My Tale of Desperwoe

The boys were in bed.  Finally.  I had just settled down on the couch with my pillow and blanket and had hit the "purchase" button on my television screen to watch "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" when I heard a noise in the kitchen.  Jerry was sitting at his computer and didn't seem to hear it, so I figured it was just me.  A little while later I heard it again.  Jerry still didn't hear it.  (Mind you, I'm deaf.  He's the one with the ears.)  And then again, that sound. This time, he heard it.

We both got up and headed to the kitchen.  I thought maybe Cody had come down for some reason, so I went up to his room to investigate.  Nothing but snoring.  I came downstairs and while standing in the kitchen, I heard it again.  THE NOISE.  This time, I turned to the cabinet underneath the sink and pointed.  (Jerry is still making fun of the way I did it.  Apparently I can be quite dramatic sometimes.)

He mumbled something about "children" and "they always leave a door open" and "wouldn't be surprised if an animal..."

His voice started to fade and I began to have images of me with my largest kitchen knife doing serious damage to the intruder.  And then was quickly brought back to reality by the rustling under the kitchen sink.  

Jerry opted for a safer, friendlier option.  The flashlight.

I finally mustered up enough courage to at least open the door to the cabinet and start moving stuff around...with my foot.

The flashlight revealed mouse droppings (ICK) and we immediately knew something about our unwelcome visitor.  And then, the rustling again.  I pulled out the empty, bagless trash can and watched Jerry shuffle stuff around under the sink when IT caught my eye.  I pointed to the trash can, and then, unable to formulate any kind of a coherent thought or sentence squealed, "eeeemmmmessssseeeemmmmeeeessssssseeeeeeeeeeee!"  

Jerry, being the calm, collected one of the group, looked down into the trash can at the bug-eyed thing and said, "Oh.  Hello!"

I then proceeded to do the only logical thing one does in this situation and took its picture.

Next, I grabbed the trash can and carried it into the living room, where I leaned it on its side to show it to the dog.  (I still don't know why I did that.  I mean, why does the dog care?  For some reason I thought he'd find it interesting.)  The Thing then proceeded to take advantage of the tipped trash can (duh!) and had crawled to the edge to attempt some sort of an escape.  This then prompted me to squeal something resembling nothing (again) as I ran to the front door, flew it open, and proceeded to run, full throttle, trash can in hand, into the front yard to let it loose.  I turned the can upside down, shook it, squealed, ran back in the house, and declared victory.

Obviously, I'm all sorts of brave.

Jerry's still trying to figure out what I was trying to say when I first discovered the intruder.  I'd hate to think what would happen if I really needed to explain something to someone in the event of a REAL emergency.

I think that's all.

The End.  And good night.

P.S. Pictures to come soon.  I really didn't want to be reminded of his little beady eyes right before bed.

The Great Move of 2009 and Other Random Things You Need to Know

I am in the midst of "crunch time" as we, the directing team of "The Sound of Music," put the finishing touches on the musical. Things are coming along quite nicely and I'm very anxious to see the show on the actual stage where we'll be performing, with costumes, sets, lights, and a 15 piece pit orchestra. Interested in coming? Leave me a comment and I'll get you the information. Tickets are still available! (Sorry for that shameless plug...)

Friday night was rehearsal and I headed off to bed reasonably early. The next morning, somewhere between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., I had this crazy idea to throw together a pot of chili and some corn bread for the directing team. I had this sudden burst of energy and began buzzing around the house, towel wrapped around my head, eggs in one hand, ground beef in another... running between the bathroom mirror to finish getting ready for rehearsal and the kitchen, while stirring in chili beans and tomatoes. I was a sight. I think Jerry thought I'd lost my mind.

I was greeted at the door by one of our fearless leaders of the show and she asked me if I was pregnant when she learned that I had been whipping up chili at 7:30 in the morning. I told her that would be a definite NO and she followed me into the kitchen so I could plug in the crock pot. While she was grateful for the gesture, I think she thought I was a little nuts. I am glad I didn't tell her about the time I brought the crock pot to the chiropractor. But that's another story for a different day. Moving on...

