Happy, happy! Joy, joy!

Hello, Everyone!

Our Jesse finally came home! He's actually been home for a week now. I thought he might be home Thursday night at the earliest, but last Wednesday night, around 11:30, I  get a text from him saying there was a package at the front door. Of course I ran to the front door and there he was! We were both very happy to see each other. My dad nicknamed him Sasquatch and I would have to say Jesse reminded me of him at that point! After he brought all his gear in, the whole house smelled like a campfire.

He has lots of good stories to tell and made some good memories. It was everything he was hoping for. He's got lots of great pictures, too.

This was a typical night at camp.

He went with his 2 best friends and they spent 2-1/2 weeks camping and hiking the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee. They got to experience some great things, like this:

And this...

But then there were days like this one, where they had to hike 14 miles, uphill, in the rain.

But they eventually got to this...

I'm pretty sure it was worth all the trouble. 

While he was gone, we were busy doing this:

This is how we spent the first day of fall...

 Of course there were boo-boo's involved...

And this is what happens when Colton tries to style Ava's hair...

But we did spend some time being productive and made a new window treatment. Notice the beautiful model...

Mimi and Mr. David treated us to Gulf World where we got to pet the sting-rays and see all sorts of cool creatures...

They even let us take 2 of them home with us...

It's life back to normal now. We're all healed up from the boo-boo's and sniffles and ready for Halloween. 

Love,

Sunshine

Sick, sick, sick

Well, tis' the season for the sniffles! Colton was sick two weeks ago with major congestion. He missed half a week of school. Of course, I thought it was just a little cold so I didn't take him to the doctor until Thursday. Bad Momma! I felt terrible when the doctor told me he had bronchitis. So we all stayed home Friday and had a good day playing, laying around and watching t.v. 

Then, last week I start with a little congestion and a cough.No big deal. But it's all gone down hill from there! Ava's got it too now. Thankfully not as bad though. Medicine doesn't seem to help much. I resolved to go to the doctor if I'm not better by tomorrow. 

But then....

Colton woke me up at 4 o'clock in the morning Monday complaining that his ear was hurting. I gave him so Tylenol and sent him back to bed. Haven't heard another word about it. Until this morning when his teacher calls (she probably has me on speed dial by now) and says he's complaining about his ear. I learned my lesson from his previous illness. When he says he's sick, he his. So off to the doctor we all go. We're gonna get our money's worth today! A 3-for-1 special! 

I'm going to venture to say that when Jesse hears about all this, he'll have a list of things I should have been doing this whole time. Hind sight is 20/20. 

On a good note...
JESSE'S COMING HOME!!!! I'm super excited. He's been almost three weeks now. He should be back by Friday or Saturday. We haven't talked much because he doesn't get good signal up there in the Smokey Mountains, but this trip has been everything he wanted it to be. He and his two best friends are hiking and camping on the Appalachian trail in Tennessee. It was sort of a back to nature and know thyself trip. They all start out the day together and then go at their own pace and meet at a certain campsite that evening. Of course it's the perfect time of year to go, too. 

We've definitely missed him being gone. But the babies like riding in his truck! I asked them earlier this week if we should start driving the jeep again and the both shouted, "No!" But we'll have to give the truck up eventually. Easy enough trade for me:) 

When I tell people that I would be all alone for an entire week, they all say, "Oooh. Isn't that nice?" Not really. I love my family and miss them and don't like to stay in a big old house all alone. It's lonely. I would much rather have two fighting babies than to spend and entire week alone. It's so quiet. 

Oh, I had big plans, too, for all the things I was going to get done that one week I didn't have babies or Jesse. Ha! That was a joke. I think I got one thing checked off my list of 10 things. It's amazing how much time a person can actually waste doing absolutely nothing. But I wasn't doing nothing. I just wasn't doing what I had planned. Surprise! I have come to realize that I have a hard time staying home. Maybe because there wasn't a reason to stay home? 

Anyway, that's about all there is for now. You know all the latest and greatest. Hope everyone stays healthy this winter!

