Crazy week!

I've had a pretty full plate this week, so my blog has been an after thought. I was just informed, however, that the butterflies are "old news", so here's a quick update! (I'm not taking a long time on it, though, so it may not be the eloquence you're used to! Ha!) The concrete strike is over! Praise the Lord! For those of you who don't know, many of the big concrete companies had been on strike for a while. This directly effected Bryan in that, as a concrete pump operator, if there's no concrete, there's nothing to pump! By the grace of God, he had steady work through it all, but it was slow and trickling off. So, now that the strike is over, everyone is going to be working their tales off to catch up on all of the construction projects that have fallen behind! It sounds like everyone will be working 6 days a week for a while. Hopefully all of the extra hours will catapult us through the winter! Bryan had a fender bender the other day! No one was hurt, thankfully, but the car is pretty crunched up. (It's at the repair shop right now.) It really couldn't have happened at a better time, though, as we just happen to have his parents' extra vehicle right now! (That's me...always looking for the positive! Ha!) In addition to the above, this week is also filled with orientation and "meet the teacher" meetings, doctor appointments (school starts next week), a Sunday School project that I volunteered to do, getting the house ready for my brother and sister-in-law to come stay with us for a couple days... Last, but certainly not least, I have been pursuing a work from home job opportunity but it had been a month and half and I hadn't heard anything. So, I heard about another opportunity this week; followed up on it; and she started sending me work that same day! Wouldn't you know, that same day, I also finally heard from the other company to schedule an interview! Go figure! I'm praying that, when I do finally have the interview for "job A" that it goes well, as it was my first choice. Maybe I'll actually get to do both! We'll have to wait and see what God has planned for me (us)! It's all in His hands, thankfully! So, now you're informed! Hope you're all well!

Butterflies

My mom got a "Butterfly Garden" for Gavin for his birthday. It came with a cage and 5 caterpillars. We got to watch them grow and transform into butterflies and then let them go! It was very interesting...Albeit, creepy! Bugs are bugs, I say! We let them go right quick, as they were turning my stomach! Ha! The boys sure got a kick out of it, though!

Gavin's Butterfly...

Family Fun...

Bryan's sister and her husband (Alicia and Paul) were in town last weekend for a wedding. We got to see them briefly over at the folks' house, on Sunday. It was a very nice visit. They got Gavin a pitching machine for a belated birthday present. (When Gavin opened it, Bryan said, "It's a plastic dad!" Ha!) It was so much fun...for everyone! Gavin and Trevor took turns hitting the balls and loading the machine, while all of the guys ran after the balls (John, Bryan, Paul, Paul's brothers)! The rest of us watched from the deck as Gavin would hit balls over the house and over the fence... It was reminiscent of "The Sandlot" when Gavin would foul it off into the neighbors' yard and Paul would dangle a hotdog in front of Zeus (big dog), so Bryan could hop the fence and not get eaten! Ha! Great entertainment value, that toy! Thank you Uncle Paul and Aunt Alicia! Or, as Trevor used to say: "Antle Paul and Unc-Alicia"!

Why I don't talk on the phone...

This is me having a pleasant telephone conversation...in my dreams! Ha! As handy as the telephone is, in my real world, email and instant messenger is so much easier! See, it's like Pavlov's dog: when mom picks up the phone, the kids go nuts! But, if I am having a conversation with someone on the computer, I can also be doing laundry, making dinner, paying bills, breaking up a fight...at the same time! Well, my sister-in-law (bless her heart), whom I usually only communicate with via instant messenger, called me today because she was bored. We actually talked for quite a while and, despite the noise and interruptions, had a lovely conversation. But, then it came to an abrupt end with: "I have to go! Gavin's bleeding!" (Not to worry...Trevor just kicked him in the face. On accident, I'm sure! ; )

My Cuties!

"Candy Cotton"! Rally cap! Go, M-Dawgs!

"Is it over?"

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

We rode the train into Seattle, on Sunday, to watch the Mariners play Oakland. It was really fun! (The M's came so close to winning!) This was our first time taking the train and we've decided it's the only way to go, from now on! It was faster and we didn't have to worry about traffic or parking! The boys really got a kick out of it, of course. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day, either! It just happened to be Sea Fair weekend, so we even got to see the Blue Angels fly over a few times! Bonus!

More Birthday Pictures...

As you can see, Gavin got the rest of the Jack Sparrow costume for his birthday! (He had half of it, but now it's complete! He's so happy!) The Under Armour shirt was his "Red Ryder B.B. Gun" (A Christmas Story)! He has been begging me for this shirt for months! I know...I don't get it, either. I don't know of any other 7 year old boy who would be so happy to get clothes and, yes, school supplies! Ha! Fortunately for both of us, I found the shirt on eBay for a third of the price! The look on his face when he opened it and put it on was priceless! It just melts my heart to see him so happy! I can tell you, he will be wearing the Under Armour shirt and Jack Sparrow costume every day for a while...regardless of how hot it gets outside!

Gavin's 7th Birthday!

More Party Pictures!

Adventure Thursday...

So, I thought we'd try out the new pool today. You know, the little free one that we got last weekend? Well, it works great once you plug up the little drain hole in the bottom! (It sure seemed like it was taking a long time to fill up!) Good grief! I've got to start getting more sleep! Let's see..what else? Oh! Chris, if you're reading this, your mom wanted me to tell you that Gavin has joined the ranks! Here's the equation: Grandma and Grandpa's basement + tennis ball + golf club = broken window! Oy! I think that sums it up. Ha!