*Locks of Love*

I have never really cut Lindsay's hair - just had it trimmed a few times over the years. It was getting really long and sometime last fall she decided to donate her hair to Locks of Love. It was really long and combing through it was getting stressful for both of us so last week I figured it was time! I was so nervous and sad but she wasn't at all. She was excited to get her new haircut. After all was said and done, I wasn't sad anymore and she looks adorable with her new short hair! It is SO easy to comb through now! She donated 10+ inches of her hair.

And look, I even scrapbooked it already!

In addition news, we now have a second story and ROOF! Be back soon with more photos!

FRAMING!!!

More photos finally! The guys have been very busy at work as you'll see. The foundation is complete (except for facing that they will put around the block work) and framing is well underway. We are getting excited now!

(No, I did not get on the roof to take this photo, my husband however, did.) To the left is where we will enter the addition from our existing house. There is also an outside door on the left side. In front of that is my laundry room. Down the hall (in the center) and to the left will be Lindsay's bedroom. In the right back corner is Laura's room. In front of Laura's room is the staircase (with a landing halfway up so you can see two areas where steps will be. On one side under the stairs will be a storage closet.) In front of the stairs and on the right side is the bathroom. Hope you are able to make sense of that!

Be back soon!

Foundation

As I mentioned in my last post, things are moving along with the addition. First of all, I do have my bathroom (and hall & partially my storage closet) back. The builder, foundation experts, and plumbers have all been busy outside instead of inside the house now.

The first thing we had to have done was have our electric lines moved since they ran smack dab through the middle of where we are building. After those were moved, they started the foundation work. Before they could finish the foundation, the plumbers had to plumb our new water and sewer lines for the new bathroom and laundry room. This week they will pour the rest of the foundation and begin framing.

We are so excited for the framing stage! I'll post photos of that soon. (The photos below were taken over about a week & a half period. The last photo was taken this afternoon - you'll see the white plumbing pipes sticking up.)

I forgot to add, Lindsay has been fascinated by the process so far. She has informed me that she wants to be a backhoe operator or concrete truck driver/operator when she grows up. She LOVES to go out and watch what the guys are doing even when it's been 10-15 degrees outside. I, on the other hand, prefer to stay inside in the warmth and step out occasionally and take a photo!

Dairy Delight

I've had these photos for awhile but am finally getting around to posting Lindsay's five year old portraits. She certainly made the photographer earn her money on this particular day. She did not find the traditional "I'm taking your picture" antics amusing whatsoever! Lindsay is certainly full of personality and most certainly not a conformist. When she has her own ideas, you better just give in and go along! She is most certainly a feisty one and I love her to pieces! She certainly adds a lot of spice and flair to my life!

And now, the dairy delight. Recent conversation:

Lindsay: "Mama, when I grow up, I'm going to change my name."

Mama: "Really, what are you going to change your name to?"

Lindsay: "Milkshake"

She has mentioned this several times since then. Her favorite dollhouse person is also named "Milkshake".

Oh well, who doesn't love a good milkshake?!?

I'll be back in the next post with addition photos. Things are moving along nicely.

It's GREAT to be EIGHT!

My sweet girl Laura turned EIGHT years old on December 29th. Her grandparents (the Perrys') came to celebrate with us. I can hardly believe that I have an eight year old!

We have recently had some struggles with real life issues and things have been tough for her and with her. I am finding that parenting never does get easier! She is certainly much more independent of me than ever before but at the same time, she needs my mental and emotional energy more than ever. I am so proud of her for doing so well in school, for always being so generous and loving with her little sister, for helping me out around the house, for choosing to follow Jesus with all her heart. My one wish - that she would clean up her bedroom!

She wanted homemade pizza, salad, and ice cream cake for her birthday. She got clothes, some accessories for Kit, her American Girl doll, and money. She is saving her money for another American Girl doll.

She is REALLY curious about the baby. I'm sure you can imagine the questions that have come up so far. One night after one of our question & answer sessions, she said this to me before going to bed, "Mom, thanks for talking to me about the placenta." Too funny! I'm sure once HE is here, there will be even more questions.

She is also asking me every day what we are going to name him. If only we knew... We can't seem to find the "perfect" name. I'm sure we eventually will. We have decided that naming girls is MUCH easier than naming boys!

I'll be back soon with the latest photos of our addition progress.

Big fat round hugs to all!