Until Next Time

Not sure if I've mentioned it on here or not, but during our little construction & remodel project, we had a major water leak in the kitchen. The result is that we have to completely rip out the kitchen, hallway/desk area, and laundry floor & cabinets to make way for a new sub floor & flooring.  You know, the kitchen that I love and wasn't planning to do anything to?  That one.  The one room that didn't need work.  I'm having a little pity party before it's time to get up and get to work clearing these rooms out.  Not that I've been a good blogger lately, but this will be the last one until the house is completely finished and functional again.  We are looking at 2-4 weeks, depending on how things go.  Before I go, a little catch up.

Friday night, Rachel & Travis came to Darrin's volleyball game.  We didn't win, but it was sooooo great to see them. It's definitely been too long.

After the game, we had cake & ice cream at home with my mom & Darrin's parents.  They all spent the night too.  We love to have a house full, especially during volleyball season.  I need to do a better job of taking some pics of our fun weekends at home with family.

Saturday morning, Miles had a soccer game.  I didn't take any pictures b/c it was dreary and drizzling a little. After his game, it was time for another volleyball game, which we won!

It was parents' weekend at Union. We went back on Saturday night just long enough for the team to be introduced.  Darrin is 6'4", so you can see how tall his team is. Wow!

Darrin & I went to the Titans' game on Saturday.  We had box seats from my work.  Sitting in the box was a ton of fun, but the Titans blew a big lead and ended up losing which was not so fun.  Unfortunately, that's how it feels to be a Titans' fan.

Today after school, Miles said he was going to build something. 

He had a vision for a box and got straight to work as soon as we got home.

I had to help a little with the hammering and sawing, but the design and gathering materials was all him.  He worked outside by himself for an hour. I just helped at the very end b/c he was using a saw.

He ended up with a box that he said we can use for rakes and shovels.  As we were cleaning up, he said, "Thanks for helping me, mom.  I really appreciate it."  I honestly don't know what we did to deserve this kid. He is so special.  His little heart and mind blows me away.

Last, but not least, today is Darrin's 39th birthday.  As I said on Facebook, He is the fun to my serious, tall to my short, fly by the seat of his pants to my schedule, lots of words to my few, affectionate to my not so much...the very definition of opposites attract.  Even though he drives me cRaZy, life is way more fun with him in it.  Happy Birthday, Darrin!

His team wished him a Happy Bald Birthday...

Time for me to get busy packing things up.  I am so ready for this house to be completely finished.  Send some caffeine and nerve pills to my rescue.  I know it will be worth it, but right now I'm having a hard time gearing up for round two.  My plan is to be back as soon as possible and then hopefully blog regularly again. I think I can, I think I can.  Until next time...

Weekend Wrap Up

I uploaded these pics last night but then got sidetracked and tired.  Darrin played at Mississippi College on Friday night, so I watched online while Miles played.  Well, I semi watched online between the internet buffering and freezing up. Grrrr...this internet is going to be the death of me.  I actually watched the first set on my phone while I waited in the longest Walmart line ever.  Next time there's a game online I might just go to Walmart and walk around b/c the service was way better than it was after I got home.  Getting back to our weekend....Darrin won, so that was a great start to our weekend.

Darrin's parents went to Darrin's game and then drove back to our house afterwards to spend the night. They arrived at 2:30am and Darrin rolled in a 3:30am.  Unfortunately for them we had a busy Saturday planned.  First up, was Miles' soccer game.  

This was Darrin's first time to watch a game b/c he was out of town last weekend.  I thought that being a coach himself would make him just watch the game and not act like a crazy parent. No.Such.Luck.  He was the craziest one there.  I eventually told him to go watch somewhere else. Even though he looks very serious in this picture, I actually think he was praising him for something good that he had done.  Of course as Miles was walking over I was reminding him ever so kindly not to coach him b/c he has very capable coaches.  It's going to be a long childhood.  And I thought I was going to be the crazy one...

After the soccer game, it was time for a little weekend project of laying sod.  From all the construction, the area right behind our patio was all dirt & rocks.  

We bought two pallets of sod.  I originally wanted three but we didn't have time to pick it up before they closed.  Thank you Lord for your intervention there...two pallets about killed us.  

We still have a lot of bare areas but hopefully we will have some pretty grass right off the patio.  

We don't really have time right now, but I would love to till up the rest and plant some seed this fall.  We'll just have to see what we get around to.  I don't love the way sod shows so many seams, but I'm counting on it filling in nicely if not this year, at least by next spring.

Sunday, we went to church and then Darrin worked all day while Miles and I watched football and did endless loads of laundry.  Now, it's time for more football.  Good night all!

Wordless Wednesday

First Win

Darrin got his first win as a Union Bulldog tonight.  It was their first home game.  We played Lane College, which is also located in Jackson.

