Home Improvement Help

So I am the Queen of unfinished projects. Seriously, my home improvement style is somewhere between Autism and ADHD. I get totally overstimulated shopping for home decor, and if I do make purchases, I don't have the focus to put the items somewhere when I get home. Really, I hired an interior decorator to help, you know what my first project was for her? I showed her my corner. That's right, the corner in our front room where I threw everything I bought to decorate with; clocks, frames, flowers, all right there, behind the door in our front room. She helped, but I never called her back to do any more projects.

Then there was the painting of the interior of the house. We picked colors. We agreed. Then I came home while all the men were painting, saw the color they were painting the niches in the entertainment center, and cried. Then like a crazy person (yah right "like" one...uh huh), I asked each of the men if they actually would paint that ugly color in their own homes, referring to it as baby poo. Of course they didn't speak English and just looked at me saying "I don't know." So, I made them stop painting and wait for me to go buy paint. While at the store, Kennedie put all the paint swatches in her underwear "to keep them berry safe" and we had to throw them all away. It was a good day.

If you've been to our house, you've seen these frames. This one has two happy little girls, and says "Kids, they make life sillier" I have great pictures of my own happy little monkeys, but who do you think the girls in the frame are? That's right, I don't know either, they came with the frame in December:

How about this one. A family tree picture that's been hanging over our fireplace for three years, recognize these people? Other than the three pics on the top, I don't recognize any of them either.

SO....here's where I need some help. I know I do not like our kitchen cabinets, and am getting some bids on redo'ing them next week. Todd says I better know what I want before the poor suckers come to our house. I like black distressed cabinets, and white cabinets, also expresso colored.....here's a picture of our kitchen, what would you recommend? Fingers crossed for no tears, and a completed project this time!

Rocky Point Triathlon

It's over! This year my parents and our family friends Bob and Becky, as well as our friend Dan, and my brother and niece all headed down for the race. The Rocky Point tri has actually been rated as having one of the best after parties in the country, but we were in bed by 8:30 that night, rock on!

The wind was awful, my bike actually got sand-blasted and is missing paint, and my face and arms got a fabulous exfoliating.

My pictures aren't co-operating, so I'll post them perfectly backwards, starting with an overview of the beer tents and after party:

A picture from the bike course, that dirt in the street is actually blowing across

After the swim, shirt and shoes and socks thrown on, getting my once-shiny bike off the rack, ready for the 16.5 miles of exfoliating fun!


Coming out of 1000 meters of swimming-in-the-ocean fun, running up the hill to get to my bike. Note the men behind me, they actually started in the heat before me....some slow men this year (trust me, I'm not fast, so that's actually kind of sad)!

And the end of the backwards triathlon (with no running pictures)

Did you know?

I might be the last one in the world to have figured this out....but, herego's....did you know that you can push the "Stats" tab once you sign in to your blog to get info on who has viewed your blog, where they are (hello Germany and Russia!), what they searched for to find your blog, etc? Fascinating!

I might even be inspired to blog about more than birthdays....

Next up will be the Rocky Point Triathlon....preview....60 mph winds!

Madison Ann

My big 5 year old! We have been blessed with 5 years of affection, entertainment, and love with you. You are my cuddly girl, you've always slept best when you are with one of us or your sisters. In fact, many nights I wake up to find you on my feet! I cannot believe it is almost time for you to start kindergarden, but I know you will love it, because you have fun no matter what you do! I look forward to watching you grow into a young lady, and am very proud that your lifelong goal is "to be a mommy." I love you, sweet thing!

And this concludes our birthday posts!!!

What did you learn at school today?

Kenzie: "That Jesus dieded, but then he got back up, so he isn't dieded anymore, does that make you happy?" Madison: "Mary came down from heaven and gave me a cross, you know, the Mary that knows Jesus really good." (She has a little embroidered cross, I'm thinking a lady from the church named Mary might have given it to the kids at school.) Happy Friday!!!

Kenzie Lola,

Happy Birthday Kennedie! Our little fire alarm, a bit smaller than our other girls were, and quite a bit louder too. I can't believe you are 3! The beginning of this year, we had a little scare with you. When we were camping, Nana noticed some bumps on the back of your head that felt like rocks, a quick call to Aunt Laurel put us more at ease. I took you to the Dr. the next day thinking she would just explain that the bumps were due to you fighting off an infection. Instead, our easy going Dr. looked at me and said "these really make me nervous, they are hard and aren't moving, and don't feel like regular lymph nodes, I need you to go for blood work immediately." She then asked me about our family medical history, including any cancer etc... We spent the entire day finding a lab that could get you in. When we did find one, you were such a little trooper. Daddy held you and you sat there watching the blood come out. A few days later the Drs office called to say your white blood cell count was low, they said it could just be you were fighting off an infection, but they couldn't be sure. We needed to wait another week and take you for more blood work. We did that, and then a week later got the call that you are as we thought, a very healthy little monkey!

You have brought fun and spunk to our house, as only a little girl born on April Fools Day can do! Happy Birthday Princess.

And here are a few pics of you with your favorite things:

You and your lunchbox, ready for preschool!

You and Madison, you love your sisters!

And last; you, a swing, and a pretty dress!

My Rylee

Rylee Kendall,

Eight years ago (well, as of last Sat...I lost the camera cord until today:)), your daddy was whispering to me "we're about to meet our daughter" as we were in the hospital waiting (26 hours) for you to make your arrival. You captured our hearts from the beginning. Happy Birthday Big Girl, we love your list-making, organizing, conquering self!

Shared Party with Jamison at USA Gymnastics

Can You find all of your friends??????

Beautiful, inside and out.