the deck.

After years of debate about building a deck, our ideas began to fall into place. We had never spent too much effort or money on making the backyard look nice, but this Spring was the time. Nathan had some help from Dorian to move some of the shrubs to a different location. We took down the privacy fence after realizing that it wasn't straight at all and wouldn't line up right with the deck. Then Nathan dove into framing the deck. After it was framed, I freaked out that it was going to be too big, but Nathan told me it wasn't possible at that point to change it.


The next step was fun to watch as Nathan nailed down the decking boards. It was starting to come together. I spent a lot of time moving the old patio brick and doing some landscaping around the gate and around the tree.









I was hoping to get a new patio set to enjoy on the deck, but was thinking that it was going to cost too much money and that it wasn't necessary. But...when I get something in my head, I have a hard time forgetting about it. I looked at every patio set in every store I went in, and every patio set in the adds we would get at our house. I had done my homework and finally decided that I'd really like to check out one that I saw at JCPenney that was on sale. Well, after looking, we came home with it and Nathan assembled it so that I could enjoy it for a Mother's Day gift! Yeah! I love it.



The next step was to add some finishing touches. I looked forever for the perfect pots, plants and flowers. I'm growing to absolutely love hanging out in our backyard!!!

April overview

Grandma Tintle visits from the 7th through the 10th. While she spent hours playing with playdough, making towers from plastic containers, playing grocery store in the living room, reading books, etc, I was able to get a couple of projects done in the house. I painted the bathroom and the walls above the steps. It was the first time I'd done the painting all by myself from start to finish. I guess typically I've always had help. :) Nathan stayed busy with work. However, on Saturday we did enjoy the morning at the zoo all together before grandma had to fly back to NY.







Dorian and Levi take all their baths together at this point. It's just much easier. And they enjoy playing together. One night, Dorian was reading his dolphin book to Levi...it was the most precious site. Glad we caught it on camara!


The truck was serviced a couple of times at the beginning of April, and after finding out that it really needed some more work done, we made the decision to sell it. After one week listed on Craig's List and multiple phone calls, it was sold for $1800. Our only regret is that we didn't just give the guy the cap as well even though he didn't want it. He thought we could get somewhere between $100 to $200 for it, but we still have it sitting on our driveway. :( It's still listed, but it's not looking promising that it will be gone anytime soon. Nathan has been enjoying getting back to either walking or biking to work. I'm thinking that we may want a second vehicle once Fall rolls around, but until then, we're managing fine with just one.

Good Friday & Easter

While Nathan worked on Good Friday, the boys and I enjoyed the beautiful, sunny day at John Ball Zoo. It was the first of many trips for the summer using our summer pass that the boys received from Suzanne for Christmas. Thanks Suzanne! The boys are a perfect age to thoroughly enjoy the zoo, and they did.





Easter Sunday
Church, Dinner with the Rosema's and an Easter Egg Hunt






Easter Egg hunts work out well at our house. Daddy loves to hide the eggs, mommy loves to take pictures, and the boys love to find the eggs- fun for everyone. :)

March Memories

I'm feeling inspired to catch up! So here it goes. :)

Some hope that Spring is on it's way! The driveway was clear of ice and ready for sidewalk chalk.


I was so excited about the $7 train set I found at the Holland Christian Re-Sale that I couldn't wait to get it set up later that day for the boys to play with! I love a great deal.


March 20-27 was Nathan's Spring Break and I was very excited to be able to spend it in Iowa/South Dakota. However, we nearly turned around after a couple of hours of driving after Levi threw up all over the minivan. :( We had no idea he wasn't feeling well. Mom wasn't too worried that anyone else would catch anything so we decided to keep traveling. Levi wasn't himself the whole week...but we still managed to have fun.

We went to Sioux Center on the day that mom was working to hang out with Heidi, Aniah, and Eden. It's fun to see how similar our kids are being so close in age. They love playing together. That evening we celebrated mom's birthday. (Well, we tried to but Levi needed a lot of attention...poor kid.)





We spent the day on Friday in Sioux Falls. In the morning I was able to go to Sioux Falls Christian and watch Ashley and Emma sing for their choir concert. Then we went to Falls Park before eating pizza out for supper.





More celebrations! Rodney's 100th day post transplant. A milestone for which we are all so very thankful! Praise the Lord! Heidi's birthday, happy birthday sister!