Dining on Cuteness

The Dining Room is now finished enough that I want to post pictures. The only thing left to do is fix the curtain rod, but that's minor. The room is done!



And now dine on some mid-day playtime!



Lowes has the GREATEST kid carts! Facing forward, high sides, two steering wheels, seat belts, separation from cart items...perfecto!



Hi, Jaclyn! I like the purse you made Momma!



Have a trippy day!



All our happy love!

July Hodge Podge

N.A.S.T.Y. That's what it feels like here. I was told on Saturday that this summer and last are unusually hot and muggy for MD weather. I hope they are right!

Judah did three memorable things this weekend:

1) On Friday morning, Matt came down from getting ready for work and had chosen to wear a nice blue Hawaiian print shirt to work. Judah saw him, paused, and said "Cool shirt." :-D

2)Saturday, Judah had gotten a hold of a small picture of Laura (his favorite person) that was in my purse. Matt was trying to get it back from him. Judah put the picture behind his back and told Matt, "No have it." :-( His first contemplated lie. Matt asked, "Are you lying?" Judah responded, "Yes." As Laura said, at least he's an honest liar. :-P

3) Saturday night, a friend Chris and his sisters came over to watch the boys while Matt and I had a Dark Knight date. :-) Apparently Judah had loads of fun with Chris and the really cool semi truck toy he brought over. When I went to get Judah from his crip Sunday morning, I was greeted with a "No...Chris!" That meant that Judah wanted Chris to get him up, not Momma. Then Sunday afternoon, Emilee was here. When I went to get Judah from his afternoon nap, I was greeted with "Emee?" That's the first time the person Judah has requested was actually standing by his crib at the time of request. ;-)

I'm just glad I'll always be his mom. :-)

I've been noticing that as the icky weather has continued, the death of our tomato plant has drawn ever nearer. So I gave it some good TLC this morning. I retied it to the stake using pantyhose rather than nylon rope (thanks, Momma!). I cut off all the dying branches. And praised the Lord that He's the one that is really growing this plant! Look!



I also took some pics of our other gardening endeavors: sage & oregano, bell pepper. I really wish we could get some basil. But the only kind available now is cinnamon basil. Maybe next spring we'll snatch some up!



Here's a pic of how Matt completely redid the patio. He dug all the stones up then carefully replaced them in a different more snug and eye pleasing design. He also left off a row on each side so that we can have more grass area. Now if only the grass seed would do as well as the tomatoes!



Here's another travel blanket I crocheted for a dear new friend who is going to have a baby soon -- whether in Iowa or here. Her doctor (also my doctor when Dr. T is away) gave her the go ahead to stay in Iowa for several weeks...when she's due in early August. So they may come back as new parents! Reagan's favorite color is red, hence the color choice. I'm also going to attempt to sew a nursing cover for her. :-D



Other than doing a little gardening this morning, I also put up some nice hooks in Matt's closet for his belts/hat and WD40ed the hinges so it doesn't squeak for him in the mornings. I also hung our grocery bag holder, changed our bed sheets, and did some dishes. All this in an hour and a half! Woo hoo! I even used a drill. ;-) How can I do this when Judah's up you ask? Because he's not!

Both kids only got about a 1 hour nap yesterday. It was so busy! Matt was gone by 7:30 to help the men set up stuff for our church service at the Hilton (our regular facility is doing some renovating). Then church, 2 couples over for lunch, youth leaders meeting, grab McD's, help clean up after the clothing exchange, bath time, feed cat/water plants for out of town friends, and then a movie. :-) Just a good kick off to this busy week. Matt's going to a week long conference that will require a touch longer days than usual...and then Auntie MoMo gets here Saturday!

And Elijah turns ONE next Thursday! AAAHH!

Grab Some Popcorn

I have serveral videos comin' at ya, but only one for today since it's about 4 minutes.

Elijah decided to say his first and second words this week. First word? "All done." Huh?? Judah's was "door," so I suppose we're just not going to be typical in this household. Second word? "Ball." He says ah-duuuh and bah respectively.

Judah is starting to "sing" more songs...so far, he has NOT proven he got the singing genes. But it's cute anyway! ;-)




Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the easy-going show!

Around the House & Family Time

Ok, we're gettin' serious again about taking regular photos. Enjoy!

Finally getting things up on the walls in the living room -- here's our little Willow Tree collection!


