More House Pics!!

I am SOOOO ready for our house! It's coming along wonderfully! Here are some more pics of progress.  So far, everything has worked out wonderful!  The only mishap we had was with paint.  The paint guys painted our ceilings a couple of weeks ago and when we went by that evening the color just didn't seemed to be what I had remembered....so, the next night I brought my small can by of the paint sample and asked the paint guy to just humor me and check it.  I just knew I was seeing things and for some reason it just "painted" differently than what the sample showed.  Well, I was surprised (and very glad) to find out that the paint people gave him the wrong color!! I know he wasn't so pleased though! Luckily, like I said, he only had the ceilings done at the point, so that was all he had to redo thankfully.  I am just glad I said something though because I don't think I could've lived with that other color.  Richie and I thought that other color reminded us of old lady make-up foundation! Ha ha!

The stairs again, but with stain this time!! (No carpet yet though...still to come)

Upstairs looking down...LOVE the way they turned out!

Master bathroom tile--picture just doesn't do it justice.  It's such a pretty color!

And no house is complete without deer in the yard!!! Richie is beyond thrilled!

More pics to come!! We are almost there!!

Another 5K!

Ok, this was from last weekend, but I didn't get a chance to post yet! Anyway, Laura and I did yet another 5k and had our personal best times! Laura even came in first in the overall category for females! She is SO fast!! Anyway, I did great with a time of 27:04 and came in 2nd in our age group! Tons of fun as always and such a great challenge! Can't wait for the next one!

Before the race...how is it I always look like crap on race day and Laura looks awesome?? :)

After race with our medals!

Chillin' out in the middle of the road!

House Update!

Our house is ALMOST done! We are SO ready to get out of this duplex and have our own space....These pics are from a few weeks ago....I have some more updated ones I'll post later.  It's taking forever to load pics!

Upstairs Balcony/Gallery before being stained

Another view of balcony

View of house from across the street

Stained cabinets! So pretty!

More cabinets!

Paint on the 20 ft ceiling

Arch in master bathroom

Paint on ceiling of dining room

Start of stairs...downstairs.

House from the outside! LOVE IT!!

It's coming along so nicely!

Mother's Day!

I am a little late posting Mother's Day pics, but gosh being a Mom means NOTHING is done on time!
Anyway, I had a GREAT Mother's Day--got lots of great homemade cards and goodies.  Weston bought me a card and a Sanctus Real CD.  Landen made me a picture frame at the babysitter's with his picture in it and Kylie made me some cute cards.  Then from the whole gang I got an IPad carrier with the kids pics on it (I'll have to post pics of it) and a new cookbook! Love my babies!!

3 Smiles AND facing the camera! SCORE!!

"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star...."

Momma and Babies

The Sheriff In Town

Last weekend was the Webster University graduation ceremony.  Since I am faculty, I was required to attend the festivities.  The Director asked for my help in choosing the keynote speaker and I suggested Sheriff Hollenbeck.  So, she gave me the honor of introducing him at the ceremony.  I don't think anyone noticed, but while I was giving my introduction, my vision started to spot up and I had a hard time seeing my notes.  Well, that made me beyond nervous! I didn't want to mess up his intro!  But thankfully, I could see just enough to trudge through and made it just fine.

Here's a pic of me and the Sheriff!

The Birds and the Bees? More Like Lions and Tigers and Bears!!

Last week at Weston's school, the 5th graders were supposed to have the "health development" class with the school nurse and counselors.  Well, supposedly some parents complained and so they cancelled it.  Which that totally confuses me--we had the same class when I was in the 5th grade! Plus, in today's society I would love for my children to get a "clean" version of the birds and the bees from healthcare and psychological professionals!  Don't get me wrong, I had planned to have my own discussion with them to help them tie a biblical understanding as well as answer questions.
Well, because they cancelled it, I felt like I shouldn't leave the topic undiscussed.  When Weston told me they cancelled the class, I asked him if he knew what it was about.  He said, "yeah, they tell you to wear deodorant and take showers."  Cute kid.  So innocent.  Until his Momma decided to take a stab at it.
I asked him a lot of questions to gauge where he was at in his understanding...level ZERO.  The poor kid had no clue--genuinely none.
So, we started talking.  And at first he was cracking jokes and taking it all pretty well.  I was helping him understand what the girls were going to discuss and he said, "who cares, what's that got to do with me?"
Then, he made a couple of other jokes, but for the purpose of keeping this post G rated, I'll leave them out.  Don't get me wrong, he wasn't trying to be gross, just showing his lack of understanding....
Anyway, we get to the "mechanics" of the conversation and he says, "I don't think I want to know this Mom!!" We finished the conversation and he gets up from the table, starts crying and runs to his room.
I have officially scarred my child.  Great.
Dear School--Please don't cancel that class anymore!!!

