Project Update and Messes Made

So, about this time last year I took a look back at our most recent projects around the house. Again this year I feel a sense of accomplishment as many things have been finished and some are still in the works. It's so fun to work on things (especially altogether as a family) and see them to completion. Here are some things that can show for our hard work lately.

First, you'll see the two tables I bought at GoodWill and a table that we got for free off a neighbor's curb. I sanded, painted, and stained the tables. It's added some new touches to the house (for almost no money), but it definitely took some time!

One of the side tables from Good Will. 

The side table (GoodWill) and coffee table (from down the street).

I stained the tops to match the other pieces of furniture we built for the living room.

recovered the pillows that came with our couch

A quilt that my mom and I have been working on. Ian and I have so many t-shirts from high school and college, so this will be a fun way to save some memories.

back of the quilt...I still need to finish the edge and do the stitching

recovered pillows for the guest room

Our beautiful garden that I weeded, cut back, and planted some new flowers in. The largest plants are from previous years/seasons and already need to be cut back again. They're huge!

The guys helping with the garden. 

We've also had a few messes made. It happens to the best of us...but hopefully we learn from our mistakes. Several weeks ago, Tytus was inspecting the things in my bathroom cabinet as I got ready for the day. He's done this before, and I usually keep an eye on him to make sure it's nothing that's off limits. Although this one day it took no longer than a few seconds for me to look down and see bright red paint everywhere. It was all over the floor, on Tytus' hands, shirt, feet, and little splatters up the door and wall. I didn't even hear the nail polish bottle break, but sure enough, that's what happened. I'm still not even sure how exactly it broke. It's by far the worst clean up we've had, but thankfully Tytus froze and was patient while we scrubbed everything down. I think he was just as surprised as I was. Needless to say, we both learned a lesson that day and made some changes. 

This is after his hands and the floor were clean, but you can see some evidence on his shirt. I definitely wasn't going to grab the camera in the middle of that kind of mess. Clean first, picture later.

Tytus also has some other "messes" or masterpieces to show for. He loves to color and has so many papers already hanging on the fridge.

"Do you want to go outside?"

If you look closely you may be able to see a new tooth popping through on the bottom right.

Tytus' vocabulary is growing...even if he can't really say the words he knows. It's fun to ask him where something is or if he wants to do something and see what he does in response. I've found that just by asking questions I can see how much our little guy really does understand! Lately, his favorite question is "Do you want to go outside?" and some favorite words are bird, ball, walk, stroller, car, truck, sandbox, butterfly, and pool. Most mornings we go out to wave bye-bye to daddy as he heads off to work, and then we spend some time out in the front yard watching the birds, cars, and kicking a ball around. Here's one morning from last week. (In the video you'll hear him saying "dada" and pointing which means he's looking for a bird. But then he started saying "dada" and waving which may have been him remembering that we just said bye to dad. I guess this is just the stage of uncertainty as we try to figure out what the other is saying.)

He loves to carry all sizes of balls around with him. He first figured out how to throw the ball and is now perfecting his skills in kicking the ball. We also put out our sprinklers for the summer. After placing them where we wanted them, they stayed on so we could see if we liked them and to give the yard it's first good water. Tytus thought it was great and went up close to check it all out.

He Is Risen!

Our God's alive!! Over the past couple of days Ian and I looked more closely into who the bible says Jesus is. We had some people questioning if Jesus really is God, and we wanted to find places that proclaim that clearly. We, of course, dug deeper and deeper and were lead to many other subjects which brought up really good conversation and thankfulness for the power our God has. One of the verses that stuck out to us was also the first verse that was read in the message at church today. "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power." Hebrews 1:3. We are made in God's image, but Jesus was the exact imprint of God's nature. Fully God and fully man. The other verse that really stuck with me this week is Colossians 1:15-20 "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."


We really stand in awe of the perfect Savior who made us for himself. He holds ALL things together. We can look back at times in our lives and say that we wouldn't be the same without the sure, strong hold Christ had on us. He's the only reason we live with so much joy and hope today, and He gets all the glory for where He's brought us and for where we'll go next.

He is risen indeed! Alleluia! 

Easter 2011

Easter 2012

Oh man, it feels like summer!

