4.27.2011
4.26.2011
Nap Woes
To say that we've been struggling with nap time lately would be an understatement. It's been more of a battle of wills. Lately I've been losing. Saturday, for example, I spent over two hours trying to get Grace down, to no avail. On this day, though, she finally gave in after a long-fought battle, which commenced with me snuggled up beside her in a tiny girl-size bed.
I'm not sure if this scene will repeat itself anytime soon,
but you've gotta start somewhere.
I love you, Grace. Please don't give up on the naps just yet. Your mommy will lose her mind.
4.25.2011
Easter 2011
This weekend, a four day weekend for Dave, went by like a flash. I'm a bit disappointed that we didn't spend more time as a family reflecting on the meaning of Easter and what Jesus did for all of us on the cross. Grace and I did have a conversation about Easter and why we celebrate it, but at two years of age she has already figured out that the candy is where it's at. Sad but true.
I think Grace's favorite Easter experience (it even topped the candy), was a stop to get bird seed at the Tractor Supply Company on Friday afternoon. We were all surprised to see that they not only had bird seed, but also baby chicks and bunnies. Grace loved the bunnies. It made her day, for sure.
On a very blustery Saturday morning we ventured out to the Easter egg hunt at our church, and ran into a few friends there. Then, on Easter Sunday, we drove to the wrong restaurant (my fault), and ended up being an hour late for lunch with my parents. My brain is just not what it used to be, I'm afraid.
I think Grace's favorite Easter experience (it even topped the candy), was a stop to get bird seed at the Tractor Supply Company on Friday afternoon. We were all surprised to see that they not only had bird seed, but also baby chicks and bunnies. Grace loved the bunnies. It made her day, for sure.
On a very blustery Saturday morning we ventured out to the Easter egg hunt at our church, and ran into a few friends there. Then, on Easter Sunday, we drove to the wrong restaurant (my fault), and ended up being an hour late for lunch with my parents. My brain is just not what it used to be, I'm afraid.
Finding her eggs
My friends, Kristine and Belinda
Pria and Grace, enjoying Easter treats at music class
My favorite Easter gift has been listening to Grace sing a new song, Praise Ye The Lord, Hallelujah! I love the way Grace says, "Hall-ay-ew-ya!" Cutest thing ever...
4.23.2011
4.21.2011
Family Ties
We had a big work day today at our house. Just when I was starting to feel discouraged and totally disorganized, my Dad came to the rescue and helped me clean out the garage. Dave has been so busy with school and soccer, that things have been at a real standstill for over a week. He is also suffering so much with the poison ivy infection. He's so puffy that he looks like he's wearing a fat suit from the shoulders down. There may be some IV steroids in his future if things don't look better by tomorrow.
It seems like we've had one thing go wrong after another lately. But, in all of it, God has protected us from catastrophe. In addition to the previously referenced calamities (flooded basement, leaking roof, bad flashing, poison ivy), we're also in a bit of a property dispute with our neighbors. We had a survey done yesterday which turned out in our favor. The neighbors actually have their sprinklers and a play set on our property (it was obvious to everyone but them). We're really trying to be gentle about all of this and not ruin our relationship. I'm hoping that they will move these on their own, without any prompting from us, but the way things have been going lately, I kind of have my doubts.
Yesterday we had our fireplace serviced. After the technician left, I thought it smelled a little gassy, but figured it was from when he lit the pilot, and surely he must have checked for any leaks, right? When we got back home from our small group at church after 9PM, I opened the door and was hit with the extremely strong smell of gas. We opened all the windows and Dave shut the gas off to the fireplace, then we headed up to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the night. We found out today that there was a major gas leak at the pilot.
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This afternoon, Dad and I took a break from the garage and went down to the cemetery across the road. He has been doing a lot of work on our family genealogy and discovered that many generations of our family are buried just across the cornfield from our subdivision. Although many of the names we were not sure of exactly how we were related, we did find my Great, Great Grandmother's grave. She was only in her mid-thirties when she passed away (Dad thinks during childbirth). The cool part is that both sides of the family are there--The Lowers (Grandpa's dad's family), and the Mungers (Grandpa's mom's family). My dad also discovered that my Grandpa was actually born in Freeland. Pretty cool!
