Experiencing a New Normal

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...

Not exactly sure how to start this or what to even share, but on Oct 24, we FINALLY got TJ's headstone placed at the cemetery.  It is something we have been waiting on for quite some time and with the help of an amazing someone - it got done!  Let me tell you - this wasn't an easy task.  How do you describe who someone is: their likes, personality, hobbies, etc. all on a stone?  How do you make it look appropriate for a 10 year old?  To stand out and be different and to not look like that of an 80 year old?  We did our best to represent who TJ was and to honor him as well.  We chose a font that stood out (just like TJ and his personality).  We had someone from our church come out and draw his flower garden - which was etched on the stone.  And we chose to put his I Pod on it with the verse Romans 8:37 - for his love of music and Jesus!   I'd like to think that TJ would...