Bath Time

Here are a few pics of the kids in the "tub" during the renovation of the bathroom. We didn't have anywhere else to get them clean, so the kitchen sink became the new bathtub. They LOVED it! Ben is such a little fish and just loves water. He splashes and splashes in the regular tub...but this was crazy. I think our entire wall got wet and I know my floors are now cleaner than ever. Jason was soaked too. Ella thinks it's so much fun to have her brother right next to her and she loves holding the faucet like a shower head. Now that the bathroom is done, one would think we would be back to using the bathtub...but Ella insists on the sink. In fact, every day she wakes up and asks "it bath day today, Mom?"

Second Haircut

I can't believe how fast Ben's hair grows...on the top of his head anyway. This was his second haircut, but once again I didn't have to cut ANY off of the sides. I'm figuring that his mohawk would be at least 4-5 inches long by now if I would have just let it grow.

It was a little more tricky this time around to get it cut. Since he is mobile and very fast at getting around, it took a team effort. Ella ran backup as I tried to keep him occupied with toys. When things were getting sticky I would call in my reinforcements and have Ella sing songs or do crazy dances. We started in the living room and by the time we were done we were sitting on the floor in the dining room. Once his interest was lost, I would let him crawl to something new and then swoop in with the scissors when he wasn't expecting it. Isn't he a handsome little guy?

Bathroom Redo

The start of the demolition

No more going potty upstairs for Ella

The laying of the new tile...I never thought I'd have tile.

Granite sink and the new faucet that I found on clearance from $146 to $27...yipee!


Proud Hubby enjoying the payoff of his hard work.

Well, it's done! I think we may just have a record. We started this very large project on Apr 13...and we are already finished! 10 days from start to finish. Jason put the last of the door frame up yesterday around 5pm. All of the stuff is back on the shelves and the drawers are filled once again. When we first bought this house, the bathroom was ugly. We pulled out the glass shower doors (gold ones, mind you) and painted the icky vanity to get us by until we had the time, energy, and the money to overhaul it. We weren't even planning on starting this project until next year, but when Jason gets a bug to remodel...I'm all over it.

My Dad came down last weekend and helped rip out the old floor and lay the new tiles. That was a huge help! Thanks, Dad. Then throughout the week we painted, grouted, put in the new toilet, vanity, and sink. Well, when I say "we", I mostly mean "Jason". He did so much of the work while I supervised and told him how great it was looking. My husband is turning into a real "Mr. Fix-It" when he puts his mind to it. The finished product looks great and the pics don't do it justice.

A Trip to Where??

Wow! Yesterday was 70 degrees outside with nothing but sunshine. It was lovely. The kids and I spent the afternoon playing outside. Ella enjoyed her sidewalk chalk as she drew pictures all over the driveway. Even some of my "artwork" is displayed as Ella kept asking me to draw things. Good thing she only asks for cows, pigs, and ice cream cones! Ben had fun too. I took his exersaucer outside and he played and laughed the afternoon away.

I decided I would take the kids to Joann's Craft store since Jason was busy with the bathroom redo in the evening so I could get a few things. I'm not sure what I was thinking or if the sun melted my brain somehow...but one toddler and one baby in a craft store is anything but pleasant. I thought I had a great idea by putting Ben in the back-carrier so I would only have to keep my eye on Ella. Well, wouldn't you know that the aisles are just wide enough for a little boy to reach backwards and manage to pull multiple things off of the shelves. I would hear something fall to the ground, turn around to see sticker pages upon sticker pages scattered on the floor...just then Ben was seizing the moment by grabbing as many photo albums he could get his chubby little baby hands on. I turned around to stop him, put them back before they fell over, and he was already reaching for whatever was now at my back. I'm sure to the innocent bystander we looked like a human tornado. Between all of this chaos, Ella was singing "I have to go potty, Mommy...I have to go potty, Mommy". I was stressed out about 5 minutes after entering that craft store. I managed to get everything under control and we waited to check out. It was at the cashier's desk while she was ringing up my beautiful scrapbook paper that Ella said in a voice that sounded to me like it came over the loud-speaker..."I've got a giant booger, Mommy!" which she held up proudly in the air for all to see. A nice, green, slimy, yucky BOOGER. How proud can one mommy be?!? I vowed to myself once the kids sat straped in their carseats unable to move, grab anything, or run away that I would never, ever, ever do that again!

