Simple Lessons From Our Children

Isn’t it amazing how kids are? The way their little minds think. The things they say. How well they play and get along with one another. Even how quickly they forgive (without words) when they’ve been hurt by a friend. What’s also amazing is what kids are not.

Naturally kids are not prejudice.

They aren’t judgmental.

They aren’t purposefully hurtful.

They aren’t hateful.

They don’t even know how to hold grudges.

It just goes to show you how much of these things we are exposed to, and learn as we progress in life. But it also shows even more how much we can still learn from our little gifts from God. Just watch them and learn.

We would love to hear how your child inspires you!! Please share.

Rent the Runway review

The time has finally come for me (Jen) to contribute a "lil somethin" to this amazing blog my husband has kept up for us thus far. Often I'm not sure what to write about, but I think almost every girl can get excited and find the words to share about getting all dolled up and stepping out with her hubby by her side. I am able to do just that with a little help I received from the friendly staff over at Rent the Runway!!

Tackling Landscaping: Take 2

Do you remember when you were a kid, the feeling you got in your stomach when you found out that your parents got you that new bike you had been asking for? Or how you felt when you heard the ice cream man coming from blocks away, and they gave you a whole dollar to spend? Yeah...that's how I felt when I asked my wife if we could buy some plants for the dirt patch we're working on next to our house, and she said YES!!!

So Much To Do, So Little Summertime

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you, without a strong blog to read through!!!
Summertime always reminds me of real hip hop. Windows down, bobbin' your head to Rakim, the Microphone Fiend!

Summertime also reminds me of real work, and this summer it's accompanied by a super long "to do" list for Jenn and I to conquer. I cry money signs everytime I read through it.

1. Landscaping dilemma. (read up on that here.)
2. Wedding in the A.T.L. (pics to come)
3. Compost project (started here)
4. Tear down rotting fence
5. Replace old rotting fence
6. Guest bath project (Yipeeeyyy!!)
7. Facelift to guest bedroom (HD's Granny is staying for 5 weeks!!)

So as you see, we are going to be a bunch of busy Gooz Beez! :) Some things are checked off.
Budget$ for the other tasks are in place, but finding the time to finish them all is the real chore. Someone tell the time to slow down!!

The Compost Journey Begins

To compost, or not to compost. That is the question.

We have been toying around with this question of composting for ohhhhh... maybe 3 days now. And after finding a compost bin at our local Home Depot for 7 bucks!! (yellow sticker last item price), answering this question became very simple.
Let's do it!!

We simply looked at all the benefits of composting:

1. Creating rich organic soil for mulching and potting plants
2. Recycling greens, and other food scraps
3. Recycling yard waste
4. Cutting down the quantity of garbage to landfills

There are other reasons to compost not listed here, and not to mention all of the learning, and fun playing with worms and bugs Harrison can have.

Check out the pics of our new bin and stay tuned for how we get things started!!

Do you compost? Share your advice!

Tackling Our Landscaping

We purchased our home in the fall of 2011, and one of the first things we fell in love with was our new, once well mantained landscaping. HUGE trees, bushes, shrubs, hostas, more HUGE trees, thick grass, ivy, and even more HUGE trees. Arrghhh!!

Embracing The Artist in Your Child

We will admit it. Our sporadic cleaning frenzies on the weekends leave us at times making rash, and what could sometimes be considered cruel decisions.  Those decisions often involve two things:
1. A very shiny trash can
2. Our child's very colorful school work.

We know. What a disheartening thing to do to a child right? But come on. Does every piece of crinkled construction or tissue paper, plastered in water colors and Crayola markings belong on the fridge??
 I mean, we do keep some!!

13 Fun, Easy Steps on Hanging a Vertical Tire Swing

Materials you will need: a durable rope, an old tire, drill, a strong tree limb, and don't forget your camera!!

Materials you may end up using when it's all said and done: a ladder, an old sock, rocks, golf balls, duct tape, weak twine string, scissors, a metal rake, your wife, a can of Sprite,
a can of spray paint, a small table and a flash light. (Try hanging a tire swing and you'll see just what I'm talking about)

Losing A Loved One

Death is just one of those things that you can never get used to. And it seems like every time you encounter it, the feeling is like something you have never experienced before. That lump in your throat you feel when you get the call that another loved one has passed away.  Or the tears that build in your eyes as you're driving to the nursing home....that's something that you just will never get used to. I experienced death today.

1 Very Simple Idea for Date Night

I remember the good 'ol days of dating. You know, spearmint fresh breath, dressing in your Sunday's best, and oh yes....the finest of dining. I mean, it was almost a job in itself to find a place for some good chow that wouldn't leave a dent in your pocket by the end of the night. 

I thought people go South for Spring Break

The weather in Chicago has been amazing. Ok. I need to step into the confession booth for a minute. We don't actually live in Chicago. We don't even live that close to Chicago. It's kinda funny because when we randomly meet people when we're out and about, and they're all "Oh, where you guys from?" And we're all "Chicago." And they're all "Oh for real? I'm from Chicago. Where in Chicago are you from?" It's then that we have to explain. Our explanation most of the time is followed by the person hysterically laughing and reminding us..."Y'all aint from Chicago!" So yes, we aint from Chicago. There. 

We're actually about 45 minutes north in a town that is known for a number of things. None which I care to share right now. Most people I graduated from high school with all call it Wack-Town. But other people call it Waukegan.

Hello World!!

I don't even know where to begin. No, I really don't. Jenn and I have been talking about starting one of these blog thingys, but never had the guts. But in the last 72 hours somehow, somewhere, somebody delivered us some.