Phase 2 Complete

I stayed up after the kids went to sleep last Tuesday and painted for FOUR straight hours to finish up the painting part of the kitchen makeover.  I kept saying to myself, you can stop when you get to x point but then the thought of stretching this on another day or even days, pushed me to just get it all done.  Whew!  And the verdict??  LOVE.  I'm in love.  It is so light and bright and just beautiful.  In my opinion anyways.  I love how our existing hardware really pops against the white cabinets now.  It's making us itch to get the lighting portion done.  All with time though.  I kind of need a breather for a minute.  Seriously don't know how some of these bloggers do DIY projects every.single.day.  

Once again, here is a before shot of our kitchen:

And here is a shot after the counters and backsplash were done:

And here is a shot after the cabinets/island base were done:

And by the by, I went back and forth about a hundred times if I should go with a single bowl vs. double bowl sink.  The single prevailed in the end and I'm SO glad.  I love having one giant sink that I can fit all pans in.  Love.  It was so refreshing to come back after being gone the weekend to this bright and pretty space. 


And here is our updated list:

Countertops

Backsplash

Sand Cabinets

Degloss Cabinets

Prime Cabinets

Paint Cabinets

Paint Frames and Island Base

Remove fluorescent lighting/patch ceiling

Add canned lighting

Add pendant light

Add Under cabinet lighting

Decorations for walls/top shelf of cabinets, etc
Bar stools for island (forgot this on last list)

New wall color???

Get-a-way

(photo taken by Kristin Dunn last summer)

Love this picture.  Not only is the lighting gorgeous and the scenery pretty but I feel it captures a the love Brad has for me.  Sure, Brad and I have our moments when there is not pure marital bliss, although, thankfully few and far between, but I NEVER question this man's love for me.  I had a few weeks about a month or so ago where I felt like I was doing so much with little recognition.  I was busy puttying and sanding cabinets (by myself) all while staying at home with the boys all day and often times at night solo because of Brad's out of control hockey schedule, all while doing laundry and cooking dinner, and, well, you get the idea.  I might have said to Brad one night, where's my gold star for all that I'm doing?!  All I really wanted was some words of recognition (which I did get by the way), but Brad, being the amazing hubby he is, devised a plan that I needed a weekend away from my responsibilities.  He asked one of my girlfriends if she'd be down for a weekend away with me and she said of course and the plan was hatched for a trip to Austin.  They secretly picked the weekend and worked out some details.  Then Brad told me about the surprise about two weeks ago.  I of course was ridiculously excited and grateful.  But sometimes life loves to throw curve balls.  A week before our departure weekend, my girlfriend let me know something came up that prevented her from coming along.  Cue water works.  I guess I didn't know how much I really needed that weekend away from responsibilities until how upset I got at the thought of not going.  I felt bad for crying in front of Brad because I knew he wanted this weekend to be special for me too.  But once I got the tears out and Brad comforted me, I got over it.  We wrestled with the idea of eating the cost of the hotel (pre-paid) and just no one going or going as a family.  The idea of going just the two of us came up, but there was no way I was going to ask my parents to keep the boys since they had just kept them the weekend before so we could paint.  And then, my parents being the amazing grandparents they are, called me and said they wanted to keep the boys again, so Brad and I could take advantage of the opportunity and have the weekend away.  A-mazing.  I felt guilty and almost said no, but the poolside and Austin bbq were calling my name and then I said yes and hung up the phone before they could change their mind.  Kidding.  For the most part.  
And the weekend really was perfect.  We left after Blake's skating practice Saturday and we spent the afternoon once in Austin poolside.  And it was heaven.  

And we had some darn good Austin BBQ for dinner with what is now my new favorite drink... beer-rita.  I mean look at this thing!!

 Our weekend away was so wonderful, but nothing is better than coming home to two little ones throwing their arms around you and planting kisses on your face.  


p.s. - my parents are not only amazing in every way for watching our boys and doing fun activities with them like putt-putt, but they also got Brady to use the potty for the first time.  He went twice.  Both kinds.  Because you needed to know that.  My parents also potty trained our first baby, Odie, when we went to Colorado (trip we got engaged).  So, only fitting my parents help potty train one of my actual babies.   
 

