Silly Face

Sod

The sod went in today.  There is still obviously some landscaping that needs to be done, but we'll wait and finish that up once we get moved in at the beginning of the year.  In the mean time, things are starting to take shape around here!!!  And thankfully, now, with a smidge less mud!

Back yard

Side yard

Front yard

House Update

Here's where we stand today.  All granite is in except one big piece for a table in the basement.  The monsoon-like weather had the granite guy spooked about his trailer sinking into the mud like quicksand.  Can't say I blame him.  Most lighting fixtures are in.  Some are on back order.  Go figure.  Our beams in the kitchen/living room area have been yanked down.  These stinkin' beams.  They might be the death of me.  Anyway, new beams are supposed to be going up, maybe next week?  Appliances are in, some of them.  That's super fun to see!  Sinks are in.  My farm sink that my hubby let me get looks awesome!  And more cabinets are in place.  Carpet is in.  They're starting the prep work for the second coat of paint inside.  Sod is supposed to go in this week sometime.  It was supposed to go in last week, but again...monsoon-like weather put a damper on those plans.  We're in the red zone!  Just hoping we can punch it in and seal the deal on this baby!  (Sorry, it's football season!)

Kitchen

Ok, super excited about this ice machine.  It makes Sonic Ice!

My desk

Basement kitchen

Basement bath

Walmart Fun

Just killin' time in Walmart while daddy was at practice!

Injury Bug

Well, the injury bug has struck.  Thankfully not that serious, but still is keeping Ben from practicing.  All training camp his heel had been sore.  He had been doing treatment for plantar fasciitis.  During the second preseason game, though, it was really hurting him, but thankfully he was only playing the first half anyway, so no big problem.  He met with the doctor the next day, got and ultrasound and x-ray.  Classic plantar fasciitis.  He got a cortisone shot in his foot (ouch!), wore a boot for the weekend and rested it.  Practiced on Monday, but it hurt.  Apparently it feels like knives stabbing him in his foot.  Fun!  The coaches and trainers told him he was done for the preseason, that they wanted him ready for the first game of the regular season.  Yesterday he had an MRI, still classic plantar fasciitis.  The doc put him in a cast today so that his foot is completely immobile and hopefully all those teeny, tiny little tears in that mass of fibers will heal right on up!  The plan is to get the cast off next Friday, ease back into things over the weekend so he can be ready to practice Monday for game week.  Sounds like it's probably going to be something he's going to have to deal with all season.  We are thankful that it's nothing worse and we are trusting in God's plan for our lives this season, being able to play or not.

Training Camp #10

Ben just broke his tenth NFL training camp today.  The preseason is in full swing.  He's up in Charlotte in pure football mode.  I'm getting the packing process started.  The girls and I will probably head up Labor Day weekend.  We are all so ready to be reunited again.  Sure we've seen each other here and there over the last few weeks, but it's no good.  It's not how our family runs, without my hubby and their daddy in our lives every day.  We miss him so much.  But the wait it almost over.  And we couldn't be prouder or more thankful of the work he is putting in for us.

Saying good bye

Checking in at camp.  So thankful I can stalk the internet for training camp pictures every night to see him!

Preseason Game 1

Football time is upon us.  Preseason game one versus the Bears is in the books.  We actually won!  Ben played all of the first half, blocked great and had a 3 yard catch!  The girls and I went up and then got to spend the next day chillin' with daddy!  Much needed time!

House

There have been several changes at the house since my last update a month or so ago.  The exterior is painted.  Side walks and garage pad is poured.  More cabinets are in place.  Granite is in some rooms.  Toilets have gone in.  Plumbing fixtures are in.  Floors have been stained.  Lots has been done, and a lot remains left to be done.  But, we are closer.

1st Grade!!!

We have a 1st grader!  Can't believe it.  But we are ready for another great year at Mulberry.  Of course, in few weeks we will most likely be heading to Charlotte to have another first day of school, but for now, we're here and excited to be starting 1st grade.  Whitney is excited to have Mrs. Watkins and is really excited to have her friends Katie Beth and Zachary in her class, along with some friends from her class last year.  What a difference a year makes!  No real uncertainty, nothing new to learn about the school, no tears (on my part).  Just pure excitement for her!!

Talking to daddy before heading out the door

So big and grown up!

Silly sisters!

Presh...

Neighbor kiddos

Sweet little girls

Mrs. Watkins

All ready to get started on some coloring