Thursday, April 18, 2013

A Little Bit of Everything

I have a bunch of material here that I simply don't feel like posting into individual blogs.  So this blog wraps up the last month of our lives into one post.  Thanks for reading!
 
I'll begin with a project that was much bigger than we had anticipated, but definitely worth the effort. We had our wood floors refinished.
The before.
Doesn't look too bad in the pictures, but they were really very worn.

The after.
We went with a darker stain, and though it was risky,
we couldn't be happier with how they came out.

Our floors always under a layer of toys.

So new and shiny - wish they'd stay like this forever.

Struggled over Spring Break with two very sick kiddos.  Their monster colds took them a good two weeks to get over, which was no fun for anyone!

And now another project.
This is a before picture of our basement bathroom. Lovely right?

Last week we worked with a plumber to water proof our basement and put in a sump pump.  This is the cement and dirt we removed to complete the project.

Joe working hard.

While we were cutting up the basement floor, Shawn, a plumber and my high school youth group leader, also prepared the plumbing to add a full bathroom.
 
With all the rain we've been getting, the sump pump has been put to the test, and thankfully, we haven't had a drop of water in the basement.  We've struggled with a wet basement since we've moved in, and though Joe would often patch the cement where water came in, it seemed water would just find a new spot to seep in.  Hopefully, this solution will work long term.

I love Henry's look in this picture:
Hat, sweater, no pants, and Claire's rain boots.  Classic Henry.

Claire and Lyndon.
Lyndon is the boy who came up to me a couple months ago, took my hand and said, "Miss Jen, when I grow up I'm going to marry Claire."  And you know, he's the type of kid that when he says it, I know he's serious about it. 

Recently, Lyndon came over for a play date,
and I overheard this conversation:
Claire: "I just want to marry you now."
Lyndon: "Yes Claire, but it takes a long time to get married.  Like hundreds of years."
That's right Lyndon; hundreds of years.
Not sure I'm ready for these conversations.

And now we have another "Classic Henry" moment.
Joe and I sat in the living room, watching Henry silently put together this tower of step stools that he began to climb without a hint of fear.
Thankfully we were there to supervise his expedition.

We weren't sure why he was so determined to get to the top
of the piano until we saw him reach for this...

His "paci." 
That boy would climb mountains for his pacifier.
 
Well, that's enough for one day.  Hope you are all
doing well, enduring the rainy weather.
Take care!

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Easter Sunday

What a beautiful Spring day to celebrate Easter Sunday!  We went to church in the morning, and I tell you, our church family knows how to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.  It was a good reminder that Easter is not just a holiday; it's a holy day. 
We then went to Grandpa and Grandma Nash's house to visit for a bit.  After naps, we walked to the park and went down the slide about a hundred times.  A great way to spend the day.
 
Here's some pictures of our visit with Grandpa and Grandma Nash.
 
The boys in their Easter attire.
 
Claire dresses like it's Easter Sunday pretty much every day of the year.  She loves wearing dresses, and often changes her clothes a few times a day to get in as many of her "beautiful dresses" as possible.
This particular day she chose one of her favorites, a simple cotton lavender dress. 

Henry looked spiffy in his sweater vest and neck tie. 
 
Henry loved riding his truck around Great Grandpa and Grandma's house.

 
Here he's playing catch with Great Grandma
 
Henry and Grandma Rosen
 
And of course, what's a family gathering without some
traditional Polish Kielbasa?  Everyone is digging in!

Friday, March 29, 2013

* * Surprise! * *

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday, but last week was her big surprise party.
 
Friends and family await her arrival.
 
A stunned Nancy!
 
Glad to see it's a happy surprise!
 
Henry enjoying unlimited access to the food table.
 
Claire and her cousin Avery, the Party Princesses.

Me and my love
 
Everyone had a great time visiting, laughing and even dancing a bit of polka.
 
A birthday bash we'll surely remember for years to come!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Birthday Boy

Yesterday was a fun day as we celebrated Joe's 31st birthday. 
 
Opening presents with the kids.
We gave him a new swimsuit and goggles as he's been doing
a lot of swimming at the YMCA lately.
 
For dinner we had one of Joe's favorites, beef and broccoli stir fry.
 
  Claire helped decorate and set the table for the party.  
In this picture she shows off her job well done  - a cup with 5 crazy straws.   
 
After dinner family devotions

Sorry Joe.  I just couldn't resist posting this picture of you
"modeling" your birthday gift.  You make me laugh!
 
You too, Claire!
 

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Wearing Green, Feeling Blue

Top of the mornin' to ya!  Hope you are all enjoying St. Patrick's Day.  What other day of the year can you eat as many bowls of Lucky Charms as you want without feeling guilty?  We don't do much to celebrate, but the kids did wear a touch of green, and I'm also making a cabbage casserole for dinner tonight.  Trust me, it tastes better than it sounds! 
 
The kids dressed for church
 
Ok...Henry is not actually Irish, but oh well.

A kiss for everyone. I love that pucker!
 
On a side note, today is bittersweet for me as it was five years ago that we lost our first baby.  I was 14 weeks into our pregnancy, when our doctor could no longer find a heartbeat.  That was our first miscarriage, and I was crushed.  Today, I am so grateful for Claire and Henry.  I simply can't imagine life without them, but that doesn't mean I don't mourn the loss of our other two children.  I still think of them often and miss them deeply.  Typically I use this blog to simply post cute pictures of the kids, but occasionally certain situations warrant more attention, more reflection.  As a mother, I felt like a piece of my heart died each day I lost a baby.  But as a Christian, I believe that God makes all things new.  Below, I've included a song that has helped me when I've missed our babies.  It's a great reminder to me of God's bigger picture, and it says beautifully the truth that we hold to.
 

Thursday, March 14, 2013

"Mommy, Cheese"

Getting ready in the morning, Henry hands me
the camera and says, "Mommy, Cheese!"
 
 
What can I say? I couldn't resist.

May 2020

First bike ride of the year! And George's first time without training wheels! Such a champ! Enjoyed lots of bike rides during quarantine...