The Psychological Phases of Home Renovation: A Brief Case Study

Phase One: Ignorant Excitement

This phase may begin during house-hunting and extend for a brief period after the acquisition of the home.  During this phase, the homeowners (or in some cases, hopeful homeowners) find themselves excitedly looking at paint swatches and flooring samples.  They pat themselves on the back for recognizing the "hidden potential" of what is, in reality, a dump that most people run from as quickly as possible.  Additionally during this phase, the homeowners may sketch out a list of projects they will complete to make their new home lovely, perhaps even budgeting for the expenses of these projects.  Most likely, they will fool themselves into thinking they have accounted for additional costs and have even "over-budgeted."

Phase Two:  False Security

Usually, this phase will begin immediately following the purchase of the home, and extend no more than two weeks into the renovation process.  During this phase, homeowners dance with glee over the transformation of wall colors.  The phrases "We've got this!"  or "I can't believe how it's coming together!"  or "Look at the progress we've made!" are likely to be heard repeatedly.  

Phase Three:  Weight of Reality

During this phase, following the completion of the easiest (and likely the cheapest) remodeling projects, things start to look less peachy.  Suddenly, the beautifully transformed dining room walls aren't looking as gorgeous against the flooring in desperate need of replacement.  The upstairs bathroom no longer being Pepto Bismol pink isn't compensating for the fact that nothing can be stored in the filthy kitchen cabinets that are still waiting for demolition.  Emotions run high during this phase, and the wife may be likely to burst into tears about things like living out of boxes, being scared of the carpet, or having to chase her toddler away from piles of power tools.  

Phase Four:  Calling in Reinforcements

If professional help is ever needed, the time is now.  Homeowners are likely to call independent contractors for help with the big stuff during this phase.  

While help from family and friends was likely utilized prior to this, these folks will really up the ante at this point.  A father in law, perhaps fearing his daughter in law is heading for a pre-mid-life crisis, will likely give up holiday vacation time AND get the flu in order for real progress to be made.

The following photographs and captions exemplify a family experiencing phase four of this psychological process:

 Shown above and below, B. Reese, a successful optometrist, moonlights as a manual laborer to appease his stressed out children.  Unbeknownst to him, the toddler in polar bear pajamas is infecting him with the worst case of the flu he will likely ever experience. 

Shown below, B. Reese uses the greatest tool ever invented (i.e. a crowbar from Big Lots) to demolish existing, water damaged, hardwood flooring.  

Every one of the tiny dots in the photo below are in actuality staples that the crowbar method did not remove.  These would need to be painstakingly removed by hand.  The family pictured in this case study might have cruised around the Lowe's parking lot more than once, looking for illegal laborers to assist in the completion of this project, before remembering they were too cheap to pay for that. 

 Piles of staples.  The honeymoon phase is over, folks.

 While tears may have been shed and blisters gained during this experience, the giant square of hideous carpet and stained kitchen linoleum became the biggest blessings in disguise--no nasty staples to remove there!

Phase Five:  Comfort and Complacency

At this point, the major projects are complete, and the owners actually start to feel like they can call this house a home.  They aren't embarrassed for someone to step through the front door.

Living and Dining space, after quick cleanup and before renovation:

After new floating hardwood flooring, paint, and light fixtures:

Kitchen, after quick clean-up and before renovation:

Kitchen, after new cabinetry, paint, and flooring (appliances and light fixtures still to eventually be replaced):

On a more negative note, at this point the homeowners are sick of paint brushes.  They don't want to see another nail gun.  The mention of a trip to Lowe's or Ace Hardware can send them over the edge.  Things like trim that needs a second coat of paint, or shoe molding that appears to be missing in a five foot space, or unfinished thresh holds . . . suddenly those things don't really bother them . . . at least not enough to motivate the completion of the projects.

Phase Six:  Completion

During this phase, every last project is completed.  This phase is most likely to occur when preparing to sell the home to a new potential buyer.  The cycle will then repeat when the family purchases their next home.       

