Thursday, April 7

it's 3:45 am. i got up a little awhile ago because i didn't want to wake Brian with my tossing and turning. this pregnancy has been harder on me than any of the others. i've been struggling with nausea and weariness and insomnia. but it's really hard to complain, because i know there's a reason for it all, and that makes it so bearable! 

this week is flying by for me. i worked my last day for Classical Conversations on tuesday. despite all the struggle i had with people at the beginning, i'm so glad i stuck with it and finished out the year. i met some wonderful ladies and really enjoyed working with the kiddos. i just really enjoy working with kids. i'm thinking i'll go back to work for them at the beginning of the fall semester until the baby is born. the money helps and it would be nice to have the interaction with other moms. as a thank you, the toddler moms chipped in and bought me a $65 Target gift card. that was totally unexpected! what a blessing! i was in Target the day before and ended up putting some things back that i had intended to buy.

i had another thing happen to me this week that just reminded me how much God cares for me. i've been searching all over for this one library book, the Bearnstain Bears book about teasing. i tore up the camper looking for it, cleaned the boys room from top to bottom last week looking for it, looked through all our bookshelves, but couldn't find it anywhere. on Monday i was at it again, looking through the boys' room for that book. i had been praying as i cleaned, and just asked God to show me where it was. not ten seconds later i looked under William and Samuel's bunk bed, where i had looked countless times, and there was the book! God is good. i don't know why i ever doubt.

i spent yesterday sewing and cooking and thrifting. i found some great odds and ends for the house yesterday as well as a bunch of shirts for Samuel. i am proud to report that i did not go walk my four miles. i always feel good about myself when i break out of routines like that and realize that i won't die because i didn't do my usual ______. i did not die and it was good for me to take a rest. such is the life of an OCD person.

Friday, April 8

here's the first little installment of home pics. here's the room we did over recently. it's still not finished. the book shelves need a maple stain to match the mantle, but little projects like that tend to hang over for a long time, so we decided to go ahead and fill the shelves with books and stuff.

i'm kind of crazy for color and action so there are patterns and colors everywhere in my house. if you knew this room before the face lift, you'll remember that there was a large accordion door separating this room from the rest of the house. we removed that and shrunk the opening by a couple of feet and put in these french doors. in hindsight, we wish we'd have put in pocket doors like we put in the bathroom as they have a more MCM feel, but i guess that'll be fore the next remodel.

by the time we finished the room and got to the floor we were coming the bottom of our cash and decided to paint the floor instead of staining, saving us close to 1K. we had previously painted it a reddish color. this is a dark brown, but when it scratches, the red shows through giving it a kind of cool look. but it does show up the dirt like nothing else. sheesh.

i've got a love/hate relationship with this fireplace. i DO NOT like the look of it. it was added in the 70's and the limestone is hideous. would have much rather had the red sandstone that is on the outside of the house used on it. but we sure love the functionality of it!

my favorite part of the room is the new set of windows! it allows me to watch the garden grow. and look at all the toys the kids drag out in the yard. and when it's cool enough out i can crank them open and enjoy some fresh air.

there is so little wall space in this room, but what there is i've covered with my kiddos artwork (except the crooked-hanging  fabric wall art next to the books shelf - a bargain from Target).

and lastly, here's the computer desk and the back door. this door used to be the door from the utility room to the side yard, but we replaced that with a window, not needing a door there, and put the door here. the wall this door is on used to be taken up with the world largest sliding glass door. we were so happy to see that go.

this room used to be the most despised one in the house, but since working it over a bit, we've grown to really enjoy it.

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last night i took William and John to baseball. Leah brought Patrick (he plays on the same team), so she and i got to catch up with each other. it's been so long since we've spent time together. after practice i invited her over and we sat around yacking and watching the shocking episode of American Idol where Pia got sent home.

i shelved books at the library this morning. i haven't told Ms. Cobb that i'm pregnant, but i was feeling so sick i wondered if i looked green to her. i think this baby is making up for all the morning sickness i didn't have with my others. between the nausea, the bone tiredness and the insomnia, it's been a hard few weeks.

since the weather is so nice, tonight we're planning on going over to CM after dinner to hear Rattle Tree Marimba. so happy to resume this friday night tradition!

tomorrow Mama is coming to take the kids away for the rest of the weekend. Brian and i have been looking forward to a date for weeks (months).

well, i have lots i need to get done before i need to pick up my dear ones from school. have a blessed weekend, y'all.