The Deck.

Mike has designed the most amazing deck (porch) for us.

It's architectarally beautiful and it's coming along quite nicely.

The other day it was time to stain the upper boards on the roof.

First Mike had to clean and sand them ... so he used his scaffolding to make this easier.

Guess who else likes the scaffolding ...



Mike got his handy dandy paint sprayer out and it made it a pretty fast job.

Notice Griffin over on the steps ... though he's in his bathing suit, he's wearing the swim goggles as "work" goggles to protect his eyes from the over spray. He's so funny.



The natural wood is gorgeous however we had to stain and seal it to protect it from the elements ... we chose this beautiful natural stain finish.

Can you see the difference?



Here's a closer look ...


It is absolutely GORGEOUS!!

It's going to be a screen enclosed deck/porch ... it's going to be fantastic!

Unbelievable.

Yesterday I opened the door to discover this ...


I couldn't believe it.

Jasper had destroyed my big beautiful boston fern planted in the antique pickle barrel.

When I was cleaning it up a little lizard came out of the fern ... pretty sure he was after the lizard and not the fern.

{sigh}

Happy Birthday Caden!

The day Hurricane Irene was whipping through our area we helped our friend Caden celebrate his very first birthday!

The sweet birthday boy ...



Caden's Mommy Shebly made this darling birthday banner for him



Caden's grandpa carved this amazing Winnie the Pooh out of a watermelon



The cake was delicious and it was dairy free!



Griffin had such a good time ... thank you for including us Andy, Shelby and Caden

A Chair Built For 4.

In our house Daddy's chair is built for four ...


Mike, Griffin, Jasper and Oliver

A Surprise In My Backpack.

The other day when Griffin got off the school bus he said Mommy I have a surprise in my backpack. I said great buddy you can show me when we get home.

Thinking it was more than likely something he chose from the teacher's prize box or perhaps something he created in art.

Instead, he pulled this out ...


Once we arrived home he was digging in his backpack and pulled out this little yellow flower. He said Mommy this is for you.

My heart melted.

He said he had found it in the morning in PE and knew I would like it. So, all through PE he held on to it. Then when he returned to his room he put it in his backpack.

I can absolutely say this is one of the sweetest most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me. Knowing my little boy saw something he thought I would like and then making sure to give it to me ... well, I'm just moved to pieces.


The absolute best gift in the world is one given with a pure heart.

I love you buddy. =)

Help Bring Alan Jackson To Mineral!

I live in a tiny little town right outside the town of Mineral, VA.

On August 23rd a 5.8 earthquake rocked our area and caused severe damage.

The local Louisa County High School has been condemned. The high school is currently sharing the middle school. The high schoolers have classes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. The middle schoolers are going Tuesday, Thursday and every other Saturday (yes Saturday!). They have also condemned one of the elementary schools and those children are being sent to another elementary school.

Many folks aren't even aware of this as the media chose to concentrate on the surrounding areas (such as Washington, DC and New York). Mineral, VA was the epicenter of this earthquake and they need YOUR help!!

In an effort to raise awareness and to possibly help with donations to the disaster relief fund ... please, please, PLEASE help bring country singer Alan Jackson to Mineral, VA!!

All you have to do is click on the following link. Then choose Mineral, VA. You will need to know to type in zip code 23117.

If you will ... please take just a moment to do this.

Here's the link:



Share this link with your friends, family, bloggers, facebook ... anyone you would like!!

It takes 30 seconds to place your vote.

Don't forget ....

Mineral, VA

Zip Code 23117

Cub Scouts ~ Tiger

Griffin started Cub Scouts last night ... it's his first year and he is a Tiger.

We are very lucky to have two wonderful men as his scout leaders. He already knows most of the boys in his group and looks forward to having an awesome time!


He was super excited to go and participate. The whole way there he talked about being like Russell (from the movie Up!) and how he was able to wear his uniform and earn badges. It was a.dor.a.ble!


Their first project last night was to create a scrapbook page called "About Me". I was super excited myself to be able to help the boys with this. I gathered up some scissors, glue, papers and stickers so the boys could create a page.

The boys were asked to bring a family picture and some magazines to cut out some things they found interesting as well.

It was great fun ... I think I had as much fun as Griffin did!

It's going to be an awesome year in Tigers!!

10 years ago.

No words could accurately describe how I felt that day.

Three words still ring true for me ... United We Stand!

GOD BLESS AMERICA.