The watchman...

I've always said that our son Hunter was an old soul.  He sees the beauty in the smallest things, is the first to show appreciation, and just blows me away with his keen observations of the world.  One thing he has always been drawn to is clocks and watches.  When he was just six years old he asked us for a pocket watch.  "One with a chain" was his request.  He carried that pocket watch everywhere and loved to pull it out and check the time for anyone who asked.  I guess his appreciation of time pieces must have come from me.  Our entry way sports a vintage watchmakers cabinet and one of Travis' holiday gifts to me was a watchmaker's case that was brought over here from Germany.  There is just something about the passing of time- how we spend it and how fleeting it is that fascinates me.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Jord watch company to try out one of their lovely wood watches, and of course my first thought of who should have one was Hunter.  He poured over the website and carefully selected his watch- the Fieldcrest in black.

We carefully measured his wrist (14 cm) and Jord sized it just perfectly for him.

Every day he asked if his special watch had come in the mail and I was so excited to call him last week to let him know it had arrived.  He was in Dallas visiting cousins, but the minute he walked in the door he wanted to try it on.  These photos were taken less than thirty minutes of him gettting home...

Working with Jord was a wonderful experience.  The quality of the watch is just beautiful and Hunter proudly sporting his new timepiece.
Wood Watch

*this was a sponsered post, however all opinions and reviews are mine :)

Keeping busy...

This strike time has been interesting to say the least.  I have been given a glimpse into what life may look like when Travis retires, and all I can say is that we are going to need a Reader's Digest sized calender and a clock.  We go to bed when we are tired and wake up when the light comes into our room each morning.  We yawn, kiss good morning and then inevitably one of us asks the other what day/date it is.  It's very surreal not living on a real work schedule.  It's also weird not keeping track of what time it is as the day goes on.  We eat when we are hungry, not when our "lunch" time is, and the result is that we have both lost weight.

Travis and I are keeping busy with a steady stream of handyman and woodworking projects.  I do the design consult/painting and then Travis does his woodworking magic.  It's not our usual paycheck, but it's enough for us to get by.  We are very lucky to have some skills to fall back on, not everyone affected by this strike can say the same.

This is one of our neighbor's kitchens- they had a HUGE microwave over the stove, but wanted a shelf for spices...

Painted this piece for a client in ASCP Coco...

Client piece painted in ASCP Paris Grey and Graphite...

Stair rails in ASCP Graphite- I love these painted!

 Travis is also working on our laundry room build.  He finished up all of the trim this morning, so now it's time to pooky, sand and paint...

It is nice having Travis around to work on math with Hunter.  He is neck deep into fractions and Travis is using his woodworking projects to let Hunter use his fraction knowledge in a real life way...

We live in home improvement stores...

Hunter is doing okay- if he's worried about his upcoming GI tests he doesn't let on.  He will turn 14 next Thursday and I keep thinking that at any moment he will outgrow the "I love you mom"'s and the "Your the best mom ever"'s, but he's not.  This guy is such a love bug...

 Gets it from his dad...

Yes, that is a five week strike beard.  I am married to a mountain man.  Or a Yeti...

This is one of his best friends, Dustin.  Also sporting the strike beard...

My older sister, Beverly, and her husband Mike came down from NJ to visit.   They brought their 7 month old puppy, Millie.  I fell in love with that dog on my last trip to NJ.  She is such a sweet heart...

We also had a lengthy discussion about the science behind this dress...

I'm kidding.  We all pretty much agreed it was ugly.


SO proud of our Anne, she was hired on by a high end salon and is headed to State Cosmetology competition at the end of the month.  Goal driven and very passionate about what she does...

So that has been our past few weeks.  Staying busy and trying to stay positive.  It is so true about the "when it rains it pours" saying.  My bank account was hacked into and Travis' truck is having issues- but we are going to be okay.  The sun is going to peek out soon and we will be better for it.

Have a great weekend!

Diagnosis...

Yesterday we finally were able to get Hunter in to see a Pediatric Gastroenterologist.  I've asked his pediatrician for years about his weight, or lack of it, but was always told that I was little therefore my kid was too.

Last year I switched pediatricians and the first thing she said to Hunter when she walked in was, "Whoa- you are one skinny kid"- she saw it right away.  The first thing she did was send us to see a dietician/nutritionist.  All of that checked out, so the next step was the GI doc which took three months to get into.  I knew in the back of my mind what the diagnosis would be, but seeing it in black and white took my breath away...

Failure to thrive.

He is 4'10 and weighs in at 67#.  The doctor suspects that his stomach does not empty as fast as it should.  A large breakfast for him can hold him over until the next morning.  We saw for years that breakfast was his best meal of the day, but the rest of the day he barely touched anything to eat.  When he was in public school he was on high doses of ADHD and anxiety meds- all which have weight loss as a side effect.  For years we wrote off his low weight to that, but now that he's been home and off meds for almost two years we are still not seeing any weight gain.

He will be going in to have a nuclear gastric emptying test performed, followed by a endoscopy/colonscopy.  Not only am I complete wreck at knowing there is something wrong with my son, it is further compounded by the fact that we were dropped from our medical insurance when the strike went into effect.  Hunter being the good natured kid that he is said that maybe they'd find money coming out his wazoo.  I love that boy.

When it rains it pours, right?   But the sun has to peek out at some point...

13...

This boy....

 Stole our hearts 13 years ago today...

He has a smile and enthusiasm for life that is contagious...

 He is curious about everything and loves to ask questions....

He won't go to bed without saying "goodnight" and "I love you"...

He tells Travis and I that we are the perfect couple...

 He writes thank you notes and makes phone calls just to say hi to those he loves...

He still likes to snuggle and hug...

He likes his toys and stuffed animals, and doesn't care that it may not be "cool" for 13...

He loves Texas and Dr.Pepper...

He isn't afraid to try new things...

He gives us so much and has completed our family of six in a way that I never could have imagined...

Last night he came back into our room for "just one more hug while I am still 12 years old".  Melt. My. Heart.
Happy 13th birthday, Bear.  We love you to the moon and back, all around the stars and planets, and back again.  Infinity.

Love,
Mom & Dad

Around the cottage & a graduation...

It is amazing to me how a 5' something like myself can muster up the strength of an ant when she wants something done.

I moved this from here...

to here...

I am loving the relocation of this bench to our entryway.  Also I got to put out a special pillow...

Heather from Feather Hen

While doing some decor-ranging around the cottage I moved a few things on the mantle...

Today we will be attending the 5th grade "graduation" for this sweet boy...

This kid has character in spades- he makes us so proud every day and we cannot wait to share in his learning experiences for the next three years.  Yep, I am homeschooling him for middle school, a decision that has been long in the making.  If you are a homeschooler, or thinking about it be sure to leave me comments on how it is going for you!  Also, I will be adding resources, ideas, reflections under the homeschooling tab here on my blog.  Getting back to a love of learning and creativity is our goal.  I am confident we will succeed!

Dapper Gentleman...

I love how my kids are so individualistic.  They dress very differently and are so comfortable with who they are.  Hunter had a field trip today to see the Houston Symphony.  The kids were told they had to dress nice.  Hunter's only request?  A bow-tie.  Gotta love a Southern boy!