Bathroom Remodeling--Complete

Yea!

It is done.

We love it.

Thanks Mom and Dad for all of the help.

Remember when it looked like this?

so--so very glad it is done.

My House is Sparkling Clean...

OK--so my house is not sparkling clean.

Although I do spent most of the hours of my day trying.

And frankly, all that cleaning gets boring. I have tried several remedies to chase away the cleaning blues. I have rented movies to watch on our portable DVD player while I clean.

I have rented TV series--and rapidly finished all seasons of 24, The Office and Prison Break.

I went in serach of something new to keep ny brain busy when scrubbing floors and folding laundry. I downloaded audiobooks for my Ipod.

That works, but the books are pricey.

I was so excited to find this at our library.

PLAYAWAY audiobooks-- Preloaded mini digital players.

Free.

Perfect for plugging into head phones or an Ihome and cleaning away....all through the night. They are so easy to use--and they always turn back on at the spot you turned it off.

Handy.

I just finished "In An Instant" by Lee and Bob Woodruff.

It was pretty good and my bathrooms stayed clean this week. I hope you can find them at your local library.

Happy Birthday M Gpa!

Can't wait to see you next week!

Zach's Birthday

For his birthday dinner...Zach wanted "chicken, rice and Mom's rolls."

So that is what I made.

I love the photo above--you can see the rolls he made in the top corner of the pan.

So cute!After dinner, we had a party.Zach wanted a monster truck cake. It was a total blast watching him open up his presents this year.

He was so excited about everything.
I explained to Zach that one of the gifts was from Great-Grandma Jean

(a grandma that he does not know very well or get to see very often).

Once he unwrapped the dinosaur-car playset he said

"Oh....I LOVE Grandma Jean!"

Here is a video of Zach opening his present from Grandma and Grandpa....

and who knew that Connect Four could be so much fun?

Our Sweet Boy Turns Three!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Where did the time go little boy?

(and Megan.....thank you forever.....)

Baby--It's Cold Outside...

As we were driving the girls to piano lessons today, Zach informed me:

"I hate Christmas!"

As I sat there racking my brain as to why he would have such strong feelings for the greatest holiday ever--he says:

"This Christmas is freezing my hands off!"

Um, dude--I think you mean winter.

Winter is freezing your hands off.

Christmas is bringing you a remote control race car.

Poor, poor blog

November has been a crazy, crazy month.

{See my poor, neglected blog as evidence.}

Today, Zach is home from church with a cold and I am taking an opportunity to get caught up on some posts.

Catch up item #1: October trip to Sagautuck, MI with my parents.

After sending three days in beautiful Chicago, we headed to this lovely cottage on Lake Michigan.

We probably could have been happy if we never would have left the cottage.

Rachel and Zach loved relaxing in the hammock.

We had access to our own personal beach.

The kids spent hours there--playing in the sand.

We had the most amazing weather!

Although it was October, the temperature was near 80.

I was really sad that I did not bring swimming suits.

Apparently, no one cared if they had suits or not. (adults included.)

We went on a hike everyday and all trails seemed to lead us to the beach, where we would end up with soggy, sandy clothes.

It was pure heaven.Of course, Rachel and Grandpa had a little sand war.

That cranked Zach up. He got me good with a handful of wet sand right in my hair and mouth.

We always stop at a lighthouse or two on our trip.

The scenery was beautiful.

The sunsets were amazing.

Having hours to soak in the sun and watch children play was pure bliss.

I want to go back right now.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the wonderful trip.

Best Pie Ever....

Here is the recipe for the

Best Banana Cream Pie--EVER!

Just in time for Thanksgiving...

Beautiful

This morning I woke up and Zach was in bed with me. He has been doing this every night since he was sick. He grabbed my face, turned it toward him and said

"Beautiful!"

"What is beautiful?" I asked.

"Your eyes are beautiful Mommy."

melt my heart...

"Your eyes are beautiful too Zachy"

He sits up in alarm and sternly informs me:

"Only girls have beautiful stuff. I am a boy and boys have handsome stuff."

Having been corrected, I say:

"You have handsome eyes Zachy."

"Yep Mom--I dos"

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Since you are so fond of poems....this one is for you:

Roses are red,

Violets are gold...

How does it feel

to be as old as mold?

Happy Birthday Shae!

{and Happy Birthday Grandma Glenna, Aunt Maurine, and Cousin Aaron}

Oh Yes He Did...

Zach--you did not just turn your bedroom door into a dry erase board did you?

Apparently, someone is feeling much better.