Catch up from last week

Last week was a busy week filled with a long to-do list and hopes to spend as much time together as possible. I was in a blogging hiatus, so here's a recap of some of the things that filled the last week before Derek left.

First, we took a quick trip over to St. Louis to visit Derek's brother and his family. Portable DVD player = new BFF when it comes to traveling with a boy who hates to sit still, except for Elmo.

Derek spent a few nights with the guys putting up some studs for my office that will soon (hopefully) exist in the basement!

Per the great review of Wonderscope from my friend Elizabeth, Derek and I headed over to Shawnee Mission to check it out. What was even cooler was that it was FREE because the museum has partnered with a group that is offering free admission to military families-- way cool! Jackson had lots of fun playing in the ball room, the sand pit, water room, and picking vegetables.

My Dad brought down and installed my new countertop, (this time it was the right size and everything) and not a moment too soon. Life without a kitchen sink is rough! At Derek's party, we were washing dishes in the bathroom sink, filling up water coolers in the bathtub. And because the dishwasher is hooked up to the sink, our dishes were piling in the dishwasher. But it's all back together now and I love, love, love it!!

Jackson redecorated the wall in the few moments I left the room to switch the laundry.

Jackson's Daddy Book came in the mail on Friday and I spent *hours* covering each page with contact paper. It's been totally worth it and we haven't even had it a week. The book is a hit. After we read it, we says, "more, more". I even got the change to capture Derek reading the book to Jackson on video.

Derek and I went to see the movie Salt and we both really enjoyed it (since when did matinees cost $9.50?!). And lastly, we just spent some time together hanging out and just doing nothing at times. We caught up on laundry, picked up the house, and he gave me final lessons on the xbox network, backup systems, and other household things.

 The goal was to be productive and spend some good last-minute quality time together and I consider the week a success!

It's on my list

In a conversation with some friends a few weeks ago, I made the comment "it's on my list" no less than four times in about 20 minutes in regards to getting things done, books to read, and movies to see. Since then, I have caught myself using the phrase all of the time. I opted out of taking a full course load this summer so that I can attend to things in order to prepare for Derek to leave, which is now only 52 days away, yet I find my mental list still just as long as before. In posting my lists, I am hoping that ya'll will help hold me accountable to getting these things done!

Preparation for Derek leaving       House To-Do List
  Getting Power of Attorney               Fix antenna on TV
  Prepare a will                                   Fix dryer (heating element)
  Make videos for Jackson                  Seed the backyard
  Make a picture book                        Paint soffit/awning

  Enroll Tri-care                                    Grout Master bath
  Organize bills/accounts                    Finish built-in cabinet

  Military IDs                                       Install new counter top

In the midst of preparing for Derek leaving, I also have several things I need/want to get done before Julie arrives, just six days later. For example, this is the current condition of Julie's room:

It has become the catch-all for our laundry that we hate folding, as well as several other miscellaneous items. Considering that she is a teenage girl and her room may very well end up looking like this once she gets here (goodness knows that mine sure did) but I suppose it should actually be clean for when she arrives.

Prep for Julie
  Clean room
  Make/Alter curtains
  Make decoupage letters
  Hang shelves
  Determine house rules*
  Purchase Bible

*something tells me that rules for teenage girls vary from those for toddler boys. She probably won't have issues such as hitting, screaming, or throwing her sippy cup. I don't want to make lots of strict rules, but just the basic let me know what you're doing, no texting until 2am, homework comes before friends type of thing.

Okay, I can do this!