Here we go again...

I've been wanting to start painting the upstairs bathroom for a couple of weeks. The wallpaper is finally off. Except for a few holes in the wall that need repaired(again covered up by wallpaper), I am ready to paint. I decided to paint the trimming first this time. I could not get the paint can open. Well, not a can a plastic container. It's the same trimming paint we've used on the other room and the inside paint dried and sealed up the container. Finally, Matt got it opened last night. Whooo-hoooo more painting. I am sooooo ready for the bathroom to start taking shape.
There is Minnich talk of a Minnich sibling reunion coming in March and our house was nominated as the destination point. So this is excellent incentive to get more things done in the house.
I need to get some pictures posted to show our progress!
Got Halloween decorations put up yesterday. I love detailing the house with seasonal things. I buy things off season and put them away for the next. Normally I forget about them until I open the storage bin. What a nice surprise to find a new thing! Cheesy, I know :)

Ok, ok I know!

Ok, so I am a lame blogger. Ever since I've been on Facebook, I've spent way too much computer time on there. I need Facebook Anonymous. Anyway, to catch up our second summer at Grafton Acres, it was much calmer than last summer. We have really enjoyed our house this last full year here. It's been fun looking at old pictures and blogs. Sam is in middle school (7th) grade this year and probably grew a foot. He is taller than me and wears a mens size 13. I have lost my little boy and now have a beautiful pre-teen. He is strong in his convictons and standards. Middle school is gonna be a tough test for him, but I know he will stand tall. He was ordained a Deacon at church last April when he turned 12. He also is continuing with the Trombone.
Daniel just missed the cut off date for Kindergarten for Midview Schools by a few weeks. So that means another year of preschool. The new school this year is more geared for Pre-K. He had one day last week, and will go tomorrow and Thurs. of this week. Next week will be our first 3 day a week schedule. He is growing as well and talks my ear off. He is wearing glasses and looks more and more like Sam.
Matt is still (luckily) at A-roo. They have been good to us. He is enjoying his work there. He is so talented with creative abilities, it totally amazes me. He is a good husband and father. Leadership skills are one of his strenghs. He is working in the Young Men's Program at church. He teaches the 14-16 year olds.
I am the children's Primary President, and that keeps me really busy. I have excellent helpers in the program. Been trying to get some piano students lined up for the school year. We have advertised around and no callers yet. Well, no, I have one little girl that lived on the next street over that's gonna start in a few weeks. I met her mom, she works at the library.
So life at the Minnich's are 'status quo'. Still getting things done in the house, but now have enjoyed the journey even more. Will get some pictures posted soon.

Blight of the Stray Cats

No offense to my acquaintances who like cats...
Since last summer, we have been blessed with a 3-4 stray cats roaming the neighborhood. I thought, oh they will go away. Then I find out 2 houses down have been feeding them. I can tell they are well fed because they aren't scrawny. They don't have collars, so they don't belong to anyone. Ok, so that's not the problem....the problem is they think my yard is their personal toilet!
Every time I see them roaming through the front or back yards, I make a bee-line for the door and run them off. It's gotten so the boys now help me shoo them away. I have stepped, cleaned up, and smelled the evidence. I have had the thought to bag it up and toss it into the people's yard that feeds the stupid pooping felines.
To make it top all annoyances...we were eating a nice Sunday dinner and Matt says, "Oh look we have we have animal kingdom in our front yard." I turned and looked and saw two cats doing their 'thing' on our front walk! Great! They're making more pooping cats! So I ran outside which startled them and they ran away.
I was talking to my neighbor (on the other side) who also complains about the cats and said they set a trap and caught the tom-cat (neighbor rooster) and relocated him far from here. Thank goodness. I don't want to come across as a complete cat hater...I don't mind them, I just don't them pooping in my yard! And I don't anything abusive to happen to them, I just don't want them around. I read about moth balls, cayenne pepper, and all the other posted ideas to discourage them from coming around. I'm gonna look for Sam's pump powered Supersoaker to water them away. So if anyone has a fool-proof suggestion to get rid of this blight, please forward it on. And thank you for listening.

It's been a year!

This week officially marks one year since we looked at our house. It was April last year we contacted the realitor and walked through the house. I remember not sleeping that night. My head was swimming. Soooo much work that needed to be done, so where does it rain money? No where I found out, but we have been greatly blessed. Looking back at the blog's pictures makes me realized how far we have come. I am loving my house and looking forward to the continued things to be done. I see us being here for a long time and raising our boys here.
Speaking of boys, Sam turned 12 yesterday. I cannot believe how fast the past 12 years went. He has brought so much joy to our family. His personality and humor never ceases to amaze me. I still see him as a 5 year jumping around, but now he's asking me "grown-up" questions. He interviewed with the Bishop on Sunday for the Aaronic Priesthood and for his first temple trip on May 1st. I can see his strong conviction and testimony of the gospel starting to sprout. I'm gonna be a mess the first time I see him pass the Sacrament. Get the tissues out! Thanks to all the family and friends that have helped prepare him so far in his progression. He has great examples of Priesthood holders that he observed. He has a tender heart and will serve the Lord well.

What a Week!

The Minnich's had a full week last week...everyone was in the doctor's office for one reason or another. It seems like, for us, it's all or nothing. We either have everything going on or nothing at all. It all started on Monday, the 16th. Daniel had to go to the Dentist to have two little cavities filled. He was a brave trooper, I was nervous. All in all he did a great job and followed the dentist's and his assistants directions really well. Since the cavities were in the back teeth, they had to be filled even though they are his baby teeth. The dentist said he'll have this baby teeth until he is 10 or so. He got 2 Spiderman stickers, a new toothbrush and toothpaste. I thought he should have got a new bike, but I guess not.
Matt has been doctoring a sore shoulder, and he has been seeing a doctor. This was on Monday and Wednesday last week.
I had my follow-up from the blood work done about my sugar. I guess I'm considered diabetic since I'm on oral meds. My cholesterol was not good either. Even my good cholesterol wasn't good...I guess no more fries (bummer!). The doc said if I can lose 25-30 pounds there's a good chance I can get off the meds. I am suppose to see a dietitian, but I haven't heard from them, it's been 2 weeks. I've been following the diabetic diet from what I remember from being pregnant.
Keep your fingers crossed.
Thursday night Sam was complaining about his throat hurting. I checked and no fever and still sent him to school on Friday. He came home looking a little pale. Saturday morning, and he felt and looked worse. I took him to his doctors and his throat culture came back positive...strep.
He started his penicillin that day and stayed home from church on Sunday. Monday morning...off to school. Sunday he looks 100% better. He don't understand why since he feels better he still has to take penicillin.
This week is much better. We are getting back on schedule and sooooo looking forward to spring.
Have a fabulous rest of March!

Matt's Article

Here is Matt's Chronicle article:
http://www.chroniclet.com/2009/02/06/through-the-eyes-of-a-caricature-artist_122/

Matt is in the Chronicle

A very exciting day for the Minnich's. Matt was interviewed and photo taken for Elyria's Chronicle Newspaper! We had a photographer and a reporter here last Monday evening interviewing and taking pictures. It all started when Grafton Library called about a month ago and asked if Matt would be a part of the library's 65th Anniversary Celebration and draw caricatures. Of course he did, it's revenue. Then one of the ladies that works there lives on the street behind us and knows us well has a friend that writes for the Chronicle and mentioned Matt. Bodda-bing...next thing we know, Matt's is in the paper today! We'll have it posted soon so all can see. I am so proud and happy for him...can ya tell? I love him so much!