Kids say the darndest things

For the point of this story, I'm about to get a whole lot of personal with you.  I have a birth mark.  Well, that's not very personal, but the location is.  It resides on my butt cheek.  Eek! That's the backs story.  Here's the actual story: So, the boys and I were at the all mighty Chick-fil-A the other day and we all made a trip to the restroom before hitting the road.  And, as all women do, I hovered.  And Blake evidently felt the need to check things out and said, "Momma, what's that line on your butt?!!... There's a dark line on your butt!  What is that?  What's that on your butt Momma??"  And, the restroom happened to be completely full at that moment.  Of course it was. 

Bluebonnets

The entire time my brother and I were growing up, my poor mom always wanted to take us to a bluebonnet field or sunflower field and take our pictures.  We made fun of her and never let of her.  Meanest kids ever???  Anyways, I figured, a perfect birthday and mothers day gift to my mom would be to get her grandbabies' pictures taken in the bluebonnets.  Enter in my friend Kristin.  Isn't it great to have friends that are uber talented??  I sure think so.  I asked my friend Kristin (who took the pics at the top of the blog) to shoot the boys in the bluebonnets.   I have to say, my boys, while photogenic, do not have a calling for modeling.  They do NOT want to cooperate.  AT ALL.  Even with the bribe of ice cream.  Boys, through and through.  They were too interested in the lady bugs and the nature around them.  I feared that we had no worthy shots, but the thing about having talented friends...they take amazeballs (yes, I said it) photos.  Love.  I mean LOVE these pictures.  I really honestly loved every single one she sent me.  But I'll post just a few here.  Thanks Kristin! 

Makeover Update

Our mini kitchen makeover is taking for-ev-errrrr!  But slow and steady wins the race, right?  RIGHT?!  Having two small kiddos has made the do it yourself part of this project take a lot longer than originally anticipated.  But its coming along.  And I can not wait until our kitchen is put back in order.  There are things from the cabinets all sitting out on the counter tops and I can't stand the mess.  I'm over it!!  My parents graciously kept the boys the majority of the weekend so we could knock a bunch of the painting out.  And I'm so happy to report all cabinet doors and drawers are DONE!  The only painting left is the frames and island base, but I'm about half way done with that.  And, its something I can work on at night after the kids are asleep.  If I can muster the energy.  Praying I can call the painting part COMPLETE within the next few days.  Once I get the inside painting finished and doors rehung, I will post another picture.  Here is our list of items to complete for the kitchen project and what we still have left to tackle....

Countertops

Backsplash

Sand Cabinets

Degloss Cabinets

Prime Cabinets

Paint Cabinets

Paint Frames and Island Base

Remove fluorescent lighting/patch ceiling

Add canned lighting

Add pendant light

Add Under cabinet lighting

Decorations for walls/top shelf of cabinets, etc

New wall color???

My good lookin hubby in painting mode

And we took full advantage of the boys being at Grandma and Papa's last night and went out for a late dinner and drinks.  Self portrait.

Date nights are good.  As Viki from RHOC would say, my love tank is full.   

Shaking it Up

Some weeks I swear I'm living in the movie Groundhog Day.  Same thing day in and day out.  I felt like I needed to shake things up a bit.  I remembered the other day that we are lucky enough to live down the street from the Heard Museum and we hadn't been in awhile so made a plan to go today and enjoy the weather before it becomes so unbearably hot.  I snapped this picture with my iPhone and I don't know why but I just love it.  Surrounded by such beautiful things and sometimes I tend to forget to just stop and take it all in...to realize the beauty and wonder in the small things.  This picture makes me take pause.  Love it. 
And have I mentioned I also love these two little guys?