Rehearsal went great and I came home. Usually, I'm mentally and physically exhausted after these rehearsals, but this particular Saturday, I was full of energy.

At about 6 p.m., I got another crazy idea and approached my husband with, "Honey, I think the boys need their own rooms. We've been talking about it for months, but maybe we should just do it...let's just move them!"

He gave me that "look" that I've grown to love. You know, the one that says, "You're nuts, but I'm going to do this because I love you." Have I mentioned that I am married to one of the greatest guys on earth? I seriously don't know how he puts of up with me...and not only that, he does it with a smile.

In a day and a half, we managed to rearrange every room in the house except the kitchen and my studio. The boys now have their own rooms and Cody's room now doubles as his bedroom and a play room (which we've desperately needed). It sounds weird, but we seem to have more space than we did before by giving each of them their own room. I am very happy with the set-up. Jerry and I both have sore, tired bodies today, but we are both very happy with the outcome.

And now you're caught up.

And I need a nap. Too bad that isn't an option today....

Did I mention I'm about to make a double batch of heart-shaped sugar cookies?

I've Never Seen So Many Legos!

**Updated to add:  Some of you have asked where this is located.  It's not a theme park or anything.  It's the new store in Schaumburg at Streets of Woodfield.  There's a huge giraffe made of legos (go figure!) out front.  You can't miss it!  A word to the wise, however:  It is very expensive.  It will range anywhere from $15-20/person (2 and under are free).  We got a group rate so we only paid $6 per person.  See if you can find a coupon.  I wouldn't pay full price!**

Last Friday, we took our first official field trip with our homeschool group and we went to the newly built Legoland in our area.  Seriously, I didn't know you could build so many things with legos.  It was truly an amazing sight to see.  This was one of my favorite creations...don't you see a strange resemblence, what with all the missing teeth and such?

They had a replica of the city of Chicago, complete with the lights dimming at regular intervals so we could see it all lit up at night. This is Navy Pier. 
I personally loved this life-size Batman.  They also had Darth Vader!
We also saw a really cool 4-D movie, attended a presentation on how legos are made, and the boys had lots of opportunities to build their own creations.  (There are no pictures here of Caden because he wouldn't stop long enough for me to take his picture.  Every single picture features the back or top of his head!  He had a ball!)  It was a very cool place to visit, and I'm not even a huge fan of legos.  (Maybe it's because I'm always stepping or tripping on them...ouch!)  At any rate, the boys had a great time.  

We're off to a good start, and school is going well.  We are all adjusting to a somewhat new routine (though I'd started this summer so we could all get the feel for it), and so far, things feel pretty natural and surprisingly normal.  I'm thinking that's a good thing!

Oh, and for those who are keeping track, we've had no more mouse sightings.  Thank you, Jesus.

I'm just wondering: Was it Mickey or Minnie?

Yesterday, while preparing for dinner guests, I opened the silverware drawer and started digging around for a butter knife.  I suddenly noticed little wood shavings near my Wilton frosting spreaders....and they were scattered all over the drawer.  When I pulled the drawer out and investigated further, I saw the dreaded droppings that could only mean one thing:  MICE.

I quickly remembered that my neighbors have had the same experience, and so we called them for advice.  

Once I got over my initial disgust and cleaned and sanitized everything in the drawer, and re-washed the silverware now sitting on my dinner table awaiting guests, I went into "JUST KILL IT" mode.  

I am happy to report that this morning the score is:

BERGER FAMILY 1

FIELD MICE 0

I'll keep you updated as the stats change.

GRRRRROOOOOOOOSSSSSSSS!

Home Improvement Update

Well, we are still busy at work on the house.  Now we're in the process of painting our front porch after tearing most of it out (except the floor and walls).  We had some rotting wood that was being eaten by voracious ants (can you say disgusting?), and after pulling off board after board, and attempting to scrape off as much paint as we were able, we decided it really would be more beneficial to just replace it all.  $150 later, we were home with stain for the porch, new beams, wood spindles and a railing for the porch, and trim paint. Thankfully, the floor boards were still in decent enough shape that they only required sanding and some minor repair. My poor hubby is feeling the push in a big way with school starting up soon.  This means back to work for daddy. *sigh.*  I've been so spoiled having him home all summer.  Anyway, it's important that we get this wood installed and treated before the cold weather arrives.  It's NEVER ENDING, this thing called home ownership.

