Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Beginning of a Remodel

We have begun the process of remodeling our kitchen and when I say "begun" that is what I mean.  Until yesterday I was just going to do some painting, get new curtains and a new fridge; but my hubby had other plans.  

He suggested we go ahead totally remodel the kitchen they way we have wanted to for 11 years.  So today, Ryan, our contractor came out to see just what we are wanting.  That is the question of the century.  I thought I knew what I wanted, but the decisions are hard.  I know we will be removing a wall, removing paneling, getting a new floor, cabinets and counter tops, a fridge, a new sink and faucet and over range microwave; but the details are finalized at all.

Making the decisions about the details are hardest part.  
Take a look at the existing kitchen...

The stairs going up to kids rooms.  Those walls will be painted and the hardwood stairs will be exposed!! (I just realized they were there this week!!) The door to the right (where all the sweatshirts are hanging) is to our bedroom.  Just thought maybe we should see about having that removed too???  :)

Directly across from stairs, the back door.  The wall on right will be removed and the rest will be painted, minus the paneling.

Looking through to the kitchen.  This the wall that will be removed.

Looking at the kitchen from the table area.  All you see will be gone!!!  The large cabinet to the left will be where the refrigerator goes.




Looking into the kitchen from the dining room.  

Also, looking from dining room.  Where the fridge is there will be a new pantry!!

The wall on left will be GONE!!!  The china cabinet maybe for sale.  Not sure yet.

The stove will have a microwave above and cabinets.

The cabinets will not go up to the ceiling and that weird middle "thing" will be gone too. 

The girl in this shot will still be around!!!

Dropping these cabinets down too!!

That is it.  The wonderful world of veneer cabinets and laminate counter tops.  Hoping that in the end, whenever that will be, we will have the world of custom cabinets and granite counter tops!!!

Thanks for coming along...


Sunday, January 27, 2013

My Week in Pictures, January 20-26, 2013


Week 1
January 20- 26, 2013

Sunday we celebrated some family birthdays.  Mine, Steve's, my sisters, and brother-in-laws.


Monday we discovered that Evan has a tooth that has two close neighbors.  They just happen to be under it trying to push it out. Evan isn't to interested in helping them out.

Tuesday Evan finished his first reading book.  He was very proud of himself, I am too.  He is really doing well reading. 

Tuesday we spent the evening watching our girls play in a HFC Panthers JV volleyball game.  They both did pretty good, they did win. 



Wednesday I spent a good part of the morning cooking for my mother and father-in-law.  My f-i-l is bedridden and probably won't eat any of the food, but I knew that my mom-in-law wasn't cooking for herself.  I wanted to help how ever I could so I made; chili, stew, spaghetti sauce, chicken breasts, pork chops, baked potatoes and mashed potatoes.  





Thursday
Evan reading his next reading book.




Friday meant another trip to the Pediatrician.  Jack was victim number five to whatever has been going around in our house.  His was strep. 



Saturday we went looking for fabric for our soon to start kitchen renovation.  

Trying to decide between these two for the curtains....hhhuuummm??

Friday, January 18, 2013

Sometimes Change is Good!

So, I had blogged resently about choosing a word to describe the kind of year I want to have. The word I picked for 2013 was Committed, but I think I am going to change it. I'm going with Heavenly Minded, Focused 
God has really been speaking to me through my pastor the last couple weeks. Here are some of my notes from his sermon on January 2, 2013... 


His first message was about Transformation. 
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;"    
                                                                                                  Ephesians 4:22-23 

He was talking about transformation, the Greek word is Metamorphoo (met-am-or-fo'-o:
to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.)  We should be passionate about our transformation, we should to have a healthy spiritual renewal. 

1. Think progress not perfection.  That was a light bulb moment for me.  I tend to not start things because I know I won't do it perfectly.  I never think, "This is all a progress."  I should have a sign that says, "I am a WORK IN PROGRESS!!" 
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."     Philippians 3:12

2.  Think Future not Past.  I may not of made great choices yesterday, but I do have tomorrow.  In the area of diet, which is where I am right now, I may not have made the best choice for breakfast, but I can do better at lunch or dinner.  
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14         

3.  Think Together not Alone.  We should be in small groups, bible study.  We should have people of accountability. 
"not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."    Hebrews 10:25

We should have regular bible reading time, Worshiping God for who He is. 
 "Do it yourself stop waiting for others."   Dave Stone

I had already started an accountability group with some other ladies to help each of us with our weight lose journey, this just confirmed we are doing it the right way. We not only encourage each other with what we eat and how much we are moving, but with a bible reading and our prayer lives.  It is invaluable!!

4.  Think God's Spirit, not Your Willpower.  I really liked this one.  I know that I am weak, very weak to be honest, when it comes to food.  I have to listen to the Holy Spirit when I start to eat something I shouldn't.  Sometimes we actually argue, but I need to let the Spirit win!!  
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."   Galatians 5:16-17

We should live by God's Spirit in our prayer time, worship time, alone time.  We should read God's Word.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."   2 Peter 1:3  

"Put ourselves in a position of transformation by God's power.  I can't, He can, I think I'll let Him!!"  Dave Stone

What a great way to start a new year.  Focusing on God and trying to stay Heavenly Minded.

If you want to take a look at his sermon here is the link to the podcast.



Monday, January 7, 2013

What a Difference a Year Makes


All I can say is WOW!!!

We both lost about 20 pounds.
Let's see what changes 2013 bring...


                 Christmas 2012





Christmas 2011


Committed in 2013

If you could choose a word to describe 2013 what would it be? 

 If, in 11 months or so, you could look back on 2013 and describe it with one word what would YOU want it be?  

  Name it!!!  That's right, Name it!!!

You can name 2013 right now and then work on making that happen all year long.  So, if it is Healthy, Happy, Relaxed or whatever it maybe,  just name it.  

This year my word is committed...commit means to carry into action deliberately, to pledge or assign to some particular course or use.  I am committing to reading God's work, memorizing 100 Bible verses, loving my husband, teach my children, getting healthy and keeping busy doing a good works. I want to set an example for my children and teach them to be committed.   I want to be steadfast. 

"Give careful thought to the path of your feet and be steadfast in your ways." Proverbs 4:26

If you choose to name your year please leave me a comment and let me know what that word is.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Oh Happy Day

We had a great day today.  We were able to buy our almost 17 year old son a new (well new to him) truck.  We are blessed to be able to bless the kids and it feel great when they really appreciate it. I wonder if that is how God feels when he blesses us.  I pray that we always show Him we appreciate all he has blessed us with.



If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!                   Matthew 7:11