Home Projects

Since we've moved into our house a year and 10 months ago, I've wanted to put up window boxes. Our house is very plan. Tan painted brick, a white door, and nothing more to make it stand out. I knew window boxes would be an easy way to make the house pop. I would love to paint the front door this summer, adding another small touch to complete the look.

Audrey loves helping me with flowers. The past two summers we have made a garden just for her, with flowers of her choice. She's helped me dig out the garden, then plant, and maintain all summer long (she's great at watering, but weeding is a little hard for her, as she gets a little over excited to get rid of it all).


Late spring we set out to find the right flowers for our boxes. Whenever I ask Audrey what color flowers, she ALWAYS says "Pink and Purple". I knew I wanted a little more than just those colors, so I thought I'd off set it with white. I'm so please with the way they turned out, and my little helper.

Confidence

Although she swam in the pool during vacation, and did attempt to swim without her floaties, Audrey still wasn't confident enough.

We went to the county park pool, where she is NOT allowed to wear floaties. She was forced to stay in the shallow end, unless she wanted to try swimming on her own. It took her watching one friend, to realize it was something she could do ALL BY HERSELF. Sure enough, it was all the encouragement she needed. She swam!
(sadly, I didn't have the camera with me, as I was IN the pool, but I'm sure we'll have more opportunities for capturing the moment when we have our 'official photographer' with us...aka...daddy)

What a great accomplishment!

I'm so proud of you, Audrey.

My Brave Girl

After a long journey trying to figure out what is going on with Audrey's hearing we are hoping to be closer, if not at the end. We decided to go ahead with the adenoidectomy. The surgery took place this morning. She was super brave, willing to put on the "silly hat and dress",

and ready to try on the special mask that she got to wear, not like the paper masks Doctor's wear.
Off she went with a princess wave, as she said goodbye to us.
I held her in the recovery room as she slept, and stayed for a little while until we were allowed to go home.
Thankfully, the surgery went off without a hitch. She came out quickly, and has been a strong girl all day. Although out of it at first, she progressively got better and seems to be almost back to herself.

We couldn't be more proud of our little girl.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Audrey is the talker in this house, she's 3 3/4 and has much to say.

In the car...
Audrey: Mommy! Look at the roller coasters over there.
Me: (looking in the direction) No, Honey, those are power lines...lots of them.
Audrey: OH! Those power lines look fun!
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Audrey: Daddy, Liam said a word!
Daddy: He did? What word was that?
Audrey: He said Oval.
Daddy: Wow, he did?
Audrey: Hehehe, yeah he's speaking Spanish.

See more Tiny Talkers at Mary's.

At the Beach

Last week our family took our summer vacation (hence the no Tiny Talk post for me). We had a great time. Audrey is always the fish in the pool, and love the waves of the ocean. She convinced Albert to get in the water with her.


Audrey was so excited to have friends to play with. Here they are ready for a walk on the boardwalk.

Liam got in on the swimming action. As with most things he was hesitant at first, but quickly warmed up to the water and seemed to enjoy it.





Audrey loves to jump in the water. She got more daring this year and jumped in (3 ft only) without any floaties, she was even able to swim a short distance to me. I am SO excited to have a swimming buddy.
Can't wait for more pool days this summer!

My Beloved

It's been 8 years since the day we were married, and over 11 since we've been together. We've most definitely had our ups and downs, never wanting to give up, but feeling like our relationship was forgotten somewhere along the line.

We both agree, this past year was one of our best years together. With the birth of our son, and being much more prepared parents was tremendous for us and our relationship. It helped that Liam was so easy going, making those "at home, after bedtime dates" easier to have.

We are continually learning more about each other, and striving to communicate our needs. We want a relationship that glories God, and therefore can be a relationship that will be a model for our children.


Albert,

I am so thankful that God put us together. You mean so much to me. I love that you help keep me from taking life too seriously, and that we can find humor in the little things. I love that we read each other's mind, or think the same random things. I'm so thankful that you are the leader of this family, and that our children get to call YOU Daddy. You are a blessing to me, and I am honored to be your wife. Happy Anniversary, honey, I look forward to many years to come.

I love you!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Audrey is the talker in the house. She's 3 3/4 and has much to say.

Audrey is learning to sound out the letters to read...
(I wanted her to sound out the letters for 'rug'.)
Audrey: (sounding out) R-U-G
Me: Good job, now say the letters together. What does it say?
Audrey: (seeing the picture) Oh, it says CARPET!
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Me: (in the next room) How much of your sandwich do you have left?
Audrey: I have 3 halves.
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Audrey: When I am six can I feed Liam?
(well, he'll be a bit older then. Not sure if he'll like it when he's 3)

See more Tiny Talkers at Mary's.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Audrey is the talker in the house. She's 3 1/2 and has much to say.

Audrey: See, I have muscles (holding up her arm).
Daddy: Why do you have muscles?
Audrey: So that my bones don't fall out.
(that's good enough for me)
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Daddy: Audrey, eat your burger
Audrey: Alright there kid!

See more Tiny Talkers at Mary's.

9 Months

I write this as my dear, sweet, cuddly boy is cutting FOUR teeth at once. We've had some recent rough nights, to say the least. He's a through and through Mama's boy, sigh. I love it, but it certainly has it's challenges. I used to wish Audrey would cuddle more, want me more, care a little bit that I was leaving (just the slight amount to show she enjoyed being with me...not that she didn't, but she was/is super excited to be someplace new). Anyway, my dear son is the complete opposite of his sister. Isn't that the way it should be? Although he doesn't mind being dropped of with someone else, he is super excited to see me come back. Those are the sweet, I love being a Mom moments...then there's the 3am crying that no one can console (although we continually try) but Mommy.

None-the-less, my little man is growing quickly, and doing more and more things. In the last two weeks he has gone from moving a little to up on all 4's, to crawling, and even pulling himself up to standing, on two occasions. Whoa there little one, slow it down a bit. I am suddenly aware of all the time we didn't have to worry about those unplugged outlets, cabinets that aren't latched, doors that weren't shut, steps that aren't blocked, and the tempting dog bowls. He's not letting me miss a thing. And if I do, Audrey's sure to fill me in on what he's getting into now.

He continues to eat really well, exploring the idea of finger foods, but not so sure about those yet. He much prefers someone else put that banana in his mouth. The boy really likes his food, though. You make him wait too long, and he'll let you know what he thinks.

He's a sweet little man, that continues to ham it up for his sister, loving that she performs for him. It really is a fun stage.