Happy Birthday Chris.

My Sweet Hubby turned 36.

His birthday was not as awesome as it should have been. He had to work all day, then we had baseball all evening. I ended up in the ER. However, I think I made up for it today with breakfast out and a cool present. I always like to mark birthdays with my favorite things so here goes.



A few of my favorite things about Chris:

Chrisisms- things Chris says to explain something.

Chris's blue eyes. Love them.

His love of music. Music has always been a huge part of our relationship.

I should have put God first but this is in the order I think of them. Chris has always made God and Church a part of our lives. He has taught with me, served, participated in the music ministry, volunteered and just served our family. I love that my kids are being raised by a man of faith and that his example shows them how to love and serve the Lord.

I love that Chris coaches in our community. Chris has been a coach for youth sports in the valley for many years. He never stops "coaching." He is always routing for his boys even if they are no longer on our team. He leads by example and in the crazy world of "sports" this is huge. He has never puffed up his chest and done the guy thing in a game. He does not brag, he does not boast. He lets his actions speak for themselves and really teaches the kids as much about sportsmanship as he does about sports.

I love that Chris works hard. It is rare to find someone with as much work ethic and drive as Chris. He is a perfectionist that just wants to do the best he can.

I love that Chris will dance with me. In the kitchen, at a party...anywhere.

I love that I am going to be married to him for the rest of my life cause life without him would suck pretty bad.

Happy birthday Chris.

Back at it again.

Well, Dell and the boys are back at it again. They have been back filling and prepping for my new walls. I didn't post yesterday because I felt terrible. Today I made it around to take pictures and video of all the happenings. By far the best video is Max running the tractor. Kenny took some time to teach Max how to work the arms and then he let him loose. Max has been waiting for days to get this opportunity.

I am starting to get a yard again. The back fill means the piles of dirt are going away. Jackie is working on fixing some rotten board he found so they can connect good stuff to good stuff. I have lots of fun pictures to share but not enough time. Christian has a concert tonight and we have two games and one practice. I am still not feeling great but who has time to be sick.

Baseball is in full swing. Max's team is doing great. Jonah and Christian are doing great too. Christian and Jonah both played tonight and did well. We had two games a practice and a concert. Life is busy. I included a pick of Chris and his team. They are very cute. Both C and J pitched tonight and both had hits. I love my boys. They are so cute. Max went to practice and then Heath (the other coach) took him to Mc Donalds. He loved it.

I will update as soon as I can. I am trying for everyday and keeping up with pics but it is really hard.

ummm, am I supposed to be posting everyday?

Ok, so I am failing miserably at this every day thing. In my defense we are very busy. I didn't get home from the board meeting until 10:30. We had two games a practice, piano lessons for everyone and a whole lot of house stuff. That was Wed. I don't really remember Tuesday so you will just have to believe me when I say I was busy.

Now for the house update. Things are going well. The foundation is finished. WOOO HOOO. Willy and Doug poured the stem walls today. They have been working all week to get the forms in place. They are very nice guys. Today was a beautiful day. After the pour Willy came and got Christian and I so he could show us the post and beam footings that will be exposed in the basement. There are four concrete plinths and he gave one to each of the boys and one for Chris and I to decorate. Around four in the afternoon we all went out and put hand prints and designed our piece. The boys had a ton of fun. I only had time to take pics of Max's but I will add the rest (promises promises).

Tomorrow Jackie comes back to begin framing the walls. Chris says it the beginning of phase 3. We are unclear on how many phases there are but somehow saying it feels like progress.

Christian had a baseball game tonight which went not so good. Jonah had practice. We got home around 8pm and decided on an impromtu family basketball game. Chris and I against the kids. Chris and I won. Yeah it is true. I have mad basketball skills. I got the hops. (stop laughing).

We have a full weekend planned. Chris got us tickets to tomorrows Mariners game. Felix is pitching. Opening Day for Little League is this weekend. Kim and Payton (sister in law and niece) are coming for the night Saturday. Tristan's birthday is Sunday. Never a dull moment around here.

As always, I will keep up with the pics and progress just not as promptly as I originally promised.

