CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Friday, June 15, 2012

A Closer Look...

I've had a few requests to post some more pictures of the areas that we've painted so far.  I have 2 more projects (almost) done but I won't take pictures until they are complete.  Here are few more photos of the front entry, stairway hall/command center, and Austin's room.  Enjoy!

Font entry from door view
                  
Front Door (needs new rug and outlet plates put up)
Stairway Hall/Command Center
A view of our west hall window
A slight view of my "painting center"
French doors and front entry
View from the stairs.  Still need to figure out something for the floor.
Austin's room.  Painted the trim and closet door white.
White trim with dark wood furniture=Love!
Beautiful sunset out of the west hall window as I was painting!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

House Project #3--Austin's room

I painted the trim white and painted 2 walls in Austin's room and set up his furniture. I still need to razor the paint off the windows, hang curtains and wall decor but here are the pictures of the progress so far. I'm happy with how it's turned out so far! Justin thinks he wants him to have a Texas room so I'm not sure how long these colors will last but until we have the time and $ to change it, this is how it will be for awhile. It's about project #5,913 on the priority list. ha! How do you like it?
Austin's room before
Austin's room progress

Painting project #2--Bu Bye Blue!

(This post is killing 2 birds with one stone. I'm entering it in Learning the Frugal Life's Frugal Tuesday tip. My tip this week is to paint a room to completely change the look. I spent approx. $20 in paint for this project and look at the difference in the look).

Bu-Bye Blue! It was so gratifying ripping that ol' country border off and painting it over with a neutral color. We are going to make this spacious hallway an office nook/command center. I'm also going to make a contemporary valance to go over the west window. Below are the pictures of the hall progress far. I'm a big fan of the dark wood so I kept all of that dark and painted all of the light oak white. Do you like it?
Stairway Hall Before
Stairway Hall After (from a different angle)
P.S. I FINALLY figured out how to post Blog photos side-by-side. Yay! Next goal: Learn to take before and after photos from the same angle. ;)

House Project #1 Sneak Peak

I have been painting and painting and painting and....you get the idea. Let's just say this painting "project" has been a bit more of an undertaking than I anticipated. Oh well, it will be well worth it in the end.

The painting projects I have completed so far include:

 Front Entry (walls and trim)
Front Stairway hall (walls and some trim)
Master bedroom (walls, doors and trim)
Austin's bedroom (walls, doors and trim)

 I will post pictures of each room as I have time but here is a sneak peak for one of the completed projects. The walls still need decor and I eventually want to put some sort of lockers for shoes, coats, bags, etc. but it's not a priority at the moment. I'm so happy with how the paint turned out and am SO excited to get rid of that hideous country blue! Here is the front entry before and after:
Before
                                                                                                
After

The painting projects are just tedious and time consuming but the BIG project is the removal of the wall dividing the kitchen and dining room and gutting the kitchen. My posts won't be quite as detailed as my fav. DIY blog Young House Love but I'll get some photos up soon.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Blessing: Busy, Busy Spring

We had one of the busiest spring times ever.  It was overwhelming and exhausting all at the same time but as I take time to reflect upon it, I realize we are very fortunate to have had the opportunities we had.  I'm thankful for our health to be able to run and do all of this and SO much more!  Here is a recap of the last 2 months. Sadly, I was too busy being caught up in being busy that I forgot to get my camera out at many of the events.  Lesson learned!

March 19: JR High track started (J and I co-coached boys and girls)

March 28: Close on new house

March  31: Move out of the trailer 
(forgot to take pics--oops!)

April 1: Celebrate my Grandpa's 85th Birthday
             Grandpa with the newest member of our family, cousin Ashley's beautiful girl, Mia

April 5-10th:  Easter break from school, house remodeling/painting (post w/pics on that soon), fun with the kids, Austin's 1st haircut and Easter celebrations.
                      Austin's 1st haircut.  By none other than Grandma Robin. Such a little man!
                    Alexis checking things off of her nature scavenger hunt list--our "spring break fun"
A
                    Alexis and Kenley. 7 and 9.  Holding hands headed on the nature scavenger hunt. Aw!
Alexis is SUCH a good big sister.  Pushing her brother on the swing enjoying some beautiful Iowa spring weather.
 Alexis and some of her 1st grade buddies at the NGSC Easter Egg Hunt
 Austin and Daddy hunting for eggs too!
Daddy helping Alexis with the loot
Joshua, Kenley, Alexis, Austin and Saif at Grandma Donna's Easter Egg Hunt.

April 14: Alexis soccer games (every Saturday) started


April 15th-28th:  Track meets, soccer practice/games, prom, + crazy busy at school for both J and I.

(once again, should have taken more pictures!!)

April 28-May 12th:  More soccer, track meets, Justin started baseball, Alexis starts softball, church service project, quick lunch with a friend, Alexis recognized for a writing awards at Quint County Banquet, more painting/remodeling, confirmations, and more.  Phew.


May 13th: Graduation (we were invited to 28 parties--the joys of being teachers) and Mother's Day.

 Kids and Daddy let mommy have some quiet time.  They went squirrel hunting.  Oh joy!
 Kenley and Alexis with Grandma Robin on Mother's Day.  What a great grandma!
Papa and Austin getting ready to do cow chores.  Papa is his FAVORITE and cow chores take a close 2nd.  :)

May 14-18:  Last week of school (and was CRAAAAZY busy), soccer, track award party, baseball, softball, sweet friend Rachel's wedding shower, State Track meet (2 days), end-of-school-year celebration.

 Rachel and Andrew (school friend) at their school wedding shower
 Alexis at the last-day-of-school-celebration!
 The NF girls (+ Coach Davis) who participated/came to watch the Mustang State Track participants
Our first trip as a family to watch State Track

May 19-May 31:  Finishing up loose ends at school, Alexis softball games (we met up with Ashley and Cade at one!), Justin's baseball games, last soccer game, more Grad parties, a trip to Des Moines with the kids AND a trip without, garage sales, bonding with a few dear DSM friends + Brenda's family and Grandpa Cy, Joshua's track meet, Annual Memorial Day Nieland family fishing trip. 

 Little brother doing what he does best at sissy's events.  :)
 Cousins after the last soccer game!
Family time is the BOMB.COM, mom!
 The boys doing their thing
 Alexis choose to fish by Uncle Aron and "Aunt" Crystal all day because they let her cast all on her own.
Before a softball game at a sweet park in Washta, IA.
 She's a good little hitter!  It still overwhelms me to even see her out there.  THANK YOU JESUS!
 Austin and his buddy Cade.  They are one year apart to the day.  Aw!
 The Barbers at Alexis' softball game.
My dear college-friend Ashley and her adorable son, Cade after the softball game.

 What a speedy little thing (even in the pouring rain!!)

Phew!  There you have it and now you know why I haven't updated in 2 months! Let's just say I have leaned on the verse Matthew 11:28 quite a few times.  "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

It's been crazy but I look forward to a little down-time this summer to finish up house renovations and spend some (much needed) quality family time.  We are excited to get our house done but we are not going to let it overtake the priority of family time so stay tuned for house posts....coming soon!