Jeremy and I have been taking half a day off on Wednesdays to go to the Carthage house and work on it until it is done. It is coming together slowly but, surely. We have/are painting every single nook and cranny in the entire house. (well, maybe not every nook and cranny....but, pretty dang close!) Yesterday I started in on trim and oh my goodness, it is going to take me YEARS to finish, lol! But, it is looking sooooooo much better! It is amazing what paint can do! I wish I had taken before and after pics. When we are all done, we want to take everyone over to see what we did, lol! I have to say that we are pretty proud of ourselves. *pats self on back* And if we get to do to the steps what we want to do to them, I will be thrilled! There are some things we just can't fix right now or ever so what will be, will be. But, I sure hope this house sells for the price we want. Knowing that we can swing two house payments and double payments on most utility bills is kind of comforting in a weird way, lol. We certainly don't like doing it, and could definitely find better uses for the money but, there was a time when I thought we would never get to a point like this.
But, I have to also say that we couldn't do this without my mom and Jeremy's mom. They have been instrumental in allowing us the time to get this big project done by helping with kids and time. I literally feel like I have never been so busy in my whole life! We are constantly do/or worrying about doing something.
Tristan and Cedric have been working for Jeremy this summer at his store. He wants to start teaching them more so they can help out with the store and earn some money. Tristan also took the initiative and applied for a job at Pete's Place here in Nauvoo. And....he got the job!! Awesome! He is happy to be working there too! Good job, Tristan!
I am now affiliated with a professional print lab for professional photographers! Things are going really good with my business and I am excited about the future! I will complete tomorrow a huge endeavor that I was asked to do this summer, taking team and individual photos of the Nauvoo Athletic Association's summer ball teams. They had a total of 8 teams and I did photos for 7 of them. It was so much fun! I just made up four packages that they could choose from with some a la carte items as well and went from there. I learned a lot and if I am asked next year or by someone else, I will definitely do things a little differently but, it was a great learning experience. I am also excited about getting new equipment. I plan on upgrading my camera to the next level. I have it all picked out. The body of the camera alone is $2400. It is expensive but, it is so going to be worth it! I CANNOT wait, lol! I am also going to get a new monitor that is specifically designed for photographers to get the best true colors and quality out of the pictures.
I also have quite a few people asking me about senior pictures. This fall should be quite busy with photos as well. I love it!!!!!
Eden is getting scheduled for surgery on her mouth in either August or September. We had two options with her since we have no dental insurance. The first option was cheaper but, more traumatizing for Eden. The second is much more expensive but, much easier on Eden. We chose the second option. I don't like that she will be completely under or what is going to happen but, it does need to be done. I am hoping that the house sells really fast because this is one of those things that the extra house money would be perfect for! The whole thing is going to cost more than our cars. Good grief.
Vivianne is walking all around now. She jabbers all the time and has so much to say! One of the best parts of our day is when Jeremy is getting ready to leave for work. When Jeremy says that he is going to leave she automatically starts waving, blowing kisses, and saying bye-bye! It is freaking adorable! We stand at the door and wave until Daddy is in the car. And when she sees us come back from somewhere it is just as cute!! She has an infectious smile that just doesn't quit. Everyone gets the biggest kick out of every little thing she does. She is pure joy.
We have not been doing Asher's meds much this summer. I really don't like him being on the medicine. It does help for when he is at school. I wish I could homeschool again. I am considering it but, I really don't think I can do it for at least another year. Once we own this house and maybe have added on which, we want to do asap. But, Asher seems to be doing really well without it most of the time. I have been changing my approach with the kids lately. I felt like all I was ever saying to them was no. Or shut up. Or telling them to stop or saying how annoying they were. Not very uplifting stuff. I was feeling overwhelmed with everything and taking it out on them. I was even annoying myself. When I stopped to think about why the kids were being so mean or misbehaving, it made me realize that maybe I am part of the problem. If all you ever hear is someone yelling at you, then it can't make you want to be a very happy, kind person. I am doing my very best to be patient and understanding instead of quick to temper and mean. (Not that I am mean to my kids, don't take this the wrong way....it's just that I feel like I am not being the best example right now....I think everyone does it at some point.) It is also very hard when you have 7 kids.
I am doing well on my weightloss journey that I started in January. I started out at 210(I think) and am down to 177! That is 33 pounds since January. That is almost 5 pounds a month. I am trying to not be annoyed that it isn't happening quicker but, I think this is actually a healthy rate to lose it. Having a fitbit is great for motivation. It is also great to make you feel like crap. When I am editing pictures, I HAVE to sit at a computer for a long time. And I don't get as many steps as I like. But, it is still good to have, to make myself accountable and more aware of my activity. I need to find something to do during the winter to keep my activity level up. I thought about getting a membership the YMCA or something. I don't know. We said we were gonna do that a year or two ago and never did. Completely forgot about it.
Tristan is also getting ready to go on his great Boy Scout adventure to Philmont! They are all taking the train out to New Mexico(an adventure in itself) then will spend a week at Philmont and ride the train back home. He is saying that he really doesn't want to go anymore. But, I know once he does it, he is going to love it. It is already paid for so he is going, lol!
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