Brian thought it was a good idea to start painting the trim.  It is not very noticeable if you don't look for it but it looks great if you remember what it looked like before.

We had some guys come and teach us how to stucco this weekend.  We were able to have them do the rebuild on three areas that were pretty bad and now they look great!~  We just need to go back and paint.

 The balcony off the master...

 By the garage...

 This is the other side of the wall by the garage.  He did such a great job matching the pattern of the stucco too.

We are working in the office this week and have it painted and the trim done.  All we have left is the floors and we can finally move our office stuff out of the guest room.  I am super excited!

Changes

So we finally got all the workout equipment in and the mirror hung (which was a challenge) but it looks great!

Brandon's room is completely done too. We carried the same slate tile through the bathroom that the boys share and into Hunter's room. His should be done this week once we get it grouted.
I like to call this "That 70's Room" because it is completely paneled but Brian loves it and wouldn't let me change it. The floor turned out great though.
This is commonly known around our house as the "bitchen" because who really needs a butler kitchen?? This is one of my favorite floors in the whole house and I plan on using this as my craft room so I love it :)
This is the breakfast nook with my new penny table. We had the base and chairs but found a tabletop at a resale shop. We glued pennies down and then coated it in epoxy. It is the coolest thing ever and you would not believe how many pennies it took!
We have made a lot of progress and I will add more pictures in the next few days. Hopefully this week we will be crossing of the rest of the major downstairs projects and they will also be starting on the resurfacing of the pool. I will post a picture tomorrow about what we found in the pool today... yuck!

Are You Kidding Me??

So if you look very close at the photo above you will see that in my freshly painted window sill are small little footprints. Not we do not have any animals at the house right now. So this had me wondering and saying aloud... Are You Kidding Me?? We apparently have some kind of small rodent (raccoon, etc) that has decided to move in while we are not there. And if that is not bad enough it decided to walk on my freshly painted window sills because this is not the only one... I have several sets of prints.
And this is our first FINISHED room!! Yeah! This is the breakfast nook and isn't that color awesome! I just love it. I am not sure who had the brilliant idea to paint the whole house... yes, all 6500 sq ft but that person was CRAZY! I am tired of painting. But then I look at the FINISHED room and I am happy so I continue to paint and paint and ... well, you get the idea. By the end of the week I think we will have several finished rooms.
The boys went out with us today and Brian and I had a surprise for them. We found this fusball table at a resale shop yesterday and so we got it and took it to the house. We told them they had to go out with us today to do some work but this is all they did all day (except play soccer over the pool where the goalie had to be on the diving board. Needless to say, they were fishing the ball out of the pool with the net most of the time...) And anyone that knows Brian knows that he could not even keep a secret for 24 hrs... He told the boys last night once we got home :) It has been a good week and I feel like by the end of this week we will see some PROGRESS!

Making Progress

So everyone can breathe a sigh of relief that the snakes are dead! Hunter killed them all and now the very fat toad is eating them... TMI! We have had a very busy week the last two weeks and have made some progress. It feels like we are getting little things done and they are taking way longer than they should but I guess that is how most things go. The most major of these is the overhang... You can see that it is pulling away from the house and the only thing supporting it was the scrolly brackets underneath. So we tore it down...

We have also got some paint and texture on the walls... We are going through 5 gallon buckets like nobody's business. Tomorrow the breakfast nook should be finished and I will post pictures because the color is AWESOME! I only have the crown molding left to paint and then I officially have a room DONE! Stay tuned...

Say Hello to my Little Friend

Ok... not really! This is one of 3 snakes I have living in my pool right now... UGH! It is nastier than nasty and it totally freaks me out... But I go out and check and make sure they are all still in the pool and move along... Today Brian and I were able to make some progress. We are still waiting on the water well to be installed so we can only be there for a limited time (before I have to pee). I was a caulking maniac and Brian ripped out carpet and pad that had been glued to the floor (really? REALLY??). He started to pull up the tack strips which were laid times 3 and then realized that there is peel-n-stick under the pad (AGAIN, REALLY??). So we kept trucking along and will be back tomorrow when I will finish pulling up the peel-n-stick while he rolls a lovely turquoise blue on my kitchen nook walls :)

I've Got a New Reason to Blog :)

So today has been a very exciting day!! We closed on our new house two weeks early. It will be a fun, exciting, interesting, challenging task to bring this house to it's intended glory but we are going to give it all we have. I can't wait to start seeing the progress and to navigate the bumpy road from city slicker to country bumpkin... Stay tuned :)

I Really Love Him...

