Another Hard Week

I have been using the Progesterone cream for the last 3 months now. I have made great improvements while using the cream and doing better than I have done in years! Then this last week came a lot of ups and downs. I began to think I was pregnant, but tested neg. Then as the days have gone by I began to have even more pregnancy symptoms. Still neg! The last test I took I just KNEW would be pos, but no. It's wearing on my emotions. It just so hard to sorta get excited (even talk names) and then hope is dashed away. I don't really know what to do now. Still COULD be preg...what to do? It's just been hard! It's not that I would be mad if I knew for sure I wasn't preg., but I just want a for sure. Just plain HARD!

A Lovely Evening Together

Well, I might have not been completely accurate in the title. Let's just call it sarcasm :) Ever since moving into our humble home we have had issues with the toilet's plumbing. Problems:

1. Teeny Tiny Toilet that NO adult can sit on comfortably.
2. The toilet is at least 2" away from the wall.
3. Cast Iron Pipes
4. Improper flange...yes I know all about this stuff now!
5. Nearly no wax ring

...thanks to the horrible contractor the owner hired to flip the home.

So with that said...a year or so after moving in we started discovering these issues when we noticed water under the flooring. We patched the problem and really hoped that would be the end of it. Now 3 years later we still have not put tile down on the hardy backer and we started to notice the toilet ran non-stop. Then we discovered the dreaded black mold on top of all our previous work. Sat. Ryan and I went out and found a toilet and Sun. I managed to talk Ryan into installing the new toilet. We quickly got into more than we EVER expected. The bolts were rusted out and once we finally got them loose, I realized we got the wrong toilet. I then found out we had only an hour to get to Home Depot two towns away. Once we got home we ate and got the boys to bed and began scraping up two layers of sub floor. NASTY, NASTY, NASTY!!! EWWWWWWWWWW!!! So gross! We worked until 1am on just the floor. We still do not have a toilet installed and oh yeah...it's a one bath house! Please don't ask about specifics on that!!! I have never been so excited to get a new toilet! Praise God for indoor plumbing!!!

At least we got time together, though we both were sick to our stomachs the whole time :(

Growing, Growing....

This would be Joseph's growth chart. At five years old he measures for a 7-8 year old boy. Yep, of course I shouldn't be surprised, cause he has been at 75%-100+% ever since he was 3 mos. old. It is just amazing to see it on paper and our Dr. is in awe of it every time! With cousins of mine that measure 6'4" and above it is obviously hereditary. I have actually had people tell me he was tall from all that formula I had to supplement with, just to keep up. Yep people are cruel! If that be the case then I beg the question, why is Thomas on the average size? They both had formula!

Anywho...just thought I'd share. Before long he will have us eaten out of the house and be towering over me. Please don't let it go so fast!

Welcome Fall...

since you will be around for a few months, I thought I would make you feel welcome with a new look. Also did you notice our new title? Yep, thought I would change it up a bit. The old title never grew on me. This one seems to fit much better!

Recently I discovered a new favorite bible verse:

"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:5-7

God's word is so inspiring and uplifting.

Happy Birthday To My Favorite Blonde-Headed Boy!

I can't believe it...I am officially the mother of a five-year-old boy. At 1:28pm on Oct. 5, 2004 we became the proud and blessed parents of Joseph Allen. He has been about as easy as his delivery was. I only labored with him for about 4 1/2 hours.

Joseph we are so blessed to have the pleasure of raising such a fine young boy. You are very laid back and easy going. You developed a sweet friendship with your favorite stuffed animal, "bear-bear". In fact, I bought a 2nd just in case "bear-bear #1" didn't hold up. You make friends easily, but are VERY cautious in everything you do (especially around water more than 1ft deep). You like to giggle a lot which then turns to hiccups. Your best bud is your brother Thomas, though you are sometimes worst enemies. You don't get upset too easily, but when you do you let everyone know. You have a gentle spirit and love animals and babies. You used to not let Mommy give you kisses, but you finally realized that kisses are okay from Mommy :). You are my favorite shopping buddy and enjoy going out just about anywhere! We often get some of the best questions from you about God and you are quickly learning the teachings. We just started school this year (a year early). When you try hard you do very well, but sometimes you get easily discouraged. Your favorite school is Sunday School and you are making many friends there. I enjoy hearing your prayers and am often surprised by what is on your heart.

Happy 5th Birthday Joseph Allen! What a blessing these 5 years have been!!!