We're ALMOST there!!!!

Sorry, I still do not have permission to post pictures but I do want to give an update. We are inches from the finish line!!! The painting was completed last week which was the last major construction thing we needed done. Ev installed most of the appliances this weekend (thanks to Dan & Ang for helping with the heavy lifting) and is installing the dishwasher as we speak ~ the last one to go in. Can I just say how much I love that my husband can do handy things like that. All that's left is minor details here and there. Even though we have appliances we can't cook yet because we have no pots, pans, knives, etc. We have to wait for the smoke cleaning people to return all that on Thursday. So if all goes according to plan we should have a home cooked meal on FRIDAY!!!

I can't wait to cook on my new range. It's dual fuel so I have a gas cooktop. I have NEVER had a gas cooktop. Never in married life, never growing up, NEVER. I can't wait for instant heat and instant shut off. I feel so pro :) Since I can't post with out pictures here's what the backyard looked like while they were painting! They stretched out two huge ladders over buckets and laid all the doors on the ladders ~ then sprayed. We now have 30 doors and 11 drawers. A major upgrade from the 3 drawers we had in the old kitchen. Now we can actually have a junk drawer :)

Bob Loblaw

One of my favorite shows of all time is Arrested Development. That show was just plain hilarious. At one point in the show they needed an attorney and hired Bob Loblaw. You have to say that name out loud to get the full effect. Cracks me up. Here's the link, watch to the end.

Bliss LO

Paper:
Kraft ~ Oh Dear kit by Creashens (catscrap.com)
Blue Flowered ~ Wishes & Dreams kit by Vinnie Pearce & Kitty Chen (catscrap.com)
Dark Blue ~ Monoblendz Paperie by Anna Aspnes (designerdigitals.com)

Stitching:
Seasons kit by Agnes Lahur (littledreamerdesigns.com)

Flowers:
Safari Street kit by Vinnie Pearce (catscrap.com)

Masks:
Fotoblendz 11 by Anna Aspnes (designerdigitals.com)
Textured foto masks by Anna Aspnes (designerdigitals.com)

Journaling:
This is my absolute favorite picture of you and me, Lainie Boo. You sitting in my lap, totally still and content watching the waves lap the beach. Your chubby little tummy and adorable ponytails. Me with Micah growing in my belly. Pressing a kiss to your preciously little head. That day was absolute bliss. We had no idea of how life was about to change. You would no longer be the baby of the family for much longer with the arrival of baby number four. But for that day it was blissful to just hold you and delight in the feel of you pressed into my lap. You are so dear to me my precious girl and I treasure moments like these.

What a blessing

I still don't have any pictures today but I did want to post a little thought. I was reminded during my prayer/study time today how blessed our life is. We had a fire that could have destroyed but was caught early and stayed small (a blessing), Even though the fire was small, we had to rebuild and now (almost) have a beautiful dream kitchen (a blessing). The process has been pleasant ~ our builder & project manager have been FABULOUS to work with. All of the contractors that have come into our home have been wonderful. (A blessing) Ev and I have gotten along really well through all the decisioning and we're still together :) This minor/major project has been a reminder in how good God is. I need to count my blessings more than focus on negative.

I have a peaceful, loving marriage.
I have safe, healthy children.
I have a home.
Ev has a job.
We make enough money.
I have people that love me immensely and without judgment.
I am blessed.

The kitchen cabinets are in!!!

And they are GORGEOUS!! I love the appliance garage, the crown molding on the top, and the soft close drawers. Even when you try to slam the drawers they WON'T!!!! I've had so much playing with those. It looks like we have another week and a half to two weeks left so we are in the home stretch. We still have to do tile on the floor and backsplash (2-3 days), countertops (1 day), paint the cabinets & walls (3-4 days), finish electrical (1 day) and trim everything out. So we are in the home stretch, baby!

I would love to post pictures of what the kitchen looks like now, but by special request of my husband I can not. We are going to have a kitchen party once it's done with all of our friends and family and Ev really wants everyone to be surprised by the finished project. For those of you that are far away or can't make it here, once the kitchen is done and it's been revealed (oooohhh, ahhhhhh) I'll post pictures :)

I will post a picture of the cabinets as they brought them in for assembly . . .

Riding Shotgun

Paper:
Just a hint 2 paper pack by Lynn Grieveson (designerdigitals.com)

Brushes:
Sloppy Alpha Brushes by Katie Pertiet (designerdigitals.com)
Dripped Stains 5 by Anna Aspnes (designerdigitals.com)

Mask:
Fotoblendz 11 by Anna Aspnes (designerdigitals.com)

Font:
2 peas sandbox

Border:
Doodle Frames and Masks by Jenna Desai (the-lilypad.com)

Journaling:
You love riding on the back of dad’s bike. You love your
specialized helmet with the little monkeys on it, and I love how it matches your eyes. You laugh and laugh when Daddy makes the bike hop. You just love bike rides.

Quick update

Well as of late last week we had walls and a ceiling again! Last Wednesday we had the drywall installed and then Thursday they textured the walls & ceiling. It looks like a real room again. Today is the last day that this room will be this empty ~ got word this morning that the cabinets are coming TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!! I'M BEYOND WORDS EXCITED!!!! Can you tell???


In prep for the new cabinets (including a new bank of cabinets in the dining area) we ripped out the railing that divides the family room from the kitchen area. It looks SOOOOO different.