Work Continues

Kevin has been working hard on our remodel. It has been hard to find time to work on it though. When Kevin gets home from work he wants to spend time with his kids, not work. Then he has a wife who is always asking him "whats next?"....I need to cool my jets and let Kevin do his thing:-) I know that Kev always works hard and he doesn't leave a job unfinished...especially in his own home.

Two weeks ago he started installing the cabinets that are going along the wall in the dining room. There is still one more cabinet that needs to be installed, but we have to wait to do that until there is some drywall work done.

Then last week he removed some upper cabinets thinking that it would be the easiest to be replace...Now we think it was the hardest. (The white part on the wall is where the old cabinet was...Micah was doing his schoolwork at the time of the picture) So what was the hard part? The wall had a bow in it. So when Kevin went to hang the new cabinets, they didn't fit tight to the wall. It was very frustrating. The funny thing is, when the house was being framed (9 yrs ago) Kevin went through and put an "X" on all the studs that needed to be replaced for one reason or another...I guess we missed a couple of bad ones.

This past Friday night, Kevin worked very hard making the wall that had the curve in it straight. He worked and worked and finally got the wall to a point where he could hang the cabinets without them pulling away from the wall. They look beautiful! It has been so inspiring to watch him work. I am amazed at the gifts that God has given him. For most people they would have just hung the cabinets on the wall and let them be how they were...Not my Kevin, he strives for perfection.

Saturday he was back at it again. This time trying to figure out the electrical, we had to move a plug to make way for my new floor to ceiling pantry :-) The plug we had to move was a GFI plug. While we were trying to figure out what to do, Kevin's Dad walks in with all his electrical stuff...I call that God timing! The funny thing is that the plugs that are all on the same line are not in order. They are all over the kitchen and dining room (example, one line has three plugs on it in the kitchen, but not three next to each other, and another line has two plugs in the kitchen, not next to each other, and three from the dining room...confusing I know). It was so cute to watch two men who's brains work in a systematic order try to comprehend what the electrician did. It was a great example of how two different brains work. I would be like the electrician....this plug looks good on this line and these plugs look good on this line....Kevin and his Dad are like....you start at one end and work your way to the other end. It all worked out in the end, and that is the most important thing!

This picture below is of my rag-a-muffin, positioning herself in the line of fire when I was trying to take pictures of the cabinets...Blessings!

School Day

Friday was bring a homeschooler to class day at Abbie's Christian school (Abbie is Micah's cousin). She asked if Micah would like to come with her. He was so excited! The worst part was that he had to wait a month before he could go with her....that was a L O N G month!


That month of waiting was finally up this past Friday. The night before he was so excited he had a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. He was up, dressed and ready to go at 5AM!!

The hardest part for his Momma, was getting up and ready, getting all the kids up and in the van and to Aunt Angie's house by 7:30am...who lives about 25 minutes away. My list of 101 reason's to homeschool was just made into 102 reasons to homeschool...not having to have the kids and I out of the house before the sun rises (you all can make fun of me for that, but I know there are days you all wish you didn't have to get up before the sun)! Tyler asked what that big orange ball in the sky was (this was asked as we were driving back home)...Uhh..the sun..we were up before it was this morning Tyty. That question struck me as so funny!

When we picked Micah up from Aunt Angie's about 1pm he told me that he had a lot of fun. He wondered why Abbie had to stay at school. Aunt Angie explained that she has to stay there all day, he got to come home after lunch. He told both of us that he had fun, but liked being homeschooled better than going to school. He didn't think recess was long enough "it was like only 10 minutes Mom". The good news that everything they covered in Abbie's class Micah knew already. As his teacher that made me feel really good. He had to write his numbers up to 20 and his handwriting was beautiful (something that we are working hard on). When he left the class, the teacher told him he was wonderful. That really made me feel good too. I never had a doubt that he would be good, but that the teacher made a point to tell Angie what a wonderful boy he was, was nice.

I am so glad that Micah had the experience of going to school for a day, so that he understands what his friends do all day. Also to see that it is a privilege to be taught at home and most kids don't get that privilege. I think he gets it:-)


A special thanks to Aunt Angie who took all the pictures and shared them with me!


Blessings!

Just To Know That You Love Me

Father my soul cries out for you, my heart is again broken and you hold it's pieces. You gently mold them back together. You are my Creator, you made me for a purpose. You love me. You look upon me and see perfection where there is none. You see beauty where there is ugliness. You are my Papa, my Daddy. You love me with an everlasting love. You care for me. You cherish me. You love me selflessly. I praise you for protecting me, for holding me in your strong arms as I cry. You wipe my tears away. Your love for me is unfailing. I am trapped in my cocoon, but soon I will break free. Soon I will try out my new wings. The ones you have been forming. You have been preparing me for this day. The day that I will flutter away as a beautiful butterfly. The beauty that I always possessed but no one ever saw...You created my inmost being you knit me together...I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Abba Father, Thank You for loving...me

Justice

Tonight was amazing. I was in awe, loving every minute of gazing upon God's majesty.

