Confession Number 36: I Finally Took Pictures

For all of you out there who have been waiting to see pictures of the house post move in (especially the crazy striped wall in KJ's room) you may now put your voices to rest.  I have heard your cries again and again and finally took the camera out tonight.  Now, the house is by no means "finished".  Meaning we are not finished unpacking, and we've still had sub contractors in and out to fix or finish this or that.  These pictures will give you a great idea, of how we have decorated the house.....so far.

The kitchen featuring my obsession with Fiesta pottery and the most extravagant purchase in the whole house, the chalkboard pantry door on the far left.

The living room wall that mirrors the above kitchen wall, complete with Dustin's pride and joy (although not such a joy to hang), the 58" flat screen TV.  We aren't finished working on the shelves, just yet.  I think we are going to move them around a bit and make more taller than others. 

Quite possibly our favorite room in the house, the upstairs bonus room.  There isn't much furniture, but holy smokes, there are a ton of toys.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE not having to pick up toys every night. 

I'm even going to show the not so pretty.  This is our front bedroom.  Possibly for another little Matthews one day, however, now it is being used for garage sale storage. 

The guest bedroom and bath.  It still needs lots of work.  We haven't hung a thing on the walls and we need some sort of console table.  This is a brand new bed, mattress and bedding, though.  I can only do so much in a week and a half. 

KJ's bath.  This picture really doesn't do it justice.  It is very, very cute...and bright.  I love all of the colors!  This bath is a Jack and Jill style with the vanity separated from the shower. 

Now, the room a lot of you have been asking about for weeks.  Miss Kennedy's room. 

Three of the walls are solid light green and the largest wall is striped with three shades of pink, two greens and white.  I did it all by hand and let me tell you, it was a killer.  Just ask my chiropractor! 

So, that is it.  Well, the high parts, anyway.  Of course, it is still a work in progress, but hopefully we will have it all finished soon.  Thanks for following me through this process.  The apartment was rough at times, but it was all worth it.  We are loving our new home!

Confession Number 35: I'm So Happy!

I'm so happy that .........

1.  I'm in my new house (pics to come soon, I promise)
2.  I'm almost unpacked
3.  I get to go on a mini vaca with great friends this weekend
4.  My internet is FINALLY working
5.  Dustin didn't kill anyone while trying to accomplish number 4
6.  They fixed my dishwasher today
7.  I didn't kill anyone waiting on number 6
8.  The rocks are all covered back up in our yard
9.  Tomorrow is my Momma's birthday
10.  I had a great time getting sunburned at the pool on a KJ playdate

Hope you have had a great day, too!!

Confession Number 34: I've Had It

Why do children sense the stress of their parents and choose to add to it?  I'm not overly stressed, I've just got a lot to do.  I have to pack, find mirrors for the bathrooms, get the sticky stuff off of the oven, paint the stripes on Kennedy's wall (never.again.), find a microwave, etc. etc. etc. 
However, Kennedy has choosen this week to completely and totally forget how to pee in the potty!!  Sunday, one accident,
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, one accident each day. 
That's lots of laundry just trying to keep the girl in dry panties! 
Thursday?  One accident AND a poop in the bathtub!  AFTER three failed attempts to get her to go on the potty.  Why oh why?!? 
Friday?  THREE accidents AND she hit another little girl at mom's day out AND she threw an incredible Academy Award winning fit.  At least the fit was at home.  She's worn me out.  I've had it and I've had my wine.  I'm going to bed.  Nighty night.

Confession Number 33: I Can't Believe It

I've often thought of what my emotions would be during this time.  How I would be feeling?  What would I be doing?  Well, now I'm here and I'm trying not to act any differently than I did a few weeks ago.  I'm not packing, but I'm frantically trying to paint Miss. Kennedy's room before the carpet is installed.  We are 9 days away from moving into our new home.  9 DAYS!! 

The interior is really, really close to being complete.  The plumbers need to install my tub (I'll sure need a soak next weekend) and the dishwasher (that is a must, as well) and the flooring needs to go in, but other than that it is touch up stuff and little details. 

The outside is a different story.  We are really needing the weather to cooperate with us in order to get the stone finished.  Yesterday was beautiful, today, ummmm, not so much.  Rain, rain GO AWAY!!  Here are a few pictures to get you through your day!

