Nesting is for the Birds....

I've been missing in action for some time now....I guess you could call it NESTING.
We've finished our second bedroom this past weekend, our Nursery for the New Baby. We painted, put the crib back together, arranged things here and there, added new curtains, cleaned my bathroom for over TWO hours (you could eat off the floor), cleaned our kitchen, washed most of the curtains in the entire house and washed almost ALL of the windows. (with my mom and Nanny's help) Sunday Night, I thought I'd NEVER stop and go to bed. I enjoyed a steaming HOT bath before going to bed. it was WONDERFUL! We still have a bit of a mess here and there and tomorrow night, we sign the contract for our remodeling to start THIS week. I may not be posting much but just wanted to post a shout out that I have NOT fallen off the face of the earth. We're just super busy and looks like we will be for a while. We're hoping to paint our hallway and other bathroom, as well as several interior doors in the next month or two. I was off Friday for a funeral for my Uncle. He passed away last week from Cancer. I was hoping I'd get home a little early and have some extra time to work but no such luck. I didn't get home until after 7! It was a good service, though and I was glad to be there to remember him. Tonite, Mike gave Bailey, our beagle, a bath and I cleaned the hall closet out, after giving Hunter a bath and putting him to bed. We have boxes and boxes set aside for a garage sale we HOPE to have before the baby. (if not, definitely this summer) I also need to get all of Hunter's old clothes out of the attic to sell. Hunter's birthday is this month so I better start planning that. It just feels SO good to know that our house will be all ready when the baby gets here. Hunter is spending the time off with me and I can't wait for our time together!

Good Night..Can't promise when I'll be updating next. I'm Sorry for no pictures of the New Room. Right now, it's covered by boxes; and Hunter's Full Size Mattress. The entire side has come open and it's less than six months old! I have a call in to Value City Furniture, where I bought it! UGH! When it rains, it pours.. ...

God Bless!!

Hunter LOVES The Easter Bunny!

Showing some love to The Easter Bunny...

He was SO excited he didn't KNOW what to do. I love that grin!!

A nice shot to remember!

My camera kept setting of the Set's Flash so we decided to buy the CD with the images and copyright. These are our favorites. To say Hunter was excited would be an UNDER statement. He said he loved the Easter Bunny, just like Santa Claus.

I wanted to take him earlier in the week but I haven't felt good. In fact, I went to the Patient First last night. I just knew I had another Sinus Infection. I did, well, an Upper Respiratory Infection, which I think is the same. I coughed all night and my chest has been sore. I bought a big bag of Vitamin C Cough Drops and that has helped. I was so worn out and could tell it wasn't pregnancy related. So, unfortunately, I'm not painting the baby's new room but I WILL do some work in it after our Easter Egg Hunt at Church on Sunday. I was disappointed I didn't get to it but I KNOW I've needed my rest this week.

Hannah has been kicking like crazy....what a miracle! She's quite the mover and it's fun to just sit and feel it. I told Mike she must have a good sense of humor because she loves to stir around, RIGHT after I go to the bathroom and then, I have to go again...LOL! But I'm enjoying her being lower than Hunter and I can breathe a little better. I've enjoyed BOTH of my pregnancies and it's so awesome to see the differences.

Well, I'm headed for bed. Good Night!!

I received this in an email from my best friend and found it very sweet. I found it so compelling, I just felt the need to pass it on and dedicate to Wednesday's post.

God Bless You all who read this!

(both men & women, sons & daughters -
Need to read this)

_________________________________________________

BEING A MOTHER...After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.'

* * *

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

* * *

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.

* * *

'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?

* * *

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

* * *

'I thought it would be pleasant to spend sometime with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us. 'She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'

* * *

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19Th.

* * *

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel. 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said,as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.

* * *

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Halfway through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.

* * *

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching upon recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

* * *

As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed.

* * *

'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.

* * *

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.

* * *

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place Mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance . I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, Son.'

* * *

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'

* * *

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.

* * *

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

* * *

Somebody said being a mother is boring....somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a' good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'... . somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

* * *

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

* * *

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first.... somebody doesn't have two children.

* * *

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten ... or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'

* * *

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

* * *

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....somebody never had grandchildren.

* * *

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.

* * *

Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life

And to everyone who ever had a mother.

This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating

The people in your life while you have them....no matter who that person is.

Some Finishing Touches...

We found a couple more trucks for Hunter's shelf, as well as some finishing touches. He always cleans up before bed, and more so now with a new room. He loves it!

Here's a shot of the two pictures Mike hung for me. I picked up frames at lunch and really like the way they turned out!

This shot turned out a lil' dark but it's a great orange/coral color around "Mater" & "McQueen"
This one is my FAVORITE, with all the cars in it.

I think the only thing I may pick up is a star that I plan to spray paint red. Last night, Mike hung his pictures, took down Hunter's old bed, picked up toys that were underneath, vacuumed and stacked some boxes in there neatly. What a BIG help!

I gave Hunter a bath, got him ready for bed, straightened up his room (with his help) from where he was playing, read a couple books and tucked him in.

I had been having some really bad contractions so I decided it was time to stop and get ready for bed. I watched Dancing With The Stars and The New Bachelor. It was a VERY productive night.

