Home construction is eating me alive!!!!   The small amount of private space I did have has been temporarily snatched away, and I am just getting by every day.  The boys new bedroom was complete about a month ago, and the following day, Angel informed me that the contractor was free for the next several weeks and could begin on the bathroom.  Our current bathroom needs to be completely gutted because the floor is rotten underneath from water damage.  So we have decided to turn our current bath into a laundry room, and then make the boys old bedroom into a master bath, with a study in the middle (not connected to the master) and another full bath where there was once a closet.  I know, it's hard to imagine, but it's turning out great.  Although my attitude has definitely not been so great.  Trying to home school with this mess is just mind-boggling.  But I am blessed, so blessed, to even have a home when there are people living on the streets in my own city.  So I'll just shut up before I dig myself into a deeper hole.

We have spent so much time (and money) at Lowe's and Home Depot that the employee's know us by name (and sadly, most likely cringe when they see us coming).   But it is a great learning experience for the boys.  Little Benjamin has personally been involved in every aspect of this construction.  I saw him pat the contractor on the arm the other day and tell him that he was doing a good job.  He carries around a level and a hammer in his belt.  I came into the new bathroom a few nights ago because I heard a muffled cry for help.  I found Angel inside the ceiling, running electrical, with Benjamin on top of a ladder, handing him supplies.  Unfortunately, Angel was stuck.  So instead of immediately pulling him out, I ran for the camera, and this is what I saw. 

The construction was due to be finished about a week ago, and it looks like we maybe have another week to go.  We put up the Christmas tree and have decorated, despite the drywall dust.  The boys participated in a Christmas parade (their 1st time riding on a float).  Ben was a natural.  He was waving and shouting, "Merry Christmas" like a beauty pageant contestant (or a politician).  We also attended the Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration, which is held every year at the Visitor's Center in the Great Smoky Mts. National Park.  I have been going since I was a little girl, and the boys love it.  We made wreaths from natural flora and fauna, plus pine cone bird feeders, and enjoyed listening to mountain music and storytelling.  We have baked cookies (drywall dust included) and read tons of Christmas stories.  Our new church (www.redeemerknoxville.org) emphasizes the celebration of Advent, and though we have always done Advent calendars, we have never formally celebrated and lit the candles and talked about the meaning behind it all.   We are thoroughly enjoying it this year.  Also looking forward to a few weeks off from formal schooling.