Kitchen Window Pergola

To top our Christmas Eve painting project, Marty decided that New Year's Day was a good time to build the pergola we've been planning. Our kitchen window looks to our neighbor's house and yard. So, instead, we wanted a vine covered area with hanging bird feeders to gaze at (of course you know that it will take a year or so for the vines to grow). It is fun to dream up things and have a handy man do all the work! We figured it would take a couple of days to finish, especially since he didn't get started until the afternoon. Nope, not my honey. He finished it that night! I know, I know I should stop on the details - you are all getting jealous. I'm just so proud! So, moving along. Here are the before's and after's:

Due Date

So I got an ultrasound and I am am exactly as far along as I thought I was! I am so smart. The baby is due on June 29, 2008. We find out the gender middle of February! I have pictures from our ultrasound, but haven't gotten them on the computer yet. I'll do that later. It is good to know that I just have one baby in there and all is well. I went down town for my appointment and it took a half of a day. I felt bad for my sweet friend babysitting. It is nice to know that there are top notch doctors and hospitals down town, so that makes it worth the travel and time spent.

Christmas pictures 07

This was the best picture we could get of them together. What do you expect! Twas the night before Christmas! Thanks G&G A. for the pjs, car, and doll!

So. . . Santa didn't stick to the 3-per-kid presents rule. Mrs. Clause must have thrown a few in with out disscussing it with Santa. Celie sure had fun opening those presents. And Jack was in wrapping paper heaven!

Thank you Savannah, Kayla, & Ava,
Celie loves it! They both like the bath toys too.
Good choice Savannah!

Thanks to the Bensons! Jack had those chapsticks in his mouth the rest of the day while he talked on his new phone (thanks Lisa!)

Year 2008!

Happy New Year!

I am trying to think of goals to commit to this year. Actually, I correct myself. I am trying to whittle down my list of desired goals to a more achievable and realistic list of goals. M is so great about motivating himself to improve life and working hard at it every waking moment. He says he doesn't want to look back and think he could have done more. He was like that on his mission too. I really have a great hubby. Maybe I could just make one goal this year. Be more like M! Isn't that a wonderful part of marriage?

Anyway, I hope all y'all (a very popular phrase in Texas) have a wonderful start to this wonderful new year!

Anouncing Baby #3

Yes, we are expecting our third sometime around the end of June. I haven't been to the doctor so we will see if my guess is even close. I think I have just hit my three month mark and I am feeling well. We told Celie on Christmas morning about the new baby coming . We were so excited to tell her. She said (like she always says when we talk about babies), "I want this many babies!" (holding up her ten fingers). I told her that when she is a mommy she can have that many. So, naturally she wants to be a mommy right now. Celie wants this baby to be a girl. Marty and I would be thrilled with either. Jack doesn't really catch on to anything yet. We are happy and grateful that all is well with the pregnancy. I am tired a lot, but sweet Celie takes care of everything for me so I can rest in the afternoon :) Ok, Marty does all the cooking a cleaning so I can rest and play with the kids all day. What a guy!

Christmas Painting

So on Christmas Eve Marty and I painted our kitchen. It was fun at first and then not so much. Kids did surprisingly well during the whole episode.

First picture is the light tan that it was. Second is the gray primmer suggested to help the red pop and so we only have to use one or two coats of the red instead of 4 or 5. Third picture is the red. I won't be offended if y'all don't like it, but I love it. It is the perfect red that I was looking for. It is beautiful in the sun light and in the indoor lighting in the evening. It makes the kitchen much more warm and welcoming. It makes me want to paint the whole house. What a difference!



It is still a mess, but you can get the picture! That free furniture looks nice against the red, huh?

Let me know what you think?

Family Portraits 2007

I hope you like these family portraits. Please feel free to order from me any that you would like. I'll even send them to your house and purchase them. Ok, so it is just from Walmart, but hey at least they are visible. love you all.

Christmas Joy

Here are the presents Celie made for all you Grandparents. She loved making them and hopes you like them. Merry Christmas.

Celie's preschool nativity play. She was the inn keeper. Her line: "I'm sorry, there's no room in the inn, but you can stay in the stable." She was grumpy the whole time. Look at her forced smile in the middle picture. I think everyone was fighting over baby Jesus. They are all so cute.



Christmas Sunday in his nice suite . . . asleep.