We are definitely in Phase Five, but it feels pretty good.  Still some little projects to cross off our to-do list (like getting a fridge that doesn't leak and installing it in the kitchen, instead of our shelf-less gem that we're keeping in the garage), but we have floors!  We have a kitchen!  We were able to decorate for Christmas! There's always still work to be done, but for now, it feels good to be able to look around and say, "Oh, we'll get to that later."  I still need to post before and afters of what we have accomplished so far upstairs, but this is a good start for now.  

Snow Day

Really, this was the lamest excuse for a snow day ever.  It was more like slight-layer-of-ice-that-didn't-even-cover-the-grass day.  Luckily, Kaden doesn't know enough about real snow to be able to tell the difference. He had a great time traipsing across our lawn in his "magic boots" and the Christmas pajamas that he insists on still wearing, even though January is almost over.

It was pretty sad we didn't get more.  We'd been hoping Chad would have a two hour delay from work, and that we could all build a snowman.  Maybe next time.

Dear Kaden,

Last night, you woke up in the middle of the night, crying out.  A nasty nightmare was the culprit, and I scooped you up in my arms and held you in your dark room--a sliver of moonlight peeking in through the blinds and a blueish glow from your nightlight helping me see enough to wipe your tear stained cheeks.

Then we cuddled up in the rocking chair in the corner, you and I, with a soft yellow blanket that my grandma pieced together before she died.  And you wiggled and squirmed until you found your comfy place, sprawled across my lap, your head nuzzled close against me, your right arm dangling behind my back.  And I remembered rocking you just like this for so many nights in your infancy.  Before you could tell me about the monsters in your dreams.  When your little legs still fit in the soft circle of my arms while I held you, where now I felt your little toes curled around my calves.  And I squeezed you just a little bit tighter while I sang you lullabies and held your hand.

And I thanked Heavenly Father for my mother's heart.  That in that moment, in the middle of the night, I could long to hold you like that for an hour.  For days.  For weeks.  For months.

My Kaden Boy, I am so blessed to be your mommy.  Sometimes it is scary for me, watching you grow up.  And thinking that someday you will cry about something I can't fix, something that won't be an imaginary monster in the dark.  But I hope you will always know that I will still squeeze you close and hold your hand.

I love you so very much.

Love,
Mommy  

Kaden Moments

Kaden, with the laptop cord wrapped around his waist:  "Look, Mommy!  A space belt!"

While we were home for Christmas, Mackenzie came and got us to report that Kaden was naked in the bathtub.  Sure enough, he had stripped down to his birthday suit and was sitting in an empty tub, playing with toys.  At least he didn't start the water!

Kaden had gotten out of bed a couple of nights ago, and was banging on his door (we lock his door at night).  I went in to check on him, and he was standing there in only a diaper.  The kid had taken off his sleeper, only to realize he couldn't get it back on.  I couldn't help but laugh.  I helped him get re-dressed and tucked him back in bed.

Chad was pointing out pictures of Kaden when he was a baby that are hanging up in our stairwell.
       Chad:  Do you know who this is?
       Kaden:  Yes!
       Chad:  Who?
       Kaden:  BABY JESUS!

In fact, when seeing most pictures of babies, he automatically assumes they are Baby Jesus.  Or Noah (the baby brother of his buddy, Liam).

Anytime he sees a picture of a star he starts talking about when Baby Jesus was born.  At least he got something out of our Christmas-themed family home evening lesson.

We were in the grocery store shopping, and I was pushing Kaden in the cart.  All of a sudden, completely out of nowhere, he starts chanting, "Bacon!  Bacon!  Bacon!"  We were nowhere near bacon, so I have no clue where this thought pattern came from, but it was hilarious.

I was making Kaden lunch and asked him if he wanted honey or jelly on his peanut butter sandwich.
     Kaden:  Jelly!  It's DELICIOUS!!!!"

