The House- a before and after

So, as I mentioned in the last post, our house hunt was a bit of a doozy! The reality was this...the inventory of available homes in Euless (we had to be inside the city limits) in our target price range was extremely low. And those that we did find needed lots of updating. We finally came to terms with the fact that we did not want to buy a house near the top of our range that we would have to sink a lot of cash in to. So, we decided to go with Plan B...find a house below our target price range, allowing us to comfortably spend a little money on renovations, if needed.



Once deciding that this was our goal, it still took some time to find a house with a good layout, in a decent neighborhood. FINALLY, near the end of July, we found a house. It had good bones, but would need a little cosmetic work. No walls needed to be torn down, no plumbing moved, just basic updating and renovation. So, we went for it...even though the outside was painted bright yellow. ;)


We closed at the end of August and immediately began the renovation process. After scouring many design blogs and Pinterest, we felt that we had a good plan for what we wanted the house to look like. And, I must say, that it turned out even better than I thought it would!!




Below are some before and after pics of our new home. That being said, I still have some decorating to do...lots of bare walls!!



The Kitchen

-covered the beams in wood, panted walls and cabinets, new counter tops, new back splash, island and light fixtures




Before









After

























The Living Room, entry way and school area (not pictured)

-new fireplace, new floors, paint walls and cabinetry, add crown moulding


Before




































After


























































We also renovated the kids/guest bath with new floors, paint and fixtures. And painted all of the bedrooms.

And, now, I seem to be stuck. Because the house was so different from our previous home, and much smaller, we ended up going with a totally different look. While, I am enjoying the lighter colors and clean lines of our new space, I seem to be having trouble making decisions on what to put on the walls and what accessories to add. Hopefully, I'll get inspired some time soon and this place will start looking more like a cozy home...that's the goal!

Where have we been?

Where have we been...for the last eight months?

2011 turned out to be a year of change and transition for our family. Our house had been on the market since July of 2010, and we had become quite comfortable with the thought that it might sell someday and we might move someday. That someday came near the end of May 2011. With an offer on our house and a request for a closing date a mere three weeks away, we kicked all of our plans into high gear. With it being obvious that we would not have time to find (and move into) a new house in three weeks, we made plans to put everything in storage and camp out at Mom's for a short time.

So, on May 27th we said goodbye to our happy home of 5 years and drove away for the last time. Now, our focus (obsession, some might say) became the hunt for a new house in Euless, Texas. To say that this task was much harder than we ever imagined, would be a drastic understatement! Who could imagine that a short 25 mile distance would mean home prices more than 1.5 times higher than our old neighborhood...and this for homes that were 25 years older and needed renovation.

After much frustration and tears (after all, the kids and I weren't real excited about the move to begin with), we finally decided to buy a smaller, cozier home well within our budget. If we weren't going to get what we really wanted, we sure didn't want to be spending to the max of our housing budget.

So, what was originally supposed to be a month, maybe two, at Mom's house turned into four months. It was a good thing that we were all having so much fun there!! After closing on our new house, we spent a month completing renovations.

We had planned many months ago to go on a trip to the beach and Disney World around this time, so we took a break from house craziness at the beginning of September. We returned mid-September, finished up renovations and officially moved into our new house on September 23rd.

The last three months have flown by. We have been trying to get settled, move forward with homeschooling and enjoy the holiday season. And...we have had fun! I know that God's blessing comes with obedience and we continue to pray for His patience and guidance as we walk this path He has for us.

So with all of the Christmas decorations put away, Daddy back at work and the kids and I getting back in the school routine, we look forward to the year 2012. To finally hanging some things on the walls, making new friends and keeping the old. We can't wait to see what God has in store...

P.S. Yes, it's yellow! More on that later...

Hill Country Trip

A few weeks back, we took a long weekend and went down to San Antonio. We took our time and stopped several places in the Hill Country on the way there and on the way back. We did lots of hiking, ate lots of cool places and did a little shopping. And we got to spend lots of quality time with Aunt Mindy!

Now the funny thing is, that I seemed to take pictures of our hiking expeditions only! I guess I only wanted to remember how adventurous and outdoorsy we were. ;) However, my sister-in-law was also taking some pictures and posting them on Facebook during our time in San Antonio. If you were to view her pictures, you would think that all we did was eat! Maybe I'll have her send me some pictures and do a separate food post....

In the meantime, here are some snapshots of our outdoorsy, adventurous selves!

