Weekend Update 4-24 through 4-26

Friday, Bill & I woke to a beautiful morning. Bill was going a bit stir crazy in the house, being he's been home, and working on the basement. We decided to get away for the day..without the kids. They were very open to the idea, and think they were glad to have a day to themselves too. They both did most of their school before we left, and worked hard to get it finished, because they were allowed a movie while we were gone. It had been a No TV, No Computer week here at the house.



Bill & I headed out around 9:30, and arrived on the coast around 11:30. We did some bumming around, hit the Christian Book store (spent over an hour there!) and then headed to our favorite place in Depot Bay, where we played some cards, and watched the beautiful ocean with the sunshine on it. It was only about 55 degrees with a cool breeze on the beach...so we didn't head down...admired it from inside! After a nice day together, we headed home for supper with the kids & Robert. Robert had worked all day, and there was lots of chatter at the supper table of all the events of the day. Bill took a few pictures..and as usual...he always likes to add something in there...just to keep me wondering what will be next!

Bill saw an earplug on the ground...this was my surprise picture! Sometimes its potatoes, sometimes it's his toes, you just never know what will be on a camera that Bill gets his hands on!

These next two pictures are just a longstanding joke with Bill & I...

He started this years ago....and we have lots of pictures of us coming out of outhouses!! First he checks to see if I've got the camera...then notice how he thought if he ducked below the car door coming out I would miss him....haha Bill...Still got ya!! Saturday, Bill finished all the wiring in the basement. The toilet arrived, and now the plumbing can begin! It was a cool day and overcast. Hard to take after the beautiful weather we had all week. We are hoping it will return.

We did get to the O'Hara's for dessert on Saturday night. It was nice to get back together, after all the sickness, and topsey turvey lives we've had over this last month or so. It was so good to sit around, visit & laugh. Friends of the O'Hara's brought a HUGE cow heart for me to dissect in my science class on Monday...I can hardly wait!! Ryan opened the fridge and said "It almost makes me not want to eat"! (Notice, he said almost!!) It is pretty big, and takes up a good portion of the shelf...but after tomorrow, it will be history! (or science!) I will be sure to post a link to our school page.

Sunday, we spent a nice day together, just relaxing. Bill & I had a nap, while Ryan, Hunter & Kristin played a few rounds of Rockstar on the X-Box that Hunter brought along....a nice Sunday. Ashley was on the lookout for feeder visitors....funny....the Richards Bird Diner!

Bathroom Project Progress

Bill & Robert worked in the basement most of today.

Kristin (AKA Fidget)--helping by checking the shower

Bill worked all morning & afternoon on running power. It is making it more visual of where everything will be. He's doing a really nice neat job...too bad no one will see how nice it looks once the walls are on!

Bill taking a break...nice tool belt?? Imported from PLAINS GEORGIA!! Bill's handiwork..new box and nice new wiring....

Robert worked on the shower, and chiseling a space for the P-Trap for the shower. If we had not chiseled into the basement floor, we would have had to raise the shower base another 5 inches (we are already raising it 3 1/2" due to the drain). Being there is no drain below the basement--we are "flushing up"--everything up & out! Our septic is almost at the same level if not a bit higher than our basement--due to it being off to the side of the house, and not below in the field (where our drain field is). After the wiring is finished...things will be at a standstill until the toilet and macerator/pump unit come. It is scheduled for delivery on Friday....then they can hook up the plumbing. With the pump, everything in the bathroom needs to be run into it, to be pumped up to the black pipe, which thankfully, is right on the same wall as the bathroom. Can't wait to see how cracking into that will be! Fun!! Stay tuned...we'll update you as more happens.

Roberts corner---Robert's superhero shower design (I told him it looked like a superhero emblem!)


All four walls in place....wired, and waiting for plumbing....

Birthdays & Projects

On Thursday, Bill & I headed to Corvallis for a Dr appointment, and then hit Home Depot for some supplies for the bathroom in the basement. Bill started on Friday AM putting up some walls, and working on the layout.

Bill with our makeshift toilet (bucket & a toilet seat!-for spacing only!!) Notice the stool & shopvac--in every remodel we've ever done!

Friday started early, with kids getting schoolwork finished so they could help make a special cake. Kristin had help finishing her work this morning!

Kristin working on her school with Mary Mae and Betty Lou (The beauty of homeschool...sitting on your bed in your jammies, working on your devotion)

Robert's birthday was on Wednesday....so we celebrated on Friday with a few close friends. We had ice cream cake with the O'Hara's & the VonRuden's. We had a nice visit, and lots of laughs.

