Anna

I'm sure noone has a daughter like mine. Biased? Maybe. She most certainly is the kindest, most thoughtful 10-year-old I've ever met. She thinks before she does. She realizes her actions have effects on others; she chooses to always be nice. She loves without expectation. She's honest. She is easily broken by hurtful words or actions. She's a giver. She sees the world as a child should....all good.

Favorite Song: The entire Mama Mia soundtrack or anything Taylor Swift. Thank you nanny for the first. We sing or dance almost every night as she is tucked into bed. Even her daddy gets up and does a little "Dancing Queen" number. We all laugh.

Star student, no doubt.

Main man in her life: still her dad. I think he is her idle.

Her best friend's name is Anna...imagine that.

She truly loves those close to her, without reservation. She gives them her all. It is absolutly amazing to watch. I wish I could be more like her.

Jake

"Momma, I have two damaged legs. The right is worse than the left. It's been kicked, smashed and now it's full of ant bites. I guess it'll have to be cut off soon. I'll have to hop on one, I guess." Oh the thoughts of a six-year-old.

Again tonight..."Momma, you know hell fell from the sky." Who taught you that, Jake? "Momma, hell does fall from the sky. I've seen it." Took me a minute to figure out that hell was hail. He certainly has his dad's drawl.

His favorite song at this point in time: Eye of the Tiger.....seriously. At any moment in time, he breaks into song and guitar stringing action.

School: "Wonderful, bright student." Those are the exact words of his teacher. Relief for Cory and I.

"Momma, I'm going to be a soccer playing, artist when I grow up. I can draw, and I'm a good goalie."

"Momma, can I marry you?" No Jake, I'm married to daddy. He started to cry.

Baton Rouge Balloon Fest 09

This year was a bit more relaxing than last. Jake did not whine. I did not break and buy the $15.00 light up sword or $10 glow stick. He still did not whine. This is progress. The entire family enjoyed the festival THIS YEAR. Past experiences have been less than lovely, for a variety of reasons. The weather...hot but tolerable. Sweat free.

Home Sweet Home

How Far We've Come

It seems like yesterday that this house encompassed every moment of free time in our life. We were determined; I'm not sure what else to say. Thank you is in order to the family members who helped us through the journey of making our home. Selflessly, they worked and worked and worked some more without gripe or expectations in return. 3 years. I sit here at this computer, amazed. It is a beautiful home. I'm in awe each time I walk through the door. Many thought we were crazy. I never questioned our decision to take on this task; however, I'm not sure I'd ever do it again. No regrets. Cory and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary yesterday. Our children started the 1st and 5th grade today. It will be a lovely year, I'm sure of it.

Tennessee

Just as soon as we were finally able to move into our house, it was time for vacation. That means we left the house that we had been waiting three years to move into full of boxes. The little week in the Smokey Mountains was well worth it! We all needed a break.

I'll post more house pics as we decorate....slowly!

Pictures of Random Assortment

The appliances are in, except for the microwave....whewwhoo! So, what's left to do? Cabinet hardware, 2 sets of steps outside, painting touchups, sheetrock replacement in the master bedroom, floors in the upstairs closet, vents, and passing inspection (both bank and parish), oh yeah...cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.

Daylight Savings Time + Beautiful Weather = Very Dirty Children

Happy Birthday to You

Tonight we celebtrated Anna's 10th birthday. I could just cry. She's my baby girl, always.

My Favorite Part of this House

I am soooooo ready to enjoy a rocking chair and a cold beer on this porch. Won't be long!!!

Reflection of our Sunday

We spent our day today in Covington at a volleyball tournament for our daughter Anna. Won 1, Lost 2. I'm still proud as we lost to teams older than our girls. Interesting Sunday it has been. The lovely, to many infamous, mayor of New Orleans daughter happens to be on Anna's team. It was just strange to hear him cheer my daughter's name as she served. I'm only accustomed to hearing him on TV defending himself or his great city; I enjoyed seeing a different side. So, now on to Jake...the little mischievious 6-year-old. He played with a few other kids for a while. Next thing ya know, he's running to his dad with 3 other little boys chasing him. I knew, instantly, that this meant trouble.