First up...Colorado Bend State Park. This place was truly in the middle of nowhere! You hike to a spring fed water fall...Gorman Falls. It was a long hike and a little hot, but we had fun!

We spent our first night in San Antonio at Aunt Mindy's apartment (something Alex had been begging to do). But we moved over to the Hyatt Hill Country for the second night. We had fun swimming in the lazy river and exploring...

Alex was not happy to leave the resort, but we had fun planned for the drive home! Our first stop was in Fredericksburg, where we ate lots of yummy food and did a little window shopping. Of course, I didn't take any picture here! Our next stop was Enchanted Rock State Park. I was quite certain we would not be climbing all the way to the top...boy, was I wrong?!

This is the marker showing that we made it to the spot of highest altitude!

Exploring the caves on the backside of the rock!

One thing is certain, we love going on vacations! Whether it be a short weekend trip, a camping trip, a trip to Nana's or a big cross-country trip...we love to spend time together as a family exploring a new area. And with the long hours our Daddy works, it is the best way for us to have quality, uninterrupted family time.

Any suggestions for our future adventures??

Anna and Nana

This past weekend Anna, Mom and I traveled out to Andrews to spend some time with Nana. She had taken a little fall and was in need of some extra TLC. As we spent time together, I was reminded of the special bond that Anna and Nana have, and have had since Anna was very little.

As a little baby, Anna would go several months without seeing Nana but always seemed to (happily) recognize her the moment we were together again. Before diabetes, Anna would go to Andrews with Nan and spend time together, just the three of them. I have pictures (that I am trying to find) of Nana dressed up in all kinds of interesting outfits that Anna created. They would have tea parties and play pretend and go to the DQ...Anna thought there couldn't be anything better in life!!

Fast forward to this past weekend, and it was bittersweet to watch as roles reversed just a bit. I explained to Anna on the way that this weekend was not about us, it was about helping Nana. She grasped what I was saying whole-heartedly....thankfully! For Nana really did not want Mom or I helping her, however she was more than willing to let Anna. She called Anna, "Nurse Anna" all weekend and while some of it was for fun, lots of it was for real. What an amazing blessing to watch as my baby girl helped her 84 year old grandmother shower, brought her things she needed and worked hard to meet her needs. For two individuals 73 years apart in age, they are amazingly close. In fact, we all are...all four generations. God heaped an extra special blessing on us...

Here are some fun photos of them together...I'm still trying to find some of the older ones.




Alex thinks that she is pretty cool, too!!



Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with Nana. I am thankful to be part of her legacy.



Lissa

Random.

Today, while working on a project I found this picture.


Be still my heart. This did NOT help my already strong desire for one more. Look at that face...and that hat. I need one more baby to wear that hat. Right??? Never mind, don't answer that.


See these pictures below of some of my favorite people. I took them (with a Canon SX120) and edited them (Photoshop Elements). I think they turned out pretty good. Would love to take some more. But the fear of messing up keeps me from it.

We are officially done with school until the new year! Yes, it's a week early. But, in all fairness, all they do at school the last week is have fun. So, we will have fun next week too! I'm just not gonna call it school. :)

We are enjoying the Christmas season. We hope and pray that you are too.

40 years

(sign made lovingly by Anna)

Late this summer we honored Chris' parents with a celebration for their 40th Anniversary. (This occured at the same time I was preparing to homeschool the kids for the first time...thus, why I am just now getting around to this post!)

Chris and his sisters had invited friends from my in-laws entire married life to join with us in honoring them on this significant day. When planning something of this nature you are never exactly sure how it will turn out...will people show up OR not? Will they be happy that we surprised them with this OR not? ;) If you know my in-laws, you know they were very happy and blessed. Getting together with the people they love is truly their love-language...and this was a perfect way to let them know that we loved them and honor their devotion to one another and the Lord. It was a smashing success!

Before I get to some pics of the party (photographed by Anna)...here are a couple of fun snapshots from the past 40 years.

The Wedding Day

A family of five

Who is that good-looking guy with the flat-top?

Here is a fun before and after...

My kid's favorite pic of all the oldies.

That was then, this is now! They were kind enough to reenact the scene above ;)!

Surprise!

Keith with his brother, cousin, son and grandson checking out the slideshow.

Cousins.

Sisters.

It was an excellent day...and a great reminder of the great heritage, example and legacy we have been blessed with. Congratulations Keith and Charlene on 40 years of wedded bliss...hoping for lots more!