We walked one of the trails and there were hundreds of butterflies.  Landing on our shirts and arms and legs and heads.  Beautiful butterflies.  Then the boys dug for dinosaur bones.  Since we left Blake hasn't stopped giving me hugs and kisses and telling me how much fun he had.  Maybe he needed a shake up to his weeks too! 

Brothers.

Last night as I was watching the boys play and laugh together I thought about the time, towards the end of my pregnancy with Brady, when I worried like crazy about how much bringing another baby into our family would rock Blake's world.  Many nights I would end up in tears (I'm sure the raging pregnancy hormones had nothing to do with that) thinking about it all.  Would Blake feel less loved?  Would his loving and sweet personality be diminished once our attention had to be shared?  I was terrified.  I cried to my mom about it and she reminded me, "Giving Blake a sibling is one of the greatest gifts you'll ever give him." Her comment made sense, it really did.  After all, I couldn't imagine having grown up without my big brother.  I knew I always wanted to have two kids and hoped they would be as close as my brother and I.  But still, I worried.  I just didn't know if Blake would be suited to be a big brother. 
I watch these two brothers together now and my heart swells with pride and love and gratitude.  They play together all day every day.  Laughing, wrestling, giggling, learning, tickling, exploring, sharing.  They hug each other every night before bed and every morning when they see each other again.  They are the greatest gift to the other they will ever have.  Best Friends.  Brothers. 

Holiday Reflections and Thanks

Our holiday weekend celebrating Passover and Easter has come to an end.  With any holiday, you tend to reflect back and give thanks to all the blessings in your life.  This weekend has been no different.  Our family has been through hell and back with Brady's health issues.  Along the way I've allowed myself to break down at times, but for the most part I held my self together because that's what you do when you're a parent.  You stay strong and keep on truckin' for your kids' sake.  And now, that thankfully we've had several months of really great health for Brady, I have thought back on all we have gone through.  Out of all the tests, hospital stays, health scares and worry along the way, the single scariest and worst few moments of my life was when I held Brady in my arms, not breathing and he turned blue and his entire body went limp in my arms.  The look in Brady's eyes during that moment, I just will never be able to shake it.  I am crying as I'm typing this just thinking about that moment.  
But God's will was not to let Brady go.  Brad was there and saved Brady's life.  Just let me repeat that, Brad SAVED OUR SON'S LIFE.  My love has certainly grown over the thirteen years we've been together.  My love for Brad grew exponentially when I saw him holding Blake for the first time and more and more each day, witnessing the kind of father he is to our two boys and the kind of husband he is to me.  But there is love that is beyond words for the one that saved your baby's life.  This holiday weekend, I am grateful, I am blessed, to be the wife of such a special man and the mom of TWO amazing boys. 

What a perfect picture for our family.  At our Passover Seder, Brady holding an Easter egg!

Besties

Hard to believe its been over a year ago since I pulled the boys out of their school to stay at home.  Blake was attached to the hip with his little girlfriend Sophie and they've only seen each other a handful of times since last March.  The last couple of times Blake has seen Sophie he was pretty shy and reserved and was happier hanging with his bud Brady.  So, when Sophie's mom e-mailed and asked if we'd be interested to hit the zoo together today, I was in and hoped Blake would give her a little warmer of a reaction.  


OMG.  They were SO sweet!  Sophie and Blake greeted each other with a hug and became more and more sweet on each other as the day went along.  They held hands and she would let go eventually and Blake would say, "You have to hold my hand!"  Besties back together again.  Pure sweetness.

We went into a little area where you can feed the birds.  Sophie's mom bought the kids a little cup to feed the birds and we started to go in the "cage area".  One lady walked out and said, "That was awesome, you will love it!  They even land on your arms and head!"  Not what a person with a bird phobia wants to hear.  I hung out near the back where the door was, because yes, I'm RIDICULOUS and the kids were loving watching the birds up close and getting to feed them.  No fear.  Yes, my almost four year old is braver than this almost 31 year old.  Ugh.  Also, there were lots of bees out so I got to have that fear in full effect as well.  When there were several bees hanging out on the stroller by the handle, I seriously thought for a minute that I could just leave the stroller behind. (kids were not in the stroller!!!) I have issues.  

