I made it just under the wire

I promised one post per week and I'm finally getting around to writing mine for this week.  Our kitchen is still in a state of turmoil (I do not exaggerate when I tell you it looks exactly like it did the week before Thanksgiving sans the four workers in the center), which takes up much more of my time than I would like:

But the good news is the insurance company finally approved our claim for water damage (yay!) and I'm starting to work with the contractor and subcontractors to start the re-do process (double yay!).  Will and I decided not to do a complete overall in large part because of the high price tag, but also because this small house would look strange with an oversized kitchen and we would not likely get the return on our investment should we sell in the near or even distant future (Type-A personalities, you think?).  So, we're changing the floor, repainting the walls, refacing the cabinets, updating the countertops, enlarging the sink, and upgrading the appliances.  Of course, after writing out that list I realize how lucky we are just to be able to do all of that in our small budget.

The plus side to having a half-house/half-construction site is that it really does no good to vacuum and dust because dirt, dust, old kitchen flooring, and everything else you can imagine will only get redeposited throughout the house within 24 hours.  I am getting a little spoiled by my no-cleaning lifestyle.

Of course, I've managed to fill up my time in other ways.  Two very cute ways.

Frances and George after our most recent family dentist visit and George's first official dentist cleaning. According to the dental hygienist, he did great.  She wisely whisked him away to another room to clean his teeth before he had time to object (and out of my eyesight, which I think was key).

We had our first snowfall of the year last week.

This picture is deceptive--it was such a small amount, school wasn't even an hour late.  But the kids were in the backyard by 7:30 am to enjoy as much as they could before the bus came.

Frances's "Snow Princess."  Because a snowman would never do.

Will's father celebrated his 70th birthday this month.

The birthday boy with George, Frances, Trey and Justin.

The big boys, Will and Charlie.

Nothing better than a milestone birthday surrounded by your family.  We should all be so lucky!

Frances's school had family night last week, which included a book fair and free ice cream, as modeled by George.

Frances was over the moon that we all attended.  Will has been working very late recently, but he made a special appearance for his little princess and she couldn't have hugged him harder.  I'm not sure which made her more proud--to show off her school to us or to show us off to her friends.

Today we took a family walk in the sunshine and fresh air.  It was cold, but refreshing and rejuvenating.

I silently walked in honor of a local woman who was killed last week on her morning run by a drunk driver.  The entire city and country, especially the running community, has been in mourning.  She was a stay-at-home mother of three young children who, as told by those who knew her best, relished her job as a full-time mother and had a passion for outdoor running.  90,000 plus people ran outside this weekend in her honor--soaked up the sun, breathed the fresh air, appreciated their muscles and their lives.  I didn't know her personally, but I can't help but feel close to her story.  As a runner, you understand that it could have been any of us on that fateful morning run.  Meg, you are so very loved and appreciated.  And you will not soon be forgotten.

See her story here.

Happy Sunday, everyone.  And for those walkers or runners, please be careful out there!