Before...

You asked for it...and I have half of it. This is the before version of...

the master bedroom...



...the room we call the music/computer room...


...Luke and Gabriel's room (there is no before picture of Drew/Evan's room or the toy room)....


...the living room...(the large piece of furniture is an entertainment center that no longer exists)...


...the main bath room....




And Evan's new love... :) Named "Tuck" from the Wonderpets off of the Disney Channel.




This is Luke and a gigantic grape he ate one day! We couldn't believe how huge it was. Sorry it's probably not cool to see a picture of a grape, but it REALLY was huge.



And then, just for fun: Here is Gabriel enjoying his new throne.


I guess you'll just have to wait another month or so for me to get the "after" pictures up. :) I'm trying!! :)

Kickball

I purposely am writing BEFORE watching my recorded episode of American Idol because I don't want to be depressed that Sanjaya remains....although I got a very encouraging text from Micah stating he sang pretty badly...so there's THAT good news. :)

Sunday afternoon was a little chilly....and very windy. The wind and temperature didn't stop my boys from wanting to play outside, no doubt from the glare of sunshine pouring in to the living room windows. After trying (unsuccessfully) to get the older three to take the ritualistic Sunday afternoon nap, I gave up and let them enjoy the fresh air. After all, it had been so long since the sun had graced our presence.

It wasn't long before my husband joined the troop outdoors with baseball bats and gloves in hand. I didn't notice them for a few minutes. After I finished a project I have meant to do for a while, I sat down on the couch, fully intending on cashing in on about 40 winks, as I do whenever I can on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I sat down on the couch, turned the drone of Nascar racing (thankfully) off, and leaned my head back to rest. Just over the whirring of the dryer in the other room, I heard laughter. It was enough to make me turn my head and look out between the blinds.

Then I saw Drew and Evan tumbling over each other after racing for a ball that must have been hit by their bigger brother, Luke. As they wriggled and giggled, I instanatly smiled, so thankful for the big back yard.

I continued watching the rowdiness that is my children with their father, an even bigger child at heart, if that's possible. I was overwhelmed by delight....flooded with love for all of them.....consumed by pure happiness. A happiness that I hadn't sat back and relished in for such a long time. For an instant, I felt guilty for not choosing to be this content and joyful on a daily basis. The roar of Chad's laughter at the sight of flailing little boy limbs and clumsy awkward catches snapped me back to reality.

All at once, I was determined to join. Shaking my head as I got up off the couch at the thought of passing up a quiet house ready for napping, I almost ran to my closet to grab a sweatshirt and tennis shoes.

I walked out the back door to find their game of choice changed to kickball and yelled out, "Okay. Drew, Evan, Gabriel and me against Daddy and Luke!" It was the best day I think I have ever had.

still...

1. Still Sanjaya is awful.
2. Still I can't help but like Phil Stacey....I don't know why...I know he cracked a few times, but I'm a singer, and I crack sometimes...it happens...what can you do? I like him. I voted (repeatedly....) Don't tell too many people :) :)
3. Still Blake is amazing to me.
4. Still think Jordin is going to be top 2.

Wanna hear something cute???

Last Saturday, my family all watched The Greatest Story Ever Told. It may not be the most accurate portrayal of the Gospel story, but it isn't too graphic and the main points are reinforced for my little ones....So after some points in the movie, I would pause the tv (you gotta love DVR) and ask the kids if they knew what this was or that was that happened. Questions like, "Do you know why Jesus died?" "What are sins?" "So when you fight and hit your brother is it a sin?" "When you disobey Mommy and Daddy is it a sin?" etc.

At one point, I had the tv paused on an image of the actor who played Peter, one of the most famous of all disciples, as well as one of the most influencial. Drew asked me, "Who's that?" I answered that it was Peter. He said, "Who's Peanut?!?!" After tha laughter subsided, I explained what I said and reminded him of the fisherman that followed Jesus. It was hilarious!

My Chains Are Gone

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God my Savior
Has ransomed me
And like a flood
His mercy reigns
Unending Love
Amazing Grace

....aren't you glad you are free today?....




Thanks to Chris Tomlin for the touching lyrics.

Sanjaya must go

So, I knew Gina was going to have a limited stay on AI, but I didn't expect HER to be the one voted out. I thought for sure when I saw Haley, Gina, and Phil there in that group (I knew they were the bottom 3 before Ryan told us) that Phil was leaving.

America, let's use our votes a little more wisely. SANJAYA. Say it with me, "Sanjaya." That's the one to avoid. 9th graders in poe-dunk Bunker Hill, IN, have more talent in any one toe than this guy. I want to hide his drug stash and vote from every phone in the world for Melinda, Jordin, Chris, just about anyone but him.

Idol

Ok. I can't take it. My silence about Sanjaya has gone long enough. As a former choir teacher of several talented young men and women, I can't imagine what AMERICA sees in this weirdo. And weirdo is the best I can do. He doesn't have a particularly bad voice. It's just not a spectacular one. He seems like he just smoked a joint backstage and is giggly but he knows he shouldn't be, so he is trying to stay as quiet as possible. I just don't get why he is still around.

Melinda, on the other hand, is amazing. I have tried not to like her in my quest for the perfect model-like-idol. She isn't beautiful but I can't deny her voice.

Tonight's top 3 (in this order): Melinda, Chris, and tie: Gina/LaKisha. (That being said, LaKisha's beginning was iffy at best, but seriously. Girl can sing...) There is something about Gina I like but I don't see her staying much longer. I think she will be lucky to make top 5.

Voted off??? My prediction: Phil Stacey. Although I hate to see a guy go with such a cool name (two very good friends of mine are Phil and Stacy E....ha!). I think he will be next to leave us, though. I do wish Sanjaya would hit the road.

I know I promised house pictures, but I could not be silent about it anymore! :) Still working on the time to get those pics on here. Won't be too much longer.

(This is the most hectic Spring Break I have EVER had....) For more (and a delightful story about Drew), go to www.3gifts.blogspot.com