And just have to end with a picture of my sweetest little doodle bug! And once the carousel ended 60 seconds after this happy picture was taken, melt down city trying to get off.  *sigh*

 No less than five minutes into our car ride home, both boys were passed out.  Such a fun day! 

My Little Miracle Blake

**Feeling a little reminiscent these days, as we approach my first born's FOURTH birthday**
Getting pregnant (and staying pregnant) was a trying experience for me.  I think that journey helped me cherish things during my pregnancy and after a little more deeply.  I still think of Blake as my little miracle baby.  When I was pregnant and thought about having this baby and the thought of "sharing" him with people, at least right away made me sad.  So, one of the decisions I made was I didn't want any one staying at my house right after we got home with the baby.  I wanted Brad and I to figure it out on our own and enjoy the time as a new family, just us three for a bit.  And then reality smacked me in the face.  Brad and I were driving home from the hospital and I looked at him and kind of panicked.  There were no nurses or doctors coming back with us.  We had to just figure out how to care for another life?  A tiny, precious, new life?  On our own?  I think I needed my mommy.  So, my mommy I called and she literally dropped everything, packed a bag and met us at our house.  My mom stayed with us for about a week I believe.  And thank goodness.  I had a Horrible recovery.  Horrible with a capital H.  I was in such bad shape, I couldn't even take my sweet Blake to the hospital for his jaundice issues.  My mom helped Brad at the hospital with our new baby boy.  She helped me feed Blake a bottle with my pumped milk at all hours of the night.  She helped with his first bath.  More than anything she brought me comfort and confidence to be a mom on my own.  I can not ever express how grateful I am for her presence during that time.  I can not express how grateful I am that she was in good enough health at the time to do that. 

 (Blake, a few days old with Grandma)

Crazy how quickly things change.  A few months later my mom was in the hospital.  Her health declining rapidly with no answers.  My mom was finally diagnosed with an incredibly rare auto immune disorder, odds of winning the lottery greater than getting this.  And by the time it was diagnosed my mom had been through so much, countless blood transfusions, blood filling her lungs and her kidneys had completely failed.  My mom was in the hospital for months.  At one point, in January of '09, she was in the hospital in very bad shape.  My aunt was already coming in town for a scheduled visit with the boys.  We called my brother and uncle to let them know how bad of shape my mom was in.  And it was probably a good idea for them to come in town because honestly, we didn't know if she was going to make it through.  My mom's room at the time was right next door to the waiting room.  Blood started filling my mom's lungs and she literally felt like she was drowning.  My mom felt like this was her end.  She kicked us all out of the room, with exception to my dad, because she couldn't bare for us to see her in this suffering.  We kissed her and said goodbye, praying fervently that this was not in fact the end.  My aunt, my uncle, my brother, my husband, my eight month old baby Blake, all sat in the waiting room.  Trying to stay strong.  Trying not to lose it.  But there was Blake, obviously oblivious to the magnitude of the situation.  He squealed and laughed and squealed some more from I couldn't even tell you.  My mom has since told me, that she literally felt like she was slipping away and was ready to let go.  She was ready to be done with the pain and suffering and was "giving up".  And then she heard her Blake's sweet voice and giggles from the next room.  And she fought.  She fought hard.  She was wheeled away minutes after that to ICU where she had tubes helping her breathe.  It was such a scary time.  But she fought and won.  She went through months of grueling dialysis and often times felt like giving up.  But she fought and won.  Blake holds an incredibly special place in my mom's heart because of that day.  

 (taken in hospital right after she came back out of ICU)

Blake isn't just my miracle baby.  He's my mom's too.  My mom has endless patience for Blake that I tend to not have so much!  We go to her house, he sits on her lap and she lets him help her play Words With Friends.  She tells him, "Put the S next to the T." And she patiently waits for him to put the letter in the right square.  They sit doing this all afternoon.  My heart always feels so full watching them together.  Our sweet "Miracle Blake".