Trenching and Framing.

There is a massive hole in our kitchen.

Why, you ask, is there a massive hole in our kitchen? Because we need electric and water to the two islands...and of course, gas for the huge gas cook top that Herman picked out (we've been told that we can host our own cooking show once it's all done). And since we're also replacing the beam, they need to trench to pour extra concrete for a more solid footing on either end.

Now we know what's under the concrete... 

Also happening: framing of the new mud room and laundry area (and where the recessed fridge and microwave/oven unit will go), as well as the other parts of the house that are down to the studs and just waiting around for some insulation and sheet rock.

And because this face always makes me feel better about everything: 

Joseph's new glasses.

Today we got these glasses for Joseph. They are Mira-Flex brand. Mira-Flex are designed especially for young children. I hope we can keep these one's on a bit better than the last pair.
He has kept them on most of the time today so we are hopeful.

Renegade!

This weekend was the Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco! Julie (and Ruby!) flew down from Seattle for the weekend, and we were also joined by my sister in law, Jen and my own favorite girl, Emilia. 

A few of the goods I picked up:

"I Love You California" print by 3 Fish Studios

2 prints by Hillary Bird (Emilia picked out the top one for her new room):

2 little baskets by Chewing the Cud:

Mills picked out this zipper pouch from Slide Sideways (which ended up matching her outfit quite nicely):

 

This bracelet from Son of a Sailor (they are also making Emilia a small one, and a pair of earrings for me):

 

Julie and I took Emilia to Renegade two summers ago. At the time she had just turned two and spent most of the day in the stroller. This time we had so much fun together. I loved having her point out all the things she liked ("Look mama! It's so beautiful!"), chatting with her about everything we saw, and getting to experience this with her. She was so sad to leave because "you know Mama, we didn't spend too much time here. I want to stay longer" (we were there for four hours). She's definitely coming with us next year!

Thank you Julie and Ruby for spending the weekend with us. I love our tradition and getting to spend so much time with you two. Miss you already! We love you so!

 

What is the Source of Human Dignity?

The source of human dignity is the reality of our being made in the image and likeness of our loving God. Because of this likeness each of us searches for what is true and good. The gift of faith allows us to see what is truly good for us and gives us the courage to follow God's truth in our daily lives.

However, because of sin this not easy. Satan is constantly at work through lies, trying to lead us away from the living and true God in order to turn towards idols.

Sin does no eliminate our dignity and turn us totally away from God. There always remains within us the desire to know the truth and to do what is right and good. This desire for truth and goodness is our longing for God.

We never totally turn away from asking the ultimate religious question: what is the meaning of my life? It is only God who can fully answer these questions. It is only God's answers which can bring us peace.

A Guide for the Study of Veritatis Splendor by William F. Maestri

7 Quick Takes.

-1-

This week, term three started. On day 2, Christopher and I had our first power struggle. Mum was the winner. Day 3, 4 and 5 were proof of that. 

-2-

It is a month tomorrow since Joseph had his botox  injections. It seems to have been effective but his physio thinks they didn't give him a strong enough dose. We are seeing the Rehabilitation specialist on Monday so will see what he thinks about the progress. 

-3-

One of the reasons, Christopher and I had a power struggle on Tuesday was because I have started a new spelling program for him. This one is testing each day and once he has them all correct twice, we move on to a new group of words. This was the best spelling program I had for Tom and Amelia and the one that they retained what they had learnt. That is really the main goal of spelling so I decided to change over to this for Christopher. I will let  you know in a few weeks if it is working. 

-4

Tonight Steve and I had a night out for tea. We went to Cafe Primo. It is a bit loud there but I have always enjoyed the food there. Steve loves Indian so maybe next time, we will go to the Indian restaurant.

-5-

Since our night away to hear Jill Stanek, Steve and I have decided we will try and get away every school holidays for one night on our own. There are quite a few bed and breakfast places close by to us so hopefully we will be able to do this each holiday. The next school holidays will be from September 21st till October 7th. 