I'll post pictures when it's looking presentable.  Right now, you'd probably just look at your computer screen and go, "What on earth are they doing????"  Heck, half the time I'm asking that same question!  We are "do it yourself" (with a little help from our friends) all the way. And I gotta give props to Home Depot and Menard's.  "You can do it.  We can help!"

Whew.  I'm glad to hear that.

Now here.  Hold this hammer and 2x4 for Jerry so he can go put his feet up and sip some iced tea.

NOT.

Home....

I haven't mentioned much about it, but we've been doing a lot of home improvement this summer. You may have heard me say that our house is close to 100 years old. It was a bit of a fixer when we bought it, but it had good bones (still does). To say that the house needed updating is an understatement. Avocado green, Goldenrod and Rustic Orange were the colors of choice throughout most of the downstairs, with the exception of the Pepto-Bismol pink bathroom. The carpet was green shag. Every single room in the house had carpet (including the bathrooms). Can I get an "ewwwww?"

There have been so many times these past four years when I have griped and complained about this house. But the truth is, I love it. I have grown to love it. It is really perfect for us and our family. Not too big, not too small. Yes, it's tight in places. But I've learned that more space isn't necessarily better. (Remember the beautiful house we lived in for a week while our friends were on vacation? Yeah. Goregous. But waaaaay to big for our family.)

And the Lord has been so faithful to teach us much as we've lived in a less-than-perfect house. We've learned contentment. We've grown to absolutely love and cherish our neighbors. We have taken pride in each and every improvement we've made, because we've been the ones doing the work. Correction: Most of it has been done by my willing and hard-working hubby.

Granted, it's not perfect. We're amateurs in training. There is still so much to be done. The rest of the house still needs to be painted. The trim needs to be scraped, sanded, primed, and painted. The storm windows need attention. There's landscaping....OY...the landscaping is a big task, and there's still so much more to do.

And yet, it's home.

It's where we work and breathe and live.

It's where we learn and love and cry.

It's where we say we're sorry, kiss each other's ouchies and hug.

It's where we snuggle up, play games and smile.

It's where we pray, read, and grow.

It's home.

And I'm so very, very thankful for it and every person in it.

Cat Tales

Not sure if I ever mentioned it, but we are the owners of two cats. I've had the cats longer than I've been married, and they've always been really nice feline friends. They've always been very friendly and cuddly lap cats.

But then recently, they started doing some unmentionable things around the house. I believe that they started "acting out" because they used to have full reign over the house...that is, until the dog arrived a couple years ago. We also found out that Cody has sensitivities to cat dander, and so we knew we had to do something.

I finally hit my patience threshold last week, when one of the cats decided that the litterbox was in the basket with the clean laundry. It was definitely time for them to go. I just couldn't take it anymore. I spent most of Wednesday calling around the area trying to find a suitable place for these two cats to go. I found a no-kill shelter who promised to keep the cats together and take good care of them.

I was fine until they escorted us into a room to say good-bye yesterday. The guilt I felt for doing this to them after all the time they'd spent with us was overwhelming. I know they're just cats. But they've been OUR cats. Caden said, "bye-bye kitties," and with that, they were gone.

We answered a barrage of questions and finally it was time to leave with our empty cat carriers. I pulled it together in time to get Cody off the bus, and he hardly mentioned the cats. I think that he forgot what we were doing that day.

Then, before bed, he walked into the bathroom where we kept their food, water, and litterbox. As soon as Cody saw the food sitting there, and no cats, he lost it. We both dissolved into a heap of tears on the bathroom floor. I couldn't hold it in anymore.

I know. If you're not a cat lover this probably seems a bit foolish. But I feel an odd sort of emptiness with them not with us anymore. Once again, the guilt of what they were doing, how they were feeling, and questions of whether or not we did the right thing were swimming in my emotional mind.