Monday Monday

Wow!

Everyone back to school! Max and Jonah were a little sluggish getting out the door.

We had the footing inspection this morning and I was told it went well. After work I followed a concrete truck....low and behold it was heading to my house. With the footings signed off the boys could begin pouring the mud (That's what they call it. They really mean concrete.)
They worked hard and fast and had all the footing poured and curing in 3hours flat. They earned a cool beverage on the house. I think they enjoyed that.

I keep promising construction videos and I really mean it. I just need to confiscate Chris's computer.

Max has a baseball game tonight which I can't coach cause I am working. I put my trust in my Hubby and Coach Heath. I hope they do well tonight. I have a great group of boys. They work hard and are very cute. Max is really enjoying his team this year. I wish I was there. Alas, someone must circulate the books!

Pics and video coming around 9:30!

Foundation, Firewood, Socks, Lunch and a Clean House

The guys worked on getting the forms ready for the foundation to be poured on Monday. I finally was able to locate some wood and the delivered it bright and early this morning...Just in time for the beautiful sunny day. Figures.

My mom came up for a visit today, as I was too busy to drive my bottom down to Olympia. While the boys and I stacked firewood my mom helped clean my house. Woo Hoo. After spending the morning in my home on our very cold floors my mom declared it necessary for socks. (Never been a good sock mom) She took us out to lunch then we went to the Fred Meyer to buy socks. My family is sock crazy...they love warm toes. Now I just have to figure out how to fold them.

I spent some time going over elevations with the contractor, concrete guy and the survey guy. I don't know if we have it all worked out or not. Chris is going to have a meeting with them at 8am tomorrow before he heads off to work. Everyone is hell bent on getting it perfect which is fantastic. I appreciate all the hard work and time they are all putting in. I know the concrete guys are going to be out here working on getting the forms set tomorrow.

Chris is probably working all weekend. Christian has a couple of birthday parties and Jonah has plans on Sunday with his friend. Other than that, I am looking forward to a pretty mellow weekend. I only have relocating the rest of my plants and stacking wood on the schedule so that is pretty good. Oh wait, I think Christian has a game on Sunday...ugghhhh. Oh well, I am going to remain as mellow and calm as possible. We will see (hahaha)

Here are some photos from the week. Sorry to put them out all at once but the daily thing is killing me...

Holy WIND Batman!

OH MY GOODNESS...Last night was windy! The storm that raged outside my windows did more damage to my piece of mind than it did to the house. Chris told me I needed to stop sleeping so I could get some rest. My dreams were crazy last night.

The house is doing great. They are making the forms for the foundation. It is all work and no play for those guys. I believe they are going to pour on Monday. The work is so dramatic visually but I will post pics from the last couple of days soon. It is just hard to find time to sit in front of my computer these days.

We ran out of wood for the fireplace and I have been calling around for wood deliveries but no one has seasoned wood for right now. I am just going to have to go hunt down one of those wood trucks.

I took the boys into Seattle yesterday to get their passports. That took longer than I thought. We had lunch with Claire and then headed down to district court. The boys were cute. They had to raise their right hands and swear everything they new was accurate. The also signed their own documents which was adorable. I had to remind Max to sign his name as Addison. He signed it Addison Max Duvall. Super cute. Vacation can't come soon enough for me.

Excavation Baby!!

There is an enormous amount of dirt and rock in my yard as the gentelmen are excavating and preping for a new foundation. The comings and goings are enough to make my head spin. Hard to keep track. Yesterday, we worked on relocating some footings for my deck. I called to order more wood but can't find anyone with dry wood this time of year. Running out of wood fast so that is a problem I need to solve.

I believe they are going to begin pouring foundation late this week or early next. I still have not read my timeline to see how long this madness is to go on because I figure what difference does it make. If I have no expectations, I can't get cranky they are taking too long.

I took the boys to "How to Train a Dragon" yesterday. It was so cute. Today we are heading into Seattle for lunch with Chris and to apply for passports. Have Passport...Will Travel. The boys have baseball this evening and Chris is still working a ton. It is amazing how he balances family, work, house work, baseball etc. etc.

