I Really Love Him...

I am on the home stretch now... I will honestly be able to say that I stuck with a New Year's Resolution for a WHOLE YEAR!! I love my husband because...

Oct 1. I can still make him giggle which I love
Oct 2. He did all the concession runs for the kids at the FC Dallas game.
Oct 3. He convinces me to do the right thing.
Oct 4. Sometimes he still surprises me.
Oct 5. He will take the kids every year to look for costumes.
Oct 6. He is opinionated (I wouldn't want it any other way!).
Oct 7. He is sexy.
Oct 8. He tells me he loves me often.
Oct 9. He is passionate and makes it contagious.
Oct 10. He is encouraging (even though it doesn't come naturally).
Oct 11. In many ways he is like my Dad.
Oct 12. He is really, really funny!
Oct 13. He works to find common ground.
Oct 14. He educates himself and me.
Oct 15. He believes conspiracy theories.
Oct 16. He is skeptical.
Oct 17. He is completely random!
Oct 18. He doesn't care what other people think.
Oct 19. When something is wrong with me, he worries.
Oct 20. He is honest.
Oct 21. He makes it so I can be where I need to be.
Oct 22. He is gentle.
Oct 23. On his birthday, he shares the day with everyone.
Oct 24. He is faithful!
Oct 25. He KNOWS me.
Oct 26. He is easy to please.
Oct 27. He is an awesome listener!
Oct 28. When the kids are sick he will stay up and check on them so I can get some rest.
Oct 29. He makes me happy!
Oct 30. He can be persuaded into doing something he doesn't want to do.
Oct 31. He has never considered not trick-or-treating as a family!

Element Search + Win : search.elementskateboards.com

Element Search + Win : search.elementskateboards.com

Hunter is trying to earn points for a new skateboard so he asked me to post this link. If you sign up he gets extra points. He is trying to get 7000 points for a new board. Thx!!

A Monthly Thing??

So this New Year's resolution was not supposed to be a monthly thing but that is what it has become... Good intentions, I promise. Things are back to what feels like normal around here. The kids are both doing soccer and basketball and Hunter is also doing boxing. That leaves no evening unplanned. Some evenings are spent speeding from one practice to the next. They love it this way and to me it feels, strangely... normal. We are back to spending our Saturdays watching soccer games and going to Kid's Night Out (which means date night for the parents) and Sundays relaxing and watching football. This normal feels good. So without further ado...

Sept 1. He tries to ignite a passion for reading in the boys by setting an example.
Sept 2. We can communicate without speaking.
Sept 3. He can handle things on the homefront if I'm not around.
Sept 4. He is getting into the new soccer team even though the circumstances are not ideal.
Sept 5. He was patient with the new kids at soccer all weekend long and it paid off.
Sept 6. He still loves me even with a red nose, constant sneezing and allergy sniffles.
Sept 7. He is on a roll with cleaning out inventory.
Sept 8. He appreciates when I work hard so he doesn't have to.
Sept 9. He is appreciative of his daily wake-up.
Sept 10. He almost never says no to a sleepover.
Sept 11. He realizes the importance of Date Night.
Sept 12. He realizes the importance of Football.
Sept 13. He appreciates and is supportive of my cost-cutting.
Sept 14. He is a great teacher but can accept some criticisms.
Sept 15. He pushes the kids to do better.
Sept 16. He is flexible when he needs to be.
Sept 17. He humors me.
Sept 18. He puts in a lot of effort to be supportive of the boys equally.
Sept 19. He cheers on my victories right along with me.
Sept 20. He plans for the future.
Sept 21. He can successfully ignore my compulsive need to redecorate.
Sept 22. He makes room for everyone on the bed to watch TV together.
Sept 23. Sometimes we can read each other's thoughts.
Sept 24. Watching him with my niece, giving her his undivided attention, makes my heart melt.
Sept 25. When the kids are gone, we can just relax at home.
Sept 26. He is happy to spend Sunday watching football, just the two of us.
Sept 27. I love how he does something sweet but still expects me to notice.
Sept 28. He was understanding of my bad mood.
Sept 29. He played Hunter in Dance Dance and lost and that was ok.
Sept 30. He fights for my time.

What's New

So here is what's new... I only have about an inch left! (Don't worry... the photographer has been fired!) I also only have about 5 pounds on him now.

Soccer is getting ready start. We are in a tournament this coming weekend and then the regular season starts the 11th.

The NFL is getting ready to start. YEAH!

School has started and is going really, really well. Maybe every year it gets easier or they grow smarter at what a good deal they have but it is easy so far this year!

We had our fantasy football draft and I am happy with my team and hoping to have my name on the trophy this year under my Dad. It was a rough day because last year when we did it I was sitting next to him enjoying, what I anticipated to be, some of our final moments. We shared a sandwich and fries and I helped him try and keep up with the pace of a live draft. By the end he was wiped but happy! It was a fun season and gave us something besides cancer to talk about on our visits. I miss him...

The Longest Post EVER!

So it shouldn't have taken me 2 months to come back and post but it has... And this will be the longest post ever since I have to catch up! I will tell you many, many reasons why I love my wonderful husband and then come back later and tell you what's new!

