Well, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I've been putting off writing because it seems there's a lot to write- but then the longer I wait, the more stuff there is to write. I don't even really remember it all so I'll just do my best.
Let's see...two weekends ago, we were able to visit with Nate & Erin and Ella Bunderson. We sure love and miss them being here and in our ward. Ella is BEAUTIFUL, and we're all convinced Ben's future girlfriend or possibly E.C.??? Ha, ha... he's got a lot of girlfriends- so only time will tell.
Last weekend we went to Columbus, GA with Jacob & Ashley to see Brandon and Ashley (now) Johnson getting married and go to their reception. They were married in this really cool old church. It was RAINING hard pretty much up until we left to come home. Made for a soggy and sometimes stressful and scary drive! (That was a lot of S's.) You gotta love the South! And if you've never been here, come and visit! Even if you have!
This weekend we're listening to and watching conference and doing house work. Ryan took on another much needed house improvement project. He decided a couple weekends ago while at Home Depot looking for molding for the bathroom, that he was instead going to tile a "back splash" of sorts in our kitchen. So he picked out and brought some tile home (that I liked thank goodness) and put it up! He grouted it today, and will put on new light switches and plugs. It looks AWESOME. We still need to figure out if we want to change the wall color, although he's really into the red and I'm kind of done with it. We'll see though. I don't hate it. We also need to someday get new cabinets, but a little at a time.
I was out in the garage doing laundry this afternoon and I had to throw something in the garbage can that was at the edge of the garage and saw our neighbor and her twin babies, Steven & Cecilia, sitting out on their front lawn. I went to go say hi, because we don't really have a relationship with any of our neighbors yet and I would really like to gain one with some at least. We've talked a few times, so we're getting there. She's really nice, she seems a little quiet. And we were both honestly surprised to find out they had babies because he's an older man and she doesn't look super young. In fact, I found out today he has three other children and the oldest is 34 and the others are in their 20's. Anyway, it was good to sit there with her and the babies and talk. They're really cute and fun to hold and it made me realize that I'm okay with where we're at in the kid department right now! I mean, yes, I want more kids- but I'm not ready for the baby stage again for a little while. I think Ryan feels the same way. Ben is at such a fun age, and he's starting to get around more and more and I just can't imagine having a little one and him to look after. I know it's possible, and if the Lord would want me to do it- I would. And I PRAISE those who can. And yes, I understand... it will always be "hard"... I'm just not ready yet. Speaking of Ben getting around really well, here's some video of his really good attempts to walking! He's also sucking through straws now, which is stinking cute. To me... his little lips are cute. He has 5 teeth now. He says "uh oh", "Ally" kind of, "hi", "ball", "dadda", "ya", "day" for yay, "mah, mah, mah" for more... I think that's it. He's said "bu-bye" before, but hasn't really said it again. He's chatty though... always making noises. He's going to be a "Vrrrroooom" kid for sure. He's eating all kinds of food now. LOVES chicken like his daddy, loves cooked squash and mini teddy grams. No candy yet... I'm going to hold off on that for as long as I can.
My brother Greg seems to be doing better, I'm really grateful for prayers and I'm sure he is too. Actually I know he is. I'm grateful for him too... he's a good brother and I love him so much.
I have also started a Grant Collier Family blog, in an attempt to gather some material of my mom and dad's lives both separately and together and to gather memories from them and us and the grandchildren. Our own family history that I can later publish. I decided only to maintain it a couple times a month- or when I get the chance, so I don't over do it and stress myself out with things to do. Things to do... oh so many of them, one of which is fold laundry... the immense amounts of laundry. Ech.