What we've been doing

Since getting Caed back from Auntie Heather (thank you so much Auntie!). I had to complete my 32 page brochure project in 5 days. Most of the information came in right before last weekend, so it was VERY hectic. Last Wednesday our contractor began our kitchen and bath remodel on our house too. So we have been so scattered for the last week. We're heading down to Myrtle Beach to have Thanksgiving with my family, and we're thrilled to get down there. Thrilled to have a bathroom with a shower we can use everyday and a kitchen to wash dishes in! Caed is thrilled to play with Mor Mor's trucks! (little does he know Nana has some too!)

Excuse the mess....looking from the living room into where the kitchen is (tore down a wall!)


Looking from the kitchen at the plastic hanging down in between the dining room and kitchen area. (wall is gone!)

This is where the sink was and will be. Accompanied by a new addition, a dishwasher!!. Cabinets will go all the way to the ceiling. Basement doorway to the right, doorway to the back room to the left. (the left's doorframe is now gone!)

This is where the fridge/ stove was and will be (we're not changing the layout). Addition if a small counter space with a spice cabinet underneath in between the two. (i know not the best location for spices...)

View of where the wall was.

This is the half bath, which will be redone as well once the upstairs full bath is done.

This is currently where most of our kitchen stuff resides right now. In the future twins room.

Upstairs bathroom

Where the sink will be and a larger vanity.

We are trying to find out where a pesky leak is located- I think now that we can see the ceiling off we should add a skylight.

getting Caed back!

Leaving in a few minutes to go pick Caed up from my sister! So excited to see him!!

Empty House

I've taken on a graphic design project that is large and with a super quick turn around. I didn't think I would be taking on any more projects until the babies were at a place I felt I could (many years). This came along and Jon and I talked about it and I decided to take it! So the next two weeks are going to be a little chaotic. I would have to be working every available moment, and that probably would mean that Caed would be watching a lot of TV.

I talked to one of my lovely sister's this week and she offered to meet me half way and take him until TUESDAY! It took one call to Jon and we were packing his bag! Caed was so excited to go and spend time with them- he couldn't wait the half day to leave! I almost missed my sister due to a misunderstanding of her schedule yesterday evening, but it worked out- WHEW! I am so blessed to have the unplanned days to get the work done that I need to.

So our house is now empty without Caed here. Yesterday once I napped, I missed him playing and being around. I've always missed him when someone else has watched him more then a day, but I really felt lonely without him here! I know he's having a great time with his cousins and trying to boss them around- playing with their toys and running away from Brooklyn the puppy. Oh and all the treats and spoiling he'll have done to him too by my sister and her husband.

I'm so thankful how much my family loves our son. In our mom's group we talked about that this week. Being loved by other family members other then mom or dad. Caed's got a lot of that on both of our sides of the family!

Music

I've posted before about Caed and liking music. Recently when we are listening to the radio he's been asking me "what are they singing about mom?" I started to think about what I listen to, and decided to not change what I listen to (everything) but to be aware of what was being said and then if Caed could understand it, and if he talked about it or whatever. I love all sorts of music- we listen to a christian radio station most of the time, but we don't get that station in our bedroom upstairs for some reason, so we just have a popular secular station that I like to listen to on from time to time. Even in the summer we don't the christian station at our regular radio in the living room, so we tend to put on the secular station, a CD, or classical music. We're just all over the place with what Jon and I both like.

One morning I was making our bed and I heard that new Pink song come on the radio. Lots of "nananana, nananna"s and a fun beat, so I turned it up. If you've ever heard the song and paid attention to the first bit, she talks about her (ex) husband and wanting to fight. I hadn't paid attention to the words before that day and was all of the sudden worried because the words were crystal clear- and Caed and I were dancing. We listened a little bit longer and then I opted to turn it off. Then Caed said something to me about wanting to fight. I explained to my two year old that that wasn't a nice song and we don't like to fight, so that's why I turned it off. He was fine with that. We went on with our day. In the afternoon he brought up the song again and the fighting part. YIKES. I think I reached the time to tailor my music listening in front of him.

Yesterday we were listening to the christian radio station in the car and he again was asking me what the people were singing about. It was so nice to tell him they were singing about wanting to be compassionate (he roughly knows what that is from the veggie tales Jonah movie) Brandon Heath- Give Me Your Eyes (i think is what it was). He proceeded to ask me about the other songs that came on too. Then he started to tell me what they were singing about- and sometimes it was the general "Jesus" but sometimes he would elaborate, and it was so sweet. So we're taking the opportunity to use the music to teach him and reinforce positive issues (no more fighting!!).

My parents always let us listen to what we wanted for the most part, but encouraged heavily Christian music. My mom always listened to all sorts of music- and growing up I loved all sorts. We don't plan to limit our kids music listening, but I think playing the edifying music around them will be a priority, especially at this very young age. It's obvious that they're listening.

Voting

Our pastor spoke a great message on Sunday. Being in Washington, DC (and the church location is on Capitol Hill), we are never far from politics and this election is clearly one that is causing tension among a lot of people. Our pastor was doing a series on "elephants in the church" (issues not talked about but thought about by us all) and he spoke on what he called "the political elephant". It was excellent. And it gave me a sense of comfort and peace over my voting decision and what happens- and even those who I know will be voting differently from me. I am okay with it all.

And if you want to have a listen or watch you can check it out here: http://theaterchurch.com/media/message/the-political-elephant/

we'll be voting tomorrow evening even though our vote doesn't count all that much.