Memorizing January 31, 2008

We have always thought that Caleb has a good memory.  He has been able to sing “Jesus Loves Me”, “Jingle Bells”, and “The Lone Stranger” all the way through - every word - for a while now.  However, we are now finding more things.  He can sing all the words to the Thomas song (Josh can’t), and has a train book memorized - except for the last page.  He knows some of the Backyardigans songs, as well as Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph.  He knows what song is Amazing Grace on the radio, although I don’t remember ever telling him what song it was.  He also sings “You’re in my heart, you’re in my soul, you’re my best friend.”  Oh, and coming home from the car dealership Saturday, Caleb asks to stop at Toys-R-Us, before we even had driven by it, because he remembered what the area looked like - and we had only been there once.  Now, I know us parents always brag on our kids, but I am constantly amazed at how much he can remember.

It’s a Girl!! January 31, 2008

Ok, just to let you all know, although some of you already do, we are going to have a girl!  And, after talking with Josh, we have settled on a first name - Grace.  Now we just have to figure out the middle name!

Dishes January 28, 2008

Here is a picture of the dishes that I got.  The wavy plates were $1.50, the orange bowls were $1.25, the glass bowls were $.50, the little plates were $.89, and the mugs were $2.00 and match my teapot.  I love them so!!

The Mini-van League January 26, 2008

Josh and I took a major step today.  In an effort to cut back financially, and prepare for a job change this summer, we took our wonderful 2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4×4 to the car dealership for a trade in.  What did we end up in?  Well, we looked at a GMC Envoy at one place, at another a Saturn Vue.  We bought a 2006 Chevy Uplander - a MINI VAN!!!  We have tried to avoid it for as long as possible, but we have now officially entered the group of the typical family car.  Yes, it is very practical and great for family:  2 sliding doors, more storage, seats up to 7, better gas mileage, oh, and this one has a DVD player.  Caleb loves that - “a tb!!” he said.  So, I completely see the upside.  I guess I just now feel like I really am a grown-up (because I guess being married with a 2 1/2 year old and expecting #2 in June didn’t make me feel that way).  Oh well, maybe one day I will have my cool black Chevy Equinox, if only in my dreams, which sometimes are very strange.  But that is for another blog, another day.

Survey January 25, 2008

1. Grab the book closest to you. Open it to page 18, line 4….
“out and convince him the war was over” - Surrender, Nancy Leigh DeMoss

2. Stretch out your left arm as far as you can, what can you touch?
The lamp

3. What was the last thing you ate?
popcorn (last night)

4. Without looking, guess what time it is.
8:01

5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
7:55

6.With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
Backyardigans - The Tale of the Mighty Knights

7.When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Yesterday afternoon - carrying in my box of dishes

8. Before starting this survey, what were you looking at?
blogs

9.Did you dream last night, what of?
Yep - but I can’t remember - I was doing something…

10. What are you wearing?
Light blue pjs, socks, house shoes

11. When did you last laugh?
Yesterday with Caleb - we were laughing together being silly

12. What is on the walls of the room your in?
“barnwood” paint, clock, shelves with pictures and stuff from places we’ve travelled

13. Seen anything weird lately?
UFOs following airplanes - History Channel at 7:00am

14. What is the last film you saw?
The Princess Bride - I needed some stupid humor

15. If you became a multi-millionaire what would you buy?
That’s a big question - I think I would pay off my current house and vehicles first, then probably some clothes.  College education for my kids?  Support more ministries - like Voice of Matyrs, Hope House, etc.  New stove.  Hmm…this is tough.

16. If you could change one thing in the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you change!

I would make sure everyone in the world could hear the gospel, no matter what their government said.

17. Do you like to dance?
Yep, with Caleb.

18. George W Bush:
The President of the United States of America. I voted for him.

19.Imagine your first child is a girl, what would you name her?
Well, I will imagine having a girl child this time - maybe Grace, Shea, Aria?

20. Imagine your first child is a boy, what would you name him?
Ok, Isaac, James

21. Have you ever considered living abroad? Where?
Yep.  Italy, Germany, Spain, England, the Caribbean

Shopping January 24, 2008

Ok, so I really love shopping.  I have been getting better at not spending, but it is so much fun to bring home something “new” to use!  Today, after my doctor’s appointment, I stopped by Old Time Pottery to look at some dishes.  I have been slowly changing out my dishes for new.  My tastes have changed in the last few years, and I am opting for dishes that don’t officially go together in a set, but coordinate well together.  Today, I finally got my dinner plates!!  I had replaced my bowls and dessert plates, and gotten tea mugs for our nighttime tea.  The bowls are light orange, and the dessert plates are white square - which I LOVE!!  Ok, so about the dinner plates.  They are white square, but with a slightly waved edge to it.  I think they are great - sophisticated but slightly whimsical.  Josh thinks they are weird, and I told him that guys shouldn’t care about the plates, as long as they have something to eat on.  :)  Kiddingly, of course.  I’ve been debating on mugs, and I think I found some that I like at Dollar Tree today, which means 99 cents each!!!!  I also found this really cool paper towel holder, b/c I have never liked the cheapy that I got from LTD 5 years ago, but it served the purpose.

Josh then noticed that there were no curtains in our room.  Hmm…I forgot that they fell down this morning.  I thought about getting new curtains and a rod today, but I found the plates and Old Time Pottery doesn’t often replace what they sell out of, so I decided to get them instead.  I told Josh, and he then said that he won’t start redoing the kitchen until we have new bedroom curtains.  Ok, I would like my dishwasher - motivation - and permission to get them tomorrow (or at least the fabric for them). 

 So, now I am tired.  I will have a busy day tomorrow, so I’m going to call it quits.  I know this was kinda a “nonsense” post, but it made me happy.  I think I might dream about my new wavy plates.

New Bathroom January 21, 2008

So, we also replaced our bathroom counter, sink, and faucet this weekend.   (I say we, but Josh pretty much did the work.  I helped carry some stuff.)  It all was at a GREAT price, but if you want to know you have to ask me, I can’t post it.  Anyhow, it is solid granite, with an undermount sink and a nice Kohler faucet.

Caleb’s Room January 21, 2008

Ok, so here are finally a couple of pictures of Caleb’s room.  We still have more to do, like pictures, and a little rearranging, and adding more green accents, but at least this gives you an idea.

Big Boy January 9, 2008

It is now official.  Caleb is no longer in a crib.  Last night was his first night in his “big boy” bed, with the “camotage” and “orange piwow.”  He slept all night great (I never heard him) and was trying to open his door this morning.  But later, when I asked him if he was little boy or big boy, he said little boy - little boy Martin.

A Busy Weekend January 6, 2008

This weekend has been very busy, and Caleb is very excited.  On Friday, Josh got off early, so we went shopping and bought Caleb’s new bed and dresser, and a new TV stand and bookshelf.  We had already bought Caleb’s bedspread, blue camo, and orange pillow earlier in the week.  So that night we cleaned out the room and put together the bookshelf and tv stand.  Yesterday, Caleb went to Olathe with me for the musical practice, and when we got home in the afternoon, we started taping and paited Caleb’s room blue.  He watched as we started, and really likes the blue.  Later he pulled the “camotage” and orange pillow into the room where they were supposed to go.  After church today we finished painting the second coat and pulled off the tape.  Tonight, I am going to tape off the stripes, which I will paint in the morning.  Then we will assemble the bed and dresser, and move him in!!  I will post a picture of the finished product!!