Whew!

I have so much to say and no time to say it! It doesn't help that I keep waiting to download photos from the past few weeks so I can share some images, but I can't find the time. So I'm just going to dive right in with updates, and hopefully photos will follow soon ...

• The bathroom is finished! It's been so for a few weeks. As my hubbie says, "We now have an adult bathroom." We love it. It's amazing to us how changing the layout has transformed the space. Even though the shower is so much larger (about the size of a small tub), there is more space to move around elsewhere. Any regrets? Only one. Our showerhead is of the rain variety, and its shape doesn't allow the water to reach the bench seat. Oh well.
• Two weeks ago, we visited the Colorado Healys in Denver. Ken's brother recently rejoined the Army Reserves and will be heading to Afghanistan soon. We spent four days with them and with Grandma and Grandpa, who flew in from Dallas. Brendan loved playing with his older cousin, John Mitchell. They played Star Wars, superheroes, Legos and much more. It was fun to see them bond.
• And just to remind me that winter is approaching, it snowed on our final day in Denver. We spent 45 extra minutes on the plane, waiting for it to be de-iced. The poor gentleman next to me spent that 45 minutes uncomfortably fidgeting in his chair as I nursed Kelsey, then surely couldn't miss the smell of her dirty diaper. (I tried to hide it by laying her on Brendan's lap to change her and putting my back to the gentleman.) He was as nice as could be, but I felt bad! Turns out, he was friendlier than the woman who sat next to Ryan and hubby. She didn't utter one word to them, despite Ryan being the absolute best-behaved (and certainly cutest) 2-year-old on any plane ... ever.
• Last week I had the opportunity to volunteer in Brendan's classroom. What fun! Mrs. Benedict quickly put me to work. (Thankfully I knew what "touch reading" was so I didn't have to ask!) I helped the students draw their own Pumpkin Circle books, based on the story of the same name. Then we used touch reading to review the story. I enjoyed meeting other students and learning more about how the classroom works. Now I can interpret more of what Brendan tells me after school each day. I will be able to return once a month since I am working from home (see below).
• Brendan played in his final soccer game Saturday. He showed off quite well for Grammy and Papa, who made it in from Oklahoma City to see their star. Afterwards, the team celebrated a hard-fought season with donuts, hot chocolate, and hot cider.
• I returned to work on Monday. Grammy is sticking around for two weeks to help with the kids while I transition back to the office. My boss has agreed to let me ease back into my routine. I'll work 4 days for a total of 30 hours per week. Two of those days will be at home. At the end of January, I'll ramp up to full-time, but will hopefully continue working a couple of days at home.
• As a result of my return to work, we're in search of a nanny. We're using the website enannysource.com, which has worked well so far. I hope to interview our top candidates Friday and make a decision this weekend.
• Finally, today was a wonderful Halloween celebration. Power Ranger Brendan was exhausted tonight after trick-or-treating. He should be! Not only did we make the rounds tonight, but he also participated in a Halloween party and parade at school, and we went to downtown Plymouth last night for trick-or-treating. Needless to say, I'm taking a sack full of candy to work Monday. We have way too much!

Whew! Isn't that enough?

Almost complete

We're one step closer to a finished, remodeled master bathroom. All that remains are the final plumbing details -- connecting the plumbing for the sinks and shower. Today, we had a beautiful verde butterfly granite countertop installed by Rock Tops. They did a nice job and didn't bang up the cabinets or walls with this huge piece of rock.

So now I can unveil the bathroom with some photos:

Taking photos of small spaces is never easy. This is a view from one of two entrances to the master bathroom. This door leads to the laundry room and garage. Our previous bathroom did not have double sinks. No more fighting over the sink!

This is a view from the master bedroom doorway. The shower used to be the toilet's location. We added a light above the shower, which definitely helps lighten the space. It certainly helped the past week as I sat in there for hours, sealing the grout.

A closer look at the vanity mirror and sink. The walls are painted Softened Green, which matches our master bedroom.

The toilet -- nothing glamorous here! We chose to do beadboard wainscoting around the toilet. It really helps brighten the space.

A fair attempt at a close-up of the granite. This stone has quite a bit of green in it, hence the name "verde butterfly."

"Eat, Pray, Love"

This month, my book club is reading Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love." You must read it. Well, you don't have to unless you are interested in reading a book that could profoundly change the way you think or at least challenge you a little.

I am not a deeply religious person, but I was moved by Gilbert's spiritual journey. And amazed.

More importantly, though, the book opened my eyes and heart to what some people closest in my life must have encountered while enduring a divorce. To anyone who has ever felt that they needed a change or has asked, "What do I really, really, really want in my life?" or strives for inner peace, then this book is worth reading.

More low-key birthday fun

Thursday we celebrated my birthday in yet another low-key celebration. I decided not to cook on my day, so we made it Pizza Night in my honor. (Friday is always Pizza Night in our house.) Afterward we enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood (until Brendan took off so fast on his Big Wheel that he couldn't even hear me screaming his name).

Once back at the house, we enjoyed more of our homemade cake from Ken's birthday. It is amazing how low-key a birthday can become as life moves on. I'm thankful I was able to spend the day with my children and for the summer-like weather we had. I'm also thankful for all of my wonderful family and friends who sent me birthday wishes that day!

Birthdays & bathrooms

Happy birthday to Ken! He celebrates today. We made it a low-key day, with homemade cards from the boys and me, a delicious home-cooked dinner, and cake prepared and decorated specially by us. Hope he enjoyed it!

Bathroom update: Well, the bathroom is nearly finished. I will wait to post more pictures because we are only lacking the countertop and faucets. Those will be installed on Monday. I'll post photos then, of the complete look. We are very pleased, though!

To pass the time waiting on the countertop, I have spent my evenings and some afternoons sealing the grout. What fun! Why don't they include this in the tile installation, especially since it's required? Who knows, but it's definitely taking more time than I anticipated.