I just have to pause at the end of this crazy week to reflect on the whirlwind that defined it.

Wow.

I survived!

Rewind about 2 weeks. We selected granite for our house, committed to it, had it measured and cut, and we were told that it would be delivered and installed in 4-6 weeks. We told them that we would do the demolition (you can see where this is going), and also that we could be flexible to fill the void of any cancellations (now you can really see where this is going).

I have travelled for work for each of the last 3 weeks. This was my first week that I've been home, and we were looking forward to some relaxing. We also started the kitchen demolition last weekend. We were able to remove the center island countertop as well as all the tile on the back splash. That was Saturday, and we were quite proud of the effort we had made, knowing we'd continue working the following weekend.

Then Monday hit.

Jon got a call on Monday from the granite installers saying they had a cancellation on Friday morning and would be at our house at 7:30.

Gulp!

I'm SO thankful I didn't have to travel this week. There would have just been no way, as it's a two person job.

Here's a list of what needed to happen before it could be installed:
1) Kitchen countertop (not island) removed (including sink / disposal removed)
2) Laundry sink countertop removed (including sink removed)
3) Basement bar and countertop removed (including sink / disposal removed)
4) Install oven / stove
5) Remove old dishwasher and install new
6) Remove backsplash from basement
7) Remove old dry wall and replace with new
8) Pick out faucets for 3 sinks

I think that's it. I could be wrong.

So I took off work on Tuesday and bought the faucets, then set to work prepping as much of the other stuff as I could. After Jon's work audit was finished (i.e. around noon), he joined me at home. We were able to get items 2, 3, and 6 complete in the basement. We were feeling pretty good about things on Tuesday night -- felt very accomplished for our day's efforts.

Then Wednesday night came. We were intending to get the sink removed in the kitchen, as well as the dishwasher. So I crawled under the sink to turn off the water -- but no matter how hard or which direction I turned it, the water wouldn't stop flowing. Great. We tried everything. We couldn't very well shut off the main water supply to the house, because we still had to live there and wouldn't be able to turn it back on. Wednesday night ended with us both very frustrated, as we made absolutely NO progress on our very lengthy task list.

Thursday I frantically called for a plumber to fix what we assumed was a broken valve. At the end of the day, we were very thankful that we discovered a broken valve this way and not as a result of a leak. That would have been horrible! Anyway, plumber came out, fixed the valve easily, looked at all our new fixtures and agreed to come back on Saturday to install everything. Jon and I agreed that while we're capable of doing the plumbing -- water and the potential hazzards of it are something we'll leave to the experts!

So by Thursday at 5pm, we were where we had hoped to be on Wednesday night. And we had basically 14 hours until our granite was arriving.

We worked until 1am. Good grief what a long day!

We started with removing the countertop. This countertop was ridiculous. It's L shaped and probably 8 feet by 4 feet. It's made out of particle board with a 1/2 inch layer of cement over it, followed by a layer of chicken wire (it's probably not chicken wire, but that's what it looks like), and then followed by white ceramic tile and brown grout. That beast was over 300 pounds and as ackward to carry as it possibly could be. Not to mention it was wedged into place, trapped behind the island and the refrigerator. So to maneuver it without damaging the appliances or the cabinet faces was crazy challenging. We think we made it out with only 1 "oops" which will be largely hidden under the new countertops. We're actually lucky to have made it through uninjured!

Then we installed the oven. We had spent probably 8 hours on the oven alone just before Christmas, only to discover it didn't fit properly in the hole. The ease with which we installed it last night was (a) a blessing, but also (b) maddening that we spent so much time on it the first time around! Thankfully the hole which holds the oven was plenty big, it was the old cabinet tops that were slightly too narrow for it. So it slid in easily this time around.

Then we removed all the sheetrock from where we took down the backsplash. I have a LOT of dishes to wash as a result of all that drywall falling into the counterless cabinets. Lovely. But hey, it's down! Then I went out and measured / cut the new sheetrock while Jon installed each piece I cut out. We had quite the assembly going!

The finishing touch, at 12:45am, was to install the new dishwasher. It will be SO nice to not have to wash dishes AFTER the cycle completes.

As we fell into bed, our bed fell to the floor... literally. We've GOT to put those stabilizers on the legs! HAHA!

We aren't compeletely done. We still need to tear out and replace the drywall in the basement. However, compared to what's behind us, that task seems very doable!

Sorry there are no pictures attached. While trying to push through a weekend's worth of work in an evening, I had no desire to stop to photograph the efforts. However... after today, I'll have new granite photos to share! Whoot whoot!

I decided to share a "throw-back" picture for you for today's Momentous Monday.

This picture was taken 2 years ago -- the kids were 1 and 2, and we decided to take in a Cubs game. We'd like, as a family, to take in a game at every Major League park. We decided that we'd wait til they were a bit older, however, as this became a long game.

