Auburn Oak

A couple of days ago, we planted Andrew's tree. Yes, he has his own tree.

Annah purchased one of the toomer's corner oak trees when Andrew was born. (For those of you not familiar with Auburn University, we have a "corner" across from Toomer's drug store with 2 huge oak trees. After every sports victory, we roll the trees. It's a huge Auburn tradition. Well now, they're selling acorns from the trees so you can grow your very own "toomer's tree."

This tree is as old as Andrew and we watched it grow in the bay window when we were here last year. We finally decided it was time to plant it outside. Andrew helped.

I think it's such a neat idea. Many many years from now Andrew can show this tree to his children and grandchildren and tell them all about how he and his Paw-paw planted it.

Remodel

The past week was full of demo and remodel as Dad and I try to fix up Mom's room. We're getting close to finishing, but still have a LONG way to go.

This is the first time Mom's room has had any work done to it since Dad built the house. (23 years ago) We started by tearing down the wallpaper, patching some sheet rock, and painting. Then we moved on to tearing out the linoleum floor and particle board in the bathroom/vanity area, stripping it down to the sub flooring. Next, we laid concrete backer board in preparation for the ceramic tile. After dry fitting the tiles and making all the cuts (which I loved...big fan of the tile saw!) we were finally ready to lay the tile. 24 hours later we were ready for the grout. We still need to put the wood trim back in the bathroom, install the new toilet, and put up the second mirror.

Next, we ripped up half the carpet and nail strips to start installing the new bamboo hardwood flooring. It's beautiful...I love bamboo. We stopped with the bamboo tonight around 10:30 pm. Tomorrow we'll move the furniture on the half of the room that we've completed so we can rip out the rest of the carpet and finish the flooring.

It has been a blast working with Dad on this project. I've always loved home improvement and I enjoy helping out when I can.

I've attached some pictures of our progress to date. Too bad I don't have any "before" shots. I'll post some more pics when and if the room gets finished before I head back to Hawaii.

New Addition

On Wednesday, April 9 at approximately 7:11 p.m., my cousin Jason and his wife Traci welcomed their new baby girl, Raegan Jae, into the world. We were all there to welcome the first girl in our family in 23 years!! (don't you know she's going to be SPOILED!) We are so excited to have a girl in the bunch.

Jason and I are 13 months and 24 days apart in age. Andrew and Raegan are 15 months and 24 days apart. It's kinda special that now our kids are pretty much as close together in age as we were and we look forward to their growing friendship through the years. Hopefully one day we'll live close enough for them to see each other often enough.

Here are some pictures of the little angel!

Spring Weather

The weather has been amazing lately! I'd even go as far to say PERFECT. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and the birds are singing. Springtime is such a beatiful reminder that with God, all things are made new. It's my favorite time to marvel at His creation!

Andrew is all boy. He loves to be outside and I'm convinced that he's stay out all day long if I'd let him. (We spend LOTS of time outdoors these days) It seems like he walks about 5 miles a day. He walks to the fence and looks at the cows. Then he has to walk down to the chicken pen, where he points to their food and says "Yummy yummy." SO, then we have to feed the chickens. Then he goes over to the flower bed and smells the tulips or petunias.

The rest of the time he spends riding the 4 wheeler, pretending to "fix" paw-paw's trailer, or sweeping the porch. Always on the go!

He keeps me busy, but it's so much fun and I wouldn't trade my time with him for the world. I can't wait to get back to Hawaii so he and Drew can play!

Maggie Ogle

Before we knew that Drew would have to go to Arizona for 2 months, I had already planned a trip home to meet my best friend Erin's baby, Maggie Elizabeth. She was born on February 25, weighing in at 5 lbs. 13 oz. I first met Maggie when she was 5 days old and she was absolutely gorgeous (and tiny)!

It has been so nice being here. Erin and I try to hang out as much as possible. We get together several times a week. Today for instance, we took the kids on a walk. Andrew loves Maggie too. Her birth anouncement is hanging on the fridge and everytime we walk by he points to her picture and says "Mamie" (He hasn't quite conquered that "g" sound). It's really cute. As soon as he saw her today "Hey Mamie!" Yeah, he loves her...that is until I try to hold her. Then it's a different story.

Anyhoo, I just wanted to share some cute pics of Maggie over the past two months. She has grown so much! I can't believe she'll be 8 months old the next time I get to see her.