Eggs and Demolition!

Gabriel and I had a great time dying eggs yesterday! My baby is getting so big, he did so much of it on his own. Last year, I didn't even attempt to have him help me as this is such a messy process! He did really well...we only had a couple eggs go awol and the first one was mine! We did "14k gold glazed eggs" and they look really cool, both of us were really proud of our product, ha ha.

On the otherhand...there is a lot of dust in the house and it's not gold-dust!! We have decided to go forward with listing the house. I assumed that would entail packing up a lot of the things we don't use on a daily basis to make the house look more "clutter-free" and maybe changing out some of the bathroom fixtures and neutralizing the paint in the front bathroom (I love my dark brown). However...I came home from church last weekend to find my front porch tile torn out (it was an ugly 70's faux brick) and Josh ready with a notepad to take measurements on the bathrooms. Yes...I said bathroomS plural. Ummm...I was not prepared to do remodels on both bathrooms before we listed the house...I wanted to get this done pronto!! He informed me that we need to re-tile the floors b/c after replacing both toilets (awhile back) he had to crack the tile around it b/c the toilets were installed underneath the tile rather than on top or something like that so now we have to replace the floors (it just looks bad)...so since we're doing that we might as well replace the shower tile...hmmm...."might as well". It is ugly, I have to admit, but we bought it like that and there are lots of other upgrades for potential buyers to see...ugh...I just do not see when Josh will have the time to do it...so....off to Floor & Decor and Lowe's and Home Depot we went. We came home with tile for the floors and the porch. Oh and he plans to retile the countertops in the bathrooms too...I'll keep you posted on how long this takes!!! Please be praying for a speedy and cost effective remodel....

Anniversary Celebration for 3

Hard to believe how quickly the time has passed...yesterday marked our 7th wedding anniversary!! We decided to keep it low key and had lunch at Chi, a Japanese restaurant. Josh must really love me because he hates sushi, but I rarely request it! Gabriel joined us on our adventures for the day - looking at a couple houses, lunch, errands; it was a normal day! We told him about our wedding day and he asked questions, it was cute. That night we bought some shrimp and had a special dinner which included him. He even got to have a big boy plate (one of our salad plates) with a special glass and napkin! There was candlelight and roses and a special dessert! Gabriel and mommy both loved it! After dinner we showed Gabriel our wedding photos, he loves looking at pictures, so he had a great time picking people out he knew! It was a nice evening and we loved including our little man in it. We are planning a weekend get away for just the two of us when the weather heats up!

Gabriel also got a hair cut this weekend...I finally cut all his curls off! He got a real big boy cut and has "spikeys" as he calls them! He looks about 5 years old to me and it still shocks me when I turn around and see him! Hard to believe my baby is growing up so fast!!!

Splish Splash

Spring Break has been a lot of fun for Gabriel and I, we have spent a few days soaking up the rays with the Keng girls! Elisabeth heated up the pool and we took full advantage...it was fun! Gabriel took some private swim lessons towards the end of the summer last year, but he seems to have forgotten a lot of what he learned...hopefully we can quickly get back up to speed, my goal for him is to be swimming this summer (fingers crossed!!). He loved going down the slide last year, but is afraid of it this year...he also loved jumping off the side of the pool, but hasn't worked up the nerve to try this year. Strange how they forget from year to year! We are taking our time...he had a ton of fun hanging out with Devan and Codi and at the end of the night yesterday, we took his vest off and he swam across the hot tub all by himself!! He was really proud and so was I!! The kids and adults have benefited from their time in the sun...they have been tuckered out in the evening...on Thursday night, immediately after dinner Gabriel decided to put himself to bed. I finished cleaning up and went to look for him, finding him fast asleep under the covers with the lights blazing in his room...too cute! We are looking forward to summer...bring on the heat!!

House Hunting

It seems we have outgrown our home! What at one time seemed like such a huge space to us (coming from our 1000 s/f apartment), is now bursting at the seams with all of Gabriel's toys, Josh's hobby r/c planes and equipment, hunting gear, our office stuff...furniture etc. Add to the mix two big dogs and there's not even a place to turn around! The prospect of adding on to our family makes me wonder where in the world we would even put a new baby, lol! I am constantly sorting through our items and donating things to charity...the bottom line is...we've run out of room! So, we are looking for a new home! The next home we buy will be our long term home so, it's got to be pretty close to perfect...this has different meanings to Josh and I. He would like a 4,000 s/f house on 10 acres in the middle of nowhere. I would like a 2,600 - 2,800 s/f home on about 1-2 acres as far away as maybe 2978 (for those of you that aren't from the Woodlands, that's maybe about 15 minutes west of our current house, lol!). Hey, a girl still needs her shopping centers and certainly needs to be close to her circle of friends! So...we're trying to meet in the middle or at least...closer to my side, ha ha! But, seriously...we have been looking for several months at lots, homes...neighborhoods, plans...loans and APRs....ugh! Please be praying with us as we are continuing to look for our next home and as we put our current home on the market!

Back in the Saddle!

I started out strong when Gabriel was little, blogging that is, but today I couldn't even remember what my blog sign in and password was! I decided that I've got to do a better job of chronicling his milestones and the simple little things that make me smile...and even those things that don't always make me smile. So...I'm starting fresh, hoping to do a better job this time around!!

So, in a nutshell...Josh has recently been promoted, I am extremely proud of him. He is now an Engine Operator Paramedic (or driver) and is in a new station, a little slower paced, which is a huge answer to prayer...his old station was crazy busy! He's loving his new position and is adjusting well to his new surroundings and his new responsibilities (or lack thereof, lol!). Way to go babe!

I am doing well, struggling with the woes of a mommy with a 2 year old! Gabriel is very good most of the time, but we have definitely had our moments...temper tantrums in the middle of Target...refusing to leave the play area at the mall...we could go on! But, I am extremely blessed to continue to have the opportunity to stay at home and raise our son. I could not ask for a better job title and I continue to ask God for grace, patience and love during the difficult moments...it's tough to be a mommy, but it's also a wonderful gift and an awesome privilege!

As for the little guy...it's so hard to believe that he's almost 3...time has surely hit fast forward on us! At the moment he is into jumping on his trampoline, digging in his sandbox and cars!!! He loves cars...anytime, anyplace, anywhere...I even had to chuckle tonight as he played with his firetruck in the bathtub. He brings at least one Hot Wheels car with him everywhere we go, forget a security blanket...he has a car, lol! He is a sweet-heart...constantly telling his Daddy and I that we are "his best friends"! We recently went to the Rodeo; this was his 3rd time, he has attended the Livestock Show in years past, but this year we decided he was ready for a big ticket to the Rodeo and a concert. We saw Rascal Flatts and he had an absolute blast. He always loves the "aMinals", but this year was the first time he was tall enough to actually ride several carnival rides. His favorite was a bouncing 4-wheeler!! He loved the bull riding and barrell racing and was impressed by the concert and all the lights and music! He was tuckered out, but maintained a very good attitude throughout the entire night...we were impressed!! All of us had an enjoyable night...and I got to kiss the cutest cowboy in Texas good night!