Paint, Paint, Paint!

That's what I've been up to for the last few days!  Clinton's house has come to the point of the finish work, so last week he was puttying and Brent was caulking, and then they sprayed all the woodwork and the ceilings...Then it was my turn to go and help out.  I am the 'cutter-inner', which means my brush hand gets pretty tired!  Clint and I painted the kitchen, dining, back entry and living room on Thursday.  Then on Friday I helped a little with the Laundry room, but then I started helping Brent with the hardwood floor.  We worked on that all day Saturday and was able to finish it up, Clint and Katie painted bathrooms and laundry room, in preparation for the tile.  They worked all day yesterday and today laying the tile, and Brent and I switched off and did the painting.  We got all the entry way and hallway and Master Bedroom done, so just a couple more bedrooms to go!  Tomorrow they are installing all the cabinets and granite, and all the light fixtures and electrical outlets, then on Thursday the appliances will be delivered and installed.  Brent has to lay the entry way wood floor and build the railing and they have to build a couple of stairways from the bay doors outside going down to the back patio.  Then...it's just about done, except for the carpet!!  Oh yeah, I forgot, Clinton still has to rock the fireplace, too!

Hi from home!

Tanessa told me that I needed a new post, so here it is!  Just a hello from me...and to let you all know that you need to write Jake a letter!  I know, I dropped the ball this week, and he didn't have any emails or letters, so GET ON THE BALL, everyone...write him a letter or send me an email and I will forward it to him!  Thanks, and have a great day!

Happy Birthday Jaron!

Today is the birthday of my oldest child...Jaron Brent. I can't believe that it has been 30 years!! I'd like to say that it feels like just yesterday, but it really doesn't, it's been awhile! Just wanted to wish him a very happy birthday! He is a busy man with four small children and being a manager at Cracker Barrel, I know that he gets tired and stressed, but hope that today he can have a great day, and know how much we love him! Happy Birthday Jar-Bear!

Jaron in his 'early years'!

Just a few pics of Jaron with his girls and family.

Happy Birthday Trisha!

Yes, it's true! Another Birthday...September seems to be the big month for our family Birthdays. Today is Trisha's 28th Birthday. She is a wonderful daughter and over the years has become an awesome wife and mother herself. She has brought much joy into our lives and we appreciate all that she does for us and others...she is a truly caring, kind person and we love her!

Happy Birthday Trisha Jo!!

Trisha at 8 months.

Our family when Trisha was born.

Trisha's family now with Grant, Ali, and Daniel

HaPpy BiRd-DaY Ali!

Today is Alissa Jo's Birthday!  My how the years have flown by...seems like yesterday she was just a baby...but now she is in 1st grade and a big sister!  She has always brought the biggest smile to my face and she gives the tightest hugs and squeezes.  I think she is such a sweet, special, and fun little bundle of joy...I hope she has a Great 6th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Al PaDal!   I love you so much, Grammy

Such a cutie pie, wasn't she?

HaPpY BiRthDaY!

Brent

Today was Brent's 

54th Birthday.  

He spent most of the 

day working...

(his favorite pastime) 

and then we

had a nice dinner out 

at Texas 

Roadhouse and then 

home to watch a movie 

in his theater (his 

second favorite pastime!)  

Thanks to everyone 

who remembered him 

with cards, calls, and gifts!

Clint & Katie's house

Today I stopped by the house to see how the work was coming along and decided to take a couple of pictures of the exterior.  It is all finished now (except for five silly corner pieces on the back).  I know that Katie took some pictures also, but everyone has been asking, so I thought I would post a couple just so you could all see.  It's looking good and the inside is moving right along, also!

First letter from Belgium

Yes, we got Jake's letter this morning.  I have posted it on his blog.  As you will read, we really don't know anymore about the email stuff.  I didn't realize that his email address would be the same as it was in the MTC!  duh!  Silly me...we could have sent him letters so that he at least heard from home, but didn't know!  it is :   jsimonson@myldsmail.net

I don't know how much time he has to read there, or if he has access to the web, or if he can print them out, I just don't know...so I have asked some questions, but it may be another week until we learn the answers.  So...write him if you can, whether you send it by email, or you go to the post office and get the 94 cent stamp and mail one...I am going there today to see if I can find out anything more!

Videos from Jacob

When Jake left for Belgium, he sent his camera card home to be downloaded. Here are a couple of videos he had taken for the family during his stay in the MTC.
Just a quick scripture quote concerning these videos...
Ether 13:12 "And when these things come, bringeth to pass the scripture which saith, there are they who were first, who shall be last; and there are they who were last, who shall be first."
(I think you'll understand when you watch!!)

Elder Simonson

We heard from the Assistants to President Woodland, Jacob's Mission Pres. early this morning telling us of Jacob's safe arrival in Belgium! Although he looks a little tired...and maybe a little scared...he looked GREAT to me! I was excited to see his smile and know that all was well. I have posted the letter from the mission office on his blog. He is serving with an Elder Musters right inside the city of Brussels, and it sounds like his P-day will be on Monday, so we probably won't have an e-mail from him until next Monday. His new address is posted, so please write him! I know he needs our love and support and prayers right now the most!

LaBor DaY!

Of course, true to form, Brent gets the day off for the holiday, but it IS Labor Day, so off he went to labor!  Clinton told him to take the day off from the house, but he just can't stay away!  He wants to "get er' done!"  The outside is coming along leaps and bounds...the front and sides are all finished, so from the road it looks DONE, but the back still needs some siding on the garage part, and soffit and facia and some corners put on...but other than that...it's about done externally!

Today was a good day, mostly cause today I feel like myself again, no more sore tummy or incisions, and I have a lot of energy, so I feel GOOD! 

 And because today we got to talk to Jacob for about a half an hour this morning before he boarded his plane for Atlanta!  He sounded so good, but it was kinda weird to hear him speaking French!  We didn't have a lot to talk about, but he told us a little more about his stay in the MTC and how much he liked it and it was just GREAT to talk to him!  He will be in Belgium early tomorrow morning and is a little scared about that...but excited and ready also.  So...Labor Day 2008 is a good day!