We're back!

Here are some more pictures of Kate and Brooks. Kate is obviously enjoying her spaghetti in her pics.

It has been a L-O-N-G week for our house! But, it was a good week at the clinic. It was busy, but not overwhelming (except for a few times). The theme of the week was stitches, as I eventually lost track of the number of animals that I had to stitch up. I wish I had some funny stories to share...here's one: On Tuesday, Kimber went to Taco Bell for a group lunch run. She was late getting back because she was behind a Grandmother and her 2 grandsons who had ordered $47.00 worth of food! At Taco Bell! What all do you buy for $47.00?

Meme also survived the long week with the kids! As we said, thank goodness nobody got sick. Brooks is trying to cut some more teeth, and has been a bit fussy. But, in all, they were great this week.

My car, "Bullet", is acting up again. The AC quit running on Wednesday. Thankfully, Scott is on vacation this coming up week. We will take it to McClendon's on Monday AM and see what we are going to deal with now. I have a feeling that our time with Bullet is coming to a close, but we'll see after Monday. We were in the car today, riding around, and I told Scott that every person who sees us knows our AC is out, because no one else would be riding around with the windows down in this heat.

More home posting will be coming this week. I'll be glad to get back to my blog...

My own little bar of Ivory Soap

So far, I have used this blog for family and house updates, but tonight I wanted to put down something different.

Long story short, yesterday Scott and I were joking, and he told me to just name anything that I wanted. Anything in the world (within reason - HA!) that I wanted, and he would give it to me. And, I couldn't come up with anything! That should mean that I am a pretty contented person, and I have always considered myself to be that. But, it did aggravate me that I couldn't come up with just one thing.

Tonight, I have that one thing. I wish that Scott could give me a best girlfriend. Yes, Scott is my very best friend. He is wonderful, loving, thoughtful and so very funny. But, there are sometimes that I just wish I had a good girlfriend to talk to, shop with, get pedicures with, or just chat about my and their day. You know, fun things that girls like to do. I have had friendships like this occasionally in my life, but they don't seem to last. It would be nice to have a friendship where either distance or life doesn't get into the way.

Wow, I feel like I am in the 7th grade all over again! This has sure been on my mind a lot lately. I am thankful for the friends I have. I probably am not the only girl out there that thinks like this - am I? :)

On another note, I will be working everyday at the clinic this week, so posts may be a bit slow. Maybe I'll have a funny animal story for you guys!

What a busy day

GranGran and PawPaw stayed with us last night on the way to B'ham today. Kate got to read books with PawPaw and played outside with GranGran. Brooks enjoyed them too, but he is still a Mama's boy right now! (and that doesn't bother me a bit...) Then we had family pictures made. Tonight, we had supper with friends of ours from church. We laughed and laughed watching funny videos on YouTube. When Scott and I were coming home, we were saying how we felt like we had been talking for hours - when we were just laughing! Laughter is so fun - it really makes you feel good.

Here are some pictures of our day. More house pictures to come!

Chapter 1 pictures

So, here are pictures of the outside of our house. The first is obviously of the front. You can't begin to appreciate the trees surrounding it! Then, there are several of the back yard. There is an artesian spring that only runs from November - February, located where the rocks are. The bridge goes over it. There is a view of Scott's shop, one of the play sets that Kate uses, a picture made from almost the back of the property, our deck on the back of the house, and a view of the backyard from the deck. I told Scott, after we moved in, there isn't a view out of any window that I don't like.

We aren't too hip on the vinyl siding - it would be perfect if the front of the house looked like the back! Otherwise, we just love it so much. As you can see, we haven't done any landscaping as of yet - still trying to get a handle on the inside!

Some before and after pics will be up next, starting with Kate and Brooks' rooms...

BTW Roxy - I'm not telling where I live! :) E-mail me at mrsaudvm01@yahoo.com and I'll be glad to tell you... !

Auburn Hill Drive, Chapter 1

Well, the house is so far in the lead of what to see next, so I thought I'd start with a little bit of why we bought this house.

For starters, this is the prettiest neighborhood in Alabama. It has trees, flowers, grass, peaceful neighbors... everything that you would want for your kids to know growing up. Scott and I fell in love with this neighborhood 2 years ago, and have waited for a house to come up for sale since.