The competition wasn't the strongest, but our girls played consistent all night and got the win.  After the game, the AD had the girls present a signed game ball to Darrin.  It was a very thoughtful gesture.  

One of the team captains, Hannah, gave the ball to Darrin. I love this picture, b/c it depicts how the girls feel about him. We've come to them having had a couple rough years as of late and they've had some rough years of their own. It feels so good to be at Union and I believe the girls would say the same.

Four friends from the UTM sports information department surprised Darrin by coming to the game. They even wore red and black.  I can't even deal with how nice this was. It meant the world to him.

It was a great night.  We are so thankful to be Union Bulldogs.  Conference play begins Thursday night.  Wishing them all the luck in the world.

Weekend (& Some Other Random Days) Wrap Up

Miles celebrated grandparents day last Thursday at school.  He was so happy to have Granny, Pa, and Marmee all with him.

They had a delicious choice between corn dogs and BBQ nachos. 

After lunch, they went back to his classroom and see some projects that he made for them.  He was also the door holder for the day, which thrilled his soul.

Darrin was out of town from Wednesday through late Saturday night.  My mom, Miles, and I hung out at home Friday night.  Soccer practice was cancelled due to the rain.  We ate leftovers and then went out to get some ice cream.  An ideal Friday night if you ask me.

Saturday morning, Miles had his first soccer game.  Getting warmed up for the game & taking some instruction from Coach Josh...

Warming up with his teammates...

In his age group, they play 3 on 3, with no goalie, and they don't keep score. Knowing this, I had no real expectations that the game would be very competitive or entertaining.  In the huddle...Go Lions!

The game was so much fun!  I'll admit, I'm not a soccer fan and don't even know the rules yet, but I am hooked.  This was his face after scoring his first goal. 

He went on to score four more. He would always turn around and take a deep breath like he'd just run a marathon. Very dramatic but oh so cute.

I was so surprised by how much he liked it and how aggressive he was.  I had my doubts that he would stay focused and really get in the middle of things, but he definitely did.  He loved it.

I think we lucked up with the best coaches.  They are funny, encouraging, engaged, and offer a lot of direction. His teammates are really good too. It's like the perfect set up for him to learn and to develop his first year.

After soccer, Miles and I came home and did a few things around the house.  This house is one big 'to do' list.  No matter how much we accomplish, there always seems to be a full weekend of work ahead of us.  I keep telling myself that we will be able to sit down in it soon and just enjoy it.  Surely that day is coming soon.

Sunday morning we went to church.  We are still on the church hunt.  We can't seem to find the right one, but that's a story for another day.  After church, it was time for more work around the house.  I have to take advantage of having Darrin home on Sundays since that's the only day we have to work.  He was a trooper after being out of town for the last few days.  We watched the Titans beat up on the Bucs...whoop whoop Mariota!!!....and then we washed all the windows in our new additions, which are the sun room and master bedroom.  

Miles helped a little and then rode around on his 4-wheeler.  That was much more fun.

It was a good, but exhausting weekend, as they all have been since June.  Today was Monday all.day.long.  By the end of my work day, this accurately described my feelings...

It's time for me to kick my feet up and watch some Monday Night Football.  Good night all!

Chris & Kelli's Wedding

Miles was asked to be a ring bearer in Mr. Chris' wedding.  Mr. Chris was his daycare teacher for 2 years. He was such a great teacher. His fiance was also a teacher at the daycare. They each asked two kids from their classes to be in the wedding.  Chris asked Miles & Avery...

These two go way back... all the way to the baby room at daycare when they were 2 months old. Miles was happy to see his old friend.

The two little kiddos were from Ms. Kelli's class.  The little ring bearer is actually Avery's little brother, Brody.

Rehearsal was a little rowdy with these four.

It left us all feeling very anxious about whether or not these kids were going to pull off their ring bearer and flower girl responsibilities.  Miles and Avery both get very nervous in front of people. Sometimes Miles will actually freeze in fear. I was so worried how he would react when he walked through the doors and saw all the people looking at him.

The rehearsal dinner was laid back and very nice.  These two are just the cutest...

Then Saturday came and it was time for our moment of truth.  We could not get over our little man in a tux.  I confess I glimpsed forward to his wedding for a brief moment.

Miles LOVED getting dressed up.  I was so surprised by how much he enjoyed it. He tried it all on the day we picked it up.  Then, as he was getting dressed at the church, he said, "I'm so excited!" You can tell how much he loved it by this smile.

Mr. Chris is special to all of us. I have no doubt that he and Kelli will have lots of happy years together.

Miles rocked his ring bearer duties. He held Avery's hand, walked down the aisle, and stood perfectly still during the entire wedding. He even bowed his head during the prayers.  It was so awesome to see that he was able to rise above his fears and do what he had to do.  We were very proud of him!