You know when you have a few days of chaos and it feels like it has been weeks since you latest contact with the outside world? That is how I am feeling today.

Last Friday I was out of town working on Cara’s office,  all was right with the world, until I got a call from Court. He was headed to the Emergency Room. Cute Dyl was playing Beach Party with my nieces (it is a whole game that they’ve made up with a song and everything.)  According to her this is exactly what happened.

“Um so we were dancing…  me and Soph were dancing and we were playing (for full effect sing the next part) Lets go down to the seashore. Waves are rolling in,  waves are rolling in. Take my hand jump into the water…SPLASH! So um I jumped off the bed and I land on it weird.”

She broke it right above the elbow. The hospital staff adored her (of course)  and her new nickname is Chubby Cheetos because of her puffy iodine stained fingers.

My adorable Mom and Dad drove down from Salt Lake and spent the next couple of days with us and we loved every second of it. I am so grateful for our families,  they are the best in the entire world. And needless to say, I haven’t opened my computer for days, so if you have recently emailed me, hang tight I will get back to you!

If you follow me on Instagram then you know that we hit a major snag in our Kitchen Reno. After we demo’ed the tile and thinset, I pulled out the hardwood that we had ordered. I feel like I need to preface this by saying that I did not expect a perfect match to the hardwood that we have now 4 years later. I knew that there would be a possible snag, but the online image and the samples that were sent were great, so we went ahead with the order.

So after proper acclimation time (1 week) we pulled out the wood and it didn’t match. The new wood is the very darkest color in our floors, with no color variation. Our floors have HUGE amounts of variation in them. The samples looked fine because one or 2 rows would have worked, but a whole room would have looked horrendous.

With that option taken off the table, we were heartbroken and left with tile. The bottom left is the one that we have chosen. I think it is going to look great,  I am still just  a little frustrated by the whole situation. You guys will get the full story as soon as it all plays out.

The winner of the $500 Home Depot Gift Card is Colette Nasworthy! Check your email lady and huge congrats!

I feel like I need a nap. Who is with me?

The post Life, Project, and Winner Updates! appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

Sorry to stray a bit from the normal DIY project postings today friends, but today is a day of celebration at the Gubler’s!!. I believe that sometimes the hardest anniversaries are the most important ones to remember.

Yes, in fact that IS a cake with handcuffs on it. Given to Court from one of our friends that attend our Wed. night 12 step meeting.

10 years ago today was one of the worst days of my life. (Literally,  like top 2.)

10 years ago today Court was arrested. I was 6 months pregnant with Ivie and our lives were out of control in the worst way. Court had been dealing with a drug addiction that robbed every single person that loved him of their life. If you havent experienced addiction first hand you may not understand how one person’s inability to fight this demon could do that. But it will suck the light out of even the brightest person.

Some people might be ashamed of finding themselves in this situation, but by the time we finally found recovery we were so far past the embarrassment/shamefulness. We were in the completely hopeless phase. But that is another celebration for another day.

10 years ago today I was working in the mall when my life was turned on its head by one answered prayer. A prayer that I had said the night before pleading with God to take Courtney’s addiction away. (Obviously we are a little more careful about how we pray now!)  I could not fathom why a prayer was answered this way. I was so angry.

Courtney was gone in jail and in rehab for 6 months. He was gone while Ivie was born, and for the first 3 months of her little life.

Today I can see so clearly that without that intervention Court would not be alive. Those 6 months that took an eternity to pass, now seem like only a moment.

So although it took 7 more years to find true recovery it was totally worth it.

Don’t give up on the people you love. You can’t change them, you can’t fight this battle for them, and you have no control over their choices, but you can love them.

And sometimes that is enough.

You can read our entire real life story from the beginning, to where we are today. Its long and full of miracles. And I thank God every single day that he has blessed me with the experience.

The post Happy 10 Year Jail-iversary!! appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

Wednesday I got another one of THOSE emails. You know the kind that asks how I manage to renovate my house single handedly, feed my family 3 square meals a day,  serve in my church, have a spotless house, AND shower.

Right at this moment I am in full on Project Mode which basically means that getting this project finished becomes the priority and as long as the house is standing and the children are not starving we are good and everything else falls by the wayside. (p.s. that is one sentence for a reason. Say it all in one breath and you will understand the exhaustion.)

