Bits and Pieces...

 Malia recently picked these flowers for me:

Our basement remodeling project has begun! We are adding lots of storage space in the form of closets, my scrapbooking/craft room is becoming a bedroom for the girls (the baby will sleep in the girls' old room), and the toy room will eventually become a bathroom. Thank goodness I have such a wonderful, handy husband!

The gold walls became a more neutral gray:

Chris is working on built-in cabinets for around the girls' bed. I've been busy moving and reorganizing, priming, caulking, and painting.

 I have also been working on a few things for the nursery. I will post some photos when it is finished.

We have been hard at work preparing for 2 benefit dinners and silent auctions coming up for our Metekle school project in Ethiopia. In a few weeks, we will be taking a road trip to Arizona for one, while the other will be held locally. Watch for updates!

 A week and a half ago, we traveled out to Rittman to pick up some furniture for the nursery. We had van trouble on the way out, so our day didn't go quite as planned. Chris's uncle got us fixed up, though, and we still had a little time to spend with David and Larisa and their boys.

Kids say the funniest things! Recently, Jalen was reprimanded by his daddy. Afterward, Chris asked, " Do you still love me?" Jalen replied, "We'll work on that tomorrow." Chris asked, "How about 9:00 in the morning?" And Jalen answered, " Probably more like in the afternoon."

The other day, Jordan had a very thought-provoking comment: "Men are luckier than women because they get to have hairy armpits." Well, ok then...

The twins with Mrs. March, their new first grade teacher: