Outdoor String Lights for the Deck

Before our housewarming party, we decided we wanted to have outdoor globe string lights--a la Parenthood.  I had visions of our family sitting al fresco, just like this scene from Parenthood:

I found this blog tutorial, and Philip said it looked like a fun way to add some ambience to our deck.  The blog tutorial was very helpful and made the project a breeze!

Picture from BrightJuly

I bought these globe string lights at Target.

Photo from Target.com

Philip headed to the hardware store to get the rest of the gear.   

Ladies, what's cuter than a guy who can take on the hardware store with two tikes?

I'll let you read the blog tutorial from BrightJuly for their step-by-step instructions.  A few pointers we learned along the way:

• Have the hardware store slice the PVC pipe at a 45 degree angle so that it's easier to place them in the ground
• Use a long drill bit to make the holes in the ground straighter
• Test each string of lights before hanging them
• Make sure two people are hanging the lights.  The globe bulbs are fragile!
• Make sure your outlet can handle wattage of your lights.  We ended up using 4 of the Target globe lights to circle the deck, and we split them on two different outlets so that we didn't overload the circuit.  

The lights aren't as cute with flash photography.  Here we are, enjoying the deck while the kids catch lightning bugs (do you call them lightning bugs or fireflies?) with Papa and Maddy

Philip snapped this pic of the deck while I cleaned up after our housewarming party

Voila!  Just like Parenthood, right?!  Who's coming over for a drink on the deck?  

4th of July Photo Recap

We've been enjoying our vacation time so much that I haven't had a chance to blog in awhile.  I thought I'd pop in with a photo recap of our first Fourth of July in Lincoln.  What a fun day it was! 

After a leisurely start to the day, we met up with a bunch of other families at the neighborhood park for a parade and picnic.  

Their first time on a merry-go-round

Totally loving it

All lined up for the parade

Circling the park with push-toys, trikes, bikes, and strollers

Pushing Harry on the baby swings

Learning that swings go back AND forth! 

Very excited about his 4th of July dinner

A special ice cream cone treat

Boys loving their ice cream

Really getting into it

First sparkler experience!

I took this right at the moment their sparklers ran out.  Sad, sad pouty faces!

This picture perfectly sums up Jane & Walt's polar opposite reactions to fireworks.  Jane was terrified, and Walt couldn't get enough of 'em! 

Jane decided the fireworks were better once she had Daddy's soundproof  earmuffs on

Walt opted for some eye protection

The kid couldn't get enough of riding his patriotic school bus

Watching the neighbors light off the daytime stuff 

Brothers going for a ride

Awwww, I love Walt's face in this pic!  A father's love is irreplaceable.

After playing in the driveway and watching the neighbors light off the daytime stuff, it was the kids' bedtime.  They were beat from their big day, and they didn't care about the nighttime fireworks.  Philip and I couldn't believe it, but they went straight to sleep because they were so exhausted.  We brought the baby monitor out to the driveway, poured some wine, and watched the neighbors' fireworks with Monty.  It was the perfect end to a perfect day!  

Even neurotic Monty loved the fireworks.  He sat happily on my lap without any shaking or whimpering, and he loved his glow necklaces.  

"We didn't start the fire..."

Over my breakfast, I read about the First Martyrs of the Church in Rome.  We celebrate their feast day today.  American Catholic gives a great summary:

In July of 64 A.D., more than half of Rome was destroyed by fire. Rumor blamed the tragedy on Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He shifted the blame by accusing the Christians. According to the historian Tacitus, many Christians were put to death because of their “hatred of the human race.” Peter and Paul were probably among the victims. (emphasis mine) 

"Wow," I thought, "It must have been crazy living in a time like that."  There were people so scared of Christians that they started fires, accused them of hating the human race, and killed them.  

Photo from Catholic.org

A few hours later, I heard the blessed news that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Christian-run Hobby Lobby.  In summary, Justice Alito said, "The Supreme Court holds government can’t require closely held corporations with religious owners to provide contraception coverage.”    

Then, The Examiner shared the reactionary Tweets from those hoping to see the Christian-run company burned to the ground.  I'll let you go to the link to read the most explicit Tweets.

"[L]iterally burn hobby lobby (sic) to the ground," one pro-abortion liberal screamed on Twitter.

"I hope all your stores burn to the ground," another person said.

"#HobbyLobby are scum of the earth. Burn every single one down, build a homeless shelter there instead," a third person said.

And then came this:

• "Why Does Hobby Lobby Hate Women?" 
• "Hobby Lobby - Women Lose, Religions Win"
• "Hobby Lobby Case Adds Yet Another Log to the 'War on Women' Bonfire"
• "Left on Twitter: 'War on Women' Continues"

Sound familiar?  Paranoid, scared people accusing Christians of hating humanity?  And then starting fires out of paranoia?

