Monday, September 13, 2010

Growing up

Hayden does things every day that make us say, “Our boy is growing up so fast.”  He just does so many grown up-big boy-things now.  Sniff, sniff! 

One day after we came in from outside (where we live) for a “cool-down” break (notice the sweaty-curly hair), I found Hayden reading.   He loves to be read to, but I really love to see him” reading” on his own. 

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This made my little Mommy-Heart sparkle!

Another thing that is just growing and changing like crazy is his vocabulary.  Although, he does still like to grunt or whine to get his point across, he is saying many more words each day.  Last night we walked outside by the barn where Jeff and Daddy were working and he kept pointing up saying “C’MONE” or so I thought.  He says this quite often these days.  I couldn’t figure out where he wanted to go or what he was pointing at.  I finally stepped back and figured out that he had noticed the crescent moon in the afternoon sky.  He was saying “moon”.  Oh yes, “MONE”.  I guess that is the country way to say it? 

Sunday, September 12, 2010

House Rebuild Update (9-12-10)

It was a pretty productive week at the Smith house!  We got our plumbing top out done and we got most of our outside metal up.  They will finished up with trim and gutters tomorrow.  A/C and electrical should start tomorrow.  My goal is to be finished with those by the end of the week so we can get ready for insulation and sheetrock! I also met with our cabinet guy.  I am so excited about them!  I think they are going to look so good!

The front and south side now…

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The back now…

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We figured out this weekend while we were cleaning up that we blocked our south wind on the back porch with our utility room add-on.  We are quite sad!  We almost always had a breeze back there!  I guess we will be thankful in the winter that we blocked the north and south wind!  I found the cutest chiminea I want to get for our back porch!  I am so excited about it!  But, for now, we are going to work on getting some big fans for back there while its hot.

This shows the north side of the house.  It is one long wall with no windows!  It will be ok.  We will just need to plant some trees to break it up some.

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Hayden’s favorite thing to do while we are working or hanging out at the house…

EXPLORE!

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Hayden has the best time walking around, going through the “walls”, picking up screws and nails on the ground (that’s what good moms do-let their kid play with sharp objects), sweeping, picking up concrete pieces and taking them to the driveway, etc. 

We have to make some decisions about what we are going to do in our bathroom as far as our shower goes.  It is kind of stressing me out!  I am trying to decide whether we want to do a tiled shower, marble, or cultured marble.  I love the custom look of a tiled shower.  I am just not sure about all the grout and upkeep.  If you have marble or tile in your shower, I would love to hear feedback on what you like or don’t like about it!  Same for out bathroom countertops…gotta make a decision on what to do about them as well! 

I need to start finalizing paint colors too and finish picking out light fixtures so I can tell my electrician what I want. SOOO much to do!  So many decisions to make!  You would think we would be good at this by now!  Hayden and I are leaving in 2 1/2 weeks and will be gone for 9 days to South Carolina to see Jen, Jeff, Landree, and Hudson!!!  I am soooo excited, but I know I have a lot to get done before I leave!  No pressure! 

Did you have a good weekend?  We spent most of the weekend doing stuff around and for the house.  We cleaned up inside and outside of the house and Jeff mowed and weedeated this afternoon. It made it look so much better around there!   I am sure tomorrow, it will be a wreck again.  If you have ever built a house before, you know how much time you spend cleaning up!  That’s ok…it is all worth it! 

We did get to enjoy a night out to dinner with Mom, Dad, and Robin last night at Monroy’s.  Delicious as always!  Church was great this morning too!  I hope to share some of the message this week!

DSC_0128_edited-1Hayden always looks madder than a hornet!  I wish I could make him smile for the camera.  I think he frowns purposely when he gets his picture taken!  All boy!

Ok, I know this was a random post.  Please forgive me.  I am also asking for forgiveness ahead of time if I don’t get to post as much this week. It is going to be a busy one!

My Granddaddy and Aunt Kathy are coming in from Vegas this week.  Excited to see them!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Good Samaritan Saturday

Oh yes, I got to go today!  Good Samaritan was a success this morning!  Oh how I love that place!

For $13.50, this is what I came home with…

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Old metal toolbox, 2 bed skirts for our extra bedroom (I couldn’t decide which one I wanted, so for a $1 each I decided to get both), metal colander, Veggie Skillet for the grill, glass pitcher, dark denim material (matches a pattern of some of the pillows I got for our new couch-you never know if you might need it), 2 bowls, another white plate for my plate wall, several linen valances (not sure what I will do with them, but couldn’t pass them up), and that thing on the right is a linen cover that you put over your toaster.  Isn’t that awesome?  All for $13.50!!

