1. The boys have been swimming in the blow up pool in our backyard...totally oblivious to the fact that it's 65 outside...having the time of their lives! :)
2. After starting a little over 2 years ago (with some months more consistent than others and a super long break after Oliver was born), we finally finished the
Little House on the Prairie series. However, when we started reading the books, I began with
Farmer Boy, thinking the boys would really enjoy it. And they did! Then they wanted to read
Little House on the Prairie (and skip
Little House in the Big Woods) because Hudson had been studying pioneer days in school and had seen some of the episodes. So we skipped right over it. And now we're finally through all books and decided to finish with reading
Little House in the Big Woods. The boys are loving it, and it sure does make bed time a whole lot easier. They look forward to crawling into their beds and turning out the lights, while I sit in the doorway and read by the light of the hallway. Most nights, 5 minutes into it, Jake is sound asleep, and Nate follows close behind. And I will get so lost in the story that 45 minutes will pass so quickly! (especially when reading
These Happy Golden Years...loved it!)
3. Oliver is standing up, on the verge of taking his first steps. using his walker all the time. I'm so not rushing this though...he can definitely take his time, although I think he's ready to catch up to his brothers.
4. So our new schedule for community groups at 2Cities is now twice a month on Sunday evenings, with the first Sunday of every month being a community group/neighborhood outreach. Right now we have two community groups meeting...one in Cottage Hill (where we live), and the other in Capitol Heights (another neighborhood near downtown). This past Sunday we hosted a neighborhood potluck at our home, and it turned out to be a great success and great way to get to know our neighbors. Around 40 people came!! We had a couple of crockpots of taco soup, and everyone brought sides/desserts. And people actually stayed around...they didn't just eat and leave. We're looking forward to doing this every month, although it won't always be at our home. Another sweet family that lives down the street is going to host next month, and then in May we're going to have a block party. Can't wait to see how the Lord uses these gatherings and new relationships in our neighborhood!
side note: one morning the boys and I (and our sweet friends, the Henninger's) helped Brian pass out the flyers for the potluck at our home. It was fun involving the kiddos, and they loved taking turns putting the flyers in all the mailboxes. :)
5. Henry's art skillz
6. We have the never ending, always growing list of home projects that we would love to see finished someday. I, of course, know this will never happen in an old home, but it sure does feel good to start crossing off some of some of those projects:
*putting up baseboards in hallway.
*cutting/ripping out the old wirey/almost barbed wire (but without the barbs) fence on one side of the backyard. (still have much to do in the fencing department).
*rearranging the boys' room (and proving there's plenty of room for a 2nd bunk bed!).
*constant organizing of the laundry room...setting up office space. still waiting to buy cabinets.
*painting the boys' little chairs that go with the kids' table in the kitchen.
*repainting parts of the kitchen ceiling and bathroom wall because of rain leaks.
*patching up parts of the roof and sky lights, where the leaks were coming from.
Henry helping Brian with the skylights. My hands were sweating. :)
*adding pictures to the wall one day at a time.
*putting locks on the bathroom doors
*replacing the screen on the screen door
*taking out useless doors (with plans to use them for a table and maybe even a bench someday!)
*tightening door knobs (so they don't continue to fall off)
We also have big dreams (not reality anytime soon but it's fun to dream!) for the backyard...
*including a new work shed/space for Brian that's...bigger. with lots of storage space. not made of cinder blocks. not falling apart. and the roof is not caving in. with no gaping holes in it.
*completely landscaped all over, including a lattice archway from the house to the shed, covered in some sort of pretty leafy vine or honey suckle.
*stone patio or a deck (and a table and chairs) right outside the kitchen door that will extend our kitchen outdoors! I LONG for this!
*more landscaping (bushes, flowers, monkey grass) along the side of the driveway where we cut out that wirey fence.
*mulch around the boys' fort and swing set, as well as a slide and a place to hang their tire swing. :)
*put in more sod where grass is not growing. we've got lots of places for digging in our yard. :)
As much work as it is, I'm so, so thankful to be investing in a home that I adore!!
