House - Week #6

This week was very busy.......again. We (I) picked out floor tile and paint colors. I know that doesn't sound like it would take very long. But, believe me, you can't do it in just one trip to either store. But it was fun. Of course, there's still nothing set in "stone"....ha!....get it? Tile....stone.....ok, so maybe that wasn't all that funny. But it's more fun to laugh than roll your eyes. Here's what the house looks like after week 6.

Blessings

I simply must talk about some of the things I am greatful for. Let me start with my honey.....he truly does try in every way he possibly can to make me happy. He works so hard and asks for very little in return, just for me to be happy. He's more than wonderful. Of course, my children and grandchildren are next. They all complete my world. I couldn't imagine life without any one of them. A good day is when the weather is beautiful and I have my husband and Alysa by my side and my two boys call and tell me they love me. What more could I ask for, now really? I'm so thankful to live in this beautiful place. At one time I I was determined I would, at some time in my life, end up back in Texas. But I must honestly say now that I hope I don't. I love Kentucky that much. The weather has been fantastically beautiful. After coming from "hell's back door" - at least that's the way it felt because of the heat and humidity - I feel like I'm being "rewarded" for suffering through those 10 years. I also feel so blessed to be able to be a stay-at-home mom. I would like to have had this pleasure when my boys were growing up. But having it now means so much to me. To know the Lord knows me, all of us, so much better than we know ourselves and what's best for us, and blesses us accordingly, even to the exceeding of our own desires and expectations, means everything to me. I see evidences of this every single day. Of course, these are just a few of the many, many blessings in my life. But I would feel so ungreatful if I didn't share my gratitude.

House - Week #5

These house updates are really for my mother, as well as other family, who is serving a mission in California.....so she can keep up with the progress. And also as a kind of journal to track the building of our home. Please bare with us. I know this can get boring for a lot of you. This week they continued the framing and actually started on the 2nd floor. We are so blessed because our builder actually figured out a way to add some sq. footage to Alysa's bedroom and closet.....somehow. So that will increase the overall sq. footage of the house. Mark and I (we think......HOPE) got the hardwood and carpet picked out and will be concentrating on the tile next. We also got the brick, rock and front door picked out, as I mentioned earlier. Thank goodness!! That was a headache!! Next week we are meeting with the cabinet guy to lay out the kitchen (mostly) and other cabinetry, select a color and order. Let us pray the weather holds out 'til we're in the dry!

Good Days

One thing I absolutely LOVE to do is to laugh......laugh so hard you can hardly catch your breath or laugh at something that you just can't stop and every time you think about it, you bust out laughing again. Well, today was one of those days. I got so tickled in Pilates class today, I didn't think I could make it through. Then, when I think of what I got tickled at, I crack up all over again. It's wonderful!! Another good thing was I had friends there laughing along side me, which just made the experience all the more fun. Other great things about today are: Perry called from Iraq (only about 1 month left!!), the weather is fantastic, I'm getting excited about going to the Virginia Tech football game-and other football events here in Kentucky and we're having an early Thanksgiving-style dinner tonight. Plus, I got new pics of my grandson, Briley, and my neice's, Raney, senior picture and we finally got the "brick/rock/front door" dilemma solved. So many exciting things going on all around. I'm lovin' it!!

Thanksgiving in September

That's right.....with the cooler temperatures, it's been reminding of me of fall and all the holidays (and holiday food) that comes with them. I've been working up a good taste for cajun turkey, cornbread dressing and the trimmings. But I've been trying to hold off because I wanted to include the missionaries in on our "feast". Well, today's the day!! I've got cajun turkey, cornbread dressing, red potatoes (with butter and parsley, of course) and lima beans. The only thing missing is the sweet potatoe casserole (which we just had a few weeks ago) and deviled eggs. Oh, and we're having cheesecake for dessert. Boy am I gonna' hate myself tomorrow! But for today, the house is smelling heavenly with all the different aromas floating in the air. Can't wait for Thanksgiving!!

House - Week #4

This was week 5 in the building of our new home. They've enclosed the crawl space, layed the flooring for the 1st level and even got some walls up. I'd say they've been quite busy. It's looking as beautiful as a barely begun home can. We're thrilled with the progress. Here's what she looks like after this week.

Another Storm

Well, it's a beautiful day here in Kentucky. Blue skies and sunshine......picture perfect. I'm tickled to live in such a beautiful area with rolling hills, pastures and giant old barns. But my heart is with my family and friends in Texas and Louisiana as they await the trauma from Hurricane Ike. I'm thinking there is a great number of them that will opt not to evacuate this time around because they've barely returned home from Hurricane Gustav's mandatory evacuation. Even though the hurricane actually landed in Galveston, the effects will stretch both north and east, where most of my peeps are. My heart goes out to all of them and the hardships and headaches they face well after Ike has come and gone. Any and all prayers, along with mine, are greatly needed and I know would be appreciated as well. Love and prayers to all.