Houdini the Stinker Monster

Things have been beyond busy here....between the house, kids, work, baseball season, and life in general, we are swamped!

I feel like I have neglected poor Landen on here.  I know that I will look back in a few years and regret not putting more posts in here of his new things!

So, a quick run down...This morning, when he woke up and I went to get him out of his bed, I noticed that as I got near the door, he sounded like he was right by the door.  I thought, "that's weird, his bed is not that close." He sleeps in a play pen while we are in the duplex and he actually slept in it for awhile at our old house (probably since he was 6-8 months old)--just seemed to sleep better than in his real bed.

So, I opened the door, and he was RIGHT THERE.  He was standing by the door and said, "hi momma!"  He managed to CLIMB out of his playpen!

It totally scared me to death.  So, today at morning nap time, he did the same thing!  Well, I tried to get him to show me how he does it at his afternoon nap and he would "try" but wouldn't give it his all.  And just that much scared me to death!

So now I am paranoid he's going to do it and hurt himself.  I can tell I won't sleep tonight.

Richie's ER Visit

I am quickly turning into a "weekend  blogger" and I hate that.  But, life is beyond busy right now!  Plus, when I sit down to blog, it takes me an hour to catch up on blogs I follow!
We have had one crazy, busy week! I hope he doesn't kill me for sharing the week's events on the blog, but our busy week started Tuesday afternoon when I was in Conway.  I was at a lunch at a doctor's office and Richie called.  When I was able to call him back, he told me he was having chest pains and was thinking about going to the doctor.  I told him to go straight to the ER because the doc's office wouldn't be able to do anything, so he did.  Well, he wasn't having a heart attack thankfully.  However, they wanted to do more tests to make sure there was nothing wrong.  So, they decided to admit him and do the tests the next morning. So, after he called, I sped home from Conway to make sure Landen was picked up on time and to get to the hospital to see him.  Ok, a 19 month old at a hospital is a BAD IDEA.  I am sure the entire 3rd floor were happy to see us leave.  I hated to leave hubby at the hospital all by himself, but I was honestly afraid we would be kicked out!
I took off the next day and got the kiddos off to school and Landen to the sitter's house and ran a few errands while Richie was in his tests and then headed up to the hospital to see him.  I had scheduled a haircut appt for Landen that afternoon though, so I was only able to stay a couple of hours before I had to head back to Greenwood to take care of that.  At that point however, he had gotten a few test results back and everything was coming back normal thankfully! So, don't think I am a bad wife--I knew he was in the clear for the most part before I left! After they got the final results back, all were good by the way, he was discharged and came home!
Tuesday night (when Richie was admitted to the hospital), was Weston's 5th grade performance.  I HATED to miss it as I know it's his last one, but I really wanted to be with Richie and support him.  It was hard though because I hadn't told the kids where I was going, so I had hoped that Weston wouldn't be upset at me.
I am so very thankful to have my husband back and that his heart is OK (and as his buddies said, to find out he has a heart! ha ha!!)....

Weekend....Wet Weekend! UGH!

I cannot believe it's Sunday already! The weekend is over! But we had a decent one--nothing much to comment on really, but still a good weekend.
Friday night, we went to a cook-out at the FS campus of our church and just hung out with some great folks and ate some good food.  Then, we sat around a campfire and sang a few songs.  Such a nice, relaxing evening...low key, but fun!
Yesterday was full of house stuff.  We are to that stage now where we are trying to pin down paint colors, stain, etc.  Such fun! Then, yesterday evening, Weston and I went birthday shopping for him.  His birthday is on Mother's Day, so he is having his party Friday night with friends and then Sunday we will celebrate with family. He is to that age where I don't dare buy clothes without him with me! So we headed to Old Navy where he got several shirts/shorts! He's set for the summer!
Today was church and I was thrilled to hear our worship team sing a Third Day song off of their new album! LOVED IT!
Here's to next week!! :)

Easter!