I am on the home stretch now... I will honestly be able to say that I stuck with a New Year's Resolution for a WHOLE YEAR!! I love my husband because...

Oct 1. I can still make him giggle which I love
Oct 2. He did all the concession runs for the kids at the FC Dallas game.
Oct 3. He convinces me to do the right thing.
Oct 4. Sometimes he still surprises me.
Oct 5. He will take the kids every year to look for costumes.
Oct 6. He is opinionated (I wouldn't want it any other way!).
Oct 7. He is sexy.
Oct 8. He tells me he loves me often.
Oct 9. He is passionate and makes it contagious.
Oct 10. He is encouraging (even though it doesn't come naturally).
Oct 11. In many ways he is like my Dad.
Oct 12. He is really, really funny!
Oct 13. He works to find common ground.
Oct 14. He educates himself and me.
Oct 15. He believes conspiracy theories.
Oct 16. He is skeptical.
Oct 17. He is completely random!
Oct 18. He doesn't care what other people think.
Oct 19. When something is wrong with me, he worries.
Oct 20. He is honest.
Oct 21. He makes it so I can be where I need to be.
Oct 22. He is gentle.
Oct 23. On his birthday, he shares the day with everyone.
Oct 24. He is faithful!
Oct 25. He KNOWS me.
Oct 26. He is easy to please.
Oct 27. He is an awesome listener!
Oct 28. When the kids are sick he will stay up and check on them so I can get some rest.
Oct 29. He makes me happy!
Oct 30. He can be persuaded into doing something he doesn't want to do.
Oct 31. He has never considered not trick-or-treating as a family!

Element Search + Win : search.elementskateboards.com

Element Search + Win : search.elementskateboards.com

Hunter is trying to earn points for a new skateboard so he asked me to post this link. If you sign up he gets extra points. He is trying to get 7000 points for a new board. Thx!!

A Monthly Thing??

So this New Year's resolution was not supposed to be a monthly thing but that is what it has become... Good intentions, I promise. Things are back to what feels like normal around here. The kids are both doing soccer and basketball and Hunter is also doing boxing. That leaves no evening unplanned. Some evenings are spent speeding from one practice to the next. They love it this way and to me it feels, strangely... normal. We are back to spending our Saturdays watching soccer games and going to Kid's Night Out (which means date night for the parents) and Sundays relaxing and watching football. This normal feels good. So without further ado...

Sept 1. He tries to ignite a passion for reading in the boys by setting an example.
Sept 2. We can communicate without speaking.
Sept 3. He can handle things on the homefront if I'm not around.
Sept 4. He is getting into the new soccer team even though the circumstances are not ideal.
Sept 5. He was patient with the new kids at soccer all weekend long and it paid off.
Sept 6. He still loves me even with a red nose, constant sneezing and allergy sniffles.
Sept 7. He is on a roll with cleaning out inventory.
Sept 8. He appreciates when I work hard so he doesn't have to.
Sept 9. He is appreciative of his daily wake-up.
Sept 10. He almost never says no to a sleepover.
Sept 11. He realizes the importance of Date Night.
Sept 12. He realizes the importance of Football.
Sept 13. He appreciates and is supportive of my cost-cutting.
Sept 14. He is a great teacher but can accept some criticisms.
Sept 15. He pushes the kids to do better.
Sept 16. He is flexible when he needs to be.
Sept 17. He humors me.
Sept 18. He puts in a lot of effort to be supportive of the boys equally.
Sept 19. He cheers on my victories right along with me.
Sept 20. He plans for the future.
Sept 21. He can successfully ignore my compulsive need to redecorate.
Sept 22. He makes room for everyone on the bed to watch TV together.
Sept 23. Sometimes we can read each other's thoughts.
Sept 24. Watching him with my niece, giving her his undivided attention, makes my heart melt.
Sept 25. When the kids are gone, we can just relax at home.
Sept 26. He is happy to spend Sunday watching football, just the two of us.
Sept 27. I love how he does something sweet but still expects me to notice.
Sept 28. He was understanding of my bad mood.
Sept 29. He played Hunter in Dance Dance and lost and that was ok.
Sept 30. He fights for my time.

