Scratching our names

The kids and I had an unusually busy day, but we squeezed in a quick trip to the house as a family to scratch our names into the concrete of the newly poured basement floor. The original plan involved hand prints as well, but we were too late for that. The concrete was already too hard. But, our names are in! It must really be our house.











The picture doesn't show our work very well, but I took this picture to show that in addition to our names and the date, Jack carved "Deus Caritas Est".

Just a peek...

Lauren was very interested in our Halloween pumpkins and all that was inside them.

Lauren at 9 months

Does Lauren still fuss a lot? Why, yes she does. Does she sleep well at night? Nope. Last night she woke up and ate at 1 AND 5 and then thought it was time to stay awake at 5. If you're keeping track, that's two more wake ups than I think a 9-month old should be experiencing. But, she's still really cute and sweet. She loves her siblings and she has the sweetest new trick. She waves at us!

I found Lauren like this one night when I went to check on her before I went to bed.


She stands all the time now.


Lauren got up the steps all by herself for the first time last week.


Lauren's days are never dull with all these siblings around


She's messy, but she's cute!

Uncle Ed is here!

My brother Ed is visiting from St. Louis this week. He has helped with the house. He's helped with the kids. He's a good guy to have around.

Lauren has been a little bit sick, and consequently, a bit fussy this week. Look. She loves Uncle Ed! I keep saying he's probably going to be happy to get back to his happy Thomas boy tomorrow.

Happy Halloween 09

During her early October visit, my mom undertook the task of outfitting the kids for Halloween. A Batman, a Wolverine and a Pretty Pink Princess were the result. Grammy Miller was delighted to send the sweet little bee costume for Lauren. Thank you both! Halloween costumes have never been my thing, so I'm helpful for all the help I can get.





Sweet little bee. She didn't want to leave her hat on.


Our Halloween crew


The three pink princesses - Lainey, Annie and Isabella

Dirt Fest

"Going to the property" means many things: the excitement of seeing the house change and progress daily, the fun of seeing Jack at work, the joy of being outside in beautiful place. It also means "Time To Get Dirty". Big piles of rock and dirt are a wonderland for my kids and their friends, an irresistible playground. Dirty kids with dirty clothes are inevitable. So when my washer broke it was less than ideal timing! The kids were instructed to wear the same clothes to the property every time they went. We made it - nine days without a washer - but since being delivered three days ago, the washer has seen almost constant use.

Dirty butts


Annie and her friend Talia on top of a dirt and rock pile


end of week 1: pouring the footings as the kids look on


Grammy says she wants pictures of the kids. Grampa says he wants pictures of the house. Pictures of the kids AND the house will make them both happy!

First party

Although it was little more than a hole in the ground at the time, we hosted our first party at our new home two weeks ago. The logistics of planning a party at a house with no kitchen, no facilities, etc was a bit tricky, but in the end everything was great. With some of our dear friends, we asked God's blessing on the process of building and more importantly, on our home. Then we had a bonfire. The night was beautiful, clear and just cold enough to enjoy being near a fire. Jack and I eagerly anticipate many more parties and gatherings in this home.



No kitchen? No problem. Here's the spread I came up with: hot chocolate and coffee, popcorn, baby carrots, apple cider donuts, cheese, bread and apple butter and then hot dogs and s'mores for the fire.