July 9. He doesn't make me regret my decision to be with him forever.
July 10. He is realistic when I am not.
July 11. We can still stay up late just talking.
July 12. He humors me with "hug time".
July 13. He encourages Hunter in boxing and gets him what he needs to succeed.
July 14. He can spur the whole family into total silliness.
July 15. He realizes vacation should be a bigger priority for our family.
July 16. He will offer to take us out to dinner for no reason.
July 17. He struggles to do the right thing by the kids versus what he wants.
July 18. He is supportive of the boy's activities.
July 19. He never says no when I say "Can I tell you something?" (which is a lot)
July 20. He recognizes that our walks are "our time" and makes it a priority.
July 21. Neither one of us could live without the other.
July 22. He is a terrible driver but can somehow rationalize it.
July 23. I can be myself when I am with him.
July 24. We both look forward to football season and see no problem starting to talk about it months in advance.
July 25. He is my best friend.
July 26. He recognizes it is stressful to try and pack for four people for ten days!
July 27. He bought into this crazy idea I had to drive all night across the country.
July 28. He bought me a new van to make everyone more comfortable.
July 29. He drove in the pitch black, white knuckled so I could sleep for a few hours.
July 30. He let the kids live it up on "vacation".
July 31. Even though it was frustrating, he kept going.
Aug 1. He drove around all day looking at houses.
Aug 2. He is a wonderful Dad!
Aug 3. Even when he got bad news about his soccer team he is determined to make the best of it.
Aug 4. When it's time to work, he works hard.
Aug 5. He made sure the hotel we stayed at had a pool.
Aug 6. In a bad situation, he remained calm and positive.
Aug 7. He is a great listener when he wants to be.
Aug 8. He is great with Addyson.
Aug 9. He lets me know he loves me.
Aug 10. He almost always says yes to a sleepover.
Aug 11. He appreciates and notices when I do something just for him.
Aug 12. He can recognize when he cares more than someone else and just take it down a notch.
Aug 13. He doesn't get upset when other people make decisions he never would.
Aug 14. He did something he really, really didn't want to do and made the best of it.
Aug 15. He is already thinking and planning for school.
Aug 16. He knows me well enough to know I don't "just sit" well.
Aug 17. He makes time for me.
Aug 18. He recognizes my whims and humors me and goes along with it.
Aug 19. He diligently studies to maintain his title
Aug 20. Football is here! A love we share.
Aug 21. Even when he doesn't feel like it, he entertains.
Aug 22. He let the kids get new school clothes even though they don't go to school.
Aug 23. He has taken on the primary job of packing the mail.
Aug 24. He helped unload and move the shed.
Aug 25. He appreciates help!
Aug 26. He bought Hunter a new tv and when it didn't work he kept his cool.
Aug 27. He lends me his pipes when I need a hand.
Aug 28. He dreams big!
Aug 29. He is realistic when it comes to projects.
Aug 30. He allows me to fulfill my commitments.
Aug 31. He doesn't feel unloved even though it takes me two months to post!!

13 Years Ago Today...

Brian and I started out as husband and wife. We went to a little chapel in OKC after getting our blood tests done for STDs (what a way to start a life...) and stopping at a pawn shop to buy wedding rings. It was a whim at the time with a touch of certainty that we had chosen the right person. We were young and thought that "til death do us part" would be easy enough. Well, we learned quickly that it's easier said than done. I still feel in my heart "til death do us part" and hope to still feel this way for the next however many years we have together...

June 21. He loves to read which is something I have tried to learn as an adult.
June 22. He drives a hard bargain.
June 23. He realizes that my to-do list and I need time alone sometimes.
June 24. He volunteered to clean out the fridge since we would be gone for a week.
June 25. He is as excited as the boys to go back to Buffalo.
June 26. He took us to enjoy cool weather!
June 27. He is tough.
June 28. He still has an appreciation for small-town living.
June 29. He knows how to have a good time.
June 30. He does stuff he really doesn't want to because the kids and I do.
July 1. He knows how to take something to the extreme.
July 2. He was calm while I freaked out on the plane.
July 3. He cares and worries about his sister.
July 4. He inspires the kids to be entreprenurial.
July 5. He works hard when he has to.
July 6. He is unlike anyone else I know.
July 7. He has a new-found drive that I admire.
July 8. 13 years ago today he trusted his instincts that I was "The One".

So Much For That Idea...

So, I really thought I was gonna stay on top of this a little better but... I haven't. I'm gonna catch up again! We are trying to get ready to go out of town and not forgot anything while making sure we don't get charged for bags. It's kind of difficult to go on a trip these days! We have decided to all carry on our luggage so I have been measuring our bags to make sure they will fit and carefully planning what all to bring. I don't want to forget my camera and my walking shoes which both feel like they may almost fill my small suitcase. I'm getting a little nervous that I might be walking around Buffalo in the same clothes every day or bartering with the kids for space in their suitcases (which will cost me, I'm sure!) I am looking forward to experiencing Buffalo through the kid's eyes, being in cooler weather!!, seeing Brian's grandmother and being in cooler weather (oooohhhh can't wait... can you tell?).

Today is Father's Day and instead of being sad I am trying to appreciate that my kids have as great a father as I had...

