Sleepy boys

The boys took a nap this afternoon...later than we hoped, but at least it happened after the long busy week we have had.  So, about 3 pm is when they went down for a nap. 

At 6 pm I decided I had better wake the boys up so they could eat and still sleep at night.  I decided to wake Jake first.  So, I gently went to him and said his name a few times. He came out of his foggy sleep a little, so I laughed and said that he needed to wake up...that it was almost dinner time.  He popped straight up and as he sat there, he turned around, looked at the clock and then out the window and said, "seriously? it's dinner time?".  I said, "yeah" To which he promptly replied..."oh, it was a nap!"  

He thought he had slept all day! :)

The downstairs is painted

  Mom and Dad have headed south, but their work will be reminders of their time here.  They helped paint and vacuum the whole downstairs...which is huge.  It looks so nice...and nearly livable! :)

The downstairs bath/laundry room

The family room

family room

Family room toward dining room and kitchen

kitchen...you might be able to see the flooring Josh is starting to lay near the cabinets

school room...it won't be complete until we add the white trim and red based curtains

Olympics

   Our family really enjoyed watching the Olympics each night (at least what Olympics we could stay awake for).  The boys learned a lot about a lot of sports and countries just from watching the events each night. In fact, tonight Joe asked to turn on the TV to watch the Olympics and we had to explain they were over. We'll look forward to the next time the Olympics come around. But until then, we'll enjoy these moments! :)

Jake's finished Olympic work

Joe stars as Michael Phelps!

   If you look closely at the first picture, you'll figure out now what the blue things hanging out of Jake's ears are.  Jen and Andy will probably laugh at this picture! :)

WE ARE PAINTING

  Did you hear that?  No, seriously.  Could you hear us say it? It's that exciting that you actually might have heard those words said loudly enough for your neck of the woods. 

   Painting means we are ALMOST IN OUR HOUSE bc it is almost able to be lived in!  Do you feel the excitement we have?  Even the boys can feel how close it is getting. 

   So, here are a couple pictures taken today.  (I left Thursday with drywall mudding still going on and by the end of today half the house is painted and the kitchen cabinets are installed. Now that is progress!!!!)

Colorado!

  Mom and I took a flight out to Boulder to help Jen find a wedding dress (and other "wedding related" stuff). We were unsure of how long the whole trip would need to be...so we flew in Thurs night and flew out Monday afternoon.  By 3 pm Friday (just two hours after we entered the first dress store) she found her dress...which eased the schedule quite a bit for the next few days.

   Despite additional shopping for the wedding, we did also enjoy eating awesome food at several fun restaurants, running on trails, eating yummy food, biking, eating great food, relaxing on Andy's porch, eating...well, you get the point.  We also enjoyed cool temperatures...especially at night (even requiring the comforter on the bed to be used). :)

  In it all, there was a theme that my mind kept coming to in the midst of conversations and situations...God is big.  To see all the things God has laid into place up to this point for Jen and for Andy as individuals, to see all that God has put in place right now for Jen and Andy as a couple, to see all that God put into place for the events of the weekend to unfold as they did (both in Boulder and back home in Indiana), and to see how God is so present in every place---which especially hit me while at church Sunday morning...as I truly worshiped...in unison...among strangers...the same God we worship across our nation and our world...and with our lives and hearts daily! Wow!

 

First Grade

We have officially begun first grade.  It's been a good first week...and Joe has tried some schoolwork along the way, too.  Jake has already made a clay jar, a mini-scroll, and is memorizing a verse from Proverbs.  He says he is glad he doesn't have to do schoolwork the next 4 days.  But deep down, I think he is LOVING learning.  And that is a delight.


So..."first day of first grade" pictures below!

Look who showed up...

   Last week one day as we were leaving the house, a kitten darted across the yard into the corn field across the street.  The next day, it showed up near the house again and slowly welcomed Jake's slow and gentle approach.  The boys delightedly played with their newfound friend all afternoon...naming her Daisy.  (other options...sunflower, coco, and choclate)

  Papa bought some milk and food for her b/c she seemed so hungry...and she has a bad gash on her leg.  And, so, she has established her little home between the brick piles.  She comes out promptly as we pull in and she hears our voices. 

  So, the boys are excited about their playmate!  And it is fun to watch her play as she practices pouncing and attacking...a stick.  Hopefully she can work on mice around the house and in the barn! :)