In other news...

We've had a looooonnng winter!

At the end of January, Hudson tripped over his brother while playing. Nothing monumental, not many tears, but he said he hurt his leg. He recovered quickly, but woke up crying during the night 4 times. This is really unlike Hudson. He's pretty tough. So I took him to the doctor the next day.

They took x-rays and didn't see a break. While at the doctor he started to throw-up! On top of a hurt ankle, he had the stomach flu. When we got home he started throwing up at the front door and saying, "I can't walk!" (He had been hopping). I was trying to hold him, the garbage bag, and all his school stuff while I was yelling to John, "Help, open the door!" It was quite the sight!

The next morning Hudson woke up distraught! I took him back in to the doctor. They took another x-ray and referred him to a specialist at Children's, because they couldn't see a break in the bone, but his pain was too high for something not to be wrong.

At Children's the doctor looked at the x-ray and showed us that he had a plastic deformity...uh, what???

His fibula (small bone in lower leg) was bent just above the ankle. This can only happen in children because their bones are soft. It is very painful though, because it doesn't bounce back into place.

She placed him in a walking cast. She said he shouldn't have any pain with the cast on, but if he develops a fever and complains of pain to call her.

In the middle of the night, he woke up crying and felt warm to me. His temp was 100. The next morning he didn't want to walk on it and had a low-grade temp of 99.5.

I called the doctor, feeling kind of silly, because it was such a low temp, but he would wince everytime he stepped on it.

She had us get blood work done, just in case he had an infection.

The next morning she called and said that we had to have Hudson to Children's right away she thought he had a bone infection.

When we got there they did bloodwork again. The infection was increasing rapidly. They were going to admit him to the hospital and he could be there up to a week - ugh!

I called people and asked them to pray.

When the admitting doctor came to see him, he thought that we may have caught it in time. Instead of admitting him, he wanted to start him on strong antibiotics and do bloodwork again in a day.

Thankfully, Hudson responded to the antibiotic and didn't have to be admitted. He had to take 3 tsp. a day for 5 weeks.

Two weeks into the antibiotics, he had blood work done and he still had the infection, but it was getting better.

The first week of March, he had blood work again and there was no sign of infection. Yeah!

She showed me on the x-ray where the bone infection was. He has a little spot on the end of his fibula. It was basically resting on his growth plate. So, we have to got back to Children's again the first week of May to make sure it didn't damage his growth plate.

I'm thankful to have him well!

The siding is almost done!

I can't believe how fast it is all going! They are going to come and finish the siding this week.

We are going up today to try some exterior paint samples.

Latest pictures

We've started the siding. This is the view from the top of the driveway.
Peeking through the trees.
The back of the house.
The front of the house, so far!

This part is so exciting to me. It's actually looking like the house that we've "imagined" for several months now.

I have paint swatches laying everywhere in my kitchen trying to finalize the exterior color. Along with that, I have 2 cabinet doors, tile, granite, back splash, formica, and hardwood samples!

On the inside of the house they are working on HVAC (heating and air), plumbing, and electrical.

Yesterday we finalized some decisions on our cabinets, cabinet hardware, bathroom fixtures, and doors. Aaaahh, so many decisions for a not very decisive person! Now, I'm off to look at a kitchen sink. Thankfully, I can do that on the internet!

The roof is done!

Roofing!

The roof is being put on! It's so fun to watch all of it coming together. We are crazy-busy with all of this on top of family life, but we are loving it!

Windows

It's not the greatest picture because it was taken at dusk, but the windows are almost all in! They still are finishing a few things on the roof and some framing inside.

Still framing...

This was a couple days ago. We are getting so close to having the framing done. We still need the front porch, windows, and the paneling on the roof to be completed. They made a mistake on some of the trusses over the garage, so we had a minor set-back.
Here's the back (garage on left).
I just thought this was a cool picture!

I will keep you posted!

More Framing...

