Ross Reflections. . .

So my dreams/plans of blogging the progress of our house was a bit unrealistic. I have gone through phases of exhaustion, stress, overwhelmed with the chaos, very thankful for the future space and I am currently am SOOO excited as I now have vision and decisions on paint colors (thanks Beth!!). I am missing having friends in my house and the joy of entertaining (Traci, you can relate, ha, ha). I have actually banned all kids, including my own (if it is nice out) to be OUT of the house during the day because there is nothing to do/play/or anywhere to be. I am excited to have the drywall begin this week and see it all come together in the next couple weeks. This post is just pictures of the stages so far, the last week has been plumbing, electric and insulation which is a lot of work but not progress you can really take pictures of. Enjoy and I can't wait to have you over when we are all done. Logan in the gutted bathroom. We came home for the Zaino's wedding to find the foundati...

I woke up to a phone call at 7:15, the workers will be here at 8 and working inside all day. They have to build temporary walls before taking off the left side and back of our house. I knew this time was coming but Gary was out of town and I was left with 3 kids to gut 3 rooms in 45 minutes. Let's just say that worker John and worker Dave heard a side of me that doesn't get seen or heard by many people. By dinner time, we were all smiles again and this is how we will eat until the walls come tumbling down.

Good-bye patio, Hello "screened in porch" (it turned into a year round room as we were tweaking our plans but I still call it by it's original purpose/name/intent. Noah ran to the phone and called Conner to come and watch. His exact words, "This is sooo cool I just want to share it with him." I thought that was sweet. Standing on the patio. Noah and Logan each picked a piece of concrete to save, as if they will miss this slab of rock. We arrived home from the allergist around 10 and never made it into our house until 2:30. What we have been planning and talking about for months is finally becoming a reality and we are all excited for one reason or another. The younger two are excited about their new bedrooms and Noah and I are most excited about the porch. The workers today were so kind and patient with the kids and I can't believe all they accomplished. We look forward their return tomorrow, I am hoping for another 10 start time but I'm guessing it will...

Gary's parents planned a scavanger hunt for the kids and their chocolate bunnies and more were in Reds hats. Don't they look so cute? Gary must have stolen Isaiah's hat, he really wished he had gotten a hat too. Isaiah was broken hearted over Gary stealing the hat. No really, he was in time out for not sharing the bat. Now he is all smiles. Isaiah learned a new trick, to put both feet on the scooter and balance. More baseball Notice Logan "on deck" OK, I couldn't resist. How much longer can this be cute without being inappropriate to capture? The stream cracks me up.

You can totally see each of their personalities coming through in these pictures. Logan is striking a pose and being girly, Isaiah is being a clown and disobedient, and then Noah is trying his best to smile and obey no matter how much he hates that I make him get his picture taken.

We headed to Cincinnati for a few days and had a great time as a family seeing grandparents and just being away from Upland. There is a park within walking distance of Gary's parents house and we went there every day. There is a great path that circles the entire park and we biked, scootered, rollerbladed, ripsticked and walked this path many times. I love how Gary is acting like his is getting kicked in the gut by Isaiah. Noah spent hours throwing the baseball with Gary. Some great father/son bonding. I enjoyed playing with my camera and capturing the fun.

"Earlier mom, when you clenched my arm, I wanted to slap you across the face but I didn't because I knew I would get in trouble." Can you guess who said this?? LOGAN I was laughing so hard when she told me during a sweet snuggle moment we had this afternoon. The background for this funny comment is the following: Logan has blossomed into a reader in the last week and is reading independently Frog and Toad stories and other basic first step reading level books. It has been very exciting. She has also been learning in her phonics lessons different blends at the end of words like ranch, branch, clench, etc. A few days ago I explained what clench meant and showed her by holding her arm tightly. Fast forward to this morning when she was writing in her journal and not focusing and being sloppy. After erasing her letters/words a few times I got frustrated and sternly spoke as I HELD her arm. "Logan, if you can't do your best and focus, you will go to your room until yo...

The Olympics have inspired my snowboarder!! Noah and Joseph Hayes I love the line of vans filled with moms watching from the warmth of the car. My snow angel The snow was melting and at the top of the hill the kids would literally start on the grass.