Attic Reno 16

I had purchased a desk off of a Facebook for sale group several months ago.  I've been itching to tackle this project and get it placed in our attic space and begin to utilize it.  The before pic:

 And after:

 Paint color: Tidal Teal from Lowes.  

 Found the awesome knobs at Hobby Lobby.

 The cubby on top I purchased from a friend (Thanks, Nicole!).  It holds loads of cards and other essential mailing items.  The chair was purchased from a barn sale-already the orange color.  I've found this is a great spot to park myself during afternoon nap time for the boys.  My sweet little corner of office space :)

Attic Reno 15

Attic reno continues with the finishing of the stairwell banister.  Justin, the patient Papa that he is, allowed Kale to help him prime the woodwork for the project.  Then after Kale was in bed, he went out and took care of the finishing paint.

 A view looking up to the landing.  (Sidenote: I scored the fabulous table at a garage sale...)

 A view from the landing looking up toward the master suite.

 And finally, a view from the master suite looking down to the landing.

Super duper close to be completely finished with the attic project now!

Our not so little boy

I have become increasingly more aware that my Kale is not such a little boy anymore and my heart hurts just a little bit.

 This boy who it seems was just born a few months ago is already writing his name and has favorite friends and doesn't always want his mama to read him stories at night.

 This boy who will turn four years old next month that now ventures outside to play with Cedar all by himself and dresses himself and goes potty all.by.himself.

 This boy who goes on dates with me to orchestra concerts and holds real conversations about instruments, cars and what he did while mama was away.  I hope he'll always want to date me!

 This boy.  I'm wanting to stop time for this boy.  I'm wanting to read and research for all the questions he'll have for me.  I'm wanting to hold him in my arms and not let any harm come to him.  That's where God comes in and reminds me that he is His and I must trust.  This boy.  Oh how I love this boy.

Easter 2014

Easter 2014 was special in many ways.  It was the first year Kale "hunted" for eggs, it was Grey's 1st Easter, Papa preached at church, and we spent the day with D's family in some amazing weather after a very cold start to spring.

 Kale has a firm grasp on the Easter story and has really taken to the Resurrection Eggs this year.  I think it will be cool in a few years when he can lead Grey through the story of the cross.

 We managed to get ready and out the door to be at church early for Papa so he could get prepared to give his message.  He retold the story of the events leading up to the cross and then focused on the veil being torn and how the separation between God and man was no more.  I've even got a cool piece of purple fabric to put in Greyson's baby book, that Justin utilized as an illustration during his message.

 We have much to smile about in celebrating our risen Lord!

Brotherly Love

Big brother Kale has taken to Baby Grey quite well.

Kale enjoys helping with Grey when he can, checking on him, letting me know when he's spit up.

After the bedtime routine is done, Kale will often request to tell Baby Grey goodnight, one more time.

He talks of being excited for Grey to be bigger so he can play "chase yous" and basketball with he and Papa.

He occasionally wants to hold him but prefers that Baby Grey is quiet while doing so.

After one particularly rough night, I jokingly asked Kale if we should take Grey back to the hospital and Kale responded, "No, Mama.  He's a part of our family."

 These two boys.  These boys with their soft cheeks and heart piercing smiles.  These boys with their stretching legs and need mama requests.

These boys who try my patience and win my affection time and again.

These boys who are brothers.  My prayer is that they will adore each other as much down the road as they do now.  That they will confide in one another when they'll no longer confide in me.  That they'll be best of friends rather than the worst of enemies.  These boys.  Thank you, God, for these boys.

Greyson Glenn

Greyson Glenn was born on Thursday, January 23 at 6:46PM.  (He's already ONE MONTH OLD TODAY!!)

 Weighing in at 7 pounds 13.8 ounces and stretching 20.75" long he was a pound smaller than his brother, making him seem like a little peanut.

 The day had begun as any other.  Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.  Mama took Kale to the library, picked up some milk and headed home.  There had been a few pains here and there, but having had contractions for several weeks, I didn't think much of it.

 Around lunchtime, I realized I should be watching the clock and paying attention to the growing pains.  Made myself egg salad, sat down to eat, and continued to watch.  Took Kale upstairs to read and had a hard time sitting still.  I told Kale, "I think I might have to go to the hospital today to have this baby!"

 After getting Kale laid down, I sat in the living room with my pen and paper and kept track of contractions.  I realized this might be the real deal.  I called Justin and my mom to let them know to be on alert but that I'd call them back as I wasn't fully sure.  Having been induced with an almost 2 week overdue Kale, I wasn't sure what to expect.  Here I was on January 23, not due until the 27th; I was in disbelief this could be it!

 An hour later, I called Justin and Mom back and said "you need to come."  Justin arrived at 4:30PM from work.  I was sitting in our entryway on a large exercise ball laboring while Kale sat next to me on the bench playing his guitar and singing loudly.  I asked Justin to relocate him and quick.  My mom arrived at 5PM and we were out the door.  Before Justin got in the car, he gave our dog, Cedar, a treat.  I had to give him a bad time about that but he clarified saying he was trying to keep him in the garage; he wasn't giving him loves!

 On the car ride to the hospital, I was calculating my contractions to be 3-4 minutes apart.  I was asking Justin to speed.  We arrived to the hospital at 5:30PM.  They took me to triage and the nurse asked if I could pee in a cup (that's her on the right in the above pic).  When she realized I couldn't talk to her, she immediately put me on the table to get the monitors on and to check me.  I was so worried she'd say I was dilated to 4cm or something smaller.  Justin later said he was worried she'd say I was in false labor.  I was at 8cm!!!

 They took me to my room and the doctor was shortly behind.  At 6PM they checked me again and I was at 9cm and instructed to let them know when I was ready to push.  No IV, asking health questions to Justin while I was in labor to which I had to correct a few of his answers!  By 6:20PM I was pushing and after five pushes, our second son was born!

Many people say he looks like Kale did as a baby and we certainly see the similarities.  Pretty cool that they'll have each other as brothers.

We enjoyed our first night in the hospital alone.  They first person we got to tell the news to was Kale.  When I told him "It's a boy!" he said "Oh, okay!" and immediately asked what we named him.  When I told him "Greyson" he gave the same response.  The second night, Justin went home to stay with Kale and my Mom and to get a good nights rest.  The hospital room was much quieter this night without Justin and without as many nurse interruptions, but I enjoyed my quiet time getting to know my newest son.  I also had some weepy times thinking that I'd never have the same alone time with Kale again and wondering how our world would be different.  God gently reminded me to be still.

Our first family photo (minus Cedar).  Kale wasn't too interested in the baby.  The hospital room, hallway and break room all had much more allure!  Kale has adapted well to Grey, though.  He loves his "baby Grey" and often wants to check on him, help "carry him upstairs", etc.  It has gone so much more smoothly than we were anticipating.

My mom, bless her heart, stayed with Kale who prefers Mama for pretty much everything.  Thankfully, he did quite well for her.

Here we are, ready to head home from the hospital after our two night stay.  Since Kale had been born after midnight, we were given a three night stay.  This seemed quick, but we were ready to head home.

Justin's parents arrived hours after we got home and stayed several days enjoying their snuggle time with their tenth grandchild.

My parents were able to come about a week later after weather had calmed down and enjoy some time with their fifth grandchild.

Our first Sunday heading to church as a family of four!  Like a typical newborn, Grey slept through the entire service and didn't bat an eye during worship.

We're adapting well at home...working on feeding and sleeping schedules and balancing two young boys.  With God, all things are possible! -Matthew 19:26 (Kale's memory verse from Sunday School!!)