Love,

Sunshine
 

Let's play a game...

It's called "Catch Up." I"m sorry I haven't written in a while. Things have been hectic and then I haven't actually felt like writing. But here's the latest in our world:
1. Jesse's fixin to leave for the A.T. (Appalachian Trail)
2. Colton and Ava are big kids now.
3. Colton loves school
4. He was also very sick last week.

Tomorrow morning, Jesse and his friends are finally heading out on a 3-week camping expedition in the Smokey Mountains. They've been planning this trip for a long while and have all been working extra hard to get a project finished at work so they could actually leave. Jesse is ready for an adventure plus some self-exploration. Wouldn't it be wonderful to just take off and spend three weeks in nature? I'm jealous! But I"ll miss him like crazy. I plan on keeping busy at the house. There are lots of projects rolling around in my head- anyone who wants to help build some bookshelves or hang pictures, feel free to stop by!

A few weeks ago, I went to tuck Colton in bed and noticed his feet hanging over the edge of his little boat bed. I decided maybe it was time to get him a big boy bed. It took some time, but I found a set of used bunk beds that are just right. The kiddos are excited. Of course, they have bunk beds at their dads, so it wasn't too special. But that meant we had to buy new sheets and comforters. Ava picked out Hello Kitty while Colton picked out Angry Birds. The mattresses just got in last week so they're going to get to try out all their new stuff tonight! We're excited!

First grade is going great so far. Colton really likes his teacher, and she is good at communicating with me. She let me know that on Monday, he had to pull a card for sliding on his knees in the hallway. ( Each child has 5 different cards ranging from green to red, like levels of trouble). He told me Wednesday evening that he had to pull a card and I asked, "For sliding on your knees?" His little eyes got really big and he said, "Yeah! How did you know?" It was so funny! Momma's know everything. 

He also has some congestion last week and missed 2-1/2 days of school. I finally took him to the doctor on Friday and he had bronchitis. Of course I felt like a bad momma for that one.  I didn't think he was that sick. But we ended up having a good day. The three of us ran our errands, and then went home and hung out. 

Ava actually talked to stranger, too. That was surprising. We stopped for lunch at a restaurant, and I left the babies at the table while I got our drinks. As soon as Colton saw me, he tattled on her, "Ava talked to a stranger." Definitely didn't expect that one. Colton yes, Ava no. But some lady was just telling her how cute she was and asked her name. 

Well, I think that's about it. Not too much going on around here. Just going to work and school and home. Enjoying this nice cooler, dry weather! 

Love,

Sunshine

Lesson Learned

Colton: "Mommy, can I have a  new game for my iPod?"
Mommy: "I just bought you three new games."
Colton: "But I want another one."
Mommy: "When you learn to be happy with what you have, then you can have another one."

This was a lesson I had to teach my little boy this past weekend. No matter what I give him, he seems to always ask for more. He's extremely polite and sweet when he asks, too. It's hard to tell him no, but then again, it's annoying to constantly feel like the only time your children want to talk to you is to ask you for something. 

While cleaning the dining room table the other day after this little lesson, I had an epiphany. That was the lesson God had just taught me. 

Last year, I lost a wonderful job when my boss closed her business. I was very upset, but quickly found another job. At the time, it felt like a blessing, but it didn't take long for reality to set in. Within days, I knew this was not the place I wanted to be. I let everyone know that I was looking for another job. I downloaded every job search app I could find on my phone. Every day I would comb the wanted ads. For months, I was absolutely miserable. 

I came close, once. A part-time job as and interior designer came up with a local builder. The interview went well and it would pay well enough that I wouldn't have to work full-time. I was devastated when I didn't get it. That might well be the first job that I've interviewed for that I didn't get. 

My hope came with the thought that I knew this was only a temporary situation. Eventually though, I gave up my quest. It's exhausting to be so miserable. Things got better at work. So much better in fact that my boss made a comment one day that made me think. He said, "Now you're starting to think like me." That thought honestly scared me. There was nothing about this man that made me want to be like him. He isn't a bad person. Just now the kind of person I want to be like or work well with. But I had started to realize this job was a little more permanent than I thought and I had better just adjust my attitude. So much of this life is determined by attitude. I learned a long time ago that you either change your situation or change your attitude.