When I was a child one of the things that my parents always had us involved in was bird watching. We had to take a million nature walks and the whole time we were trying to find all the birds we could. We always had at least one bird book to reference. When we went camping the bird book was almost as important as the Bible. We would go on Saturday mornings to the Audobun meetings. We learned how to recognize a bird by it's song or the way it flew. Even back then though, I was completely amazed by the raptors (birds of prey).

In my childlike mind, the eagles and hawks were the most majestic. I loved to watch them soar. That God created them to glide through the wind currents, just amazes me to this day. When I see a bird soaring, I stop and just watch...

Tonight I stopped and watched...As a young man showed us a beautiful red-tailed hawk named Justice. We went outside and watched him fly, it was very windy here tonight, so Dustin, the Falconer, had him tethered to a long line so he wouldn't fly too high. Dustin said that when there is a lot of wind, they like to go up very high and soar, and he didn't want him that far away.

I learned so many things tonight. It was just amazing how God created the hawk, from his eyes (that see 10 times better than humans) to the size of the males and females, to the shape of their beaks. The artistry of God NEVER ceases to amaze me.

Micah, was able to "pet" the hawk. He was so brave, to be the first little boy to touch him. He also was able to feel the talons. That is really a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so proud that he did it.

At the end of the meeting, all the kids were going home, I stayed back because selfishly I wanted to "pet" the hawk too. I wanted to feel his softness. I went up to Dustin and asked him if I too could touch him. He said sure, took my hand and let me stroke the proud bird. Then Dustin asked something that I NEVER thought was possible. "Would you like to hold him?" "Yes" was out of my mouth before I could think twice.

Very carefully he slowly removed his hand from his glove as I slowly put my hand in. Then before I knew it, this awesome bird was perched upon my hand, he wasn't very heavy, only 2.8 lbs. It was amazing feeling. I am so thankful that I was able to hold him. Micah kept asking if he could hold him (brave little boy, there were Mom's that wouldn't even come in the room because the hawk was there and he wanted to hold him too).

Amazing, Awesome, Majestic, Beautiful, Powerful.....Completely amazed by God's design...Completely amazed that this city girl and her son were able to see, touch, and hold one of God's amazing creatures...

Blessings!

The Work Continues

Kevin has been working hard framing up new walls, also starting to install new cabinets. Last Saturday his Dad came over and moved some of the electrical outlets to the places that I desired.

I tried to take some pictures, but Kevin is not a very good subject. He gets mad when I turn the camera toward him. He wants me to take pictures of boring "boxes" (aka cabinets) sitting on the floor, or long blocks of wood in the form of 2x4's cut to different lengths that have been nailed up all over the place. Me....I like to have people in my pictures, actually doing work, showing emotion, concentrating on their task. That is much more interesting to me. So I snapped a few of Kev working...much to his dismay. I will take some boring pictures soon and post those. (I personally think he is SO cute when he is working, especially with the signature pencil behind his ear)

This next one I took with the camera down by my hip, he was getting "upset" with me taking too many pictures of him (seriously, I took only 4...that's it!) so I tried to take pictures inconspicuously. I thought it was a great one of him....he looks like he has a tail:-) ****he is going to love me for this post****Anyway....I will post some boring pictures soon.

Blessings!

Check this out

Here is a listing for a house that Kevin worked on last year. It is on the market for just under 7,000,000. WOW!! This is the house that Kevin worked on while we stayed out at the cottage. **The above picture of the kids on the tire-swing was taken while we were staying out at the lake**

http://public.grar.com/public/ePubRecn.mac/start?MLS=730941

We had driven by it a few weeks ago and I took this quick shot. You can click on it to see it big.Probably the coolest thing about the house was all the bald eagles that fly (and land) by it (I'm not really one who likes the modern look). Plus when the kids and I went to go see it, it was really a mothers nightmare, with all the open staircases. Kev had to carry all the kids up and down the stairs (which every room was on a different level) and hold my hand because I was so scared.

Take a minute and look at the pictures on the listing....it is quite a house...

Blessings!

"Legs"

"Mom, come look at my new friend!" I hear Tyler calling from the upstairs.

I, of course, take off running... you never know what you are going to get when it's Tyler, that is calling for you.

He is so excited to show me his new "pet". "Her name is Legs, Mom." Legs?? Where does he come up with this stuff? "I'm petting her, she is in her shell right now." I would be too, if I was a ladybug and a kid named Tyler was petting me!

He walked around the whole house with her, showing her off to anyone that would look at her (for the record, it was just me and the kids...he showed each of us about 3 times). We had to make a home for her that would keep her safe until Daddy came home. We put a leaf in it, so she would feel safe. He wanted to dunk her in a cup of milk to feed her...I had to put a stop to that one. I explained that ladybugs don't drink milk, they eat little bugs. He was so proud of his little "Legs". As soon as Daddy came home, he showed her off to him. He would let her crawl all over his hands and talk to her, tell her how pretty she was. Nana and Poppop were coming over later that night and he was so excited to show them "Legs", but sadly, she escaped from her home when Tyler and Jilli were running her around the house without the top on her home.

