What they say Wednesday

"Dad, 

                                                                               were you in the civil war?"

Wheels and Pine

It's taken me awhile to get back on my feet since coming home from our trip to D.C. Steve and I took the older two boys. We need this time with them. Bryon is going to be leaving home in the blink of an eye. I'm not sure I'm ready for that. I've heard many a people say that when they come home from a vacation, no matter how fun or enjoyable the vacation was, they need a vacation to recooperate. Well...that is what I needed last week. From the moment I came home...literally,  I was running children back and forth to the Dr. for ear infections and up with one or two of them every night for 6 nights while Steve was out of town again on business. Yes, it was a hardy welcome, but since I was so refreshed, I was glad to be with the little ones again and didn't mind it all that much. I do admit that it did get challenging once the exhaustion kicked in.

This is why I haven't posted anything... until today. I think it is a great reason to celebrate when your son places 1st in the big pinewood derby race of the year.   *Alright Jeremy!!!*

Bryon and Tyler helped their brothers install the wheels since Steve had to be out of town. He was only home long enough to cut out the cars as a Family Home Evening activity and then asked Bryon and Tyler to promise and help with the wheel application. They're old pros by now... 

Once there, they weighed in, added more weight and glued the wheels in place...

And then our other Cubscouter placed 4th for his first EVER race. (Way to go Michael!)

I think we are finally getting the hang of this car making stuff due to the many cars we've made throughout the years. Car styles are chosen from experience, and the paint jobs are improving. I rather enjoy the challenge of painting whatever image the children ask for now-a-days. What do you think?

                                               Waiting with much anticipation for the race to begin                 

   Unfortunately we have a grave lack of photos since I took two cameras and they both were apparently low on battery since they, neither one, made it to the end of the race for the big award picture! At least you are spared an endless string of blue and gold endless photos. Suffice it to say, after suffering with ear infections and lack of sleep for a week, Jeremy's pay off was the BIG WIN. What a wonderful way to make up for an otherwise uncomfortable week! What was so incredible about the whole thing, was that it never even occured to Jeremy that he might win. Not once. 

Michael seemed rather pleased with his results as well. it was a FUN night!!

Sick

     A couple of weeks ago I was feeling a bit under the weather and knew that I was just "fighting something". You know how that feels, right? When your throat gets just a little scratchy, but not bad, your nose drips a little-kinda annoying like, but still tolerable (you're just grateful it isn't worse) and you can tell you aren't quite feeling up to speed. This all started on a Friday. Well, I thought I was really doing a good job battling the oncoming influenza. Then it started. The sneezing. Ugh! I don't know how it is for others, but for me-if I start sneezing...I know I'm DONE FOR! Soooo, what's one to do? Especially one that is an M-O-M??

Not only an M-O-M, but one with 3 dependant littles?!? By Monday I was completely sucked under. So sick that I couldn't stand without being dizzy and feeling like my head was in a fog. The only thing I could do was NAP. change a diaper. nap. and NAP some more.  After one of those naps, I went downstairs to see the conditions. 

This is what I saw: 

"So, someone decided to get a snack, huh? Okay, understandable. What a mess. That stinks. Bummer."

 Then:

"To be expected. There's kids here. I'm glad they were enjoying themselves." *sigh*

THEN:

"Whoa!!! Who hired the {help?}!"

It only took my sick, tired body an hour and a half to clean up this oh so joyous mess with the hefty crafsman shop-vac.

That's what I get for:

Getting SICK.

Oh how I appreciate my health!

Blogging

Okay, truthfully...I've hit a little of what I call "blog depression". Usually I have to refrain from posting too much. But lately, I haven't wanted to blog at all. I have to give myself some credit that I have had some contributing factors to my difficulty with blogdom. What kind do you ask?  I'll just name a couple:

1) our desktop broke down on us 2-3 weeks ago.
2) although our wonderful neighbors loaned their laptop to us, it is missing the "b" key and the spacebar. The "b" key...little deal. Space bar HUGE PROBLEM. We have to punch the little round circle button precisely ON THE RIGHT SPOT.
3) until literally two days ago, I couldn't get my camera to upload. This is a biggy. To blog without pictures...not my style. Silly, I know.
4) WHO CARES IF I STOP!?! Sincerely, I've asked myself this question since I started blogging. Then suddenly people will start telling me how they "love" reading my blog, or ask questions that they could only have known to ask by reading. Who knew?! The most comments I've ever gotten were 5. Ridiculous that it matters, but feedback is helpful!

So...there you have it. My feel sorry for myself reasons for blog depression. I see a pot of gold on the horizon, however, for when I was typing this very post...what should the UPS man bring? But our new keyboard!!! WOO HOO---I'm signing off to install it now. Bryon's essays will be SO much easier for him to type!

What they say Wednesday

Lately I've been enjoying Tyler's company more regularly since his schedule this semester is rather lighter than it has been in the past. One day on the way to an event, we were running late and, in my haste, I expressed distaste without thinking as I glanced at myself in the visor mirror. Tyler immediately expressed his love for me, and said, "Mom, you're beautiful. Besides, it's the inside that matters most." Although it wasn't said with this intent, it was a sweet reminder to me that although I was in a hurry, my behavior was most important in the moment.

                                          

Lately I've been acutely aware that with Bryon's Senior year in high school fast approaching, and Tyler following close behind, children are only children in our care for just moments...and then they're gone. What a blessing to enjoy them while that time is ours! I hope to take advantage of every opportunity!

Dresser re-do (also on Shelstring blog)

A couple of months ago a couple at church was getting rid of a dresser. Steve came home knowing I was looking for one for the girls and told me to call them and take a look at it. Initially I saw it and really was kinda disappointed, but after looking it over awhile, decided  it had great bones and brainstormed it's  possibilities. Then, as life kept us busy and not really having the time or desire to conquer the project, I let it sit in the back of  my mind awhile. After blog stocking one day I felt inspired & started gathering paint samples any time an errand presented the possibility. Finally I found my desired color and ran down to Home Depot where I bought a can of Behr Ultra. If you aren't familiar with this, it is a paint and primer in one! Cool! The first opportunity I got I painted the hutch. But as is typical with my first attempt at paint projects, I was not happy and knew I immediately needed to find THE ONE color. I then decided I must go to my main inspiration...Target!

 

From the time I saw this years ago, I knew if I ever had a girl, this would be hers.

Isn't it sweet?

Then I saw this pillow and had to look no further!

I ran home,  pulled out several old cans of paint and started my notorious mixing magic {which is also typical, I don't know why I ever bother having anyone mix a color for me}

I Got these crystal pulls {everyone knows I love crystal ;)} at Ben Franklin Crafts

The results have been thrilling for me! All I want to do is sit and stare at the dresser. I'm overjoyed by the turnout and can't wait to share the finished poduct with all of you!! New computer soon-- *whew* Can't wait!

Mushed fingers

Justin: "Can somebody  close the door on my fingers? Not hard, just softly"
a few seconds later
"Alyssa, you almost mushed my skin".

Even after asking him the reasons for wanting this, I don't have any idea why. Aren't these two sweeties funny?


**I started "What they say Wednesdays" because I'm otherwise terrible about journaling the quotes I hear that either strike me in a humorous or profound way. Join me for "What they say Wednesdays". Just leave a link to your blog in the "comment" section so we can enjoy the things that those you love are saying. Remember, it doesn't have to be from children. It can even be just a quote you love!