A home in progress

This was the #1 reason we bought this house. The backyard is awesome!

Our lot is almost 1/4 acre, which is a big deal in our parts.

Chris and I walked in with our realtor (it was a foreclosure and in obvious disrepair and uncleaning-blech!) stepped out onto the back deck and said, "Let's go back to the office and prepare an offer." We saw the potential in our little home.

It took 4 times to mow it before we could actually consider it mowed.

The kitchen before

No refridgerator, no dishwasher, no burners or pans for the stove. Also, this is the only picture I have of the dropped ceiling with fluorescent lighting. See how low the cupboards are to the counter?

It took many hours and a few strong hands (Mom, Roxana and Irene) to get this kitchen clean.

Every surface has been scoured, scrubbed 0r painted.

We were lucky in that the counters and floors in the kitchen and downstairs had been remodeled just a few years back. It's a very neutral slate black tile. I can definitely live with it.

This is the eating area, the light has been moved to the left a little more now to center over the table, rather than a death trap to walk into anytime you want to go outside. You can also barely see the dropped ceiling at the top right of the picture. Why was that ever in style?

Here are Chris and Larry installing the recessed lighting after ripping out the dropped ceiling. I wasn't able to get a picture of them standing shin-high in insulation.

The cupboards are out! Larry's happy about that.

Almost time to mud and tape after the drywall gets patched in.

Yours truly did all the mudding and taping btw. Backbreaking, really.

Halfway through, I said I'd really like the dropped ceiling put back in.

This is the best picture I have of the front of my house. Just to give you an idea. It's a split entry, split level house. If you've been in one, then you've seen ours.

The YW came over to help with yard work. I miss my Mia Maids.

This is the back right side of the house. The deck extends the length of the house. We filled 15 bags full of grass. The bags you see on the deck are full of insulation that were hauled up to the attic to be shaken over the ceiling of the kitchen.

This is what texturing looks like. Fun.

I didn't have a real part in this except that I taped plastic over every surface that wasn't a wall in the kitchen.

What my house looked like the day we moved in. Our family ate dinner in the living room and I cooked after digging through boxes and boxes of schtuff.

Still no cupboards in the kitchen, plus I hadn't decided on a paint color. (drama)

Here you can see some of the paint colors I went through. The dishwasher isn't installed yet and life is a maze.

Every child helped paint. They love it and I'm not going to deny them. This is the color I finally decided on (which was the original swatch I wanted). Isn't my Emma a doll?

Here you can see the front door, I can stand at my stove and cook and see the front door to my right.

Ladies and Gentlemen! We have cupboards!!!

Here is Chris installing the microwave.

I cleaned that sucker over 4 times in the course of a day. Larry told me that it would bleed because it could feel me cleaning it. He was right. Four times!

My Roxana should be living here since she has put so much work into this place. Here she is with her son, demolishing the hearth. I was so happy to see it go.

My children slept in the living room for about 2 weeks. We're still in boxes, but there is no more exposed tack strip, clean carpet on the stairs and the rock is off the ground.

Next, we have install bamboo flooring, update bathrooms and change out banisters.

All the while life is still going on.

This

...is what has been happening in my house since 4 pm today.

My House you say? Yes, mine. I'll include Chris and the kids in that too.

Do you see that UGLY rock? It is no more.

The girls are finally in their room tonight - with carpet and a baseboard!

Can you hear the hallelujah choir?

A bunkbed will be in there in less than a week.

Chris is so handy. What a guy, huh? We love love love him around this place.

Installing the drywall.

Projects would be tough to finish around here without Larry.

We are very blessed to have the friends we do.

You all know who you are.

P.S. Emily (Boomba) this post is dedicated to you on your 31st birthday. I love you so much and am sorry you had to wait so long. Happy Birthday!

Back off!

I've been busy.

She serves a mean knuckle sandwich if there are any complaints.

Life is starting to calm down a bit. Rush is ending, I've got upwards of 1500 photos to edit and get out, I won't be watching our new little man after this week (sniff, sniff), school is ending, and we are planning on having loads of summer fun and learning.

Can't wait.

I won't make any promises to keep up on the blog. Doesn't seem to work anyway.

(Insert Oprah giveaway voice)

We have Piiiiictuuuuures!

You get a picture! You get a picture! You get a picture!

Cameron and Kim were sealed in the Portland, Oregon temple on December 30, 2008.

They are an incredible sweet and loving couple. Thanks for allowing me to capture your day.

...9 ladies dancing, 8 maids a-milking

Day 7

We attempted a different approach for the picture this evening.

Also, Chris and I noticed that in each 'present opening' picture the kids looked present-starved.

Hence, only one child opens the present.

Can you tell which of my children is a boy?

I'm so thankful for crazy boys and sweet girls.

Gracie loves her milk with the banana flavored 'sipahh' straw.

What a cool idea!

Nolan rationed his straw through the entire meal.