Oh yeah....Little Boy #1 (actually about 2-3 years Jake's senior): Your son was outside saying a curse word over and over again. Little boys #2 and #3 in agreement, shaking their heads up and down, but not saying a word.

Me: Okay, I'll take care of it. You can go away. Jake, were you cursing?

Jake: It was an accident. I didn't know it was a bad word. (Everything is an accident, according to Jake).

Me: What word were you using?

Jake: It was the F word. (I sigh, maybe gasp).

Me: Where did you hear that word?

Jake: On that medium sized boy's cell phone (gasp again...this is not the first time Jake describes someone as medium sized...and why does this kid have a cell). He pinky promised and sweared that if I said the word, he wouldn't tell on me. I can't believe he told on me....I mean he PINKY PROMISED and SWORE. He is not my friend. Can I go back outside momma?

Me: No. No. No. (He begged and begged and begged, relentlessly). ABSOLUTELY NOT! You will sit here with mom and dad and stay out of TROUBLE.

This, my friends, is nothing that a mom wants to hear. My son seems to be easily persuaded to do wrong. I need to work on that.

Thirty minutes later: A tournament official approaches us. Jake has been in Cory's lap this entire time, writhing to go back outside.

Official to Jake: "Have you been on a cell phone outside?"

Jake smiling: No, I was not talking on that cell phone.

Official: Did you call 911?

Jake: No, I did not call 911. It wasn't me. (Official looks at me for some kind of answer).

Me: He's been with us for the last 30 minutes, but yes, he was outside earlier. (She gives me a look of disapproval. At this point, I know the blame is being placed on Jake. She leaves with that all so dreaded "watch your kid lady" look. WHATEVER.) Jake, did you call 911?

Jake: No, it wasn't me. I did NOT call 911. I know that you go to jail if you call 911 and there is not an emergency. That boy is going to be in so much trouble. He might go to jail.

I believe him as it is extremely easy to catch Jake in a lie. Mostly, he doesn't deny when he has done something wrong; he just uses the "it was an accident" defense. I also came to the conclusion that he was the scapegoat for the other kid. I'm not in denial. I just know. I know Jake. I know his lies. I know his truths. I'm his momma! Oh what a day! Thank God this was the last tournament of the season.

Everything and the Kitchen Sink

This sink has been a pain in our royal a&#. First, the granite guy needed the dang thing in order to measure the countertops precisely which meant we had to have the plumbing supply company give us our sink before the plumbers were due to come back. That is a feat itself. Then, we get the sink. It weighs nearly 100lbs as it is a solid, clay fired piece. Moving it around to find the perfect place was difficult. The next disaster: the cabinet guy built and installed the cabinets without the sink; therefore, the sink didn't fit. He had the measurements but we all seemed to have skipped over the (+ or - 2 inches) and the tiny statement clearly saying that the cabinet maker should have the sink during cabinet construction. There is now a piece of cabinet missing; noone will know but me! It doesn't stop there. This lovely sink needed to be braced...with 2X4's and plywood from beneath as it weighs a ton. No big deal, right? Well, the 2X4's and plywood were installed, the sink was put in it's place, the granite went on, and everything looks beautiful...except the drain hole. It's blocked by one of the 2X4s. My wonderfully talented, patient husband fixed the problem without dismantling the entire setup. So, I better ENJOY this sink for the rest of my life.

This pic is mainly to display the master bath shower which was installed about a week ago. We still haven't put in baseboards or refinished the windows in the house. It's amazing what trim can do for a home!

Updated Stairwell and Exterior

We are HOPING to be in this house within the next 2 months. Lots of little stuff left to do, but coming along!!