Yes, My Bathroom Looks Better!

I'm really pleased with the new bathroom.  It went from a very dated, broken hall bath to a lovely place!  A couple of posts back, I posted pictures of what it used to look like.  It took less than two weeks to get the place finished, but our contractor was great, with a little help from Eva!

I didn't have a whole lot of room, so I stayed with a small-sized vanity, but went from a rectangular to an oval mirror.  I switched out the old light to something more practical.

I found a granite remnant locally to match the floor tile and added some nice fixtures and new paint.

The tub is much larger that my previous tub/shower insert.  The old one was so narrow that it was not enjoyable to even take a bath.  Eva and Joy were getting too big for both of them to be in one tub, but not anymore!  The contractor had to extend the wall a bit to make it fit, but it is worth it. 

Some glass tiles were added as a little accent.  I'm not a flashy person at all, so I tried to stay neutral.

I bought some new towels and shower curtain and it makes the room look great. 

All About Eve

This morning, Eva woke up and complained about a pain on the side of her head.  I paid little attention to her suffering at the moment since we were busy getting ready for church.  Eva is rarely sick.  Since she came home six years ago she has never been to the doctor for a sick visit.  Only once has she had a fever.  Her immune system rocks.  So, I ignored her.

During church, again, she complained of pain at her left temple.  Being the loving, over-worrying mother than I am, I only imagined the worst, unpronounceable disease in all history of mankind.  And, since Eva never complains, I paid attention.  We left the sanctuary, and I gave her some pain meds for her headache.  There was no fever, and she did not appear sick at all.  Immediately upon taking the medication, she proclaimed that she "felt better already".

As I pondered this insignificant incident, I briefly imagined life without Eva.  How would I feel if something happened to her?  We don't even want to go there.  She brings so much fun and love into our lives.  She makes me laugh every single day.  Eva loves her life, loves who she is, and is not insecure in the least.  She loves to have fun.

I imagined having a sweet little girl that I could dress in bows and pink:

She outgrew my ideas of a daughter, and came up with her own ideas:

At least five days a week she wears camouflage, stands at attention, and salutes me.  She traded in the girly necklaces for dog tags and whistles, flowered sippy cups for canteens.

She asked to wear her camouflage to co-op classes.  I obliged; she got tons of compliments.  She asked to wear them to church this morning; I declined.  She wore a flowered dress instead and was perfectly content (thank goodness).

Last week Eva asked if we could go camping.  I told her I'd love to but it was up to Dad; Dad is not a big fan of camping (that is another post).  I asked why she wanted to go camping so badly.  Her reply, "I want to see a bear, kill it, then eat it!"  Yep, that's my girl!

Yes, My Bathroom Is Ugly

I live in a 1990's house.  It takes a lot of money and time to get rid of that look.  It wasn't a bad look, but I am ready to get rid of the almond-colored bathrooms.  I think it must have been a nice look for the 90's.  It is in all my bathrooms and my kitchen counters.  Last year, we got rid of the dated and broken-down kitchen.  Next is a bathroom.  And, since the shower started leaking back in the winter, we chose to fix the hall bath; the one Jack uses.

It's pretty small and mostly (probably all) bottom of the line stuff.  The floor is pretty ugly.  It was even ugly back in 1990.  But, it was a workable bathroom.  I am very thankful to have three bathrooms.  I grew up in a family of six and only had one bathroom.  So, I'm not complaining.  But, I will be very glad to have another functioning shower in the house very soon.  The bathroom has already been completely torn out and the tub is installed.  The tile is in process, the vanity ordered.  I'm heading out to look at paint...again, as well as lights.

Jordan Update

Since I haven't seen Jordan since graduation in July, I have no pictures to show you except what I received in the mail last week.

I'm sure she will not be too happy to see this photo.  She was ill and had double pink eye at the time this photo was taken.  She has sent me phone photos, but those aren't very attractive.

Jordan is doing well at her school in Florida.  She told me that if she graduated today, she would graduate with honors; she graduates in less than two months!  We are all so proud of her and all she has accomplished.  Apparently, last week, she filled out her "dream sheet" where she would like to be stationed at once she finishes schooling.  She had discussed wanting to be closer to home and on the east coast.  But, after getting used to not seeing her family, I guess she set her sights some place a little tropical...Aloha!

She is excited about her destination.  Who wouldn't be?  Now, I just have to find a way to get out there at some point in the next three years. 

Time With Seth

Seth had ten days of leave after graduating Marine boot camp.  I've never had ten days fly by so quickly in my entire life.  I'm not even sure how to describe my feelings during that brief time with my son.  Initially, it all started out so joyous.  The day after we came home, we found out that a Marine he graduated with the day before drowned at the beach just seven short hours after graduation.  Immediately, my heart just grieved for that family.  Seth just responded, "How could that happen?"  I couldn't help but feel such a heaviness over me during that week as the frailty of life was magnified by this young Marines death.  As I listened to stories from my son of his time at Parris Island, another mother was making funeral arrangements.  As I sat across from my son at dinner, she looked at the empty seat at the table.  As Seth packed up his gear for SOI training, the young Marine's body was flown home to Ohio for burial.  Eventually, I had to just go to a room by myself and just break down, sobbing, crying out to God to comfort that family.

Then a few days later, the attacks on our embassies occurred.  It didn't help matters when I found out that our country deployed Marine Security Forces to these areas.  Security Force is my sons MOS (job) in the near future.  I admit it.  I worried.  I was overcome with fear of the future for my children.  I know that God is Sovereign.  I have to get it from my head to my heart.  Nothing I do will protect my children.  I have to rest in God's hands.  I never realized until this week how much I do not rest.  Why is it so hard?

For a little while I can rest because I know my Savior.  He loves me and wants me to trust Him.  But, slowly, I pick up that burden again, thinking that somehow I can protect every single one of my children from any pain or difficulty or uncomfortable situation.

Sometimes, I wish I can keep my sons from turning into men.  It is a hard transition for me as much as it is for them.  But, it has been good.

While Seth was home, we did nothing special.  All he wanted was to spend time with his family and a few friends.  Eventually, the burden of worry left me, and I could enjoy the short time we had together.  We anticipated an all-out attack on our refrigerator and pantry.  It didn't happen.  The two gallons of ice cream were only half-eaten, as were the two packs of Popsicles and cupcakes.  Seth thought he would come home and drink a lot of Dr. Pepper.  That didn't happen either.  My, how my son has changed!

Sunday arrived all too soon.  Another good-bye.  Yes.  I miss my son.  A lot.  No matter how long he wears that uniform, in my heart, he will always be that little boy playing soldier with his brother in the backyard.

The Birthday

A special little girl came into our lives in 2006 on her first birthday.  Eva celebrated her 7th birthday and her 6th anniversary with her family this week.  She was quite excited to have Seth home to enjoy her special day.

She only wanted zucchini for her birthday dinner, but Seth talked her into pizza, which she seemed to enjoy.

Jordan bought her the Navy camos!  Aren't they cute on her?

Seth bought her a sword and canteen.  She is so much like Seth in her imagination and adventuresome spirit.