Drumroll, Please...

I realize this has taken a long time, but blogging took the holiday off as well. I am sure the next few posts, full of holiday celebrations, will make up for the recent lack.

But here it is, the unveil of our home improvements thus far. Obviously, we are quite enthused. I am sure to some it would be a disappointment that we removed the overstated wallpaper or intense accent walls (please reference the previous post for a reminder of such elements). I always think about that show on TLC, "Moving Up," where former owners come back and are so distraught that the new residences have gotten rid of certain elements in the house that they obviously loved, so hopefully no one was too attached, but they just weren't for us. So we spent hours (and hours, repeat this a few more times) removing every last fragment of the wallpaper and then had it repainted and the floors redone. We were pleased with the effect.

But, listen to me ramble on...without further ado (I have always wanted to say that), here are the new pictures of the house.

So there you have it. Now all we have to do is get all our furniture and other things moved in...no small feat. But this house will very quickly be a home. Thank you to everyone that helped- and the list is quite long!

But, we couldn't have done it without you.

Sold!!!

Well, for those that haven't heard...we bought a house! We are really blessed, busy, exhausted, in debt, but most of all excited. We are making some repairs and improvements which is taking a large amount of our time (hence the reason this post is so long in coming). We feel very lucky and exceptionally blessed to have found a house that is everything we were looking for. And, we are looking forward to making this house our home. There is much to be grateful for this season, and this is a big one for us.

Like I mentioned, we are making some changes before we move in. So I am adding the before pictures right now, and will add the after pictures as soon as there are after pictures.

Enjoy! (I know we will).

He came into the world, even Jesus...

I can't express how much I love this season. Beyond the festivities and present giving, it is the one time of year I feel we are all a little more kind, loving and considerate of everyone, even those we don't know. And, although it should be like this always, this is the one time of year we are all a little more Christ-like.

We attended the Bentonville Christmas parade the other day. It was so much fun! Cody rode on one of the floats, playing a shepherd in the Nativity scene (I know, don't you love his get-up; he wore a wig and everything). It was pointed out that in year's past there has only been the one float representing Jesus Christ and the Nativity. And, although this year was filled with a fair share of Santa's workshops and little elves, I am pleased to say this year I counted four Christ centered floats. It was a fun event, and I am glad that all aspects of the season were represented.

Let me just say how grateful I am for the savior, for his birth and his life and the sacrifice he made for all of us. I know he lives! And, I know he came to this earth to give us all the chance to return to him someday. I am so grateful for a holiday that stands as such a poingnant reminder of his birth and life.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Countdown...

We started this year's Christmas season off by making gingerbread houses. And, before you "ooh" and "aw" too much, I should mention that when I say "we" I mean mostly Cody. I tell you this because I don't want to falsely steal credit for Cody's genius gingerbread design. He really is talented in gingerbread construction.

I have made several gingerbread houses in my time, and not one (until this day) survived the evening. Mine usually end up resembling the "Money Pit" house, with the roof caved in on the remainder of the house, basically a big pile of sugary rubble.

Now, on my behalf, I did assist with this year's creation of which I take pride. After Cody constructed the base of the structure, I applied the initial frosting base to apply the gingerbread (really, they were graham crackers, but nevertheless). I feel it was a success from the sheer fact that I touched it and it is still standing 4 days later.

This activity has assured me of two things; one, that whether my gingerbread house stands or falls, I love this season. I love the chance we have to celebrate the Savior's birthday, for he is the true reason for this all. And, two, this proves once again that Cody is my perfect match, he is strong where I am weak and together we stand stronger than apart.

Big #5

Cody and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary this past week. It is amazing to me to think that we have been together for 5 years and the time has gone by so quickly.

To celebrate we had a night away (special thanks to the Shepherds for making that possible). Cody had planned a romantic getaway evening, and it was so nice. We went to Twilight (see what a great hubby I have, he let me choose the movie-- I won't mention that he read the books and wanted to see it also...oops, hehe). We saw it opening night but during the afternoon which helped us avoid the Twilighter crowds. Then we went for a romantic Italian dinner, where we shared a meal (again, my sweet husband appeasing me- I wanted to share a meal- which I am sure for some springs to mind a picture of Lady and the Tramp sharing a romantic spaghetti dinner, but that's okay-- I still loved it!)

