Experiencing a New Normal

Since TJ's been gone, going to any kind of musical anything is really hard.  Music or any kind of performance (acting, singing, whatever) was where TJ would shine.  His passion for those things was evident.  So now that his presence is gone - all I can do is imagine what he would have been like and to enjoy Anthony, Will and Charlie shine in their performances.  I tell you what - Anthony would have made his big brother so proud this year.  Fourth grade is when the kids get their recorders!  Anthony played TJ's recorder and did it well (I think - how do you really know when there are 40 of them playing at once)!  But then they sang a song - where Anthony got to be one of the four soloists.  I was so shocked when he came home one day from school telling me he had tried out for this and was really hoping he would get it.  And the song they sang was so fitting - I was left with tears running down my face....

Anthony is now old enough or I should say in the right grade to participate in 4-H.  I think between the two of us we were anxiously awaiting this time to come.  I was the same way when TJ was old enough - however, he never got to participate more than just five short months.  I must confess that I have long awaited this time - when my children were old enough to be in 4-H.  I was in it when I was younger and enjoyed every bit of it - ok, not record books!  I had tried to convince TJ to show a steer or heifer - but had no luck.  He did agree to having livestock - just none to show.  So, now that it is Anthony's turn I thought I might get a second chance!  To my surprise he WANTED to show a steer - there was no convincing on my part - seriously!  Weigh in was quickly approaching and we still had nothing.  I began to think about choring in the cold winter months and had tried to convince him to show a heifer instead (those don't have to be...

With trying to finish up the basement, Christmas activities and getting the flu I haven't had the time to update the blog. I'm hoping to do that this week. So stay tuned to hear about Christmas programs, finished basement pictures, Anthony's new 4-H project, Christmas and more!

For the past four years (minus one year in there because of bad weather and no more boxes) our small group from church has traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to help in the processing center for Operation Christmas Child.  For those of you who have not heard of this it is a ministry by Franklin Graham.  People pack a shoebox with items such as:  toys, clothing, personal hygiene items, candy, etc. to be sent somewhere around the world to bee given to those children who have nothing.  So, at the processing plant it is our job to go through all those boxes to make sure that there are no inappropriate items sent.  This is a lot of fun.  You get to inspect every box - so I am always finding new things to pack in our shoeboxes that we do at home.  They have quite the process to do all of this - there are over 750,000 boxes they inspect just at the Minnesota center.  The first person gets the shoebox out of the larger carton and their...

I'm going to wait until next week - once the carpet has been laid - to show you pictures of the basement.  But thought I'd share a few pictures that give you a little hint on what things sort of look like around here!    My sister Jeana.  She was a HUGE help - she did almost all of the trim work!     Charlie painting his room - yellow!   Anthony painting his room - green!  Dad helping in Will's room - he too was very helpful.  He helped with primer, ceilings and color!   Will painting his room - orange!   Jon painting the stairway - it looks green in this picture but it really isn't!    

A dear friend of mine invited me to her "favorite things" party!  We were to bring a $5 gift for everyone, of one of our favorite things.  You know - kind of like Oprah used to do at Christmas time - except we had a smaller budget!  I had so much fun.  We started the evening with some delicious food and great conversation!  There was hardly a moment without laughter and I learned a lot about a variety of topics!  I'll just leave it at that - you know how women can talk!!  Then it was time to exchange our gifts.  I was anxious to see what everyone else brought.  Here is the stash of stuff I got to bring home! In case you can't tell what everything is....let me tell you! 1.  Jergens lotion and Blistex chapstick - from Courtney 2. Downy UnStoppables  (which by the way are AMAZING) - from Mallory 3. Bath & Body Works foaming hand soap - from Kelly 4. Puma running socks and "cand...

I've been wearing these clothes for the past two and a half weeks!  If you look close enough you will probably see every paint color that we have painted in the house on this pair of pants or shirt!  Only have a little bit of trim left to do and then I can retire these clothes - hopefully for a VERY long time!

So I've been REALLY busy painting that I haven't had time to post.  Well, I'm still not quite done and carpet is coming Monday.  SO, just wanted to let you all know that once I'm finished - I'll be back to blogging more regularly!! 

Things progressed this week with the house.  The "mudders" finished up today!!  He had called me last night informing me that they would be here today to finish up.  Well, I had some errands to run this morning - so shortly after the boys got on the bus (and after the mudders arrived - I headed for town.  I got back home around noon - I walked in the door - was overwhelmed by the mess - I walked right back out the door!  I called my sister and stayed at her house for awhile.  I got back home a couple hours later and they were finishing up.  It is amazing what a little spackling can do!!  But boy did they leave a mess!  I think it's going to take me all weekend to get everything cleaned up and ready to go for this (see picture below) on Monday. Yep!  That is all the (11 gallon) primer and (39 gallon) paint!  I just hope I got enough.  Why does it really matter you might ask?  Well this is the...

So the boys have taken an interest in the show The Biggest Loser.  We didn't watch it from the beginning - and we don't watch it religiously, but if we are home and it is on - they like watching it.  It has inspired them to eat better ("starting tomorrow" says Will) and be more active.  Anthony has been Will and Charlie's trainer!  It's been fun to watch them.  Yesterday Will came in from playing outside, takes off his shirt and heads to the bathroom.  When I asked him what he was doing - his response - I'm going to go weigh myself.  (you see in the biggest loser they take off their shirts during the weigh in).  He was excited when he was one pound lighter!  Love it!   Getting ready for a run!     Ready to go!   And the race is off!   Running!    

Things are really changing around here (in the remodeling project)!  I love it when you can SEE the changes and it appears that things are moving along.  This week they have been taping and mudding downstairs.  And on Thursday Alan's crew came to put in the new windows (in the living room and office) and one of the doors!  I can't tell you how much it changes everything - the look, the lighting!  Take a look yourself!   One view from the living room - before (in the back corner there used to be a door - it is already filled in here)   Another view of the living room/dining room - before   The living room/dining room - after (we moved the door)   The living room  - after (we took out the bay window and replaced it with a new one.   The office - before   The office - after

Every year since TJ was a baby we have ALWAYS taken the kids trick-or-treating.  I remember having so much fun as a kid doing this and wanted to pass it on to my kids.  My parents (and church) always made it such a fun "holiday" that I never even knew that some think it is bad.  I guess you make it what you want it to be.  My Dad LOVES Halloween - he always made it enjoyable.  Growing up in the country, my Dad just took us around the neighborhood and to family members.  I still remember going to my Great Uncle John and Aunt Shirley's house - we always had to do a trick before we could get a treat!  And then we would go to Maxine's house - she always gave those black and orange wrapped candies.  Us girls didn't care for them, but I've come to find out that Dad liked them - so I think that was part of the reason we always went there!  Well since having kids - we have done a variety of things.  We first started out just going to family (rem...

Last week the Sheetrock hanging crew finished up!  We can now "see" what our basement is actually going to look like.  The guy came today to start the finishing part - taping and mudding.  He said it would take about two weeks.  So in the mean time we are picking out paint so we will be ready to go.  Things are definitely changing around here.  The doors came today and the windows for the living room should be here by Thursday.  I got to thinking the other day that the only rooms in this house that we won't have to paint will be the kitchen (which I might do some touch up), our bedroom and the one upstairs bathroom.  So, if you find that you are bored and have nothing to do - you could grab a paint roller and head on over - I'd love the help!!  Here are some pictures of the progress that has been made!   Charlie's room (taken from the doorway)   Will's room (taken from the doorway) Part of the hallway - Ch...