June 1. We can talk openly and share ideas about what techniques work for homeschooling our kids.
June 2. We can decide to live on our own time schedule.
June 3. He strives to be healthy.
June 4. He has shown he can do anything.
June 5. He will spend the day in traffic in the car so I don't have to go alone.
June 6. He realizes sometimes you just have to get over it.
June 7. He has thick skin.
June 8. He is my hero.
June 9. He cracks me up often and fills our life with laughter.
June 10. Even when he could let me have it, he chose his words carefully.
June 11. He was calm when I wanted to go with my over-reacting gut.
June 12. His excitement fr the World Cup is contagious.
June 13. He is a great example of what a big brother should be like.
June 14. He is a vicious negotiator.
June 15. He extends himself beyond his comfort zone.
June 16. He takes care of me when I am sick.
June 17. He steps up when he has to.
June 18. The World Cup has made him marginally patriotic.
June 19. He came out to watch me play softball and didn't rip me apart afterwards.
June 20. He is an amazing dad to our boys.

Catching Up

Believe it or not…this will be the third time I have typed up this blog entry. I typed the whole thing and then my internet died as I tried to post and when I clicked the back button it was all gone. Things have been a little crazy around here for the last few weeks. We are trying to get the kid’s lessons done before the PS kids get out. I have been a little purse crazy (which is good) and business has been better than it usually is this time of year (which is also good). We have made our plans to go back to Buffalo this summer and the kids are really excited. As for the fact that I have not expressed my undying love for my husband for the last few weeks… I am going to make up for that and do better in the future…
May 15. He is constantly learning.
May 16. He gives me the time to sit around and read a good book all day.
May 17. He tries to pull me out of a bad mood.
May 18. He will get up and go for a walk with me.
May 19. If I ask, he does.
May 20. He respects “Grey’s” night.
May 21. He will go out and grill burgers for all the neighborhood kids.
May 22. He appreciates that I’m a cheap date.
May 23. He is like a big kid and will antagonize me until I wrestle with him.
May 24. He is my best friend and always has my back.
May 25. He tries not to wake me up when he comes to bed.
May 26. He is a good listener.
May 27. He still hasn’t realized that we walk so I can have his undivided attention.
May 28. He walks with me at night even when he’s sore.
May 29. He watched Hairy all day while we were at the pool so the kids could see him for a few hours.
May 30. He doesn’t limit the kids because of his insecurities.
May 31. He is supportive of the purses even if it means he has to listen to the noise while we watch a show together.

Super Duper Funny!!

GOD CREATED CHILDREN (& in the process, Grandchildren)

To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students... here is something to make you chuckle. Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children. After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.
And the first thing he said was ' DON'T !'
'Don't what ? ' Adam replied.
'Don't eat the forbidden fruit.' God said.
'Forbidden fruit ?
We have forbidden fruit?
Hey Eve...we have forbidden fruit! '
' No Way! '
'Yes way ! '
'Do NOT eat the fruit ! ' said God.
'Why ? '
'Because I am your Father and I said so ! God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants
A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was not pleased !
'Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit? ' God asked.
'Uh huh,' Adam replied.
'Then why did you ? ' said the Father.
'Eve started it! ' Adam said.
'Did not ! '
'Did too ! '
'DID NOT ! '
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you ?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT !
1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.
2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children.
3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.
4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said
5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own
6. We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.

( Funny thing is I got this in an email from my mother... think she is trying to tell me something??)

It's Friday Already!!

This week feels like it flew by... Today is a cool, rainy day and at least the cool part is appreciated. This week I worked out at mom's and we made lots of progress. She had a plumbing emergency (which is becoming my specialty) so I went out on Tuesday to take a look. When we got in there and tried to fix it, the pipes were weak and Mom's brute strength gave those pipes a run for their money. It was probably good to find out while we were in there that the pipes were fading fast because we would not have wanted to fix the problem only to encounter another in a year or so. As much as she feels like everything is falling apart, I told her it was a blessing that this happened now because plumbing is fresh on my mind and fixing it was a breeze. We cut out the old pipes and replaced them with new copper pipes and a new shower fixture with all new insides. It should last a long time now! Unfortunately to get to the pipes I had to cut a hole in the wall in her bedroom :( I think she was a little shocked when I suggested it but was on board... it might have been a test to see how bad I would really destroy her house. Needless to say, it is the same thing a plumber would have to do and was saving her the time and money of hiring someone.

Yesterday I went back out and we put the piece of drywall back in and taped and mud it up there. It needed to sit and dry so we started replacing chandeliers and light fixtures around the house. IT WAS FUN and made a huge impact. The last one we put up we used some pieces from a few others and it makes a bold statement in her entry. I was pleased and I think she really liked the changes. All in all a job well done and I am looking forward to the next project :)

And for my sweet husband who has lived without me a few days this week...

May 8. He may anger quickly but does not act rashly, but rather processes it.
May 9. He took my mom and me out to dinner for Mother's Day.
May 10. He listens intently when he knows I am excited about something.
May 11. He cracks me up.
May 12. He works hard.
May 13. He strives to make himself better.
May 14. Even when I've been gone all week he says yes to girls night.

Goin' Soccer Crazy!

We have a huge tournament in town this weekend so things have been a little crazy. Trying to fit in volunteer time, games, getting Grampa to the airport and all of life's other suprises has been a little daunting. We are still waiting on my nephew to decide it's time to come too. Brandon was a little relieved he didn't come on his birthday. He realized he doesn't share well :)

The boys had a nice visit with Grampa but were sad to see him go. Brian and his sister sold and closed on their mother's house and I think both of them felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders. I am praying that this weekend is not too difficult for them. I think Mother's day makes those wounds break wide open again. I feel it because I miss my mother-in-law but also because my Dad used to always say that he didn't need to do anything for my mom because she wasn't his mother. Since Hunter has been born this has also been Brian's philosophy of Mother's Day which just reminds me how, in many ways, he is a lot like my Dad.

