My father in law, the bravest man I know

This man has come to my rescue many times. My first experience was when Danny and I just bought our house. We redid the whole house and got to work as soon as we got the keys. About day three of construction, I hear my husband scream (I'm sure he would say a yell, but it was a scream) from downstairs. I thought for sure he had electrocuted himself. I came running downstairs to see what happened, and I see Danny laying on the floor yelling, "save yourself." Then I saw it, a bat! Eww, I hate bats. So like any smart woman would do, I booked it outside and left Danny inside to fend for himself.
Soon Danny jumped into his truck to "go get some things so we could get the bat out." Excuse me, "we". So I call my mom to take my place :). My mom comes right over and the two of us wait outside on the back porch. Danny came back with his fire helmet and grabbed a tennis racket from the garage. He looks at my mom, who came packing with a little kid's butterfly net, and shook his head. He rummaged around in his truck and came up with another fire helmet. This was no ordinary fire helmet, it was the plastic ones that they give out to the kid when they take a tour of the fire station. I soon see my brave husband with a tennis racket in hand and my mother with her butterfly net and plastic little hat enter "the danger zone."
Again me being the smart one, I stay outside. Then I hear both of them screaming. I look through the window and see the bat diving down at them while they are both laying on the floor. So I decide to call in reinforcements. I call my father in law. I shows up with nothing but a smile on his face. Me: "you didn't bring anything to catch it". He pulls out a pair of gloves from his back pocket and walk inside. Needless to say, that night I didn't have to sleep with the covers over my head.
The second time my FIL saved me came a couple years later. I came home and heard some scratching in the garage. I grab Ava and run inside. I was sure it was some rabid possum waiting to strike at just the right time. Just like always, my FIL comes over with nothing but a grin. Again, I watch from indoors this time. He yells at me to come out to see the savage beast that threatened the life of Ava and I. It was..... a sparrow. In my defense, it was a very mad sparrow- and larger than a normal one.
Today, again my FIL came to my rescue. I found a spider the size of a baseball in the bathroom. I couldn't bring myself to kill it, so I trapped it under a cup.... that now is in the trash. He comes right over and does what he does best- uses his bravery to yet again save me. Thank you Dan, I don't know what I would do without you, and I'm glad I have provided you with so much humor over the years.

until next year, sigh

For the pool that is. Last year, Ava would only sit on the swimming pool ladder. This year, I'm surprised she didn't form gills. Even if the water was cold, she would still insist on going in. Her lips would be purple and her whole body shaking, but she would refuse to come out. I think next year, we will be spending even more time in the pool.
She figured out how to float on her back, and boy does she think she is hot stuff!

All of the cousins would love spending the whole day in the water. Here's to next year and lots of fun in the water.

Better late than never

So, I've had Ava's room done for a while now, but just haven't gotten the pics uploaded. I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed how it turned out and the little money I spent. The only thing I still have to do for her room is a dresser. She has a dresser that is a light wood that matched her crib. I want a white dresser but am hoping to find an inexpensive one I can paint and make over.
Here's the breakdown. The curtains are the same ones that were already in the room. I bought fabric dye at walmart and changed them from pink to turquoise. The circles on the curtains are just felt that I cut in different sizes and glued them onto a pin that I pinned to the sheer curtains (she already had those too). Next the lamp I found at a yard sale for $2. It was an ugly green, so I just spray painted it pink. I added ribbon (from my home stash) to the shade to give it some life. The wall decorations are foam board I got at the dollar tree and covered them with fabric (again from my fabric stash). Ava had fun picking out where to put them. The side table I already had in another room.

The bed frame I found at a yard sale for $5!!!! I sanded it down and painted it white. I was a little intimidated at first because I have never painted furniture before, but it was really easy. The bedding I got really lucky and found the exact colors I was looking for at Marshall's on clearance. To make the deal even better, I had some left over money on a gift card that covered the cost of the bedding. The main cost of the room makeover was the new mattress. There is a small, family owned furniture shop that is close by that I got a great deal on the mattress set. I think for everything, I spent less than $350. Not bad if I do say so myself! I still need to get her dresser though, so if anyone out there finds a potential candidate, give me a call :).

Would have been

Saturday would have been my due date with Gracie. I knew the day would be hard, so we decided to do something fun. The three of us headed to Elmwood for some rides and some not so healthy food :)

Ava could jump all day. We did have to take her out a little early. She bounced so much, her asthma started acting up. It didn't' faze her at all, and she wanted to go back in.

It was a great family day. When we got home, we had this waiting for us. My grandma new I was struggling and wanted to get us something to remember Gracie by. How can it be that someone you knew for such little time could make such a huge impact on your life? I have to say that the pain is getting less and the strength Danny and I are taking away from losing our second daughter is making our family so much closer.