Husbands...

"I have a new appreciation for all you do," are the words spoken by my husband after I wrenched my neck and back the other night and HE had to do all the weekend chores. He did a wonderful job, and I am thinking that this is great! We recently watched an "According to Jim" TV show (one of our favs) and the main character ran an errand for his wife, and he did a great job at it. Soon his wife was sending him on all of her errands. His motto, "When you do a good job, it becomes your job for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!" Made us laugh then, and now I can totally relate to his wife. :)

I just don't know when this neck thing will heal... ;)

Back On-line...Again!

I have to apologise for being so slack on this! I think summer went to my head and I didn't keep up with anything! Now that I am back to work, I am on a regular schedule and getting this accomplished. So, here is a quick catch up on our family :)

Graham is still working on smaller projects around the area. He is staying very busy building decks and remodeling bathrooms. Seems people are in the mood for a little change, so that is good for us. He is deeply invested in applying to medical schools. It is a lengthy process and he is holding it together well. He is a really great writer, as he is writing tons and tons of essays. We are praying for the next step. . .an interview. . .because getting to talk with someone will be his way in. I have faith, and I know there is a plan for him/us, and I am excited to see what that will bring. Keep him in your thoughts.

Sean is absolutely incredible! He is almost 19 months and amazing us with all his new skills and desires. He is so passionate about everything he does. He is a climber, he would climb to the highest point of anything, that is if we let him. He loves cars, planes, and trains. He makes all the motor sounds, so boy. He is also learning about "time outs" and so are we. He laughs and thinks we are playing around, so that is working well. We put him in his crib and he has a hay day throwing everything out. He is able to make fun out of about anything. Mondays are the hardest day for both of us. I hate dropping him off and he hates me leaving him, but then it is over and we are both on our way for the week. Check out his new pictures at http://www.dinsmorephotography.com/ Click online photos, type in "king," and the code is Patsy. Enjoy. He is truly a gift.

I am busy learning a new grade, I moved to teach 2nd this year. I am loving their independence and I have the pleasure of having some of the same kids again. I am tired of writing lesson plans, as I can't reuse anything from previous years, but that is how it goes. I have a student teacher working with me this fall, too. She is eager and tries hard, so it is fun teaching her, too. Otherwise, I am trying to organize my time better so that I can get in my exercise. I think I need to get up at 5am, but who am I kidding?! I hate mornings! Nights are tough because I always have school work to do after Sean goes to bed, so I have to figure it out.

We are looking forward to getting our basement done soon. Graham is working on the trim, then it is just carpet! Hooray! Hope you all are well. I will update pics soon.

Funny and true!

We met some friends for dinner last night and got home a little late. Sean was still up, so I gave him his bath and put him to bed like a normal night. Recently, Alli babysat and bought him a new big boy blanket and new toys. Well, I had his new blanket in the wash, so I used his old favorite. After awhile, Graham and I hear our little man's voice calling, "mommy, mommy..." I go in to find him standing in his crib with his old blanket saying, "No, No, No..." while throwing it over the side. Well, his new one was now dry, so we went and got it, put him back to bed, and didn't hear a peep until this morning. Too funny!

We have a swimmer!

Wow! The warm weather and warm pool brought out the swimmer in Sean. We spent the 4th, 5th, and 6th hanging by the pool, playing, relaxing, and having fun. He spent the whole time on the steps or in my arms in the pool! Much different from the last time when we had chattery lips and cries to get out! It is so exciting to see him grow and learn.

The 4th was nice. We were at the pool all day, then headed out to the lake for the evening. Sean came down with 5th's Disease (hand, foot, and mouth) so we had to call it an early night and missed the great fireworks. Oh, well, next year! Seems like there is a major case of this disease going around. We are not sure where he got it, but friends and cousins have it too. Yuk. Needless to say, we are staying away from other kids for awhile. He is finally feeling better and not so sad. That is good news!

To Do Lists

Today I decided it was a good day to look back at the "to do list" I made for myself at the beginning of summer. One item intrigued me more than the others; pictures. See, I have this huge pile of pictures taking over a rather large area in our office, so today was the day to hit it. I recently bought this amazing picture frame that displays Sean's first year and a couple of nice photo albums, so I was all set. I couldn't believe how much fun I had and how many memories came flooding back. It was a powerful, emotional, and amazing afternoon. I spent Sean's whole nap in there and got the majority of it done. I will go back and finish some day, but for now I am going to enjoy looking at my new frame of Sean and my new albums full of my growing little man.

As for the rest of the list...I still have time...I have gotten a few things checked off...nap times are not long enough...I might have a small case of ADD...I'll keep you posted!

Graham is currently building a deck on a house across the pond from us. It is an awesome thing to watch him cruise through it! He is incredibly talented and fun to watch.

Happy 4th of July to you all. We are heading to the pool, golf course, and lake for the day. Should be super fun. The weather is supposed to be fantastic! Hooray for some good summer days, finally!

Finally!

First, sorry it has been sooooo long! I have no excuse...except...school ended and summer began and we haven't looked back! It has been an awesome summer for me! I have been able to stay home with Sean, and I am loving it! It is actually going to be really hard to go back to work in August! I am beginning to get the same feeling I had when I knew my maternity leave was coming to an end. Some day I won't have to worry. I know it will be fine when I return.

We are actually looking at putting Sean in a daycare for one day a week, and then keeping him with my mom the other four days. I am really nervous about it, Graham is really excited about it. We want him to socialize and have fun with other kids. He plays with his cousins, but we just want him to get more. Make sense? So...my friend Mandy has given me her daycare providers number. I need to call and get him going and get him used to it before school starts. That makes me sadder, because I don't want to give up a day, let alone minutes with him. Sick, I know. I have some friends who can't wait to have a "break", not me. Graham wants to go away for a night, I know we need to but YIKES! That is my goal for this summer.

Blah, blah, blah. Hope you are all doing well and have faith in me. I will get back into working on this regularly. I have gotten side tracked a lot this summer!

Cousins

You gotta love the reactions kids have with one another. Last Friday we brought supper to Amy and Nick's house. When we were driving down the street, Sean's legs started kicking and he started squealing. When we pulled into their driveway it just got louder, and I could have sworn I heard a YAHOO! back there. Incredible! My mom had been telling me about this during the week when she'd go visit (she's Sean's daycare). It's not that I didn't believe her, I just thought she was exaggerating. Nope, dead on! Super cute!

Meanwhile, he had a ball. He didn't eat because he was too busy watching, listening, laughing, and playing. He crashed when we got home. It is amazing what a little fresh air and cousins can do to your system!