Tonite, we MAY go see our Pa Pa, who celebrated his birthday yesterday. We need to exchange Hunter's Easter outfit for a bigger size, get haircuts and pick up some new white shoes for me. It's going to be another busy week but that's OK. Looking forward to our Easter Egg Hunt at church and painting the baby's room afterwards on Saturday.

***Prayer Request***
My Mother In Law and Father In Law lost their beloved dog, Cocoa yesterday to Cancer. Please remember them in prayer today. He was a wonderful friend and companion and will be missed by so many of us.

Hunter's New Room

We've been working ALL week long on getting to Hunter's new room. We had SO much stuff to go through but cleared it all out by Saturday afternoon in time to paint. The color is called Sky Blue and we LOVE it. It's just a little bit of color. He's using the bedroom suit that belonged to me when I was a little girl. When Hannah is old enough in a couple years, we will let her have it and he can have the crib that turns into a full size bed and dresser. He LOVES his new room and when we surprised him with it today, all he could say was "WOW, thank you everybody!" Grandma and Nanny help us with the curtains and the decorating Hunter tries out his new bed..and loves it!
He has his train table in front of the window, his toy box to the left (beside his bed) and his recliner to the right. (beside his dresser)
Hunter has lots of room for all his books and toys on his book shelf. He says "See?"

His dresser, with car decals on each side, AND on his lamp shade."WOW, look at my toy box"

"Daddy and I read a book together"

Mike deserves to rest. He's done SO much work this past week!! What would I do without him??

"I love to read books in my recliner with Diego"

This is the finial on the end of the curtain rod, that also matches his room decor

Maw Maw and Paw Paw gave Hunter this truck for Christmas. He already loved it but NOW, it matches perfectly with his room's theme. SO many things came together. He had several books that had the "Hit The Road" type theme. I think I love his room more every time I walk in.

We put some of the decals on his fan and it looks SO cute!

The only thing I have left to do with Hunter's room to be done is finish putting his clothes in the closet. I'm going to try to put some of the stuffed animals in the "Garage Sale" stack and then, some I can rotate but keep them in the attic. I wouldn't mind getting him a small metal star I plan to spray paint red. I think it will be a great finishing touch. We put new stars on his ceiling that glow in the dark. He LOVES them. (we have them too!)

Our bedroom looks like a bomb went off. I can, usually go to bed when my house isn't quite to par but my anxiety concerning it has REALLY got me stirred up this week. My bathroom is clean and I've done my regular vacuuming but his old room, our bedroom and a corner of our Dining Room are OUT OF CONTROL. I feel like I'll NEVER get it clean. I've done what I can tonite (and Mike of course too. He's been amazing!) but plan on doing a little bit every night this week. We're planning to get the border off the walls in Hunter's OLD room and get painting in the Nursery by Saturday. (after the Easter Egg Hunt at Church)

We're having our bathroom FINALLY remodeled in about two weeks so we're hoping to be done by then. I want to rest for the last two months of this pregnancy. Don't get me wrong....I feel GREAT but I want to rest. I want to go camping. I want to NOT have this anxiety and worrying hanging over my head. We're also having our hallway and kitchen floor done so we won't have THAT much room for mess. Wish us luck. Just hoping I can get some sleep tonite. I woke up about 5 A.M. this morning, thinking about EVERYTHING I need to get done

In the meantime, I'm turning in now and going to bed. I'm exhausted so maybe I'll be out quick:)

Hope everyone has a wonderful week and great Monday!! God Bless!

Over The Hump....Once Again!

I can't believe it's been ALMOST a week since I last updated! It's been a busy week. We've gotten a lot done. We've done a lot together as a family. We've stressed a little. (I guess that means we're normal?)

Mike got his Motorcycle License last weekend. He wanted SO bad to get a new Drivers license with the "M" in the Class code but unfortunately, the Instructor has to fix a date on the card. WHAT luck!

I FINALLY got my Baby Pages from EBAY for Hannah's Scrapbook. Just got them in the mail today (I LOVE happy mail days) and my CM Album is on order. ONE less thing to worry about.
Hunter has a similar album with the boy pages and I love it!

Friday night, we're going to Dinner with the Family before my SIL leaves for Honduras on a Missions trip, and Saturday is the RV show....wishing I could fit this in! (maybe Sunday) There's two crops I really want to go to but can't find the time to even pack up for it. I also need to go see our Grandparents Sunday afternoon, after Church. We didn't get a chance to this past Sunday. Other than that, I'm sure it will fly by like they ALWAYS do:) A ton of stuff to do but not enough time to do so. We're planning to finish the final stuff on Hunter's NEW room so we can paint soon.
And got some plans made on our Bathroom Remodel. Hoping to have that started SOON!

Other than that, nothing else going on. It's been in the upper 60's and 70's here and WONDERFUL! I want to go camping so bad! We have a trip planned for Mother's Day Weekend but nothing else yet. (I'll need to change that, I'm sure) I'm SO ready to go. We've been walking at night and it feels great. Nothing like good ole' exercise to wear off daily stress and to just relax. Hunter rides his bike and we can barely keep up with him. He LOVES that bike. (more than his motorized Diego Jeep)

Anyway, hope you guys all have a great Thursday.

I'm off to bed now. I've got a busy day tomorrow:)