I have pictures but no time to upload them. Will get to that later.
See ya soon...

Happy Easter....

Work on the house did not stop because it was a Saturday. They were out with the excavator on prepping for the new foundation. The boys and I cleaned house and then ditched for the weekend. We headed out to Aunt Tanya's house.

Tanya and I went to Easter Vigil Mass which was really nice.
Easter morning was lovely. Tori and Tristan were supper cuddly and gave their auntie some great good morning love. We had an Easter Egg Hunt, baskets and then headed off to mass with the kids and hubbys. Tristan was adorable in Mass.

After we had a fantastic rib dinner. Thanks Trav. We rented the big boys some scarry movies which I tried to sleep through...no such luck. Tanya and I sent the kids and the Daddy's to bed so we could do photos and watch girl movies...However, we are watching the worst movie ever made...maybe not the worst but it sure is depressing. We are staying another night with Tanya. She is going to watch the boys so I can work tomorrow without having to worry about the boys in the construction zone. Yep she is up for Auntie of the year!

I will head home in between shifts tomorrow and see where we are at on the house. I hope everyone had a great Easter. I am so blessed and thankful to have such amazing people around me. It was a great way to spend a beautiful holiday.

Buttoning Down The Hatch.

It is 1:15 and all work at my house has stopped for the day due to a high wind storm warning. Del and the boys were out there bracing the pilings for strong winds. I am not going to lie....I am a little bit nervous. I just can't wait til the day where I don't have to worry about my stinkin house anymore. I am tired of being so stressed out all the time. As I am writing this the sun has peaked out a little bit and that is good news. The high winds are expected in the next couple of hours and then we should be fine. Afterall, what am I going to do about it anyway.

I am so glad we booked a vacation because I really need white sand beaches, sun, relaxation and of course a nice cold margarita.

Tomorrow is Easter Vigil so the boys and I are going to Aunt Tanya's house. Chris has to work but will meet up with us in the evening. We will stay the night and do Easter with them. I love Easter and am so happy to have time to reflect on all of the positives going on right now. The truth is God has blessed me more than I could ever hope for. I am married to an awesome man. He works so hard for our family and is truly dedicated to me. I have three fantastic little boys who make me laugh constantly. I have my super awesome BFF's who put up with me and save me constantly. At the end of the day...I couldn't be more blessed.

Too Late To Blog....

J

Man oh Man, it is definatley too late to be blogging. Busy day with work, house, family and of course some baseball. I am still up trying to download pics and movies on my lame computer. Who wants to talk Chris into buying me a new laptop? I have been at this for far too long. It would help if I read the user manual on my new video camera, but who needs to do that? Chris kept me up late last night watching Texas Chain Saw Massacre....not a favorite of mine. Now I am paying for it dearly.

As for the house, well....It looks like the guys showed up after I left for work today. When I came home they were hard at work cutting concrete and removing my old foundation. Del came up to check on all the walls, doors, tiles etc to make sure there wasn't any damage in the house raise. Christian and Del ended up playing a duo on the piano which was super cute.

Jonah was supposed to umpire his first game tonight but it got rained out so he played in Christian's game instead. Christian only hit and sat the bench so we could protect his finger. Jonah went out there and worked hard playing with the big boys. The other coach commented on how good he was. (there were several mom's mentioning how cute he was too...I got that on video). One of my favorite things about Jonah is his love and joy....he is absolutely adorable. He got a hit and a walk and no one steals bases like he does.

Chris loaded the house with fire wood and helped me clean. Thank goodness! It is hard to find time to do it all and right now and I really wish we had a house keeper....especially with the mud. Life is life and I will forever be stuck with the cleaning responsibility...thank goodness I have a hubby to help.

I am not sure what is in store for tomorrow. I think they are ripping out more of the foundation and bringing rock in. I work all day and Sarah is going to watch the boys so they don't fall out of the house. I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend with my cousin...Wooo hooo. Tanya and I are hoping to sneak out for some girl time. In the mean time, I will work hard a posting daily progress. This is more of a commitment than I realized but I am determined to keep it up.