Garage work

We really have been busy here. Fixing big windows that have been broken for years. I painted the living room (finally got all the way around). While everything was moved away from the walls and windows, Dave finally decided to help me fix the window I have been harping about for years! Besides all that, plus doing Marissa's room, Dave and Tyler are working on putting a cement pad in front of the garage (another project that has been talked about for years). Anyway, I guess it is really happening. The only thing is, while we are at it, we might as well put in an extra stall to the west, and some extra room to the east, and we might as well put in that retaining wall we have been talking about, and we might as well cut a doorway into the cement block to enter the garage without having to open the heavy garage doors (by hand), and then we might as well move the sidewalk and we might as well make new steps and we might as well make a retaining wall all the way around the cement landing to the doorway to the garage!~!!!!! Whew!!!! Hard work. Thanks Dave and Tyler and Brandon for your input too!!!!

Marissa's room

I worked late into the night last night and all afternoon today and finished up Marissa's room for her. She left lots of hints that I should get it done while she was gone to camp. She even sent a letter today asking me if I have been painting her room.....Anyway, in my email to her today, I lied a little and told her we have been so busy fixing windows (which we have), and Tyler has been here working on the driveway project (next post), and I just haven't had time to do it. She will be surprised and I hope she likes it. It was very hard to cover all my texturizing I did last time I did her room, and she wanted polka dots, so it was doing them freehand (very slow going) or using a stencil (worked better), but anyway, time consuming. Of course, I had to do some freelance lettering above her bed! Thank the Lord Tyler was here to take beds apart and switch Marissa's bunk futon with the full size bed in the spare room. I got new bedding for her with polka dots and a new throw and it was for a full size bed, but I don't know how I ever thought I was going to do it by myself!!! Hope she is happy with it. She is in high school now, so wants a "big girl" room I guess. TTFN Carol

Marissa is gone to the United Methodist Camp at Lake Okoboji. I hope they are having a great time! Thanks, Carol Smidt for the picture!

Family Pictures

Brandon and Brittany had Melinda Ver Meer from Lester, Ia take some family photos. She has a new business called, "Moments by Melinda" and she does a great job! I just love them, Melinda. I hope it is ok with you, but I added some fonts and colorizations because I am just learning how and had some fun!

Happy Birthday, Marissa!

This video of Kavian is actually one taken a whole year ago when he is 2, but it was so cute, thought I would post it for this year too! Happy Birthday to my baby girl....15 years old already. Where has the time gone? These next 4 years of high school will fly by, but will be filled with lots of fun, lots of memories, and, knowing your mom, lots of tears at all the "lasts" with you at home. I love you forever, Marissa Rose, the sweetest flower that grows. Love, Mom

Lake Pahoja

We had a fun day at Lake Pahoja. Calvin and Kavian loved being able to throw rocks! Grandma had fun with the camera, a zebra blanket and Braylyn!

Photos

Now that I have figured out how to do this, look out world!

My first post!

I thought I would begin with a photo taken this summer of my favorite subjects, Marissa, Calvin and Kavian.