Robert & his ice cream cake....Jami & Jeremy

Kimberly made Robert a special egg for his birthday.......

Alexis & Kristin managed to get an overnighter worked out--and they were asleep within 30 minutes of everyone leaving. They slept until 7:30 or 8:00 and then had some breakfast. Bill was teasing Alexis because her hair kept hitting her cereal bowl, and we thought it would be drug through her milk...so Bill helped her out with a clothes pin!

Alexis & her cereal bowl hair keeper!

The girls headed outside after breakfast, and it was about 10 when they came back in, cold, and decided to snuggle under blankets on the couch and visit with some girl talk. They weren't there very long until both of them were sleeping!! They had a two hour nap, and then spent the rest of the day hanging out.

Bill and three of four bathroom walls and the door for the closet.

Chance, JayDee & Jeremy

Bill worked in the basement, until friends Jami & Jeremy came over, bringing their shepherd Chance. We've decided to give JayDee an opportunity to have a litter before we have her fixed. They are both inexperienced, but did enoy hanging out together today. We'll get them together tomorrow, and see how they do.

Chance...isn't he beautiful??

Easter & Beyond

Wow...it's almost Friday and I've not posted Easter events! I say "almost" Friday because I still have 50 minutes until it is official!

This Easter's events were very different. I know the kids are getting older, since they boiled their own eggs this year, dried them, and dyed them all on their own. No help from Mom...hence, no pictures until it was all over. I was crushed and proud all at the same time. No Easter Egg hunt this year either. They are certainly growing up.

Sunday morning came and since we were home and not camping for the first Easter in many years, the Easter Bunny had no trouble finding us, and although times are tough for him too...he still was able to stuff a few goodies in the kids baskets. Candy production must have been low this year! The economy has hit everyone! Kristin was thrilled with a Disney Fairy Book, and Ryan loved the game that was in his basket....everyone was happy. We headed off to church to celebrate the real reason for Easter...He Is Risen!!

We had a nice quiet Easter dinner here with Robert. Ham, cream cheese potatoes, deviled eggs, and caesar salad. It was yummy...and we were all stuffed afterward! Robert brought out some great family movies and we laughed the evening away.

Kristin's rats have settled in, and Mary Mae loves to hang around on a shoulder or tucked in a pocket, or a hood. They are pretty fun, and I'm surprised at how clean they actually are. Bill has even tolerated them. Here he is with Mary Mae.

She Did It!

It was three months, and a lot of work, but Kristin finally did it!!!

Lets back up to the drive home from Tam & Eric's in GA at Christmas. Kristin was stating how she wanted a pet that was just hers for her room. She was thinking turtle, but really wanted something she could play with that would respond back to her. Our response was that we didn't care what she got (short of another Dog or Cat) and that she had to pay for whatever it was that she bought, and all the care was left to her. The big kicker though, was that she had to keep her room clean for three months before we would allow her, and she had to know the care and cost for purchase for whatever it was that she chose to get. In those three months she was allowed three "goofs" as far as her room was concerned. She only used two--and not only did she keep her room clean, but she has saved her birthday money (Yep, from October), her Christmas money, and allowance in between. The only thing she spent was for some Christmas gifts at Christmas...nothing for herself. She's our saver!! Long story short--she's spent three months researching animals, and decided on a rat. They are the cleanest of all animals, very smart, trainable, and very interactive. Kristin knows just about everything there is to know about a rat.

SO....April 1st, Kristin said...hey, my three months is up...when are we going to Eugene (the big pet store is there). I told her I wouldn't be taking them to work much because I'm having very long days when I go in, and until the new computer system is old hat, they will stay at home. We did however, have Dr Appointments in Corvallis on the 2nd....so Kristin looked up pet stores in the phone book, and the chain she liked in Eugene was also in Corvallis. So, she packed her purse with her stash ($101.71) and off we headed to the DR's. After their appointments (check ups--since our insurance is ending at the end of the month), we headed to the pet store. Kristin (Miss Thrifty) finds out we can save 10% if we sign up for their "prefered member" card, which is free--so she walks out saving 11.00! We agreed to go half with her on the cage, since we went halves with Ryan on the guitar. SO..after all her spending, she still had over 40.00 left...and an awesome 4 story cage! I call it the Rat Condo!

We arrived home, and Daddy helped Kristin put the Condo together. Kristin's friend Makinzie helped her set up the Condo "rat style" (Makinzie has mice--so she knew kind of what they liked!), and the girls spent an hour decorating, organizing and setting up (I can't believe I didn't get any pictures...I've been slacking there!). We told her the cage had to be set up before we would get the rats.