Back of the house
Front of the house (garage is on the side)
Standing in the dining room. Powder bath is in that little area in front of us, and the family room is past that (kitchen is on the left).
Standing in the family room. Kitchen is in front of us. I love how open it is.
Standing in the family room. Past the stairs is the mudroom and the guest bedroom and bathroom.

I didn't post the pictures of the upstairs because unless you've been there it's really hard to explain what each room is. It just looks like a bunch of wood. Upstairs, we have 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a utility room. I can't believe how fast it is going. They are working on the roof today! Yeah!

Framing

The framing is going really fast. This was actually last week!
John and I went up there for Valentine's Day and ate dinner sitting on a stack of lumber on the 2nd floor (which isn't shown in these pictures).

I will try to get new pictures soon!

The framer's are hoping to be completely finished next week - yeah!!!

We've started!!

The kids loved the big machinery. John is friends with the "dirt guy" so they got to play on the equipment like they were jungle gyms!

Here's our driveway after they tore out all the trees. It was a mucky mess!
Here's the driveway after we put fabric and rocks in 2 layers. I've always loved long driveways. Maybe, it's the mystery of what's at the end.
Here we are at the top! This is it after it's been cleared. We didn't clear all of it, just enough for the house and a yard. The foundation being "cut out".

The foundation! Our front door is where the 2 sheets of plywood are laying. The garage is the furthest part away. They will finish the foundation this week if the weather cooperates.

After the foundation, we have some more dirt work done and start framing - Wow!

Gracie's Thanksgiving Feast

I have to post the pictures of Gracie's Thanksgiving Feast at Kindergarten. The AM and PM Kindergarten classes hosted a feast for their Grandparents and Seniors of the church.

As the Grandparents arrived they dressed up liked Pilgrims and seated in front of Squanto's garden (decorated with food the children had "made"). The children arrived dressed as Native Americans bearing popcorn (instead of corn). They each had special names. Gracie's was Little Mountain.

Before joining their guests at the feast they "traded" gifts with the AM classmate that sat in their seat when they weren't there. They had made special beaded necklaces for each other. It was their way of showing friendship. So cute.

Upon arriving, they sat in Squanto's garden and sang to the Pilgrims. They started with an adorable song that says, "Hello everybody, how do you do? How do you do?" They each are introduced in the song and stand up. They sang several songs and many of us Moms were wiping tears away. It was so precious. I was also a little teary because this is my last time doing Kindergarten. It's such a fun, sweet experience.

The latest news...

I have so many fun events to post about and cute pictures. But, unfortunately, I'm just going to update everyone on the latest news...

Our building permit has finally been APPROVED!!!!

Yeah!!! Almost 2 years after finding property we have finally received notice from the most difficult county in Washington State that we can officially build our home. Thanks to my amazing husband for his perseverance and hard work!

We hope to break ground the beginning of January!

I'll try to get those cute pictures I have stored away up someday. Thanks to all you others out there that continue to post cute pictures for all of us to enjoy!

Leavenworth

Hudson salsa dancing with Jessica
Malacai enjoying a good book
Ethan, Malacai, and Hudson hanging in the hot tub
Letting off a little steam

Gracie and BrooklynJulia, Brooklyn, and Gracie getting their "girl time" in the hot tub.

This weekend we went over to Leavenworth and spent the weekend with my dear friend Jessica Side (Herrmann), her husband Matt, their children Ethan and Brooklyn, 3 of Jess' siblings Julia, Curtis (and girlfriend), and Lincoln. She and I have been friends since Jr. High and were both bridesmaids in each others weddings. Our time together over the past few years has been limited to "quick" get-togethers, since we live in different cities. It was so much fun to really catch up!

It was a very relaxing weekend. We talked, played card games, read, put together a 1000 piece puzzle, ate, Salsa danced (which John confirmed would NEVER happen on a Potts get-a-way), and enjoyed specialty cheeses with bread and wine.

Malacai's asthma was acting up. We actually had to visit the Leavenworth ER to get his oxygen level checked. So, he was a little more sedated than usual. He read an entire book! He's still recovering today and now on a strong steroid to open his airways. Poor guy!

Hudson and Ethan were 2 peas in a pod. It was fun to see them play so well together.