I still worry about them, even as I sit here. Are they scared? Have they calmed down? Are they being treated well? Will they find a good home, or will they live out the rest of their days in cages?

For now, I have to believe that some nice people will soon welcome Max and Peachy into their home, and that they'll bounce back to themselves (minus the unmentionable behaviors, of course) in no time.

Thanks for reading this post. If you're not a cat-lover, I especially thank you. :-)

BRRRRRRRRRRR.....

It's not until your furnace goes out that you appreciate the value of heat. And it's 27 degrees outside. Not counting wind chill.

Ironically, it was serviced just last night, and the tech said of our dinosaur, "You might want to replace this soon." And yes....it was working just fine when he left. Hubby is on the phone with a tech troubleshooting as we speak.

Oh please, sweet Jesus, let this not be replacement time. It's just not in the budget this month!

***UPDATED to add: It was a simple wiring problem. Thankfully, Jerry's dad is in the business and he stayed on the phone with him until it was fixed. Praise the Lord!!!

Confessions of a Move-a-holic

Since the year 1988, I have moved at least every three to four years. The first time it was to Indiana, then in 1992 to Central Illinois. In 1996, I moved to be near my first teaching job. In 1997 I moved to an apartment near Chicago. In 1998 I moved up north to be closer to my teaching job. In 2000, I moved into a duplex with my husband when we got married. In 2001 Cody arrived, and we decided we wanted to be homeowners. So, in 2002, we bought our first condo. One year later, we bought our first house.

It was a bit of a fixer-upper. But it was the best deal for the money and we thought it would be great for just the three of us. We moved here in 2004 and by 2005 I was pregnant with baby #2. We've been here three years. I love this house. It's about 100 years old. It's charming and we love the neighbors and so many things about it. We've made many changes and have had fun making it truly "ours." But all of a sudden, I'm itching to move again.

I don't know if it's a thing with my personality or what. I am always trying to figure out how to rearrange my house. I start getting antsy and I need to make a change. I have dreams of a bigger home, with a family room AND living room. A fireplace. An eat in kitchen AND a dining room. I would love for the boys to each have their own room. A place for me to teach AND a play room. A true master bedroom with our own bathroom. I would love to host family get togethers, birthday parties, and social gatherings without feeling like everyone is cramped together with no room to move. (I love to entertain!) All that aside, I have learned to be content because that's what God calls me to and because I know that Godliness+Contentment=Great Gain.

We live in a VERY expensive area and homes are not cheap. They're cheaper right now, but we are not in a position to move into something larger. We won't do it until we truly feel we can afford it. We're not house poor right now and we don't ever want to be. Our taxes are manageable and I am able to work a handful of hours here at home each week without feeling like I "should" be working more. I also realize that this current season in my life calls me home while my boys are still young. Maybe someday down the road I'll go back to work full-time and then we could maybe talk about that house we've been wishing for.

All of this is to say (yes, I do have a point) that I am getting antsy again. But not to move. Just to rearrange. I need to re-work a couple of rooms. Maybe even paint a room or add an accent wall. I need to rid out, freecycle, re-organize, and possibly rearrange. It's much cheaper than buying a new house and it hardly costs a thing (maybe just a gallon or two of paint).

So if you don't see me for awhile, just know that I am working on a few projects here and there. My intention is to use the month of November to get organized before the holidays arrive. I need to restore some order around here so that I feel better and make the house more user-friendly. I have no idea if I'll get anything really significant accomplished (it's hard to do much of anything besides just the necessities of life with a busy toddler around), but I'm going to make it my goal to try!

I'll see you soon!

Organization 101

If you were to step into my house right this minute, you'd see the following things:

The refrigerator would be covered with lists. Snack list, sharing list, phone list, to do list, shopping list, weekly list, progress chart including a list of things for Cody like "practice violin" "memorize Awana verse" "help with dishes" "help pick up toys" and "feed Ozzie."

