Our Middle Child

A few years ago I read "The Birth Order Book, why you are the way you are" by Dr. Kevin Leman.  I found it to be so interesting and applicable in figuring out personalities within our home, extended family and friends. Since I grew up with two siblings and I have three kids of my own, we pretty much match the stereotypical birth order personality types.  I think it becomes more complicated for people with larger families to decipher who is what type.  Anyway, this book has helped me to learn and to watch my kids as they interact with me and others.  I discovered a few things about my middle son (Levi) who is 9 years old:

He hates conflict and having attention drawn to him.  This reminded me of a time when he was probably less than two years old.  We were at a church potluck and he was wearing a light yellow polo shirt while eating chocolate cake.  Everyone at the table was amazed he hadn't gotten any on him and THEN.......he wiped his mouth on his shirt.  The entire table roared in laughter and he burst into tears! He was so embarrassed and I couldn't figure out why.

[This is where I was going to post an adorable picture of Levi and he asked me not to......need I say more about the above paragraph?  However, he did want me to post several pictures of his frog named Camo].

Other kids are drawn to him.  Why?  He is a peacemaker and he tends to give other kids their way. Kids like this personality in a playmate!  He is very social and middle children can often seek friendship outside the family more than the other birth orders.

Now some middle children won't like this one, but I think it is very true.....he can be a bit of a martyr and a victim at times.  He tends to keep track of what everyone else gets and knows if he didn't get his "share".  My boys are all competitive in their own way so this has lead us to many conversations about "fairness" in this world.  One of the things I say to my kids is "life isn't fair and it's good to find this out before adulthood!"  I am also trying to teach them to be happy for each other.  "Be glad when your brother does well, not jealous."

He is extremely creative and inventive.  He is always making something around the house.  He loves tools so he can build more things.  He is an especially good helper and knows more about Grandpa's pond than any of the rest of us.  Recently Grandpa went to Nebraska to visit some family and left Levi in charge of watching the pond levels.  One day Dale told Levi he made some adjustments to the pond and Levi responded by asking several questions about what exactly he did.  Making sure Dad didn't mess something up!

A fly swatter Levi built (yes, it actually works)!

Levi made a pillbox to match Grandpa's

He hates sitting still.  I don't think this much applies to birth order, but it certainly applies to Levi.  He is moving all the time.  He is also an incredible frog hunter.  His Grandma Thompson has lots of frogs at her house this time of year and he (I have no idea how) found one in the dark the other night and brought it home.

Levi made his frog "Camo" a boat out of
a Dixie cup and let him float in my bathroom sink.

He also made his frog a couch to lounge on
(also out of a Dixie cup).

All of my boys are special to me.  As Psalm 139:14 says they are "fearfully and wonderfully made". They are unique and this keeps me on my toes!

Getting ExSIDED!

Alrighty, things are moving right along on the old/new homestead.  Here is what has taken place in the last few weeks:

Tile work is done!  I chose brick set tile to be put over the fiberglass tub/shower.  I love it!  The boys' bathroom has a grey/brown glass tile and our master bath has more of a beige/antique looking tile with a slight hint of green (which matches the wall color).

Boys' bathroom

Up master bath

I fell in love with this decorative tile for my bathroom

Mom and Dad have a completely tiled shower that is lovely.
Mom really likes the glass tile look so she chose it as a vertical
strip in her shower and also as her backsplash.

All of our shelves and and our staircase has been installed.  Our finish guys amaze me!  In one day they:  put shelving in 14 closets and installed our staircase.  They are a father and son team and we have been very happy with them.

Closet outside our bedroom for filing, our printer and etc.

With 3 sons we felt it was important to have a very durable baluster (hope it survives)!

My hood cover over my gas cooktop has been installed, uninstalled, installed, uninstalled and installed again.  Long story!  Initially the cabinet guys installed the hood cover and we were unable to put the vent in.  They took it down so we could access the vent even after the installation (in case maintenance is required at some point down the road).  They put it back in (round 2) when Dad and Dale realized they hadn't completely installed the vent.  So....down it came again, the vent was completely installed and the cover installed again (round 3).  As the cabinet guy was putting finishing touches on the 3rd install, I asked my Dad if he had left anything inside (like his cell phone).  We all had a good laugh over the whole ordeal.  I am extremely happy with it and hope I don't see it removed again.  But I won't rule out the possibility!

An inside view

Lighting fixtures are mostly in.  Our electrician is on a 10 day vacation so he will resume when he returns.  My dining room light fixture was broken so it needed to be returned.  This was a blessing because the one I had chosen really didn't match my pendant lights over my island.  A new light is on order and I love it!  It's funky and a little different but also goes with my farmhouse theme.  Dale is not a fan at all, it reminds him of a crystal ball.  I am just sure it will grow on him!

My bedroom light fixture

How cool is this?

Appliances have arrived (mostly):

I chose Fred's because they had such a great selection but we also like working with Dependable Appliance.

Initially I wanted white appliances.....I know, how dated of me!  But having boy handprints on all the stainless isn't pretty either.  Because I wasn't able to get the oven that I wanted in white, I ended up choosing the stainless steel appliances.  I purchased a fridge with the water in the door hoping this will cut down on hand prints.  Also, I have been trying to train my boys to keep their hands off walls and appliances.....they are starting to do a much better job!  One of those things that I didn't notice when I had white appliances, so training has been a bit delayed.

My island top is done.  I wanted to do something different with my island.  I wanted the colors to be a nice compliment to the other colors in the kitchen, but also to have some variety.  I chose to have my island cabinet in a cream color with a glaze.  I wanted a wood top for the island, but not a cutting board.  I ended up getting a deep stain over a hickory top and it has been completely finished.  I am very happy with the result.

Dale and Dad are currently working on siding the house.  This has been a slow process because Dale also has a full time job with a lot of demands on him.  Dad has been amazed at Dale's agility when climbing up scaffolding, balancing and getting up on the roof.  His mom used to call him "Ricochet Rabbit" for a reason!  They are both engineers so they are doing very precise work here.  It is looking fantastic!

Not the most resent picture but as you
can see, it gets pretty high.

Dale using a surveying tool to line up siding.
He is also a dog and cow whisperer!

We have had about 190 days injury free....until yesterday.  Isaac was helping Dale with siding and fell a short distance down the scaffolding ladder.  He admitted later that he was trying to be a little fancy.  A hard but good lesson with a mild injury.  We went to the emergency room to find he had a badly sprained ankle.  He is on crutches now and hoping to recover for football playoffs.  We are so thankful it wasn't more serious!

BUMMER!