Our friend Robert who is living with us now, thinks we are INSANE--but he's a great sport about it all. Here he is (now clean shaven...we thought the beard looked OK...but he's sporting a nice clean shaven face) with his famous mix of Top Ramen, Tuna & the secret ingredient (OK to tell???)--I'll save the secret until we make sure it's OK to tell!! At any rate...a side of olives, and you have a complete meal! He's been great to have around...we love to hear him sing at night. Too bad we didn't have sound piped upstairs!

As for the rats, Kristin also had checked out where she wanted to purchase them. She had been to all the local pet stores, and we hit the OK Feed Store down the hill from us. They had very nice rats, and she knew this is where she wanted to go...PLUS...they were 2.99 each, and everywhere else they were 5-7.00 each. She headed to bed last night, VERY excited.

At 3AM Kristin was awake with a fever of 101. The night before, she had been up with a fever of 102.5, but she's only waking with these fevers, and is fine during the day, nothing seems to be wrong. Very strange. At any rate, she woke this morning excited, and ready to go get her rats. She had called last night, and found out when they opened, so at 8:30, we were at the feed store, purchasing their last two girl rats!!

Betty Lou & Maisey May came home in a cardboard box, and were pretty scared...so scared that they tried to run up Kristin's jacket sleeve as she was putting them in their cage!! It's been a fun afternoon, and they are the most friendly little critters I've seen. They will come to you when you open the cage, crawl in your hand, and let you haul them around. So far, the cats are only curious, and Ashley let Kristin hold Betty Lou on the couch, and she didn't seem to care she was there. We will use lots of caution there though!

Here they are....Betty Lou is the grey hooded white rat, and Maisy May is the butterscotch hooded white rat. They both snuggle like this to go to sleep...way cute. I'm sure you'll see more pictures soon. I guess I need to add them to the gallery of pets on the blog now, huh?!!

Busy Weekend with Friends

It was a busy weekend here in Sweet Home! We enjoyed a fun weekend visiting with Jen & Brady, along with the kids Brooklyn & Jason. Kristin & Jason were inseparable...and Ryan spent lots of time with Brooklyn--and she even shared some of her time with me!! (She usually gives ALL her attention to Ryan!)

Saturday morning we spent some time visiting, and the guys took off for a church Mens BBQ. Jen's sister, Melissa, along with hubby Rodney, and son Brandon showed up for a visit. We enjoyed watching the kids play, and spent some time catching up. It's amazing how much kids grow in just a few months!

After a while, Jen's Brother Eric (the third of the triplets) showed up with his new toy...a quad. Jason couldn't get his shoes on fast enough to get outside to see it. First sitting on it was OK, then having it run and sitting on it was OK...then he wanted a ride (OK, it was actually Jenny who wanted the ride). Uncle Eric unloaded the quad and gave Jen & Jason a ride...then Jen & Rodney each took a solo ride. As you can see from the pictures, there were smiles on everyones faces---except for Brooklyn, who was very scared of it! Eric & his new girlfriend Sandy visited for a short time, and then took off to go play on the new quad.
Uncle Eric & Jason on the QuadRodney & his great Wii form!

We spent an afternoon of playing Wii...as the outside time was done, and it was raining. Three of the kids napped...and the adults visited and had quite a challenge on Wii. I must say, Rodney has great form! The guys showed up, and we visited more, until Rodney, Lissa & Brandon headed for home. Jen & I made Alfredo & Spaghetti, and enjoyed fresh rolls, which Brooklyn helped me bake.


Kristin & Brooklyn jumping rope on the Wii

We enjoyed an evening of visiting, and Robert agreed to play us some tunes on the guitar...which we all enjoyed.

Sunday morning we headed to church, unfortunately without Bill who was suffering a migraine, and enjoyed a great message. Afterward, we headed home for lunch....which Brooklyn made all by herself!! It seemed all too soon as they packed up & headed for home. It was a great visit...but certainly much too long in between!


Brooklyn fixing her own sandwich


Until next time....

Sweet Home Guests

This has been a busy week! I spent two days training on a new computer system at Joe's in Eugene. It's been a long time since I've driven to Eugene more than one day in a row!! It was a nice change for a few days, and the kids stayed home and did school with Bill. They did great, and even said it was fun to do school with Dad. Thanks Bill, for helping out!