We had a great Easter!  However, I don't have a SINGLE picture from the whole day! :( It was kind of a busy, whirlwind day.  And I kept thinking--need a picture, snap a picture, but didn't really have the time to take any. And honestly, with the weather, we couldn't do an outdoor egg hunt, so it was kind of hard to get in the picture mode. 
But that's OK.  I may try and "recreate" Easter this weekend! :)  I want to at least get pictures of the kids....and what's 7 more days?

What a Good Friday It Was!

Yesterday, on several occasions I thought of what the day meant as a Christian.  I think that's the first time in my life I REALLY reflected on the day's meaning like I did.  There were times I was sad, there were times I was thankful, and times I was happy.  What a day! To know that God would do such a thing as to give his only Son for us...amazing! 
I found some great tweets yesterday about Good Friday....

"Just when it looked like evil was going to win; it didn't.  A LOT can change in a weekend."

"Betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, abandoned by the eleven, forsaken by God. Darkness, you get one hour.  Then you die."

Happy Easter!!

I Have a Choice

After the last two tumultuous weeks, I had some drive time Monday and Tuesday and that always gives me plenty of time to think! :)

And think I did.  And I made a few decisions.  But those thoughts and decisions didn't come until after I heard a sweet song on the radio Tuesday.....It's called Blessings by Laura Story.  And what's so ironic is that another friend who knows the pain in my life right now blogged about the same song! 

But the words in that song reminded me of a few things.  The song is full of questions like "What if blessings come through raindrops?" or "What if the trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?" And those questions got me to thinking--I have a choice.  I can choose to be bitter and resent the people that have hurt us or I can choose to see the situations as what they might possibly be--blessings.  Looking back in life, some of the most trying times of my life ended up being some of the biggest blessings. And I have to trust Him that this very situation is a great example of that yet again.  So, I did a weird thing yesterday--I invited some of the very people that hurt us to go to church with us. After I did it, I thought, "what did I just do??" I texted Richie and told him and said I didn't really know why I did it and he just responded, "Because you are a good person with a kind heart. That's why I married you." Made me feel so good.  Then, a few minutes later, someone else got wind of what I did by overhearing a conversation with the people and I got a text out of the blue that said, "....I overheard ___ and ___ talking about a text you sent to ___ about them going to ya'lls church this Sunday.  I am so proud of you and Richie. You have both handled this mess with such grace and poise.  You have no idea how much I admire and appreciate you. You will both be blessed for letting Christ's love and grace flow through you!!" I had tears in my eyes after reading it--It made me feel so blessed to have people in my life that care and love us.  And after that I made a choice.  I am done with hurting.  I am done with this stuff consuming our lives.  I can't change people.  But I can change my response.  And my response now is I refuse to be bitter.  God knows what he's doing and I have to trust that.  Until I understand (and I may never) the reason, I will continue to love these people.  And I can honestly say from that moment on, I am at peace.  I am happy with whatever outcome may head our way in this.  

  Here are the lyrics to the song.  Such wonderful words!

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home,
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

The Pox

As if we didn't have enough drama around here, Weston has the chickenpox! Well, I guess I should say "had" the chickenpox as he is finally on the mend and should be able to go to school for the first time this week.
It started Friday when I came home from work.  He was laying in bed and felt warm.  I checked him and he had a fever of 100.4.  He then says, "mom, I have these red dots on my arm" and pulls up the sleeve of his shirt.  I knew at that moment.  But, I hoped it wasn't really that!
So, we went to the dr first thing Saturday morning--and it was. Ugh. But, Dr. J was good to put him on an anti-viral medicine in hopes of lessening the duration and extent.  He said that the older you are when you get them, the worse they are.  So, I am thankful he chose to be proactive and shave some time of this thing!
However, it wasn't enough time because Weston still had to miss his first baseball game last night.  He still had a few blisters and I was so scared that he could possibly bust one open and get a staph infection (not to mention infect someone).  However, he looks tons better today, so he will be back at school tomorrow!! Bring on the make-up school work! :(
**IMPORTANT**I could not figure out how he got the chickenpox at his age.  There are at least 4 cases at his school.  I called his pediatrician and he received the vaccination at 1 yr, however they did not require a follow up booster for school when he started, so he only had the one shot.  Please call your pediatrician and check to see if you child has had the 2nd booster!! Kylie had not had it and we took her first thing Monday to get it!

This was Friday when he was just starting to get spots

By Saturday morning, we were facing this!!

And by Sunday, they were on his back/belly....and a few on legs, head, face.

