February wrap-up

More February happenings

Michael asked a cute girl named Rachel to Prom.

A few days later she said yes with a box of Lucky Charms. Michael was thrilled!

Our Valentines Day was pretty low-key this year. Todd was really busy at work so he worked late. I had a sore back and our kitchen is under construction so I didn't do Valentines like I usually do. However, Sara surprised us with these sweet Valentines that she made at Activity Days.

The girls and I took a Valentine to my grandma. Sara loves to cuddle her big teddy bear while we visit.

Despite his busy work schedule, Todd found time to paint our front room.

I went to an 89th birthday lunch at Olive Garden for Mary Jane (a sweet friend from our ward). 

Ben hosted a beach themed school talent show with the other SBO's. I dropped him off at school wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. It was 25 degrees outside. Brrrrr......

Here are Ben and his friends during the talent show.

I took Sara to try on dresses for her upcoming baptism day. She is such a precious girl! We can't believe our youngest is going to turn 8 years old and be baptized soon.

I don't know what I would do without my Instant Pot! I have used it almost everyday. Sometimes multiple times a day while our kitchen is being remodeled.

The worst part about not having a kitchen is doing dishes in the bathroom!

I've managed some pretty good meals considering we don't have a kitchen.

Sunday dinner in our makeshift kitchen.

I still love our family dinner time.

Ben had his Eagle Board of Review. He is one step closer to earning his Eagle!

Playing a game of Speak Out on a Sunday afternoon. It's hilarious!

Snack time.

Luke earned his Science pin at a recent pack meeting.

I have missed my exercise class since I hurt my back. I'm going to ease back into it now that my back is improving. 

Sara completed level Pro 2 and is now finished with swimming lessons. I am so grateful that all of our children know how to swim!

This is the status of our kitchen at the end of February. It's a shame to just look at our appliances. We're waiting for our countertops and plumber before the appliances can be installed.

February happenings

Our kitchen has been torn up during the entire month of February.

We have high hopes that sometime during the month of March, our new kitchen will be completed.

I have attended a few cooking classes in an effort to learn how to use our steam oven when it is installed.

Luke finished up his Jr. Jazz season with his good buddies.

Michael started his track season. Here he is wearing his new track jacket. Ben is wearing his Student Body Officer t-shirt. I'm grateful that these boys have fun participating in school activities.

Todd painted the bookshelves that were in our master bedroom and we moved them to the girls room. It's nice to have the girls bedroom better organized. 

We sold our old kitchen cabinets.

Michael went to the Sweethearts dance with Nicole. He had a great time.

Ben and Mary were both set apart in new church callings on the same Sunday. Mary is serving as first counselor in the Mia Maids presidency and Ben is serving as first counselor in the Teachers quorum.

I babysat for a friend in our neighborhood and she made these amazing cookies as a 'thank-you'- they were ALMOST too beautiful to eat (however, they didn't last long!).

Our hardwood floors were sanded and re-finished as part of our remodeling project.

Our bedroom became the gathering spot when we couldn't walk on our hardwood floors.

Michael found a quiet spot in our closet to do his homework.

Mary practiced her viola...

While we waited for the floor finish to dry.

We thought the kids were going to need to sleep in our bedroom or have them access their bedrooms through a window, but since we had a clear coat instead of a stain applied, it dried pretty quick. By bedtime the kids were able to tiptoe on the hardwood to their bedrooms.

Luke and Sara did their Valentines for their classmates at our makeshift office on TV trays in our bedroom.

After our floor was finished, the electricians came in and made another mess.

Much of February for me was spent in bed. I'm not sure how but I hurt my back. I did a lot of reading and watching organizing and nutrition shows on Netflix.

I'm not going to lie. It has been an emotionally difficult month. It has been hard to be in pain, surrounded by messes, and waiting for contractors.

However, things are looking up! My back is starting to improve, we have some solid dates for kitchen installation ahead, and I'm not going to stress about getting our house back together after the construction is finished. I hoped it would be done before Sara's baptism but if it isn't- that's ok!

There were threats of violence at our kids middle school on Valentines Day. We considered keeping them home from school, but then we decided we were not going to live in fear.

It was strange to drop our kids off at school with news cameras and 6 police cars in front.

It was probably their safest day at school yet.

We are raising our children in a world dealing with things we never had to think about.

I'm always happy to have my kids home safe at the end of the day but even more so on that day!

Our sweet Sara was selected as leader of the month from her class. Ben and Mary had the day off of school so they came to the assembly with me to see Sara receive her certificate.

Following the leadership assembly, I was scheduled to help with art in Luke's 5th grade class. Ben and Mary came to help me which was much appreciated since my back was hurting. I let them do the standing and running around. Luke thought it was cool to have his older siblings in class with him.

Michael had 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed from the oral surgeon where my mom assists.

It was nice to have the special attention from grandma the nurse.

Michael was completely numb but really hungry when we got home. I fed him spaghetti O's like when he was a little guy! Aw....

The day finally arrived when our new cabinets were installed. I love them! I look forward to the day when I can start to use them! Still waiting on the countertops, appliances, plumbing and electrical :)

Cuddling with my Sara on a Sunday afternoon.

I started to go through my boxes of recipe books. I found all sorts of forgotten gems from my cooking days in Italy, England and Australia. It brought back lots of memories and made me even more excited to have a kitchen again!

Believe it or not, throughout this whole remodel process, selecting new lights has been one of the most difficult decisions yet. I finally made my final selections yesterday. I hope it all comes together like I have pictured it in my mind.

Luke gave a talk in Primary. He summed up very well our efforts to study the New Testament together. Our family study brings me happiness too!