It's all in the details......pertaining to the bathroom

I live with boys.  The bathroom situation can get disgusting.  I can clean a bathroom and within 3-4 hours it's gross again.  I've learned to adapt.  The biggest challenge is I share a bathroom with Jay and Nick.  I love taking a bath every night.  I shower in the morning, take a bath at night.  It's my thing.  Jay, Nick and Mike all like taking a bath at night also.  Our routine (especially in the winter) is for one person to take a bath, followed by the next, and so on.  If I had happen to be the 3rd person in line, I draw the line (literally).  I refuse to be the 3rd person in nasty boy water!  Gross.  Tonight Nick took his bath first.  After his bath he asked if I wanted to go next.  Our conversation went like this:
Me - Is the water hot?
Nick - Yes!  And it's fresh.
Me - How fresh?
Nick - I didn't pee in it
This is like gold in my house!  I took off and took my bath.  And that is how we roll in our house! 

Our week - the up and the down

 This week was Valentine's Day.  The kids at school could design their own Valentine's day box and Nick was one of the winners.  He made a robot, and as you can see the robot is holding the Valentine's day box.  The robot looks like he's falling backwards.  Nick called him, "The falling in love robot."  So cute and so creative.  It's hard to believe this is Nick's last Valentine's day party (for school). 

 On Friday I went to visit Mary for her 44th birthday.  What in the world would I do without this girl?  I could devote an entire blog to her.  She is one in a million and God sure blessed me when He brought her into my life over 20 years ago.  John graciously took us out to dinner in downtown Chicago, to one of Mary's favorite restaurants.  I ate things I wasn't use to.  I tried sushi, and loved it.  I laughed that the country girl got out to the city!  But I needed that night.  Mary said she was so glad I came, but it was me who was the most delighted! 

                         Me, Mary, and Shannon.  Shannon is another blessing.  Love her too.

                                                            Happy Birthday sweet friend

 Mary and her hubby, John, bought a farm about 8 months ago, and they have big plans for that farm!  I am so excited for her.  The name of her farm is, "White Barn Co.." The picture below is of the barn they are going to use to sell their vegetables, herbs and yes, items made especially by yours truly, Cornerstone Custom Carpentry.  Yes, the barn needs some love, but that will come.  Such an exciting time for Mary and John! 

Yesterday Nick went to his friend, Noah's house.  Noah use to live across the street from us.  They moved, but still live very close.  Praise God!  Noah and his sister recently got calves.  Nick had such fun with them, and tells me it's no easy chore taking care of them.  Ha.  Those were all the ups from our week.  Our big down was Mike's dear friend, mentor and supervisor of 12 years (at his former employer) passed away unexpectedly a week ago.  We attended his visitation this week and hugged his 6 children and wife - all of whom are so raw and shocked by his devastatingly loss.  Dale was a man of integrity and was there for Mike when he needed him most.  He was a pillar in his community and loved by everyone.  It was no surprise his visitation was packed.  I pray daily for his wife and children.  It must be so hard in knowing he's gone.  At the visitation Mike said to me it just wasn't fair that Dale was taken so early (he was only 65).  I agreed with him.  There are some things we simply can't explain.  However, I am reminded of something I've heard recently.  We can't base our feelings on our feelings, but God's truth.  God's truth promises us life in eternity with Him.  Dale was a man of God and it's made me smile this week in knowing he's in heaven and given what I know about Dale, my bet is his crown is pretty amazing! 

February funnies

 I looked at my blog and couldn't believe I hadn't blogged since Jan. 25, but that is how busy February has been.  February is always busy for us because of basketball.  It's like Jay's team and Nick's team tries to pack as many games as possible into February.  It's insane!  I'm happy to report that as of this weekend Jay is done with basketball and Nick's season will be winding down.  I have so much on my mind lately and I will blog about that but tonight I simply wanted to catch up some of the things we've been doing that don't involve basketball.  On Friday I went with Nick on what was his last elementary school field trip.  It was bittersweet.  We went to Springfield and went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.  I've been before and it never disappoints.  I truly enjoyed the day with Nick.  Earlier this week I was called for jury duty and was put on a jury.  Thankfully my jury duty ended in enough time so I could go on the field trip with Nick.  Although you can't see Nick in the picture above I promise you he's in the picture.  He just has his head turned.  That boy!

 Nick and K.  Nick and K went to Pre-K together and her mother and I enjoy getting pictures of the two of them.  We tease that that we're going to submit all these pictures to their senior yearbook!  But seriously, aren't they the cutest? 

 And guess who turned 6 this week?  Yep, Lukie!  I adore this picture.  It shows my mom's delight with her youngest grandchild and it shows Luke true personality.  Happy Birthday, Luke!

And here's mom with her oldest grandchild.....the one with the broken finger.  Jay broke his ring fingr in a basketball game this week which ended his season.  Thankfully the season was almost over so Jay only ended up missing 2 games.  Jay always loves playing basketball but I gotta tell you, it was a LONG losing season.  Jay's team only won one game the entire season.  I know it must take such a toll on Jay, his coach and his teammates to constantly lose.  It's one of those situations where it's not so clear what Jay and his teammates are supposed to be learning from all this but as a parent I hope and pray all this losing is for something!  Somehow every season the same group of boys make it through the season and continue to come back every year.  They are a good group of boys!