My couch saga

We have had 4 couches in our house in the last two weeks.  We started with this one given to us years ago by my parents. I have loved it so much and really never wanted to get rid of it. But when I started sinking in it regularly and Matt had done all he could, we figured it was time to look for a different one.  

So then this one was given to us.  It had some cat scratches that we were able to blend in and while I liked the look of it, it was a little more formal than I was thinking.  

Then we had an opportunity to get this one for a great deal.  We only had it for two days, so I didn't even take a picture of it in our house.  I told Matt this is a good choice for the money we have, but someday I want a Pottery Barn one.  Sort of joking since I would never spend $2000 on a couch.  Ha.  Well, God heard me...

And we found this one for the exact amount we spent on the other one.  Actually, $2 less!  Pottery Barn, exact style I always wanted from the showroom, the color I wanted, and SOOO SOFT!  I can't stop staring at it, and I love relaxing on it.  What a personal love gift from the Lord!  He does care about every detail of our lives.  A couch has no eternal value, but it is a physical sign to me of the real blessing - my relationship with Him. 

Happy birthday, Grandpa!

We love this kind and gracious man so much!  He and Betty raised a good son who is good to me.  And they are great grandparents to the kids.  We are so grateful for him and the times we have together.  

Memorial Day and other doings

Here are the kids in their festive Memorial Day outfits.  We had a great day with the family - best food and company, a good visit to the graves, and such a blessing to be together as always.  I didn't take any pictures of that day.  I guess I was having too much fun.

  So in the pictures below, Matt and I found our names in the Coke bottles, but the closest we could find to Jack and Ava were Zach and Shayla.  So they are holding those names.  I guess they could be nicknames!

Here's Jack with a friend of ours' newborn.  His name is Asher Mark.  So fun to hold a newborn, and Jack loves babies.  

Jack submitted his Lego ship to Lego Magazine's Cool Creations Club.  He wants to be published. There's a whole story happening on that ship!

Summer is (almost) here!

We are starting to see the end of things before summer.  I enjoy summers in Minnesota.  They're never long enough, but they are wonderful!  So we have finished our adult Bible studies that we had throughout the year, and now we have finished Kids 4 Truth for another year.  It went great this year, and we really enjoyed all of the kids who were involved.  We celebrated a great year with popcorn and root beer floats.  Delicious.  Oh the kids have black eyes because it was injury night.  They are not real injuries!  

MInnesota Zoo

Zoo season is here!  We love the Minnesota Zoo and have had many great memories here.  There are lots of babies now and always have fun things happening.  Another family in our church also has a membership, so we went together this past weekend.  Even better!

Lilacs from our yard

Lilacs remind me of my mom, Chelsie, since there are lilac bushes all around her cemetery.  So I'm happy to be reminded of her even more in my own yard.  

Special times

We love our sweet church people.  We got a drop in visit from a couple who are really fun and make us laugh.  

And this is one of our dear ladies who is always encouraging to us. 

I want to take advantage of these times, and I'm happy the kids enjoy spending time with them too. 

Big news in Fairmont

A new restaurant!  Hardee's opened on Monday, and we checked it out.  Matt had the Great American Thickburger with chips and a hot dog on it.  Wow!  I had a bite.  The food was good, and it was fun to go somewhere new.  I haven't been to Hardee's in years, and I really enjoyed it.  

House projects

We are in the middle of a house project.  We are painting the wood trim white and replaced some interior doors that were a steal.  Not quite finished, but I can't believe the difference!  And then the list just keeps going, baseboards, my other shutters, a window box maybe, and I would love a backsplash and maybe crown molding.  I thought we would do a couple of things upstairs before we could concentrate on the downstairs.  But now the upstairs is taking over.  I enjoy bettering my house, but I do not enjoy the process semetimes.  So I need a little more patience I guess!  

New knobs

Sad news...

For some of us.  After lengthy discussions, we have decided to sell Jock.  With our schedule and his hyperactivity, we have decided that a different environment would maybe be better for him.  We found the nicest young couple who are runners!  And now we are all happy.  The kids got some spending money and don't have to keep their door closed anymore, Matt doesn't have to worry about what the dog is doing anymore, and I feel relief that there's one less "kid" to worry about.  We liked him overall and he was not a bad dog, but it was time for him to move on.  So we are happy God provided the right home for him.  

Mother's Day with the Moms!

I love this quote.  "The only thing better than having you for a mom is my children having you for a Grandma."  Matt and I can both say that about our moms.  God has blessed us with a rich heritage of love, wisdom, and service.  It has inspired us to do the same with our lives.   So we are so grateful for the influence they have had.  Also my mom was instrumental in my organization passion, and Matt said his mom was always reminding him to be careful about everything.  So we are a good match!  He reins me in, and I push him forward.  And sometimes it goes the other way too!  We love you, Moms!

After a delicious PF Chang's dinner, we shopped at my favorite shopping places in Maple Grove, and then Saturday also shopped in Anoka and ikea for our house projects.  I came away with a few treasures. 

From the kids and church.  So sweet.  

I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a mom as well; and although I know I could do better, God has given me the perfect kids for me to mother, and I am the perfect mom designed for them.  I read that somewhere and try to keep reminding myself that in times of doubt.  God has been good to me even though I don't deserve it.  

Flowers from my sister and a little sign for me. Because I don't have enough. :)

Staging

I was able to help my friend stage (my favorite thing) for an open house in the house they just bought.  It is a lot larger house than they were in previously so lots more space to fill up.  We started with a couch and a bench and ended up finding some unheard of deals at goodwill and a garage sale to help fill the space.  I was in project heaven!  

Upper living area

Kitchen dining area

Lower living area

Vintage wallpaper that kind of grew on me.  Not sure she will keep it up or not.  

The reason for this blog...

I heard somewhere that "The days are long, but the years are short."  So true!

A wapo sandwich (Ava's word for waffle)

Ava's new favorite food:  wapos (waffles)

They got to help granddaddy move some trees this week.  It's kind of nice when they can actually start helping!