We are almost 100% finished with this foreclosure’s renovations. Unfortunately, we have lost most of our “before” pics somewhere. So, I’ll just give you pics and little description of what David has put into it. I say “what David has put into it” because he has done 99% of it single handedly. I’m so impressed by all he has done and he is self taught too! Crazy man that I married and fall in love with more more (especially after one project gets completed and he moves right to the next).

It was a team project with the landscaping and painting outdoors though. This is where my 1% of the work comes into play. After we unloaded a truck bed full of landscaping blocks followed by multiples loads of fill dirt and mulch, I painted the shutters and exterior doors while my honey worked on making his landscaping blocks perfect 🙂 haha. He had the level on every single block. I must say the neighbors have given him some compliments and asked for his help though!

The Living room: this was a big project for David. He painted, replaced the fan, we replaced the carpets and blinds, he did a great job on the tile fireplace, and then had a guy help him with the wainscoting on the walls. It’s probably my favorite room in the house.

Downstairs half bath: Just a little paint, faucet, mirror, and light fixture. . . easy update! That was a breath of fresh air 🙂

Upstairs (guest) bathroom: another big project with David tearing out the linoleum, trim, and vanity. He painted, did a beautiful job with the tile and installed the new vanity, mirror, and light fixtures. It USED to be a little on the nasty side accompanied by Winnie the Pooh and dark purple paint. I like the finished product 🙂

Guest bedroom: Not our biggest job. We just took down some wallpaper, painted, replaced the fan, blinds, and the carpet. Found the bed on craigslist 🙂 Always welcoming someone for an overnight visit!!

Colt’s room: His room is pretty similar to the guest room as far as “updates.” It was the same dark purple as the bathroom before we repainted it. We added the blinds, carpet and fan in his room too. Now we are ready for a big boy bed. . . not in a hurry for that transition though.

Some links to previous posts of home renovations. The only changes would be the wood floors have since been refinished to a warm chocolate color.
kitchen
dining room
stairway

I’ll post pics of the music room, master bedroom and bath once the master bath is completed. The funny thing is that David asked if we are ready to sale this house and do it again! I’m sure most of you who read this know me. . . and know that I am one who likes cleanliness and organization – well, those 2 things don’t quite go hand in hand with flipping houses.

Lest you get the wrong idea, we aren’t rich (at least not by the world’s standards), but doing the renovations yourself and shopping for the best bargains made it all possible without going into any debt. We love our home and thank the Father for it! We know it’s not our own and love to use it to minister to others by having them over quite frequently. Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it.”

The Lord blessed us with great weather for the last day here! It was perfectly overcast and not too hot, but definitely warm enough to swim. We found a great beach for the kiddos to play when low and behold the ice cream boat drove into view! That’s right, just like the ice cream truck that plays carnival music and the neighborhood kids come running. . . so is the ice cream boat at the lake 🙂 We heard the music before we saw the boat, then of course flagged it down. We all “screamed for ice cream!”

Colt has fallen in love with the water! He was swimming like a fish out there. It was really neat for David and I to watch him have fun like that! Definitely made our vacation 🙂

We all watched David pulls some stunts on his knee board of course. . . Colt and Jacob were aspiring to be like him 🙂

Sarah may have been wearing her sunglasses, but I don’t think they were doing much good!

Watch out for sunglasses gang 🙂 They may look all nice and cute, but they can be dangerous!

Yawns from sleepy little ones. . . the boat never fails to put them sleep after a long hard day of playing and swimming 🙂

The weather has been perfect here this week. We especially enjoy the evenings outdoors when we don’t have to worry about the sunburns. I just feel sorry for the neighbors who get to listen to these nonstop-talking-2-year-olds (who seem to get overly excited when they are together) during their peaceful evenings at the lake.

Between Mom and Aunt B (or “BB” as Colt so affectionately calls her), Colt ended up with a birthday cake. And not just ANY birthday cake. . . but a “Colt” cake as you can see by the pictures. He thought that was pretty cool.

Licking the icing off the candle (you can see the cake better in this one too).

Check out Sarah’s ice cream cone. . . or what used to be an ice cream cone.

The kiddos thought it was sooo funny to eat Papaw’s cake instead of their’s 🙂

We love our big boy!

Colt is enjoying playing with Sarah this week at the lake. It’s cute to see how they actually play together and interact differently since they are older. We are having lots of fun with the fam too – tubing, water skiing, jet skiing, playing rook and other fun games. It’s been lots of fun so far, and it’s only the beginning!

We had a little cake and icecream for Colt’s bday last night. Will post some pics of that later.

Well Bubby. . Mommy had to work on your birthday. The good news is you probably wouldn’t have ever known if I didn’t just write it here in cyber space where it will remain forever 🙂 The bad news is that I’ve never been one that really cared about celebrating on the “actual day” before. For example, Christmas isn’t December 25th to me. . . it’s just whenever our family gets together at that time of year. Yet, your 2nd birthday meant a lot to me and I really hated to be away! It helped that you and Daddy had so much fun going to Sonic and eating ice cream, picking out a cool toy at the Dollar Tree, and playing with your friends at VBS tonight.

You were such a surprise and blessing from above Colt David. You came 2 days before our 1 year anniversary and life has yet to be the same! Actually, my life hasn’t been the same since I was pregnant – not the easiest thing I’ve ever done, but the labor wasn’t that bad, so I guess you made up for it 🙂

Anyways, not a day goes by that we don’t thank the Father for you. We are so proud of you and you will never know (until you have your own kids one day) what JOY you bring to Daddy and Mommy! You are so smart and soak EVERYthing in. You are hilarious and such a happy little guy! You are sweet and generous with your lovins, but ALL BOY. If you could have 2 things and be happy, it would be a ball and some dirt. Of course, you have a stubborn side, but we are doing our best to train you to be a boy that loves and obeys the Father above everything else! We love to see you obey – and you usually do well. Your whole life has been special, but Daddy and I can’t help but talk about how these are the best and most fun days yet!!

Here are some pics of your life up to now. You have changed sooo much!

Waiting for you to enter the world. . . you are 1 week late 🙂

Newborn

3 Months

6 Months

9 Months

12 Months

15 Months

18 Months

2 Years

We love you. Happy 2nd birthday on the 2nd day of August, 2010 . . Matthew 22:37

I believe the heat index was 115 yesterday. . . Some people choose to stay inside, but those of us who would rather be outside may have searched for a shady cool watering hole. The good news is that we actually have one of those within walking distance of our home. The bad news is that is must have been so hot that it heated up our cool watering hole to a warm watering hole. Not very refreshing, but Colt liked it enough to not want to leave.

Yes (Mom I know what you are thinking), we were watching for snakes. There were probably some wild animals out there too. Maybe some coyotes, bear, mountain lions. . . who knows? 🙂 We just saw their tracks near the deer tracks.

Today would have been Papaw Gene’s 85th birthday. He passed on 6-21-10 with the same dignity that he walked with his entire life. He was such a gentleman and the most generous, kind person I have ever known. He was a blessing to so many. . we have received so many cards and condolences that confirm our own feelings about this amazing Father and Grandfather. So, today we celebrate his life!

These little ones are so precious. . . and funny! Sarah was 2 in May, Colt will be 2 in August, Jakob will be 2 at the end of October – so they are spaced out in 3 month intervals. It’s neat to see them play and be together.

They were loving the pool, their play cars (though Jakob’s was pink – he might not have been liking that), and the hot dogs from our cook out. It was a lot of fun 🙂