Two Down One To Go

After having to wait for weeks after Holly got her braces off, Abbie now has a brand new, shiny, braces free smile. 

No rest for mom and dad's wallet.

Gracie's smile is now a work in progress. 

I love my beautiful smiley girls!

Finished!

We finished the wood floors.

What do you think?

Floating On Air

For 2011 we decided to make birthdays about making memories.  Gracie has been on a hot air balloon kick for over a year.  To her surprise, she got to go up in one for her 12th birthday.  You've never seen a happier kid!

She was thrilled to be allowed to help with the balloon set up.

Daddy was the brave one to go up with her.

He claims that I would have loved it.  Truthfully, I was as happy as I could be with both feet on the ground taking pictures.

Up, up and away!

Now our girl is hooked and cannot wait until she gets to go again!

A.W. Tozer

I just read the most amazing prayer written by A.W Tozer in a book called The Pursuit of God. It is at the end of a chapter where the author talks about us (the created) being in a proper relationship with the Creator.  I would love to be able to pray this prayer with sincerity of heart.  I believe that I will make doing just that my goal.

O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing of earth's treasures shall seem dear unto me if only Thou art glorified in my life.   

Be Thou exalted over my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in the midst of the earth.  

Be Thou exalted above my comforts. Though it means the loss of bodily comfort and the carrying of heavy crosses, I shall keep my vow I made this day before Thee.  

Be thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream.

Rise O Lord into Thy proper place of honor, above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes, above my family, my health and even my life itself.  Let me sink that thou my rise above. Ride forth upon me as Thou did ride into Jerusalem mounted upon a humble little beast, and let me hear the children cry unto Thee "Hosannah in the Highest!" 

Bamboo Bamboo Bamboo

Something tells me that by the time we get this house just the way we want it, it will be time to move again.  This month's project: Hardwood (Bamboo) floors in the Dining room, Living room and Den.  Thanks goes out to Uncle Will who ripped up the carpet and tack strips in all three rooms. You Rock!

Holly helping me get the floor ready.

So, Lee took the classes and watched the videos on how to install a floating engineered wood floor.  He was educated and ready to roll AND THEN I threw him a curve ball.  Poor guy.  I had to go and fall in love with a solid wood bamboo floor that has to be glued down.  I couldn't resist, IT WAS ON SALE!!!

Back to the classes my sweetheart went. I just love him.

Here we are spending most of the morning of Day 1 figuring out how to begin.  It was challenging.  You can go ahead and refer to this portion of our day as "marriage therapy".  We're a stronger couple now after weathering this storm.  Don't mess with US!

The spacers are down and the first few rows are laid out. We're ready for the glue... I think. 

Hey, this looks like progress!!

The most stressful part was getting started.

Then the work really began. 

 I did not realize that putting this floor down would require EVERY muscle in our bodies! 

Happy ME!!!!

At the end of Day 1 a little more than half of the dining room was finished.  

 Fast Forward... That's me laying the last board in the dining room. I've never felt such relief and exhaustion all at the same time.

WE DID IT!

Our dining and living rooms are connected.  It was a challenge to run such long rows and get them straight but we made it work.  

We still have the rest of the living room and the den to conquer but we are giving it a break until the weekend.  Lee only had 2 days off this week and my poor body needs a little recovery time.

Happy Lee!!!

Teeth Drama

Taken on May 20, 2008 the day Abbie got her braces put on. 

Holly had already had hers on for 2 1/2 months at that point. 

Holly was 13 and Abbie was 11.

Taken February 16, 2011 the day Holly got her braces removed. 

Holly wore hers for 2 years, 11 months and 2 weeks.  

Abbie was told that hers would be removed that day too.  When we got to the appointment the Dr. told her that a tooth in the back had turned. So the braces stay on for one more month. It was a sad day for Abbie.  Hopefully March 15th will be a MUCH happier day for her.

Look at that BEAUTIFUL smile!!!

She was SO happy to have her first gumball in 3 years.

Blast From The Past

The girls dressed up for Samantha's 80s Themed 16th Birthday party. We had so much fun shopping for all of these clothes.  We found most of them at the Goodwill store.  Every time one of them would come out of the dressing room I would just laugh!  It took me back to my days in high school.  I cannot believe that we REALLY dressed like this! 

We even found Gracie some gummy shoes.  Remember those?  UGH they made your feet stink and sweat but they were all the rage (thankfully only for a little while).

Caitlin with her acid washed jean jacket, ultra mini w/leggings and of course Keds.  Her curly hair was perfect.  I recall many of us paying big bucks for a curly perm to get that look.

Abbie with her flybacks/wings and her flashdance look.

Holly with the acid washed pegged jeans and deck shoes.  Of course she's sporting the ultra popular side ponytail with scrunchy.

They look like they could have stepped right out of my highschool yearbook.