As things went on, I realized things weren't that bad. I didn't wake up dreading the day anymore. But I certainly didn't enjoy it either. Finances were not that good either. I started looking for a part-time job to help even things out. 

Then, it happened. Out of the blue. Not even looking for it. The job for which I had been waiting. The job that was everything I wanted. The hours were good, the pay was great, the people seemed nice and I would be a designer again working with antique furniture and fabrics all day. Pure heaven! 

I am proud to say that I have been the new interior designer at Specialists of the South for 3 weeks now. The people and atmosphere are wonderful to work in. Every day, I wake up glad to go to work at a job I love with a wonderful family to come home to.      

So back to Colton and the lesson he made me realize. In the middle of my every day life, I realized the lesson I was trying to teach Colton was the same lesson God had taught me. He has blessed us in so many ways this past year, that it is truly amazing. He gave us these emotions. He must understand what they feel like. We are his children and we are constantly asking for more and more. I thank God every for everything he has done for us and for keeping everyone safe. There is no harder prayer and praise that I give than the ones for keeping my family safe. But he must get tired of being asked for every little thing. We need to bask in the glory of all that he has given us and all that we have because of him so that we can be happy. Once we truly appreciate the things we have and things he has done, will we begin to understand his love. 

It can't be forced appreciation either. You know how children go off and pout a while when they don't get their way. Then they're back 10 minutes later asking for more again. It has to be a genuine appreciation and thanks. The kind that makes you forget you're lacking anything. 

Most of you who know me, know that I am reserved when it comes to my emotions. (Jesse thinks it's strange that my family and I don't say "I love you"!) While I am a little embarrassed to share such a personal story, I just feel like I need to share it. Plus, when I write, I don't have to face anyone, I can just write for myself- which is the easiest thing in the world for me. So I apologize now if I ever share too much information with y'all!

Well, it's past my bedtime and I think I've said about everything I wanted to say. I hope y'all enjoyed the Sunday school lesson. One of these times I'll have to tell ya about the lesson Ava taught me. It stills get me teary-eyed. Till then...

Love,

Sunshine

Takes a lickin', keeps on tickin.

Yes, we are still here and still alive. Barely! Sorry I haven't written lately, but things have been extremely hectic. 

Drum roll, please...

We are officially moved into our new house!

But things are far from settled. We weren't willing to sacrifice refrigerator space so Jesse cut out part of a wall to fit our new, big fridge into the space. This has led to the discovery that neither one of could make a living doing sheet rock work. Three coats of compound later, we give up. It'll have to do. Now I have to sand one more time, primer and paint. And when I sand, it get everywhere in the house. I mean everywhere- like inside the kitchen cabinets. The entire house needs cleaned again, from top to bottom. Ugh! But as soon as that's done, we can get the kitchen 100% done!

The babies' bathroom is pretty much done. All that's left is a new counter top and since our sink is rusted, we have to replace that. Our bathroom will have to wait for a while. No biggie. Just disappointed because I had our vanity and faucet and everything planned and picked out.

...drip...Now comes the super duper exciting part of organizing everything! ...drip...In case you didn't catch that, that last sentence is dripping with sarcasm. Although having an organized pantry and craft area will be a first in my life so that should feel good for a while. OOH! Jesse took the doors off one of the cabinets in the laudry closet and cut the bottom out. Then our friend painted the inside of the cabinet the same color as the wall. Jesse hung me a closet rod so that I can pull clothes right out of the dryer and put them on hangers. How cool is that? So cool that is makes me old! It's the little things in life. I bought the wood to make a shelf above the rod. It's gonna look good after it's all done. 

Colton and Ava are loving the new house and are adjusting well. We found out that Colton is actually too big for his toddler bed. His little feet hang over the edge. *Sigh* He's not a little baby anymore. So now I'm on the hunt for bunk beds. Of course I suggested to Jesse that we could just make some and he replied that his list was long enough already! Oh well. 