The desk in our office is covered with lists...weekly to do list, just updated today, a pile of things to go through, a list of women from my moms in touch group and a list of things I want to share with them in my next email, and my beloved Franklin Covey planner without whom I'd be lost.

In my living room, right by the front door, is a wall organizer with hooks for keys and pockets for mail and such. I keep coupons there and bills to be paid, gift cards we can still use, and other items. There's also a basket a.k.a. "catch all" for more mail, keys, phones, cameras, ipods and anything else that needs a "home."

And as I sit here thinking about it all, I wonder, are my priorities in check? When I make these lists do they reflect who I am serving? What is important today and for WHOM am I doing it?

Am I serving God or man? Am I serving my family or am I catering more to the needs of those outside these walls than the ones right inside them?

And it got me thinking about something I wanted to share with any busy, frazzled moms out there. And please don't feel judged, because seriously, I'm preaching to myself right here because I simply need the reminder.

Here's the deal. There are so many things out there for us to do that are good things. They might even be selfless acts of kindness or ways you might be serving another with your time, talent, and energy. But I must challenge you. Are you putting what should be first....FIRST? Are you prioritizing well? Are you taking care of another while the laundry at your house and dishes in the sink are piling up? Are you running so much that your little ones aren't getting quality naps, just ones in the car? Sorry, those don't count! When you walk in the door, are you frazzled, so much in fact that it's just easier to go get fast food for your family instead of making them a healthy meal at home? I'm not saying you can't be available to help others, but do you have balance about it?

Again, this is about ME but I am sharing it because I hear you all talk about this stuff all the time. And we all know it leads to BURN-OUT. DEFEAT. FEELINGS OF FAILURE. This is not what God wants for us...this much I know! Can I get an "AMEN?!"

Let me encourage you: A very wise woman at my church (and my mother on more than one occasion) said to me, "Loved one, there are so many good and noble things for you to do out there! It's wonderful that you are wanting to do those things. But this is not your time. This is not your season! Before you choose to engage in that thing...that activity that would just be "so good" for someone else, ask God if it's what HE would consider best. If it takes you away from your family for a significant amount of time, it's not best. If it means you aren't accomplishing much on the home front, but are out there serving everyone else, then it's NOT best.

Now is the time, here at the beginning of the school year to really be mindful of our priorities, myself included. It's not that we can't help others. But this is a season of life that calls us home. And oh what a precious home it is when mama's happy, "cuz when mama aint happy..."

Say it girls.

Yard Transformation!

All I wanted for Mother's Day was time and help to work in the yard. We've been in this house two and a half years and we bought a home with good bones but in need of some major cosmetic surgery. We've concentrated a bunch on inside and have really ignored the outside (except to mow the lawn and weed occasionally). It's definitely time to do something about our yard. I'm okay with the front yard, but the sides and back of the house need lots of work. As with all things household, one thing leads to another leads to another....

What started out as a basic tree planting has resulted in a landscaping overhaul. I tore up a flower bed, thinned out the hostas, replaced the areas with some new plants and flowers my sister and mom gave me for Mother's Day, and now am in the process of adding edging, mulch, and lights. The old patio blocks came up and a larger area has been dug for a new patio. I planted a vegetable garden on one side of the house. Yesterday, I took it upon myself to load and haul all the old patio blocks to a place that recycles concrete and other material. They were stacked next to my pretty flower bed, and they HAD to go.

I found this place while driving one day, and they recycle all kinds of things...concrete, construction debris, etc. When I pulled in, I had no idea where to go or what to do. I was surrounded by 18 wheelers, huge machines, and lots of noise. And of course, I was the only female in the place. (I should tell you that, upon hearing my story, one of my girlfriends asked me, "ARE YOU CRAZY?" to which I replied, ummm..."yes.") Finally, I found a human being to talk to and was directed to an area where I could unload them. I asked if they had people to help and he laughed at me. Yes, he actually laughed AT ME. Boy, if I didn't feel like a "stupid female." Unfortunately, I forgot my work gloves at home and ended up having to throw the jagged things into this gigantic pile of cement with bare hands. I have several cuts and some soreness today, but hey...they stones are gone! While I was doing all of this, a guy in a landscaping truck pulled up beside my van, and I'm thinking, "Oh, this sweet soul has come to rescue me from my distress and assist me!!!!" Instead, he handed me a business card and said, "I'm guessing you're putting in a new patio?" Gee, was it that obvious?