I have to lie down beside Kaden until he falls asleep in order for him to nap now.  It's the only way he will take a nap.  We've drawn the line and won't do this at bedtime, but it's worth it for nap time, since he becomes a demon without one during the day.  We've been cycling through some sickness at our house, and Kaden and I have been super congested.  When he took his nap the other day, he started snoring ridiculously loudly.  When he came to find me after his nap, we were cuddling together on my bed, and I did an impression of the sound he was making when he fell asleep.  He just busted out laughing.  It was like sharing a joke with a friend.  So fun.  It was the cutest moment.  Hard to explain, but I want to remember it forever.

Chad made Kaden mac and cheese for lunch one day while I was out.  Apparently, Kaden did an "impression" of me saying that mac and cheese is not for breakfast, only lunch.  We've had this conversation a few times, and apparently he wanted to make sure Daddy knew the rules, too.

All the numbers that come after ten are fourteen when Kaden counts on his own.  So funny.  We are working on it.

I noticed that Kaden's beloved stuffed giraffe, Tip Top, was in need of a bath.  I mentioned this to Kaden, and he freaked out.
     Me:  But he's stinky, Kaden!  See, smell him.
     Kaden:  (Taking a whiff)  No stinky!  No stinky!  (Bringing me his stuffed elephant)  See, Mommy!  
     It's Ollie!  Ollie's stinky!

After a thirty minute battle trying to get Kaden to try his chicken and rice, he finally gagged down a bite.
    Kaden:  Mmmmmm!
    Me:  Is it good?
    Kaden:  Yes!
    Me:  How many bites do you think you can eat?
    Kaden:  10!  (Eats ten bites, counting each one.)
A lot of our food battles look just like this one.

Kaden peeks through the blinds and checks to see if it's morning before he comes out of his room every day.

Empty House and Holiday Memories

We took down our Christmas decorations on Saturday afternoon, and our house feels hallow and empty.  I know I'll eventually adjust to the lack of glitter and sparkle, but right now, things seem kind of depressing.  I know a lot of people find extreme joy in getting their tinsel and evergreen garlands boxed away, but I think I could gaze at my bedazzled Christmas tree for 365 days a year and be happy.  I couldn't really, of course, because it wouldn't be as special, but it feels like it when it's time to take the tree down.  I already miss driving up to our house at night and seeing a candle glowing beneath a wreath in each window.  

Kaden practically wept when he saw us taking the ornaments off the tree.  "This is mine!"  he'd say, clutching to a red and gold one.  Or, "I need this ORN-MENT!"  Poor kid.  We saw four or five Christmas trees laying haphazardly in the street today, waiting for the garbage men to come collect them.  He kept confusedly pointing the out, while I pulled him in his wagon through the neighborhood.  It's hard to say goodbye to Christmas.

We had a great Christmas and New Year's celebration this year, and in true Katie fashion I didn't take many photographs.

For example, I wish I had photographed Kaden, Kenzie, and Tanner taking turns pulling each other in Kaden's new wagon, his favorite gift from Gigi and Poppy.  I can still see them in their hats and mittens, noses a little bit red, squealing with delight.

I wish I had a photograph of Kaden and Kenzie decorating gingerbread houses with Aunt Meredith and Uncle Adam.  A few of the blades of Kade's gumdrop grass weren't deposited in a layer of icing until he'd licked the sugar coating off, which made it extra precious.

I wish I had a photograph of every delectable treat I consumed over our holiday stay with the in laws.  Actually, I don't.  That would show just how much of a pig I am.  But oh, how tasty everything was!  I do regret not taking a photo of at least the New Year's Eve feast.  This year we had brie fondue with baguette, fresh fruit with chocolate fondue, crab and cream cheese wontons, bruschetta, cheese ball, our favorite Harry and David dip, chocolate crinkle cookies, and an assortment of other leftover Christmas desserts.  It was so amazing.  So much goodness in one meal.