I share this picture, because it sets up the week that was this past week...

I had to travel for work last week from Wednesday til Friday. I got home Friday evening, then Jon flew out for Chicago on Saturday morning. I had given him tickets for Chicago's home opener on Monday morning -- a dream for a life-long Cubs fan. He spent the weekend with his college roommate, who was our best man at our wedding. It was (hopefully) a fun, relaxing, rejuvenating weekend.

However, he flew back to town on Tuesday. I flew OUT for work on Tuesday through Thursday. We actually met in the airport to say hi, download on the status at home, and say bye (literally 5 minutes). I spent the week away for work and the family picked me up on Thursday night.

I say all this to make the following point (which is actually quite obvious): Our family works better when it's complete.

The kids have had a rough 3 weeks -- because I've had 3 solid weeks of travel. And thankfully, that's unusual. We were nervous going into it, because the kids had been doing SO well. Happy, comfortable, sleeping well, top behavior, helpful...you name it.

However, when we're not a complete family unit, all of those kind of go out the window.

It was evident on Friday afternoon. Amara did something that was not acceptable (I don't even remember what - it was minor). I scolded her - and instantly, she was a quivering puddle of tears. On "normal" days, she feels bad, but doesn't melt like that. When chaos has been the norm, she's ultra-sensitive. The result for me was a learning experience -- I was able to dedicate lots of time and attention to my sweet girl this weekend to get her "back on track."

She had lots of scary stuff during the night -- her code for, "Mommy, I miss you, please come snuggle me."

She was ultra helpful -- her code for, "Mommy, I missed you, please let me spend more time with you."

She was concerned this morning that BOTH Jon and I should pick her up from school for her soccer game tonight -- her code for, "Mommy, our family is best when we're all together -- and I want you BOTH there cheering me on."

Dominic was similarly affected by the separation during the past 3 weeks. He's not as emotionally affected, however, he's more attention focused. He turns into a little cuddle-buddy after I've been gone. He'll sit at the top of the stairs after his nap and wait for me to come carry him down. He begs for his "fishy medicine" -- because he knows I'll often hold him in my lap while he takes it (and of course because his allergies are so bad he can't breathe).

I also had opportunities this weekend to re-establish myself in his little world. I took pleasure in carrying him all over the house, in smelling the sweet smell of him as he squeezes me tight, in sending him back to bed for the 5th time as he masters the art of stalling...

We've been renovating our house. Dominic has become quite adept at removing nails. He heard us banging in the kitchen as we removed the tile backsplash and countertop. He came walking into the kitchen holding his toy hammer ready to help. Jon gave him his real tools and set him to work pulling up tile from the ground. He made some strong headway -- removed the backerboard, some cement, and two nails that were deeply set into the ground using a hammer, a chisel, and a monkey paw. As we continued hammering away at the backsplash, Dominic started wailing.

You can guess what happened.

He missed his target and hit his finger. It wasn't bad at all, but did remove a little bit of skin from the knuckle of his thumb. Both thumbs actually. All he wanted was a little TLC, some cold water, and a bandaid. He milked it for all it was worth, especially relishing in the TLC.

When he was comfortably situated in front of a movie with a bag of fruit snacks and bandaids on both thumbs, Jon said to me, "I guess that's a good reminder that he IS only 3." He's capable of so much more than many 3 year olds, so we let him do those things of which he's capable. And sometimes he gets hurt (of course, we're tempering what he does so his injuries could only be classified as minor). And when he gets hurt, lessons are learned and TLC is profusely doled out.

Jon's right. He's only 3. And she's only 5. And as the picture indicates... only a short time ago they were 1 and 2. And boy does the time slip by quickly.

To both my kiddos: No matter the travel, no matter the chaos -- YOU are our priority. We will be there for your always.

Hop on over to A Moment Cherished to share your momentous moments -- and read about how others are cherishing life in the every day.

Meet Josh.

I first met him through my husband. My husband met him when he came to volunteer at his place of work. We go to church with him.

His is a story of hope, of redemption, of restoration... of what God can do if you allow him to.

Google this: josh sarhan cross -- and keep googling it.

He's walking a cross around the country -- he left on February 17 and intends to walk as long as God tells him to. If you see a man walking on a highway near you carrying a cross -- pull over and hear his story.

And tell him hi from us.

Go meet Josh.

I promise you won't regret it.

I'm joining Tiffany again at Moments Cherished for Momentous Monday. Take a moment and reflect on your past week -- I know there were "normal" moments that will be forever imprinted on your heart.