I need to do a little catch up too...

Apr 24. He enables me to spend quality time with each of the kids individually.
Apr 25. He realizes he needs to make an effort to be encouraging.
Apr 26. His thinking-things-thru process is faster and more thorough than mine.
Apr 27. He is an amazing negotiator.
Apr 28. He has a smile that is all mine.
Apr 29. He can ease your mind and remain level-headed.
Apr 30. He is teaching the kids the value of money (Probably better him than me.)
May 1. Nine years ago today he gave me a mini version of him who keeps me on my toes.
May 2. He filters information quickly but draws conclusions slowly.
May 3. He doesn't shy away from hard work.
May 4. He was able to fix something and was proud of his accomplishment (ok, downright giddy as a schoolgirl.)
May 5. He made all the boys feel like superstars as he handed them their soccer trophies.
May 6. He still kisses me like he means it.
May 7. He makes it possible for me to do volunteer work.

Slowing Down...

The momentum has taken a back seat this week but I have been able to tie up the projects and officially mark them off my list. My bathroom and kitchen are done. It is a relief and with company coming this week we are on hiatus for a little bit. Brian's dad is coming for Little One's birthday and he is thrilled. I am tired and we had a crazy weekend... We fit a lot of soccer and basketball games into just a few days and the boys have informed me they will be playing indoor soccer, basketball and dodgeball in the coming months... Should be fun! I am headed to bed but wanted to just let you know a few reasons I love my husband...

Apr 17. He knows when I need a little muscle.
Apr 18. He is impressed by my plumbing skills (might have missed my calling).
Apr 19. He makes sure the kids do lessons when I am at work.
Apr 20. We can still talk for hours (one of the first things I loved about him).
Apr 21. He goes out of his way to make me feel good.
Apr 22. He has a side of him that few know but those who do realize how genuine it is.
Apr 23. He is a good friend.

Still goin' strong...

The Beatles Were Right!!

I get by with a little help from my friends... Got a brand new shower with a little help from my friends... I AM DONE! It feels great to finally be done and tomorrow we can start using the shower once the seal has time to cure. The patio is finished and I have replaced the broken lights and moved the kids games, air hockey table etc. I am very happy with the way it turned out. Today we have ripped out half of the countertops and are going to replace them and then do the other half.

For my wonderful husband...

Apr 10. He beams with pride when it all comes together.
Apr 11. He took the day to get our taxes mostly done so I didn't have to.
Apr 12. He packed all the mail so I could work in the bathroom.
Apr 13. Even when he gets consumed with a game he is learning to come back to reality once in awhile.
Apr 14. He can admit when he is wrong and says it out loud for my satisfaction.
Apr 15. He is impressed with my work.
Apr 16. He brags about the shower behind my back.

Brian took a shower!

Not that he doesn't do that often but this was a special shower! He got to try out my new shower as I checked for potential mistakes I may have made. I thought it was better to test it out before I put the $100 sealer on the tile and grout. I am happy to report that everything worked great. I hope to get it sealed tonight and in 72 hours we will be fully functional. I am so excited!!

As I waited for the grout to cure I decided to tackle the next project on the list. This was to be the kitchen countertops but with the beautiful weather we have been having I decided to swap that for the back patio. Anyone that has been to my house in the last, oh... years knows that our patio has been completely devoted to inventory for our business. I do not even have a "before" picture out of sheer embarassment. I will happily share what it looks like now...

This is all the inventory we have left out there! The rest made its way to the dump or the storage unit. It is 350 sq ft that we now realize we have missed. We enclosed it a few years ago with dreams of someday making it into something great. So far...

we have moved the arcade games out there and hope to get the air hockey table out there tonight or tomorrow. It will be the kids mini arcade. I would say that I hope that it encourages the neighborhood kids to play outside but in reality that is their preference. The boys are really excited to overtake, I mean, have a cool place of their own. I can't decide if I will start the countertops tomorrow (with soccer games Saturday and Sunday and basketball for Hunter) I am not sure how much I will actually get done. I am toying with the idea of working in my office/studio and finally getting that organized... Again, there will be no "before" pictures as it is a DISASTER! I feel so accomplished today and am hoping it carries over for the next month or so... So much to do... so little time...

Par for the Course

So the whole project has been riddled with setbacks... as most projects are (or so my friend's reassure me) so this is no different... I was chugging along grouting the bathroom tile and ... you guessed it... I ran out of grout. Above is the before picture...

Yes, I got everything finished but the middle of the floor. So tonight I have grouted the rest of the floor and will wait for the grout to cure for 24-48 hrs and then seal the stones and grout and install my fixtures. Then I AM DONE!!!

It's Not That I Don't Love Him...

I have just been REALLY busy! New shower pics will be up soon. It is all tiled and all the spacers have been removed and ready for grouting. I am really excited to see what it will look like when it is finished. And to make up for the week I missed here is two weeks worth of reasons I love my sweet husband...