I did manage to score a few  photographs.  Here's our family on Christmas Sunday right after church.  Kaden is wearing his last Christmas John-John.  At least he got one more year with smocked snowmen.

On Christmas morning, we took a lot of video footage and very few photographs, but I did capture these as the kids were waiting to go down the stairs.  They were so eager to see what Santa had brought!

Even though Kaden's eyes are closed, I love this shot of him with his Daddy:

Santa brought Kaden an extra special treat for Christmas this year.  After he'd opened all of his other presents, he had to go on a treasure hunt to find his last gift, which was hidden in the living room.  A friend of mine gave us this train, which is motorized and can be ridden around a circular track.  Her children had enjoyed it for years.  Unfortunately, it was broken and no longer ran.  Santa took the train to his workshop and with the help of his elves, fixed it right up, so that Kaden could ride it again!  He was so excited!  Isn't Santa awesome?

Mackenzie got some watercolors for Christmas this year, and the budding artist was creating masterpieces every day.  Gigi and Poppy's refrigerator was soon plastered with them.  She wanted Kaden to paint with her so badly, but he mostly tried to drink the water meant for cleaning the brushes . . . and made a mess.

See what I mean about drinking the water? He's  totally stealing a sip in this one:

This was the first year Chad's entire family has all been together for Christmas in a long time, so it was imperative we take some family photos.  Leave it to us to pick the rainiest, coldest day to do that.  The kids weren't too thrilled.  Neither were the adults. We did manage to get a few good ones, though.  My favorites were by far the silly ones.  I love being  a part of the Reese clan.  I am so thankful for them!

Alas, the holiday season is over.  Time for reality to set in . . . and to start hitting those New Year's resolutions!

Kaden The Queen Fan Sings "We Will Rock You"

Kaden The Comedian Tells Knock, Knock Jokes

Before I Forget

There are so many little things Kaden is doing and saying right now that I never want to forget.  Sometimes, he'll look up at me with his big, brown eyes from beneath his set of gorgeous lashes, and I'll think, I want to freeze this picture forever.  I want to wrap up this moment and carry it in my pocket until I'm old and gray and wearing orthopedic shoes.

Kaden calls his toothpaste soap.  "I need more soap!" is a frequent request when he brushes his teeth, which mostly consists of him sucking the toothpaste off of the brush.

He has been speaking in full sentences for a while, but sometimes he catches me off guard with the complexity of his speech.  We were walking on the greenway one day and stopped for his favorite activity, throwing rocks into the stream.  He threw a big rock in the water and I complimented him on what an amazing splash he had made.  "That was a big rock!" I told him.  "I wish I could find some more," he said.  Seriously.  Those were his exact words.

Kaden gives a gender and emotion to almost everything we see.  We might see a little dog walking on the side of the road and he will say, "Oh, he's happy!"  While he does his farm animal puzzle, he insists that certain animals are "Daddies" and certain ones are "Mommies."  The horse is always a Daddy horse.  He also tells us how he is feeling:  "I'm sad."  or "I'm happy."  or "I'm scared."  A couple of Sundays ago, the  nursery leader brought me Kaden during Sunday school because he was inconsolable.  I was holding him in the hall, talking to a friend of mine, when he suddenly looked at her and said, "I'm sad."  When she asked him why he was sad, he gave a prompt response, in his saddest voice:  "Nursery."

He is obsessed with the garbage truck.  I know he makes our neighborhood garbage men feel like the heroes they are every time we run outside to watch them pickup our trash.  He is always so excited!  Every time he hears a noise that sounds like  a truck, he runs to the window and starts exclaiming, "Oh! Big garbage truck!  Big garbage truck!"

I recently discovered the only danger to a toddler swallowing TUMS is potential constipation.  This was after a Sunday morning call to poison control.

I am still trying to impress the importance of manners:  please, thank you, etc.  Most of the time, I feel like I've failed in this regard.  I constantly wonder if I will always have to remind him to say these words, but sometimes he will surprise me.  Nothing melts my heart as much as an unprompted, "Oh!  Thank you, Mommy!" from my little guy.

