & events?

Do you lack space to hang that beautiful artwork your child brought home from school?

Do you ever misplace the "baseball tryout form"...Oopsie that was me!

Well,

I think I may have a solution!

I wanted to share with you our most recent home project.
 An affordable

 & 

easy
 Do-it-yourself Magnet Board Project!

My husband may not agree with you on the "easy", but watching him it appeared easy.

Here are the Steps for a Perfect DIY Magnet Board

 Step 1: Find the Perfect Space
You need to find a place that has some room.
Remember, you can make this as big or small as you want.

 We used out back entry,
 it is hidden and usually the "dump zone" when we get home.

Step 2: Gather supplies

*24 gauge galvanized steel
My husband has this at his shop & cut it for me!
If you are interested in a piece you can message me!
Or..
I'm sure our local home improvement stores carry it.

*trim pieces
(we used pre-painted white trim)

*Nails

 Step 3: Put it together

My "dear hubby" after no fighting

Kindly
~nailed the galvanized steel on our wall

~Measured the trim to fit & cut

~Nailed trim to wall

(That's what I saw anyways...#haha)

Step 4: Hang Magnets

Find Your favorite magnets & important notes..
and

you are all set my friends!

A fun, easy, & affordable DIY magnet board!!
I better stop saying easy!

Courtesy of: "dear wife"

and

Installed by: "dear hubby" 

 

See the magnet...

Happy Wife, Happy Life!

You can even use erasable markers

&

Leave Little notes to your son.

I'm sure he just Looooovvvvveeessss that!

Added calendar, a few pics, and Jake's golf schedule!

Easy peasy Lemon Squeezy!

Enjoy your day!

Shelby

Sometimes we just have to scrape & scrape the old chipped parts of ourselves, to make way for something new and brighter!

This past weekend,

I decided to repaint Collette's playhouse in the backyard.

The paint is chipping and needs a fresh new look for Spring.

The "old" Shelby would have

just started painting right away,

but,
I took my time.

I knew if I didn't take off the old, chipped paint..

the new paint job wouldn't stay or look as nice.

It is a long, tedious project..

but 

as I spent the afternoon

scraping away at the old paint.

I couldn't help 

but

think of how it reflects my own life.

As I try to become a more faithful, Christ like follower.

God is having me evaluate each layer of myself.

He wants us to identify our "icky" layers

that need to be chipped away

and 

make into something new, something brighter.

A better version of ourselves.

It isn't an easy job.

It takes lots of work.

We must not get frustrated.

Sometimes the old  "paint" comes off right away..

other times,

the "old paint" need lots of work & scraping.

Over & Over..Over & over

You continually work at that most difficult "section"

Sometimes you just want to give up and paint over it,

but
you know it will always be there..

Under the new stuff

&

Eventually it will peak it's ugly head through.

You must face it & work at it.

For me, personally, I still have a lot of scraping to do.
Layers of Yuck that need to be worked on.

The more I scrape,

the more room I have for something brighter and new.

For me personally.

I am quick to react, quick to anger.
I have no patience.

Its the "icky" layer of me.

I'm working on it.

I'm praying about it.

I'm scraping away, trying to get rid of the yuck.

 

As for me.

I'm still scraping.
Sometimes, I can slowly see it moving away..
other times,
the "icky" parts look me square in the face to remind me they are still there.

I cannot be discouraged.
I know a finished product takes times.
So, I'll keep scraping
&
scraping!

As for the playhouse.

It's complete & painted.

Took me all day but it came out looking really nice!

When all was said and done,

I showed "dear hubby" the completed version and he says

"Looks nice, but I think this weekend I am building her a brand new one..

With a slide & Fireman's pole & deck..

We can bring this one to the dump!"

"the unpainted version"

Oh....Okay..

That's my luck...

Love ya,

Shelby

P.S. If you guys are looking for an adorable planter..
Check out this awesome, affordable galvanized planter :)
Just ordered one!

Galvanized metal planter

Today her "tutu was in a tangle".

It was one of those mornings...

Ya, "that one"

Anything I did.

Anything I tried.

Didn't work.

....this morning,

my 5 year old little lady

"Had her tutu in a tangle"

Normally our "dear daughter"

has fairly good mornings

but Today,

Nothing was going right..

Wrong outfit

wrong socks

wrong underwear

wrong breakfast

wrong jacket

wrong mother

She had her tutu in a tangle..

and there was no way I would win.

It didn't last long though,

once we got in the car 

with her

juice box, banana, blanket, and "the right shoes"

 we were all set..

I looked in the rear view mirror 

and

she was her old self.

In One Minute, everything changed...
She looked at me like the past half an hour never happened.

But..
in all honesty

I guess we all have those days sometimes! 

There are many days she see's me frazzled.

Many days she loves me despite my flaws..

 She still holds my hand & gives me kisses goodbye!

She won't ever catch me in a tutu,
Oh wait.....

 Okay, she may never see me again in a tutu

but 
I'll hold her wearing a tutu everyday for the rest of my life if I could!

Enjoy your day 
& 
don't be too hard on yourselves if you had a bad day!

Things will turn around.

You'll look in the rear view mirror..
smiling with your coffee..
.and feel back to normal in no time!

Loves,

Shelby