To DIY or Not to DIY....

We have spent 5 of the last 6 weekends at Kaci's house in OKC. She is remodeling her kitchen and we are trying to help and save her a little money.

I have come to the conclusion it might have been smarter to just fork over the bucks.

Or get on one of those shows on HGTV...they could have done all of this in 3 days! Where the heck is House Crashers, Room Crashers or Over Your Head when you need them?

But I keep telling myself it is all going to be worth it. And then I go to my happy place...

Home alone....

And loving it! This is the first time I have had any ME time in far too long. And I need ME time.

Don't get me wrong, I love my girls, I am so in love with those precious baby boys and of course I love Ed...but I need some alone time now and then.

I get that from my Mom. She would get up an hour earlier than the rest of us, just so she could have her alone time. Not me, I enjoy sleep too much. So, I have to get my alone time other ways.

Thank goodness Ed travels for work. It gives me my much needed time to be home alone.

So, for the rest of the week, it will be just me and the kitties.

I am a happy girl!

A whole new level of tired...

I thought I was tired when I left Kari's after a month...

And then I thought I was really tired after another 2 weeks with Alissa...

But today I realize I am tired on an entirely new level after 2 weekends with Kaci...

I will take babies over remodels any day of the week...

I'm done...

6 weeks, 1 day and home

I came home on Thursday, thanks to my wonderful friend Cindy. 6 weeks and 1 day later, I finally slept in my own bed. For 3 whole nights. Then we went to Tulsa to help Ed's parents with some issues. Thankfully that was just one night. But we will be going back on Thursday, then on to Kaci's on Friday to start her kitchen remodel.

It looks like it is going to be a busy summer...

Oliver had his 10 month birthday yesterday, hard to believe in just 2 months he will be a year old! Which of course means another trip to Boston. I really think it is time to sell this house and get that RV... I'm just saying... I am sure the kitties would adjust to traveling very quickly...

Happy Birthday to my SIL Jaime today, so happy she is part of our family! Without her, we wouldn't have sweet baby Cash! Hoping to see him and his parents of course this weekend while we are in the OK City.

Very rambling today I know, similar to my life lately...just never know what direction I will be going...hoping for some guidance soon...

35 years? Seriously???

It cannot be possible that it has been 35 years since I graduated from high school. But according to the calendar it has. How in the world did this time pass so quickly? But when I think about all that has happened in my life since May 20, 1976, it does seem a little more possible. Marriage, babies, moves, graduations, college, more graduations, incredible loss, more marriages, precious grandbabies and lots of love. Yep, that's about 35 years worth!

It has also been 35 years tonight since Ed asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes...

2 weeks to 9 months

After a month in Cincinnati with Kari waiting for little Eli to get here, I was able to help her for 2 weeks before it was time to come to Boston to help with Oliver. I have now been gone from home for 5 weeks! It will be 6 weeks and a day by the time I get home next week. I may not leave my house for a month!

But I am loving the time with these two little boys. So thankful I am able to do this for them and their parents. When you can spend a month in your childs home and they are not ready to send you packing, you know you are loved and appreciated! Kari wants to make their basement a mother-in-law suite for me! She wouldn't have to do much, it is finished already, just a few pieces of furniture in the bedroom and I would be set. When I left, I told her I would be back if she needed me and she said," I will see you in 2 weeks"! I have told Ed we should sell the house and just travel, maybe now is the time! We can get a small apartment in Ft. Smith for when he needs to be in the office and just travel the rest of the time between the girls homes. Sounds like a plan to me!

Eli is three weeks old today. He will be a month old before we know it. He is a sweetie for sure. Not sure when I will get to see him next, but know he will have changed a lot by the time I do.

Oliver is in to everything! He is crawling, pulling up and will soon be walking. His smile will melt your heart and those beautiful blue eyes...I know I am prejudiced, but then I am supposed to be, right?

Hope to have some new photos of Oliver for my next post. I am sure I will manage to take a few while I am here.

He's here!!

Welcome to the world Elijah Brooks VanHoose!! You took your time getting here, but you are certainly worth the wait. All 7 pounds 14 ounces and 22 inches of you. Your Mommy worked very hard to get you here and she did great.