Halloween 2010

We had a great Halloween, but this year it was on Sunday. We opted to celebrate on Saturday instead. We went to a local town and did a Boo on Main. We had a fantastic time. We have a Simpson family tradition going. For the last 4 years we have meet up with our in-laws and we take the children together to trick or treat. Then we go to a quick dinner at Zaxby's. I love traditions. I hope this doesn't change!!! I really enjoy hanging with the brother and sister in law.

More on the house

So much has happened on the house. The last pictures I posted just showed the foundation. The house is now completely dried in, sheet rock done, and cabinets are installed. Today they are supposed to start the deck or the floors. The builder is saying it will only be around 45 days and we will be in our new home. I am not sure if I am OK with this because that will be right around Christmas. December is such a crazy month. J doesn't think it will be done in that time though because there is still a good bit to be done. We will see. Anyway---here is an updated picture. I will post a new one when the rock mason gets done.

Progress

We are making such progress on our project. Things have happened so fast. During the week of August 23rd through the end of August so much happened. We now have the lot grading finished, a septic tank, a port-a-potty, dumpter, power, water, and a foundation. On Saturday September 4th we rode by the site on our way to Stumphouse Tunnel. Here is what it looked like.

When we went back that same day in the evening here is what it looked like.

I am so excited about this house. We are going to be close to family, friends, church, work, school, etc. This may be the keeper. Of course Joel doesn't think so. We will have to see.

They are now saying that the dry in should be complete by the end of September. I hope so....then when the colder months come they can work on the inside out of the weather. I know the children are ready for a place to call home and so am I.

M and E continue to do great in school. I am such a proud mom. M is such a great reader and she shows strength in math also. E is learning the parts of a book and all his colors. In the past he had no interest in this, but his teacher has changed that.

I will post more pictures as the walls go up

It has been a LOOOOONG time

Well it has been a while since my last post and so much has happened. We sold our house in January and we are now living in a small rental, but at least we have a place to stay. I took a new position at the company I work at so that has been very interesting. It was a good change, but it is always hard to make change. Eli got into the 4k program so he started his first day of school on August 16th. Madelyn has started the 1st grade. My how they grow. Madelyn also switched school this year, but I think it was a smart move. They are both such great kids. Madelyn learned so much last year in school. I was just amazed. I am sure the transition for Eli will be a little tough, but he really needs the structure of school. The school is very close to where we will be building our new house. We bought some land about 2 minutes from Joel's parents, which is wonderful. I love this community and think it will be GRAND for us.

I am planning to blog about our house process now and post pictures as it goes along. Below are some pictures from the first day of clearing. Going from this:

To this:

I will try to stay up on this because I want to be able to share with the children what is going on.

Craziness

On Friday me and the hubby took a day to try to get all of our shopping done. This is a major undertaking for us. We are sometimes finishing our shopping on Christmas Eve on the way to my in-laws. This year we have it so together. We had such a great time together on Friday. We went to a local metropolis to begin our hunt. Wasted trip.....we didn't buy a single thing, but lunch. So we drove back to the local metropolis, but they were out of everything we had our eye on. So we ended up buying more groceries than gifts. We came on Friday afternoon and ended up placing orders via the internet. Hopefully they will all arrive on time. If not, sorry kiddos....we tried. I am so excited about the weeks coming forward. There are so many great things happening. My baby girl will turn 6 soon. My how time flies. She is such an angel. She has a beautiful outlook on life, but such a tender heart. My sister will come home for the holidays so of course I can't wait for this. I miss her so. I wish she lived closer. I know that 3 hours isn't that far, but it seems like a world apart sometimes. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. Remember this is the birth of our savior.

Thankful for so much

Well another Thanksgiving has come and gone, but it was such a great one. I try to reflect often about the many things I am thankful for and I have so much it is overwhelming. Over the holiday my sister and her family came to visit for 4 days and that was just heaven. For all the fights we had growing up and how much I thought she hated me we have grown into such great friends. I love her so much and I am so thankful that I was blessed with a sister who loves me. She has given me so much love and allowed me to love her family. I even got to see my nephew Ben. I have not seen him since July because he is the college man, but he spent some time with his Auntie this week. Getting to see the twins is also a great treat. They are so sweet and respectful. Lori has done a great job with them.
Then on Thursday we celebrated at my in-laws house. I love Thanksgiving at the Simpson's. There is so much love that flows through this house. I am blessed with in-laws that love me and make me feel like I am one of their own children. Then I have my brother and sister in laws who are just the greatest. I love just to sit and talk with the entire family. Joel is usually pulling me away or telling me he is going to leave me there.
My sister, Ben, and I decided on Friday we would brave Walmart at 5 AM. How fun!!! I hope this starts a yearly tradition. We were home by 8:00 and the van was loaded down. Then my father and Modena came over from Pickens for an after Thanksgiving breakfast. I have such a loving wonderful father. He just amazes me. I am truly a thankful girl. It took me several years to realize what my father did for our family, but it finally sunk in.
I am also thankful that the Lord has kept Joel and I employed. Even with Joel being laid off once a month we are still thankful he has a job to go to. There are so many people that would love to have a job and both of us to so I am thankful.
Last but certainly not least I am thankful for my wonderful husband and babies. I went through such a valley before the Lord gave me Joel. I was so lost and searching for happiness, but couldn't find it anywhere. I had no love for myself and this person came along and has shown me so much love. I never have to doubt Joel's love for me. He shows me everyday which is so rare.
I also have two of the most precious, loving, beautiful children on the earth. I know everyone says that about their children, but mine really are. As wild as they are everyday at least I can hold and love on them. I hope to never take my children for granted. I love them so much. I don't claim to be the best parent ever, but I know my children know I love them.
I hope everyone who reads this realizes how much they have to be thankful for.

Back at it

I have been really slack about my blogging, but I am going to get back at it.

So much has happened in the last few months. Maddie has started kindergarten, Brother moved into a new class at preschool, and Joel and I are just loving life.

School has been a great transition for Maddie. She loves it and wants so bad to read. We practice all the time and I believe it will be very soon. Her teacher is great and says she is a joy and ray of sunshine to have in the class. Of course I have a tendency to agree with her completely. On Sunday after Halloween she had to separate all her candy by brand, tallied it and then added it all up. Hopefully this isn't a sign of a compulsive behavior. Maybe she is going to love math. Maddie is such a tender hearted person. She just loves people so much. I really hope she is able to distinguish bad people from good. It is a fear of mine that someone is just going to squish the love right out of her heart by letting her down or hurting her feelings. She is just so good.

Brother is going through a little running stage. He runs every where and the faster he runs the more he laughs. He ran away from me at the grocery the other day and almost made it to the front door before I caught him. I may have to get a leash or learn to laso so I can catch him easier. He is such a loving little boy and makes me smile like his sister does. Every morning when I get him out of his room he just pats my back. Then he makes me laugh every morning because as soon as he wakes up he wants breakfast. No sitting around pondering what he wants. It is just high gear and feed me so I can keep going.



Last night at church our pastor spoke of trust in the Lord. One lady mentioned that when she became saved that when an issue came up she would call the sisters in the church or the pastors wife. One day no one answered and she said the Lord spoke to her and asked her who she was going to call now. Sometimes we look all around for help and support when all we have to do is call on the Lord and TRUST that his will be done. Very eye opening. We put trust in so many other people and things. When all we have to do is trust in the Lord. Amazing!!