Mar 27. He has recognized when not to communicate with Hunter at soccer and was able to just walk away.
Mar 28. He makes coming up with reasons I love him easy.
Mar 29. He stands up for what he believes in even if it forces confrontation.
Mar 30. He relies on me.
Mar 31. He can see when the kids need a "free day" and gives it to them.
Apr 1. He doesn't do April Fools!!
Apr 2. He can motivate the boys unlike anyone else.
Apr 3. He will get up at 6 AM to support the kids.
Apr 4. He still hides eggs for the boys.
Apr 5. He is bound and determined to fight my red light ticket. (oops!)
Apr 6. He was gifted with the power of persuasion.
Apr 7. He engages my niece in his own sweet way.
Apr 8. He is brutally honest.
Apr 9. We work well together.

Happy Easter!!

Sooo.... no, it was not this...

This was our project a few weeks ago... If you guessed... tetherball.... you are right!!

The kids have had a blast... along with the whole neighborhood... playing tetherball. It seems funny that such an "old-fashioned" game could bring "very modern" kids so much joy.

We are having lunch for Easter with family and friends. The kids hunted for eggs around the house and I am hoping they will have outgrown this by next year... Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!!

What are we up to??

I have the walls taped and the thinset applied to the seams and the mortar bed is poured and cured... I am at a stand-still until I pick the tile (which I think I have chosen but have to come to grips with the cost!). I took a break last night to do this for the kids... Know what we are up to?

A Weekend of Sunshine

It started out looking like a great weekend for soccer... However, let me just tell you about the wind! It was so bad that at Lake Park we even had high wind sirens going off... Yes, high wind sirens do exist! It was a windy mess... Hunter played first and lost 2-1 then Brandon played right after him and won 5-2. It was FREEZING cold out there with all that wind and 3 hours outside watching soccer left us chilled to the bone.

On Thursday night both the kids were not feeling well and seemed to be fighting off something. It came and went with just a few incidents so Friday we took it easy. Brandon fought a fever all day so Friday night I started the floor of the shower. On Wednesday and Thursday I was able to get all the corners and seams taped and the thinset on them. By Friday night he was feeling better so he helped me lay the mortar bed down. We were covered in concrete and he helped me mix it up and then mash it down to the floor. He thought it was great to be allowed to get soooo dirty. I must have carried 500 pounds of concrete from the back patio to the bathroom and am paying for it now. But happily the floor is down and cured and we are ready to start tiling (once we can agree on the tile).

And better late than never...

Mar 20. He is the best babysitter EVER!
Mar 21. He is supportive of me.
Mar 22. He will help me with construction (which he hates) if I ask him real nice.
Mar 23. He has been patient with the mess.
Mar 24. I can break him. If he is mad or upset I can pull him out of it.
Mar 25. He stays calm when the kids are sick.
Mar 26. He helped me stir concrete when my arms got tired.

Bathroom Update #2

Once the mortar bed was down it was time for the liner... Now this my friends was HARD! The membrane is very thick and could not be cut at all to accomodate any imperfections because of the possibility of leaks. The corners are solvent-weld together and then the greenboard is installed over the liner.

You will notice I also had to make some adjustments to the copper pipe and re-insulate it. I extended the copper pipe to raise the shower head and capped off the water line that went to the tub.

I installed the new upper drain plate and checked for leaks in the liner... We were good to go. After this the greenboard started to go up... very very slowly!!

The next step is to tape and seal all the corners and seams with thinset and then I will put down the shower floor (mortar bed) on top of the liner and reinforce it with wire mesh. This is the last step before I get to start tiling. As a side note, if anyone ever needs help with hanging greenboard or drywall... DON'T ASK ME! The floor is not straight... the walls are not straight and even with perfect cuts it is a stinkin' mess!! (Just had to vent a little :)

Bathroom Update

So the bathroom project is coming along... You remember what it looked like before...

We have since removed all the trash and the bathtub and tore it down to the studs. Because of some water damage I had to reinforce all the studs. I also tore up the tub drain and installed a PVC shower drain (replacing what was in there that was held together with duct tape).

I built a wall so it won't need a door or curtain and laid a mortar bed down to build my own shower pan for my walk-in shower.

Yeah, It's Friday!

I decided to blog before I dug back into my project... I am working in my bathroom and this week have cleaned it out, removed the tub and bench surround and today will be redoing the plumbing and installing the shower wall and laying the pre-sloped floor. It is coming along but yesterday felt like a day of steps backwards. Every step of the way I have encountered snags (which I guess is fairly normal) from duct taped pipes to drywall behind the tile to a 25 yr old stuck drain. When it is finished I think it will be FABULOUS to have a 6 foot walk-in shower... I just have to get there!

On a funny note, I was talking to Brandon the other day about his "new" room and he said how much he loved his bed. He used to have a twin bed and now he has a full. He said he was so happy because Dad and I had a King size bed, Hunter has a queen and he has a "Prince" size bed which is just perfect for him. I laughed and he didn't know why until I explained that it was called a "full size bed". He thought that made no sense at all and insists on calling it a prince. He cracks me up!

And for everyone who keeps encouraging me with my resolution... I appreciate you...

Mar 13. He can let loose and have a good time.
Mar 14. He can appreciate a day of rest!
Mar 15. He is diplomatic in his presentation of ideas.
Mar 16. He is not handy but appreciates that I am.
Mar 17. He keeps me motivated.
Mar 18. He made dinner and cleaned the kitchen so I could concentrate on my project.
Mar 19. He makes a great Mr. Mom.

Shaking a Bad Habit...

