Six Years Later

We have a "new" kitchen!

Projects

We are loving the floor. Our 12 year old furniture? Not so much. The problem with doing one project is that it spreads through the house like a disease! We got new trim for the living room & then figured we may as well extend it into the dining room. We haven't even begun to stain that, but it is purchased & waiting in the wings.

This photo is a bit outdated already. Since it was taken we've gotten all the upper cabinets painted and new lights put in (see what I mean about things spreading). Next up, bottom cabinets, drawers & new hard wear installed!

Topsy Turvy

We are currently in the middle of a smallish remodeling project involving a couple of rooms in the house.

After Ayla's party on Sunday Craig moved the furniture out of the living room, tore up trim & carpet & started putting in a couple of layers of plywood. Tomorrow we are having hickory wood floors installed! The kids have loved the extra space to hula hoop the past few days.

Here's what our dining room looks like. It's sort of annoying to me have the house so torn up, but the kids think it's great fun to eat on the couch.

Our kitchen is a mess too. A couple of weeks ago we painted the walls & paneling in the entryway and kitchen. Before Craig started the wood floor prep he was working on sanding the cabinets. When that's done they will be painted as well. It's hard to see the colors in this photo, but I'll post more as we go along. Exciting stuff happening around here!

Birthday Weekend ~ Sunday

Sunday we had some of Craig's family and some good friends here for the day.

Ayla got 2 of the 3 hula hoops she requested.

This photo isn't the best quality, but I sorta love it anyway.

After we sang to her we started a new family tradition. Everyone present had to say something nice about Ayla before they got any cake. The most hilarious "compliment" came from an 11 year old boy. "I like your sparkling brown eyes that are the color of organic brown dirt"!

Look at the title of the book. Anyone who knows Ayla well should be laughing. If you tell her you love her she immediately says, "I love you more". Leave it to Auntie Julie to find the perfect gift!

Birthday Weekend ~ Friday/Saturday

Grandma, Auntie Tonia & Cousin Lexie were here when the kids got home from school Friday. They came for a couple of nights to help Ayla celebrate turning 8!

The kids were about to go play outside when a package arrived from Uncle Seth.

It was full of those cheese puff thingies, miniature candy bars & some money too. It's four days later & all the goodies are gone! (Except the money. I think she sorta forgot about that).

Gluten-free birthday brownies before bed.

Flashback

She was so 80's this night I had to snap a photo. She's got leggings, jelly bracelets, a side pony & she was totally rocking that little musical toy. Remember the days of walking around with a boom box on your shoulder?! HA!

Monday ~ The Best Day Of The Week

I love Monday, because is means the weekend is over. Don't get me wrong, I look forward to every weekend, but.......I'm one of those people that needs a schedule. Monday means we get to start our weekly schedules again.

I'm quite happy to say goodbye to my hubby. Then I spend a quiet hour before the fire with my bible and coffee cup in hand.

I breathe a sigh of relief when the big kids board the bus & Kaia and I can fly off to the community center in town. She gets to play with other kids and I get to workout with their mommies. I love my Bodyflow class. I love to stretch out my kinks, to move with the music, to feel strong, to catch up with all the regulars.

After that, I enjoy the time I have with Kaia before she heads to my friend's house for the afternoon. Yep, I get a break on Monday's from the mom I trade babysitting with! Kaia and I might head to the library or just putter around home together. Whatever we do we're both happy to know that she will be leaving soon.

After she leaves I get to shower with no one barging in and asking question after question. Then I get to choose something to wear other than my typical mom uniform. After that I get to make myself a nice lunch and to eat it in a quiet home. The little things bring such bliss.

Next, I go to Ayla's classroom. She always greets me with a cry of, "Mamaaaaa" with arms thrown wide open, just waiting for a hug. Some of her friends greet me this way too. It's nice to feel wanted and needed. I'm sure the days of that kind of reception are numbered.

When I'm done there I come home for another quiet hour to do paperwork (uninterrupted) or update my blog (uninterrupted) or to make a long overdue phone call to a friend (uninterrupted). See the pattern here? It doesn't matter what I do as long as I can do it without being interrupted.

Next, I go to Micah's classroom. He doesn't greet me with a hug anymore, but he always looks happy to see me. I love this time to interact with him and the kids we've gotten to know over the past 5 years. After that I walk back to Ayla's room. Each time I am surprised that she is so excited to ride home with me. Her brother? He chooses to ride the bus. Even when I'm there to bring him home.

We go pick up the babysitters daughter at one of the other schools in town. She is just as excited as Ayla to skip her bus ride home. I love the way her face lights up when she spots our truck in the pick-up line. Then, I surprise the girls with a snack and smile at their silly talk and giggles all the way to her home.

Next, I get my baby girl who I've actually begun to miss. Her constant stream of chatter is welcomed after having the afternoon off!

Then home to prepare supper. It's my time to flit from the kitchen to the dining room where the kids are doing homework and always need help.

After supper we have some time to veg out in front of the fire with the kids, to read to them, to let them read to us. Finally, we put them to bed and spend some time alone. Often, we enjoy the stars from the hot tub. Nothing is better on these cold nights.......Yes, Monday is my favorite day. What's yours?