Robert moved in on Tuesday. He's a friend from church, and needed a place to stay. He's been our house sitter, so it seemed like a logical move. We've enjoyed his humor and his singing around the house. He's moved into the basement (YES, we cleaned it!) and it seems to be working out well so far for him.

On Tuesday night, we joined the O'Hara's at the VonRuden's for a fun BBQ. We enjoyed some good company, and lots of laughs. Sorry, no pics! Alexis came home with us, and she & Kristin spent all day Wednesday just being girls, doing a lot of talking, and having fun being together....without other siblings around. It was nice to have just one at a time.

Wednesday night, Bill headed to Bible study and I took Alexis home, and dropped off Ryan to spend the night with Declan, and brought Tanya & Alyona home for a turn. It was funny to see how the girls did different things. They spent Thursday playing games, and even sunned themselved on the porch while giving each other make overs. Tanya was a makeover gone bad, when Alyona & Kristin played a joke on her, and put purple eye shadow all over her face. I must say, she's cute in purple!! She was a great sport about it, and even a ham when I asked to take her picture. Note the great eye trick!!

On Wednesday night, Sean sent us a link for a corner shower on Craigs List. Bill checked it out on THursday morning, and we headed out to check it out. It was listed as ALMOND..which made me nervous, but when we got there, the color was only almond because it needed cleaned so badly. We paid our fees, loaded it up, and brought it home. I was a very well made corner shower, with glass doors, and brass hardware. Bill worked a good portion of the morning scrubbing it clean. The color on the back says "Bone White" and that's what it is!! Great job Bill! Thanks Sean for the find!


Friday, Jen, Brady & the kids came for the weekend. We had a great visit this evening and the kids finally got their Christmas gifts. We hope we don't go this long again without seeing each other...it was a long haul--but great to be back together.

Stay tuned for more pictures......

Peace at Last

On Tuesday our friend Mike was welcomed by Jesus into the Kingdom of Heaven. His fight here on earth is done, and even though we prayed for a miracle, God had other plans. The shepherd took one of his flock home, where there will be no more hurt, pain or suffering for Mike.

Please keep Debbie in your prayers as she starts a new chapter in her life. She was at church service tonight, and was doing very well. May God continue to give her peace, and we are thankful that she had these last few weeks with Mike.

Coastal Getaway

With all the stresses that life throws you when your life changes...it's good to know that good friends can sometimes see what you need more than you can. Sean suggested to Bill last week that we get away for a few days, and regroup. Even though we are home together, the busy days of the routine get in the way. Tracey set up a two night stay in Newport at a great place. Sean & Tracey watched the kids for us. We can't thank them enough. We arrived around 5 on Wednesday...and stepped into the "Captains Quarters"...a beautiful room with a great view of the bay in Newport...right in old town. At 5pm in the winter, the sidewalks roll up, and it got very quiet...well, as quiet as it can be with many sea lions below your room! Thankfully, they did get quiet at night.

We spent a lazy day on Thursday, walking the shops of old town, not buying much (a few gifts for upcoming birthdays) but just enjoying window shopping. We did splurge on a big lunch at the Sea Hag in Depot Bay...our favorite chowder/dinner place. We had a few great games of cribbage (it obviously was not my day--as Bill whipped me twice) and then headed back to our room for a quiet evening.

We woke early on Friday, not ready to head home, but that "have to go" feeling hung in the air. We headed out...enjoyed a nice lunch with the O'Hara Clan, visited with Nana (Tracey's Mom) before heading home for the afternoon. Thanks Sean & Tracey...for a good two days away.

Check out the video...you'll see & hear our Sea Lion Serenade!

Congratulations Kristin & Other Tidbits

Kristin joined Awana's about a month ago, and worked really hard to earn her vest/shirt. To earn this, you have to memorize the "Start Zone", which consists of many bible verses and life lessons. We were very proud of her!In other news...the basement is getting an overhaul. It's been a collective project, with Kristin & I working to get things cleared out (two big boxes to Goodwill), and Ryan & Bill tearing out the carpet from the floor and the one wall. Why the wall was carpeted is beyond us! At any rate, we're hoping to do some low budget fixes and maybe if funds allow, start on the downstairs.

The promise of spring & new growth is in the air. As spring arrives, we pray that it brings with it the new growth that needs to occur here in our house. Life as we know it has been topsy turvy, and we pray that the promise of Spring will bring new things with it. Keep us in prayer as Bill continues to look for work and decides if he will return to school. Pray for guidance, and for that rose to bloom better than it ever has before.

Thanks....