Mom Cave Complete

I have posted about my office/craft room before but I can officially say that it is complete!  I have a few more things I will be hanging on the walls, but the majority of the room is finished.  I've been working on this room since we moved in here and little by little it has come together.  I spent the past few days painting my great-grandmother's desk and re-upholstering the chair so that it better compliments the room.  Its not perfect, but it is just going to serve as my craft table.  Now I can finally get back to all those scrapbooks I'm so behind on, starting with Zac's baby book (he will be five in September....shame!).  This is definitely my favorite room in the house.  The only thing missing is a new 27-inch iMac...but that will come in time (are you paying attention Santa??).  Now, if I can just find a way to keep the boys out... :)

The room went from this...

to this...

And from this...

to this... 

And this...

I have my dad's flag displayed at the top of my cabinet along with his first military photo.  And of course, his beloved softball glove

My pin-up board for all my reminders, pictures and things that mean something to me

This desk is ancient and has been in the family for as long as I can remember, so when I considered getting rid of it, I quickly came to my senses and decided to paint it instead.  The fabric I found for the chair color-matches the funky rug under my computer desk perfectly!

Missouri Turkey Hunt 2012

As a gift to Jay to celebrate his 40th birthday (and because I'm awesome), I planned a turkey hunting trip for him.  He and his friend and favorite hunting buddy, Jason Brennell, have always talked about doing a turkey hunt in Missouri on 100 acres of property that Jason and his dad own.  So, back in January I secretly emailed Jason and we started planning the trip at that point.  Jay never in a million years would've guessed that I would be in contact with Jason, so I was never concerned about the cat getting out of the bag.  I just told Jay I needed him to put in for leave for these certain dates and not to ask questions.  Once leave was approved and Jason had his plane ticket in hand, I booked Jay's ticket so they would arrive and depart from St Louis within an hour of each other.  It was hard to keep it a secret from Jay for over a month until his birthday, but I did it and Jason was a good sport and kept it on the downlow, too, even though he says it was tough.  I ended up surprising Jay a week before I was supposed to because I just couldn't take it anymore!  And he was definitely surprised, more like shocked.  As mentioned, he's been talking about doing this hunt with Jason for several years now but life and jobs always made it impossible for them to plan.  Immediately Jay called Jason, who is currently stationed in Juneau, Alaska, and they started planning their trip.  Here are some pics from their 10 days on a 'little piece of heaven' in the middle of Missouri:

Jay didn't get this 'Tom' until the 7th day of his trip and he gives all the credit to Jason, who has been hunting turkey since a very young age and "knows turkeys better than turkeys know themselves" 

Jay brought home the two turkey breasts and the two legs and one of the wings.  The other wing Jason's dad, Charlie, is making a turkey call with and will send it to Jay.

 Jason's dad is also taking the "fan" of the bird and having it mounted at a local taxidermist and will send to Jay once it is finished.  Jay will then add the beard and the shotgun shell to the mount.  If it looks nice enough, I may allow it to hang in my home to join the other animal remnants...

Poster boy for Cabela's?? 

Since hunting really only takes place in the early morning hours, a week and a half was a lot of time on their hands.  Jason's family is from around those parts and his dad had some work that needed to be done to the small house that is on the property, where they stayed.  Jay loves doing that kind of stuff, especially with the experience he has acquired from our two houses in Washington.  So, during the week they replaced a roof, put up a new wall and installed windows and a door.  Here's the crew in front of the newly finished wall.

(L-R: Uncle Steve, Uncle Bill, Cousin Ryan, Jason, Family friend Vic, Jay and Dad Charlie) 

To wind down the end of the trip, the Brennell's came out and did a "fish fry"

Jay says this was the best, most intense hunting he's ever done.  He had a great time getting to know the Brennell family, doing labor to help a friend, and just hanging out with "good midwestern folks".  Needless to say, it was a great trip that he will never forget and they are already talking about next year. 

