I LOVE design shows. I have no design skill, whatsoever. Candice Olsen and David Bromstad make it look so easy, don’t they?

We have lived in this house for just over 4 years and have done very little to make it ours. Initially, I think we were so excited just to be in a house for more than a nanosecond that we moved in our stuff and began living. It was nearly impossible to get anything done because Paige was a little baby and Alice and Samuel were toddlers. I was lucky just to get boxes emptied.
When we decided to paint the kitchen, it took us 2 months of painting during naps and after bedtime to finally get it done. Ugh. Last fall, I finally got around to painting our bedroom. It felt good to get moving on personalizing at least one room. Unfortunately, the painting was as far as I got. We received Mason’s referral in November and then the excitement and loads of paperwork began.
Now I am determined to tackle this house, one room at a time. I am starting to finish our bedroom and then moving on to the master bathroom. The bathroom will be a challenge because we don’t have the time or funds to completely remodel it. There is tons of white tile with pink and grey flowers. The counter tops are grey fleck and the fireplace is black with gold trim and dark grey tile. Scott really wants to tear out carpet and tile. I think that might have to wait a while. The first big project in the bathroom is taking down the cheap builder mirrors. I believe those are hung with liquid nails. Ugh. Anyone know an easy way to remove those without removing the dry wall too?
Anyway, here’s to a decorated master bedroom and bathroom. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

Hopefully I can post before and after pictures, soon….very soon.

Happy designing!
Jennifer

The title pretty much sums up our weekend. Paige started getting sick last Wednesday and by Friday we felt like she was well enough to go to school. Samuel started his case of the sickies on Saturday night/Sunday morning. He threw up all night long. Yuck! Because Sam was under the weather, Alice and I went to church alone on Sunday. Part way through the service, Alice started complaining of a tummy ache and half hour after we arrived home, she let loose, so to speak. She hung out on the couch all day with the bucket close by. After putting the kids to bed last night, I felt pretty certain that we were on the way back to health. I changed all the bed sheets, disinfected all the bathroom, wiped down all door handles and light switches. Well, guess what? Paige started throwing up at 2:30 am and Scott started at 2:31 am. Back to washing sheets, disinfecting, etc.
I am hoping for a better night tonight. Maybe more sleep? Please?!?!?!?

Mason is holding strong and I am still feeling good, tired but well. Let’s just hope it stays that way. What are the odds?

I hope you all have a healthy, happy day!
Jennifer

posing and preparing

for preschool.

Today was Paige’s first day of PreK. She was very excited and nervous. I was really proud of her, she didn’t cling to my leg or shed a tear. Very different from last year. It is amazing how much can change in a year. She has really grown up. Her teachers are fantastic and she is going to have a blast and learn so much. Hard to believe that at this time next fall she will be starting Kindergarten.

Sigh.

Making ice-cream

Yum!

Mason had tons of fun playing on the playground at the ranch.

Smores!

Samuel had a great time fishing with Scott. He caught 2 fish all on his own.

The veiw that we got while driving down from our campsite to the lodge for breakfast.

Here I am. Sometimes it is just one more thing. This blogging thing.

Our life has been more than crazy with the start of school and sports. We seem to be running in 100 different directions. Okay, at least 6. Here is a recap of the last 3 week. Sam, Alice started school which begins the fun of homework, carpool, volunteering, lots of paperwork, making lunches, library books, presentations, and so much more.

Sam has started flag football which he loves. He had his first game last night and did great. He is really thriving in the 2nd grade and finding it much more challenging than 1st.

Alice started soccer and has been practicing for a couple weeks now. She is playing on an all girls team and really likes that. It also helps that she plays with her best friend Abby. Alice is doing well in first grade. She has made a couple new friends in her class and loves art and music class.

Paige will be starting preschool on Wednesday and is a bit nervous. She is definitely a momma’s girl. I will really miss her and can’t believe that my sweet angel baby is growing up. I will try and remember the tissues. She can’t decide whether she is interested in ballet or gymnastics, every day it changes.

Mason is doing great. We cannot believe that we are coming up on his 6 months home anniversary. In the last couple of weeks, we have seen a real change in him. He seems much more content and his personality is beginning to really show. He is still wearing the braces but we are all getting anxious for the day he can have them off a bit more (Especially our shins).

Next week, Sam and Alice start cross country and will begin having meets weekly. That is always good fun and great for photo ops. Break out your running skirt, Alice is back!

We are all looking forward to camping this weekend at our church retreat. Looking forward to relaxing and having some fun family time.

Pink ball, pink shirt, pink shorts, pink socks, friends in pink. What’s not to love about girls soccer?

Run Forrest, run! I think that Sam is taking after his dad…in the running part anyway 🙂 Look out cross country!

Have a wonderful day!

Jennifer

Update: Here is the video clip of Scott’s big finish. Thanks Victoria!

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

This weekend Scott completed the Leadville 100. If you are not familiar with the race, it is a 100 mile race on the mountains trails around Leadville, CO. He started at 4 am on Saturday morning and finished in a little over 29 hours. We are so proud of him. I paced him the last 13.5 miles and it was an amazing experience. A special thanks to John the crewman for driving the car and keeping Scott hydrated and fed at all the aid stations. Another thank you to Kent for pacing Scott through some of the most difficult terrain and to Victoria for helping out with the kids and taking all those amazing pictures. She provided all the awesome shots that I have posted.

He finished! Can you believe it? He now has a 100 miler under his belt. Now he gets to wear that cool belt buckle! Race finishers under 30 hours earn a shiny new silver belt buckle!
Sam giving daddy fives as we approach the finish line. It was so fun for me to come into the finish with Scott. Very emotional too. We definitely were not blubbering like babies. Nope, not us.

Scott enjoying a PBR after the race. Man, he earned it.

The crew. Kent (left), John (right) and I all paced Scott during the last 50 miles. John also crewed the whole race and kept Scott supplied with water, food, clothes and moral support.
Yes, I am drinking champagne. I get to celebrate too because I am no longer a running widow. Well, not for a while at least 🙂

A family pic.
Great job Scott! We are so proud of you!

I am sure Scott will be giving an update over on his blog very soon. Probably once he can walk to his computer. He was very lucky to hobble away from the finish with only huge blisters and a sore swollen ankle. Many others were not so lucky.

Have a great Monday. We start football (Sam) and soccer (Alice) tonight so life goes back to normal.

Love to you all,

Jennifer

Our sweet Paige.