You can find us at http://teresalj.blogspot.com
Happy Easter! March 25, 2008
On Holy Thursday, we colored eggs with Grandma and Grandpa Brooks. Ellie’s eggs were mostly colored pink.
Here is Thomas. He tried to smoosh a bunch of eggs into the green and blue. All of these Easter activities have been sort of frustrating for him. He received a chocolate bunny in the mail from Uncle Jack, his Godfather. When we cut up the bunny to give him a chunk of chocolate, Thomas was devastated. Now, he will not eat any of his chocolate bunny. And, it is really yummy. He just doesn’t understand it all yet. But, I’m sure he’ll catch on.
By the way, Ellie loves her chocolate bunny, chocolate lamb and chocolate basket. She is trying to teach Thomas all of the ins and outs of Easter.
On Holy Friday, Ellie and I went to Holy Friday service. The STAB youth group acted out the Passion, then we had veneration of the cross and it was a very moving service. The service lasted over two hours and Ellie did really well. We did sit in the front row and that helped.
Saturday, we went to the Easter Vigil.
Aren’t they cute?
The Easter Vigil lasted about 2 1/2 hours, but it really passed quickly. I had bought a few things at the dollar store to keep Ellie and Thomas busy. There were over 10 adults baptized and that was very moving for all of us.
The Easter Bunny dropped off a bunch of junk couple of baskets on Sunday morning. In reality, it wasn’t too bad. They both received a movie, a music CD, a swim suit, a toothbrush, a chocolate lamb, a small magna doodle, and some playdough. Ellie received an outfit for her American Girl and Thomas received a train for his train set.
We had breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa Jackson. Then, we relaxed for a bit before going to Grandma and Grandpa J’s for Easter dinner. 
We were tired Sunday night!
Andy had today (Monday) off today too and we have spent the day doing paper work and relaxing.
Mom and I received emails from Mike on Easter. He seems to be doing ok. Your prayers are appreciated.
We did no work on the bathrooms this weekend. (I really needed a weekend away from it.) So, some time this week or next weekend, we will be painting. I’ll post pictures after!
Happy Easter March 23, 2008
Here is my wonderful family before the Easter Vigil. I’ll update more soon with pictures of coloring Easter eggs, opening their Easter baskets too.
Another busy weekend… March 16, 2008
Here are Ellie and Thomas anxious to take a bath in our new tub.
I painted on Saturday and one bathroom is almost finished. I just have to do touch up paint. The other bathroom is moving right along. 
Here is the bathroom that is mostly finished:
You can see that we need to buy new outlet covers and do some touch up paint. I’m still getting used to the blue. But, I like it. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Brooks for watching the kids yesterday. Andy read essays for Pearson and I painted.
How do you like the blog’s new digs? I’m still deciding. I may switch back to blogger so don’t delete any subscriptions yet. I will try not to switch back and forth, but I have to decide if I like it here. It is user friendly and it is free, like blogger. But, it is different and well, change is always tough.
We went to Mass today. Holy Week is one of my favorites of the year. During RCIA, I was at church almost every day of Holy Week. I have to say that it was awesome. Since becoming Catholic, I haven’t missed Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday service and the Easter Vigil. They are my favorite masses of the year. For some reason, on these days, I feel so connected to every other Christian in the history of the world. It’s an amazing feeling. Monday night, I am going to Reconciliation. Then, I hope to go to Mass, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We’ll see if it works out.
We also went to Andy’s parents’ house for dinner and then I took Ellie and Thomas to see Horton Hears a Who. It’s a great movie. I enjoyed it as much as the kids, I think.
Well, I better get to work. I have to write some teacher evaluations tonight.
Did you find us? March 12, 2008
Here we are. Like our new home? Thanks for switching.
On the bottom of this page, click on RSS and it will subscribe you if you want to receive posts via email. (I think I have it set to send the whole post, but let me know if that doesn’t work.)
We’re almost finished… March 10, 2008
I hope you aren’t tired of seeing my bathroom pictures.
Today, two guys worked almost 11 hours. What do you think?
Our new sink:
The wall tile has not been grouted yet.
Our new tub:
The floor is finished. Well, he has to put the base on yet.
So, any ideas on what color to paint this bathroom? I think we’ll paint the other bathroom white. But, I’m not sure about this one. What do you think?