It seems I am lacking the discipline to sit down and focus on Fridays and post my resolution. I am sure it has nothing to do with how crazy our lives have been recently... In an effort to do better I am posting one day earlier than last week which to me is a small victory right now. Things are moving along but I never realized how much work went into tying up loose ends when someone passes away. It is a bit overwhelming. Our house seems to be buried under a mountain of laundry and STUFF and slowly but surely, we seem to be finding... the floor. We are still working to purge clutter while at the same time accumulating more. Not a very successful plan when trying to find order, however slow the progress we are still moving ahead. And although the bathroom is still torn up, the patio is getting cleaner (cuz we have to work outside when it is nice), the new basketball hoop is together and in full use, the Christmas stuff is finally in the attic, Brandon's room is put together and the laundry mountains are slowly shrinking.

So on with the good stuff...

Mar 6. I can hardly think of just one thing, but if I had to choose, it is that he overcame his discomfort and stood before family and friends to remember and honor his mother.
Mar 7. He longs for normalcy.
Mar 8. He has a new love for his father.
Mar 9. He deals with the clutter in order to get to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Mar 10. He can handle stressful situations and manage difficult people.
Mar 11. He loves his sister and is diligently looking out for her best interests.
Mar 12. He thrives in his normal world and is working hard to get back there.

WHAT A WEEK~!

On February 27th, my mother-in-law passed away after a brave 2-year fight with breast cancer. Only she knows what she truly meant to me and I am so happy to have been able to spend true, quality time with her while she went through chemo. We bonded, we laughed, we really got to know each other and established a mother-daughter relationship I will always cherish. I will miss her and will always remember her for her strength, perseverance and quiet ways. Above all, the greatest gift she gave me was her son, who I love dearly.

Feb 27. His family is always his first priority.
Feb 28. He has let me be for him what he was for me two months ago.
Mar 1. He is strong so others can be weak.
Mar 2. He is amazed and appreciative of his friends.
Mar 3. He comforted me as I cried over the loss of another parent.
Mar 4. He is overcoming his personal feelings to enable everyone to move forward.
Mar 5. He has a new love for my mom and is letting her fill the hole in his heart.

It has been such a difficult time as we muddle through our feelings again and find a new strength in our love for each other and our families...

When it Rains... It Pours...

It has been one of those weeks where everything feels like it is falling apart... In an effort not to fall apart myself, I will focus on my love...

Feb 20. He roots for the underdog.
Feb 21. He still pays for dinner on dates and let's me pick where.
Feb 22. We agreed to disagree a long time ago and have stayed happily married because of this.
Feb 23. He takes care of things when I don't feel good.
Feb 24. He has fully embraced picnic dinners (on a blanket in the living room in front of the tv as a family... seems that American Idol brings with it picnic season).
Feb 25. He sacrifices for friends.
Feb 26. He fully accepts there are things he does not understand.

Hope everyone else is having a better week than us :)

Time is FLYING!!

It seems that there is always a lull between seasons that we never fully take advantage of until the new season is upon us and we are scrambling to find time to do anything! The boys' schedules are consuming us now, and as much as we like it when they are busy and happy, it makes for a difficult time to fit all the other stuff in.

Hunter had his first soccer game on Thursday night and they won. We all froze out in the cold to watch and he did really good. He played again on Saturday and they tied. He had the goal that tied it up, which was great, and played a great game. Brandon had a game yesterday as well and they lost. It is the first time that his team has EVER lost the first game of the season. Very sad!! Brian took it in stride, though, and seems like he will be able to move on. Then last night the boys went to Saturday Night Out to compete in the Guitar Hero competition. Brandon was able to convince someone to play him for tickets (money to spend in the snack area). He proudly got into the car declaring that "he smoked" the older kid. He played on Expert and the other kid played on Easy and he still won and was walking out with the 5 tickets he won (also noting that we should be proud that he did not let the kid back out of the bet).

Brian and I just relaxed at home last night since I had been in OKC all day Friday (leaving around 8:30 am and returning home around 11:30 pm... LONG DAY!). It was nice to be able to grab a quick bite to eat with him and then go home and lay in bed in complete silence without the kids there. BLISS!

So this morning I looked at my calendar and was amazed that there was nothing there... Oh no, not nothing... just nothing scheduled. That means clean house, pack mail, etc.etc... So I am working on doing just that on top of taking the kids for haircuts and grocery shopping (which I only do once a year with the boys and they filled the pantry with garbage). Somehow I walked out of Walmart with a cart full of junk, a lot less money, and two boys with huge smiles on their faces... handsome boys though...

And for the man who gave me two handsome boys...

Feb 13. He gives up everything for date night.
Feb 14. He doesn't need to celebrate Valentine's day because he loves me that much every day. (He says he doesn't need a Hallmark holiday to remind him to show me... and that's true.)
Feb 15. He tried ice skating for the first time today so that the kids wouldn't be embarassed if they fell.
Feb 16. He still finds me attractive.
Feb 17. We make a good team.
Feb 18. He is reliable.
Feb 19. He will help out a friend even if it is outside his comfort zone.