And then we spent the night in a beautiful hotel downtown. Now, I may be bragging on Cody too much, but he really is the romantic. He checked out a dozen different hotels to pick the best one, I mean he went there in person to see the place. He really is something, isn't he?!

To top everything off, Cody bought me a new wedding band lined with diamonds. Now I don't agree with the whole "diamonds is a girl's best friend" thing (which some may, and that is okay). Don't get me wrong, I loved the new ring, a little more sparkle is always nice, but I'll take one amazing husband over diamonds any day.

Graduation...

We attended my Grandfather's funeral this past weekend, which we lovingly refer to as his "graduation" from this life. He was such a strong willed and independent man, despite his many trials. There is no way we could understand what he had to bear. For those who did not know him, he suffered from Norrie's disease, which causes blindness, deafness, and other circulatory problems. So he lived much of his life in his own world, literally, but he endured it well.

He was stubbornly persistent in his devotion to his family, beliefs, and faith. I know he lived this life valiantly, and that is something we can all strive for. So I know that although he has passed on, really he has just graduated from this stage to be happily reunited with his sweetheart in heaven. I know I will see him again someday, and he too will be able to see me. I have many fond memories of him, which I will cherish. I loved him very much, and although he will be missed, I am very happy for him, because I know he has graduated to a much better place.

I Passed...

So, there will not be any pictures with this post, which I think, after you read it, you will be glad for the courtesy. I have decided, just like in school, where you pass from grade to grade based on your performance the same is true in motherhood. As your children get older, you learn new things and then there is a test. If you perform well enough on this test, you are passed to the next level.

Some of you heard this story before, but I will add it in for those who haven't. A few months ago, Rya and I were enrolled in a Mommy-n-Me swim class. Things were going swimmingly (excuse the pun) until the third to last class. Now going into this class, I would have never expected it to be different than any of the other classes, but I was in for a surprise. With about ten minutes left in the class, we had reached the part where we dunk our child under water. This part always makes me nervous so I was very concentrated on Rya. I dunked her and when she came out rather than sputtering for air, she was smiling. (Too be honest looking back, I think she knew something I didn't, but I digress.) I was so excited that for that moment I was totally focused on Rya. It was when I finally looked up that I noticed something different about the pool. It was as though someone had dumped dirt and leaves in the pool, or something....and then it clicked. Maybe it was the other mothers staring at me or maybe realization was just hitting me. Rya had blown out of her pants. At that moment, I felt like I was back in elementary school, having just done something wrong, and wondering if there were anyway to pretend it didn't happen to avoid telling the teacher. Being a grown-up can be so hard sometimes. There was no avoiding this, I sheepishly approached our instructor and explained what happened. They then had to evacuate the pool and cancel classes for the next 24 hours. I was mortified-- like I had just been sat in the corner in front of the whole class. Everyone was very understanding about it, but I couldn't bring myself to return for the remainder of the classes. Now, really, would you?

So this was the beginning of my lesson. Since then we have had several instances of bedwetting, and diapers overflowing. Nothing nerely as embarrasing, but if nothing else a nuisance to clean up. I guess you could say, we have been studying hard. Well, it all culmenated to my test, which happened yesterday. I was giving Rya a bath. After soaping her up, I let her play for a while. I was standing right there at the mirror putting on my makeup. I guess it serves me right for taking my eyes off of her for a moment. About a minute later, I looked over at her and had to look again. There was something, no, a lot of somethings floating in the water. You got it, we had another pool incident, but this time I would have to clean it up. I had a new empathy for the guys that cleaned the pool.

Now, I know for most of the mothers, you will just smile and nod, all having gone through this situation. But I feel this was my test. And when I saw what was going on, there was no gag reflex, just a little laugh and then immediate action. I got it all cleaned up and taken care of without much thought of how truly gross it was. It was a proud moment upon reflection. I passed a new level in motherhood, one where your children's bodily functions is just another day on the job. Now, I am sure this is not the end of this lesson altogether, but at this moment, I feel I have moved a step closer to being the kind of mom I want to be. On this particular test, I feel I passed.