Projects

Spring always brings the realization that there is lots to do... and since we've decided to stay in our little cottage another year, this spring won't be any different. So...let the renovatons begin (I say all this with NO enthusiasm.)

Saturday we started on our screened in porch. We love our porch, as it totally provides another (much needed) living space in the warm months, but it is in dire need of some serious fixin' up. With the best of intentions, Brent stated early Saturday morning..."I think I'll be able to knock this out in one day." Yeah, well... one day turned into a lot of rotted wood, gross layers of paint, and big fat headaches... I steered clear and worked on staining the outdoor furniture most of the day. Here are some glimpses of our most recent projects. I'll be sure to post all the finished products as we complete them... hmmm, maybe about this time next year (just kidding hun, you know you da man!)

This saturday, because we're obviously INSANE...Brent and my dad (aka Bob Villa) are ripping down half our bedroom wall to create a bigger closet (meaning more than the 2-foot one we currently have). Let the fun begin...AAHHHHH!!

These two pics above were taken before we started

Who needs to hire people when you have all this quality help? Don't you just love the safety goggles?

Screens off and scraping, scraping, scraping paint. Don't I look so sexy?

Current condition of things...and they're still smiling? At least somebody is.

Look at the difference in my chair..I've since finished everything, and the front porch is all ready for flowers and accesories...I can hardly wait.

My little Dandelion

Pale little Dandelion,

In her white shroud,

Heareth the angel-breeze
Call from the cloud;
Tiny plumes fluttering
Make no delay;
Little winged Dandelion
Soareth away.
Helen Barron Bostwick, 1826

Happy Easter

I have felt so humbled and grateful this Easter season for Christ's atonement and resurrection. I love my Savior. I feel such peace in knowing that I have an Elder brother that loves me, and that because of his sacrifice I'll be able to live with Him and my Heavenly Father again. I'm truly  grateful for a Gospel that gives me assurance in knowing where I've come from, why I'm here, and where I'm going.  This Sunday our choir sang a cantata and the theme was..."I stand all amazed."  I would echo that in saying...I truly do. 

These are some pictures we took this weekend (warning there are A LOT). With all the sugar and egg hunts it's kinda a big pastel blur, but you'll get the idea. 

True to Maddie's independent spirit, she had already found the baskets and started the egg hunt HERSELF before getting us up. uughhh, I could have killed her, but... that's Maddie.

It's amazing Brody's still alive after all the candy wrappers he consumed this weekend. I'll literally be seeing tin foil and paper in his diapers for weeks i bet. 

These pics were taken at a farm nearby that has been set up for kids. it was pretty awesome. Lots of fun things for kids to do. oh, and in case your wondering... (if I've lost my mind or not) No, Brody didn't go down that big slide alone, it was a much smaller one. 

This picture of peace and tranquility was taken shortly before Maddie lunged through mid air and nearly mauled another girl to death for throwing corn on her and her friends repeatedly. After several attempts to notify me of the problem, she took matters into her own hands. The girl's mother (who I didn't know) was sitting beside me knitting... how embarrassing. 

Does it show my true colors though to say, that after giving her a firm lecture, my heart silently smiled with pride that my little girl can defend herself so well;)

Can you hear me now?

After 2  solid months of ear infections...and a whole lotta fussin'...  Brody had surgery last week to have tubes put in his ears.  He did great and handled everything like a trooper. The doctor told us that he had so much fluid and mucus (gross) in his ears that he probably couldn't hear much the last couple months (sadly, he's likely gonna prefer that when he gets a load of Maddie's decibal range these days).

They let me go back and hold him while they put him to sleep. He did great... and I was pretty pleased with myself for not completely loosing control and having to be carried out in a white jacket; not fun to say the least. 

- Later that evening. Maddie didn't waste any time getting him acclimated again. Trust me, those tubes must be in there good is all I have to say...