Soooo Tired...

I realized that it has been almost a full week since my last post. Yikes! We have been very busy around here these past few days. Here's a quick run-down: Ben got dedicated on Sunday, my parents and brothers were down for the weekend, and Jason decided that this was a perfect weekend to tear our bathroom apart. Needless to say, we have no sink, floor, or toilet in the upstairs bathroom. We are all a wee-bit tired from all of the activity over the weekend and the work it took to gear up for it last week. Ben simply flopped over and fell asleep on his froggie. Isn't he cute?

More pics to come in the next few days of the dedication and my bathroom (or lack thereof).

The Housewife

She's up in the morning,

Before she's awake,

Putting on coffee

And pouring cornflakes,

Finding lost shoes,

combing sleep rumpled heads,

Diapering the baby,

And making the beds.

She kisses her husband

On his way out the door,

She washes up the dishes

And then vacuums the floor.

A quick cup of coffee,

While folding the clothes,

She teaches her toddler

Not to pick in her nose.

The children are fighting

The phone's ringing too,

There's only so much that

One woman can do!

Supper is burning,

Husband walks through the door,

Just as the kids

Knock the lamp to the floor.

He gathers his wife

For a well deserved hug,

Then helps her to round up

Their two little bugs.

Little teeth brushed,

Stories are read,

Two sleepy children

Are put in their beds.

She finally gets

a moment to rest,

Another day over,

The house is a mess.

Sometimes she wonders,

How she manages it all,

Without chaining her monsters

To the nearest stout wall.

She looks in on her children,

On her way up to her bed.

Sees two little angels,

Two sleep rumpled heads.

She stands there just watching

Those little kids rest,

It is then that she knows

Her life is the best.

Just a Few Pics...

On the go...constantly!

Daddy making funny faces

Ella likes her chocolate chip muffin

Too cool for school.

Happy Easter!!

What a day for celebration! Jesus is Alive! What awesome news!

The kids started their day by talking about why we celebrate today and pancakes made with Daddy. I also "hid" their baskets and let them search for them. Ben wasn't too interested, in fact...he crawled right by his and just kept cruising. Ella spotted her basket behind the rocking chair and then it even took some convicing to actually go and get it. One of the things I got her was a mini microwave for her play kitchen. She has been busy making us food in it ever since we got home from church.

The rest of our day will be spent at Nana's (Jason's mom) house. She is preparing a feast as well as a big Easter Egg Hunt. Ella is busy running in circles like a ballerina from all the excitement as I type.

I hope that each of you have a wonderful day. Love to all.

Baby James

Here is an update...I wish it was good news. Unfortunately, he had CT scans of his abdomen and they found that the cancer has spread. It is now in his liver and he is considered to be in stage IV. He is scheduled right now for more scans next week to see if it has also spread to his lungs. The family was very shocked by this news and thye weren't expecting the report they got. Please, please say a prayer for them and for this sweet little boy who just turned 1 a few weeks ago. To read their blog click here to find out more on BABY JAMES. If you want to drop them a line to encourage them, please feel free to leave a comment on their blog.

Thank you to all of you who have kept him in your prayers and have been walking this journey with him. He's got a tough road ahead...pray that Jesus will hold him in His arms and comfort him.

It's Snowing Again!! UGH

This was what our deck and grill looked like from the last storm that hit us.

I am so tired of this stinkin' fluffy white stuff! I just want spring to be here along with warm breezes and birdies singing. I feel so cooped up inside when the weather is cold and yucky. The kids love being outside so I am anxious for the warm-up to start! Minnesota is so crazy. Last week we had an 81 degree day...and now we are told to expect 5-8 inches of snow! Jason is doing his happy dance while I am moaning and groaning about it. I hope it's short lived!