He has known the entire alphabet for a while now, and points out letters everywhere we go.  He's gotten much better at counting!  He can count from one to ten, unless he tries to go too fast--then he tends to miss a few numbers.  He doesn't necessarily recognize numerals yet, but he can count objects one by one as he points to them.

Kaden is such a good little helper.  He wants to be right in the mix of anything we are working on or doing.  He loves helping to wash the car, rake leaves, sweep the floors, you name it!  He's a little less excited about helping to clean up all of the toys he throws all over his room during the day, but we're working on it.

He is doing much better with babysitters.  He was actually excited when one stayed with him on Friday while we went to an ugly sweater party.

He has also made some great little friends since we moved to Raleigh, and he loves playing with them.  I'm proud of him for being more social.  He has always been kind of shy and cautious around other kids, so this is a big step for him.

Kaden is in love with everything Christmas.  He is in awe of all of the Christmas lights, trees, and displays in all of the stores.  We went to the youth Christmas party and when he looked into the Young Women's president's house and saw her tree, his eyes lit up, and he said, "I see Christmas!"  It is so fun experiencing the holidays with him.  Everything is extra magical this year.  I can't wait for Christmas morning, because I think he's actually going to "get" things this year at least a little bit.

He is very observant and notices things I often miss.  He will often point out a beautiful sky or birds flying by.  The other day, he brought Chad one of his toys and started excitedly shouting that it was a clue.  After an inspection, Chad saw it indeed had a tiny, blue paw print on the tag.  Kaden had found a real life Blue's Clue!

He has such a darling sense of humor and will frequently crack up at something he finds hilarious.  He is mischievous and will often do things with a little twinkle in his eye and a side smirk to let you know he is trying to get attention.

If he bites his lip, you better watch out, he's about to tackle you, jump on you, or otherwise attack you playfully.

He is independent to a fault.  He likes to do everything himself.  "I do it!" is a frequent exclamation around these parts.  He is also incredibly stubborn (can't imagine where he got this from . . . )  If I try to help him do something that he wants to do himself, he will re-do it anyway.  For example, if I lift him out of his car seat, he will climb back up and climb down again on his own.  Or, if I put his pants on, and he wants to do it, he will take them off and start again.  I've learned to pick my battles, and for the most part I let him do most things by himself, even though it is agonizingly slow at times.  If we know we have to actually be somewhere in the morning, we start getting dressed at least thirty minutes before we have to leave.

He is so imaginative and creative.  I love watching him play!  He is very good at self-entertaining and prefers to play by himself sometimes.  We play together, too, but sometimes he just wants to be alone.

He has learned quite a few Primary songs and can sing along with most of the words to I am a Child of God and I Love to See the Temple.  He knows the actions to The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock and Book of Mormon Stories and knows most of the words to those songs, too.

He still loves reading (fingers crossed that this lasts forever and ever) and insists on reading some of his stories to us from memory, which is incredibly adorable.

He is still obsessed with balls and has developed a fondness for boom ball (football).

He is 110% boy and LOVES being outside.  Running, jumping, finding water to splash in, and mud to dig in, are all his favorite activities.

Almost every night Chad and I fall asleep laughing about something cute Kaden has done during the day and talking about how thankful we are that he is a part of our family.  I don't know what we did to deserve him, but he really is a wonderful little boy.  We sure love him!

The Death Flu

On Saturday night, Kaden threw up.  Twice.  We were casually reading a bedtime story, a Thomas the Train adventure to be exact, all curled up in the chair in the corner of his bedroom, when he lost the contents of his stomach all over himself, me, and his "soft blankie."  Oh, and the towels that I screamed for Chad to bring.  It was not pleasant, I tell you, not pleasant at all.  He had just had a bath.  His daddy quickly rushed him into another, while I laundered all of the damaged clothing and bedding and shouted praises to the heavens that the new carpet had been spared.

