This year

Projects on my list for the year:Miss H got a bed for Christmas (child-sized matress from IKEA. It's longer than a toddler bed but takes up less space than a twin... brilliant idea IKEA). Her daddy built the frame. (This is the 2nd space-saving kid bed he's made.) I've started making a quilt to fit. I'd like to finish that & decorate the room b/f her sister joins us.

Finish potty training the lil' stinker. We sorta took a hiatus from that during the hectic holidays, but he's made such progress this week. It's cute how proud he is to be a BIG boy! I guess he soon will be neither lil' nor stinky.

Have a healthy baby. We are glad things are looking good with this pregnancy & relieved to have passed viability, but mindful of the fact that just because things look fine now doesn't mean there's no need to worry. 2 years ago on MLK day I delivered James. I made a cake to celebrate our love for him. He & Hope remind us how precious & fragile life is. We miss them.

Learn American Sign Language. A friend at church is deaf & there is only one person able to translate in our congregation. I'm her "visiting teacher" so I'm learning to sign so I can communicate with her better & fill in for the interpreter when needed. Last Sunday I signed the sacrament hymn & prayers. I was SO SLOW that I was still translating the prayer when the deacon came to give us the bread. You could sense his dilemma ("Do I move on or KEEP waiting on this lady?") Agh. I'll get better. I am enjoying it, though.

Customized Bunk Bed

Since we live in a 2-bedroom townhouse, we have to be somewhat creative with our space. We designed a bunkbed that would fit our preschooler's smaller mattress. It's like a built-in loft bed.

My husband anchored the frame into the wall studs on both walls. Also, it's resting on the ladder itself for extra support away from the wall. I think he did a great job. It's nice because it doesn't take up as much room as a standard bunk & isn't too close to the ceiling fan because it is only a little higher than the chair rail. The foot of D's bed fits under it perpendicularly. The kids are thrilled with it! It leaves them a lot more floor space to play in their room.