Picture time...

Here are some photo's of the hardwood floors after the final coat. The first picture is the floor in one of the bedrooms (it's the original flooring). Anyway, the floor is Douglas Fir. We weren't sure how we were going to like it but it's really starting to grow on me. It's all coming together beautifully. I'm also posting pics of the fields after the hay was cut and of course I had to add some photo's of my adorable son and my handsome hubby :)

Update...

Well the hardwoods are coming together beautifully. I took some pics of them today. We had to sneak in through the kitchen window to do some work so I snapped some pics while we were there. These are after the second coat. One final coat tomorrow and we plan on moving the queen bed in Wednesday and hopefully start sleeping at the house then. We won't move the majority of the stuff in until Sunday (so the floors can thoroughly dry). But at least we can sleep out there and little man and I can do some work. And we can cook in the kitchen. We still have to get the tub tiled and the toilet/sink installed. As well as get a propane tank (for hot water) out to the house and get someone out to put all the trim work/baseboard and windows finished. Hopefully we can have most of it wrapped up by the weekend. Not likely but we can hope :)

Enjoy the pictures; we are almost there!!!

The first two are before and after the first coat of poly. What a difference!

Finally; time for an update!

I know this post is long over due but I can honestly say I finally have the time. Our hardwoods are being refinished and additional boards being added on so we can't be in the house much over the next couple days. They'll be sanding them down and putting 3 coats of poly on them as well. We decided we were burned out and hired out the tile and hardwoods. The tile was grouted yesterday morning so the kitchen, bathroom and laundry are almost finished. We need to wire in the outlet for the dryer, appliances will be delivered for the kitchen tomorrow and in the bathroom we need to have the tub/shower tiled and install the toilet and sink. As for the rest of the house they are extending out the hardwood through the rest of the living room (half of it was plywood butted up to the hardwoods and carpet over all of it), and the three bedrooms will have the hardwoods refinished. I was a little bummed to give up this part because I think it would have been a rewarding job but it would not have been real feasible with the little man. So hopefully by early next week we will be able to get moved in. Please cross your fingers everyone because we officially smell like the Super 8 hotel now. YUCK! Today I almost had a break down but I know we are getting closer to moving in and that keeps me going. We are actually getting into the grove of getting little man to sleep at nights and today I actually got him to lay down for a nap at 1pm. Woohoo. He's sleeping and Trent and I are going to have an afternoon of Simpson's Road Rage (very funny) and eating snacks. It should be fun!

Now, where have I been the last couple weeks???? My brother Lee (from California) came to visit the weekend of the 29th and helped us around the house. We had lots of fun and we accomplished the rest of the plumbing for the kitchen/laundry and laid a new subfloor in the kitchen and the biggest thing of all was getting the AC up and running. Thank goodness b/c it was hot last week! Thank you Lee for all your hellp!! Little man still talks about "uncle Lees". Lee left Sunday and Monday my little brother Trent arrived. So for the past 1o days I have had his help and company. I've enjoyed the extra hand and someone to help watch little man. While he's been here we have painted nearly the whole house, finished some wiring, cleaned up outside and made several trips to the stores (home depot, lowes, etc). The house is finally coming together after much hard work. We had lots of late nights the last couple weeks but soon we will be able to relax for an evening if we want to. Here are some updated photo's of the house and my brother's visiting.

I will post an update soon regarding our adoption. It's on my mind a lot but this house has been a huge distraction. Two months have passed since we were "officially waiting" and I know December will be here before we know it.

Here are the photo's. Enjoy! I hope everyone had a spectaculor 4th of July!






There are two things you'll notice in little man pics; I dress him in the oldest, grungiest clothes for him to get dirty, wipe paint on and anything else he has touched with his little fingers AND he has drool all over the front of his shirts. Not only has he been living in a hotel for the past month, but teething at the same time :)












Little man taking a water break.


















Little man spilling his water for the fun of it for the 100th time.





This happened right before my eyes. A simple "NO" did not suffice. The paint was just to rich and creamy to pass up. He stuck his foot right into it and ran off before Nathan caught him.















His $5.00 croc cheapie's have served us well.













Little man and "Uncle Lee's"


















Testing out the new subfloor!













Two goofballs working on plumbing together. I think Nathan had a lot more fun working with Lee than being stuck with me. I don't blame him.











