Okay...I'm Done Now

   

We've had three storms in a weeks time and I can  honestly say, I am done with winter.  It is time for spring to arrive and for the snows to turn to rains.  I love the moisture that the snow brings, but I am having a love hate relationship with my shovel right now.  Every day I am shoveling a path to get from the front door to the cars.  By nights end the winds and the snows start back up and the process starts all over again.  One storm a week is doable, but three in one week is over the top. 

 

 

I. AM. DONE.  

That is unless, another storm comes and I find myself dragging my shovel back out to clear, yet, another path!

We have Lights!

Well, I am happy to report that we overcame our first major hurdle with the construction project.  We were able to survive 18 hours without running water or the use of our bathroom facilities.  And surprisingly, we all survived having to use the outdoor commode a time or two!  Granted, I don't particularly want to have to experience that again, although there is a chance, given we haven't upgraded the septic, yet.  However, I can say that we all have a much better appreciation for what the pioneers had to endure day in an day out.

And while we'd been waiting over two weeks for the electrician to complete the first stage of electrical work, we can now celebrate and look forward the next stage of this journey. We did encounter a few unexpected snags related to the electrical work and between the snags and the snowy weather we've been having, it prevented this part of the job from progressing.  Again, I am happy to be able to report that we are ready for the initial inspection which means we are getting closer to the end.

The electricians worked two solid days to move and update our electrical panel, wire Pam's place, add a panel to the new garage, as well as wire it for some lights and outlets.  We have one minor hiccup to still work through--a trench from the meter to the main house.  Mind you, the meter sits about 75 feet away from the house so the trench has to be about 75 feet long. I am hopeful they will be able get this done in a timely manner, even with the additional 10 inches of snow we are expecting tonight. God has been so good to us, and I know His timing is perfect!  I am reminded daily to give my worries to Him and to rely on Him completely. Not always easy to do, but I keep trying.

 Fashioning a new panel that will allow us to enjoy  all the gadgets of the 21st century with peace of mind.

Along with a slew of blue boxes which means we are one step closer to the finished product.

GOD IS GOOD!

Of course the best part is seeing where all the lights will go.  They even put light bulbs in a few of them, so we could really get an idea of what it will look like.

It is really taking shape in my mind now.  I can just picture it with texture and paint on the walls and cabinets on the wall and wood flooring throughout, and the fireplace in the corner and furniture to sit on and...and...and...

 

Snow Day

We woke up this morning to find out that school had been cancelled due to a snowstorm that passed through last night.  What a wonderful surprise!

While Craig still had to go to work to bring home the big bucks, Caleb spent the day playing in the snow.  Emaleigh read three books. Pam did laundry and cleaned the house. And I sat in my jammies nursing a sore throat.  What a wonderful day.

Upon Mr. Mann's return, he proceeded to get stuck at the bottom of the driveway--in the Jeep mind you--so he and Caleb dug out the snow blower and cleared a path for us to be able to get out tomorrow.  

 The Little Mann taking care of business. 

 

This was Quinn and Lilly's first experience with the snow blower since we have had such a mild winter. What a sight to watch these two in the snow!

 Quinn making a mad dash away from the scary snow blower!

 Caleb and Quinn having a snow fight!

 Lilly really didn't care for the snow blower.  In fact, she would run away from it anytime it appeared to be getting too close for comfort!

 Clearly  she was a little cautious to go any further given that she can see the snow being blown in her direction.

Taking a peek around the corner to make sure it's safe to proceed!

Pressing On

We encountered a few setbacks the past couple of days due to weather, but things are starting to move again.  The walls are coming along and Pam's Place is no longer looking like a garage. 

 Home of her future kitchen.  The black square is where a window will be with a sink right below it!

 This is her future bedroom.  It will have a glass panel door to allow more light to flow into the living area.  We hope anyway!

 The one thing this place will lack is storage.  This is the only closet for this cozy apartment.  Good thing Pam has a knack for decorating and will find clever ways to store her things!

 The plumber worked all day today. He was able to hammer through the concrete and add the necessary pipes to get a working kitchen and bathroom up and running.  We just need to wait for the inspectors to give the go ahead so the guys can press on and make this place a home!

 We are just beginning week 3 of the construction process. While we remain anxious to end this year long journey of living together, we know that God is so good. Having to wait a little while longer is really nothing compared to what we've been through!

A Sick Kid , Cool Shoes, and the 100th Day of School

Don't mind my randomness today.

A Sick Kid...

I received the wake up call at 4:45 this morning.  The one where you hear..."mom...mom...mom..." in the tiniest of voices.

I wasn't sure if I was dreaming but when I felt his little hand squeeze my finger I knew something was not quite right.  "I threw-up," he said.  So, of course, he climbed into our bed.  I took his temperature and  knew I would be making sub plans this morning. 

