Officers Need Assistance

If you haven't read about it by now, please take the time to pass this article onto everyone you know. That's all I'm asking...
Thanks!

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/2309148-418/police-naperville-deal-labor-officers.html

Love and SMILES!

I orderded yet another lens and I would've have done MUCH MUCH sooner had I known it would have gotten the smiles I got this morning. My family and others are aware of my older guys cheezy fake smile so it was such a shock to get this out of him this morning!


And just to be fair..the little guy:)

And now they're off to get their hair cut..they were trying to grow it out like Justin Beiber but Dad had enough...poor guys.

Wall Update and New Project Complete!

So the wall is a little more challenging than I had anticipated because of the
baseboards, and my "helper" had surgery on his foot for a huge "splinter" last week. So, today when I got home from my son's field trip, there were two projects of mine just about done;)

The first is a drying rack in my laundry room...
It lies against the wall when not in use



And hooks on to two supports when I need it!



Finally, we couldn't find the 1/4" topper for the trim, so my helper today bought pine and put up the top and he did a nice job in my opinion!


The view from the front door....still a lot of work to do on it though!

My Wall is ALMOST done

So with what started as a simple project has turned into a lengthy one.
First off, we could not use MDF as we have nice wide base trim that we upgrade two years ago and the MDF was going to be too thick. SO, I found some strips of oak that were the right width to on top of the base. But then the grain was going to show.

I was just about to return it, but when I arrived home, I found Frank had already primed it for me.....trying to help:)

SO, back to the store and I found poplar in the right width and already cut four feet long.

The pics of where I am....

The beginning....



Some boards up...



Close of wood before we sink nails..




And....one of my of so helpful camera shy helper

Guess what I'm doing next week?

Go on over to Just A Girl and click on the title for a little clue...
Frank even said yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll have before and after pics too!
Oh, I can't wait for a day off!

Kindergarten AND First Grade????

Yep, both my boys are in school full time and it was very strange being home alone today. They went right to it with a full day on the first day. It was weird as Ant was asking a LOT of questions last night that we knew were insignificant, like "what if I forget my lunch at home and what if I forget which bus I'm one"...so on and so on. We eased his emotions as his big brother is now a big 1st grader who is now the big helper! I didn't know if Ant was actually going to get on the bus this morning...he just kept staring back at me, then stared at the bus driver, then me. All I kept hearing was Jack saying was "Ant, back here!" I felt a tear coming up, but I kept it back under my HUGE black shades. The last pic in this is the one that got me. Ant and I made eye contact and he said "Mom I love you." He's definitely my baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They both had a great day and really like their teachers and that's all that matters!











Can you tell we're White Sox Fans?

Back to nights and it's not so bad?

I got up at 5:30 this morning and went for a run. Just out of the blue. I've had a lot on my mind lately and it felt phenomenal to let it go with a good run. The house is still quite. I've had my coffee, paid the bills, and now I've got my list of things to do in the next four hours before I go to sleep for the day....weird, huh?
But I can tell you this, Ant is going to have the best day ever, because in those next four hours he is getting his first brand new bike, not one of Jack's hand me downs and I can't believe he's not up yet begging me to go buy it. We found one the other day, but it's a 20" as he already has a 18" that's broke, but he's a little hesitate about the 20" bike, but he doesn't want another "baby" bike (the 18"). My boys give me a run for my money and we have had the best summer and there's only 26 more days until they are both in school full time and I intend to make the most out of it. So I'm up and awake and waiting for all three of them to get UP!

Here's another one of my boys from Michigan climbing the dunes.
Have a great weekend!

A week goes by so fast when you're enjoying this view

We just spent a week in Michigan and the weather was perfect!
We spent everyday at a different beach and it was just what we needed...

Fun in the sun

Ant had his last day of school today and Jack isn't far behind, so when they both got home we played in the sun..




Sure feels like summer around here!

In need of a few extra prayers

I normally think that God does a good job of taking care of those who need it, but in this case, I feel like some have been dealt a bad hand. Life has been a lot of ups and downs lately for a lot of good people I know. So, do me a favor, just say a little extra prayer for all the good people in my life. They need it now, more than ever!

It works! FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't even tell you how excited I am! My PSE 7 FINALLY will let me edit my RAW pictures again....IT'S BEEN OVER A MONTH SINCE IT CRASHED................

Jack participated in St. Baldrick's
Ant turned 5
Jack had his first play at school
my life is on my camera and I couldn't show it!

One quick one taken by Meg for Ant's bday (thanks Meg!)

I got a new camera!

My kids are REALLY tired of me putting in their face already...but I got a few pics the other day and here's one of Jack since he was such a good model!

It's Fundraiser time.....please pass info along

OK, all you blog stalkers.
We're hosting another benefit on behalf of kids. Don't have the time? I know you do, especially if you have kids, because if it were your kids we were raising money for, you would find the time to be there. Last year you may remember The Meade Family Fundraiser well, this year we are raising money for kids with Neurological Disorders. Below is the letter my dear friend Samantha Provenzano sent out. Please find it in your heart to attend, just like you did last year and let's see how much more we can raise for these kids.

I would like to cordially invite you to attend a spaghetti dinner to benefit children with Autism on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Living with someone who has a Neurological Disorder has made me aware of how much these disorders require support both financially & emotionally. My son, Dylan, was diagnosed with Autism & Sensory Processing Disorder in July 2008. Since that time, we have tried to find out all we can about Autism, Sensory Processing and many other neurological disorders. There are many large organizations that help make people more aware of Autism and conduct research, however, we have found that we need more local support and help for the children in our neighborhoods. Treatments are very expensive, most averaging about $150.00/hour and most children need therapy, aides, medications & medical testing, which some insurance companies will not cover. This often leads families to go into large medical debt.

Celebrating Neuro-Diversity is a benefit to help support 6 children who were nominated by their family and friends. All of these children have a Neurological Disorder. This year the common denominator is that each one of the children are on the Autism Spectrum. The funds that will be raised will be split evenly and go to the children to: help pay medical bills, pay for the help of an aide and/or send the child to a summer camp for children with special needs.

I would like to invite you to attend this event and/or donate a raffle prize to be given out during the event. I have attached an informational flyer for further information concerning the event.

We would like to thank you for your continued support of this worthwhile cause. If you have any questions please contact me at (630) 369-6779.

Sincerely,

Samantha Provenzano
yesitssam@juno.com
http://benefit4neurodiversity.blogspot.com/
Host of Benefit

so THIS is what trees look like after a night of fog?

I'm on nights and while driving home at 6am the other morning, the trees looked so cool, that I wanted to take some pictures when I got home. It was incredibly cold, but fun to say the least.