Confession Number 32: He Got One..or Two...or Three

Ahhhhh.  That is the feeling Dustin and I get after spending a weekend on the farm.  It is relaxing for us.  We don't have the normal stresses of everyday life there and we get to do things we normally can't, or don't take the time to do when we are home.  Spring and summer are, by far, the most fun times on the farm.  There are so many things to do outside.  Kennedy loves seeing the baby cows....

She informed me last night that "Mommy cows say MOOOOO, and baby cows say moo".  So cute.  She loves feeding the horses...

Dustin loves going fishing.  Unfortunately, he and Papa Lynn don't have the best track record while fishing together.  One night last summer they went fishing for supper.  We eventually had enough fish for dinner, but I think they cleaned about 30 fish in order to get enough filets.  This weekend, the boys hit the lake once again, with a little different result...

He actually did very well.  Papa Lynn said it was because of his guide. 

He even caught one Kennedy's size...

Because I refused to have a fish mount in the new house, we were on the catch and release program...

Big momma will be there for them to catch next time. 

Confession Number 31: I Honor Her

This past week our sermon was on honor.  How we, as an American society, fail to show honor to our fellow human beings, and often, we even fail to show honor to our Savior.  A very thought provoking message.  I started thinking about how Dustin and I are teaching Kennedy to honor those who we are Bibically called to hold in the highest regard.  We teach her "yes, ma'mm" and "no, sir", but do we do a good enough job of modelling honor?  I started thinking of people in my life who I owe honor and who have earned the highest respect from me.  Since we will be celebrating Mother's Day this weekend I think my mind naturally went to my momma.  I came up with a list of things that I love about my mom, and in a way to honor her in the highest way, I want to share that list with you. 

1. She's faithful.
2. She's a great cook!
3. She lets me ramble.
4.  She never told me I couldn't accomplish anything.
5.  She taught us independence.
6.  She ruined 4 batches of toffee with me and laughed.  And maybe cussed.  Just once.
7.  She taught us love.
8.  She works cattle.
9.  She prays for us.
10.  She passed on her love for pottery.
11.  She is always there when I need her.
12.  She knows when something is wrong.
13.  She passed on her love for shoes.
14.  She taught me how to stand my ground.
15.  She tiles her own floors.
16.  She loves unconditionally.
17.  She taught me how to be a professional.
18.  She has the highest pain tollerance of anyone I know.
19.  She taught me to be strong, but that it is sometimes okay to show your emotions.
20.  She gives me peace.
21.  She knows when to comfort, and when to give us our space.
22.  She has distinct relationships with each of her kids.
23.  She encourages us to stay close with each other.
24.  She is my sounding board.
25.  She reads my blog.  And laughs.  And cries. 

I love her.  So much.  I could type on this list all day.  I'm so happy she is happy and I'm so proud to call her "Mom".  Happy Mother's Day, Mom. 

I'm A Tease, Update 1

I promised there had been a lot of activity at the house since my last update.  I don't let down on a promise.  Since the last house post we have finished all of the brick work, inside and out, got a mailbox, had cabinetry installed, stained the wood work, got a shower floor in the master bath and the whole house was painted from top to bottom.  This coming week is full of activity, as we are entering the last couple of weeks of construction.  Now I'm going to hush up and let the pictures speak for themselves...

This is from the living room into the kitchen. 

Looking from the kitchen/dining room into the living area.  The mantel will be stacked stone.  That big box is my whirlpool tub.  Jealous much?

Tray ceiling in the living room. 

Bricked wall in the kitchen.  Imagine beautiful double ovens in that cabinet on the right and a fun chalk board door on the pantry. 

Wall of built ins in Dustin's office.  This color scared me, but it turned out really, really well.  For orange, anyway.

This is the dining room.  Turned out a little brighter than I expected, but I think it will be okay.  If we get in and I decide I don't like it, I can always paint over it.  It's growing on me, though.  What do you think?

I promise, we are getting really close to you all not having to read these house updates anymore.  Maybe just a couple more.  This week we are finishing up the stone work, inside and out, getting granite, plumbing and electrical.  Oh, and maybe tile work in the master bath.  Stay tuned!