2/3 the way through

I have found that about 2/3 to 3/4 the way through a remodel I have a nervous break down.  At this point we are usually at mudding and taping.  It takes forever and there is really no noticeable difference like framing, plumbing, and electrical.
The nervous breakdown is party due to the fact that I have been living in a mess for a really long time, I begin to realize how much this is costing me, and I do not have any of the benefit of the spent money.  It's about this point I just need to have a good cry and then move forward.
Things usually go quickly after this point but realistically I still have 5 more weeks of living in a dusty mess.  All my furniture is covered in plastic.  No-one walks around the house without shoes on.  We are eating family dinner in the down stairs kitchen (which I am grateful to have).
Another issue is that I have lost "Mom's command central".  Usually I get the kids snacks as they walk in the door from school, sort through their backpacks, and get them going on homework and practicing.  Instead I am down stairs away from everything so I have no idea what is going on with the kids.  Things (practicing and homework) have definitely fallen through the cracks.
I just have to remind myself that it will be worth it.  With any good growth also comes growing pains so I just need to practice patience- heaven help me.

The old kitchen.  I just need to remind myself how bad it really was.

Can I strangle my missionary son?

Today is Monday- email day.  I look forward to it with much anticipation.  I shouldn't really because his letters are SO lame.  Sometimes it's a quick "So busy this week.  I don't have much time on the computer to write this week.  Love, James"  It makes me crazy.

And then there are times Gordon will get important info in an email only to him and not to me, like today- My release date is August 17.  No info to me his mother just a quick note to Gordon!  Gordon was talking about how inconvenient it is going to be to have him come home that Wednesday because it is "his busy day in salt Lake".

Today James' quick email to me is the cherry on the top:

Hey send me a new photo album. The pictures in the other one are getting a little old. I don't really need anything else. 

hey, I passed a kidney stone this week. It hurt a lot. I was writhing in pain in a hospital for a couple hours but other than that it wasn't too bad.

Love you,

Not a ton of time so more next week,

James

Can I fly to Korea and strangle my son?  

Corby was a great dog

Yesterday we put our dog of 13.5 years down.  It was a sad day.  We will miss him but know that he went somewhere where he can see and hear and will be happy.

Boy his ears look big in this picture.

Disney with Matthew, Bridie and Eleanor

Back from vacation.  Matthew, Bridie, Eleanor and I flew to LA for a few days.  It was so nice to spend time with Matthew before he leaves on his mission.  It was so fun to see Disneyland through Bridie and Eleanor's eyes.  They were so  cute and loved everything.  It was cold so the day at the beach wasn't quite as fun as it could have been.  The last day at Disneyland was cold but we had made a run to Target the night before and bought gloves and hats so we were ready.  Driving with google is so nice.  We got all around southern California without any problems.  The some of the hotels we stayed in were a little sketchy and that made coming home to a dust filled home more appealing than if we had stayed in beautiful hotels.  I missed Gordon and the other kids a lot but traveling with a small group is so much better than all 8 of us.  Now to catch my breath before I leave again this weekend for youth conference.