Guess what we started this weekend! JUDAH'S ROOM (well, eventually both the boys' room). It has been so fun to do with my hubby and so fun to watch the mural take shape. Matt freehanded it, I fine-tuned a few places, then we broke out the colors! We've only a little ways to go. The other three walls are the color of the lion's face and body.



And now for some sweet Family Time!

They share some of the time now. I can tell as Elijah gets older, they play together better. They like to push each other on the "motorcycle" you see in the pictures.

Pics 'n Fun

He really did tinkle while sitting on the big potty. I didn't say it went IN the big potty, but at least it all hit the toilet paper he had unwound in a very short amount of time. All Matt did was leave to get him a fresh diaper. :-P



I was tagged by Autumn.

Rules: You must answer the questions using only one word. Then tag four others.

1. Where is your cell phone? Bed
2. Your significant other? Matt
3. Your hair? Dirty
4. Your mother? Friend
5. Your father? Caring
6. Your favorite thing? Naps
7. Your dream last night? Argument
8 Your favorite drink? Orange-Peach-Mango (not fair, the juice is called three words)
9. Your dream/goal? House
10. The room you’re in? Bedroom
11. Your hobby? Sewing
12. Your fear? Dark
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? House
14. What you’re not? Man
15. Muffins? Pumpkin
16. One of your wish list items? House
17. Where you grew up? Arkansas
18. The last thing you did? Chat
19. What are you wearing? Shorts
20. Favorite gadget? Grill
21. Your pets? No
22. Your computer? Laptop
23. Your mood? Pleasant
24. Missing someone? Jaclyn
25. Your car? Pilot
26. Something you’re not wearing? Necklace
27. Favorite store? Kohls
28. Like someone? Laura
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Weeks

I'm tagging: Jaclyn, Alicia, Tara, Rachel

It's been a long road...

...gettin' from there to here. I love that song. And today I use it in reference to the spacing of my posts. :-P

Here is a glimpse of my gorgeous rosebush. My hubby really did give me the perfect mother's day gift! The pictures are the progression of what each rose does as it blooms.



And here are my European bobbles if you didn't catch them on Facebook. Arm band and mother-of-pearl ring from Athens. Copper wrist cuff from Florence. Amber earrings from Germany with amber pendant from Poland. For the boys, a wooden broad sword from London and a hand made marionette from Florence. He also got me some authentic chamomile tea from London...the best, most full bodied chamomile I've ever had!



And here is the newest addition to our bedroom! Our church is giving away things to clear out their storage facility. Talk about a BLESSING! It fits perfectly, leaving plenty of room for the rest of our bedroom furniture. AND it has THREE file drawers! More than we could have asked for...aside from the price -- free! *note: please disregard clutter as it is still a work in progress!*



Want the most special and least expensive wrapping paper for Father's Day? Here ya go! It was a George Foreman grill because my mom found them on mega sale at Kohls. Since I gave it to him last Sunday, we've probably used it at least 4 times! Tasty, gives more opportunity for good 'n cheap meals, and easy clean up!

Happy Anniversary & Happy Birthday

So comes the day that commemorates two big events...the day I married my Love and the day my older sister was born.

Today marks four years of marriage for Matt and I. We feel like old marrieds compared to alot of our friends who are just now celebrating one or two years, and yet we are YOUNG marrieds compared to even more people we are close with. We probably have said this every year, but so much has happened in our short life together. In four years we have moved 4 times (three of which were to different states), had 2 children, completed a master's degree, been a part of 3 churches, traveled alot for the holidays, been to Guatemala, and most recently spent a month apart for Matt's trip to Europe...and more! All of that is what makes us feel like we have been married a long time and a short time all at once! When I think back to getting married at 22, I laugh. We are so different today than we were just four years ago. But we have matured together, towards each other. Praise the Lord for His hand in our marriage! I can not imagine life apart from my Other Half. He truly is the best thing God has ever given me. He sharpens me, romances me, comforts me, loves me. He definitely embodides I Corinthians 13! Matt is the perfect example of how God prepares someone especially for someone else in His perfect timing -- we are a perfect match made by the Matchmaker Himself! I love you, Matt! Now, when can we finish watching Fiddler on the Roof? ;-)

Today is also Autumn's birthday. Happy Birthday, Sis! And just so you know...I'm glad I've got another girl to grow old with who's just a touch farther than me! ;-) I, too, have been noticing my own small facial wrinkles and such starting to appear! Glad to know we're together in this! Have a GREAT day!