At Tuesday this past week, Amara had a rash at day care. As her teacher described it to me, I knew (suspected) it was a heat rash. It was the first hot day of spring, and she's susceptible to rash and overheating. It has been a lifelong issue for her. Couple that with "alert level" pollens in the air, and I just had a feeling that's what was going on. However, there was a case of Fifth's Disease at school, so all rashes were being required to be cleared by the doctor. I was in the midst of week 2 of 3 straight travel weeks, and it was my ONE full day in the office. Needless to say, I was very frustrated to be called out of work to take her to the doctor for a heat rash.

But I did.

The doctor actually laughed at me, confirmed it was allergy, and was nice enough to not charge me for what she deemed a silly visit.

And I made the most of that moment -- Amara and I went to Chick-fil-a for a Mommy Daughter lunch. We don't get much one-on-one time together. To have that extra few minutes together with my first born, to share an order of chicken fingers and sing along to Veggie Tales... well... let's just say we'll have to do more of that!



While we're on the subject of Amara...

I love to just sit back and consider the character of my kids; their tendencies that are inborn. Amara has always had a nurturing and tender spirit. It was evident in her from a very early age. One of our old neighbors used to describe her as "an old soul." And it's so true. As we played with the kittens the other day, that sweet spirit was so clear. She spent hours in their little cage, lovingly taking each one up by turn, rocking them, cuddling them, kissing them... and letting them do the same to her. In my experience, kittens have the sharpest little claws... but I don't think they once clawed her. They felt safe in her arms. It's my daily prayer that her sweet spirit is nurtured and protected.



Dominic's charecter has also been very evident as well. He's cautiously fearless, if that makes sense. If he gets the nod that it's OK from one of us, he'll go forward into anything. Such was the case with this snake. Not once did he show an ounce of fear. He walked right up to not only a huge yellow constrictor (that probably out weighed him by double), but also marched right up to the handler and asked to hold it. The handler knew that there was no way Dominic could lift the yellow snake, but found him another that was perfect size for him. Dominic held it, but wanted it around his neck, so quickly figured out how to do that -- then held the snake's head. Doesn't he know that's where the teeth are? If he does, he doesn't care. I pray that his fearlessness continues to be somewhat tempered... for his own safety. But he's also fearless in sharing about Jesus, and I pray that his confidence only grows in that arena.



Dominic's also got a feisty side (imagine that). He's got the attitude of "if you fall off, get right back on." This little kitty didn't particularly like how Dominic was holding her (can't say I blamed her). She got upset, squawked, and scratched his cheek pretty good. Dominic quickly let her go, but just as quickly picked her back up. I helped him to hold the kitties more gently and in a position that provided safety. He then proceeded to tell everyone just how tough he was that he sustained a cat scratch. I love the determination and feisty "can do" spirit about him. I love how his nurturing, soft side comes out, even behind the tough facade he loves to put forth.

It's in these everyday "momentous" moments that we're given priceless peeks into the spirits of our kids. I'm glad for the encouragement to stop and reflect on them!

We had heard that the drive thru safari had baby animals, so we drove over for the afternoon to check them out. The last time we went was 1.5 years ago -- the kids loved it then and remembered parts of it. However, they REALLY loved it this time. Their ages were so much better for it. And the weather couldn't have been nicer.

Here are many of the pictures from the day.

The hits of the day were:

- Chloe the Capuchian monkey. This monkey was crazy! She didn't sit still for more than a couple seconds. She would hop from person to person, picking in their hair, untwisting bottle tops, swiping cameras and sunglasses, digging in pockets. She was very mischevious, and very fun. Their little paws are SO soft. The kids loved how she would jump all over them. They wanted so badly to actually hold her, but she wouldn't sit still for that long.

- Bella the Baby Baboon. Bella was 4 months old, wore a diaper, a little pink onesie, and her nails were painted fuschia. She also wouldn't allow you to hold her, but she would let you pet her. She would sit in her cage sucking her thumb. She had a couple stuffed animals that she would snuggle with. She loved to interact with the crowd, but when she got too stimulated and scared, she'd grab her stuffed animals, jump into her cage, and suck her thumb. She was precious.

- The 4 baby kitties. The kids played in their cage for hours snuggling them, rocking them, getting scratched by them. Dominic got a good clawing to the cheek and he instantly dropped it to the ground. I said, "That's why we like dogs better than cats." He agreed. These kitties were seriously cute, especially the black one with piercing blue eyes. I might be tempted if kittens grew up to be dogs... but since they grow up to be cats, not a chance!

We also drove through the safari and saw many animals I have no clue what they are. I have a list that was provided, but I couldn't tell you what kind of a yak, what kind of a deer, what kind of a buffalo, etc, each of them are. Some are quite endangered, others very common. But most are not native to the area, nor do most of them come up and lick your windows in normal life! One crazy person had their car windows down for a BUFFALO! Who in their right mind feeds a buffalo out of their car window?! Insanity I tell you!

Anyway, a beautiful 77 degree day, my two wonderful kiddos, not a cloud in the sky -- just a little bit of heaven!