One Day at a Time

Hello to all!!
So much has happened since I last wrote... there's too much to fill you in on all of it, but I will try:)

Things are going great. The girls are growing faster than I would like. It seems everyday they have come up with something new. The keep me on my toes, but most of all, they keep me laughing.
Abbi is doing great in preschool. She will start "big girl" school in the fall. I have gone over and over again in my heart as to whether I should home school her, but I think (notice the word "think") that Eric and I have come to the conclusion that traditional school is what she really needs. We tried to get her into the charter school close to our house, but that didn't happen. They had about 20 openings and an unbelievable amount of applicants. They chose the students by a lottery system and Abbi ended up number 46 on the waiting list. I am not too upset about it, I just kindof figure that what is supposed to happen will happen! She is excited about starting big girl school and is talking about it all the time. I hope the enthusiasm continues!!
Kati is doing super, too. She has really sprouted the last couple of months. She grew an inch in 30 days between Feb and March! We finally have her intenstinal issues under control and I can't help but think that has something to do with it. Anyway, she will start preschool with Mrs. Gwen in the fall and she can't wait either. Gwen is an awesome teacher for the 3's and I know Kati will do wonderful in her class. I can't believe that my baby is starting preschool, though. I am having a hard time coming to the realization that they are growing up...whether I like it or not!
Eric is doing very well. He had a rough battle with the flu for a couple of weeks, but he is back on his feet now. For a couple of days there, I wasn't sure if he would ever be back to normal. Right now he is in Oklahoma for a military competition. He was not very enthused about going, but I think now that he is there, he is enjoying himself and at least making the best of the situation. I had to keep reminding him before he left...accept the things we cannot change. I know he was so sick of hearing me say that:). He has been so busy and really just working his tail off lately, I understand why he didn't want to go...the deployment is quickly approaching and the last thing he wants to do is spend some of the final weeks away from home. But, what can I say, Uncle Sam owns us:):)
I am doing super. Spring is here and the sun is shining and flowers are growing and the weather is warming up daily (alothough, Monday morning we did have snow!!). I have been outside everyday this week doing something, I just LOVE it!! The girls and I planted flower seeds a few weeks ago and they are all sprouting now and soon we can put them in the ground. It was awesome to see them react when they first noticed them sprouting. It was a great lesson in how God makes everything grow.
We decided to put a hold on the barn completion until Eric gets back from the deployment. It is not something we wanted to rush through or leave half completed, so we have moved on the smaller projects that we can get done. We started on the hardwood floors in the living room and dining room. We got about a three foot span complete when we realized that Eric is allergic to the saw dust from the wood. He kept breaking out in these HORRIBLE rashes and had a hard time breathing...several times I thought that I was going to have to take him to the ER. We finally made the connection,though, so he is no longer allowed to touch the wood...only the installed part. Who knew he would be allergic to something like Oak??? Go figure. Anyway...I have to say I am VERY proud that I have been diligently working by myself and have ALMOST completed the floors. I have two rows left until I am finished. I will need a little of his help, though, these last two rows have to be face nailed (nailed through the top of the wood plank) and then the neail head countersunk into the wood. It hurts the joints in my hands terribly when I use the nail set to countersink, so once I get the holes drill and the nails in, I will have him countersink them. But the rest of the work was all me:):):)!! I have mastered the miter saw, table saw, undercut saw, air nailer, compressor and of course hammer and drill. I even make my own custom trim pieces to go in the doorways!! If you can't tell, I am so proud of myself:).
We painted the living room and dining room and kitchen in brighter colors, so that the dark wood wouldn't make the rooms close in on us, and we really made a difference in the whole house. Those of you who haven't been here in a while...I cannot WAIT for you to see the change. Once the floor project is complete, then I guess we will work on the outside a little. Right now, I am just focusing on getting the floors finished!
Well, that's about all for us for now. I hope all is well with everyone else!
Talk to you soon!