Then, I went to another sale down the road and spent $6.50.  I got two old windows (for 50 cents each) and two old picture frames that I will do something with.  :-) 

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I have a vision, and I can’t wait to put in into action!  Mom said, “You sure have lots of projects to do.  You better get started.”  Maybe I should! 

I know this stuff may not be your style or you wonder why on earth I buy it.  But, I will prove to you that it was worth it!  Hopefully soon! 

I also went to another garage sale and got some super cute things for Hayden.  (Thanks Jayde!) 

I felt like I had a very successful morning of bargain hunting!  How about you, found any bargains lately?

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

16 month stats-just a little late

DSC_0081_edited-2 Before Hayden turned 17 months, I wanted to remember his 16 month stats!  We missed our 15 month appointment due to our doctor having to cancel our appointment at the last minute.  So, when we finally went for that appointment, he was 16 months. 

Here they are:

Weight-25 Pounds (50 %)

Height-31 inches (40%)

Head-19 1/4 inches (90%) 

He had gained 4 pounds and had grown 2 1/2 inches since his 1 year appointment.  Can I just say, I thought that watching your newborn get shots was the worst thing ever!  Holding your 16 month old down during shots is much worse!  I know there are more to come, but it is definitely one of my very least favorite things to do!  When we went back for Hayden’s “sick” visit last week, he got so upset when he saw that nurse that gave him his shots.  It was so sad!  I felt so bad for her and for him too!  I couldn’t believe he remembered her, but he sure did!   I guess it is a necessary evil!  Atleast we think it is!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Life is a Gift

I typically don’t post things like this or even send forwards through email.  I know I am being kind of sappy two days in a row, but I could not resist.  A friend sent this to me and it really hit home for me.  I hope you take the time to read it.

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.  Her  boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive-Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think: by GOD's grace, you're alive and still around.

Throughout this whole “house burning” ordeal and process, Jeff and I could have had one big pity party.  But we don’t.  Or, atleast  I hope we don’t.  We have tried to stay focused and remain positive.  Of course it is hard, very hard, at times, but I think we always  try to remain focused on how blessed we really are.  It’s amazing what you find out about yourself and also find out about other people when tragedy strikes. We are so thankful for all we have…God, our precious baby boy, family, and our friends.   I just want to say thank you to all of you again  who have reached out to us  with your sweet comments, uplifting and encouraging words, and all you have physically given to us.  WE ARE BLESSED!  Remember, life is a gift!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Our Concrete-The 2nd Go Around.

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The verse we decided to inscribe into our concrete is 2 Corinthians 5:1. 

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”

I know this verse has many different meanings.  But, we felt this verse spoke to us when we found it.  Basically, we applied it to our situation and know that if our home is destroyed, we are blessed to have God on our side.  We know that this is only our temporary home. 

Our real and eternal home is in Heaven.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

House Rebuild Update 9-5-10

The house is looking so good!  Atleast to us it is!  :-)  We are so excited, we can hardly stand it! 

They got all the plumbing roughed in, concrete for add on, and all the framing done this week.  Monday they will start putting the sheet metal back on the outside.  Hopefully we will get cabinet measurements and electric, plumbing top out, and our ac/heat started this week as well.  Our builder says “Labor Day means labor.  We work!”  Good for us, but kind of sad for them!

These pictures will probably be a little hard to tell what is what, but I will do my best to describe to you what they are!  :-)

South side of the house.  Shows utility room add on to the back.

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Utility Room

I am so excited about this big space! It is about 12 1/2 ft. x 11 ft.

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Standing in the back door looking into the kitchen, living room, front door.  Previously this was the garage.  To the right of the picture is where our living room was.  It is now a 3rd bedroom.

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Standing in the front door looking at the living room, dining area, and utility.  Again, previously the garage area.  We decided to go with 9 ft. ceilings in the living, dining, and kitchen areas this time to make it more open.

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The kitchen. 

We flip-flopped our kitchen so it could open up to the dining and living room.

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Standing in the living room looking down the hallway.  Hayden’s room and the extra room are on the left.  We added a linen closet in the hallway as well.  Extra bath, our room, master bath, and our closets are on the right. 

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Our Master Bedroom.  We added 5 extra ft to our bedroom and added the master bath as well as another large closet.  We will end up with 3 closets in our bedroom/bathroom.  A girls gotta have room right?  Ha!

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The back of the house.

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It has come a long way from this huh?

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And this.

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Just because I love my boys!.

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