Catching up...

I really should make about 5 or 6 different blog posts in order to do these justice, but with a cranky newborn, it's just not possible. So bear with me as I give you a whirl-wind tour of the past month. :)

Allison went on a wonderful mission to Nicaragua at the beginning of this month. She was there for 9 days and it really helped her to see where she would like to be. She's changed her focus to missions and will be hopefully going to a local Bible college in the fall. She'd like to major in missions and this college really seems like a good fit. We are praying that the college accepts her and maybe gives her some financial aid. It's a very affordable college, so some aid would allow her to go without debt.

Easter was really nice. The littles went to church with Daddy and then we all went to dinner at Grandma G's house. The kids looked so cute in their finery...


Isaac wouldn't cooperate, so no photo of him.lol

For Jon's birthday, my Dad took him and my brother to Universal. They had a blast! They stayed on location and had fast passes for all the rides. I heard that they rode every ride at least 5 times.lol

For my nephew's spring break, my sister and he came down and visited a couple of colleges. He's going to Nova on a swimming scholarship and is very excited. It was SO nice to see my sister and Nicolas. They live in Virginia and we don't see them too often.

(My sister, Dana, with Sophia and David.)


Just because having a baby isn't enough for me, I decided to remodel a bedroom. lol My very patient and very understanding hubby primed the room for me with three little helpers. I can't believe that he let them help...lol I'd have kicked them out in 5 minutes.lol





I did the regular painting and finished the room on Friday...

(and no, I didn't let the littles help.lol)





We decided David needs his own room. He's a light sleeper and is keeping us awake. He's already sleeping about 4-5 hours each night and we think he'd sleep a little longer if we weren't waking him up. We'll see. :)

Speaking of David, he's now 6 weeks old! I can't believe how fast time is going by. He's a really sweetie, but really gassy right now. I can't wait until that passes.lol

He spends a lot of time, just hanging...literally...lol



Sophia is such a cutie.lol She loves to have her picture taken and usually says, "Let's try that again." so that we'll take more of her.lol

(This is take 42...)


With Allison's graduation looming, she has had many neat things to participate in. She attended her first prom, a Regency ball. She waited until Friday to actually MAKE her gown. It's absolutely beautiful and so was she on Saturday...





She had such a great time at the ball. She said that she danced every single dance.lol

My mom did her hair, but she made the whole dress herself. It was very tricky too. The instructions were difficult to understand AND we changed the design a few times too.lol This was the very first really big thing that she ever made. I think that she did a great job.

Well, I guess that's it for now. King David has awoken and I've used up all my spare time. Thankfully, I've gotten down the memories.

Blessings,

More Summer Fun...

Everyone's been taking advantage of our pool this year. The weather's been so hot that it's the only time anyone's willing to venture out of doors.


Jon says hi!


I'm posting this photo because, if you look very closely, you can see a hint of a smile. That's a rare photo.lol


Now this little critter is probably going to be an olympic swimmer! She can be seen in the pool every chance she gets. And always has a look of pure joy on her face.


She even has her own pair of goggles, that she sleeps with.lol


Good thing Daddy keeps her safe! She doesn't know that she can't breathe under water yet.lol


Pure Joy!


In other news, my MIL bought this fan for my DH's birthday and my Dad, Brother, and Husband installed it this past weekend. It's so pretty and really makes the room look finished. What a blessing to have that project done!


My garden is still hanging in there, although I'm seeing that the heat, hail, and big storms are taking it's toll on the poor plants. I'm guessing I'll be replanting within the next month or so for our second season. In good news, I've been able to pickle 11 jars of dill pickles this year! Now that's a good cucumber season! I've also had enough greenbeans and lettuce to keep us fed for the past two or three months. The biggest crop has been tomatoes by far. I've given so many away and still we're hard pressed to eat the ones we keep before they go bad. Yesterday, for dinner, I served two tomatoes sliced as a side dish. Now that's desperation.lol

On the school front, I've been working with Jon on SAT prep work and we've been finishing up a few high school subjects that they started late in the last school year. Things are going good and I can't wait to be done until the new school year. I could use a break before August.LOL


Blessings,

Home Decorating...

I bought some paintings for the new rooms yesterday and today we got them all put on the walls. I've never had a home so "put together."LOL

Here's the little nook when you first walk in the house...

The painting was on clearance at World Market and the vase I got at a gargage sale last year for a $1.00.


This painting goes on the far wall of our new living room. I just fell in love with it! It was on sale also but still pricey for me.LOL



The wall below it will have bookshelves running the whole length of the wall. We accidently broke one in the remodel so we'll have to replace it.

What it looks like now...lol


I got these cute ones on clearance also. They go above the tv...


View from the front door...


We're almost done! We just need a fan, I'd like to find an area rug, and I've decided on a window treatment. I just need to run to JoAnn's fabric. This has been a lot of fun!

Blessings,

The Finale...

But first, my son Jon. Really, Jon. Take a bath or something...lol


Here is my fully functioning, completed kitchen. We liked the table in here so much, we've decided to keep it that way.


Act natural, Allison. Don't mind me, just putting your photo online for all to see...


Looking towards the great room, which I completely grouted today. Yikes, I'm tired...


Here's the great room half done, which is now going to be a school/family/toy room...


There's that Allison again. Acting natural I suppose.


The finished great room/family room...


The hallway leading to the front door...


The library/computer room...



We've kept the library mostly the same, just added the ugly china hutch and an extra bookcase BUT the biggest change is...

Our new living room! We love the orange so much, we decided to move in.lol



We're going to replace the light with a nice fan...


Another view...


The laundry room, completed right before dinner...



So, the tile job is done! Yay!!! I feel like I just received a new home. What a blessing to look all around me and see what a good job we did. I'd like to thank my kids, my husband, and my parents for making this happen. I couldn't have done it without each and every one of you, all working together to give me this wonderful gift and blessing. Now, for a good long soak in the tub. I need it.LOL

Blessings,

Room Four...

We started the tile process in the kitchen. By now, the littles were relocated to my parents house along with me. I was able to get some photos each day though.lol

The dining nook...


Looking towards the laundry room...


Looking towards the great room...


Work, Jon, work!...


O.k., I'll back off.lol



Blessings,

What did we do...

With the littles? Well, we worked around them until the tile started. These little cuties gave us much humor during the whole painting process.

Here's Sophia, with a cute little pony in her hair...


Here's Isaac and Sophia playing on the computer...


Here's a fun game! Watch Mommy paint the trim...


Yep. That's a good job, Mom...


Can I try?


Please?



These were some dirty kids! Luckily, it all came off. Even the occasional drop of paint.

Blessings,