There had been no sign that this nasty episode was approaching.  He was fine all day, as were we.

I went to the store to stock up on Sprite and saltines, figuring it was going to be a long night for Kaden.  He slept through the night without a hint of tummy trouble.

Chad and I didn't fare so well.  We were sick all night.

We spent all day Sunday in bed, in and out of sleep, while Kaden did who knows what all over the house and watched obscene amounts of TV.  He didn't seem to mind too much every time we suggested he watch another show.  Thank goodness for Netflix and unlimited episodes of Dinosaur Train and Thomas the Train movies.

Being sick when you're a parent is so much harder than being sick as a child.  I kind of kept wishing my mom was going to come in and check on me, bring me a glass of cold Sprite, and put her hand on my forehead.  Instead, I kept telling Kaden not to jump on me, whilst I tried to get my shaking fingers to handle the remote control for the digital babysitter.  I kept remembering scenes from the film Contagion, and hoping I wasn't going to meet the fate of Kate Winslet.

We are flu free again and eating solid food--Hooray!  Let the Clorox-ing begin!  In all honesty, I am so thankful Chad and I got the worst of it, since watching Kaden be sick is pretty much the saddest thing ever.

Here's the really traumatizing part of this story:  my in-laws spent all day with us Saturday helping lay our new hardwood flooring.  All day being exposed to germs we didn't know we had while giving up their entire Saturday to HELP us.

Brucious had to call in sick to work on Monday.  Pretty sure he's never done that before.  Like ever.  Tyler also got it bad.  There is nothing worse than being the responsible party for that.

I Don't Remember it This Way

Have you seen this movie lately?

Please tell me all you need is a picture to know I'm talking about a classic.  A staple of the holidays.  The original Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, in all its clay-animated glory.

Well, I've watched it three times in the last two days.  Uno.  Dos.  Tres.  In dos dias, people.  And let me go ahead and tell you, I've been slightly disturbed.

I happen to adore these films.  Santa Claus is Coming to Town is my absolute favorite.  These gems were a staple of my childhood, which is why I bought the complete collection last year after the holidays.  I scored them at Costco for an unbelievable deal, and Chad practically wept when I brought them home.  He can't stand them.  After a few viewings of the movie starring a red-nosed fawn, I'm wondering if he wasn't right.  Let's just say the plot and character development don't quite align with my warm-fuzzy childhood memories.

Case in point:  Ruldoph's dad, Donner?  Crummy dad.  Not quite a dead beat, but what a jerk.  What kind of dad is so ashamed of his kid's nose that he makes him cover it up?  As if that's not bad enough, he's also a chauvinistic pig dog.  Seriously.  Chad's actually the one who pointed that out.  When Rudolph disappears, his mom wants to go help find him; Donner throws out some huffy line about it being "man's work," and runs off and leaves her to wallow at home in misery.

As if a macho-overbearing daddy deer isn't bad enough, you should see the portrayal of Santa Claus.  Santa Claus!  The jolly old man with the big belly? Red suit?  Ho ho ho laugh?  He is the ultimate douche bag.  He's the one who tells Donner that Rudolph will never make the sleigh team with a nose that glows.  That's right!  Freaking SANTA CLAUS is crushing the hopes and dreams of his own reindeer, while simultaneously mocking their offspring.  Later in the film, after the elves try to delight him with an upbeat musical number, Santa doesn't compliment their hard work and stellar performance--no, no, no Mrs. Claus has to do that--Santa just mutters, "It needs work," and grumpily storms from the room.  Who IS this bearded impostor, I ask you?!

I'll tell you one thing:  I want to do a rewrite for the ending of this movie.  It wouldn't include Rudolph coming to the rescue with his glowing nose, that's for sure.  After his unjust treatment, the poor kid should have stuck it to the man.  "What's that, Santa?  NOW you decide the nose is great?  Well, if you think I'm going to guide your sleigh tonight, with this nose so bright, you can JUST FORGET IT!"  Yes, I think a passionate speech from Rudolph is much more in order.  That or a Quentin Tarantino blood bath.  Just kidding . . . kind of.  

