Walking Around

James decided he wanted to practice walking, so we figured what better shoes to learn in than Mommy's flip-flops!!

I'm ready for my close-up...

Aren't they cute?! I think James was getting a little bit tired of the paparazzi by the end though.

Are you ready for some football?

The rivalry has already begun!! But it looks like they'll still be able to be friends...except for those two games a year :)

Almost Done

New Drywall

New Carpet

Now we just have to move the furniture back...

To Bee Or Not To Bee

The professionals came to return our basement to its pre-flood condition this week. I was very excited to have my basement living space back. But God sent me another little reminder to rely on him and not on my basement - He sent me a bee. More than one, actually. After Brandon pulled up the carpet in our guest room, he apparently uncovered a hole to the outside and we ended up hosting a bumblebee party. When I was showing the trim guy around we realized that there were probably at least a dozen bees hanging out in the bedroom. Luckily they weren't aggressive, so we just shut the door while Mom and I worked out a plan. She went to the store and soon after returned to the guest room armed with a fly swatter and a can of bug spray. She killed all of them, and any that came later died from bug spray inhalation. Brandon sealed the passageway they had found and hung a bee killing device outside. The carpet has been laid and the problem taken care of (so those of you who are planning a visit, don't worry). As Mom ran to the store for supplies I couldn't help but think, "I can't believe the very day we're getting the basement fixed we find another problem." But I realized, again, that things like houses aren't what's important and I can't make my basement be where my treasure lies. Such a small insect - such an important lesson.
Mandy <><

Two Months Old!!

Lemonade Stand

When my sister and I were little we lived in Hawaii, so we didn't have a lemonade stand, we had a coconut stand. Never mind the fact that everyone in our neighborhood had a coconut tree in their backyard, we set up shop, trying to sell those coconuts. When that didn't work, we tried our hands at making leis to sell. Once I think we even sold shaved ice. That was probably our most successful venture. Although, I think we did pretty well selling perfume door to door. What was our secret formula for that perfume, you might ask? Water and flower petals in a dixie cup. I believe we sold them for a dime a piece. It's a wonder neither of us are in sales right now :)

You may be wondering why I'm bringing this up right now. Well, I made a promise to myself that I would try to buy lemonade, or coconuts, from any kids with a roadside stand, and yesterday I passed one on my way to work. I was going the wrong direction and was kind of in a hurry, so I almost didn't stop. But then I remembered my promise, so I turned around and went back. Inflation apparently hasn't affected lemonade stands yet because they were selling each glass for a quarter. It was good lemonade, and I chatted with the girls for a minute. They said business was going all right. I was glad I stopped. I couldn't help but see my sister and I in those little girls, and I had to wonder what kind of roadside stand our kids will be opening in the not too distant future.

'Nuff Said

Fun with laundry

The other night James was a little grumpy, so we decided to see if laying him in a warm pile of laundry might cheer him up. To our intense amusement it did!! However, it only lasted for a little while...

The 4th of July

We celebrated the 4th of July in Parker with Mandy's parents and Steph, Casey, Evan & Caden. We are so proud to be Americans, and we are praying for our troops who are serving right now.

James in his patriotic gear!

Steph thought an outside shot would be nice. The three of us thought it was a little bright :)

Fireworks!

The Fourth of July brought back memories for me this year. Not of a former Fourth of July, mind you, but of an evening of fireworks. When Brandon and I lived in Independence, MO and knew we were moving to Pittsburg, KS we periodically went down to Pittsburg to try to find a place to live once we moved. On one such trip we were headed home to Independence, after an afternoon of house hunting that resulted in no house. We were kind of tired of the trek and just wanted to get home. As we were driving through the middle of nowhere we saw fireworks off in the distance. It wasn't Fourth of July, or any other holiday for that matter. Perplexed we kept an eye on the fireworks display as we got closer and closer. It looked like they were coming from a small town up ahead. It was a really nice fireworks display, so we pulled over on the side of the road to watch them. As we were watching them I realized there was something missing - patriotic music! Now, this is one of the main reasons I know my husband and I belong together, he sat on the side of the road with me, watching a totally random fireworks display and sang patriotic songs with me. And he was enthusiastic. It's actually one of my favorite memories of Brandon and I. Maybe that's why I love fireworks :)

Mandy <><