Let the Re-Do begin!

Two things should be exceedingly clear at the end of this post:

#1) The game plan for our kitchen re-arrange

#2) I am AWESOME with computers...particularly MS Paint.

So here's the plan:

#1) Make sure there's nothin' important in the sofet we want to rip out. Check.

#2) Rip out one pantry closet, get rid of wood trim, make sofet above, put fridge in new space.

#3) Rip out sofet, place 2 cuppords and new counterspace over in new area next to fridge.

#4) Put doors on pantry

#5) Paint walls red

#6) Paint cuppords white

#7) Replace countertops and appliances some day before I die.

Here's how far we (and by "we" I mean Jason) have gotten. He has ripped out the closet, trim and drywalled the new space. He's on his last coat of mud/sand. Next up, ripping down that sofet and cabinets and crackin' this baby wide open! Can't Wait!

VIDEO!!!

Yes that's right! We (Jason) found the camera! I have to say, I'm not sure who put it where it was, but Jason was the one that thought to look for it there. It was in our LLBean backpack, which was in a suitcase, which was in the guest room closet. Bravo Jason! And so I give you...a whole bunch of video!

When Jason comes home from work lately this is what he's been greeted with :( Don't worry, the second I hand her off into his arms she's fine :)



Ella talking! (coming soon)


Ella feeding herself!


Ella walking outside!

Ella walking inside! (coming soon)

You Might Be a Mom If....

You Might Be a Mom If....

...You're the one that eats the very last crumbled bits from the cereal box
...You save every last bit of food not wanting any to go to waste
...Having poop on your hands is no longer a big deal
...You've snagged a booger (that's not your own) bare handed at least a few times
...It no longer suprises you when you look down during the day and see some sort of food or filth crusted onto your clothing
...You find yourself trying really hard not to let "no" be the primary word in your vocabulary
...You have no quams what-so-ever about making a total fool out of yourself celebrating (seemingly) small achievements
...Nap time is ONE of the highlights of your day
...Your standards of cleanliness in your home have dropped quickly and dramatically

These aren't meant to be negative...just true and funny. The list started forming in my head this morning when I found nothing but tiny crubles of raisin bran left in the cereal box and poured it out and ate it anyway because I didn't want any to go to waste. I thought, "I never would have done that before I was a mom!" Add your own in the comments. Keep the list going!

It's Been Too Long! (a.k.a. prepare yourself for lots of pictures!)

Ahhhhhhhh. I type refreshed by God's Word and good friends at Bible Study this morning. I type with the warmth of the sun streaming down on me through my window, my babe sleeping quietly in the next room and my trusty, graying Hunter laying at my feet. I am thankful. I am blessed.

The days are getting away from me. They are so full. But full of good things. Things like mothering my beautiful girl, play dates and library time - Serving in women's ministry and studying the Word - Hanging out with friends, cuddling my man, visiting with family - Working, meal planning, cooking, baking - Keeping up with this abundant home God has entrusted to us - Reading, crafting, exercizing.... and maybe one day getting around to cleaning up the yard and painting every square inch of this place and putting some decorations on the walls :)

It has been too long, as I was reminded this morning when my little one showed off her walking skills in the nursery and my friend exclaimed, "When did that happen!? It's not on your blog!"

Since we (and by that I mean Jason) still can't find our camera that we take video on, you'll have to settle for still pictures. The first three pictures are with our old camera. I think you'll notice a difference. I'm still getting used to the new one. (Controlling the apature and shutter speed and all that jazz is so different than with my 35mm SLR, it'll take time to retrain the patterns my hands have already learned so well. I'll also need a puffer as the flash does tend to wash out!) So here is our last three months in pictures.

13 MONTHS OLD

One dreary day in Jan. this little cherub was content with nothing. So here's what I finally let her do. It took much deep breathing to embrace the mess. Motherhood is good for me!

She loves to "help" with laundry. Just look how pleased she is with herself!

She would ride on this ALL DAY LONG if we'd pull her. Although she does love using it as a walker now. You could never get this picture with a digital, auto focus, auto flash! LOVE!

She continues her love of reading.

She thoroughly enjoys clapping.

14 MONTHS OLD

The big move has happened and she can't get enough of the cat door. Many a toy disappears through this magical little portal!

All sorts of fun can be viewed through the glass doors in the new dining room. This particular evening she was watching her daddy put things away in the utility room. She would bang on the glass and wave wildly at him each time he appeared and then occupy herself with this when he was out of site!Enjoying the house her mommy built :)

"Helping" unload the dishwasher. This thing is like an Ella magnet. If it's open, she's there in 2.2!

And, yes, she's walking! It began Feb. 5th with a first step at our friend's Steph and Ryan's house. It developed into 2 or 3 steps here and there....then 5 or 6 every now and again...then 10 or so. Then March 5th (while daddy was away) she walked across the whole kitchen to me! Today in nursery she followed me around half the room!

15 MONTHS OLD

And joy of all joys - a blessing and a curse. She's feeding herself! It's neither neat nor efficient but she insists on it now! Look how proud she is! Again, motherhood is good for me!

I wish you could hear her. She is talking up a storm, attempting to repeat any word you say. Here are all the things she says consistantly that I can remember right now:

mama

dada

hi

bu-bye

nigh-nigh

all gone

all done

up

down

doggie

kitty

Ella

bug

thank-you

uh-oh

yeah, yeah, yeah! (with clenched fists and sheer exhileration in her voice!)

no, no, no

row, row, row (when she wants me to sing row your boat)

rock, rock, rock

walk, walk (wok, wok)

vroom, vroom

woof

moo

baa

quack

oink

bzzzzz

whussat? whussat? whussat? ("whats that?" over and over and over and over... :)

Hope you like the glimpse! Thank-you for sharing in our joy!

Happy Happy Joy Joy

"WAHHHOOOOOO!" I yelped with delight when Jason informed me we had nabbed our first squirrell. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy (for real).

Then in dawned on me....that thumping I had heard at 5:30am was the little critter...which meant it hadn't died instantly. Then I did a stupid thing and asked for details. The poor little guy still wasn't dead at 8am when Jason went to check the traps. He had to give him one good thwack to the head with a pipe to put him out of his misery. My husband the rodent mobster. I felt so bad I almost cried. And then the joy just continued....

1) We can't find our digital camera, on which we take all the cute video of Ella. I'm convinced Jason took it on an ice fishing excursion. He says he didn't. I'll keep you updated on how that one plays out.

2) Every major store in our area (that we need to purchase items for those little odds and ends that always pop up when moving into a new home) is remodeling and temporarily out of everthing we need.

3) I went to Home Depot today to purchase (not so cheap) blinds for the bedroom and living room. Could not get a SOUL in that place to help me get them cut down to size. Fussy baby in the mix. Finally had to just leave. Was so disgusted that I most certainly wouldn't buy them there if it weren't for the fact that I have two gift cards to use there!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy(sarcastic)! Here's hopin' things look up!