Some photos from the cemetery today:
It seems like we've had one thing go wrong after another lately. But, in all of it, God has protected us from catastrophe. In addition to the previously referenced calamities (flooded basement, leaking roof, bad flashing, poison ivy), we're also in a bit of a property dispute with our neighbors. We had a survey done yesterday which turned out in our favor. The neighbors actually have their sprinklers and a play set on our property (it was obvious to everyone but them). We're really trying to be gentle about all of this and not ruin our relationship. I'm hoping that they will move these on their own, without any prompting from us, but the way things have been going lately, I kind of have my doubts.
Yesterday we had our fireplace serviced. After the technician left, I thought it smelled a little gassy, but figured it was from when he lit the pilot, and surely he must have checked for any leaks, right? When we got back home from our small group at church after 9PM, I opened the door and was hit with the extremely strong smell of gas. We opened all the windows and Dave shut the gas off to the fireplace, then we headed up to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the night. We found out today that there was a major gas leak at the pilot.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This afternoon, Dad and I took a break from the garage and went down to the cemetery across the road. He has been doing a lot of work on our family genealogy and discovered that many generations of our family are buried just across the cornfield from our subdivision. Although many of the names we were not sure of exactly how we were related, we did find my Great, Great Grandmother's grave. She was only in her mid-thirties when she passed away (Dad thinks during childbirth). The cool part is that both sides of the family are there--The Lowers (Grandpa's dad's family), and the Mungers (Grandpa's mom's family). My dad also discovered that my Grandpa was actually born in Freeland. Pretty cool!
Some photos from the cemetery today:
My Great, Great Grandmother, Lily Lower
(Lily was actually in my top three girl names when I was pregnant with Grace)
There are many Mungers buried here. Not sure who this guy was.
Maudie, a sweet little baby girl
You can see our subdivision on the other side of the field
Dad
4.18.2011
I Wonder What The Neighbors Were Thinking?
Dave has declared war on the poison ivy in our back yard. He underestimated the power of the stuff when he first tried to rid our trees of it last week, and he's been a itchy, swollen, weeping, rashy mess ever since. The poor guy broke out from his wrists up to just below his armpits. The only protective wear he had on at that time was a pair of dish washing gloves. He has since wised up. This is what he wore yesterday as he hacked, pulled, and tore the vines off the trees and from the ground.
The poison ivy was everywhere. I can't imagine if Grace would have come in contact with it. It's been bad enough watching Dave suffer through this. Unfortunatley, the oil can survive for years even after it's been torn from a tree, for example, so we'll have to keep a close eye on where we wonder in the woods for a long time to come.
He's got Popeye arms now
This night photo doesn't do the damage justice. Believe me, it's much worse!
The poison ivy was everywhere. I can't imagine if Grace would have come in contact with it. It's been bad enough watching Dave suffer through this. Unfortunatley, the oil can survive for years even after it's been torn from a tree, for example, so we'll have to keep a close eye on where we wonder in the woods for a long time to come.
4.15.2011
Settling In
We're slowly moving things out of boxes and into drawers and closets; dusting off items that have been in storage for almost five years now--keeping only the necessary or sentimental, and setting aside the rest for our garage sale at the end of April. We are in desperate need of some purging. I have to say, it's so much easier to organize when you have some space to work with. I actually enjoy preparing meals and cleaning up the kitchen now! And Grace is a great little helper, now that I can let her help because there is room for more than one person at a time in the kitchen. One thing I still don't like--putting away laundry. But I don't think any amount of space could ever change that.
When we moved in two weeks ago, we set up Grace's "big girl" bed in her new room. She seemed pretty excited about it at the time, but has yet to sleep in it (she's been in our bed since she weasled her way in at five months). We have been talking about it a lot, though. Hopefully with a little encouragement she'll want to try it out soon on her own. I'm predicting it will be harder on me than it will be on her. I'll miss my little snuggly bug. I'm not sure I want to trade her in for a big, snoring husband. I don't want my baby to grow up. Ever.