Hockey 101

So the kids really enjoyed the hockey game yesterday. Before the game they gave the kids a rundown of the rules, the calls, the process of how the game works (3 20-min periods, penalties, power plays, etc). They had little cheat sheets so we could know what the calls were and they stayed very involved in the game. After the first period the Allen Americans were winning 1-0. During the second period the kids left with about 5 minutes left in the period to go out on the ice at the break. Well, the Texas Brahmas scored while they were "backstage". The second intermission has a "chuck a puck" event and the kids got to go on the ice with the rest of the homeschoolers and pick up the pucks once they were chucked. Brian threw the pucks onto the ice for the kids because they said they would rather go down to pick them up. They are foam pucks and you buy them and they register the number on them. Then the person whose puck lands closest to center ice gets a prize... Needless to say, we did not win... but the kids had a blast going onto the ice and picking up pucks.

(The pictures are a bit like "Where's Waldo") Anyway, neither team scored in the third period so they went to Sudden Death Overtime (5 min period). Neither team scored then either!! The kids were pumped about that because that means it goes to a shootout. Each team picks three players to take shots one-on-one vs the other team's goalie. Well, it went kind of like this... we missed, they missed, we made it, they made it, we missed, they missed ... so you keep going through players until one team makes it and the other misses... We screamed, we booed the other team, we went crazy because truly the kids (and parents) thought this was the most exciting part of the game. Finally we missed and the other team made it. So the Allen Americans lost. But it did not seem to dampen the kids excitement for the entire experience. They got to be on the ice "in front of the audience", smack the players hands as they came out of the locker room between periods, see someone get their face busted open and bleed all over the ice after a great hit, see someone break an arm getting beat into the boards... Good, clean fun!

After the game, you can rent skates and skate on the arena ice with the players. We all four rented ice skates and had at it! It was a lot of fun and I will point out that I was the only one that did not fall. Brandon made falling into its own sport... Hunter did quite well... Brian stayed on his feet until the very end and decided he was done once he fell. It was a LOT of fun!

We stopped by to see Memaw since she lives in Allen and had a nice visit with her then got some dinner and headed home. A very fun-filled "educational" day :)

Really... Snow??

Yesterday morning it started to snow and did not stop til late last night. It was crazy and the kids thought absolutely fabulous. The kids were out of school and had a great time building snowmen and sledding. They even made me a giant coffee mug out of snow... So sweet! They drank lots of hot chocolate and went through 27 outfits each. I have spent the last two days doing laundry! We had to get all our work caught up today since Monday is a mail holiday and we are going to the hockey game. Can't wait!

I have to say that this is the longest I have ever kept up a New Year's Resolution. I told you I hate them but this one seems to be good for my soul...

Feb 6. He recognizes my need to rearrange furniture and embraces change against his true nature.
Feb 7. He gives people the benefit of the doubt.
Feb 8. He offers to help me without my asking.
Feb 9. He knows how to communicate.
Feb 10. He makes an effort for us to be on the same page.
Feb 11. He worries about me.
Feb 12. He can't stay mad for long.

Hello Sunshine...

It is so nice to look outside and see the sun. I have been sitting at my desk most of the day answering email and trying to get caught up and enjoying the sun shining through the french doors into my lap. Even though it is still cold outside it "looks" warm. I am trying to take it all in as we prepare for... SNOW. Hard to believe we would hear that word so much in Texas!

This past week seemed to fly by and as I look back I can't really remember what made it so busy! We are getting ready for the soccer season to start and planning for a tournament which eventually was cancelled. The boys did get to participate in a Round Robin tournament indoors on Sat which was pretty fun. They thought it was nice to just get to play. And as of now, it looks like we will not be playing this weekend either because of more wet weather on its way. Time to find some fun indoor activities. On Monday we are going on a homeschool field trip to see the Allen Americans (feeder team for the Stars) play hockey. They are going to have an educational segment about hockey, the game, skating with the players and then a tour of the locker room. The boys are excited!!

Other than that not much is new... In an effort to "spring clean", I rearranged the living room and got rid of some stuff hiding behind furniture. It looks pretty good and may stay that way for a little while. I am going to work outside on the back patio today (in the sun) and try and throw away more STUFF. Wish me luck...

For my wonderful husband (no, I did not forget or decide I didn't love him anymore or anything like that... I just got busy...)

Jan 30. He is my best friend.
Jan 31. He lets the kids get away with murder but supports me when I have to be "bad cop".
Feb 1. He recognizes when I need a break.
Feb 2. He understands that marriage takes work.
Feb 3. He just wants to be loved by me.
Feb 4. He can watch Grey's Anatomy with me and only critique the show during commercials.
Feb 5. He is passionate about my projects and full of positive advice.

Sunggled at Home Where It's Warm

Sooooo... the weather cancelled our tournament for the weekend. The boys are all sad because they wanted to freeze their butts off outside. I am sad about missing soccer but happy inside where it is mostly warm. Of course, that gives us a free weekend so I am guessing that means more CLEANING! It is going good and if B could get off the Xbox it would go better :) I got a few bags of trash out of the boys rooms over the last few days and they don't seem to notice a bit... (shocking!) Other than that not much is new around here... Glad we didn't get pounded with snow.

For my wonderful husband, another week of reasons why I love him...

Jan 23. He thinks I'm pretty even when I don't try to and makes sure to tell me.
Jan 24. He's terrible at keeping a secret and proud of it!
Jan 25. He appreciates hard work.
Jan 26. He can relate to the kids.
Jan 27. He doesn't abuse relationships for his own benefit.
Jan 28. He appreciates my organizational skills (and recognizes he has none).
Jan 29. He recognizes his weaknesses and isn't embarassed by them.

