Summer project

I know it's almost Christmas, but I really wanted to blog about our deck...even though it's currently buried under about a foot of snow. It was a summer long project that was quite an adventure.

Ever since Brad and I became homeowners about 3 1/2 years ago, we've done a lot of smaller repairs or improvements to our 1950's home. Each year we've tackled a much larger project...like landscaping, adding a second half bathroom, and finally building a deck. As we've added children to our family, projects seem to take three or more times as long to complete.


Even though we've had the deck plans for over a year, we finally got around to starting it Labor Day weekend. It was supposed to have been a Memorial Day project, but we decided to wait until my dad could come and help...plus we needed my parents' van and trailer to haul ALL the stuff from Menards. And even though we began building Labor Day weekend, we didn't actually finish the floor and the railing until early October...and actually, we still have to add the two steps before we're finally done.

As I look back on the pictures and remember the many nights Brad spent outside (with Sammy's help) finishing the flooring, I am so grateful for my dad. He is a jack of all trades. He's able to fix pretty much anything, and he knows so much about so many things. He worked so well alongside Brad. They took more trips to Menards than they will probably admit, but they had a great time working together. My dad has the knowledge, and Brad is eager to learn. There were always a lot of laughs coming from the backyard...and a lot of groans when something didn't go exactly right.


They made a really great team. And I know that my dad loved passing on his knowledge and enjoyed being useful around the house. And Brad's grateful for the help. His dad just didn't tinker or fix things and he didn't take the time to teach or show Brad what he did know...isn't that the case with a lot of families.


So as Brad and I are thinking through what traditions and memories we want to pass down to our children this Christmas season, I'm grateful for all my dad has taught me. And I'm so thankful that Brad will teach what he's learned to his son (and daughter) someday. I am so glad that these skills will not die with my father, but will continue to be passed down to the next generation.

Thanksgiving Blessings

Brad and I had such a relaxing Thanksgiving this year! Brad had Wednesday - Monday off work, and it was SO NICE having him home. We got a LOT of things done around the house, and spent some good time with friends. My friend, Melanie, came up for two days, and she totally helped prepare the Thanksgiving meal and she watched the kids TWICE for us. We got to hang out with our Sunday School class after our Thanksgiving Eve service until the wee hours of the morning, and then we got to go shopping (at 5:00 a.m.) the day after Thanksgiving...that's a whole story in itself. There was no rush, and little worries. We did drive to Fargo on Saturday to see my parents and my brother and his kids...just for the day. It was still about 5 hours of driving, but there were no overnighters and no clean up! Sammy just LOVES playing with her older cousins, and my parents were eager to see how much Caleb had grown. Since Brad and I and the rest of my immediate family have been SO BUSY, it was the only real time we could get together...and it was just right. Brad and I REALLY needed some time just to be at home together as a family.

Not only did Melanie watch our kids, but she also took some pictures of our family...since it's near IMPOSSIBLE to take a family picture ourselves and have both children look in the general direction of the camera! She also loved on my kids! She made Caleb laugh, and laugh, and laugh. It was such a joy having her spend those days with us. And even though I wanted to bless her by welcoming her into my home for the holidays, I was the one who was truly blessed. She loved us so personally by giving Brad and me time together and by playing with my kids. She truly blessed my heart.