Tytus LOVES to be outside. It doesn't really matter what we're doing. He just loves it! Some of his new favorite things to do are: watch and point to birds (even if they are really far away or hidden between tree branches), throwing and kicking balls, walking in other peoples' yards, and playing in the sandbox. Yesterday we spent almost all day outside. First we mowed the yard, then we went on a walk/run, and finally came back for dinner and chased a soccer ball up and down the hill in the back yard. The thought of getting out our small swimming pool crossed my mind after our walk yesterday. When we got back we were so hot and soaked in sweat. I thought it'd be too much trouble and we'd just wait until it gets a little more like summer.

enjoying the sandbox on St. Patrick's Day

Well, today was the day. We spent a good portion of our morning outside again. Tytus is so busy outside that his cheeks almost instantly turn a dark shade of pink, so I decided it was definitely time to get the pool out. Tytus was a little unsure of the water at first because it was kind of chilly. But it only took him about 30 seconds to get used to it. He immediately started splashing like crazy. He would mainly splash himself right in the face and laugh or he'd try to splash some over the side. Even though we got out some of his sandbox toys, he spent most of his pool time splashing, walking around, and "talking" about the men building the house our backyard looks out on. Most of his words consist of the gurgling sound, but lately he has added some new words to his "mama" and "dada". He'll now say "a da" for all done, "ba ba" for bye bye, sometimes "ba" for bath, and "du" can mean either duck, dog, or truck depending on where he's pointing. It's so fun to watch him figuring things out!

getting a feel for the water

Those sweet cheeks that made the pool come out early....that and a big glass of water

SO excited to be splashing around!

There are so many good things about a shovel :)

watching the men building the houses across the street.....lots of loud trucks to look at

Happy 1st Birthday!

Our birthday boy!

On his birthday, Tytus and I went to MOPS that morning and then headed out to run some errands. We ended up being right by Mighty Fine burgers in Austin. Tytus is a great eater but has always surprised us anytime we've eaten there. He LOVES their burgers and fries! So, I took him on a little birthday date in the middle of running errands. We do things as just the two of us a lot, but this time seemed extra special.

burger, fries, and cheerios...can't beat that!

happy birthday lunch

That night we were planning on eating dinner as a family of three and then getting things for the birthday party together with Aunt Amanda and Lilly spending the night. Ian worked late and we got invited to eat at the Gristmill, so we changed our plans and went out for a birthday dinner as well. Talk about a lot of celebrating! The food was good and Tytus looked so handsome, but I think he liked exploring and getting others' attention more than anything.

Grampa Dude and the birthday boy chatting while we wait for a table.

Wow, they brought a big dessert for a one year old!

The birthday party was so much fun, and Tytus played such a great host. We had a house full of neighbors, friends, and family for him to check up on. He would go out to the backyard and play with the other kids, then come back inside to each room to see what else was going on. I've seen this side of Tytus' personality come out enough to say that I'm sure he enjoyed all the hustle and bustle of everyone who came to celebrate his first year. Here's a quick recap of the day:

A quick picture as the first people arrive. You can tell Tytus has more important things to do!

Tytus checking on all the guests.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you....."

We blew out the candle, but Tytus wasn't too interested in his sweet treat.

Ashley, Mary Claire, and so many other friends came to celebrate!

Yum! Atticus and Brandi enjoying the cupcakes.

Aunt Amanda was our great photographer and SO helpful the night before.

Uncle Byron is still trying to talk Tytus into wanting that delicious cupcake.

All the kids playing outside and taking advantage of the beautiful weather.

Time to open presents!

It's kind of funny trying to have a one year old open his own presents. Hmmmmm.....

After the party, family stuck around to relax and visit and Oliver and Tytus got a photo shoot on the front porch. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but the fourth one looks like they're on a roller coaster. Then we got to take some extended family pictures. A great ending to the weekend of celebrating. 

The Carroll group

The Schwarz group

It's been almost a year!

our 11 month old!

Here are some things an almost 1 year old likes to do:

eat dirt

explore outside

Go for rides in the wagon....or long walks down to the mailbox and back

save the world

put magnets on the fridge and then back into their box

go head-first down slides
or
climb up to the "big slide" to go down it alone