-6-

On Monday night, Christopher was out riding his bike. His pump was in his pocket and fell out. He rode his bike over it. He showed me and explained what had happened but I didn't really pay much attention to it. I could see that he had scratched the side of the pump but didn't realise he had broken it completely. When we went to give him insulin with is tea, I realised it wasn't working so we put him on his backup health care plan. We spoke with an Endocrinologist that night and then rang Medtronic on Tuesday morning. We had a new pump for Christopher by Wednesday afternoon. 

-7-

On a positive note, the boys diabetes has been going really well this week. I like it when I know what has caused a high bsl or a low one and just  about all of them, I have known this week. I am conscious that a lot of the time that I write about diabetes and the boys on here, that I am writing negative things about it. I want to write about the good weeks too. 

Don't forget to drop over to Jen at Conversion Diary for more 7 quick takes. 

Bare Bones.

Wanna know what an Eichler looks like stripped down? 

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Taking out the kitchen wall and opening up the space has completely changed the feel of the house. I knew it would be great, but I honestly did not think it would be so dramatic! I like to think that Mister Eichler would be very happy with it.

In other news, it took the crew three days, but now the asbestos is completely gone! The house has had structural wiring done (cable, internet, alarm, etc) and today the electrician is installing the new electrical panel as well as starting to rewire the house. The AC guys were out running wiring and pipes for the split AC units, and we've got a plan in place to start trenching for gas, water and electric to the islands. Our contractor is also going to begin work on replacing that one beam (the one that is partially painted) as well as the new framing (laundry room, recessed appliances, etc). I'm hoping that sheet rock and insulation will start going up in a couple of weeks.

It's a bit overwhelming and I have to keep reminding myself that everyone knows what they are doing and that it will start coming together soon. It is sort of hard to see our beloved house down to it's bones...

Aaron & Kelly!

This weekend we went down to Los Angeles for my cousin Kelly's wedding. Emilia and I were both in the wedding and I also had the honor of doing all the design/paper goods for Kelly and Aaron. They wanted a vintage baseball theme (the Cubs are their team) and I had so much fun designing all the different pieces. 

The invites: 

The ceremony set up: line up cards for the programs and seating tickets for the reception.
 

My gorgeous girl:

And my beautiful cousin and her new husband: 

An evening with Jill Stanek.

Last night, Steve and I had a night away on our own. We went to Adelaide and listened to Jill Stanek speak. It was a great night. After the talk and question time, Steve and I went with Jill and some others for coffee at the Playford. Steve took this photo of Jill and I there.

Officially Remodeling.

Work on the house started yesterday!

It's a Party!

Jerry and Rachel's "Little Mister or Little Miss?" party was yesterday!

It's a....

Although the poppers didn't work as well as I wanted, the pink confetti flying everywhere was so much fun. And it kept all the kiddies busy afterwards...

Jerry and Rachel, we are so incredibly blessed to have you in our lives and as our family. We love you four so much and cannot wait to meet your baby girl. 

printworks coffee

printworks coffee, 42 constitution street leith, is totally committed to high quality ingredients - locally sourced where it makes good sense.

the space is light-filled with simple low-fuss furnishing resulting in an open uncluttered feeling. the staff are attentive while remaining equally low-fuss :)

printworks is open seven days and provide incredible looking cakes and other goods from local bakers extraordinaire (dough re mi and love pure cakes), creative and hearty soups (from union of genius) and chocolate (from coco).

they use monmouth coffee, an ethically sound and independent outfit from london, with great skill. we had a delightful couple of flat whites. rich, robust, caramely flavours without a hint of bitterness. lovely textured milk, jam-packed with micro bubbles - positively luxuriant.

if we lived closer, we'd be in here every day. until then we'll just have to settle for weekends!

- coffee: monmouth

- coolness: locally sourced delectable cakes and soups

view the larger edinburgh coffee shop map