The Big 33

I can't remember the last time that Bruce's birthday was on a weekend that he didn't work and it didn't get overshadowed by Mother's Day.  Well, this time all those magical stars and planets were in place and he had a party!  Mom and Dad were here and made him his carrot cake, we had our friends over and we all got to celebrate Brucie.  He is the best daddy, husband and friend anyone could ever have.  He works so hard for us and we love him more than he will ever know!

That's a lot of candles! 
Notice the bandana around his neck Coop tied on so that he could be surprised?

The graduate!

Cooper has gone to preschool for the last two years and has become one smart cookie!  His school had wonderful facilities and teachers.  He had a gym, garden and bunnies!  He went to chapel once a week and had really become interested in religion.  Anyway, they had a little graduation ceremony for the kiddos heading to Kindergarten next year.  Mommy and daddy were very proud of our boy!

Getting his diploma from Miss Brenda

Getting a high-five from Pastor

Hugging his teacher, Miss Chris

My handsome boys

Can a kid get any cuter?

Our New Addition

We officially are the proud owners of a new turtle!  Well, he's actually an old turtle that had a run in with a car or lawnmower or something that broke his shell, but he's now been rescued by my boys and is living a life of luxury in his new home. I didn't know how I would do with an animal that doesn't have fur, but Sheldon and I are getting along fine.  He definitely beats a hamster or guinea pig.  (They're just big rats in my book!)

Can you see his cute little face?

You can see how his shell is messed up.  The other side is cracked all the way down. 

Best buddies

Finally Finished!!!

Until I was married, I lived in the same house.  We never moved.  I don't think we ever thought about moving, it just wasn't an option.  Besides, love grows best in little houses, right? 

Well, my married life has been very different.  Bruce and I lived in 4 houses, 4 towns in 5 years.  Each time we bought one, he fixed it up, I decorated it, we got it perfect and then moved on to the next project. 

The house we are in now was a different plan.  We had a baby and "pick up and go" didn't have quite the fun ring to it, nor did we have the time to invest like before.  This house got beat up before us and little by little we have made it our own.  Most of the problems here were cosmetic, new paint, carpet, tile...and the whole entire kitchen.  Every. Single. Part of it...I seriously don't know what the people were thinking when they built this kitchen.  It was not well planned out, but we took our time and finally we had the right ideas and the money to do it.  Surprisingly, Bruce and I were able to come to an agreement on everything and he picked the countertop out on his own.  What trust I have in that man!  I can finally have all my kitchen supplies in the kitchen, not the kitchen, laundry room, pantry and basement... I tried to do before pictures and after of the same angle, but it was a little tough.  I'm not bragging, but man, I think were really good at this!

A door before, but not after.  The dogs and I still get confused on that one. This whole part of the kitchen was wasted space before.  It is amazing to see the picture side by side!!!

We cut a huge opening in the wall between the kitchen and dining room.  I was a little scared, but it has changed EVERYTHING in a great, wonderful, amazing way!  (Missing a piece of trim here...Gonna have to talk to Bruce!)

This was the sad kitchen part.  A breakfast bar in the middle of the room and too little room on the other side of it for a table???  The next two pictures are of this whole wall.

I hated the cabinet colors and the fact that there were no handles.  Everything was yucky and falling apart.  I also am just realizing how much crap is all over the counters, the fridge, everywhere!