Friday, June 25, 2010

Jace can sign!

So, hubby and I have been teaching Jace sign language. Just simple signs, like "more", "please", and "all done". (Notice how all three can be used at the dinner table!) We've been working on these signs for about 2 months and he's just recently (like two days ago) starting signing back. It's really exciting to see him learn something new and, thankfully, I caught it on video. Hope you enjoy.


If you're interested in teaching your baby sign language there are tons of resources online, like this video dictionary. Check it out!

Stay tuned for more video updates.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Victorious!


Kevin Boyd: "Delilah is dead. I bought an S1 bit driver from Lowe's and removed her battery. I'll probably wear it around my neck like a primal war trophy."

My husband is a champion.

Meet Delilah


She has become the bane of our existence. She's a security system that our home's previous owner had a subscription to. We've since cancelled the subscription but apparently Delilah's decided to stick around. At first she was only mildly irritating, announcing each time the front or back door was opened or closed. My clever husband quickly discovered the battery operated sensor at each door, though, and she was silenced.

Or so we thought.

Until our second night in the house when we woke up at 1 am to 6 loud beeps. And then silence. And then 6 loud beeps. And then silence. And then 6 loud beeps. And then silence. And I think you've got the idea. (Did I mention she also woke up Jace? He is screaming in his bedroom.) Thirty minutes later, after a series of expletives and button pushing, my husband had quieted Delilah.

We call Crime Alert Security System the following morning and as politely as possible explain our situation and ask them to come and take Delilah away. The man assured us a technician would call later that afternoon or the next morning to schedule a time to come to our house. The rest of the day passes without a phone call. Night approaches and assuming we had solved the problem we go to bed without giving Delilah much thought. As expected she spends the night quietly installed next to our linen closet.

Although there is still no phone call the next day.

Then last night she returned. With a vengeance.

My husband tries the same pattern of button pushing as two nights ago. Six loud beeps follow. Earlier in the day he found the power unit while organizing the guest room closet, so his next step is to unplug that. Six loud beeps follow. (Remember it is approximately 1:30 am). After a few more expletives and searching our dark house with a miniature flashlight, he finds his wire cutters and cuts the wires attached to Delilah through the wall of the linen closet. Six loud beeps follow.

At this point we are both convinced our house is possessed and we surely won't make it through the night alive (By the grace of God Jace sleeps through this entire ordeal.)

But then there is a miracle at 1632 Quillmark Road and all we hear is silence.

Five minutes go by. Silence. Ten minutes go by. Silence. Fifteen minutes and no more beeping.

Without speaking we both find our way back into bed, hoping and praying that Delilah has caused enough excitement for one night.

And knowing full well that Crime Alert Security System will be getting another phone call, possibly less polite, first thing in the morning.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

If there was any doubt...

as to why this blog is called sweet (potato) kisses.




I just can't get enough of this sweet sticky face! Can you?

Monday, June 21, 2010

Mixed Emotions

Well, we made it! We are official residents of Winston-Salem.

And I'm excited. Excited to be a first-time homeowner and to redecorate. Excited for a fenced in backyard and a double vanity. Excited to be in a bigger city and closer to family. Excited to have more options. Options for everything from grocery stores to public schools to choice of dentist. Excited to live in a city that stays open past 5pm. Excited for playgroups and farmer's markets and museums and restaurants.

And I'm sad. Sad to no longer be able to walk to campus. Or to the grocery store. Or to Dairy Queen. Sad to have to drive for more than 10 minutes to reach the other side of town. Sad to have to find a new hair dresser. And eyebrow waxer. And dentist. Sad to leave a church that doesn't mind when my son squeals and laughs through the entire service. Sad to move Jace away from his first friends, Harper and Owen. Even sadder to move away from their parents.

If you had told me four years ago that one day I would be sad to leave Farmville I most certainly would've thought you were nuts. After all, we weren't exactly thrilled to be moving to such a small town in the first place. But we felt the Lord calling us to go and so we went. And while living there wasn't always super exciting or convenient (who really wants to drive 45 minutes to reach the nearest Target?) I know that we made the right decision and am thankful for the many ways in which He provided for us.

And am hopeful He will do the same here.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

New house!

Today the bank officially approved our loan for our new home! Hooray!

Here are some pics of the new place:

Front yard

Back yard (we are very excited about the fence!)


Kitchen


Jetted tub in master bath (one of my favorite features of the whole house!)

2 weeks to go until moving weekend. Maybe we should start packing?

Homemade Hummus!

Favorite snack of the week! (Thanks to my friend, Megan, for the backbone of this recipe.)


Homemade Hummus:
1 can of chickpeas, drained
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/8 cup of water (or drained liquid from chickpeas)
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp minced garlic (or garlic powder)
pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until desired consistency is achieved. Try it, it's really good!