Our good friends, and now neighbors, called us one night to tell us that the house across the street had just gone up for sale. It was the house they built and lived in for many years. Thanks to Meredith, who trampsed across the street in her pajamas to get the realtor's phone, we had an appt the next day to see it. That was Monday. By Wednesday, we submitted a contract to purchase it. Yes, 2 days later. I was scared to death - those who know me well know that I usually mull over a major decision for a while, and Scott needed to push me on this one!

So we have been here for almost 3 months now. Here is a list of things that have already been done to the house (either by us or my Dad):

1. Wallpaper stripped from Kate's room, Brooks' room, kitchen, master bedroom, both baths, foyer, and partially from the guest bedroom
2. Chair railing removed
3. Baseboards and crown molding primed and painted white
4. All doors painted white
5. Ceilings painted
6. Bathroom surround tiles, tub and floor reglazed
7. Toilets replaced
8. Bathroom hardware replaced
9. Ceiling fans replaced
10. Granite counters placed in kitchen
11. Appliances replaced in kitchen
12. Chandelier hung in kitchen (I did that myself!)
13. Recessed lighting in kitchen, living room and hallway
14. Wood floors laid in kitchen, hallway and foyer
15. Blinds replaced with 2 inch faux wood blinds
16. Removed paneling in living room

Looking at this list amazes me! Still to do:

1. Tile backsplash in kitchen
2. Paint kitchen cabinets
3. Finish prepwork of walls in living room/paint
4. Carpeting for living room
5. Finish wallpaper in guest room/paint
6. Crown molding in master bedroom
7. Somehow replace vanities in bathrooms
8. Replace light fixtures in bathrooms
9. Change out all switch covers, electrical outlets
10. Change out door knobs

I will start with the kids rooms in the next chaper.

Funniest commercial!

For those who haven't seen the latest Sunsilk commercial, you need to see it. It is hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z_kmcnwQtc

What do you think?

I love furniture auctions

This weekend Scott and I went to a furniture auction. We haven't been in so long, before Kate was born. Well, it was a blast! Rick and Brooke were down for the weekend, and they went with us. I got us a new oak dresser (I love oak furniture), a beautiful vintage mirror (that weighs close to 40#) and a rocking chair for the front porch. Here are a few pics. The dresser mirror is the first 2 pics, and it will attach to the dresser (pic 3). The seperate mirror is pic 4. Brooks was chillin' with Scott on Saturday morning in the last picture. He has been so good for the last few days.

BTW - potty training went well today! Thank you, Meme (aka Nini). Kate only had 1 accident, but she SAT on the potty most of the day (so, does that really count?). The "potty chair" even leaves a little red ring on her, but she loves sitting on it!

Potty training, oh no!

We have finally begun.

After months of procrastinating on my part.

After teasing from friends.

After thoughts of having to change diapers when she's five.

The funny part is, we are housebreaking Wesley, too.

Potty training a child and dog at the same time.

Guess what?

New carpet isn't going into the living room for a while now...

Baby idol

Ok, so I haven't had much to do today... I have Brooks' pic posted on Rooster 106 website to vote for the cutest baby. You guys log on and vote highly for it. :) Just having some fun. The website is: http://www.rooster106.com/. Here is the picture that I submitted...

Some house pictures

We just had new wood floors put in our house, replacing the ceramic tile. They are so beautiful. These pictures are of the foyer, but the new floors were laid in the kitchen and hallway as well. Scott spent last night after work pulling wallpaper off the guest bedroom wall, while I sanded the living room and primed the trim that we saved from "demolition" of the paneling. Enjoy the pictures!

Can you say Pa?

OK, so I have to tell you something funny that Kate said last week (or so). Not that she doesn't say something funny everyday, but this one was particularly cute.

Mom has been trying to get her to say "Meme", and Kate has always called her "Nini". Lately she was asking Kate, "Can you say 'me'?" And, she would say "me". Then she asked, "Can you say 'Meme'?" And, Kate will reply "Meme". Then she would still say "Nini" when she wanted Mom.

