First Fish

Ryan and I took Caleb to Tellico this past weekend for some family time and his very first fishing trip! We were all so ready to spend some time together. This was our first whole weekend off from work since the tornado at the marina.

This little boy did not nap at all during the two hour ride. He literally talked non-stop the ENTIRE time! Both there and back. 

We were so excited to finally get some time together! Caleb slept at his grandparents' cabin on Friday night so Ryan and I could spend some time together. We were so grateful for that!

Saturday morning we all woke up early to go fishing! Ryan and I have taken all three kids to this pond to catch their first trout. I used to dream about this day when I was pregnant with Caleb. I couldn't wait to take him fishing for the first time!

Daddy showed him how to hold his rod and wait for the fish. 

We could not believe how patient he was! He really was determined to catch one!

He showed Granny that he could do it!

I had to explain patience to him a little. He didn't quite understand why we had to wait! I told him if he stood there, he would catch a big fish....

Ryan was beyond excited for him!

After about twenty minutes, we got one!

Caleb was flipping out! He danced around with excitement!

I really don't know who was more excited about this poor fish....

It's Time....

Ryan and I have made a huge decision for our family.... We've decided to list our home and sell it. This is our very first home together and we have done so much along the way. For those of you who followed the story from the beginning, you know how much work we've put into it! We've finally brought these projects to a close and we won't be enjoying them too much longer.

This is my home the day I bought it in 2006. 

This was the back....

This is the kitchen from the beginning....

And our living room....

When we started to think of all the projects that we accomplished in the last several years, we were still amazed! 

• Brand New Roof
• New A/C Unit and Added a Heat Pump
• Added Two Propane Log Sets (Upstairs and Down)
• New Water Heater
• Renovated the Entire Downstairs (HERE)
• Tiled the Foyer
• Installed a New Front Door and Side Light
• Tiled the Laundry Room
• Installed Attic Access and Doubled Our Storage
• Made Two Pantries (Since I love stocking up!) (HERE)
• Added Chair Rail to Caleb's Room
• Cleared Our Backyard
• Cut Down an Eighty Foot Tree
• Drywalled the Downstairs Rooms
• Installed Wood Flooring Downstairs
• Updated the Look of the Kitchen (HERE)
• Updated the Guest Bath
• Updated the Master Bath
• Installed New Light Fixtures
• Installed a New Garage Door
• Installed a New Shed
• Installed a Fence
• Landscaped the Yard
• Installed a Half Wall in the Living Room
• New Oven
• New Paint Throughout (HERE or HERE or HERE)
• Painted the Front Door and Shutters

How exhausting does that list look?!?!?! 

Ryan and I have poured our hearts, time and money into this home and we have enjoyed it. We've gone through a pregnancy and Caleb's first years in this place. We've made some great memories, but now it's time to move on. 

(In Progress Picture...)

Ryan and I have been preapproved for our next home and have already seen a few houses we absolutely love! Please pray that this whole thing goes smoothly for us and we are able to find our dream home!

Progress - Week Thirteen

Week thirteen, already?!? I can see a huge difference now....It's finally starting to sink in!

Last Friday I got my hair cut as a sort of "Go Me" kinda thing. When I looked back over the last year's pictures I couldn't believe the difference. 

I'm at the point in my journey that I realize how bad it got. If I had realized it at the time, no way would I have had my picture taken! Um, ever.... Beyond humiliating...But I honestly never thought it was that bad. 

And as of Friday this past week, this is me....

By the way, the girl above is almost at her HALF WAY MARK!!!!!

I'm starting to notice some things along the way now.... When I was working on the docks on Sunday, I had to take my wedding rings off. They're so loose at this point I'm afraid I'm going to lose them. 

I've seen several people now that I haven't seen since last year, so I look totally different to them now. That's always a nice reaction! 

I've stalled out a bit this week, but I know it's because I'm not drinking enough water. I've gotta work on that for sure! 

Summer Cut

Caleb and I spent the day together today. We started our morning by getting a haircut. Caleb was in desperate need for one and I chose to get it cut shorter for the summer. I have dreaded this day for a while, but I handled it pretty well. He is beyond cute!

He thought he could help...

And Trish spiked his hair up with gel which impressed him quite a bit!

Isn't he the cutest thing? We think it makes him look older now...more like a little boy than a baby.

He wanted to eat lunch and watch Chipmunks, so we spent time snuggling on the couch. I still couldn't get over his new look!

I'm one proud mommy today... He looks so grown up!

Shutting Off A Locked Up Kindle

I went through a literal crisis last night... My beloved Kindle decided to stall out, go to a white screen and not bring up any of my books! Nearly in tears, I tried to restart it but I had absolutely no clue how to do that. I've never had to do it before.... I searched on the internet on how to do this, but there were several ways. One suggested I navigate through the Menu and Settings to restart it. Problem was, my screen was all white!