What's New

So here is what's new... I only have about an inch left! (Don't worry... the photographer has been fired!) I also only have about 5 pounds on him now.

Soccer is getting ready start. We are in a tournament this coming weekend and then the regular season starts the 11th.

The NFL is getting ready to start. YEAH!

School has started and is going really, really well. Maybe every year it gets easier or they grow smarter at what a good deal they have but it is easy so far this year!

We had our fantasy football draft and I am happy with my team and hoping to have my name on the trophy this year under my Dad. It was a rough day because last year when we did it I was sitting next to him enjoying, what I anticipated to be, some of our final moments. We shared a sandwich and fries and I helped him try and keep up with the pace of a live draft. By the end he was wiped but happy! It was a fun season and gave us something besides cancer to talk about on our visits. I miss him...

The Longest Post EVER!

So it shouldn't have taken me 2 months to come back and post but it has... And this will be the longest post ever since I have to catch up! I will tell you many, many reasons why I love my wonderful husband and then come back later and tell you what's new!

July 9. He doesn't make me regret my decision to be with him forever.
July 10. He is realistic when I am not.
July 11. We can still stay up late just talking.
July 12. He humors me with "hug time".
July 13. He encourages Hunter in boxing and gets him what he needs to succeed.
July 14. He can spur the whole family into total silliness.
July 15. He realizes vacation should be a bigger priority for our family.
July 16. He will offer to take us out to dinner for no reason.
July 17. He struggles to do the right thing by the kids versus what he wants.
July 18. He is supportive of the boy's activities.
July 19. He never says no when I say "Can I tell you something?" (which is a lot)
July 20. He recognizes that our walks are "our time" and makes it a priority.
July 21. Neither one of us could live without the other.
July 22. He is a terrible driver but can somehow rationalize it.
July 23. I can be myself when I am with him.
July 24. We both look forward to football season and see no problem starting to talk about it months in advance.
July 25. He is my best friend.
July 26. He recognizes it is stressful to try and pack for four people for ten days!
July 27. He bought into this crazy idea I had to drive all night across the country.
July 28. He bought me a new van to make everyone more comfortable.
July 29. He drove in the pitch black, white knuckled so I could sleep for a few hours.
July 30. He let the kids live it up on "vacation".
July 31. Even though it was frustrating, he kept going.
Aug 1. He drove around all day looking at houses.
Aug 2. He is a wonderful Dad!
Aug 3. Even when he got bad news about his soccer team he is determined to make the best of it.
Aug 4. When it's time to work, he works hard.
Aug 5. He made sure the hotel we stayed at had a pool.
Aug 6. In a bad situation, he remained calm and positive.
Aug 7. He is a great listener when he wants to be.
Aug 8. He is great with Addyson.
Aug 9. He lets me know he loves me.
Aug 10. He almost always says yes to a sleepover.
Aug 11. He appreciates and notices when I do something just for him.
Aug 12. He can recognize when he cares more than someone else and just take it down a notch.
Aug 13. He doesn't get upset when other people make decisions he never would.
Aug 14. He did something he really, really didn't want to do and made the best of it.
Aug 15. He is already thinking and planning for school.
Aug 16. He knows me well enough to know I don't "just sit" well.
Aug 17. He makes time for me.
Aug 18. He recognizes my whims and humors me and goes along with it.
Aug 19. He diligently studies to maintain his title
Aug 20. Football is here! A love we share.
Aug 21. Even when he doesn't feel like it, he entertains.
Aug 22. He let the kids get new school clothes even though they don't go to school.
Aug 23. He has taken on the primary job of packing the mail.
Aug 24. He helped unload and move the shed.
Aug 25. He appreciates help!
Aug 26. He bought Hunter a new tv and when it didn't work he kept his cool.
Aug 27. He lends me his pipes when I need a hand.
Aug 28. He dreams big!
Aug 29. He is realistic when it comes to projects.
Aug 30. He allows me to fulfill my commitments.
Aug 31. He doesn't feel unloved even though it takes me two months to post!!

