What color should I paint?

We are in the process of finishing a bedroom (and hopefully the family room) in our basement in preparation for the baby.

I've been "collecting" idea's for the boys' science room for forever, but I am at a complete loss when trying to decide on paint color(s). I have until Friday to figure out the paint and carpet, so if you have suggestions, PLEASE HELP!

The boys want a space room, but I'm afraid they'll grow out of it too soon, so any "space themed" stuff needs to be easy to take out as they get older. My sister designed these cute scrapbook papers for me, that I'll use to mod-podge on frames, or containers, or whatever to add some "space" to their room. (By the way, you can click on her "Scrappity" link on my sidebar to download any of her papers).

The bedding will be like picture on top, except the stripes will be navy, orange, lime green, and a bit of turquoise. We have two huge illustrated maps for one wall, that are blue/turquoisey in the background. The boys also have an aquarium, and we'll be using their microscope, volcano lamp, and bio-dome habitat as decor in the room as well.

I love this organizational wall from Pottery Barn:

I do have some corrugated metal in the back lot that I'm considering using as wainscoating (sp?) across the bottom of one wall, with moulding across the top. Is that too weird?

I like using color in kid's rooms, but I don't want it so crazy that you can't rest in there. We don't really need any extra crazy in our house. Also, it's a basement room with one small window, so I don't want it to be too dark.

Any and all suggestions or idea's are welcome.

Three little monkeys...

Dillon's latest injury: He and "his boys" were jumping on the trampoline when he bumped his head and needed 3 staples. He was super brave, even though it hurt a little when the doctor took them out.

It got me thinking about raising little boys, and all the injuries/illnesses we've had in the past 9 years. We've been through:

stitches (4 times)
glue (between nostrils)
staples (once)
broken arm (two casts because one got wet)
broken elbow (this one required an x-ray every week while the cast was on)
x-rays (too many to count)
RSV (required oxygen and a nebulizer)
Croup (required oxygen and a nebulizer)
IV for dehydration
ear infections (way too many to count)
poison control calls (three)
911 calls for ambulance (tw0)
seizures (too many to count)
EEG
trip to Primary Children's
throw-ups (way WAY too many to count)
OCD
Pinworms (twice)
asthma
pulmonary tests
allergies
cavities (at least 10)

And this is just off the top of my head. I was about to write that we've never had pink eye...but I know better than that.

Just so you know...

Five cheese lasagna is much better going down.

A very cheesy party

I won't mince words here. Morale has been low in our house for the past few days. The kids are tired of Mom being sick. Todd, though relieved that I am sick, is tired of the extra chores he's had to do, and I just can't wait to put away the darn Christmas tree.

Caleb got sick in the night, so he and I stayed home from church today. Thankfully, he's been fine all day and the two of us devised a silly little party to raise everyone's spirits.

It started when we took the Stouffer's 5-cheese Lasagna out of the freezer. Caleb and I read through the ingredients to see which five cheeses were included, and discovered that there were actually SIX cheeses in our lasagna...and an idea was born.

We decided to have a contest over dinner, to see if anyone could guess the cheeses. We made a list of all the cheeses we could think of, and made a copy for each person so they could circle their answers.

We then made a centerpiece out of the lasagna box lid, and our cheese grater and slicer. We served "Cheese-It" crackers for an appetizer, and finished off by using a pair of scissors to make "swiss cheese napkins". We briefly considered using grated cheese for confetti on the table, but I thought about it melting and decided against it. Nobody guessed the cheeses right, but we had an enjoyable family dinner, which ended (and I'm not kidding here) when someone "cut the cheese".

If you'd like to make a guess as to which six cheeses are in this five cheese lasagna, here's the multiple choice quiz:

Swiss
Colby
Ricotta
Mozzarella
Cheddar
Parmesan
Bleu
Feta
Cottage cheese
Gouda
Romano
Asiago
Monterrey Jack
Provalone
Meunster

May the big cheese win.

And, for old times sake, enjoy the Cheese Roll Call:

Still good...

I'm too lazy to upload the ultrasound picture (it just looks like a blob anyway), but our appointment went well today. The baby is growing right on schedule with a heart rate of 171 bpm.

It's still early, but this is further than we've made it with my other miscarriages so we are feeling optimistic.

Grateful for morning sickness

Thank you so much for all your sweet comments. It really means a lot to feel your support. It is hard to let myself get excited, but I've learned that having hope shows faith. I am 8 weeks along now, and I go on Monday for our second ultrasound.

I have been a lot more sick this time, and I am grateful for it, because it is reassuring. Todd keeps saying, "I'm sorry you're sick, and even more sorry that I'm happy about it".

We are due on August 15th, but my doctor has already said he'll start me at 39 weeks because I live so far away. (The closest OB/GYN is over 2 hours away, so I'm planning to deliver in Cedar)

The boys all want a sister, but they've agreed that if it's a boy we'll keep him anyway.

I didn't get Christmas cards out this year, but I loved hearing from so many of you, and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. We spent the week at my parents house with all of my siblings. Even though I didn't feel too great, it was fun to be with them.

We have a new nephew!

My sister-in-law, Melece, was kind enough to go into labor while all of my siblings were in town for a Christmas reunion. This sweet little guy is McKay Wesley...and yes, there's some red in that hair.
Here we are for an impromtu photo shoot of the whole family. As you can see, the girls are way outnumbered, but we're working on that...