Rock On

I'd like to share with you a little of my family history. I'm a Wallace. My father is Joel Wallace, he loves rocks..and I love rocks. End of history lesson.

I remember my Dad coming home from vacations with rocks stuffed in the car trunk. I always thought he was a little strange until my eyes were opened to the joy rocks can bring to one's life.

I'm not sure what it is about rocks that I find so attractive. Maybe it has something to do with my own rock-chiseled body, or maybe it's all the smooth curves, but I do love rocks. I spent most my childhood watching rocks be used for decoration and wall building and now going on my third house, I've built my third rock wall. But just like my rock hard body (i.e gut or waist line), the walls keep getting bigger.

I was doing some work with my tractor at a friend's house, and she asked if I could help flatten out some property and get rid of some big rocks. Get rid of big rocks??? Blasphemy!! I brought home as many rocks as my trailer could handle and the first rock wall was started. I've since started and completed more rock walls on our property, but have run dry of rocks. Hence my search for big rocks will continue.

Happy Fathers' Day Dad. Rock on!

He Speaks!

Caleb, 6, was picked for a speaking part as his Kindergarten program this week. It was a short line that we practiced for a couple weeks. "My friends are together through sunshine and shade" was said hundreds of times in our home. For some reason, the phrase doesn't really roll off the tongue. And both Caleb and myself would frequently say, "My friends are together through shunshine and sade". We must of sounded like George Sr. and George W. Bush practicing presidential speeches. After much coaching to say his line slowly and clearly, this was the result....

Nailed it!

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Scarry Nights

The princess of the house turned 5 this week. She had a great week filled with cards, gifts, privileges and a party with a giant rat named Chuck E. Cheese. Abby has been an easy child to raise thus far...except at night. For several years now, Abby has what most would call 'night terrors'. And it isn't that rare to find Abby walking around the house at 2 AM sleep walking. But mostly she just screams in her sleep. She screams in the middle of the night 2-3 times a week and then almost always screams and moans as she wakes up in the morning. It's all very odd. My good friend Google taught me that roughly 15% of kids ages 2-7 have night terrors and that it mostly is caused by lack of sleep. Which doesn't make too much sense because Abby usually takes a nap plus sleeps for nearly 11-12 hours each night, but I guess it could be the cause. Monica and I have adapted to the screaming fairly well. She usually stops after a minute or so, but if it's longer, one of us gets up to check on her. Caleb doesn't have our patience and sometimes will yell at her to "be quiet" from his own bed. There was a period of time that Abby liked to sleep in Caleb's room on an air mattress. But we found out that when Abby screamed, Caleb would toss toys, stuffed animals and books at her from his bunk bed like it was some sort of target practice. The good news is that the screeching has become less frequent and most the experts state that kids will grow out of it.

You've been Warned

I've pleaded. I've begged. I've asked nicely that you leave my lawn alone, but you didn't listen. You left me with no decision but to start killing your family. I'm blowing up your homes, I'm poisoning your young, and then I'm trapping those of you who survive for a nice Sunday meal.

I'm really a nice guy, but when you put bumps in my nice flat lawn, you've crossed the line. Adios rat face!

New Bathroom

I know many have been waiting on the edge of their seats for me to complete the kids' bathroom. Well, your three month wait is now over.
I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I went and got all creative with the tile and it looks great. I guess my 1st grade teacher, Mrs Gardner, was right. I am creative!
Of course, the big test is when we turn on the water and there isn't a small water fall into the rooms below.
Here are some before and after photos.