13 Years Ago Today...

Brian and I started out as husband and wife. We went to a little chapel in OKC after getting our blood tests done for STDs (what a way to start a life...) and stopping at a pawn shop to buy wedding rings. It was a whim at the time with a touch of certainty that we had chosen the right person. We were young and thought that "til death do us part" would be easy enough. Well, we learned quickly that it's easier said than done. I still feel in my heart "til death do us part" and hope to still feel this way for the next however many years we have together...

June 21. He loves to read which is something I have tried to learn as an adult.
June 22. He drives a hard bargain.
June 23. He realizes that my to-do list and I need time alone sometimes.
June 24. He volunteered to clean out the fridge since we would be gone for a week.
June 25. He is as excited as the boys to go back to Buffalo.
June 26. He took us to enjoy cool weather!
June 27. He is tough.
June 28. He still has an appreciation for small-town living.
June 29. He knows how to have a good time.
June 30. He does stuff he really doesn't want to because the kids and I do.
July 1. He knows how to take something to the extreme.
July 2. He was calm while I freaked out on the plane.
July 3. He cares and worries about his sister.
July 4. He inspires the kids to be entreprenurial.
July 5. He works hard when he has to.
July 6. He is unlike anyone else I know.
July 7. He has a new-found drive that I admire.
July 8. 13 years ago today he trusted his instincts that I was "The One".

So Much For That Idea...

So, I really thought I was gonna stay on top of this a little better but... I haven't. I'm gonna catch up again! We are trying to get ready to go out of town and not forgot anything while making sure we don't get charged for bags. It's kind of difficult to go on a trip these days! We have decided to all carry on our luggage so I have been measuring our bags to make sure they will fit and carefully planning what all to bring. I don't want to forget my camera and my walking shoes which both feel like they may almost fill my small suitcase. I'm getting a little nervous that I might be walking around Buffalo in the same clothes every day or bartering with the kids for space in their suitcases (which will cost me, I'm sure!) I am looking forward to experiencing Buffalo through the kid's eyes, being in cooler weather!!, seeing Brian's grandmother and being in cooler weather (oooohhhh can't wait... can you tell?).

Today is Father's Day and instead of being sad I am trying to appreciate that my kids have as great a father as I had...

June 1. We can talk openly and share ideas about what techniques work for homeschooling our kids.
June 2. We can decide to live on our own time schedule.
June 3. He strives to be healthy.
June 4. He has shown he can do anything.
June 5. He will spend the day in traffic in the car so I don't have to go alone.
June 6. He realizes sometimes you just have to get over it.
June 7. He has thick skin.
June 8. He is my hero.
June 9. He cracks me up often and fills our life with laughter.
June 10. Even when he could let me have it, he chose his words carefully.
June 11. He was calm when I wanted to go with my over-reacting gut.
June 12. His excitement fr the World Cup is contagious.
June 13. He is a great example of what a big brother should be like.
June 14. He is a vicious negotiator.
June 15. He extends himself beyond his comfort zone.
June 16. He takes care of me when I am sick.
June 17. He steps up when he has to.
June 18. The World Cup has made him marginally patriotic.
June 19. He came out to watch me play softball and didn't rip me apart afterwards.
June 20. He is an amazing dad to our boys.

Catching Up

Believe it or not…this will be the third time I have typed up this blog entry. I typed the whole thing and then my internet died as I tried to post and when I clicked the back button it was all gone. Things have been a little crazy around here for the last few weeks. We are trying to get the kid’s lessons done before the PS kids get out. I have been a little purse crazy (which is good) and business has been better than it usually is this time of year (which is also good). We have made our plans to go back to Buffalo this summer and the kids are really excited. As for the fact that I have not expressed my undying love for my husband for the last few weeks… I am going to make up for that and do better in the future…
May 15. He is constantly learning.
May 16. He gives me the time to sit around and read a good book all day.
May 17. He tries to pull me out of a bad mood.
May 18. He will get up and go for a walk with me.
May 19. If I ask, he does.
May 20. He respects “Grey’s” night.
May 21. He will go out and grill burgers for all the neighborhood kids.
May 22. He appreciates that I’m a cheap date.
May 23. He is like a big kid and will antagonize me until I wrestle with him.
May 24. He is my best friend and always has my back.
May 25. He tries not to wake me up when he comes to bed.
May 26. He is a good listener.
May 27. He still hasn’t realized that we walk so I can have his undivided attention.
May 28. He walks with me at night even when he’s sore.
May 29. He watched Hairy all day while we were at the pool so the kids could see him for a few hours.
May 30. He doesn’t limit the kids because of his insecurities.
May 31. He is supportive of the purses even if it means he has to listen to the noise while we watch a show together.