Tyler looked and looked for her, but could not find her. He was really sad that he could not show "Legs" off to Nana and Poppop. So he did the next best thing......told them all about her.

Today we came home from church and we hear Tyler exclaim...."Look, I found Legs and she has new spots on her back!"

You have to love that kid!

Blessings!

Demo

We started demo on our remodel job. We are super excited about the changes that are going to be happening over here.
The first night of demo was a lot of fun (and mess). Kevin started it off with the ceremonial....take a hammer and just start whacking. He drew dots on the wall and had the kids try and hit them. Then he had to amaze us with his skills and drew dots for himself to hit...bam...bam...bam...what a man I have!

Then he instructed the boys in the fine art of removing drywall. They had so much fun. They thought they were such hot stuff, just like their Daddy. Our remodel project is going to include Kitchen, dinning room, living room, and hallway. This will take us awhile, since Kev will be working on it at night when he has time.

I will keep updating on our progress as we continue down this wonderful road of transformation (and dust).

Blessings!

"Mommy, Romeo threw-up all over Jilli's room"

Oh, the days that add more work to my already busy schedule...but keeps me laughing because, it is just so stinking cute!


I first heard Jilli's little voice saying "Mommy, Romey threw-up", but it was kind of background noise. Tyler must have realized that I was not responding to this urgent matter and decided to take it up a notch. "MOMMY, ROMEO THREW-UP ALL OVER JILLI'S ROOM!" I asked him if it was just water he threw-up. Tyler said yes, so I asked him to grab a towel and clean it up and I would be up in a minute to make sure he did a good job.


Well, I should have known better than to give Tyler such broad instructions and then give him a FULL minute to follow those instructions (with a willing accomplice in tow)...The kid keeps me on my toes that is for sure!


I can only imagine that Tyler told Jilli that they had to grab ALL the towels to clean up the mess. With the towels located so nicely right outside Jilli's door, it was quick work to locate them all.


As I was on my way upstairs, Jilli and Tyler were on their way down..."Mom, we need another towel." I asked them if they grabbed one from upstairs, they both said "Yes"...I turned around to grab my camera.


I knew that they were up to something and if I have my camera in hand.. I am more likely to keep my cool. I NEVER expected to find this...

By the time I had my camera in hand and was on my way back upstairs, they had grabbed all the kitchen hand towels, washcloths, aprons, and hot pads...they had covered any final holes that were left.

Well, I laughed...then I told them that they had to haul those towels downstairs to get cleaned because I had no idea, which ones were clean and which ones were dirty.

I came back downstairs to finish taking care of what I was originally doing and then I started to hear giggling again. I knew they were back up to something, so I walked back over to the stairs and told them to hurry up taking care of the towels.

I walked away and and heard a soft bang...I turned back around and saw their next maneuver. Throwing all the towels over the balcony...full belly laughs erupted. I walked away shaking my head.

Romeo, apparently thought that the towels on the floor were for him and so......he found himself a nice spot. Which sent off more rounds of laughter from my two partners in crime. They then thought it would be great if they dropped the rest of the towels on his head....good thing Romeo is such a laid back dog! He just laid there and let them do whatever to him.

In the end, all the towels made it back to the washing machine, thank goodness for my new machine that will have all these done in a flash. I even made the kids load the washer put the soap in and start it up (which they thought was a reward).

Oh well, they made me laugh...there are just some times, you can't get upset about the little things, you need to step back, take pictures and enjoy the love of life they have!

On Sunday I was talking with a Mom who said there are days she wishes she was back in an office working instead of being at home....I told her that for me..there isn't a day that goes by that I wish I was back in the office.

This is my one and only chance to love on my kids while they are young...I am so thankful to God and my husband for allowing me the privilege to be home and experience life with my kids....there is nothing I love more!

Blessings!

Cub Scouts

Last week was Micah's first Cub Scout meeting. Since there was two new boys starting last week, the pack leader lead this name game for the boys. Each kid had to say their name and then an action/or noun that starts with the first letter of their name. Micah was "Micah Mantis". He wasn't to thrilled with being called that. He told me later that he didn't like being called names.

He thought "Buzzing Bee Ben" was funny though.

After the game, the boys worked on their Birdhouses. He had so much fun putting on all the finishing touches. He is very proud of it.This past week was the Pack meeting, which means all the Dens get together and the cubs get the badges that they have earned over the last month. It was the first week that Micah could wear his uniform. Which he thinks is great because Uncle Timmy has a uniform too.

His Den brought their finished birdhouses to show the rest of the pack what they had been working on and learning about.

Micah and his friend Christian were playing a game during the pack meeting. They were trying to knock each others hats off with the bills of their own hat. It was quite funny.Micah had a great time at his meeting. and so did I......

Blessings!!