When I got home and looked at the 12x14 area where we plan to lay a new patio, and when I considered the fact that we have two young children, a husband in school and working a full-time job, and more importantly, when I feel the ache in my back and neck and see my husband laying on the ice pack after a long day of working in the yard, I found that card and gave the guy a call.

He's coming on Saturday and will be finishing the work we started six weeks ago in a day. IN A DAY, people.

Oh what a beautiful weekend!

Suffice it to say that the lawn is mowed, the garden almost ready for planting and the yard primed for summer fun. The weather was absolutely goregous (right now, it looks as though the sky is going to dump buckets of rain to bring those May flowers).

On Friday afternoon, Cody, Caden, Ozzie and I enjoyed a little picnic out on our front lawn and then walked down to the park so Cody could burn some energy. He ended up meeting several his friends from school there and then played with them until the early evening hours. He had a blast. Saturday, after teaching a couple of hours, my friend Charity came over and we all (yes, Ozzie came along too!) went to a forest preserve and had another picnic together. (Daddy stayed home to work on his master's project, but he did his work outside!). After dropping off the boys, Chair and I headed off to IKEA in search of some new chair pads for our patio furniture. Unfortunately, I didn't see any I fell in love with, but ended up with some that were orange (I'm not a fan of orange, but they were only $6.50 a piece!). I'm sure Charity will never go shopping with me again, as I was incredibly indecisive and must have gone up and down the escalator five times changing my mind and putting things back. She found a cute kitchen rug, so I suppose not all was lost!

Yesterday, after church, we did yard work and got things looking nice on the outside. Ozzie spent most of the day out with us and his snout is green from rolling in the grass.

Last night after dinner, we took a nice long walk with Ozzie to McD's where we all feasted on vanilla ice cream cones and french fries. So much for a calorie-burning walk! We had a really nice weekend...productive and fun. Can't ask for any more than that!

P.S. I would post pictures, but I can't find our camera charger and the thing is dead. I'll update soon...

I did it!

It took most of the day, but our office is clean! It's amazing what a person finds when they clean. I found $50.00 in Barnes and Noble gift cards. We'd been looking for these for months. I found coupons that I wished I'd known about. They would have saved me quite a bit on my last grocery shopping excursion. I found pens. TONS of pens. I remember being a kid and loving pens, markers, pencils. Pretty much any kind of writing untensil. And every once in a while, my mom would call out (to anyone who was listening), "Where are all the pens? Who took all my pens???" Guilty. That would be me. Just the other day I was looking for a pen. And while cleaning, I found at least twenty.

Cleaning always makes me feel good. I feel like I can breathe easier when the clutter goes away. And it always reminds me of God and His cleansing power. It still amazes me. And it reminds me of a song called, "Refiner's Fire." I'm sure some of you know it...

"Purify my heart

Cleanse me from within

and make me holy

Purify my heart

Cleanse me from my sin

Deep within.

Refiner's fire

My heart's one desire

is to be holy

Set apart for you Lord.

I choose to be holy

Set apart for You, my Master

Ready to do Your will."

You should see the mess....

Everyone told me that my perfectionistic qualities would fly right out the window once I added another child to the mix. They were right. I can no longer keep my house as clean as I'd like. I can no longer consider myself terribly organized. It's more like...well...just terrible. Kinda like the laundry that piles up in the basement. Speaking of which, I can't get out from under the laundry pile. Phone calls I can't always return in a timely manner (unless you're family...then you fly straight to the top of the priority list), emails I don't return as quickly as I used to, projects that I start, but that take weeks to actually finish, when really, it should have just taken a couple of hours.

But there are needs to be met. Crying baby needs to be fed, changed, nursed, or held (and then fed again). Five year-old spends most of the day chanting, "Mom. I'm huuuuunnnnngggggry!" Phone is ringing. A student is arriving in five minutes and I still haven't finished blow-drying my hair. The dog is jumping on the door because he can't hold it any longer.

