Tuesday Then and Now...

We started building our house in the spring of 1995. Ethan was almost a year old. A few months later, (the day before Ethan turned one) I found out Austin was on his way.

Aaron and his dad spent every night and every weekend working. They built the entire house, which still amazes me. Everything except the pouring of the concrete and the laying of the brick and carpet was done by them. Several friends and family members also hammered their share of nails or took their turn at painting. It was a stressful, but neat time in our lives.

We moved-in in November of that same year. Austin followed in February. Throughout the last 12 and half years, we have added a lot and changed some things. We have talked at times about selling and moving up higher on the property and building again. (right now we have four bedrooms and could use a fifth...who knew back then we would grow to a family of 6!) My guess is that we will stay right here. There's no place like home...

Framed...


Bricked...


Decked...


Finished...

No Sleep for the Weary...

Little Miss Ava is two years, four months and 21 days old and she STILL....does not sleep through the night! Last night I made at least five trips down the hallway. Most nights I lose count.

It's not her fault. Her myriad of food allergies cause her to itch most of the time. For those of you who don't know...she is allergic to just about every food known to man.... except for chicken, pork, rice, oats, corn and peaches. Some foods cause minor irritation, others will literally make the skin fall off her little fingers and cause her to scratch bloody places on her feet and ankles. She has a area on her head where there is almost a bald spot. She scratches her thumb so hard against her scalp it breaks the hair off. It's sad. It is especially sad when she cries to eat what her brothers are eating.

On Sept. 11, she will be retested. I don't think there will be much of a change. She still seems to react to just about everything. But if we could just have ONE food back...if she could eat a french fry, or a hamburger, or even drink apple juice...life for her would be pretty good. And if she is ever able to sleep through the night... I can only imagine!

Haircut's and Hairdo's....

Took Jaden for a much needed haircut today. I don't think he has had a haircut since the beginning of June. He has greatly enjoyed flipping it around like a rockstar over the past month or so, but it really was getting out of control.

After Jaden's cut was done, Ava went to the chair and looked up at Angie as if to say, "you know, I could use a trim myself." Angie picked up on this and ask her if she would like her hair combed. Ava said yes and let Angie put her up on the booster seat.

Angie..."Would you like it in a pony?" Ava..."yes" Angie..."can I curl it a little" Ava..."yes" Angie..."Do you think it looks pretty?" Ava... "yes" It was so cute. When we left Ava was so proud of her bouncy pony and curled hair she practically skipped out the door. She looked just like Pebbles Flintstone...only cuter :) It was so great of Angie to take the time to do this for Ava. It made her day.

By the time we ran our errands and played at the park, it wasn't quite as curled, and they both had a major case of the giggles. I wanted a picture of the new haircut and hairdo, but they wanted to be silly. It was a cool moment. Here are the pictures... third time was the charm. (Click on each picture to view it) Take a few minutes the next time you get the chance to make a little one feel special. They are such treasures!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Tuesday Then and Now...

Have been on a bit of a blog vacay...sorry to my loyal readers (Annette!)

Of course this weeks then and now involves the first day of school. This first pic was taken in '99 on the first day of preschool for both the boys. I remember taking several pictures that day and they were happy to oblige.

The next pic was taken bright and early yesterday morning...amidst sighs and "No Mooommmmm" "Do we HAVE to?!" At least they managed to muster a smile and look as though they like eachother.

Just so ya know... I made it through yesterday just fine. At 8 I was weepy and sad... by 9 I noticed how much quieter it was... at lunch I realized I only had to serve 2 instead of 4... by nap time for Ava I realized..."hey, this is ok!"

Book Rental Blues...

Well, today was the day. I made the dreaded trip, checkbook in hand. I am nearing the end of my self-imposed back to school boycott...although I STILL have refused to buy any school supplies.

I dread the first day of school. You know how sentimental I am getting in my mid-life. I look at my boys that morning, and notice how they have grown, and think of them when they were babies, and get all weepy.... hormones.

This year, however, will be a cakewalk compared to next year. Next year, my baby will be entering high school, my second baby will be entering jr. high, and my third baby will be entering kindergarten.... oh lord, I better start preparing for that right now!... Girls...and you know who you are... I will be needing someone to carry me from the school to my car that morning with kleenex in tow... I will also be needing someone to hold a prayer vigil to get me through the day, perhaps with some fasting involved... a basket of chocolate and a gallon of ice cream may help...some distractions throughout the day will also be in order... I hope a year is enough time for you all to prepare... but I digress....

Long story short...moral to my story... I HATE back to school!

Tuesday Then and Now...

Last month Austin and his cousin Cody ended their little league careers. Here is a picture of them when they started out in t-ball in May of 2000... and then a picture of them as they ended their all star career in July of 2008. My how they have changed....or have they?!

WOF

"And God is able to make Grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed."
2 Corinthians 9:8

Infinite Grace... that was the theme for this years Women of Faith conference. It really was wonderful. The speakers were fantastic. They will be back again in Indy next August. I highly recommend it.

Here are a few pics from the trip...

The Whole Gang at Outback


"Shoze" Girls


Tami...the Joyful one


Annette...my mirror personality


Christy...ummm... pic says it all