Day 3 when the blisters started to form

Words

Words--I have plenty of them right now to say, but for some reason I can't.  I am baffled. I am shocked.  I never imagined the cruelty of people.  I have seen my fair share of heartbreaks and hurt feelings with me and my family, but gosh, this?
And how do I remain faithful when I don't understand to begin with? I know faith isn't connected to understanding. I realize we don't always like the outcome of situations. I know life isn't fair or perfect.  But just once, just once can't the right thing happen? Just once can't the honest guy prevail? Just once can't people treat each other with respect? Why am I asked to forgive when others continue to hurt me and the ones I love?
I know I sound so bitter in this post, but like I said I have a lot of words.  Words that are meshed inside feelings.  Words that are masked with as much of a smile as I can muster.  And sometimes words that are hidden behind a blank stare.
I am sick and tired of it.  I am sick of being sick and tired of it.
I only want what's best for the ones I love.  And I know that maybe right now God knows what's best and I don't.  That's the ONLY thing keeping me sane.  That's the ONLY thing keeping me from using my words.  That's the ONLY thing keeping me from lashing out.  Because when it's all said and done, that's all I have left--hope that God is going to show me that he has a better answer than the one I thought was best.
So, I will keep my words unspoken.  I will put my faith in the One that holds the answer.  And I will trust--trust that He knows what he's doing!

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him."  1 Corinthians 2:9

Happy Anniversary!

On April 12 (Tuesday), Richie and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary!  It was a crazy day full of the typical ho-hum of life, but thankfully we "observed" our anniversary on Saturday night with a dinner and movie, so that made up for it! We went to eat at Beef O'Brady's and to see Lincoln Lawyer.  Great food and good movie!
I can honestly say Richie is my best friend.  He cracks me up sometimes.  He talks about how birthdays and anniversaries are "just another day" (he gets that from his Dad I think). I am the total opposite! I look forward to birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries! I love the memories you make and the opportunity to just stop and appreciate life and those who are in it. We have seen some wonderful times and we have had our fair share of storms to weather.  But the amazing thing is, we have done them together--side by side.  I couldn't imagine anyone else standing with me throughout life!!
I love you, Richie! :*

Uncle Ju-Ju Babysits

My brother Jordan was kind enough to babysit Landen last weekend so that Richie and I could go out to eat for our anniversary....I think he has as much fun as Landen! He took him to Bell Park where his Dad lives and he was having a BBQ.  They managed to run up the hill to the playground and Landen got to swing! He had a ball!

Spring Wreath

Last weekend, I made a cute spring wreath with the assistance of Jen! What a sweet gal she is! I had the pleasure of chatting with her on the phone and she was so kind to walk me through the steps to making a cute spring wreath.  My wreath is not anywhere as cute as hers, but hey, it works!

House Update....with pics this time!

Last time I tried to post about the house, the pictures wouldn't load.  So, now I think my technical difficulty is fixed and I thought I would show some house progress! 

Brick going on the house....

Back corner of third car garage

Side of 3rd car garage w/rock trim on corner

Landen checking out his new house!

Play Room

Media/2nd Living Room

Garage

A View of the hall between living/dining area

Sheetrock Tape/Mud

Front Door--Great brick work above the door!

Another view of front door

Tomorrow, I should have some more updated exterior pics--final product of rock/brick work.  It's coming along great! I spent the week picking out carpet, wood flooring, and paint...ugh, too many choices!!

A Day at the Park!

Too funny--my computer is letting me add pictures again, so I will post more house progress later, but for now, here's some pictures of Landen yesterday at Bell Park.  His sweet babysitter loaded up the kiddos and took them to the park to play.  They only got to stay a half hour because it was so warm, but it looks like they had such a great time while they were there! 

Rockin' House!

Well, I tried to load several pics of house updates, but for some reason they wouldn't load.  I did manage to get this one to load, so you can see the finished rock wall in the middle front of the house.  I am really happy with the way the brick/rock are turning out! They have finished the sheetrock in the entire house and have started to tape/mud it.  The brick should be complete by Monday on the entire house, and we hope to have garage doors on it in the next few days.  The house is coming along great....however, estimated completion date is around June 1-10. Well, that sounds wonderful except for one minor glitch--I will be in Vegas for work from the 13th-24th!! Ouch! I really, really wanted to at least have all of our stuff out of the duplex before I left.  I know I won't have things put away, but it would be nice to not have the rent and at least be IN the new house before I was gone.  So, we will cross fingers and toes that the people get on the ball and get this thing finished before we run out of time!!