Point for Shon :) 

My Little Leaguers

Opening Day Ceremony

I grew up watching my dad play softball on his Navy teams, then watching my brother play both baseball and softball...both of these guys were excellent athletes and played the game very well.  I have a true love of the game and they are the reason for that.  Jay was not a big baseball fan when we met, but in the 13 years we've been together, he is definitely a fan now.  Wherever there is baseball, we are sure to be heading to a game no matter what level, professional or otherwise.  Its the great American pastime and now my boys are playing!  I have so much joy watching them, playing catch with them, teaching them fundamentals and getting involved with their teams.  It has been the coolest experience so far and a dream come true for me.  I may not do dirt bikes, or take them fishing, or get dirty doing "guy" stuff, but I will definitely play ball.  Who knows what the future brings, maybe they will never play again after this year and maybe they will go on to play all the way through high school...I am just thankful for the chance to experience it now and I am loving every minute. 

Zac's T-Ball Team

"BULLS"

Scotty's Rookie Team

"RIVER BANDITS" 

Scotty 'watching his ball'...

Zac's first game

This is what happens when the ball is hit...

it becomes tackle baseball 

Action Shot 

Training both the boys to hit left, even though they are both right handed

Virginia Morning

These are the best kind of mornings to wake up to.  I love where we live.  Wish we could take this piece of property with us when we go...but since we can't, I will just enjoy every moment like this for the next few years.

Jay's 40th Birthday

The month of March was a whirlwind...we had two sets of visitors a week apart from each other and the month just flew by going here, there and everywhere.  In the midst of all that, Jay turned 40.  There was so much going on that he said it just felt like another day to him, but maybe that's a good thing.  No one should sit around and think about the fact that they are four decades old.  So having company, particularly Scott & Nik, was vital to Jay's sanity in my opinion.  Scott knew he wanted to come for Jay's birthday so that he could join Jay and the boys camping and dirt bike riding - which was Jay's only wish for his birthday.  It was a bonus that Nik could come too.

The visit was so special in many ways.  The four of us were able to hang out like old times, talking and laughing.  I was also able to hang out with just Scott & Nik and the three of us always manage to have a grand time together.  And then of course the guys (and boys) went their way and had a blast and us girls did our thing and had a blast.  Jay, Scott and the boys headed out on Friday morning three hours south somewhere in the sticks of VA to an ORV park that a guy runs off of his homestead, a true country boy.  They camped and rode dirt bikes all weekend long. 

Scott 

Scotty taking a break at camp 

Jay

In his mind, he is racing Supercross...

In reality, he's 40

Scotty and Zac 

The main house on the property 

The school bus was the "office"

Nikki, Trev and I went shopping; went on walks every morning, sometimes in the afternoon too, around the neighborhood which was equal to three miles each time; we had a movie night, rented The Help and cried our eyes out (after the Holocaust museum the day before, that movie was just a little too much for me to handle, but it was a good movie); we drank Margaritas and made Mexican food. 

Our Red Solo Cups

We met her dad for lunch, he lives in the DC area as well and I hadn't seen him in 20 years.  It was honestly the best time we've had together in a long time and it was wonderful to just relax and talk.  The boys got some much needed quality time with both of them.  Even Trev, who has been having issues lately with people other than his momma, had no problem going right to them.  I loved that the most out of the entire visit....it is apparent that the boys adore their aunt and uncle, even when they haven't seen them in several months.  It was very sad to see them go but we all have memories to cherish.

Auntie and Trev

Uncle and "Z" 

Some of my favorite people in the whole world

Auntie and Zac 

Uncle and Trev steam-rolling - Trev was laughing so hard!

I think Jay was pleased with how he celebrated his birthday and wouldn't have rather been doing anything else with anyone else.  Now he gets to look forward to a spring turkey hunt in Missouri in about a week with his hunting buddy Jason, a gift from me and the boys.  Happy 40th to my husband.