My Boys....

Guess what we did this weekend?

We were able to spend the weekend visiting with two precious little guys....Ru and Rafe...now Zayne and Micah.

It has been over 2 1/2 years since they lived with us and their changes are amazing. They are growing so fast and we are so blessed to be able to be in their lives to watch them grow and support them throughout their lives. Amazing isn't it? Never thought I would see that day, but they were adopted by two wonderful people who allowed it, and we are so very thankful.

                               

                                              That was then....and this is now....

                                                   Aren't they the cutest little things????

As Promised....

Here are a few pictures of the landscaping/rehab projects I have been doing......

And the dresser I restored.....which is becoming my new FAVORITE hobby....=)

I have also been working of refinishing the cabinets in our old/rental home....

Yes, it is minus an oven.  If you look above where the oven used to be, you can see some awesome tile work done by Aaron's brother Roger. He did an AMAZING job!

Tomorrow I am repainting throughout the house...touch up here and there, and restaining trim, etc. Fun times! =)

Until next time, have a super day!

Mr. "Lawn-mower-guy".....

I have kept it no secret that I love to mow laws.

Getting that off my chest is quite liberating this morning.

This year, our mower bit the dust. We bit our pride and are borrowing our friends (our other neighbors) lawn mower that is a HOSS. It is a huge zero turn Scag Turf Tiger, "the beast" known by most men. I love it. Not a competitor by nature, except against myself, I am happy to report that with "the beast" I am able to shave off several minutes off my normal mowing time. Just sayin'.

Perhaps it is my "OCD" nature.

Or something I can cross off my list. (another favorite past-time)

Regardless of the reason, I believe I have found another kindred spirit in this same "hobby" right next door.....

Let me start off by saying, this guy is the NICEST guy. Helpful. Hardworking. Obsesive Lawn-mowing: on a regular basis. Not talking of his bathroom habits, or his other hobbies since I am not THAT nosey of a neighbor. But EVERY Friday or Saturday, weather permitting, this guy is on the job.

Now you also know that I love my man. If we lived in Biblical times I am POSITIVE he would be an elder among the city gates. I mean, he has the wisdom, some mad skilz, all around great guy, and gray hair to boot! Not trying to throw him into mid-life-crisis here, but just throwing out some bragging love.

He KNOWS how non-competitive I am, due to the competitive nature in himself.  BUT, he also knows that I love people and their quirks, along with my curious streak a mile long. So last week he casually suggests that the neighbor guy is trying to race me to get the lawn mowed. Something he has been observing for some time.

I assured him it wasn't so, b/c this guy mows on Fridays or Saturdays, etc. So I decide to exert my curious self and do a little test project.

I mowed on MONDAY.

I kid you not, I wasn't on the mower 20 mins. when his garage door yawns open and here he comes "decked" out in all his equipment and lawn-mowing splendor.....TO MOW THE YARD. I just couldn't let it rest. It was GAME ON from there. I was determined to figure this out...

And I got a flat tire.

Not just any flat, but a SLICE....need I remind you that this is NOT our mower???? I had to stop half way, limp the thing into the garage, and my awesome man got the tire off and into my car for the tire-fix-it-man.

A curious thing happened.

THE GUY STOPPED MOWING. For real. Half-way done, he drove his own zero-turn into the garage as if to taunt me and/or try to even the score. Like he KNEW what I was doing.

You know I couldn't just let this go.

The tire got fixed.

I myself, put it back on, found my own pair of ear-muff-wear and safety goggles...and fired that baby up. I just HAD to see if this guy was seriously racing me.

UPON MY WORD....He drove by almost 10 mins. later in his car, with his face pressed against the drivers side window, pulls into his driveway............and gets on his lawn mower.

By this time, I am trying to pretend that I am not watching him, and that I am not completely tickled with my discovery.

I am sure he had to have noticed that I donned the extra protective wear, not to poke fun, but to even the score. Since he stopped at half way the day before, and if he really saw this as a race, why not have a little fun with it?

I finished first.

It was GAME OVER.....this week.

But I was more tickled by the watching the whole thing unfold, and confirming what my man suspected.

