Flanagan Clan

Since the last post on the kitchen getting dry wall, several changes have taken place. First of all, the drywall people came back and added texture to the walls. Then a painter came in and repainted the walls, ceiling, door and molding. Yesterday the cabinets came, and they installed the stove and a warmer drawer, which goes under the oven and keeps foods warm. They won’t be able to finish putting up the cabinets until the granite comes, in case you’re wondering why some of the cabinets aren’t up yet. Also, they’ll be putting crown molding all along the top. so there won’t be any gaps!!!

This is where the refrigerator, microwave, and oven are going. You can’t see it, but the warmer is already there, on the bottom. On the far left is a great pantry that has pull out drawers. Each drawer hold 150 lbs. There is so much storage space and the appliances are all going to be so neat that I’m thinking about moving back in with the parents (j/k!)

The sink, dishwasher, and trash compactor have yet to be installed.

This is the oven. It is a gas, unlike our former electric one! A fume hood and two pendant lights will hang down from ceiling over this area.

This will be Mom’s new desk area and a place to store her odds and ends.

This is the new chandalier for the formal dining room.

This is Grandpa putting Patrick into the new area for the sink.

This is how Patrick responds to being put in the area where the sink will be (he was in a bad mood all day, in case you’re wondering! He just didn’t want to be joked around with!)

This is Grandpa checking on Patrick!

Grandpa shows Patrick all the new cabinets

Patrick loves his Grandpa!

My dad recently sent me this picture from my first Christmas. I was only a couple weeks old in this picture. I’d post one of Andrew’s first Christmas if I had one, but unfortunately such a picture probably doesn’t exist. Sorry, Andrew!

This past week it snowed here twice. The first time it snowed about an inch and melted by the next day. Then it snowed a couple inches the day after that and stayed around for a couple of days. This morning it has melted again. Snow in this part of Washington usually doesn’t stay more than a few days at a time, which is nice for people like me who like the snow but soon tire of it when I have to go about my work in the wet, slippery, slushy, mushy sludge. Here are a few pictures of our little boy enjoying his first snow of the winter!

This is Mr. Spike Hair

Goofy Mr. Spike Hair

I never mentioned that Patrick got his first hair cut the day before Thanksgiving. His hair in the back was getting long and making him look like he had a girl haircut, so he got a trim. Andrew held him down and he squirmed while I quickly chopped the long hair off. We didn’t touch the hair on top though. We like wetting it and making it stick up in funny ways!

As I write this, Andrew has been gone for 6 hours on a business trip. This morning he and I woke up early, I helped him pack his bags, and I drove him to the nearby gas station to meet his coworker, who would be taking him to the airport. Now that he is gone, I really miss him.

At the risk of sounding sappy, on this rainy Halloween/Reformation Day, I decided that I was going to talk about how much I love my husband. Andrew is such a solid character. I am able to trust him completely, he never has big secrets (unless presents count!) that he hides from me. He’s a very honest, loyal, and loving husband. He’s also a wonderful father to our little Patrick. I know that he would never, ever try to hurt us in any way, and that he only has our best interests at heart.

Andrew is my best friend. I enjoy spending time with him (and Patrick!) far above the company of anyone else. We do practically everything together, from shopping to working out at the Y, and everything in between. I know that I can talk to him about anything, and that he’s interested in my feelings and opinions on things. That’s not to say that we don’t have disagreements on petty things. He still hasn’t convinced me that the South was better during the Civil War… I’ve been raised a Northerner. But at least we can both agree that the war is over, and what is done is done, and arguing over who was better is not going to make history change itself! What is good, though, is that we never disagree on the important things, like how we’re going to raise our children, and what we believe as Christians. There is no disputes or differences of opinions there.

One of the things that I like to stress with my sisters and unmarried friends, is that it’s good to have a strong friendship with someone before you dive into a relationship. Andrew and I were good friends for a while before anything became more serious. We definitely did not have love at first sight. I feel this helps to build a healthy relationship, because the foundation was built from common interests and enjoying each other’s company instead of over looks, which do fade over time. Don’t get me wrong though, physical attraction is also very important in a relationship. I just feel very strongly that it shouldn’t be the basis of a relationship though, but more like an added bonus!!! And, in case you’re wondering, I do find my husband very attractive.

Andrew and I have gone through many hardships. I’m not going to tell you what they all are, but believe me, we’ve had some rough times. We’ve had many trials in the two years that we’ve been married. I feel like all those things have only helped us grow stronger as a couple. They’ve also helped us mature into adults. All these things have made us thankful for having each other and Patrick, and thankful that God has blessed us richly with a warm, cozy home full of nice things, a wonderful little son who is the joy of our lives, and the chance to live in Washington, my favorite state, near my family, who have always been very loving and supportive to both of us throughout our whole relationship. We may not have a ton of money, look like super models, have a large house with a view of Rainier, drive the perfect car (though the minivan is pretty close!!!), or live like the rich, but I can tell you right now that I would not trade having Andrew for any of that. I would rather live in a shack with Andrew in the lowliest part of the world than have all those other things. I think Andrew would say the same thing.

So, I just want to tell you, Andrew, that I love you so much and even though you’ve only been gone since around 5 AM this morning, I’m already ready for you to come back home to me. Have a safe trip and buy me LOTS of birthday gifts while you’re there ;-).

Oh, and two more things:

It is my prayer that someday my brother and sisters will be equally, if not more happy, in their marriages. My job right now is to try to hook them up!!! Love you, Jon, Rachel and Diane!!! Can’t wait to see you girls at Christmas. We’ll have lots of fun baking, shopping, and hanging out together!!! Can’t wait until you’re out of the military, Jon, and don’t have to go to the Middle East anymore. Love and prayers….

Lastly, thank you, Mom and Dad, for allowing me to marry Andrew, and accepting him into our family. Most of all, thank you for the good example we (my siblings and I) all saw of you in your marriage as we were growing up. Love you lots….

Patrick is becoming more confident with walking. In the nursery yesterday he kept on pulling himself up on the wall and then walking halfway across the room before falling down. Every day he seems to be able to go a little further. He’s so proud of himself!!!

Here are some more pictures, since we get requests daily!!!

He’s Walking!!!




Presents from Grandma and Grandpa Flanagan!