I was inspired by some of you moms who do the whole "Tackle it Tuesday" thing. Yes, I know it's Wednesday. But I thought maybe, if I post this hideous picture of what our office looks like right now, on this day that I started trying to de-clutter, well, then maybe I'll actually have more motivation to share the finished, completed, more wonderfully organized room that should be deemed a "study" for the sake of hubby, who is working tirelessly to complete his master's degree final project. So here goes. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Remodeling

Some of you may have noticed I've been MIA lately. My apologies. I've been remodeling.

My husband went to a men's retreat this weekend, and on Saturday morning, even though I had to teach a couple voice lessons, I caught the remodeling bug. Somewhere between 6 a.m. when I woke up and 10:30 a.m. it overtook me, and I began digging through the basement for paint supplies. Unfortunately, my husband is the keeper of all things home improvement, so I didn't know where anything was. But that didn't stop me.

I had a friend here and she offered to help me...with the painting, the kids, whatever. How could I resist? A free day to work AND help? Done! (Thank you, Charity!)

I should probably explain what I'm remodeling NOW. Some of you know we bought a 90 year-old house two years ago. Since then, there has always been some room in progress, some wall that needs painting or toilet fixing. But I love my house. It's humble, but it's home. Anyway, this past Thursday morning at my Building Hearts and Homes class for moms, our pastor's wife spoke about making the home a haven. She spoke about every room of the house, but spent some significant time talking about the room you share with your husband. Well, we've spent lots of time on the rest of the house, but ZIP on our room. So...that takes me back to the bug that bit this weekend.

I thought it would be nice to work on our room this weekend and surprise Jerry when he got home from his retreat. Oh, he was surprised alright. Surprised that I began this great big undertaking (I should mention no project is a SMALL one in this house), and surprised that I tackled it on my own. But NOT surprised to find there was something he could do to help me! The poor guy is always trying to work down the "honey do" list, but it never seems to shorten! But his attitude was fantastic: "Wow, honey. Good for you!" "My wife is awesome!" "I'd be happy to help you....tomorrow!"

So together, with paint brushes and rollers in hand, we tackled our bedroom yesterday. We plastered, sanded, primed and painted our room. In a weekend. We won't win an award for the best-looking-wall-contest, but we've taken some significant steps toward making it a place WE like to be.

So this is why I've been MIA. I'm sure you understand!

What lies beneath....

This past weekend, instead of heading to our alma mater for Homecoming, we decided it was a good weekend to finish unfinished business. Ever since the arrival of Caden, we have unfinished home improvement projects in every room. They're small things, yes, but ones that have been making me a little crazy over time. We found ourselves once more standing outside the bathroom, trying to decide how to make things better and more workable. Some of you may know we own a 90 year-old home, and the rooms aren't huge. The bathroom is no exception. Before Caden was born, we ripped out the carpeting that was in there (yes people, it was carpeted!!!) and painted the pepto-bismol pink tile white. We took down the white and pink floral wallpaper, and replaced the toilet. We laid new flooring. The problem was that the floor wasn't very water-friendly. It had begun to buckle in places, and what was lurking beneath the surface wasn't pretty either. It had only been since February that the floor had been laid, but it hadn't taken long for the water to permeate the surface and work it's way underneath.

We've been doing an Andy Stanley study in our small group called, "It Came From Within." As I watched Jerry rip up the floor yesterday, it reminded me how quickly our hearts can become like that floor...ever so slowly, things begin to seep in that shouldn't be there, and before you know it, an attitude, a comment, a biting tone...ugliness...pop up to the surface.

Our bathroom is looking much better. We bought inexpensive peel and stick tiles (that rival ceramic if you ask me) and Jerry and I finished putting it in last night. Not only does it look better, but we know it will keep the water away and preserve the floor underneath. I know this seems to be a simple analogy, but to me it was a powerful one. Next time something ugly comes flying out of my mouth, I'll be reminded of what lies beneath.

Luke 6:45

"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."