Onward with the kitchen

The other night Jamie worked really hard to install two new light fixtures.  One above the table and a ceiling fan in the kitchen area.  He had never installed new light fixtures, so there was a bit of a learning curve, but he did an excellent job!  I am proud of all the projects he is tackling with this kitchen redo!

First:  the BEFORE of what was over the table.  

Lovely.

And... the AFTER!

***

The BEFORE of what was hanging in the kitchen...

Oh, yes, She was a beaut!

And, the AFTER!

***

The past couple of days I've been working on getting the wood work primed so we can paint it all white. The cabinets got finished being primed this past weekend.  Tonight Jamie worked on finishing the prep of the ceiling so it can be painted, and I finished up the priming of the wood work (aside from the priming of the wood right around the glass of the windows.  We'll have to take apart the windows to accomplish that, and that wasn't on the docket for tonight!)

I will mention also, that this past weekend the walls got finished too.  Jamie worked really hard to apply a texture with some plaster, do a base coat color and then do a top coat with a color wash technique.  Neither of us are in love with the colors we chose, but don't hate them either.  We're not going to change them at this point though. I think once the whole kitchen is put back together and there is some fabric on the windows, etc... we'll be fine with it!  

A close-up of the walls.

The paper covered floors, covered in dust.  Yikes.  

This is the mess that comes with sanding a ceiling.

Hopefully the final installment of this saga will come soon!

Easter 2011

 We started Easter morning out with some goodie baskets and a new book for the kids.  Then, it was time to get ready for church.  We spent Sunday service at my sister's and BIL's church.  My BIL, David, happens to be the Pastor and did such an excellent job sharing the gospel message and encouraged us to have faith.  David has been pastoring at this church for about six months, and it was our first opportunity to visit.  Aside from the smashing Liturgist and the charismatic (in a good way ;) ) Preacher, our favorite part was the singing of hymns lead by a great choir and some wonderful piano and organ music! They really know how to sing hymns well!

 After church we forced the children to get their pictures taken.  :)  Jeni and David were hosting us, and my parents, for Easter Lunch.  (they served us lamb!  YUM!)  Today also happened to be my Mom's birthday, so it was doubly special to be all together!

 I love how Soph is striking a pose here.

 This was the last of many shots we took of the Grandparents with all their grandbabies.  There were better shots, but I think this one is the funniest!!!

 After pictures the kids hunted for eggs.  It was raining outside so we had the hunt in the family room.  They all did a great job finding eggs and enjoyed eating some of the goodies while waiting for lunch to be prepared.

 Grammy and Grampy got them each some stickers too!

 After a delicious lunch we gave Mom her gifts.  This is a puzzle Soph made for my Mom.

 Why is she laughing???

 Because of the gag gift we got her.  :)

 I made this wreath for Mom.  It's the first one I've tried.  I had a lot of fun making it and I think it turned out pretty good.

The whole group.  Come the end of June we'll have another little one to be in pictures with us!  I can't wait to be an Auntie again!!!

***

After lunch and celebrating my Mom's birthday our little family of five drove to Jamie's parents' house.  His whole extended family was over and we got to spend time with them and eat - more... :) before finally heading home.  I didn't bring the camera out at all while we were there so I have no evidence.  :(  It was a really fun time hanging out with all of Jamie's family though!  We had a great time!

***

Today was definitely a wonderful family day.  Days like this have become so dear to me.  But, as important as family is to me this day is important for an even greater reason, and that is because today we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, God's Son.  I asked Sophia yesterday how she thought Jesus's friends and family would have felt on that Saturday, so long ago; the day after Jesus had been murdered and still lay in the grave.  She said, "Miserable."  

Tonight, as I kissed her goodnight I asked her what she thought they might have been feeling on the Sunday night of that most Holy weekend.  She said, "Joyful."

You know, those two words really sum up what life is before you have Jesus as your Savior and Lord, and what life is like afterwards.  I think I'll ponder on that this week and remain ever thankful for the gift of life, eternal life, because my Jesus was willing to suffer and die - for me.  For you.

But, he didn't stay dead.  

He is alive.

Happy Easter.

Progress amidst the mess!

So, Saturday Jamie, my Dad, my BIL, David and a good family friend all worked for about 12 hours removing wall-paper, wood-paneling, plasticy tile stuff that was on the walls - under the paneling, an insane amount of very hard to remove glue, carpet and linoleum.  They also primed the walls and removed cabinet doors and primed those.  On Sunday Jamie and my Dad got the new floor installed and then Jamie textured the walls.  The glue had damaged the drywall so it was either re-drywall or go with a textured look.  We chose to texture.  I am so thankful for all the hard work, long hours and sacrificing of a relaxing weekend that these men gave to help get our kitchen reno a good start!  Jamie has a 3-day weekend coming up this weekend, so Lord-willing we can get most of it finished then.

 This is the main dining room corner as it has been for some time.

 This of course was mid-work this past Saturday.

 And, this is what the same corner looks like today!

 This is the main kitchen view as we've been living with it.

 Mid-work on Saturday...

 As it is now.

 The lovely, squishy, who knows how dirty carpet is now...  

GONE!

And... my living room still looks like this:

:)

My Kitchen

Yesterday was quite a day.  It involved a lot of drama caused by one little certain boy in residence here.  After lunch, while folding laundry in the basement, he happily pointed to the far corner and said, "Snake Mama!"  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!  There is nothing, save losing a loved one, I fear more than snakes.  I gathered the children and went upstairs - totally petrified!  Long story short, Jamie came home on his lunch break and Riley proudly held up a green snail toy of Haddie's and said, "Green snake Dad!"  Whew!

Then, I was trying to rest a bit and woke up to Riley playing in the fridge with a...

raw egg 

- that was no longer in tact.  

Egg yolk and goo and shell...

every.where.

Then, while jumping in the shower I came out to find Riley on the couch with some green markers and green marker ink on the couch.  

Deep Breath.

So, today is going much better I'm happy to report.  :)

I left early this morning to attend and help serve at a Women's Conference.  It was so nice to sit and serve and listen and worship with no kids in tow.

While I was off doing that some wonderful men (my hubby, my Dad, my BIL and a good family friend) were/are tackling the renovation of my kitchen!!!  

This is what my living room looks like right now - full of all the kitchen/dining room "stuff."

What was...

What is...
(crazy handy man happily included! ha!)

What will be...
???

What was...

What is...

What will be...
???

Can't wait to show you the after, which I'm still not sure what it will look like, but I know there will be NO carpet, no wood paneling and no wall-paper!  I can't wait!!!

What are you up to this weekend?

Silly Boy

Last night, right before I went to bed, I went into the kids' room to do one final check.  I saw a pile on the floor with a person in it, which totally startled me.  I look up into Riley's bed to find it empty, which startled me further.  I looked again at the pile on the floor, and then I smiled.  Especially when I saw what book he'd fallen asleep looking at.  

:)

spring has sprung - an art project

so, i had this hair-brained idea to bring spring into our home with some paper plate flowers, hot glue (to attach the flowers to the glass - it's supposed to peel off, we'll see) and finger paint...  sophia and i had fun creating and the result was actually pretty fun!