The Many Faces of Kaden Reese

Dear Cranky Librarian,

Never in my million and a half visits to the North Regional Library have I ever seen you.  I usually see nice, friendly faces who think my child is adorable, even when he behaves in a some-what crazy manner.  So imagine my surprise today when I overheard you scolding him for constructing a train (by lining up all of the colorful chairs in one section of the children's area, which he has done every time we've visited the library for the last million and a half times).  I believe your words, after I apologized and said we would put them back, were, "Someone might want to sit down!"  Funny.  No one was looking for a chair.  Whatever, sister.

Sincerely,

A Now Cranky Mommy

Dear Kaden,

The moment to have a meltdown was probably not immediately following our encounter with the not nice librarian.  Way to make a good impression, Buddy, way to make a good impression.

I still love you,

Mommy

Dear Bombay House,

I fell in love with Indian food while I was living in London.  The first time I tasted curry, it was topped with shredded coconut, bananas, and mango chutney.  I was hooked.  When I returned to BYU, you quickly became my favorite Provo restaurant.  Not just because you were the only feasible place to EAT Indian food, but because you were so incredibly amazing.  I found a recipe on Pinterest that claims to, when followed, produce your Tikka Masala.  I hope it isn't lying.  That will be devastating on so many levels.

Sincerely,

A Hopeful Cook

Dear Chadwick,

Thanks for liking Indian food even more than I do.  Sometimes, you have to remind me how much I like it, so I will actually make it.

Love,

Your Other Half

P.S.  Thanks for being talented, so you can take photos like this of our adorable offspring:

Dear Kaden,

After looking at these pictures, it's clear we need to do something about the monk shape of your haircut.  We aren't Catholic, and even if we were, this style is pretty medieval.  Good thing you're still so adorable.

Love,

The One Who Can't Bring Herself to Chop off Those Gorgeous Blond Locks  

Dear Sub Floors,

You are dusty and nasty, but I love you.  Thanks for not being water damaged.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Our romance will be short lived.  Come Saturday, we will be covering you up with new hardwood flooring.  Not to sound insensitive, but I kind of can't wait.

Fondly,

A Home Renovator Extraordinaire

Gettin' Busy With Bernice

Bernice, Kaden, and I have been having a ball the last couple of days.

Today, we mixed up some pumpkin and Nutella cheesecake muffins.

I love Nutella.  Adore it.

I fell for it hard when I spent a semester living at the BYU London center.  Breakfast and dinner were provided with our tuition, but we were on our own for lunch.  This left a couple of options for the poor and cheap:  leftovers (but you had to be quick and home to score those) or peanut butter sandwiches (which could easily be deposited in a brown bag for enjoyment at any museum or park of your choice, later in the day).  PB&J got old.  Until I started putting peanut butter on one half and Nutella on the other.  And I promptly gained at least ten pounds, despite walking a bazillion miles every day.

Anyway, today, Bernice worked her magic beating eggs, flour, pumpkin puree, cinnamon and nutmeg, and Kaden worked his by saying, "No, Mommy!  No, Mommy!  I do it!" anytime I tried to add any ingredient without his assistance.

I may have let him lick the Nutella cheesecake beater to give me time to stuff the muffin tins with batter, because I thought it'd be more sanitary than letting him rub his toddler fingers all up in someone's future snack.

I wish I had a picture of his face after that endeavor.  His face was covered with Nutella goodness from his nose, to his chin, with a few choice deposits even reaching his neck.  Some decorated his pajama top (that he was still wearing at noon).  Then I had to chase him around the house to retrieve the beater before he touched anything with his hazelnut-spreaded face, hands, and clothing.  It was pretty awesome.  And I'm not being sarcastic; it really was.

I love being a mom.

Also, there's a giant pallet of pre-finished hardwood sitting on my driveway.  Can we say DEMO TIME, anyone???