Pruning

We spent yesterday pruning the bushes and things in the front yard. It turned out to be the perfect day for it. I am usually planting flowers this weekend, but the weather is still in the 30s and low 40s during the night and in the morning so I need to wait. Ken and I trimmed the bushes and the boys had the job of picking up all the cut off parts and throwing them away.

It's a good thing we were planning on re-mulching because Nathan had a hard time determining the difference between a clippings and mulch. I think he threw half the mulch in the trash!

It's About Time

Our mortgage company finally released the last our insurance claim from Hurricane Ike. It has been a year and a half, but at least we have it. We also refinanced our house and in the process changed home owners insurance policies. We called Texas Windstorm to make sure that switching companies would not affect our ability to collect the residual monies from our claim. TWIA said they paid out our entire claim and the account was closed so we got out our paperwork and pointed out that they had not. Sure enough, they said they had made a mathematical error and they owed us money. They also said they will re-open our claim, issue a check, and close the claim without making us go through the inspection and extra paperwork processes. So we will be able to get a new air conditioner before summer (our old one has been limping for a few years) and install a new banister. We are hoping that we will also be able to replace the windows and front door, but the money may not spread quite that far. We'll see. At least it is VERY good news!

Nathan said he's going to marry her!

Happy Birthday Nathan (and Daddy)

Last Wednesday we celebrated Nathan's 5th birthday. We also celebrated Ken's birthday, which is the same day, but he does not like his birthday and therefore this will be the only mention of it.

I can't believe my Naters is 5! He is still the sweetest little guy (and I mean little) and he has the biggest, most beautiful eyes. On his actual birthday we had a chocolate cake Daddy and Nathan made together. Jonny, Cassie, and Hailey came over for dinner and we had a nice time. He got a new BYU hat with a baby cougar on it. He calls it his kitty-cat hat.

On Saturday we held a birthday party. I planned an outside party and was so worried the weather would be bad., It has been an actual cold winter here. Sure enough, Saturday morning started out cold and damp. But the sun came out at about 9:30 and stayed out for the whole party. About an hour afterward it became very overcast and stayed that way. We had several of Nathan's friends and families come and we played outside, had hot dogs, and cupcakes. Good times...

I have strep throat.

Every joint in my body hurts, including my fingers. My skin is crawling, my tonsils are the size of grapefruits, and it hurts to do anything.

The doctor gave me antibiotics and Tylenol 3 but I still feel awful. I hope they start working soon.

Kenny's Thoughts on Gondlas

Kenny learned about Venice in art school yesterday. They made gondolas out of clay. He was telling me about what he had learned and when he got to the part about covered gondolas he said, "And the famous people have sheds on them, like on the gondola, so they won't get rain or sun on their famous clothes."

Ah, he makes me smile.

Just Another Week...

Not much has been going on here lately. Just work and school for everybody. We have a spell of cold weather heading our way again. It has been a real winter this year. We usually wear winter clothes for about 6 weeks out of the year. This year, we have been wearing them since Thanksgiving. And it doesn't seem to be warming up for good any time soon. It's nice to have the cold weather. It will make spring all the sweeter. I haven't taken any picture lately but I do have this one of Nathan. He loves baking cookies with me! So there you go. Life tromping forward as usual. Exciting, huh.

Art School

Kenny started art classes tonight and he LOVES them! One of the local universities offers 8 week art courses for young children and Grandmama and Grandad got lessons for Kenny for Christmas (thank you!) He came home talking all about physical objects, shadows, lights/dark, and perspecitive.

The first lesson is about defining the word Renaissance and helping the kids understand the transition between the Middle Ages to the age of enlightenment. They will be studying Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Brunelleschi. Each lesson will focus on an artist- their works of art, techniques, and subjects followed by the students using what they learned to express their ideas using different mediums.
Today the kids used paints. Kenny made a castle. He was very excited and told me, "I didn't wiggle at all because I didn't want to miss anything they were saying." It is great to see him so on fire about something. Next week is a study of the city of Venice and the kids will get to use clay. Can't wait to see what he comes up with.