Preparing for the Cold!!

Brandon's soccer team has a tournament this weekend and the highs are supposed to be in the 30s!! That does not sound fun. For Christmas my mom got Brian what he says is his best gift ever... It was a Nautica coat that he says is the warmest thing he has ever owned... So I am headed to the Nautica store today hoping that they have one in my size! I think it will be brutal sitting in the wind and cold but I love watching soccer... so... I am hoping to test out the validity of his claims to said Nautica coat. We shall see...

For anyone else wanting to suffer along with us they are playing at Five Star Complex in The Colony...

FRI @ 6:00 pm Field # 4
SAT @ 3:30 pm Field #4
SAT @ 6:30 pm Field #3

Any chance of this cold front missing us would be greatly appreciated :)

Spring Cleaning

This week Brian decided we needed to do some major spring cleaning. His goal was to go through the whole house and get rid of 25% of everything we own. He is a happy minimalist and unfortunately, in this relationship, I am the pack rat. If you had asked me I would have denied that I keep unnecessary things, however, this week has revealed my true character! I keep STUFF! So, my husband has been unusually patient with me as I try to come to grips with getting rid of some STUFF. We are doing well so far but it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

So, I am taking a break to tell you a week's worth of things I love about my husband. I will say that I have a journal where I write them down, day-by-day. I don't think I could sit on Friday's and just think up a week's worth of stuff but one thing a day is manageable.

Jan 16. He is aggressive and confrontational and comfortable being that way.
Jan 17. He is patient when he knows I am struggling.
Jan 18. He is focused and determined to finish a project he starts.
Jan 19. After several days of spring cleaning, without a word he did my chore and took the many bags of trash to the curb.
Jan 20. He has an intuition about things that I don't have.
Jan 21. He understands that Thursday night is for watching Grey's Anatomy.
Jan 22. In everything he does, he wants what's best for our kids.

Today's project is cleaning out our file cabinets... I am sure you can sense my EXCITEMENT!

Week 2

Week 2 of the New Year and we finally got to celebrate Christmas. We went away to the Great Wolf Lodge which was a great time and really eased the transition of Christmas. It was unlike any other Christmas we have had so broke the traditions a little which was nice. It still felt strange to be opening presents without Dad around saying "I picked that for you" even when we knew he didn't. The kids had a blast though!

Other than that not a whole lot is new so here we go with week 2 of my resolution...

Jan 9. He is supportive of the kids in whatever they do and cheers them on as their biggest fan.
Jan 10. He does stuff with us that he doesn't like to do and doesn't complain (like go to a waterpark when he doesn't swim)
Jan 11. He takes care of the kids so I can work and don't have to worry about them.
Jan 12. He does stuff for me that he knows I hate doing (peeling stickers).
Jan 13. He takes care of our finances so I don't have to.
Jan 14. He sings believing he has a good voice (which I love and makes me laugh out loud).
Jan 15. He has a passion for soccer that we share and a love for the kids on his team as if they were his own.

So far so good... this may be the longest I have ever kept up a resolution :)

New Year's Resolution

I hate New Year's Resolutions! It never seems to last more than a few weeks but in those few weeks it makes the gym very crowded! I rarely make them, however, this year I have decided to and to use this blog to hold me accountable to keeping it for the entire year!

One of the things I struggled the most with in losing my Dad was putting myself in the place of my Mom and losing the love of my life. That person that she said "I do" to almost 40 years ago. The person she vowed to be faithful to and care for in sickness and health. Not just the fact that she did have to care for him in sickness or the memories that she will forever cherish of their time when he was healthy. It was overcoming the extreme loss of the person she was to grow old with who was not even old yet. And as I cried for her I found it almost impossible to separate the feelings I would have if the roles were reversed and I had lost MY best friend, soulmate, lover, father of my children... husband.

So, this year my mission is to find something about this man that I chose that I love. It may seem like an easy task, and many days it will be, but the challenge of it all is to find something that I love even on the bad days. At the end of the year, I will have 365 reasons to remind me why he was the one I wanted to grow old with...

Jan 1. During the saddest time of my life, he held me.
Jan 2. He knows how to make me laugh.
Jan 3. He fosters a love of education in Little One that I couldn't and makes him want to be better.
Jan 4. He has worked hard to create a business that we are successful in while enabling us to be a family.
Jan 5. He encourages me to be successful with new ventures and shares in the successes as if he had the same passion I do.
Jan 6. He will watch a chick flick with me and make it to the end (unlike some of us).
Jan 7. He gave me one of the best gifts, 11 yrs ago today, in our oldest son.
Jan 8. He makes me feel loved.

Trying to Find Normal Again

I am trying to pick up and get going again and am having a tough time knowing where to start. My life feels a little like slow-mo right now. The bathroom is still a wreck. Some Christmas presents are still not wrapped (since we have not done Christmas with my family yet). My office looks like a hurricane hit it. And I just don't have any umph right now to get up and go.

However, there was a bright spot to my day. Just before Christmas I had a call from the editor of Advocate Magazine that she wanted to write an article about my purses. I said "SURE!" and sent her one so she could touch it and feel it and well, you know... love it! And she did! So I thought I would post her article here so I can brag a little, I mean, you can enjoy it too...

http://www.advocatemag.com/lake-highlands/blog/Last_minute_gift_old_magazines_lh.html