Lots, and lots of primer. My fingers are finally returning back to normal after priming and painting for 2 weeks straight.
















Nathan and Uncle Trent letting off firecrackers for little man. He loved the color smoke bombs.












My little "blue eyes"













This is the original brown I'd painted it but it was too much. The paint was the higher gloss 'kitchen/bath' paint.











This color is much more calming.























































PEEK A




BOO















Helping dad :)



























Tearing the chewed up, termite damaged plywood up (which will now be hardwood). Thanks for your help Trent!


























The tile we chose for the kitchen, laundry and bath.


















A short, but wonderful visit with Patty and Salim. Thanks for stopping!











Little man loves Maggie!













Sorry for so many pictures. But seriously, who doesn't like photos?? Hope you enjoyed!

The mullet is gone!

Thank goodness! That's right folks; I had a mullet and I didn't even know it. I got out of the shower two night's ago and actually looked in the mirror for once and started laughing hysterically. I had a mullet and didn't even know it. Of course I asked hubby why he didn't tell me and he made one of his scary faces like he didn't want to offend me (and later said he hadn't noticed). I told him to always let me know that I have a mullet (he will never hurt my feelings). Why did I have a mullet you ask? Because my once, cute, attractive short cut had gone ugly! The top didn't grow out nearly as quickly as the hairs in the back (by my neck). So I had a butch cut up front and these long, scraggly hairs hanging along my neck. I would post a picture but it just wouldn't do it justice. That and I couldn't stop laughing so it didn't have the flare I was looking for. Oh well. That is now behind me. I will try to actually pay more attention to my appearance. And for those of you who know about my "incident" a couple days ago you can understand what people's opinions of me must have been. Eeek!



Little man FINALLY went to bed at a decent time tonight. I was able to quit singing around 9:10 pm. Almost an hour and 1/2 earlier than usual. After last night I badly needed it. Yesterday was a little ridiculous. I drove around with him for one full hour hoping he'd fall asleep; not my son. Then we came back to the room where he kicked me, smacked his head into mine or screamed out for another hour until he finally gave up (10:30 pm). Then he tossed and turned until 4:30 a.m. and fought sleep with me until 7 am.. What a night! I was cursing the hotel room for those 2 1/2 hours. Hotels and babies just don't mix. Today was a better day. We bought a bunch of freezer meals, waffles, frozen veggies you can steam in the bag, deli meat, bread, poptarts and other unhealthy food to replace eating out. I can not waste my money on another meal out. So we are microwaving food for the next week; woohoo! For any concerned parents or advocates for little man; he is eating jars of healthy, not so yummy, baby food. And an occasional snack. And I won't deny the fact that he has added "candy" to his vocabulary. One thing we have discovered is the kid is not picky. He'll eat anything from vegetables to Mexican food (dipping his chips in salsa over and over again).

Life is good! Sorry for those of you unfortunate enough to have to listen to my "venting" on the phone. Thank You; you are keeping me sane!

Drumroll please....

I am SUPER happy to announce the window in the bathroom is back!! Woohoo :)
Scott, Mark and David I know how happy you are to hear the wonderful news. I couldn't stand the dreadful dark bathroom anymore; we decided it was for the best. And after Nathan knocked out the plywood (for the exterior) all I could do was sing "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhhh". Let there be light!!

Here are some before and after pics so you can understand how yucky and dark it was before verses how cheerful and bright it is now. This made me very happy today :)

We bought a double hung replacement window at Lowe's and after spending the afternoon putting our brain's together it's now installed. So we can open the top window and let the steam out when we shower and I can stare off in space at the beautiful countryside. Ahhh... I love it!

Thank you Nater for all your help and hardwork getting this installed. I know it wasn't the most fun we've had but we will be thankful for it forever, and ever, and ever!!



































In other news, the drywallers will be over in the a.m. to finish the last of the sanding and texture the walls. I can't wait because that means I can now start on the floors and paint the walls and ceilings. We need to get out of this hotel SOON. Here are some of the finished look after they mudded the walls.













































































I am mentally and physically drained so I'll wrap this up with a few fun photo's I took out at the house of the land and the boys. For those of you who are unaware, please click on the photo for the full size image. Enjoy :)







































































p.s. Our appletree has started to "bloom" (I have no clue on the correct terminology) and we have little baby apples.