While the stress of having to care for so many different things can take it's toll, somewhere between typing today's sub plans, taking a shower, driving to town to get my classroom ready, and driving back to the country to take care of my sick boy for the day, I realized this is okay. Being sick is never fun.  Taking care of sick ones is never fun.  Cleaning messes is never fun.  But one day, this 11 year old boy won't need me to take care of him any longer.  So for today, I simply say thank you. It may not be fun, but I am grateful that I can be here for him.

Cool Shoes...

After arriving back home before the girl had to go to school, I was reminded of how much of a teenager she is becoming.  Here was our conversation before my mom headed to town to take her to school.
"I have my field trip to Mars, today."
"Oh yeah, I forgot.  You must be so excited."
"Yeah, it should be fun. I hope we make it there and that we don't end up dying or having to abort the mission."
"I hope so too."  "Try to make it home in one piece!"
(She's headed to Challenger Learning Center for a simulated journey to Mars as a part of her science curriculum)
Five minutes later...
"I love these shoes! They are the coolest shoes ever!"
This coming from the child who has never seemed to care about her appearance. Her dad and I don't usually splurge on name brand items, but for Christmas we gave in and got her a pair of Converse All Star tennies.

 Don't mind her size 10 foot. While, I have accepted the fact that she is taller than me, and that I will never again be able to rest my chin on the top of her head, I am not very happy about it. Just another way of God allowing me to realize that they are just ours for a short time!

And the 100th Day of School...

 

At school today, my students are enjoying the 100th day of first grade.  I haven't gotten to teach this day for the past five years, since it has fallen on my partner's teaching day.  After arriving back home, I realized that I was feeling a bit bummed about missing out on this special day.  Caleb, being the trooper that he is, said that he would do the activities.  Given that he's in the 6th grade, I didn't see how the activities I had planned for 6 year old's would be appropriate, so I improvised.  First, I had him type 100 words on the computer, while I sat in the "comfy" chair and watched.  Then I let him build me a Lego structure using 100 Legos. Much harder than he had anticipated. He started out trying to do an RC version--

but gave up and created a vehicle with hidden compartments for some of the 100 pieces!  (Don't mind the dust...it's a liability luxury of living in the country!)

That hour really wore him down, so he headed back to my comfy cozy bed for a nap! Maybe for lunch I will let him take 100 bites of a saltine cracker or 100 slurps of chicken broth!

Pam's Place Update

We've begun week 2, and the workers arrived around 6:45 this morning.  The puppies were pretty insistent on barking them away, but I wouldn't hear of it.  I told them we've been waiting for a very long time to get this party started, and they would not be delaying it one second longer.  I'm not so sure they understood my words, but I got my point across when I sprayed them with a little water on their muzzles!!

Anyhoo, I left to get the kids to school and to get my yearly eye exam this morning (including being dilated...ugh!) and returned to a full yard of cars, trucks and bulldozers.  The concrete had been poured and many of the workers were smoothing it out!  Yea!! 

 

Ben and a new worker, Jason, were busy laying the joists for the subfloor in Pam's place and preparing to frame out windows and the front door.  Jeff, the project manager stopped by to confirm that windows are being ordered tomorrow and should be installed in about two weeks.  The concrete on the garage floor has to cure for about a week, but after that the walls should start going up.  Can I hear an "Oh yeah?!!"

The changes are great and I am so grateful to God for making this dream a reality.  It is amazing that it's been two years in the making. (I know, right?!  It was January 2011 that we put our Cabriolet house on the market to sell, with the premise that if it was in God's plan it would sell.) Time flies when you are not concentrating so deeply on the time it takes to get something done, but rather having gratitude for each moment He gives us.  If only it weren't so hard when you're in the middle of the muck!  I guess that's the lesson.  Don't focus on the muck.  Enjoy the moment!

Groundhog's Day

So Punxsutawney Phil predicted that winter is nearing its end today.  And based on our day trip to Winter Park, we would have to confirm this to be true.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  In fact, it was one of those days where we actually overdressed.  By lunchtime we were able to sit outside on the patio and take off most of our heavy gear to enjoy some of the suns rays!

Our traditional family photo..."ski tips up"

(The kids can never seems to get both skis in the photo tho!)

 Lots of fresh powder this time!

 She still claims she doesn't care for skiing, but we are just grateful that she has a smile on her face.  She fakes it well!

 A great day to each lunch outside.  Even though you could see your breath because the temps were just above 30, the suns rays were very warm.

  

Here kitty, kitty...

Apparently the chairlift operators must have had a little extra time on their hands this week!

 Sometimes lying down in the snow is just easier.

 What a gorgeous view from the top

Caleb decided to practice a few moves this time around.  Before long he'll need to ski by himself, since the rest of us prefer to leave the tricks to the short ones.  They have less of a distance to fall!

 

While I wasn't overly motivated to go this weekend, it ended up being a beautiful day.  Not so grateful for the long lift lines, but overjoyed to spend some great time with this family of mine!