When we moved in two weeks ago, we set up Grace's "big girl" bed in her new room. She seemed pretty excited about it at the time, but has yet to sleep in it (she's been in our bed since she weasled her way in at five months). We have been talking about it a lot, though. Hopefully with a little encouragement she'll want to try it out soon on her own. I'm predicting it will be harder on me than it will be on her. I'll miss my little snuggly bug. I'm not sure I want to trade her in for a big, snoring husband. I don't want my baby to grow up. Ever.
She likes to jump on it, anyway!
Reading
Grace's playroom (my favorite room in the house).
Next on the agenda...window coverings and painting. Gotta keep the blue carpet, so beige it is!
4.11.2011
Grace Says...
"What are you doing?" which is always followed up with, "Oh, but why?"
After Grandma left to get a mammogram, Grace told Grampa that she had gone to "get her boobs checked."
Grace talks constantly about her "grandkids" and her "boy" and "daughter."
"Holy Moses, that's a big poopy!"
"I will have to do it!"
"Mine!"
"Mommy, I need some pop for my froat."
"Hold on tight!" (If I take a hand off the steering wheel for a second, she lets me know.)
"I don't need any beauty products!" (from Annie)
"What's that smell?"
"You will not resist!"
"That's a very unattractive green." (from Olivia)
"I want some alligator!" (It took me a while to realize she was actually asking for Gatorade.)
"Shhhhhhh....I'm fast asweep!"
"Would you like me to wipe your bottom?"
"I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"Mommy, I don't like you, leave me alone!"
"I love you, you're a good lady."
Grace: "Hi, Sniffy!"
Me: "Why is my name Sniffy?"
Grace: "Because you sniff a lot." (I had a cold.)
"Yessirreebob!"
"Mommy, you have special ears."
"I don't like hairy ears."
After Grandma left to get a mammogram, Grace told Grampa that she had gone to "get her boobs checked."
Grace talks constantly about her "grandkids" and her "boy" and "daughter."
"Holy Moses, that's a big poopy!"
"I will have to do it!"
"Mine!"
"Mommy, I need some pop for my froat."
"Hold on tight!" (If I take a hand off the steering wheel for a second, she lets me know.)
"I don't need any beauty products!" (from Annie)
"What's that smell?"
"You will not resist!"
"That's a very unattractive green." (from Olivia)
"I want some alligator!" (It took me a while to realize she was actually asking for Gatorade.)
"Shhhhhhh....I'm fast asweep!"
"Would you like me to wipe your bottom?"
"I'm sorry I yelled at you."
"Mommy, I don't like you, leave me alone!"
"I love you, you're a good lady."
Grace: "Hi, Sniffy!"
Me: "Why is my name Sniffy?"
Grace: "Because you sniff a lot." (I had a cold.)
"Yessirreebob!"
"Mommy, you have special ears."
"I don't like hairy ears."
"Ooo eee, ooo ah ah, ting tang, walla walla-bing bang!"
The day we moved in, Grace walked around our kitchen saying, "Wow, I can't believe it...it's so neat!"
Grace and Graceyn were having a conversation in our back yard over popsicles this afternoon. It went something like this:
Grace: "How is your cat doing?"
Graceyn: "Good.
Grace: "How is your dog doing?"
Graceyn: "Good. My dog goes poopy in the potty."
Grace: (laughing) "Doggies go poopy outside!"
These two are the cutest. It's killing me that I have no room left on my memory card!
The day we moved in, Grace walked around our kitchen saying, "Wow, I can't believe it...it's so neat!"
Grace and Graceyn were having a conversation in our back yard over popsicles this afternoon. It went something like this:
Grace: "How is your cat doing?"
Graceyn: "Good.
Grace: "How is your dog doing?"
Graceyn: "Good. My dog goes poopy in the potty."
Grace: (laughing) "Doggies go poopy outside!"
These two are the cutest. It's killing me that I have no room left on my memory card!
