Spring Has Sprung

It finally feels like spring has sprung. We planted shrubs two summers ago but this is the first time they've bloomed and I'm just thrilled. The weigelas in particular are amazing; the entire bush is covered in blooms. The dwarf lilacs have also bloomed and when we open the windows in the baby's room we can smell them. I can't believe in about five weeks baby will be able to smell them...

Deck Construction

This week Eric's brother Matt has been building a deck for us. It's almost finished; just some finish work and railing left. Matt did the majority of the work by himself which I find so impressive, although Eric pitched in for some of the heavy lifting ~ or in this case digging. Below are a few shots, but you can view the full album on our Picasa site.
The grand plan is several years away, but we hope to turn the deck we just built into a screen porch and then build a smaller deck to the area where the fireplace is. I'm thrilled to have this portion done before baby and envision many quiet evenings watching fireflies...

Happy Anniversary!

Today was our four year anniversary. I cannot believe how quickly time has gone by. I remember in premarital counseling talking about wanting to wait to have kids until we were married for 3-4 years and it seemed like such a long time in the future...and now here we are.
As an anniversary present Eric got me something I never thought I would have again....

HGTV (tear).

I have examined my past errors with the help of my sponsor, Eric...I have made amends for these errors...and I will now learn to live a new life with a new code of behavior.

Craft Project

I love craft projects. Quite a while ago I saw an idea on ReDesign with Kenneth Brown where they took items chewed by the homeowner's puppy Travis and put them in a shadow box labeled with their "Latin" names. Inspired, I decided to recreate this imaginative visual using things Richard has chewed over the years (mainly chapstick). His favorite thing to chew is Dr. Pepper chapstick, but alas I didn't save any of the mangled pieces.

This shadow box idea has been on my "to-do" list for quite sometime. With baby's due date rapidly approaching, it's amazing how motivated we're becoming. Other random projects I'd like to accomplish before baby comes:

• convert "dummy drawers" in front of kitchen sink to tilt out drawers
• organize guest bedroom closet
• repaint the living room (Eric is not yet on board with this one)

While none of these items will likely benefit the baby in any way, I find I use events to motivate myself to get things done. Like when I threw Heather's baby shower -- I was suddenly inspired to finish hanging the gallery of frames in our hallway ~ as if any of the attendees would have had a less fulfilling time had they not been able to see my family photos.

Relax

For those of you who have met Richard, you know that he is a little high strung. We prefer energetic. BUT, when it's just the three of us, he really is a calm and cuddly dog. He and Eric are kindred spirits I think.