So do you guys want to see what its really like at my house right now??

Mac and Cheese from last night still on the counter.

A nutritious breakfast of Capitan Crunch whilst watching Max and Ruby for breakfast (yes she is in her underwear)

The project leftovers…

The remote by my computer so I can change the channel before Dylan has a complete meltdown.

Kitchen tables are NOT for eating, they are for mixing paint.

Camera lens, hammer, paint, Magic Erasers, homework and other loose papers,  and check out those fingerprints. (Now picture this on EVERY flat surface.)

Do you know what a good friend is? A good friend is one that senses the desperation in your voice when you tell her ALL you want in this world is a treat, and because you haven’t been to the store in a few days you are getting your sugar fix on (wait for it.)  Fiber One Bars. And after laughing at the repercussions of that choice brings you a yummy piece of cake. All while not judging and completely understanding why your 4 yr old answered the door in her underwear. Thanks Brooke!! Here is a message in the sawdust for you.

Have a great weekend friends!!

The post This Is What Project Mode Looks Like at The Gubler’s. appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

This post has nothing to do with DIY. And as easily as I could have screwed Christmas up with my  “Just let me paint behind the tree…No, you dont need to move it…”  BAM! Buzzzzz! Darkness. I did not do that this year. What I did do was much worse.

You all have had a chance to “meet” Court right? He is the best husband in the world. We are quite the pair.

I like to consider myself a thoughtful gift giver. I put a TON of effort into the planning and thinking, and thinking and planning. And sometimes (like last year) it pays off.

Sometimes it doesnt.

Let me plead my case.

Court REPETEDLY says and I quote “All I want in this world is a clean house.”

So being the loving and thoughtful wife I am this is what I gave Court for Christmas:

For those unfamiliar with my girl Zoila she is the housekeeper on Flipping Out and is one of our favorite people in the entire world.

As he unwrapped it I exclaimed “We are getting a cleaning lady!!”

To say he was not happy is a slight understatement.

Apparently Court thought he was getting a gun. (Which I would never buy for him because he is so picky.)  Basically it was a lose/lose situation.

Whoops.

So have you ever had a great gift backfire? Tell me all about it!

Love Your Guts, Mandi

The post That One Time I Screwed Up Christmas. appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope that your holiday is going fantastically!! I am just here for a minute to pop in and make your day. If you have been around for a while you may remember that every year we do a hilarious family photo. (Make sure you check out 2011 and 2010)

This year we went with a Christmas Story theme and it was AWESOME. Literally I have the best family in the entire world.

Please enjoy.

I hope you all have a fab rest of 2012 and I will see you in 2013!!

Love Your Guts, Mandi

[mv_create title=”Annual Family Christmas Picture” key=”16″ thumbnail=”https://vintagerevivals.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Final_WT_family_2.jpg” type=”list” layout=”circles”]

The post You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out! Christmas Photo 2012 appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

It was such a huge blessing. It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in the things happening online that sometimes I forget to live my real life. The events this week in CT reminded me just how important real life stuff is.

It has been a year since my last Real Life Story update (can you even believe that!?!) I am grateful that  I am in a spiritual and reflective state of mind today and I want to share with you what recovery has looked like over the last year.

If I has to sum this year up in one word it would be Miracles.

My testimony of my Savior has grown so much. It is hard to put into words the happiness and peace that I feel…but you know I am going to try!!

In January Court and I were called to be church service Missionaries in the Addiction Recovery Program. This basically means that we have 1-2 meetings a week that we are in charge of. We also go around on 5th Sundays and speak in wards about the ARP (if you are in St. George and want more info on that you can email me!)  I am so grateful for this calling, it has changed my life.

The amazing thing about the Atonement is that is has the power to take away all of our pain. Not just the pain of sin but the pain of other’s sins, the pain of things that are out of our control. I cant remember all of those awful things that I felt for so many years. I can remember a few details of the events but most are hazy and there is no pain attached to them. When I look at Court the things that I used to see when I looked at him are completely gone. That is such a miracle in and of itself. Being at our meetings and seeing people come in and go out I am reminded of how it felt to be where they are.

“This is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.
“And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is
my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard
my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me” (Alma 29:9–10).

