The Kitchen's new coat of paint

 It has been a busy couple of weeks.  Today I feel like posting a few of my favorite pictures (from my camera) that represent the whirlwind of our last two weeks.

On the way home from Grant's benefit a few weeks ago.

 Three Sundays ago we went to a benefit for my cousin Grant.  He made it home just in time to attend his own benefit and it was amazing to witness people's generosity as they were bidding on items and turning around and giving some items back to Grant. For instance, a Packers football signed by last year's team sold for over 1 grand to a guy who turned around and gave it to Grant.

Last Sunday my parents arrived and we began wedding preparations.  I only got a couple of shots of Thanksgiving dinner before I headed out to work on wedding stuff.

The Thanksgiving table

Turkey Carving- Andy's masterpiece. Magnum is waiting for a free sample.

 Black Friday- no shopping for us, just a little rest and relaxation before the rehearsal and dinner.

The bride the day before her wedding

Our Black Friday consisted of manicures, pedicures and wedding rehearsal

Wedding Day!  Did I mention our house hosted the Bride, since she lived here, plus the rest of my immediate family including my parents and littlest sister and brother.  The final night 2 of my cousins stayed also, since one was a bridesmaid and the other was doing hair.  I wouldn't have had it any other way, but it has made for a crazy, fun, busy weekend!

My bed room became a hair salon.

The ring bearer posing as a photographer

The girl cousins

And Sunday morning: the wedding aftermath: my front room

Congratulations Ryan and Rachel!!

Cross Country

what happens after you cross over a creek several times

My dear husband talked me into running LHF race with him this morning.  He figured if I could run a 5k why not a 7 mile cross-country race?  Leading up to the race I thought I might die or my legs might fall off if they got too tired. But, I made it, it was fun and thankfully not completely freezing cold.  Just the right running temperature actually.  If you aren't familiar with this race it is known for people dressing up in crazy costumes.  I got just a little crazy and put satin nighty over top my running clothes.  Which is nothing compared to those running in leopard print leotards, men in thongs (gross), prom dresses, daisy dukes, a herd of reindeer with Santa-well you get the idea.  I am tired now and my legs hurt to go up the stairs. But I am glad I did it!

Andy threw mud at me because I was too clean.

Thankful

Well I suppose I fell off the daily post bandwagon.  We have a houseful of company arriving tonight and a week of wedding festivities begin, along with Thanksgiving and the wedding of my sister and her man on Saturday.  Did I mention our house will probably be the center of the hubbub?  More than likely?!  I imagine it WILL be considering the bride is living here.  It will be fun, but not much time for blogging.  We have many reasons to be thankful this year but most of all because God is truly an amazing God who loves us and wants what is best for us.  He has chosen to show our family a miracle through Grant's circumstances and has blessed us abundantly even though we deserve nothing.

Thankful XII

Thankful for fun days with the girls and time well spent with friends.  We had a great morning going out for breakfast and shopping at a handful of intriguing antique shops and a few other shops in the East Village.  I found this cheerful little teapot and I think it goes wonderfully with my newly painted kitchen walls.  Never would have pegged myself as a gray person, but I am really loving this new color. 

So very Thankful VIII - XI

Well I am four days behind, so much for the daily posts.  I mean I do have 2 toddlers, yup Cade is starting to walk!  And there is a wedding in two weeks, and the bride lives here, and that means my family will be staying here in a week, and that also means I think I am doing a Thanksgiving dinner, and whatever other busyness that entails.
day 8 (tuesday) -  Grant went home today.  Cade started taking steps today. Yeah Grant went home to his house!  We are all so thankful and rejoicing in this!  If you had been watching Caring Bridge they haven't kept this information on the down low so he could have some quiet time at home adjusting and resting before he had a ton of visitors.  We went to visit Child Serve on Wednesday hoping that he wasn't there.  Cade cried and Dane was visibly disappointed when we turned around and left instead of visiting Grant. They just don't know that the farm is way more fun to visit than a rehab facility!
day 9 - Thankful for sisters, whom both live here and help out. 
day 10 -I am thankful for the boy's naps.  Especially when they nap at the same time and I have some time to myself!
day 11 - I am so thankful for my brother-in-law Jeff, who is deployed right now and the sacrifices his family is making.

Thankful Day VII

Wow this is going to be a busy month.  It may be a stretch to try and get on the computer to do a daily post.  Today I am thankful for running. I think.  It seems as though it has gotten easier in some ways.  I still never want to get out there and get going but always feel better after I do.  The past week or two I have been able to run with Andy several times which has been quite fun.  I got out there and ran again today, wouldn't it be great if the good weather of earlier today would last most of the winter?  One can dream can't they?  Then I could keep up this running regimen.

Thankful Day IV, V, VI

It's been a super busy weekend and I didn't have time to blog, but living life is way more important that blogging anyway.  So I am going to have to cram three thankful posts into one.  I did try to keep a mental list of things I am thankful for throughout the weekend, lets see if I can remember.

Friday Day IV -
I was and still am thankful for a helpful husband that can cook and is handy in the kitchen.  I didn't start making what turned out to be five dozen muffins until 8:30pm friday night and I still needed to make a yummy cream cheese spread and apple dip, and a Walmart run. Andy of course jumped right in and cleaned my kitchen up and assisted me in all my kitchen endevours.  He's pretty much amazing. God (and my mom) knew I would need a husband that could cook.

Saturday Day V - I am thankful for family and friends and facials.  We had my sister's bridal shower hosted by an amazing generous friend.  My mom (and little brother) came all the way out from Colorado for the weekend and surprised my sister for her shower.    Then we had some great girl time getting facials.  It was a first for all of us....so wonderful and relaxing.  Then off for some shoe shopping.

looking beautiful

Sunday Day VI-  I am thankful for church, family, and time spent together.  Well so far there has been a theme with being so thankful for family.  A big group of us went and hung out with Grant again for a little while.  Love that kid.  He may be in a wheelchair in this picture, but you have to understand that he walked back to his room and got a wheel chair.  Keep praying for his appetite to return and for him to eat.  That is the biggest hurdle right now and then shortly he can probably go home.

Grant and Cade

Dane's favorite thing when we visit Grant. "the hand thing"  or more technically pinpoint needle art.  Those are impressions of the boys.