A Shutterfly Christmas

The Christmas count down is on - 15 days! Are you ready? Tree trimmed? Presents bought and wrapped? Christmas cards sent?

I am almost ready. My tree is trimmed (just praying it is still standing Christmas morning). The only presents I have left to purchase are for the grandparents. I also still need to choose, order, address and mail out Christmas card. And I am completing my Christmas to-do list at Shutterfly.


Shutterfly has LOTS of great Christmas cards and Holiday cards to choose from. I have narrowed my choice down to 3 of the Christmas cards and once I get Richard's opinion I will be placing my order.

I am also planning to create a few special gifts for grandparents using pictures that we have made throughout the year. There are several great items to choose from at Shutterfly. Some of my favorites include the Photo Book, the calendar, the mouse pads, the photo mugs, the PhotoShow DVD and the Desk Organizer.

Note to my blogging friends: Shutterfly will give you 50 free cards for blogging!
You can read the instructions here.

Thank you Shutterfly!

Our Christmas Card

Peppermint Bliss Christmas Card

Personalize the christmas season with Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Rain, Rain Go Away

Rain, Rain
Go away.
Come again another day.
Daniel wants to play.
Rain, rain, go away.

The Old Farm House Dream

I have always dreamed of living in an old farm house (white with a green roof, hardwood floors and big porch). We drove past an old farm house while on a Hollins Hayride Halloween night. Richard pointed out the "For Rent" sign to me and excitement set in. The following day I drove past the old farm house (in my van) and got the contact information off the "For Rent" sign. Richard called and the whole time I prayed that the rent would be much cheaper then what we are paying now (a for sure "sale"). The rent is not cheaper, it's the same but when you consider that the old farm house is LOTS closer to town a move (sort of) makes sense (at least a consideration does). We went buy and looked at the old farm house and fell in L-O-V-E. The house is on a dead end street (near the end) on 2 acres of beautiful land with lots of places for the boys to run and play. The house is a great size (almost too big) and has LOTS of storage. Right now the house is still a dream but I am praying that one day it will be a reality.

the back
(I love the large deck and screened porch)

back and side yard - BEAUTIFUL

back yard with storage shed

back yard with green house

The Old Farm House Dream II (Inside)

front door with beautiful stained glass

living room
(doorway leads to what I would make the
den/guest room)

living room - marble surround gas fireplace
(french doors lead to dining room)

HUGE dining room (the mirror would go)

HUGE kitchen

appliances (I am not a huge fan of the appliances/layout)

I LOVE the gas fireplace in the kitchen

sunroom
( My favorite part of the house.)

hallway/sunroom leading to guest bath

guest bath

hallway leading to laundry room, half bath and master suite

laundry room

master suite with ugly grayish white paneling

master suite
(I would use this area as an office/sitting room)

There are several changes that we would make if this home was ours (update the bathrooms, redo the 1/2 bath, laundry room and kitchen and remove/paint the paneling to start). We love the space (3,000 square feet). We love the architect of the house (the old farm house character). This house is in amazing shape and it is old (circa early 1900s).

The Old Farm House Dream III (Upstairs)

upstairs hallway looking down

doorway into upstairs bedroom #1
(I really liked the looks of the bedroom doors)

bedroom #1 with ugly brown paneling

bedroom #2 with ugly grayish white paneling and hideous window AC unit

The upstairs of the house is our least favorite. There are 2 big rooms that are perfect for the boys to share or one room could be used as a bedroom for all 3 and the other for a playroom. What we don't like is the paneling and the air conditioning window units. We also wish there was a bathroom upstairs. Richard said that he would love to totally remodel the upstairs. (Our other dream is to have an endless supply of money.)

Praying for Answers

-We are praying for answers in regards to 2 major needs.

-Our first prayer is that Richard will receive a job offer. He is an interview at 8:00 this morning. I am really feeling good about this interview and Richard is to. (I think.) It's hard to explain.....I have had a feeling that this was his job (or future job) when I saw the job posting and e-mailed it to him. He applied and less then a week later received a call for an interview. There is a peace that feels me when I think of him going for this interview - this is it. Maybe it is wishful thinking but I sure hope not, we NEED this.

-Our second prayer that we find out what Daniel is allergic too. What is causing all the runny noses that seem to quickly turn into pneumonia and all that asthma attacks that require at least a 4 day hospital stay????? Daniel has an appointment with a specialist today at Vanderbilt Children's Allergy Clinic with Dr. Meghan Lemke and will have prick skin allergy testing done. We had to stop Daniel's allergy medicine (Zyrtec) 10 days ago (on Saturday the 11th). Daniel woke up with a runny nose on Sunday and has had problems with runny nose, coughing and congestion every day since. We have had to give him a breathing treatment almost daily. It is obvious to us that Daniel is allergic to something and really needs that Zyrtec. We are ready for answers and ready to start the Zyrtec.