4.10.2011
Exploring
What a difference a week makes in Michigan. Last weekend we were having thunder snow and driving rains, and today was a beautiful, sunny spring day...finally. My parents came over and helped us with organizing and Grace watching. Tonight we met more neighbors and Grace made some new friends. It's so nice to live on a cul-de-sac. Four of us Moms chatted while our kiddos ran from house to house playing. We were thrilled to find out there is another little two-and-a-half-year-old little girl across the street named Graceyn. Our two girls spent hours playing together tonight. Watching them interact was the cutest thing ever.
Last night we ventured out and explored a little bit of our new neighborhood. One street over from us, we were greeted by the most affectionate, outgoing cats I've ever encountered. Grace was in heaven. Instead of running away from her like Josie (Grandma and Grandpa's cat) does, they followed her all around, just wanting some love. We also looked for deer in the cornfield down the road, but discovered a beautiful sunset instead.
Last night we ventured out and explored a little bit of our new neighborhood. One street over from us, we were greeted by the most affectionate, outgoing cats I've ever encountered. Grace was in heaven. Instead of running away from her like Josie (Grandma and Grandpa's cat) does, they followed her all around, just wanting some love. We also looked for deer in the cornfield down the road, but discovered a beautiful sunset instead.
Helping me organize our kitchen
Last weekend's snow
Someone's being followed...
There were actually five cats, I think...very bizarre.
4.07.2011
The Joys of Home Ownership
I am sitting here blogging from the den of our new home. It feels great to finally have a place to call our own again, and lots of space for Grace to run around and play. It's been a crazy past few days here with our share of ups and downs. Hopefully we've worked out all the kinks (please, Lord, let that be the case).
After we closed last Wednesday, we drove out to our new place brimming with excitement and amazed that this wonderful home was now ours. We never have had good luck. We should have know better. Our rejoicing quickly turned to horror as we discovered that our sump pump had failed and our basement was flooded. Fast forward eight days and all is well again-- the basement carpet has been cleaned and re-installed, and we now have a new sump and a city water back-up system in place just in case this one ever fails.
As if the basement issues weren't enough, I awoke a few mornings ago to the sound of water dripping onto the window sill next to our bed. Long story short, the chimney and a window had not been flashed right, which allowed the water to run all the way down the wall (both inside and out). We were blessed, though, with an honest roofer who fixed these issues quickly and for only a few hundred dollars. Hopefully water will stay outside where it belongs from now on.
There have been other hassles as well--having to hire a locksmith to change all of the locks on our house because there weren't any keys; our next-door neighbors, who, we are pretty sure built a swing set on our property; many dead trees that need to be cut down; and the fact that we have not a single window covering in our entire house. Yes, there are a few kinks to still work out.
But all in all, we still think this was a great buy and are very happy to call this place home. This afternoon we saw a huge Pileated Woodpecker on a tree in our back yard, and tonight we saw five deer within 50 yards of our house. Can't wait to get our bird feeders up and see what else comes our way!
After we closed last Wednesday, we drove out to our new place brimming with excitement and amazed that this wonderful home was now ours. We never have had good luck. We should have know better. Our rejoicing quickly turned to horror as we discovered that our sump pump had failed and our basement was flooded. Fast forward eight days and all is well again-- the basement carpet has been cleaned and re-installed, and we now have a new sump and a city water back-up system in place just in case this one ever fails.
As if the basement issues weren't enough, I awoke a few mornings ago to the sound of water dripping onto the window sill next to our bed. Long story short, the chimney and a window had not been flashed right, which allowed the water to run all the way down the wall (both inside and out). We were blessed, though, with an honest roofer who fixed these issues quickly and for only a few hundred dollars. Hopefully water will stay outside where it belongs from now on.
There have been other hassles as well--having to hire a locksmith to change all of the locks on our house because there weren't any keys; our next-door neighbors, who, we are pretty sure built a swing set on our property; many dead trees that need to be cut down; and the fact that we have not a single window covering in our entire house. Yes, there are a few kinks to still work out.
But all in all, we still think this was a great buy and are very happy to call this place home. This afternoon we saw a huge Pileated Woodpecker on a tree in our back yard, and tonight we saw five deer within 50 yards of our house. Can't wait to get our bird feeders up and see what else comes our way!
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