Gracie enjoyed having a little girl to play with. Brooklyn is 2. They both had enough of each other a couple of times though and had to take "breaks".

I love seeing my friends from my past. Living in a different city than the one I grew up in, I never seem to run into people from my younger days. John runs into people that he went to school with all the time.

It was fun to reminisce about old times with someone who was actually there with me. Jessica and I have experienced a lot together. We went to high school together, travelled across the US, lived together for 1 month on a school campus in Bratislava, Slovakia, did street drama, went on a mission trips to the Bahamas & Mexico, and many more memories. We had a few conversations that started with, "Do you remember the time.......?"

It was another weekend to be grateful for friends and family.

Recent Pictures of the Fam

The newest Potts member, Blake Andrew, getting some quality cousin and Uncle time. He's adorable and very loved!
Little Berk getting a squeeze from her big cousin. These 2 are becoming buds. Berk likes to show Gracie how things are done, though. Too cute!
This picture make Gracie look like a giant Tinkerbell!! This is one of her best buds, Brendan, from Kindergarten. She thinks he is he-wear-ee-us (hilarious).
Here's Tinkerbell, Ichiro, and Tom Brady.
I just love this picture from Halloween. Gracie with her dear friends!

My Dear Friend Jenette

My dear friend Jenette took me to dinner with Matt Hasselbeck the other night...oh, and his wife, and they were a table away (hee, hee)!! Then, she sends me a picture of her with her new "friend", Josh Brown! (No she's not dating him, but wishful thinking :). I think they look kinda cute together. He's probably not good enough for her, though.) Jenette is such a precious, thoughtful, beautiful friend. She always tries to get John and I out of our little town to the big city! Doesn't she know parents don't get much rest?! Thanks Jenette for the great night out and yummy dinner!!! I'm blessed to have you as a friend.

Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday sweet Gracie!

Gracie's 5!

Her days have been filled with family, friends, cake, and a lot of fun!

Thursday:

We had a family birthday with a princess cake;

Friday:

A friend birthday party with pizza and root beer floats;

Saturday:

A day in the park watching the Blue Angels, followed by ice cream;

Ratatouille that night;

Sunday:

A day at the Science Center celebrating her friends birthday;

topped off with playing in the fountain at Seattle Center!

Whew!

I was flying solo for the weekend because John left Friday morning for a weekend away with his friends from high school! I'm just thankful my kids aren't toddlers. It's amazing how much easier life is when they are older. We had so much fun and I didn't feel completely exhausted at the end of it.

Idaho

The day after the 4th, Malacai, Hudson, Gracie, Noah, Ivy and I took a road trip to Idaho. On Friday, we went to Silverwood and Boulder Beach. We had a blast! Gracie was sooo brave. She went on every ride that she was tall enough to go on. Malacai and Noah went on the Corkscrew (roller coaster that goes upside down 2x's in a row) 4 times. Then, Ivy, Noah and Malacai went on the Panic Plunge - ugh! We were there when the doors opened and left when they were turning out the lights! Unfortunately, I didn't take my camera in with me. I figured I wouldn't have extra hands.

The next day my Mom and Frank (step dad) took us to Hayden Lake. The lake is absolutely gorgeous. We went tubing and swimming. Again, Gracie who loves the water, but has yet to put her face under wanted to go tubing! She is my adventurer. I love it, most of the time. :)

Hudson and Noah
Gracie and I Malacai and Noah
Ivy

On the way home we stopped at a friends house, swam for a while and then made the long journey home. Needless to say, I'm tired today. But, life goes on...we had swimming lessons this morning at 8! No, that was not my 1st choice!

4th of July!!!

Fun, fun, fun!! My kids love fireworks. This year we spent the day at Grandma & Grandpa's with friends and family.

Our patriotic baby, sweet little Hunter.
"I am Tarzan!!"
My sweet niece, Ivy, playing with the kids.
The slip-n-slide was a hit with the little ones.
Candy, candy, candy!!!!

Baby Daden and Adam hanging out.