Disappointment breeds projects around here

What was supposed to happen today- I was supposed to get off work, pack a bag and head to see my little buddy!  

What actually happened- I woke up with the sniffles and a cough and a deep sadness because I was really looking forward to seeing my people.  

I am smart enough to know that a head cold is the last thing they needed, so I postponed my trip. Profound disappointment.  Colin and Spencer were kind enough to send some photos my way. It was nice, but not quite the same as baby snuggles.  Don’t worry lil Dale- Grammy is gonna get there as soon as the profound amount of vitamin c and cold meds I consumed kick in.  

Easton had his first doctor  appointment today, he has a little jaundice.  I was laughing about Colin sticking his "first doctor sticker" on his hat!  I was laughing  even harder when I saw the look on Easton's face!  So funny!

Since I was disappointed, I decided today was the day to begin the second of my Christmas break projects.  Tackling the downstairs bathroom.  I have a love/hate with this room.  I love when I am folding laundry and don't have to run upstairs to go to the bathroom.  I love when the place is functional and the girls and all their bathroom stuff can live downstairs out of my main bathroom.  I hate that it is about the size of a small closet, and that the ceiling is so low I can literally touch it (if you recall, I am not a tall person, so I would guess it is not even 7 feet in height).  I think because of the smallness of the room, it makes it stay damp, and sort of cave like in there.  Added to the fact that the dog had her puppies in there, and when I shut them in, trying to keep them from destroying the basement, Blitz panicked and ate through the wall.  And then during the pandemic, Andrew and I patched the wall, but I didn't sand it very well, and it looks terrible plus the paint color - was a bunch of stuff I had left over and mixed together when we were supposed to be all staying home.  It is a gross, ugly mossy looking cave.  Light and bright is the new goal.  New flooring is necessary, and plumbing issues are being addressed.  So today....I decided it was the day to tear into things.  New flooring ordered (and yes, I am believing I can put it in myself).  Inspirational bathroom photos have been saved.  Paint colors have been picked. Hardware and decor was ordered.  Lists have been made for Jim to make a run to Menard's when he is in town tomorrow.  The shower re-caulking has begun, and the old linoleum is gone.  My mind has been occupied with this project rather than with the fact that I am not snuggling Easton, hanging out with Colin and Spencer and having fun in Wichita.  

And when I got tired, and ran out of supplies for the bathroom, I focused my energy on the dogs, the girls, and cooking a big old dinner, because running the oven is good when it goes from 70 degrees to 20 in a couple days time!  Tomorrow, I hope to jump in with both feet, drowning my self both figuratively and literally in a sea of bathroom amazingness, followed by being well enough to go play with babies who are too small to revolt when I try to hold them on my lap!

 

Christmas finale

We wrapped up our Christmas celebrations today with Mexican food day and Jim’s side of the fam.  It was a good day and I enjoyed trying some new things - including making tamales for the first time.  

I also enjoyed watching Wrenley and Evelyn play with Josh’s kids.  I think having kids around makes Christmas more fun.  

We had a small problem when Wrenley stuck her contraband slime in her hair.  No worries, we were able to wash it all out.  

Quincy had to work this afternoon, but was able to catch lunch with us before she left.  Colin and Spencer were obviously absent, and Carissa stayed home with their youngest as she was under the weather.  Jim’s mom also stayed home since she had a bad cold.  I was sorry we missed all of them, but this time of the year seems to be ripe with spreading sickness and I’m glad they were cognizant about not sharing.  

In addition to making a couple of new foods, late yesterday afternoon, I also decided now was the time for one of the Christmas break projects I had planned.  Painting the handles on my kitchen counters black instead of the outdated and hideous brass.  Let me just say after I finally got the paint dry - I love how it looks!  Such a small thing but it made a pretty good impact on the orangeness of the kitchen.  I am pleased.  

I have another project planned to completely re-do the downstairs bathroom, however we are having a little plumbing issue we haven’t been able to figure out yet.  It may not get done exactly over the break, but it will get done before spring I hope!   

Thank you to Harper and Saige who helped me take all the handles off, to Jim who patiently took off the ones that we couldn’t get, and to Andrew who used his power tools to put them all back up for me.  You guys rock!  

And today’s dose of extreme cuteness!  Those cheeks!  I just can’t stand it.  Planning my next trip down the turnpike.  Grammy is coming lil Dale!  

This may have been the final Christmas party for this season, and I did think about taking down the decor.  But we haven’t really been home much in the last month to enjoy it. And winter is always so dark, I like the extra lights.  I’m going to leave it for a while.  I know the church says until epiphany.  And I usually do follow that, but also I know that once school starts back up, life will be crazy again and time will be in short supply.  I’m sure it will be fine. We will find the time and as I said, I am still enjoying it. If I leave it long enough we can just say it’s Valentine’s Day trees right?  

 

Welcome home little man

Spencer and Easton were released from the hospital this morning.  Did we wait to invade their house?   No.  No we did not.  We loaded up the cars with people and freezer meals, and Christmas gifts and arms that longed to hold a sweet baby and we marched right on in like the crazy chaotic zoo that we are.  I thank God every day that our son married a woman who takes all of us in stride, is patient and kind and isn’t phased by our invasions.  Of course, we came bearing lunch so maybe that sweetened it up a little. Spencer did a great job growing a whole a$$ human. He is perfect and amazing and sweet and just about the cutest thing I ever did see.  We are absolutely in love with him! Babies are all a blessing. Grandbabies are the biggest blessing of all!  

A few minutes after we left, Colin sent me this photo of “lil Dale” in the drivers seat of his GTO.   I laughed because I think Spencer is going to have her hands full.  Colin and Easton will be thinking up all sorts of creative ways to get into trouble.  

In all honesty though, my son made me very proud today. He was helpful, was changing the diapers and making sure his wife was taken care of. He was doing all the things and taking care of his boy.  It gave me great pride in seeing the kind of dad he already is. He was also grinning ear to ear, and walking with his head in the clouds because he was so excited and happy.  All you want as a parent is to see your children grow up to be successful and happy.  That was on full exhibit today and it swelled my heart with pride. Colin and Spencer - we are so excited and happy for you.  And we feel blessed that we get to have this little boy call us his grandparents.  

Along for a ride today - the first one to call us Grammy and poppy.  She wanted to see her “birthday buddy” and so we took her along.  She started the day with asking where we were going to eat lunch!   Priorities right?   I explained we were going to grab a few things from Dillon’s deli and a few other things we wanted to take over to Colin’s house.  She was ok with it.  When we left Colin’s house it was way before dinner time.  She again asked where we were stopping to eat.  I told her “Emporia”   That was totally not what she was getting at.  She then went on to tell me it had been weeks or maybe even months since she got to go to McDonalds.  Lies - but we didn’t let on that we knew.  She was super stoked when o told her we could stop at McDonald’s in Emporia, and that we would even get a happy meal to take home for Wrenley.  Hey indulging the grandkids is my favorite gig!   

Anyway it was a great day.  I love my family!.