The Iowa Harringtons

Last week, for Parker's birthday, my Iowa Family came to help us celebrate. Jerry's parents, Patrick and Marilyn, and our niece, Caela were the three that braved the eleven hour trip from Polk City. It was great to get to visit with them even if it was only for the weekend. They arrived Thursday night, late. We stayed up visiting and of course peeking in at the kids while they slept...Marilyn itching to scoop them up out of bed since she had not seen them since Christmas. Friday we had a relaxing day and a walk to the park to work up an appetite for fried catfish, hush puppies, sweet tea and pie for dinner. If you haven't heard, the Wolf River Cafe in Rossville has the best catfish around, not to mention the 20 different pies for dessert. Saturday, we went to Build-A-Bear for Parker's birthday and had Parker's favorite dinner, spaghetti. I made an Ariel cake and it actually turned out better than planned. Sunday, the family headed back and we hated to see them go. 'Til August, when we head that way for the Iowa State Fair and lots of love and good eats.

Happy Birthday, Parker!

March 23, 4 years ago at 3:53 pm, I was introduced and instantly bonded with this tiny, 7 lb. 14 oz. bundle of pink goodness. She is the light of our life with the funniest sayings, most eccentric views and strong personality. This grass-roots girl loves bugs, "imaginating," turquoise anything, rodent-like animals, gardening, painting, not cleaning, gymnastics, talking, sandboxes and slides, olives, Big Wheels, the cello, hop balls, flip-flops, friends, baby corn, not baby dolls, and Jesus...too name a few. She keeps us laughing with thanksgiving in our hearts and a prayer never far from our lips.

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of God." Phil. 1:9-11

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers...I always pray with joy...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:3-6

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Almost done...with this project, at least

Oh My! Steve Donaldson, (Coach D's Dad, for those of you that know Robbie) and his crew are doing an amazing job on our floors. As of now, all the floors are laid downstairs. They are coming back to finish the stairs and our upstairs and finish the quarter-round that goes around the base boards. The transformation is exciting and unbelievable. We are so thankful to the Lord for this wonderful gift!

GOT DUST???

Our tile floors got ripped out, yesterday and it was super loud and super dusty. It sounded like a jack hammer in my kitchen. The mania started around 8:15 and crazy enough, Davis slept through it until 10! Good for him, someone around here needs to get some shut-eye. Jerry helped the two guys demolish my kitchen , 1/2 bath, laundry room and entry until 4:30. I was with the tykes at Mom and Dad's. I came over around 5 and the entire downstairs looked like someone had dropped a bomb of baby powder. Dust was everywhere, on the walls, inside cabinets, on all the dishes...etc. I had to wash everything inside of the kitchen cabinets, this morning. The toilet had to be removed, so now we have a big hole in the floor to keep the kids out of. Floors go down tomorrow and we are so excited. We went ahead and just decided to have them put hardwood in the upstairs hall, as well. Here are a few photos, notice the cloud of dust around the worker.

Not long now!

So, we have been working like dogs for the past month to get our downstairs ceilings scraped of the popcorn texture and smoothed before our hardwood floors go in Monday. I think we've been up until at least midnight everynight for the past 3 weeks. And when you've got kids toddling in at 7 am asking for breakfast and to turn on Clifford, that's exhausting. My eyes only sting until 9...like two burnt holes in a burlap sack. We've only have to finish the sunroom and the laundry room and then it will be all smooth. The tile is being ripped out this Saturday and I cannot wait, it is yucky, white tile and what used to be white grout. Here is a picture of the completed dining room ceiling, of the icky tile and a photo of how excited Davis is to get rid of it!

Just Some Pictures

It is hard for me to believe Parker is only 3 for a few more weeks and Davis is quickly approaching 17 months.

Snow!!!!

We got loads of snow yesterday and through the night! At least 6 inches and that is alot for around here! Enjoy a video of the kids lauging at Hudson the dog. I'd say he's feeling better since surgery and I think he liked the snow as much as "Sassy" and "Hungry" did.