House odds and ends

    Before we left for Hawaii Bart finished tiling/grouting the kitchen backspash and when we got home I sealed the grout. The last time I posted about the backsplash we were still trying to decide if we should stop the tile half way up the wall or go up to the ceiling.  We decided to take it to the ceiling and I am very pleased.

Beginning

Middle



 Almost done

    The other projects that I am in charge of are finding rugs for the living room, nursery and hallway.  I've been perusing overstock, rugs USA, rugs direct, home decorator, west elm and even Target Home Depot and RC Willey for months looking for runners for the entryway and hallway. I finally found the color and style that I love 3 weeks ago from West Elm. I ended up buying 2 runners because our hallway is 14 feet long, someday I will tape/sew them together but right now I am just happy that I got them because this rug is already "no longer available". So I am grateful that I jumped in a bought 2 and didn't talk myself out of it.

    I also bought 2 rugs from Overstock with their Presidents Day coupon for the nursery.  I only plan on keeping one rug but Bart has a favorite and I have a favorite, so no decisions have been made.  I want to chose the rug first for this baby boy nursery and then build from the floor up-it colors and textures, etc.

I'd love your opinion on the rugs.

This rug is 100% wool and it's very soft and thick. It's more masculine, was less expensive and is Bart's favorite.

This rug is more contemporary, doesn't have the multiple shades of blue (to pull from for decorating), is thinner and more expensive BUT I like it.



Is that your final answer?

Canessa final answer: BOY
Bart final answer: GIRL
The Doctor: GIRL
Chinese Gender Calender: GIRL

Guess who was right?  It's a boy and we hopefully get to meet him June 30th.
He also has a big nose, big biceps, and big feet....just like DADDY.

XOXO

Hawaii booklist

I read a bunch of books while vacationing. Nothing is better than lounging on a beach chair with a lovely view of the ocean...and the occasional whale, with a drink, the right amount of sun and shade and a great book.  Since I don't do goodreads I thought I would given you my book review here.

Okay For Now. By Gary D. Schmidt

This was my favorite book...and "I'm not lying" :).  I like the way the author writes, I like that the character is a 8th grade boy and the setting is back in the 1960's. Doug, the main character has a terrible father and mean older brothers but when if family relocates he is embraced (slowly) into the town/people which changes his life forever. This book made me feel really angry, grateful, happy and it even had me laughing out loud.  If you are going to read just one book-read this, don't be a "chump" :)


Matched. By Ally Condie

This book reminded me of The Hunger Game series, with a mix of The Giver and a little bit of Twilight. This is easy to read, the character is a17 year old female and of course there is a love triangle. This is the first book of the Trilogy, written by an author from SLC...maybe LDS?. This is another young adult fictional novel. If you are interested, put it on hold at the library and you can decide if you want to read it in 3 months when it's available.

Anne's House of Dreams. By L.M. Montgomery

This is the 5th book in the Anne of Green Gable series.  I must admit that I like the first 4 books better.  Maybe it's because Anne Shirley is grown up, or maybe it's because she and Gilbert are "old married" folks or maybe I just needed a change for a while but either way I do really like the series and if you haven't read them before I would a least give Anne of Green Gables a try.

The Entitlement Trap. By Richard and Linda Eyre

My grandparents gave Bart and I this book for Christmas. This book talks in depth about our society of "entitled" children and how we can raise children who don't feel entitled and have respect and ownership for their own life. If any of you parents out there are interested in a "self help"/parenting/finances book I would recommend that you get this.  The authors (a husband and wife team) have been writing and lecturing on family and children for 30+ years. I would offer you my copy to read as long as you don't steal it :) because Bart and I plan on reading it again.

I think I read another book or 2 but I can't remember them, so they must not have been memorable or I am just forgetful.  I would love to hear of any good books that you guys have read recently.  My next book will be The Wednesday Wars. By Gary Schmidt.

Sites of the island

Volcano National Park

Waipi'o Valley lookout

Waipi'o black sand beach

Green Sand beach

Akaka Falls

La Kea-the southern most point of the USA

"Turtle magnet"- I used to call Bart a chick magnet but now I call him a turtle magnet. Every time we went walking, snorkeling or swimming...even boogie boarding, the turtles found Bart.

Thurston Lava Tube

Tomorrow is our last day. We'll see what it brings :)