Super Duper Funny!!

GOD CREATED CHILDREN (& in the process, Grandchildren)

To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students... here is something to make you chuckle. Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children. After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.
And the first thing he said was ' DON'T !'
'Don't what ? ' Adam replied.
'Don't eat the forbidden fruit.' God said.
'Forbidden fruit ?
We have forbidden fruit?
Hey Eve...we have forbidden fruit! '
' No Way! '
'Yes way ! '
'Do NOT eat the fruit ! ' said God.
'Why ? '
'Because I am your Father and I said so ! God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making the elephants
A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was not pleased !
'Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit? ' God asked.
'Uh huh,' Adam replied.
'Then why did you ? ' said the Father.
'Eve started it! ' Adam said.
'Did not ! '
'Did too ! '
'DID NOT ! '
Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you ?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT !
1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.
2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children.
3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.
4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said
5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own
6. We childproofed our homes, but they are still getting in.

( Funny thing is I got this in an email from my mother... think she is trying to tell me something??)

It's Friday Already!!

This week feels like it flew by... Today is a cool, rainy day and at least the cool part is appreciated. This week I worked out at mom's and we made lots of progress. She had a plumbing emergency (which is becoming my specialty) so I went out on Tuesday to take a look. When we got in there and tried to fix it, the pipes were weak and Mom's brute strength gave those pipes a run for their money. It was probably good to find out while we were in there that the pipes were fading fast because we would not have wanted to fix the problem only to encounter another in a year or so. As much as she feels like everything is falling apart, I told her it was a blessing that this happened now because plumbing is fresh on my mind and fixing it was a breeze. We cut out the old pipes and replaced them with new copper pipes and a new shower fixture with all new insides. It should last a long time now! Unfortunately to get to the pipes I had to cut a hole in the wall in her bedroom :( I think she was a little shocked when I suggested it but was on board... it might have been a test to see how bad I would really destroy her house. Needless to say, it is the same thing a plumber would have to do and was saving her the time and money of hiring someone.

Yesterday I went back out and we put the piece of drywall back in and taped and mud it up there. It needed to sit and dry so we started replacing chandeliers and light fixtures around the house. IT WAS FUN and made a huge impact. The last one we put up we used some pieces from a few others and it makes a bold statement in her entry. I was pleased and I think she really liked the changes. All in all a job well done and I am looking forward to the next project :)

And for my sweet husband who has lived without me a few days this week...

May 8. He may anger quickly but does not act rashly, but rather processes it.
May 9. He took my mom and me out to dinner for Mother's Day.
May 10. He listens intently when he knows I am excited about something.
May 11. He cracks me up.
May 12. He works hard.
May 13. He strives to make himself better.
May 14. Even when I've been gone all week he says yes to girls night.

Goin' Soccer Crazy!

We have a huge tournament in town this weekend so things have been a little crazy. Trying to fit in volunteer time, games, getting Grampa to the airport and all of life's other suprises has been a little daunting. We are still waiting on my nephew to decide it's time to come too. Brandon was a little relieved he didn't come on his birthday. He realized he doesn't share well :)

The boys had a nice visit with Grampa but were sad to see him go. Brian and his sister sold and closed on their mother's house and I think both of them felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders. I am praying that this weekend is not too difficult for them. I think Mother's day makes those wounds break wide open again. I feel it because I miss my mother-in-law but also because my Dad used to always say that he didn't need to do anything for my mom because she wasn't his mother. Since Hunter has been born this has also been Brian's philosophy of Mother's Day which just reminds me how, in many ways, he is a lot like my Dad.