Last week, Mom asked her again, and she replied the same. Then she looked straight up at Mom and asked, "Can you say Pa?"

Look at this dress!

Mom brought this dress over for Kate to try on. It was a dress that my grandmother made for ME and I WORE at her age! How special is that! She looked so cute wearing it at church tonight. Aunt Laura - if you see this, could you show it to Grandmama? Thanks!

At least it isn't strep throat!

Took Brooks in to see the doctor today. His ears are ok, but his throat is sore. Strep test was negative, so he has viral pharangitis. Doctor says it's going around, and it should run it's course in a few days. He is a pitiful little boy right now, but he is asleep for a while! :) Kate is ok, but we are holding our breath that she won't get it too.

Wesley

Brooks started running another fever today. It seems to high for it to be teething, and what does the doctor say?... "Teething doesn't cause a child to run a fever..." I haven't decided if a trip to the doctor is in our plans for tomorrow. Kate has started coughing tonight, so we gave her a breathing treatment for the first time in months.

Nothing especially interesting happened at work today. I did change Wesley's soft splint this morning, and his fracture felt much more stable. I might be able to get his leg to heal afterall. For those who haven't heard the story, Wesley is our new dog. He was brought to the clinic by a client that found him as a stray. After catching him, they put him in the pen with their lab, went to church, and found him with a dog bite and broken leg when they got back home! I pinned his leg 7 weeks ago, but the pin got an infection from the dog bite. After taking the pin out, the break was still unstable, so I placed a splint. So, I am pleased that it seems to be healing again. He is a nice dog, and Kate loves him. I don't think that Scott would have been so ready to agree to keep him if Kate didn't like him so much!

What makes me smile...

I was inspired by Leah's "100 things about myself", and wanted to post some things that make me smile:

1. My husband's smile - it is what attracted me to him from the start
2. Brooks' laughing
3. Kate's singing
4. The sound of a kitten purring
5. The smell of my horse's mane - the best smell in the world
6. Hearing my Dad say, "Hi Punkin"
7. Hearing Kate say, "Hi Mama"
8. "NiNi has seden chichens" (a direct quote from Kate)
9. Snuggling in bed with Scott after a long day
10. Hearing my parents say they are proud of me
11. Getting any comment that says I'm doing something right
12. Eating a grapefruit
13. Talking with old friends
14. "tenty-seden, tenty-eight, tenty-nine, tenty-ten, tirty" (another Kate quote)
15. A long, lazy ride on my horse
16. Seeing 6 week old puppies that were your very first C-section
17. Watering my plants
18. Scott telling me he loves me
19. Scott rubbing my feet
20. Seeing my dog, Tristan, sleeping at my side
21. Seeing Brooks play patty cake for the first time
22. Getting a "big squeeze" from Kate
23. Singing in church, singing in the car, singing at work...
24. Thinking about future girl spend-the-night parties Kate will have
25. Hearing stories from my Grandparents
26. Talking to Papa on the phone
27. Eating with Mark and Leah
28. Reading books with Kate
29. Reading a book myself
30. Embroidering anything
31. The smell of fresh cut grass
32. Smelling flowers with Kate
33. Going to bed knowing that you got alot done that day
34. Just the thought of my kids
35. Seeing my dogs get so excited for me to get home
36. Playing cards with Rick and Brooke
37. The first warm day after winter
38. Scott singing to me!
39. Remembering what a great childhood I had
40. Getting a thank you note from a client
41. Getting a note just because
42. A hot shower in the morning
43. A great dessert
44. The feel of a beautiful old quilt
45. Holding tatting made by my great-grandmother
46. Talking to my Mom on the phone
47. Looking at pictures of my children
48. Going shopping with my sister
49. A hot bath after work
50. Lovin' from Brooks

This time last year...

My mind has been filled with thoughts of what I was doing this time last year. I was 25 weeks pregnant with our second child, Brooks. I didn't know it at the time, but I was 2 weeks away from 8 weeks of complete bed rest. It is amazing how quickly time moves on, and that he will be a year old in only a few short months!

He is clapping his hands and shaking his head, "no" (although he doesn't know what that means). Kate is spending much time singing these days. I love it!