2 years ago when we found ourselves in an LDS 12 step meeting the most important thing that we felt was love. The love of the missionaries and the love of our Savior. Its amazing being on the missionary side of the love. It is a miracle that we have been blessed with. I see those that come in with my physical eyes, they are broken and lost and hopeless, just as we were. But then I feel this overwhelming love for them and I just want to hug them and tell them that THEY CAN CHANGE.

And change they do. If you have ever wondered if people REALLY change like REEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLYYY change? I testify to you that they do. I have seen it in my husband, I have seen it in myself, and I have seen it in countless others. The secret is that we dont experience a change of heart once, it is a daily choice to choose Him.

It is so easy to think that we/or someone we love are beyond gone. But you are not. They are not. I love this quote by Elder Holland:

“I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness inherent in this parable, but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”

My testimony today is one of miracles. Life is hard. Addiction is an all consuming darkness that changes people. But the good news is that Christ is an all consuming light that changes them MORE.

There is so much darkness in this world. There is tragedy after tragedy worldwide, nationwide and in our own homes. I find peace knowing the reason that this life is hard. In The Book of Ether the story of Jared and his family is shared. For those unfamiliar with this story I will give you the readers digest version. Jared and his family lived at the time of Babel, when the languages were confounded by God. Because of the faith of the brother of Jared they and their families were spared. They were told that they were to be taken to a promised land and were instructed by God on how to build a barge. This was more like a modern day submarine than a boat but there was no way to steer it. They travelled in these ships 100% dependant on the Lord to take them to their final destination.

5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind.

8 And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.

When we are in the midst of the furious winds it can be terrifying and frustrating,  but where would we be if we gently bobbed along? No where near our destination or our true potential. The Lord knows that without the winds we cannot become who we are supposed to be. So he lets the winds blow BUT just like in verse 8 says,  If we have faith enough to get in the boat, the winds will never cease to blow us to the promised land.

if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give theeexperience, and shall be for thy good. (D&C 122:7)

Court’s addiction is one of the biggest blessing of my life. I am grateful every single day that I hung in there because people can change, the key is they have to want to. With that ok from them, the Savior will step in and make  impossible things possible. He will change our very nature.

Christ says “Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked—the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.” –C.S. Lewis

For those who are unable to attend a LDS 12 Step meeting (or you are curious what happens there) you can find some incredible podcasts here.

If you are interested in learning more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints you can find tons of information on mormon.org and I would be SO happy to send you a Book of Mormon!

Love Your Guts, Mandi

The post My Real Life Story Update 2: Miracles appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

Today is one of the happiest dates in all of existence. Over the weekend we celebrated Court’s 2nd year of sobriety!! If you want more info on all of that check out My Real Life Story!

I am baffled and amazed at how drastically different my life is from the chaos and hell that it was exactly 2 years ago.

I am beyond proud of my wonderful amazing husband. He is the strongest, most grateful person I know. I am so blessed that I get to hear him share his hope with others a few times a week. I am grateful for these last 2 years but I am also grateful for the 8 before that. They have made us who we are and I wouldn’t change that for anything. I  am SERIOUSLY lucky that he is so freaking supportive when it comes to projects and blog stuff. Love you Lover!!!

The pain of addiction is ravaging, the destruction that it leaves in its wake is devastating, and the darkness is suffocating.

But there is hope.

So if you or someone you know is fighting (or not fighting yet) an addiction, don’t give up!!

Have a happy Monday, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite entry for the Epic Room Makeover (voting is SUPER close and there are some incredible entries!!)

Love Your Guts, Mandi

The post When My Life Changed. appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

Sometimes I get so busy with the things I “have” to do, that I overlook the things that I love. So todays post is a photo dump of sorts with a theme.

Sometimes I look at my girls and wonder how such beautiful things are mine.

And then I remember they are just like me.

Sometimes I wonder why the scooter riding is going at a snails pace.

And then I realize its because she is so darn independent.

Sometimes when I look at the files in my computer and see that 90% of them are pictures of furniture and tutorials  I feel like the worst mom in the world.

And then I realize that only I can change that.

Sometimes I wish that there was more time to hang out with this girl.

And then I realize the Wanda and Sylvia will be back together soon and taking a room by storm on some unsuspecting victim…

Lets just let that soak in for a second.

.

Sometimes I find really cool crap at the thrift store.

And then I  have to come to terms with the fact that I paid more than its actually worth. Oh well, its pretty fab.

