Meet USA mom Kirsten living in Boise, Idaho

Hi!  My name is Kirsten Grove and I am 28 years old.  I currently live in a small town right outside of Boise, Idaho USA.  I have lived my whole life on the west coast of USA.  I met my husband in Idaho 11 years ago and have stayed here ever since.  My husband, Shane, is one of the most talented people that I have ever met!  He is an artist, carpenter and musician.  He cooks and even sews a little.  I could go on and on about my sweetie.  We have 2 amazing children, Ethan and Eden Jo.  Both were adopted at birth.  Adoption is a huge part of our lives.  We started a non profit through our church that raises awareness for adoption and foster care in our local area.  Shane and I are planning to start the adoption process again this spring.  I am hoping for twins!  Yikes. 
Along with my family, design is in my blood. I spent a few years as a practicing Interior Decorator and then my children came so I put that on the shelf for a bit.  Then I started a blog, Simply Grove, to showcase my work, home and post design and decor images that inspire me.  It has been a wonderful hobby and part time job and I hope to continue in the blog world for years to come.

What kind of house do you live in, are you and the kids happy here or is there anything you all terribly miss …?
We designed and built our house.  I love my home and feel so blessed.  I now know what I want and don't want for our next home.  My husband has been designing it for whenever the time comes.  We are not in a rush but we are always thinking ahead.

Do you like to spend time on decorating your home and the children’s room?
Oh yes!!!  My home is my decorating playground.  My children's spaces are quite easy for me to decorate.  I take from both of there personalities and create what I think fits them best.  There rooms are always evolving and changing but that is how we like it.  You never know what you are gonna see when you come to my house!
Where do you look for interior inspiration, favorite magazines, websites, blogs?
You can find me sitting in our front room with a cup of tea, a cozy blanket and my feet up browsing the hundreds of design sites and blogs out there.  Visiting flee markets, thrift shops and boutiques always inspire me.
What are your children’s favorite items in your house?
My kids are always drawn to our bed.  Whether they are cuddling with us in the mornings or sneaking in a few jumps during the day,  I am constantly kicking them out.  Haha.

What's it like to raise a child in your town?
Boise is a very family friendly city.  There are lots of fun activities going on around town.  We have more playgrounds then sometimes we know what to do with.  Right now pumpkin farms are in season and so its always a treat to take the kids to pick out pumpkins, drink hot apple cider and go thru a corn maze.

What is your idea of a perfect day with your children?
Sleeping in, having a big breakfast together, visiting a local bookstore, setting up a picnic and letting the kids play at a playground, taking naps (always needed), watching a movie together and cuddling on the couch while eating a bucket of popcorn with m&m's mixed in.  Family Bliss.
Can you mention some of your ‘how-to-raise-your-kid’ values?
My advice to any parent is consistency!  Consistent in loving, disciplining and supporting. 

What kind of DIY projects do you like to do with your children?
We have a big box of art supplies with paint, markers, crayons, glue and everything else a child needs.  Throughout the week I bring the box out and let them be as creative as they want.  I sometimes refer to coloring as there babysitter because they could sit and color for hours upon hours.
Any tips for keeping the house clean when crafting?
If you are on top of the cleaning and pick up the moment a spill occurs then it wont get overwhelming.  Also organization is key!
Are you a crafter or DIY person?
Hmmm...Well, I do both but I am not great at either and that is because I am not the most patient crafter.  I like to see the end result right away.  My husband is a perfectionist so his projects always look way better than mine.  Crafts and DIY's never end at our house.  Especially DIY's.  Right now we are brainstorming what to do with our carpented rooms and what flooring we can install ourselves.
What do you do with all the projects your children made at home or in school?
I keep about half of them in a folder and I display a few at a time on our refrigerator, in there rooms and playroom.  Its impossible to keep everything they make but it is important to at least save some of them.  I love looking at the crafts that I made at there age.  I want my kids to have the same memories.
Any nice decoration ideas how to hang them, keep them or use them as presents?
Hanging them on a clothespin attached to wire or string is always a neat way to display them.  I love framing them and displaying them as art.  
How do you like to celebrate birthdays and other special days in your house?
Birthday weeks are a must in our house.  One day is to short so we spend the whole week celebrating.  The kids open one little present a day.  They also get to pick out breakfast and dinner and the rest of us have to eat what they choose.  We also sing happy birthday everyday for that week.  

What are favorite games in your home?
You would think Ethan and Eden Jo would be tired of "Memory" by now....nope.  It is a daily game in our house! 
What kind of sports do your children like to do and are you very involved?
Ethan is really athletic and loves all sports.  He played T-ball this last spring and loved it.  He wants to do soccer next.  Shane and I will always be involved with there activity's.  I'm not sure what Eden will want to do.  She is more into performing and arts and less about athletic activity's.
Are there musical instruments in your house?
Oh yes!  We have a piano, guitar and Ethan has a little drum set.  Both my husband and I come from really musical families so music is as normal as food to us.  Both of my parents have been music teachers and music composers for years.  You cannot sing happy birthday in my family without breaking into parts!
What are all time favorite books for the children?
Eden Jo loves Dr. Seuss.  "Are You My Mother" is her favorite right now.  Ethan loves counting books.  They also both request "Snuggle Puppy" every night.  Its a story with a song intertwined in it.  You as the parent have to create the melody of the song.  Its quite cute.

Are you a ‘cook’ or ‘food’ lover or both?
I adore baking!  I could bake everyday.  My husband is the chef of the family.  He comes up with the best recipes.  We are not the meat and potato family.  We like unique dishes.  My favorite recent dish is his Chile.  It is so yummy. 
What do your children like to eat?
They like typical food.  Mac and cheese, PB & J, Corn Dogs.  We force them to eat adult food but they always request the safe kids food.  Fruits and veggies are a huge part of out diet.  And we drink water during most meal times.
What kind of candy or drinks are absolutely forbidden in your house?
Pop!  Pop is a no no.  We let them order Root Beer at restaurants maybe twice a month.
House pets
Are their pets in your household?
We have a Yorkie Pom which is a Yorkie Pomeranian mix.  We like to think that we rescued him.  He was badly treated before we got him.  He had alot of stomach problems so there were many Vet visits.  We cant imagine our home without him.  He is a bit crazy and hyper but we adore him!!
 
What kind of place do you like to go to on vacation with and or without the children?
An annual trip for us is to Jackson Hole Wyoming which is located at the base of the Tetons.  It is gorgeous and there is quite a bit to do.  We also are Disneyland fans!  How could you not be?
How do you prepare for a trip, any useful tips?
Packing doesn't have to be stressful.  If you start a few days before you leave and gradually finish everything it wont seem overwhelming.  I always love having a clean home to come back to with only our laundry from the trip.  It may mean I have to stay up late the night before cleaning but its so worth it!
Tips for traveling with a plane or a long-time trip on the road with children?
DVD player!!!!!  And lots of books.

..Kirsten of Simply Grove..