-We ask that you pray with us for the answers that we need. We promise to let you know God's answers to these 2 specific prayers as soon as possible.

Soccer Game #2 - Red Lions vs Hunter

Daniel's #1 fans

ready to play - Amarius #5, Lane #9, Hunter #4, Daniel #1

run, Daniel, run

Daniel, get the ball

Go Lions!

the "intimidating" defensive line - Hunter #4, Logan #13, Daniel #1

water break

cheering on the team

"Me, Daniel"

picture by Megan McGee Photography

-Daniel has a language/speech delay. One of his IEP goals for last year and this year has been to say his name when asked, "What is your name?". Daniel usually responds with "Me" when asked. We try to work on the, "What is your name?" question daily. Daniel's response to the question last night was....."Daniel". We were so excited and gave him lots of verbal praising, high fives and thumbs up. We are so thankful for Daniel's wonderful teachers and therapist that work with him daily to meet his goals, he is making wonderful progress.

*Daniel got on the bus this morning, said "Hey, me - Daniel".

Daniel's Soccer Schedule

9/11/2010 - 9:30 a.m. - Field 4 - vs Orange
9/18/2010 - 9:30 a.m. - Field 3 - vs Hunter
9/25/2010 - 8:45 a.m. - Field 3 - vs Royal
10/9/2010 - 8:45 a.m. - Field 3 - vs Burgundy
10/16/2010 - 9:30 a.m. - Field 3 - vs Kelly
10/23/2010 - 9:30 a.m. - Field 3 - vs Light Blue
10/30/2010 - 8:45 a.m. - Field 4 - vs Silver

Adorable

Isaac

Trailing Tuesdays

Thanks for stopping by and joining in on Trailing Tuesdays hosted by Familylicious, Nine More Months and Sugar Pop Ribbons!

Job Hunt

-The job hunt is still going on. Richard's interview (2 weeks ago) went well. The interview was with a company call Presidio Network Solutions. Presidio is the type of company that Richard dreams of working for and I pray that an offer is extended (preferably soon). The company wants him however Richard does not meet all the qualifications of the position that they are currently trying to fill (Sr. Network Engineer), he lacks 2 certifications to be qualified. I guess you could say that he is currently in the "negotiate stage". The last time he communicated with a rep of the company he (Richard) said that he would have 1 of the certs complete within 2 months of hire and the other cert complete within a year of hire. The rep (HR) seemed excited about this and said that she would pass it on to management. So, we are waiting....
-While waiting Richard interviewed with a 2nd great company last Friday - Network Solutions Group (NSG) and the interview went well. He should hear an answer this week from NSG. My prayer is that he gets an offer from both companies this week. Richard hopes that he just receives an offer from one of the companies so that he does not have to choose because he loves them both. (I think he would be happier with Presidio.) But, for now we wait and the job hunt continues.....

Pulling Up

-Isaac pulled up to a standing position this morning and grabbed Caden's snack cup filled with Lucky Charms and munched away. He has pulled up to a standing position several other times through out the day so I can officially mark this date down (9-21-10) as the day Isaac began pulling up (and had his first "table food").

Happy Boy

Caden

Daniel Rides the School Bus

-Daniel was so excited to be able to ride a "bull bus" (school bus) this morning. We had no problems getting him dressed, fed and out the door on time (meaning no crying or refusing.)

-We waited on the front porch and when the bus came into view Daniel proudly took his Daddy's hand and start walked to the bus.

-I wish you could hear Daniel chatting with his Daddy about riding the school bus. Precious!

-Excited and ready for his 1st school bus ride.

*Daniel was a little hesitant once he got on the school bus, he was not so sure about me leaving him and not riding with him. I love the bus driver and the assistant. Richard described them as "grandma and grandpa" and that is a great description. I can't wait for Daniel to come home and hear all about his 1st school bus ride.

School Bus Rider

-We spent the summer debating "school bus riding" for Daniel this year. There are advantages - like not stressing over getting all 3 boys up, fed, dressed and out the door by 7:20 and not waking Caden and Isaac up from their nap to go pick Daniel up. There are disadvantages - getting Daniel up, fed, dressed and out the door by 6:45, Daniel getting home later (around 4). I also had the "mother guilt".....Am I being unfair to my child by putting him on a bus and not taking him myself? I LOVE to pick Daniel up from school and see him run to me with arms open for a hug. When we registered Daniel for school we were asked about transportation. We debated (again) and after talking with his teacher (who we very much trust) we decided to give bus riding a try. The bus driver called us tonight, Daniel will begin riding the bus in the morning. (I am sure I will cry, I am getting teary eyed just writing about it.)