I finally found another way.... You can hold the sleep button to the sleep position for about thirty seconds and it will reboot! My Kindle rebooted and installed a new update (first time ever....I think) and after it loaded everything was back to normal!

When I was searching last night I couldn't find a similar problem out there, so I thought I would fill you guys in too!

Something else that I've used quite a bit with my Kindle is What Should I Read Next. If I fall in love with a book (which is fairly often these days) I enter the book name into this site and it recommends similar finds. If you're not crazy about that site, this one lists several book search sites as well. 

I've been totally wrapped up in a few books that past few weeks....

I am in the middle of Beth Moore's So Long, Insecurity. It's a must read for women and I love the way it's written. I had never read any of her books, but after doing her James Bible study, I gave it a try. It's so easy to read and follow and she has such an awesome attitude and spirit!

I don't really even know how to explain The Shack, but it sucked me right into the book and I couldn't put it down until it was finished at 3 am! Beautifully written book!

Progress – Week Twelve

I do finally have a loss to report! This is the first one since the tornado hit and I am beyond excited!!! I have met another milestone: I hit the 30 pound mark!!!

It’s been tough, but I’m getting there. I’m almost to my half way mark and that’s really exciting!!!

So, I’ve given it the 12 weeks…. And it’s completely true!

I was at work yesterday and someone called my name. I turned to see a friend that I hadn’t run into in a few weeks. He told me, “Wendy, I didn’t even recognize you!”

I was standing right beside him and it shocked me…After we spoke I thought about it a little more… I really have changed that much.

It’s totally different to hear your family and hubby saying that you’re looking great. I thought they were just being supportive, encouraging and nice.

My pants that I wore so snuggly twelve weeks ago can be slid down without unbuttoning them. That still amazes me…

That Works for Me!

At what point does a blogger know they’re finally making a difference out here? Since I started this little blog back in 2010, I often caught myself asking that same question. Is it how many followers you have or maybe how many blog hits you get per week? I remember looking at some blogs when I started and thinking, “Oh, wow! They have fifty followers?!? How awesome is that?!?”

I think it’s different for all of us. When I had over a hundred followers, I was so flattered! That many people want to read about us? We’re nothing special…

I never really considered anything I’m doing here was anything special. I blog to keep track of Caleb’s life, show our progress in the never ending house project saga, and maybe throw my random thoughts out there from time to time.

When Kristin over at We Are THAT Family contacted me about a specific blog post she liked, I was dazed. She actually wanted permission to publish it in her book! Are you kidding me?!? I’ve been reading her blog for a while and she’s absolutely amazing…So naturally I said yes!

This new e-book will make its debut in mid-April of this year! And yours truly has actually written in it! I blush just thinking about it….

So, if you’re interested in what a whole lot of us bloggin’ people have to say about what works for us, check back here! I will let you know exactly how you can get your very own copy!!!

Digging Dirt

A few years ago, I just knew I wanted a little girl. I thought it would be so much fun! When I got pregnant, my heart was changed. I had a gut feeling I was having a little boy long before the ultrasound confirmed it. God certainly knew what He was doing….

 

I’ve always been the tom boy. I work with a bunch of boat mechanics in an industry filled mostly with men. I’ve never minded getting my hands dirty and working hard in life. It’s just who I am. Growing up, I felt so very different from all the other girls I was friends with. I played tackle football in the front yard, played baseball with the boys, and built forts in the backyard.

 

I one hundred percent believe that’s why I have the tough, little boy I have today. God knew I had no idea what I would do with a little girl when it came to playing dress up with frilly dresses. No, that’s just not me. He gave me sweet, rambunctious Caleb!

 

Last night, we picked up some flowers to plant around the mailbox. I thought this would be a perfect chance for Caleb to help take care of something. I knew he would love digging in the dirt! His job this year is to water our new flowers.

  

I found a small worm and let Caleb check it out. He called it “baby” and told me it needed to sleep back in the dirt!

I honestly can’t believe it survived him holding it! Caleb took it to show his daddy (who literally cannot stand the things).

 

We got our flowers planted right before it started storming…

I am so very blessed to have Caleb. I am grateful that God knows me so much better than I know myself!

Silly Boy

Caleb has been such a joy to us. Ryan and I are both loving this stage he is in right now. He’s such a sweet, funny child! He talks so much and we understand pretty much everything he says.

I love that we can be silly together….

I love how he wants his daddy right by his side….

I think he’s beginning to look more like me, but act just like his daddy!

He’s such a happy kid that loves talking to everyone he sees…

These two are hilarious together…