I need to do a little catch up too...

Apr 24. He enables me to spend quality time with each of the kids individually.
Apr 25. He realizes he needs to make an effort to be encouraging.
Apr 26. His thinking-things-thru process is faster and more thorough than mine.
Apr 27. He is an amazing negotiator.
Apr 28. He has a smile that is all mine.
Apr 29. He can ease your mind and remain level-headed.
Apr 30. He is teaching the kids the value of money (Probably better him than me.)
May 1. Nine years ago today he gave me a mini version of him who keeps me on my toes.
May 2. He filters information quickly but draws conclusions slowly.
May 3. He doesn't shy away from hard work.
May 4. He was able to fix something and was proud of his accomplishment (ok, downright giddy as a schoolgirl.)
May 5. He made all the boys feel like superstars as he handed them their soccer trophies.
May 6. He still kisses me like he means it.
May 7. He makes it possible for me to do volunteer work.

Slowing Down...

The momentum has taken a back seat this week but I have been able to tie up the projects and officially mark them off my list. My bathroom and kitchen are done. It is a relief and with company coming this week we are on hiatus for a little bit. Brian's dad is coming for Little One's birthday and he is thrilled. I am tired and we had a crazy weekend... We fit a lot of soccer and basketball games into just a few days and the boys have informed me they will be playing indoor soccer, basketball and dodgeball in the coming months... Should be fun! I am headed to bed but wanted to just let you know a few reasons I love my husband...

Apr 17. He knows when I need a little muscle.
Apr 18. He is impressed by my plumbing skills (might have missed my calling).
Apr 19. He makes sure the kids do lessons when I am at work.
Apr 20. We can still talk for hours (one of the first things I loved about him).
Apr 21. He goes out of his way to make me feel good.
Apr 22. He has a side of him that few know but those who do realize how genuine it is.
Apr 23. He is a good friend.

Still goin' strong...

The Beatles Were Right!!

I get by with a little help from my friends... Got a brand new shower with a little help from my friends... I AM DONE! It feels great to finally be done and tomorrow we can start using the shower once the seal has time to cure. The patio is finished and I have replaced the broken lights and moved the kids games, air hockey table etc. I am very happy with the way it turned out. Today we have ripped out half of the countertops and are going to replace them and then do the other half.

For my wonderful husband...

Apr 10. He beams with pride when it all comes together.
Apr 11. He took the day to get our taxes mostly done so I didn't have to.
Apr 12. He packed all the mail so I could work in the bathroom.
Apr 13. Even when he gets consumed with a game he is learning to come back to reality once in awhile.
Apr 14. He can admit when he is wrong and says it out loud for my satisfaction.
Apr 15. He is impressed with my work.
Apr 16. He brags about the shower behind my back.

Brian took a shower!

Not that he doesn't do that often but this was a special shower! He got to try out my new shower as I checked for potential mistakes I may have made. I thought it was better to test it out before I put the $100 sealer on the tile and grout. I am happy to report that everything worked great. I hope to get it sealed tonight and in 72 hours we will be fully functional. I am so excited!!

As I waited for the grout to cure I decided to tackle the next project on the list. This was to be the kitchen countertops but with the beautiful weather we have been having I decided to swap that for the back patio. Anyone that has been to my house in the last, oh... years knows that our patio has been completely devoted to inventory for our business. I do not even have a "before" picture out of sheer embarassment. I will happily share what it looks like now...

This is all the inventory we have left out there! The rest made its way to the dump or the storage unit. It is 350 sq ft that we now realize we have missed. We enclosed it a few years ago with dreams of someday making it into something great. So far...

we have moved the arcade games out there and hope to get the air hockey table out there tonight or tomorrow. It will be the kids mini arcade. I would say that I hope that it encourages the neighborhood kids to play outside but in reality that is their preference. The boys are really excited to overtake, I mean, have a cool place of their own. I can't decide if I will start the countertops tomorrow (with soccer games Saturday and Sunday and basketball for Hunter) I am not sure how much I will actually get done. I am toying with the idea of working in my office/studio and finally getting that organized... Again, there will be no "before" pictures as it is a DISASTER! I feel so accomplished today and am hoping it carries over for the next month or so... So much to do... so little time...