Sunday, September 26, 2010

After (Basement/ Guest Room)

 New carpet and trim painted, but no walls yet.
 The whole family painting.  Everyone was actually quite helpful.
 Finished 'living room' area downstairs and...
Finished guest room.  Well, except for furniture.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Basement transformation in process


Remember this room?  It now has new carpet and paint.  Stay tuned for photos of the new and improved space.  The plan is to make the 1st picture a guest bedroom.  The 2nd picture will be the boys' toy room but will also be easily transformed into another bedroom for cousins or friends.  More to come.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Stopping to Breathe

There are a few things you should know about these three boys.  They are amazing young men and grow more a part of my heart and soul every single moment I know them.
Zay has become a man of precision.  Everything about him right now is meticulous.  He is always the last one in the van, ready for school, finished with homework... because he does everything with a level of determination and thoroughness that is awe inspiring (and more than frustrating at times) but notable none the less.
Micah is thoughtful, contemplative and incredibly perceptive.  There is no hiding anything from him.  His soft heart and sensitive spirit stay guarded often, but once he lets you in, there is a whole world of love and connection that is complex and beautiful.
Elijah.  He is still the explorer, the adventurer, the incredibly creative boy that he's always been, but there is something new too.  He's learned to complete the menial non-creative tasks of life like feeding the dog and doing homework with a smile and a bounce (most of the time) instead of tears and stomping.  At dinner tonight he was telling us a wildly imaginative story, then stopped midstream and said, 'Just to clarify, what I mean is..." and then went on.  There was a time when he wouldn't have cared to notice if clarification was needed or not... and he used the word "clarify".  

They amaze me.  I remind myself almost constantly now to stop.  breathe.  soak up these moments and days and weeks.  To be gentle in my words.... ALWAYS because every. thing. I. say. or do. makes a difference.

PS- Most of these pics (except the tiger face paint) were taken at the Science Center where we'll take you if you come visit us.  :0 )  Everything I write lately comes with that ploy.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

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Bruises on Micah's back. He's been rolling down the hill in a large plastic barrell. Fun is painful I guess. When I asked him if it hurt he said "kinda but its more fun than painful. "
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Hairwashing with goggles is so much more fun.
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Simile Metaphor Collection

Elijah after running: My heart is beating like a coconut rolling down a hill.
Elijah on urination: Pee is like horses galloping out of the gate. Once they get started you just can't stop them.
Elijah: If school were a human I'd give it a wedgie.
Elijah: I am like a hot rod and I just want to be a plain old Ford
Elijah on the fruits of the spirit: I've got them all covered except self-control. Its like a tiny green tomato and the rest are all big ripe ones. Especially love. Its like the biggest tomato we saw in the garden tonight.