I salute you Mr. "Trying-to-race-the-neighbor-lady-to-get-her-lawn-mowed-while-wearing-safety-glasses-ear-muffs-and-a-smile-guy".

You're the best.

And you made my day.

Time for a post......

Good morning!

I noticed that it had been a WHILE since I have written so we are overdue for a chat!

This past month has been full of things. To keep it short, here are the highlights....

-Cade started T-ball and he LOVES it. This year we are seeing such a big improvement in his coordination and his desire to play. It is so wonderful to seem them grow! (sad at the same time!)

-I just finished my first "re-finished" project. I may have just found a new hobby. I will post pictures of the dresser just as soon as I find the batteries to my camera. (The downside to having an intelligent little boy who reads fluently is, he understands directions on toys that require batteries and his little mind has stored the hideouts and possible "borrowing" places of where to find them. We are learning to replace or return them, which is a lesson that for some reason he "forgets". ) =)

-I went to a LIVING PROOF LIVE event by Beth Moore, and had a fabulous time with some awesome friends. She is phenomenal. If you EVER get the chance to see her live- GO! You won't be sorry.

-My gardening/Landscaping project is coming along nicely. However, it looks so much easier and cleaner on TV when they work with "clean" and perfect soil rather than Clay/dirt. But I love it just the same and I am enjoying the Vit. D I get to soak up. =)

- I am nearing my one year REMISSION appointment. I believe it is in June, but I get to celebrate in MAY, when I officially ended my Chemo. WOOOHOOO!

- Aaron is doing great. He has tackled our pond and "potty" pond area with his chainsaw and has been clearing out the brush and trees that don't belong there. It is looking fabulous. Again, pictures coming soon.

I cannot believe that school is almost over! Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday I watched Cade go into school for the first time and now he is already talking about 1st grade. Be still my soul. A mother, it seems, is always changing with the seasons in the life of children. Ambiguous feelings flood around your feet and before you know it those little puddles of regret become a wading pool of memories that you just want to sit in and stay awhile. Mercy...I am full of hormones today...I need a good hot flash to cure that and remind me just to take my med and enjoy the day! =)

Today is Mom's In Touch day...where we go to the church and pray for the children. I love this day. It is teaching me much about prayer and discipline of sitting quiet and quieting my anxious thoughts.

I would love to share with you about everything the Lord has been teaching me lately but that will have to wait for another day.

Love to all.

Erin

PS- Uncle Jay, say hello to mom and dad for me. Enjoy your time! Looking forward to another Coffee/Call! =) Love you Guys!

The little....and the big things of life.

I didn't realize just how long it had been since I had written last.

Time flies when you are having fun!

Last week Cade, my Mother-in-love, and I were able to go and spend a week in Michigan....visiting family and friends. It was SO wonderful to see everyone and to just let down and relax a bit. I was able to relax a LOT, which was great for a change. Being in recovery mode wears a person out after a bit. Our trip was uneventful, especially if you leave out the part where my M.I.L. was given "the finger" while we were driving home. Try explaining that one to your 5 yr old, while your MIL was mimicing the jesture to reenact the situation to prove what she saw.

Fail.

I also had the privilege of speaking to a wonderful group of ladies at my sisters church. They were kind enough to listen through some of what the Lord is teaching me and what He is doing through all of the past 18 months of my life. I pray it was an encouragement to those that needed it. I was truly blessed with visiting and meeting many of the prayer warriors that have helped me. Their dedication and commitment humble me.

Cade had his first T-ball practice of the year. I LOVE watching them. I will post pictures of them when I can.

I am recovering both from our trip and surgery. The Dr's are pleased with my healing and I am enjoying this new season tremendously. Didn't realize just how much I missed my hair until it came back. Now I love the little things like bad hair days (just ask my friend Melissa when she drops her kiddos off for car pool!) , and wind blowing through my hair on these 87 degree days. I can now add to that short list: "wild" hair days with the curls that I can now straighten  my hair into a cute flip style. So much to be thankful for....*contented sigh*.

I hope this finds you enjoying the little things in life and as we approach Easter this weekend, celebrating THE biggest and most wonderful event of all time.

Happy Easter!