Last day of the first year of preschool

A little complaining and explaining...

So I am sure you have noticed that there haven't been many blogs from me lately. Well, quite frankly I have had some major allergy issues and have doing the bare minimum. For almost two months I have had a continuous sinus headache and it finally got so bad that I am now on 4 prescription meds to try and get some relief. As you know, I'm not crazy about using prescriptions continuously, but it got to the point that I was wheezing and couldn't breath iwth a headache, itchy nose and eyes, etc. etc. etc. Are you still reading? Can't believe you are, but good news. I am feeling better today. Yes today is the first day in 8 weeks that I haven't gone through the day wishing I could stay in bed. It has been a little depressing, but the sun is out and the meds are kicking in and I am getting EIGHT loads of laundry done. Keep in mind that I have the LARGEST capacity washing machine we could find at the appliance store. That is A LOT of laundry.
I even got a little crazy and cleaned out the bottom of my closet and reOrganized my purse hangers. I made homemade popcorn, cut up strawberries, checked out some sewing blogs, and cleaned up the toys in the living room. Honestly, I am exhausted. But at least I got something accomplished today.

A place to eat

After going to Roanoke on Friday to pick up our first CraigsList purchase, we have a place to eat comfortably as a family. I got the chairpads recovered and the rug rotated. We had to pull the table out from under the window so I am not too sure where that is going to go. I also pulled the dying palm tree down from my bedroom. Just not enough direct sunlight up there. Now it has a new home and will hopefully start growing again. Like my dollar store candle holders? I forgot to take a picture of the hutch. It ended up in the "dining" room because we don't really have walls in the ktichen as it is so open and lots of doors. It looks really pretty and I finally brought all all of the pretty serving pieces that we have received. Hardly used them because they were always packed away. Now the cabinet is half empty with room to grow! Next time I will have pictures with us sitting there. I still have to scotchguard the cushions so I am a little crazy about the kids eating there right now. Hence the highchair still for Reece!

We finally did it...

We found a table, with 6 chairs AND a hutch on Craigs List. Two years after looking, searching, and using the Snyder's 1970's olive green card table (although it was a blessing!), we bought a dining set. It has two leaves which was important to me as this is our only dining area. And the hutch has open and hidden storage. We are picking it up on Friday and will post pictures when it is all done. This may induce a total redecoration extravaganza on my part, but I can't wait. I even have had fabric WAITING to be used for this kitchen. Yeah! My three criteria for the set was that I wanted 6 chairs, round, with two leaves, padded chairs, and a matching hutch. The absolute bonus in all of this is that it is a perfect match to our kitchen cabinets. I was so excited to see this in person and to see that. I'm a nerd I know. Now I have to wait 5 days until we can go pick it up and hope to get the kitchen curtains made and scour the house for the perfect centerpiece.

Some bargains and projects

I got this chair at a garage sale for TWENTY BUCKS! It goes perfectly in my living room. Could not believe it. It was at a garage sale that gave all the money to the Ame*rican Ca*ncer Socie*ty.

The green vest is for Reece that I still need to add the ribbing on the neck and armholes. It was knit from the top down all in one piece. So easy. He will getting many more of these! I also am almost finished with the little shorts that go with it in the same plaid as Avery's jumper.

Here is the little shrug that I knit Avery with a VERY simple jumper pattern dress underneath. Slowly but surely I am getting this sewing thing. Still need to sew the button on the shrug and embroider her initials on the dress and then finished. I am planning on waiting for them to wear these until Mother's Day.

Betcha You're Wondering... how I got new pics on here?

Here is me about to cook the most delicious prime rib that Shane and I have ever had. Everyone must try it. Encrust the meat in rock salt, put it in the oven for 12-15 per lb., crack the salt and brush it completely off, and then eat this deliciousness.

The roses I got just because! I am feeling way to spoiled this month.
Reece showing off his faux-hawk. VH1 said these weren't cool. I disagree. I think my boy looks pretty darn handsome!

Do you see the condensation on my coke glass? My old camera would NOT have done that.
Another shot of the flowers. My honey done good! They look so velvety and soft and they smell wonderful.

Although we agreed to not do Easter baskets at all this year (for anybody) (Avery already filled her Easter basket twice before Sunday dinner!) I woke up to an Easter basket with nothing in it but a sweet little digital camera. My honey rocks. I was shocked and had already decided to attempt to live a photo free life (like that would be any fun!) and am very happy with it especially since it's even better than what I had before.

Cameraless Sucks Quite Frankly

It totally sucks right now not having a camera. Avery's ballet recital (although for THIRTY DOLLARS I can buy the DVD), Her birthday, weekend at MIL and FIL's house with the cousins, Reece getting his fingers caught in the door of the minivan that is suppose to have censors that won't shut on little hands, Oh wait, maybe not a camera for that. Or how about while I was consoling the poor skinned fingers of my little boy the door shut so fast that my willow trees fell off the top shelf onto Avery's head. Literally on her head. So there I sat, two seconds into the house, with two injured children. I saw both things happen in slow motion. You know when you know it's going to happen, but you can't stop it. I was doing fine with it until I just started having thoughts of Nat*asha R*ichardson. You know like, "oh she's fine"...."that's what they said about Nata*sha....I'm just overreacting....maybe I should be...check AVery for bumps and slurring words...only been a couple of hours...little girl on GMA showed symptoms two days later...on and on and on! Those are the moments I pray Jesus would come back so he could help me raise my kids during the 1000 year reign. Can you imagine? Hey Lord, could you tell me if I should discipline now or love on them? Or how about...Jesus, could heal my little boys boo boo. Or...Jesus, who took the candy out of the basket? Avery, Reece, or Shane? And finally, My Savior could you teach them about you so that they completely understand, never fall away, and always believe. Thanks! While you do that I'll make us some meatloaf.

Update on Jackson

#3 (Thurs) They sent Mandy home! The doctors think they have stopped the contractions enough to buy her two weeks more time. Jackson is doing well and Mandy is resting at home. He was able to get all the doses of steroids so that if he is early his lungs will be stronger. We are so thankful for all of you that have been praying!



#2 (7 pm)Mandy is still preggo! They are keeping her on the anti-contraction meds until morning and then taking her off of them to see what happens. If they were successful, she can go home. If not, then they will let her deliver him and not try to stop it anymore. By then he will have had all the steroids he needs to have stronger lungs. Keep praying! Tomorrow morning will be the time to decide.

Please pray also that those of us trying to decide whether or not we should travel up there would get a clear direction when to leave as to be the most helpful!

Will update again if anything changes.




#1 After attempting to stop labor, the doctors are now giving Mandy steroids to strengthen Jackson's lungs as they feel stopping labor completely is unlikely. They are trying to buy him some time to strengthen up a little bit. Thank you all for your prayers. I will post through the day as I hear more.

Avery is 4!

Happy Birthday Avery! I love you so much!

Baby Jackson

Hey Everybody who reads this...
My sister is in the hospital tonight after she fell in her closet. Don't worry she wasn't at a high altitude, just tipsy (from pregnancy- not drinking). Mand has been having contrations pretty regularly and is staying overnight as a precaution. Just getting IV fluids right now. They are pretty sure it will all settle down within the next 24 hours. Please pray that it does. She is 33 weeks so we would all really like Jackson to settle down and stay in there a little longer. Jackson's heart rate is good and he looks great. Will update as I get more information. I just figured out how to text message her voice memos so am having a lot of fun with that! HA! It's her first night away from Maizie so pray she gets some sleep and doesn't even worry about that at all. Nini (my mom) came to the rescue and is already up there. See Mom we do need you!