Memorial Day Weekend

I find it quite interesting that we spend this day to honor those who have sacrificed for our freedoms by enjoying the freedoms that we have.  Whether it's a working weekend or play, we are so blessed to have the freedom to choose to do those things. 
This weekend, we tackled several projects--some we finished, some we didn't.  But, most importantly, we made progress!  I'll just say here that I can't believe we've only been in the house for three weeks.  It feels like it's been MUCH longer--so I have had to convince myself to be patient with everything I want to do here.  One day at a time, we are transforming this place!

OK--since Friday night, we have completely painted the family room, mounted the TV, trimmed the bottoms of a few doors, made a couple of trips to Home Depot, ripped out an area of landscaping, rebunked the girls' bed, got drywall in the kitchen ceiling, and spent time together as a family.  (And, I use the term "we" here loosely.  Except for the painting and yard work, I was the lovely assistant in the projects. I know--I have the tough part.)

So, are you ready for some before and after shots? 

I'll start with the yard.  We have only scratched the surface of our yard.  We still have SO much work to do out there.  Since we were painting the family room, I wanted to rip out the plants that were blocking the light from coming in the family room windows.  But, it poured all weekend.  Until about 5 p.m. today when the sun finally made an appearance.  Once the kids were in bed, Ryan and I rushed out--and we finished just as it got dark.

BEFORE

AFTER

(This is a little hard to see because I took it in the dark.  But, you get the idea.)

OK--now for the family room.  Please note that we still have a TON of work to do in here.  We are going to put up chair rail and crown moulding...and still need to paint the existing trim and fireplace, which will all be white.  I forgot to take TRUE before pics.  (The first one was taken from our house listing.)  So, these were taken once we had moved everything into the middle of the floor.  And, I was impatient in taking the after pics, so things are still out of place in those--but I'm mainly including these so you can see the color difference. 

BEFORE

AFTER

Life as a Facebook Status

My life today has been a series of status updates.  And, since I'm not one to update my status multiple times per day, here they all are for your enjoyment.

I finally met my goal of getting up, dressed, showered, and ready before the girls were up!  I got up early and they slept in a little.  I could get used to this.

Oh no.  The car won't start.  I should probably turn the interior lights off so my 3 yr. old doesn't leave one on again.

Thank goodness I've already met my neighbor.  And she was home.

I could spend hours in the paint department of Home Depot.

Walls are (partially) primed and ready for action!

Hmm..Not sure I like the look of Scottish Isle and Feldspar in my family room.

The more I look at Hawaiian Sky, the more I'm convinced that's definitely the color for my bedroom.  Now, if I could just get a new bedroom set and change the bedding...

I think I put a little too much basil on my Black Bean Pizza Burger.  I really love basil, but the balance was off.  (These will soon be posted on My Little Red Kitchen.)

I can actually hear the rain.  Ryan took the girls to run errands.

Baby sleeping...second coat on the walls...time to empty my brain onto the blog.

Ta-funch-a-munch

Today, I went into the Mother's Room during Sunday School to feed Clayton.  Another mom was in there with her baby and we started talking.  During the course of our conversation, we talked about going on our missions, how we loved the MTC, how our lives were when we got home, etc. 

At one point, she mentioned that she got home at the beginning of May 2003, (I got home at the end of May 2003).  It then occurred to me to ask her where she went on her mission.  When she answered, "Madagascar, " I replied, "Tafunchamunch!"  (Which means "goodnight" in Malagasi, the language spoken in Madagascar.)  She looked surprised and said, "How do you know that?"  I said, "Some sisters in the MTC told...Wait a second, when were you in the MTC?"  And then we discovered we were there at the same time!  After putting 2 and 2 together, we realized she and her companion were probably the sister missionaries that taught me that phrase.

From Provo to Madagascar and the Baltics to Covington...the world sure is a small place!

My Little Red Kitchen

Announcing "My Little Red Kitchen"!  I've decided that it's high time I started a cooking blog.  Making meals on a daily basis can be SO mundane.  I started this blog to make it a little more fun--so I can share my adventures along the way.  Check it out!  (See the button on my sidebar.)  And then come back for second helpings...and thirds...and fourths...and...

Before and After

Tell me...Can you see a difference?

BEFORE

AFTER

The Middle Drive

While we were driving to Home Depot last Monday, Kallie commented that it would be really cool if cars had sidewalks to go on.  I replied that they do--they're called roads.  After a slight bit of protesting, she finally came to the realization that sidewalks are for people what roads are for cars. 

Then, as we were heading home from the 4 hour shopping trip, she said, "Mom, I think roads should be called "middle drives."  You know, because we drive in the middle."  I was actually quite surprised by her observation--but it made complete sense!  A sidewalk is on the side and used for walking.  So, it makes sense that a road would be a middle drive.  It's always fun to be with my kids when something clicks for them!

Wanted: A New Role Model

Last night, it was Kallie's turn to give the FHE lesson.  Unless there is something that needs to be addressed, we usually let the kids determine their own topic.  Kallie decided to talk about sharing and being kind.  We read a story about some brothers and sisters who surprised their family by trying to be more like Jesus.  There have been a few opportunities for reminders in the 24 hours since last night's lesson.  One of them was this afternoon.

Today was a crazy day.  I won't go into the particulars, but the girls didn't get a nap and I was a little on the stressed side.  On the way home from the doctor's office today, Whitney and Kallie were bickering and Whitney was getting very whiny.  Kallie reminded her about being kind and I said, "Do you want to be like Jesus?"  Whitney replied, "Yes!"  And then I explained that Jesus didn't whine and He didn't fuss and cry.  Whitney seemed surprised by this, "He didn't?"  Nope.  And then she concluded, "Then I don't want to be like Jesus."