Ever since we took this picture...

I've really been wanting to get rid of those temporary paper blinds. 3 years is long enough! It was one of those things that we just got used to and I rarely even thought about them. But knowing we had 3 Christmas pictures taken with those paper blinds in the background really got to me. (And maybe next year we'll sit so the Christmas tree shows!) I've been on a mission this year to find just what I wanted. I've looked at other people's homes to get ideas, looked through magazines and online...until I came to the conclusion that I just wanted something to replace those things. So one day while I was at Target I found some curtains that I liked well enough and could picture hanging in my house. I went for it and I'm so happy I did!! Kevin hung them up last Monday on his day off (I always seem to have projects for him on his day off and then I always say "On your next day off we should get out and do something fun"!) And here's what it looked like:

And then we did a little something more to add to this front room (which should have been more of a priority since everyone who comes to our front door sees this room). We had been talking about having a short getaway for our anniversary. As I was looking for a bed and breakfast I suddenly became more practical and decided I'd rather spend that $200 on something else. So I gave Kevin a list of options of things we could do for our anniversary and what we ended up with was dinner and a movie and shopping for a picture of the Mt Timpanogos temple (since that's the temple we were married in). Perfect! And then guess what...I decided to get the mail since it had been several weeks (our mailbox is just so far away, like a block!) and in there was a coupon for 75% off clearance pictures at Deseret Book...and it just so happened that it was good for the next couple of days! I love it that I have good luck like that! But wait, the good luck continues...the picture we wanted back before Christmas, was now on clearance! Can it get any better?

(Just pretend that pillow is moved over to your left a couple inches. But it rarely is because hiding behind all those big pillows is one of Rylan's favorite hiding spots. And you know what? Sometimes you really can't even tell he's back there!)

Our recent additions really make the room feel cozy and happy and welcoming and now I like to look over there throughout the day :)