Day 3 -- Completion!!!

Thanks to all our friends who came to help, our roof is complete! It looks awesome! Everyone did a fabulous job!

Day 2 -- Work Continues

Work continues today on the roof. This morning, we weren't sure if the weather would cooperate. But, so far so good! Today, the shingles were ripped off the garage and felt paper applied. The house has the new shingles on part of it, but it's not done quite yet. Hopefully, by tomorrow, our roof will be done!

Roofing Adventure -- Day 1

Ryan and I have been talking for the last few years that we need to re-roof the house. Of course, it is not the most exciting way to spend our money. We finally decided it was time take the plunge. Here is our lovely roof BEFORE:

My brave husband and our wonderful friends all decided that it would be best to do it ourselves. For the first day, they got a lot accomplished!



They got all the old shingles off the roof of the house and we have huge dumpster sitting in our driveway. It is going very quickly thanks to all the help our our awesome friends! They are hoping to be done some time on Saturday, but I'll be sure to take lots of pictures to document this event :-)

State Fair

On Sunday, we decided to take a short drive to see the county fair. It was a beautiful day, and we thought we'd introduce Bennett to some animals. First, we stopped to see all the cows. Some of them were HUGE! I didn't realize how big they could be! (I'm not much of a farm girl). Next, we saw the sheep, and Bennett got to feel some of the wool. We grabbed it back before it went in his mouth

:-) Then, we saw the pigs, and one in particular kept oinking at us--it was kind of funny! They are actually very loud animals. Bennett seemed very interested and confused by the noise. We also saw some horses, chickens, baby chicks, rabbits, and ducks. It was the first time I had ever been to the fair, and it was kind of fun! I enjoyed walking around and seeing all the animals. It was a fun and free way to spend our Sunday. What a busy weekend!

Fun In The Sun

On Saturday, we decided to take Bennett on the river for the first time. We got our bags all packed, applied sunscreen, and away we went. We got a little ways away from the dock when the boat died. Ryan tried and tried but it wouldn't start. So, we took the opportunity to fish for a little while (waiting for the boat to "unflood"). I was the bigger winner! I caught three fish--they were not very big, and we threw them all back--but not before Bennett got to touch it!

Well, Ryan continued to attempt to get the boat running--no luck. We called cousin Craig who was waiting for us to arrive at the sandbar. He came out, checked it over, and he didn't have any luck getting it started. So, we took it back to the dock, put it back on dad's truck, and pilled all of our things into Craig's boat. After a nice boat ride, we arrived at the sandbar and had a relaxing afternoon playing in the sand.

We tried to get Bennett to play in the water, but he got scared and didn't seem to like it at all. Overall, we had a fun day!

Somber Summer

This summer has been incredible because I have been able to spend a lot of time with my family, but it has also been very sad. Between Ryan and I, we have attended three visitations for people who have passed away unexpectedly. It started at the beginning of the summer when a co-worker of Ryan's found out her husband's cancer had returned. When first diagnosed, he was given a very short time to live, and they said no treatments would help. So, they found alternative options, and he was well for about three years. Before the end of the school year, he was feeling tired and went back in. Things came back fine. Not long after, he went back in to the doctor only to be told the cancer was all over. He quickly passed after that. He was a husband, father, and grandfather. Just a few weeks ago, a fellow school district employee and acquaintance of Ryan's got (what I can only imagine was the worst phone call ever) news that his daughter of only 15 years had been in a car accident on her way to summer school. She was transported to the hospital where she later passed. Since becoming a parent, this news was very upsetting. We had just seen her parents about a month prior--they had no idea that their lives would never be the same. I can't begin to imagine what it was like for them to have to see their daughter is such terrible condition and say good-bye. And then, it was my turn. I got a phone call on Monday that left me shocked. One of the aides in my classroom had lost her husband at the young age of 31 to a heart attack. I saw her today before the memorial, and she was holding up incredibly well. I keep thinking about what I would do if I were in her situation, as she has two young children. As she told me today, they had gone through planning funerals and filling out paper work for life insurance, but she thought it was all a formality--she never believed she would ever need it. And as my husband will turn 30 this summer, I can't imagine losing him. So, I have been left with the typical question--why did this happen? But the only conclusion I have come to is that we're not supposed to know why. Only one person knows the "why" when things like this occur--and that is God. He is the one making decisions about where our lives will lead. I think that is all we are supposed to know. It gives you a little relief that it's not our job to worry about that, and there is a purpose that all three of these people are now fulfilling--it just happens to be somewhere other than here with their families. I am hoping that with half the summer remaining, I have gone to my last visitation for a while. But if not, I will use it as my reminder to appreciate those around me and enjoy the life that I have.

Our Little Swimmer

Six Months Old!

I borrowed this picture idea from fellow blogger buddy, Merranda. What a neat way to compare how much Bennett has grown over the last six months! He looks so different from the day we brought him home--I was amazed to see these pictures side-by-side. I can't believe how dark his hair was!!! He is such a fun little boy--I can't wait to continue to watch him grow, develop, and change. Happy 6 month birthday, love bug!

Five Years Ago . . .

I can hardly believe it was five years ago today that Ryan and I were married! What a wonderful and joyous day that was! For our wedding, we created a book that included pictures of both of us when we were babies and pictures of our friends and family. I found a quote that said, "Life is a journey, not a destination." When I created my blog, I thought of the road our life has taken since those words "I do" were spoken and what a journey it has been.

In the last five years, we have shared millions of smiles, laughs, and tears. We have celebrated two Master's degrees, one teaching job, and the miraculous birth of our son. But we have also struggled through two surgeries, many disapointing job interviews, and countless months of negative pregnancy tests. But I wouldn't have it any other way. At times, I wondered why my life has been full of so many struggles, but when I look around, I believe all of those hard times were meant to bring me to this wonderful place I call my life.

So although I believe that my journey is far from over, where I am right now is exactly where I had hoped and dreamed to be on this day, five years ago, when I married my incredible husband--who has stood by my side through all the ups and downs and who is far beyond my greatest friend.

In Full Bloom

I have been so excited to create this post! Over the past few weeks, the flowers in my yard have been popping out like crazy! So I thought I'd share a few of my favorites!

Roses are one of my favorite flowers--and this bush is no exception! I got this as a Mother's Day gift before I became a mom. Ryan purchased for me during the time when we were struggling to get pregnant to give me hope that it would happen some day. And here it is, full of flowers, to remind me to appreciate every moment I spend with my baby boy.

I finally got my hydrangeas to turn blue!! These are my other favorite flowers!

Lillies, lillies, everywhere!

Remember Where's Waldo? Well, here is where's the corn? Can you find it popping up in the grass in our backyard? And you ask, "why do you have corn growing in your backyard?" For those of you who know my home, I certainly do not live on a farm! Our neighbor has been feeding the squirrels dried corn stalks which the animals have been spreading and depositing around yards throughout the neighborhood. I'll let you know when the cobs appear!!!!

A Day At The Park

On Tuesday, Bennett and I met some friends at the park. When we first arrived, it was overcast and looked like it may rain at any moment. But as we started to eat lunch, the sun came out and it turned out to be a beautiful day! It was so much fun to see Denise and Stacy, two friends I met during my Master's program. And Bennett got to meet Evan, Mara, and Paige for the first time. New friends are great! What do you think--Bennett and Paige--soul mates ????

Our Precious Boy