Fixin' up the old homestead (part 2)

Here's the front door now accessorized. I found a tutorial about how to make this cute wreath on line, and Dacy cut the vinyl for me.

















The master bath is finally done. I finished back in May, but never got around to posting pics. I was so excited at how the shower curtain and window valance turned out. I also painted the medicine cabinet, the vanity, and put in new lighting. Unfortunately my before pics have disappeared?! Oh well...

Paul's First R&R

We were so excited for Paul to come home on Mothers Day. I spent the week tidying up the house, and yard so we could enjoy the first few days with out having to do house work. My nephew's birthday lunch was Saturday, and so the kids and I went to Olive Garden to meet everyone there. We sat down, ordered our drinks, and then someone came up behind me and whispered in my ear, "Have you ordered yet?". At first I thought it was the waiter, and I was thinking, "You are too close buddy, and you know we haven't ordered yet!". But upon turning around I was totally surprised by Paul, who had pulled a fast one, and changed his flight. It was a great surprise, and the kids were equally shocked to see him there! It took Briya a few hours, but by the end of the first day, she remembered her dada. Paul just wanted to be at home, so we spent a lot of time just hanging out together. We spent one weekend up at his parents land, and had a great time riding around on the four wheelers. B was having a hard time with the fact that he couldn't ride alone, but he was a trooper with mom behind him slowing him down. Having Paul leave was harder the 2nd time! We miss him terribly, and he has had a very difficult time getting acclimated back to life in a war zone. We are counting down to his 2nd visit on August 4th. We're hoping this summer passes quickly, so he can be home again.

Fixin' up the old homestead (part 1)

We have been doing quite a lot to make our home more presentable on the outside. I forgot to take before pics of the front of the house, but here is the back. Yikes, was it bad! It's so nice to now have the nicest house on the block, instead of the worst. We are no longer the eyesore, yae!!! We had the entire out side painted, new gutter, new screens on all the windows, and a new back door. Although Paul has seen pictures, I'm excited for him to get to see it in person in 27 days. We miss him very much.

Briya's 1st Birthday

Skylee's Piano Recital

This recital took place before Christmas so I'm a little behind. She did a great job, and performed two songs: Part of Your World, and Dance of the Sugar Plum Faries. I'm so proud of the progress she's made, not only because I'm her mom, but because I'm her teacher too!

Christmas in Atlanta

We were able to spend Christmas in Atlanta this year! It was the first time since we've been married. Brighton got sick right before we were supposed to leave, so our departure was delayed a day so we could take him to the Dr. Luckily everything was alright. Santa brought stinky the garbage truck to Brighton, and an i-touch to Skylee, (which I thought was a bit extravagant, but there was no convincing Santa!) and Briya enjoyed the wrapping paper and bows. Mom made her delicious tamales and posole for Christmas Eve, and we were lucky enough to see some snow on Christmas day! (For those of us who never see snow, it's a pretty big deal.) We all had to make our gifts this year, and it was fun to see what everyone came up with. The kids had a great time, and the minute we pulled out of the drive way B said, "Am I gonna see my friends again?". "Yes", I replied, "but not for a long time."

A weekend on the farm

We spent the weekend up at Paul's parents land. The weather was beautiful, and the kids love to run around get dirty (especially B). They had a good time playing with Buddy, the dog. B was a little apprehensive at first, because this dog is bigger than him, and he comes at you with all fours and a big wet tongue! Briya just giggled and giggled when ever Buddy came near, and would stick her hands and little fingers in his nose, mouth, and eyes (that poor dog was so patient and just sat there and took the abuse).



B got to ride the tractor, and wear his boots and hat. He's our little cowboy stuck in the big city.





Paul rode the polaris, and then rode it some more. He was so excited to have me video his big jump over the hill, but it ended up feeling a lot bigger than it really was.