Sometimes I go to the grocery store at midnight and secret smile inside when I buy a magazine that I have been featured in.

And then I remember that the life I have, though far from perfect, is pretty dang cool.

Love  Your  Guts,  Mandi

The post Sometimes. appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

How much do you think genetics play into our lifestyles? The more DIYish I get the more I see it around me. And this weekend my eyes were opened to just how creative my family is.

This is our cabin

It was built by my grandparents and their kids over the course of, well, the last 35 years.

To me the cabin is the happiest place on earth. When I was younger my family didn’t go on vacay to Disneyland we went to the cabin. There are so many wonderful memories that I have there, things like certain rocks and faces in the quakie trees throw me back to my eight year old self.

But back to the DIY aspect.

Every single log that make up the walls was a fallen tree that my grandpa found and was hauled in from the forest. Can you imagine the vision that they had? Literally everything in the cabin was DIYed.

When we were up there I saw things in a new light. The light of the creator.

Quite a few of you have asked about my moccasins that make an appearance now and then in my tutorials. When my Grandpa was alive he would make a pair for us every year for our birthdays. He was beyond talented and I am going to learn how to bead myself so that I can make some for my girls. When I announced that I was bringing Southwest back I told you a little about the love that my Grandpa created in us for all things Native American. This was my childhood.

And if you have ever come to the Rowland’s cabin you are guaranteed to spend an extra 15 minutes in the outhouse reading all of the thoughts and quotes on the walls.

I am so grateful that figuring things out along the way was instilled in me from my first memories. And my favorite quote written on the bathroom wall is from my Grandpa. It says “I may not be fast, but I am sloppy.” I think I might make that my new motto.

Love  Your  Guts,  Mandi

The post The DIY Gene Runs Deep In This Family appeared first on Vintage Revivals.

This is the last Craft Wars post. I promise.

And it’s the best one yet, so just go with it.

There are a few people in life that you love instantly and then love even more every time you chat on the phone, email, or get to see in real life. Bridget is one of my insta-sisters.

When we received the air date my first instinct was to watch it alone. In my house. With no one around. With lots of chocolate.

But then I thought about all of you who would be watching it and possibly worrying about how I was feeling about getting my butt handed to me. And it was a great excuse to get my favorite people in the world together. So instead I thought it would be awesome to have a HUGE celebration.

Bridget is always up for a party (she is a girl after my own heart!) and I asked if she wanted to help me do a viewing extravaganza. The problem? We had 6 days to plan it. Bridget is like a party samurai. And I think this is the best before and after pictures ever posted on Vintage Revivals.

In record time the RSVP list was full and 150 were here to celebrate!

The food was SOOOOO yummy! My girl Janell from One Sweet Slice brought the #1 cupcakes in Utah, and let me tell you, she deserves that title for the REST OF HER LIFE. They were so good I ate a few for breakfast the next morning (and maybe for lunch too….)

Pick Your Plum swooped in to save the day with bags full of SWAG!

And what creative party wouldn’t be complete with out a little DIY? Gygi’s provided everything we needed to make our own Italian Sodas (the peach one is my favorite!) Also if you are ordering from Gygi’s online use the code BRIDGEYWIDGEY10 to save 10% on everything from paper straws to fondant!

Speaking of fondant. Ashlee from Topsy Turvy waltzed in with one of her famous cakes and I may have peed a little it was SO beautiful.

Just for comparison look at the real Craft Wars logo

I know, I was dying too!

We had some major giveaways from Krylon, Purdy, Bake It Pretty, Slipcovers By Shelley,  Kid Chatteroo (app launching soon!!), Velata,  and Vintage Rose Wraps. THANK YOU GUYS!! Here is a picture of all of our winners! (If you won a pack of Krylon and have not emailed me your order yet DO IT!!)

Jilly the crafting partner of the century was in town for the bash and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Also notice the HUGE smile in the next picture…ya, its cause Jill had just made a boob joke. Love these girls!

But hands down the best part was meeting so many of you! You will never know how much it meant to have your support and love. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart!

Now for the linky!! There were SO many yummy treats and friends at the party. Link up your wrap up post or your recipe for the treat you brought so we can recreate a bit of the magic in our own homes.

Love  Your  Guts, Mandi

The post BEST NIGHT EVER!! Craft Wars Party Recap appeared first on Vintage Revivals.