A busy week…. March 9, 2008
Monday afternoon, I flew from Detroit Metro Airport (5:11 PM) flight to Chicago O’Hare with the owners of Futura. Then, we rented two cars and drove 2 hours to Oconomowoc, WI. (Can you pronounce that ?!) Anyway, we arrived at the Garden Inn at 9:30 Central time. I just wanted to order some room service and go to bed. But, the owners wanted to eat at the Chili’s across the street. So, at about 11:00 CT, I arrived here to enjoy my quiet time all alone. This was my first time away from Thomas over night, ever. And, this was my first time away by myself, really. But, time to myself was very limited because meetings started at 9 AM the next day. So, I settled in to check email. At least I had free wireless.
Reading my email left me unsettled because I found out about a potential lice exposure of Ellie. Ugh.. my daughter may be sleeping with lice on her head right now and I’m in another state! I felt so powerless and my head itched at the thought. I resisted the urge to wake Andy up in the middle of the night to check her head. But, I didn’t sleep well. I tried not to obsess over Lice Fest 2007. And, there was really minimal chances that Ellie would have lice. But, there was the chance. Ugh.
Here is where I slept:
It was a great room.
So, before the meeting started, Andy checked Ellie’s head and Ellie had avoided the lice. Now, just so you know, this is a bad lice year. They are everywhere. I’m not sure why. But, every time we go out, we can be exposed. So, I do check Ellie’s head about every other day. Because it is so much work to get rid of them. But, so far so good. So, knowing that we had one more lice free morning, I was able to go to the day of meetings and focus. The meetings were very productive and I learned a lot. I left the meetings energized and motivated. Yay! I am excited to be part of Futura.
:::warning::::: whining ahead::::::::::::::
So, at 5:20 or so, I went to the car. I was to drive two hours back to O’Hare and get on a 9:55 PM CT flight back to Detroit. So, I get in the car and can’t get the key to turn in the ignition. Other people tried. We called Alamo and they tried to help us. Nothing worked. Tick tock tick tock. So, it took over an hour to arrange for me to take our other rental car to the airport. (That required a manager over ride since I was not listed as a driver.) Alamo preferred that I ride in a two truck two hours. Are you kidding me?
My wonderful friend Jack recently gave me his GPS system because he wants something fancier. It is a Magellon Maestro 3200 or something like that. I love it! Well, it navigated me right to Alamo. I arrived just in time to have dinner at the airport before my flight was scheduled. Meanwhile, it was snowing like crazy in Detroit.
Well, my 9:55 flight took off at 11:30 CT. Ugh. We landed about 1:30 AM EST. Because of the snow, I arrived home at about 3:30. (I didn’t check any luggage.) I drove about 20 mph home from the airport.
So, anyway, my first business trip was an adventure. I was so happy to be home and I’m not traveling for business anytime soon.
I have to say that I have a great husband. He stayed up until I was home safely. He talked to me on the phone so much and I wouldn’t have been able to drive home without him.
Ok, I’m done whining now. I still love most parts of my job. I’m still very excited to work for Futura and I’m planning some great programs. And, I really believe that Ellie and Thomas will grow up to be bilingual. I had been slacking in that department and now I am recommitted. So, the flexible schedule and educational benefit to my kids is really wonderful.
We are in the middle of the second weekend of our bathroom remodel. Friday night, three guys worked from 4-9:30 doing the demo of bathroom #2.
Here is our new bathtub.
Saturday, two guys worked from 8-3:00 and they did the floor and started the shower surround. It’s coming together. 
They broke the sink during the demo. So, darn it. I have to go pick out a new one tomorrow. I’m not sure how many hours they are working tomorrow. They won’t finish, but we’ll be able to use the toilet and the sink, I think.
So, stay tuned for more pictures tomorrow or Monday.
Day two: March 3, 2008
Things are starting to come together.
How do you like the floor?
Happy 3rd birthday Caleb! The kids and I went to Caleb’s third birthday today. Ellie and Thomas received play doh in the goodie bags. 
Well, the first bathroom isn’t completely finished. He has to put the base on yet. We will have to paint and then he will permanently put in the vanity. It is hooked up, but we can move it a bit to paint. He’ll have to work one evening this week on that bathroom. Friday night, he is coming to prep bathroom #2, the big job!
It looks nice and I’m really happy so far.
Bathroom: Day One March 1, 2008
Step one: Demo (Here is the old materials and new materials in our garage.)
The bathroom is empty and the old floor is removed. The floor has no cracks and is level. This is the only thing in the entire house that was built correctly, I think.
Here is our pretty new tile.
Here is our ugly wall. We’ll have to paint.
We did have a new toilet and exhaust fan in the master bathroom also. I haven’t taken pictures of that yet.
