For the past two years I have enjoyed the company of some wonderful women. We try to get together at least once a month for dinner (usually mexican food!) and we just have fun. For our last hurrah of the year we had the brilliant idea of doing it at my house. Why we hadn't thought of it before....it was so nice not being rushed and a lot cheaper. Oh, it was also nice not having KIDS this time!!! Ashley and Stephanie are both entering the wonderful world of marriage this summer so there was a lot to celebrate. We turned the evening into a mini-shower for Ashley. Sometimes it is just nice to have adult conversation with bright, funny, extraordinary women!

I have to give an update on the tree house

It's almost complete
Gage was a big help!

Why does Mother's Day have to only happen once a year? I declare that there be a Mother's Day once a month instead. Is there anything better than sleeping in, eating french toast and lounging on the couch all day? I think not! For Mother's Day I got some lounge chairs for the pool. Now I will be extra comfy this summer. I also got a mold of Gage and Molly's hands. I love how their petite little hands are now frozen in time.

Gage gives the best lovin'



Here's the latest addition to the tree house.

Next Project

Last year for Gage's birthday Jeremy built him a sandbox. This year he's going all out and building a tree house. When we moved into this house it already had a tree house but it was rather dilapidated (what a great word huh?). Gage finally noticed it around October so Jeremy decided that he would build him a new one. He is starting it early so it will be completed for Gage's birthday party. Check back for updates.

I've Been Tagged

What was I up to ten years ago?

Ten years ago I was 20 years old getting my Bachelors degree in music at Texas Tech. I was working at Bless Your Heart and having a blast. I am pretty sure that we were preparing to go to New York and sing at Alice Tully hall. A choir trip to remember!!!

Thing on my to-do list.

Finish laundry

Do grades

Get coupons for school

What would I do if I suddenly became a billionaire?

I would love to travel. Jeremy and I talk all the time about taking another trip to New York. I love our house that we are in now so I would like to buy a destination house. Maybe one in the mountains and one on the beach somewhere. I would also have to use the money for Gage and Molly's college. The rest I'm sure I would blow somehow.

Three bad habits

I am a diet coke fiend. I usually have one in my hand. (I do however still get my 84 oz of water too)

I pop my knuckles (I was having a hard time thinking of a bad habit when I realized I was popping my knuckles while I was thinking)

I am a little OCD with things being where they belong

5 random things you might not know about me

I wake up at 5 am every morning

Did I mention I am a diet coke fiend?

I sleep with 4 pillows

I secretly love listening to the Backyardigans soundtrack when Gage isn't in the car

I have never lived anywhere but Lubbock

5 things I want to see or see again

The Egyptian pyramids

New York

The musical Wicked

Disney World

I want to be able to see my kids kids grow up

5 people I want to tag

Kristin, Lori, Stephanie, Allison Hays, and Jeremy

Steph, and Lori can do this through email.

The Directions

Share what you were up to 10 years ago, things on your to-do list today, what you would do if you suddenly became a billionaire, 3 bad habits, 5 most recent jobs you've had, 5 random things we might not know about you, 5 top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list, and then finally tag 5 people.

Spring Break Project

When Jeremy and I bought this house we knew that it was going to be the house that we would raise our kids in and that we were not moving again. The thing that made this house so perfect was that it wasn't a dump but it wasn't perfect either. It had tons of room for us to grow in and not get too cramped. We knew that over time we would enjoy putting our own style in to each room. Of course we started with Gage's room. Literally! Before any boxes were unpacked we completely remodeled Gage's room. The next mission was the backyard. Having a pool scared me with having kids so we put up a pool fence and layed sod and planted some plants. It is of course still a work in progress. Next came the guest bathroom. I pulled a While You Were Out and remodeled the bathroom while Jeremy was in Houston. My Dad of course helped me and Jeremy's friend Kevin did the texture on the walls. Oh, did I mention that it was painted wall paper. When we found out we were having a girl next came Molly's room. We were very happy to fix up that room. It had a giant baseball mural which wouldn't suit a girly girl. Jeremy and I love to fix things up. We are addicted to HGTV and DIY.

Over Christmas we decided to fix our room up as a present to each other. We had a vanity with a sink in our room which we NEVER used. I was looking at it and realized that our computer desk would fit perfectly there. Then our guest room could possible double as an exercise room someday. Jeremy loved the idea so we ripped out the vanity layed some hardwood floors and painted the whole room. To top things off we got a new comforter and drapes.

Our Spring Break project has been the hallway from the garage. This is the entrance that most people use and it needed a face lift. We had a few hooks for coats a such but there just wasn't enough for diaper bags, purses, backpacks and such. I am thrilled with the finished project. Next is the laundry room!

Jeremy stained some bead board and added the hooks.

My wall of crosses. My Uncle Jim made the middle one it's a Celtic cross.

Here's our bedroom.

Some were a little skeptical with accenting with red in a blue in brown room.

But I think it totally works

Some were also skeptical with blue and red in the bathroom but once

again I love it!

This is what used to be a vanity.

Now it's a perfect office
Another view

Welcome Home Max and Alex

We are very excited for our friends Randy and Amy! Today they came home from Russia with two new additions to their family. Max and Alex. No, they are not twins they are a few months apart. Alex is about 17 mths old and Max is 15 mths old. They each have their own personalities which Randy and Amy are thrilled about. Max is a ladies man and Alex is a Mama's girl already. Isn't it amazing how God works? We are so thrilled for them and can't wait to start having playdates!

The Things We'll Do

My student council recently raised money for the American Heart Association. Just before we began I found out that a former student of mine who is 16 now is in Houston waiting for a heart transplant. I used to give his sister piano lessons and last I heard he had heart surgery in Colorado. That surgery didn't work so he needs a new heart. We decided that we would also raise money for him. We sold hearts the entire week of Valentine's and raised $380.00 for Albert. In addition we raised $275.00 for the American Heart Association. So now to the point of this post. The class that raised the most money got to tape me to the flag pole. Through this experience I discovered that I am a tad bit claustrophobic. I was doing OK until they got around my chest then I started to get really hot and kinda shaky in the legs. I had read ahead of time and had April nearby with scissors so she could cut me out as soon as I was ready. Needless to say the students loved it. They were all chanting "Tape her, tape her". The things we'll do to help those in need.

April's class won