Thursday, July 25, 2013

Jenna's Commenting Challenge

So, I have been planning on blogging all week to participate in Jenna's commenting challenge. And then...I had a whiny, feverish, clingy monkey baby in my lap constantly. So, I didn't blog. I started to twice, but he shut my computer off both times. He's no dummy, that baby Bell.

So, here I am, four days late. I love to read blogs, but apparently I don't love to write blog posts. I am just going to synopcize the different topics she has had the last few days. I am a rule bender that way.

1. A little about me: I am 35 (funny sidenote, I had to ask my husband if I was 35 or 36. Obviously, it's a big deal to me) and happily married. My husband, Mike, and I have been married almost 14 years and have three lovely kids. Olivia is 12, Phillip is 4, and Matt is 2. We struggled with secondary infertility for several years before Phil and obviously beat it :) We live in the suburbs, love Jesus, have boring, normal lives and love every minute of it. We are going to be homeschooling for the first time ever this year (an 8th grader, a Prek-4, and a rowdy toddler). You can see pictures of my people all over the blog, I am awfully fond of them :)

2. TV shows. Technically, we don't have "TV". We cancelled satellite about a year and a half ago. Our middle child was addicted to TV and commercials and would ask constantly for everything he saw. Our oldest child kept "stumbling" upon adult themed shows. So, we pulled the plug. We do have a Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime subscription, so we stay on top of what's on, we are just able to monitor and allocate it better. My favorite shows are: Modern Family, Once Upon a Time, The Office (I know, it's over, but I can't let go), Sherlock (the Benedict Cumberbach version), and Downton Abbey. I also love Duck Dynasty, even though I am about as far removed from a "redneck, country girl" as one can get and still live in the South. I don't even sound Southern.

3. Pinterest. I love Pinterest. If you read my last blog entry, it's a "Pinterest Praise Report" (all my fundie friends just laughed). I put together our entire remodel from Pinterest. I also did Matt's 1st and 2nd birthday party planning from there. Here are some pictures. I LOVE to throw a good party!


 These are from Matt's "Mod Monkey" 1st birthday party. I love balloon banners! So much color & fun without helium.





These are from Matt's 2nd birthday party. He is OBSESSED with Spiderman, so it was only fitting. The other kids had parties too, but I don't think Chuck E Cheese is photo worthy :)

As far as other social media, I am a Facebook addict. So many of my good friends live far away and I love keeping up with them that way. I use Twitter and Instagram some, and love interacting with people on there too! I am a people person :)

So, that's it. I haven't even begun to think of Christmas yet, so I have nothing for day 4. Thanks for stopping by!


Friday, July 19, 2013

The Kitchen is (sorta) done

As I mentioned last year, we had to gut our kitchen. A small leak turned into a big leak and the next thing you know, everything was gone! Thank God for homeowners insurance, because that tiny leak cost over $10,000!

So, I immediately started with BIG PLANS! In my mind, walls were being knocked down, things were changing big time! Mike immediately reeled me back in. He gently reminded me that we had to have a kitchen as soon as possible, as we have three small humans to feed. Oh yeah, there's that. So, we replaced the floor, the cabinets were replaced on one side and just refaced on the other, the counter tops were replaced, a back splash was added, and the wallpaper was painted (yeah, that actually works) instead of replaced, because the one I wanted was discontinued and I was sick of wallpaper. The old appliances were replaced and I am really happy with the results. We built built-ins in the breakfast room and I love them! LOVE THEM! I don't have a good picture of them because every time I go to take pictures it's too sunny and they don't turn out. But...I do have pictures of the kitchen side. Keep in mind, this is just a normal 3 BR/2 BA starter type home. We don't live fancy. We love it though and have been insanely happy about our nice, normal sized payment in this awesome recession.

Here is the kitchen before:


There are not words for my hatred of those cabinets and counter top. No words.

And the kitchen NOW!







Love, love, love, I am in love! The cabinets are painted Marscapone and glazed with a tobacco glaze. The backsplash is painted Harp Strings and the gray/blue paint is Solitude. They are all Benjamin Moore paint colors because my daddy owns a Benjamin Moore paint store AND because it's the best paint EVER. Stuck right to the wallpaper and cleans beautifully!

The counter tops are from IKEA and the appliances are all Samsung.  You should note that despite intense research, I am unhappy with the appliances. The handle has already broken on the microwave (warranty would not cover it) and the letters wiped off the front of the dishwasher. The fridge scratches like crazy. The function fine, but for the cost, I expected better.

So, there you go. Another room taken from "Builder Blah" to "DIY Delightful"!