It's Snowing in Austin!

Wanna See Something Hot?

This is the new double wall oven I will be getting in our home.  They are both full-sized, fully convection, and they do cool things like proof bread.  I will be able to bake TWO ENTIRE batches (six trays) of cookies--at the same time!  (Not that I should be eating cookies.)  Or turkey AND pies AND rolls, all at the same time. 
I'm going to be like that lady on the IKEA ad with the twins who just loves her ovens.  EEEEK!

I'm Sure You've Never Done This

Have you ever started a project that seemed like a good idea when you thought of it, but part way through you are questioning your sanity?  That's what I did today.  I'm responsible for a Quarterly Primary Activity on Saturday, and we wanted to have the kids "make" a scripture journal.  Now we all know that kids can't do that alone, so there is prep work in the background.  The journals don't need to be long, and I wanted the kids to be able to decorate them and make them personal.  And it had to be cheap, like $.50 each.  Nothing at Target or Office Max fit the criteria.  I even thought about just buying stacks of cheap spirals at Costco, but nothing was working.  So John and I got the brilliant idea to make them using cardstock and plain paper.  "You could just cut them, fold them and staple the middle," he said. 

Well, of course, I can't just leave it at that.  Erica did a thing for Primary once where she sewed the edges of a songbook for the kids.  What a great idea!  I can do that for my journals! 

However, after counting out pages for 60 journals, now I am SICK of sewing, and the ribbon is making me crazy.  But, I'm 60 percent finished, and I have saved the Primary money, so it's all good, right???

House Update

The exterior masonry is finished, mostly, and the woodwork, doors, and cabinets are all in.  First coat of paint on the walls and trim.  We're getting closer every week!  Tick, tick, tick....

The back patio--the kids pick up contruction artifacts (trash) every time we visit.  UGGGH.

Homeschool Field Trip

...to the Fire Station!  A lady in my ward arranged for a bunch of moms to bring their kids to a presentation at the Fire House for all the kids.  We loved being up close to the trucks and learning about fire safety.  It was good for the kids, and a great reminder for the moms.

This is for My Sister

Happy Valentine's Day....A little early!

It's Coming Along

We drove by today, and the drywall is done, and the brick and stone exterior are going up!