On this feast day dedicated to the Roman martyrs killed by a paranoid Christian hater in a fire, sing it with me and Billy!  "We didn't start the fire..."

Open the champagne! Residency is OVER!

HALLELUJAH!  Philip had his last (overnight) shift of residency last night.  It's become our family tradition to have donuts after the overnight shifts, so Philip brought home some tasty pastries to celebrate.  

It's been a long haul, and I am so proud of Philip!  Anytime we have a big milestone, I get all sentimental and have to go back down memory lane.  

Here are a few pictures from our journey:

Match Day
St. Patrick's Day, 2011
13-month-old Jane (and Elmo) joined us on stage to learn our fate

Fortunately for us, Philip matched exactly where he wanted, and we got to stay in Omaha for residency.  Yay!

So happy and excited to get to stay in Omaha for residency!

Medical school graduation, May 2011
(Walt was born a week later)

The first day of Philip's 3-year pediatric residency program

July 2013
Celebratory donuts on the last day of Philip's "night float" month (translation: a month of exclusively working night shifts).  That was the month before Harry was born.

It's bragging time...

Sorry that picture is so crummy.  I was so excited and my vision was blurred with my tears, so I had trouble capturing the moment with my phone camera.  

For all of you who weren't there, I took this picture at the annual banquet recognizing the graduating pediatric residents.  The banquet just so happened to take place the night before we moved to Lincoln!  Every year, the Children's Hospital nursing staff selects a pediatric resident who they believe provides exemplary care to the patients and is a pleasure to work alongside.  This picture is of Philip receiving that award--for the second time during his 3 years of residency.  

Philip, I had to bring up this big deal award because it illustrates the kinda guy you are.  We all know the kind of ego that comes along with having M.D. behind someone's name (wink), but not with you.  I know I'm biased because I'm your bride, but I'd bet the house that you're among the sharpest and most talented residents the program has ever seen.  But that's not why you received that award.  That award is all about that big heart of yours.  You give your patients the highest level of care, you comfort & cheerlead their parents, you work as a team player alongside the other medical staff, but you remain meek as you learn something with every patient interaction.  For those reasons, I'm not surprised that the hospital nursing staff chose to honor you 2 of the 3 years you served alongside them.  It must be a pain in the neck working with some of you doctor types (ha!), but you know how important every member of the medical staff is--especially those awesome nurses.

I have to share this because I think it illustrates why you received the Service Excellence Award:  It became your tradition on the last day of each rotation to leave the house extra early so that you could bring the nurses special treats as a thank you for their help that month.  Because you value the work I do at home so much, I know the respect you carry over to the nursing staff who, in many ways, mother those precious patients during their hospital stays.  Of all of the things you've done during your time in residency (and you've done big deal stuff like save kids' lives), I think I'm most proud of the way you've honored the nursing staff in your interactions with them.  Way to go, honey!

Philip & the kids before he left for his last night shift of residency.  

Had to capture my cute husband in scrubs for the last time!

Philip snapped this shot on his way home this morning.  Even though we've lived in Lincoln for a month, the reality of it all is finally starting to sink in this morning.

Philip, playing cars with the kids after our celebratory donuts.  I am so excited to see a whole lot more of this.  

When Philip came home this morning, Walt said, "You miss work, Daddy?"  They can't believe that from now on Daddy gets to sleep at home every night.  When I told them that Daddy gets to be on vacation for a few weeks before he starts his new job, they couldn't wrap their minds around it.  Daddy is a hot commodity around here, and they're thrilled to get to spend all of this time with him.  

Congratulations, "Dr. Phil"!  We are all so proud of your achievement!  You are going to make a fantastic pediatrician.  The families in Lincoln are lucky to have you.  


Cheers to this calmer, simpler chapter in our lives!  It's so much fun to feel like our lives are no longer in a holding pattern.  It's time to put down roots, get settled, and adjust to the new normal.  Normal is good, and we're loving it!

Little Moments

Because sometimes you want to share photos instead of write.

Enjoying the front yard together

I call the following series "The many faces of Walt." 

A cruising baby wants to go for a cruise in the Cozy Coupe

Hanging on what Walt calls the "shake shake bridge" (Any Thomas fans out there?)

Brothers

Can you find all three kids?

Who needs a triple stroller? 

I caught them playing in Walt's room this morning

They're so good at including Harry and making him laugh 

Surprisingly, Walt doesn't care anymore when Harry takes apart the tracks.  Yay for growth!

An impromptu piano concert after breakfast.  Harry is their biggest fan!

Harry has successfully removed these wood things from 3 windows and 1 door.  He thought they interfered with his ability to keep an eye on the hood through the front window.

The other night, I poured myself a glass of wine and laughed at what was on the counter.  I had to capture it in its glory--the wooden divider thing for the window that Harry ripped off, my wine, "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons," and baby wipes.  Just a day in the life, people!