The day after we moved into the house, I started a new job. I love it! You're looking at the new designer for Specialists of the South. I get to pick out fabric for window treatments and upholstery and look at old furniture and antiques all day. It's a lot of fun and everyone I work with is super nice. Our family has been very blessed this year and I'm extremely grateful for all our blessings and the wonderful things happening in our lives. 

I'll try to update more often now that we're semi-settled. Maybe we'll get our computer out and actually use it this weekend. We'll see. :)

Love,

Sunshine

I've got pictures!!!!

SO, in all this mess, I have somehow misplaced my nifty Canon camera. I was actually going to go around and snap a few pictures of our progress on the house, but had to resort to my cell phone. So that's all ya get! 

I can happily say the 99.9% of the painting is DONE!!! I did have a slight mishap with a wet door frame and a mass of hair last night. (If anyone knows of a safe way to get paint out of hair, let me know!) 

We managed to get some curtains put up and they are beautiful. I went to put the second pair up and silly me bought one that was the wrong size. It was on clearance too, so no hope of finding a replacement. Guess I've got some fabric for new pillows and projects around the house! That set of curtains just happens to match the accent wall perfectly, too! While I am very frustrated with myself for making such a silly mistake, it will all turn out good.

I got so excited after I put the curtains up, that I grabbed some other accessories lying around and made a little vignette. This is going to be such a cozy place to sit and read by the fire...

 

Don't mind the mess...

Our beautiful painting looks absolutely perfect with it's new light. Kinds like it was meant to be;)

The details of lasts night conversation are a little fuzzy, but I think Jesse's level head prevailed and we decided to move in next weekend instead of this weekend. Phooey! But we don't have a refrigerator yet. It won't be delivered until sometime next week. No point in moving in if we don't have any food. One of us has to be the adult, and I vote Jesse! He does such  a good job. 

Our yard needs mowing and a lot of trimming. It's quite overgrown, but I did snap a few pictures of our beautiful flowers. I'm in love with the hydrangea! Ava has the perfect view of it from her bedroom. It starts out blue and then turns purplish and fades to a dusty rose. We're excited about our limes, too. Colton keeps picking them and informing us that he thinks they're ripe now.

Enjoy! 

Love,

Sunshine

Coming or going....

I'm not sure which I'm doing these days. Most mornings, I wake up not knowing what day it is. I have to look at my phone to tell me. We were insane to think we could do all this in 2 weeks! It's now going on it's 4th week. Jesse and I are both ready for this whole move to be over. It won't really be over then. We'll just get to take it slower.

Tonight is vacation night though!!! My wonderful step-mom is in town and we're all going to get together this evening and relax. Mimi and David are out of town so we have to go over and make sure they're pool doesn't get lonely;-) Jesse even gave in and is taking the night off! 

Funny story time...I was painting the accent wall (that Jesse insisted we have!), but the light switches didn't have a cover plate yet. They're hanging out of the wall by their wires. Well, I needed to paint around them, so I just moved one over and got a real surprise. Sparks went flying everywhere and then the living room and dining room went dark! Oops! Yeah, I fried a switch or two. Jesse just shook his head at me. I've been moving switches with now problems in the past, but Jesse's been smart enough to turn off the breakers for me! I am a walking catastrophe.

Other news...

The babies had an absolute blast on their vacation to Grandma and Grandpa Menefee's! Colton is officially a big boy now and has lost his first tooth! We were so surprised. It's his bottom front tooth and he looks so cute now! For months, he's been saying that he thinks this tooth or that tooth is loose. Some kids in his class last year were loosing teeth and that started the worrying. Poor boy takes after Momma on that aspect. He wanted to wash Bear last night and I had just started a load. So he through him in the washer and about had a hysterical fit. He was all worried that the agitator in the machine would cut Bear's head off. It took me over 20 minutes to calm him down enough to go to sleep. But all is well this morning. 

Well, that's all I have time for this morning. More exciting news to come in the next few weeks....!

Love,

Sunshine