Train Table

After 8 or so hours of blood, sweat and a couple "dang-it"s and "shoot"s, Owen's train table is basically finished. I have some touch up painting to do and I need to screw in the middle support brace but those can wait. It works is all I can say!

I used some really simple plans from a web site called Squirrel Tracks. All it took was a piece of 1/2" 4x8' plywood, paint, drywall screws, and some scrap 2x4"s. Thanks Neal S. for getting the plywood board and cutting it out. Then I sanded, painted, and assembled it all by myself! It was my project so it doesn't bother me a bit that Barry didn't help. It just makes the sense of pride and accomplishment even sweeter. I can hardly believe little ol' me drilled the pilot holes and screwed in the drywall screws. I even sawed by hand the 2x4 support blocks.

I simply love the blue and green I picked out which is saying something because I never pick out the right color. I also love that I can store Owen's trains, tracks, and accessories under it. I put on top the rug Owen's been using so far to play trains. I figured it would serve two purposes, protect and give some interest. We'll see if we keep it there.

After I get it completely finished then I'm going to put these way cute Thomas vinyls on it.


Happy Owen!

The world's longest train!

Happy 6th Anniversary, Honey!

Well we made it through this year! It's hard not to look back at this year and not take note of the rocky moments. It's been a much rockier road to baby #2 than I think either of us expected. Even rockier than the road to Owen. But then I think about you and Owen and how so very blessed I am to have my boys.

I also think about the small but happy things we do together. Like yesterday night where we sat outside together watching Owen play in the sandbox. Or when we go to dinner or watch a movie. I think about your smile and laugh and how much I love them. I hope this year will bring more lighter moments. I love you so much and appreciate how hard you work in providing for our family. Here's to the better years yet to come!

Memorial Day Weekend

For the holiday weekend, we took a little vacation down to Salt Lake City. You'd think we'd tire of going down there at least 2-3 times a year. But we always seem to enjoy the shopping, food, and the company of friends & family. We apologize that we didn't get to see everyone we wanted to see. It seems there are not enough hours in the day.

Saturday morning was filled with the Hoogle Zoo.  I couldn't get Owen to smile for any of the pictures. I think he was tired but also bothered by his 2 year old molars (they've been going up and down for weeks now). We saw lots of animals. Owen's favorite was the Meercats. One got up really close right where Owen was standing and Owen got really excited. Owen got to ride the carousel and the train twice. Once with Da-dad and once with Mom-mum. Hopefully those rides made up for nixing our original plans. We had planned to see Thomas but found out that you couldn't see Thomas without riding him. Maybe next year.

Early that night Barry and I went to dinner for an early celebration of our 6th wedding anniversary. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory (our favorite restaurant down there). They have a Shrimp Scampi + Steak Diane combo that is to die for. The Chicken Madeira + Steak Diane combo is just as heavenly. I had their Banana Cream cheesecake (my favorite) and Barry had Chocolate Coconut Cream. I love, love cheesecake.

Sunday we went to church with Barry's sister and her family. That evening while they were visiting family, we took Owen to Temple Square for the first time. The gardens were so beautiful with all the irises and such in bloom. Owen had to touch every water feature and splash in every puddle. He would have jumped in a few of the fountains if we would have let him.

Barry got to go golfing with Nate this morning before we left for home. And then this evening we had a little BBQ at Mom & Dad's. So, it's been a really enjoyable weekend. Here is a sideshow of our zoo trip and a picture from Temple Square.

Planting Flowers

Two years ago Barry bought these beautiful planting pots to put on our porch and filled them with beautiful flowers for my 1st Mother's Day. Owen was just a month old then and so this year was my 3rd Mother's Day. Anyway, now that it isn't freezing at night Barry figured it was safe to replant them Saturday for this year.

Here is Owen watching Daddy plant. We told him to smell the pretty flowers and now that he knows what it means to smell something he tries to smell everything. Funny little boy :)

Wind Damage

Today we've had gusts up to 60 mph. We are used to Idaho wind. They always say if the wind isn't blowing then you aren't in Idaho. Luckily we haven't had a power outage from fallen trees but we've lost half of the metal soffit above our porch. 

This all could have been avoided if it would have been installed right. From the looks of it, each panel was attached by only 2 utility staples. Good thing Barry came home early due to the wind. The panels started blowing off just when he got home so he was able to pick up the panels as they fell off. I don't know if they are reusable. We have a siding guy coming over sometime this week to give us an estimate. 

So, in summary I'm hating the wind today more than usual.

Owen's 2 Year Checkup

Wednesday morning Owen had his 2 year wellness visit to the doctor. I still cannot believe how well Owen did! Four or so months ago we took him in because we thought he might have an ear infection. He cried when the doctor tried to do any examining. So this time I was expecting the worse. 

We go to a practice with 8 doctors but you are allowed to choose one if you schedule ahead. Owen has seen Dr. Edwards about a year ago because our regular doctor wasn't available for a last minute appointment. I was really impressed how he related so well to little kids. So after last time's experience the thought came to me how it might be good for Owen to switch doctors. Just like the time before Dr. Edwards let Owen touch the instruments so he wouldn't be so afraid of them. It made all the difference. I also can't believe how Owen only cried for a second for his Hep A booster and when they pricked his finger to get his iron levels. I'm happy to report his iron levels are still normal after failing the test at 12 months and 15 months.

Owen weighed in at 28 lbs 2 ounces and he is 34 inches tall. The nurse mis-measured him at 35 1/2 inches. I would have messed up too if I had to measure a little boy struggling to escape. I noticed his head was about 2 inches away from the starting mark so when we got home I re-measured him. Next time we go in we will have to correct his growth chart.

Other than his eczema he was given a clean bill of health.

Adoption Banner

I figure it's been a while so I'd thought I'd give a little plug for those who have blogs to add our adoption banner. It's oh so easy. And I know you're thinking that I'm a computer genius (I am truly humbled) but I've made a video to show you how. I'm sorry it's so small but if you need help just let me know!

I know it's hard to catch the Web address I type in the "From the Web" box. It is http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/idahogurl99/hopeToAdopt.jpg

In the "Link" box, type http://www.barryandrebecca.com/

We cannot say thank you enough to everyone for their continued help. It has buoyed our spirits and kept us going. The adoption process is a long one. It took us 18 months to finally get Owen in our arms. So we only ask for your continued help and we know the blessings of heaven will come to you too.

I feel like I need to share our experience with finding Owen. After a year of waiting for a baby, my uncles came to Barry and I and asked us how they could help. We decided to hold a family-wide fast on January's fast Sunday. Only two weeks later we found out that a birthmother was seriously considering us to adopt her baby and wanted to meet us. So now we have Owen and desire with all our heart for him to have a little brother or sister someday soon. Whether it is through prayer or through a cousin of a friend of a friend we know it will happen.

I've been reading a book called "Unsung Lullabies." Our caseworker suggested I read it. It is SO GOOD. It helps you understand the feelings and struggles infertile couples go through especially women. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a friend or family member who is choosing adoption or medical help to have children.