I think Emma hit her arm right as I took this picture.

But it's the only one I have of her with the straw. She was our model showing that we had bacon for breakfast-yum.

Day 8
Early morning smiles.

It was Nolan's turn.

How cool! My little Ponies and an airplane launcher.

Daddy helping figure it out.

The ponies are still providing hours of fun.

They trade accessories and play so nicely with them.

Day 9

I told them we couldn't open the present until they were dressed. I start to feel like a lazy mom after looking at so many photos with pjs and messy hair.

I love this photo. This is a true Emma face and Gracie and Nolan are so intent on the present. love it.

"No, I do it myshelf!"

Finger puppets! And sealife no less. Can't wait to get some good church time in with these.

We are having so much fun. Nana and Gramps, we can't thank you enough.

It's that time of year

When the world falls in love, every song you hear seems to say,

Merry Christmas, may your New Year's dreams come true.

Nana and Grampa Rader decided to yet again spoil our children oh-so-nicely.

We look forward to the 12 days of Christmas every year.

The kids start counting down around Halloween.

It's been so busy this year that I'm posting 6 days at once.

Day 1

Covered in ketchup after lunch and all smiles because they get to open present #1!

A book of Christmas treasures. We've already enjoyed several stories together.

Day 2

Marni visited with her boys, Wyatt and Waylon for over a week. It was so much fun.

I don't think I've ever seen purple lips on a child because they were crying so hard.

What is it?

3 books!

Wyatt stopped crying as soon as Marni held him. Aren't they adorable?

Marni is such an awesome momma. She is extremely patient and loving. Such a good example.

I had to post this picture because the hand holding was so cute.

Here we are in our craziness. Nolan took the picture. That's a large feat considering my camera is so big.

Day 3

Socks are the best. They've already worn them a couple times.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Day 4

Gracie looks dazed.

It's always a battle to see who is going to open it.

Washcloths in those cool, tight packages.

They were a hit! Nolan chose the lion, Emma chose Bert & Ernie,

and Gracie was so happy with Elmo.

Nana and Grampa, you guys are the best.

Day 5

I love my children so much. They are so sweet.

They know they can't open their presents unless I have my camera

and they wait patiently every day.

Emma was getting smashed in this opening process.

Bopping balloons! So noisy and so much fun.

Day 6

It's a snow day, breakfast at ten, pajamas until noon and toys ALL over the place.

Licorice faces. You can't go wrong with candy.

We are so blessed to have Nana and Grampa in our lives.

We miss them so, so much and wish we could see them everyday

instead of only once or twice a year.

Can't wait to see what days 7 through 12 bring.

Thank you!

That's right

Gracie is potty trained.

And I'm not talking "mommy trained", she goes the bathroom by herself when she needs to go.

I still have to monitor the TP aspect or else I'm cleaning paper all over the floor. It's way too tempting for her. For any of you who don't know, she is 2 1/2. She's been pseudo interested in potty training since she was 18 months. I really try to steer clear of training my kids and making a big deal of it. After the first go-round with Nolan, I gave up. I just talk to them and explain what an accident is and how to notice the 'cues' of the needs. (I'm trying to keep it clean) My kids have pretty much trained themselves. It's so nice.

These are her fat little thighs and her 'mark' as she calls it.

I think she's giving herself a smackabooty in this picture.

I cannot believe I do not have a child in diapers.

Can we talk about that?

I want a baby. My desire is made that much stronger by all the pregnant women and babies who surround me. Fortunately, Gracie still lets me wrap her in a blanket and mug her.

Does anyone have any extra clomid they want to send me?

just asking

Back in September

...My kids had their first day of school.

Nolan was so excited. We woke up early together.

It was just him and me. I made pancakes and eggs. We talked, read, and prayed together.

It was really nice.

He wanted to ride the bus, so I drove right behind him in order

to snap some photos of him in class.

His teacher, Mrs. Peters, is so wonderful. He loves first grade and is doing a great job.

Emma's first day of school was a day later.
We woke up early and she requested waffles and eggs.
We were able to have a nice, relaxing morning.
Up until I did her hair. Then it was tantrum time.
She's into this phase where she only wants to wear her hair down.
I think the hair should be up, at least a little, so it doesn't distract her while she's working.
I've learned to pick and choose my battles with this little one, so we compromise.

I was shocked she was calm enough to even attend school, let alone take these lovely photos.
At her preschool, Circle of Friends, she is in the Gumball class.
She is writing very well and wants to learn as much as she can.
Her fine motor skills are excellent. I learned from experience with the oldest child to give them scissors early on. (Poor guniea pig Nolan.)
She is a passionate, and dear child to us.

We musn't forget little Gracie.

She is attending what we call at our house "Mommy school".

She'll attend preschool next year.

As the third child, she makes herself known.

She has her mother's lungs if you know what I mean.

She is so sweet and makes us laugh without even trying.

I can't believe my baby is so big.