Recent Happenings

The last two weeks have been rough.  Ben has been sick with, ahem, shall we say, explosive things.  Which means, grumpy boy, multiple baths per day, major laundry, and no naps.  All this makes for a not so happy Mommy.  Luckily for us all, he seems to be on the mend.  In between all the drama, I managed to fit in a few projects.  Chalkboard paint in hand, I went to town.

I painted the back of the door that leads to the mud room.  That way I can leave messages for the kids on their way out.  I love how it turned out.  I also painted the little hand me down side table.  I almost threw it out, but a few coats of chalkboard paint and some varnish gave it new life.  I am in love with chalkboard paint.  It sticks to everything with little to no prep.  I recently discovered Annie Sloan chalk paint, and can't wait to try it.  It is said to have very similar properties to chalkboard paint, but is TOTALLY different (wink, wink) and made specifically for refurbishing old surfaces.  I have the perfect old dresser that needs a makeover.

The first floor bath/laundry room also received some attention.  A fresh coat of sunny yellow paint, and the addition of some much needed storage.  The flooring needs to be changed, as does the sink and counter top, but that will have to wait a bit.  For now, a few small changes made a big difference.

Easter and flowers from Grandma cheered us all up.  Tulips are my absolute favorite! 

Shopping is always a hoot with these two.  They were trying on some dresses just for fun, and had to snap some pics of course!  The goofy faces they come up with, crack me up.

We are looking forward to a visit from Jim's parents and sister next weekend.  Spring break is the following week for our kids.  We are staying home and praying for some sunshine and warm weather, it is much needed.  Can't wait until things green up around here!

I am job hunting once again.  Hopefully something will turn up soon.  As much as I hate putting Ben in daycare, even part time, I am a much happier and more productive person when I am working outside the home.  Ben actually really enjoys going to school.  He's our little social butterfly.  Being the only two stuck at home makes us both grumpy.  So, for everyones mental health, I need to find something soon! 

Update and House Tour-365 Project

Had to start with the best feature of the house, the view.  This is looking out the kitchen door on the East side of the house.   

Let's call these the before pictures.

Kitchen.  Not sure what to think about the cabinets.  Some days I don't mind them, other days I want to get the sledge hammer out while Jim is at work.  Oops!  Well, now we need a new kitchen, darn.  I really want to rip out the top cabinets and the soffit, love the look of kitchens with no upper cabinets.  Not sure how practical it is though for someone who actually uses their kitchen to do this.   My Kitchen board on Pinterest has lots of fun ideas.

To the left of the kitchen is the dining room, it looks out to the East as well.

The center of the main level is the hearth room.  My favorite room in the house.  The wood burning stove has been a big obsession hit.  It turns out that I am the expert fire-starter in the family.  Not sure what that says about me ;) 

(The cat is loving the stove as well) 

To the left of the previous picture is a door wall out to the screened in porch (very right hand side of this pic)  and then the stairs going up and down.  The girls bathroom and laundry room is off to the left here.

The bathroom/laundry room combo, which the girls use.  Needs help!  

Continuing around to the left is the mudroom?/entrance from the other mudroom that connects the garage to the house.  This room stumped me at first, but I think it's going to work well.  The closets are huge and offer a great deal of storage.  Also, you can see more ugly lighting, this time in the form of a ceiling fan! 

The hubs, and two of our special visitors that were here last week.  My Dad and two of our Nephews were able to come for a visit.  They were great helpers!  Dad straightened several of the closet doors that needed some TLC and also installed the safety gate around the stove.  

Continuing on our panoramic tour is the front door, which gets us back to the kitchen.

Dad and Ben playing peek-a-boo.  

Jacob cleaning out the stove.  He was very interested in the stove!

Kitchen window.  Owen made me the heart in art class:)

Other kitchen window, where my new antique bowl, a gift from Jim, sits.

New window treatment.  Most of the windows don't need much, as we don't have any close neighbors. We took down lots of old, heavy, dusty curtains.  I'm loving all things minimalist these days.

Ending with the view.  Sunrise one chilly morning.

Outside Our Window...

...the snow has stopped falling, at least for the time being.

It's just beautiful out there.

But boy is it cold!  

Owen finally talked me in to going sledding with him this morning.  He has been determined to get me out there since our arrival here in Vermont.

After he came in from helping Mr. O'Reilly, the Innkeeper shovel the walks, I couldn't say no any longer.   His reward for being ambitious and helpful.

I wish I could say we played out there together for hours, losing track of time because we were having so much fun.  Truthfully it was cold, windy, and the snow was too slow to make the sled move more than an inch at a time.  It was too powdery to even make any useful snow balls, jeesh.  We did manage to take in the stunning view from the top of the hill, and have a few minutes of fun before I cried uncle and ran inside.  On the way in I tackled him once really good into a snow bank, Dumb and Dumber style.  In true boy fashion, he loved it, and that seemed to satisfy him for today.  I promised that as soon as it warms up a bit, and the sleds actually slide down the hill, I'm game for another outing. 

The snow was a cozy end to a hectic week.  There's nothing like being snowed in with a warm dinner, hot chocolate, a stack of movies, and loved ones.  

The kids are settling in nicely to their new school.  Madeline began scouting out the local high schools, deciding where she wants to go.  I feel like she is going off to college.  There are campus tours, entrance exams, and applications to fill out.   We are very excited for this new phase in her life, she is growing up right before our eyes.  

Ben is doing great with the transition.  We are so blessed to have such an easy going and happy little boy on our hands.  A little extra love and attention goes a long way with our little man.  He has begun receiving services (speech and OT) through the public school system, and will start pre-school in a private setting on Monday. 

We are looking forward to closing on our house this Wednesday.  As much as we have enjoyed our temporary digs, there is no place like home.  It will be wonderful to have our own beds back, and have a kitchen to cook some healthy meals in again.  

Overall, I'd say this move has been much easier than our move to NC.  We are not grieving a loss this time, and have somewhat accepted the fact that this is Gods plan for our family.  If we have to be gone, both Jim and I feel that VT is the place for us.

Now accepting reservations for visitors!

Celebrating

Happy 12th Birthday to our sweet girl!

A Year In Pictures- The 365 Project

Our day started with getting bundled up for a sleigh ride.

We waited in the petting barn for our ride.  The animals were excited for some company and apparently this goat wanted to be in the picture too!

Belle and Bert all ready to go.

It was a beautiful, clear, sunny, and cold day.  That's Burke Mountain ahead of us there.

We went to the main house to warm up after the sleigh ride.

Jim and the big kids went back out for some sledding and ice skating, while Ben and I went back to our room for a nap.

 

Walking across the road to a warm and welcoming dinner.

A Year In Pictures-365 Project

We have settled into our (2nd!) temporary housing location.  It's bigger than the hotel, but still pretty cozy.  Our tentative closing date is Feb 13th, but we are working on getting it moved up to the 6th.  Needless to say we are anxious to get in to the house.

For now we have a beautiful view, sledding hills, skating rink, and sleigh rides to keep us busy.  If it ever warms up that is!  The weatherman is calling for -30+ degree wind chills over the next 24 hours.

Pretty and cold.  (Or pretty cold)

Quiet, warm, indoor activities for the time being.  No TV here, or speedy internet connections for that matter. 

Taking this opportunity to learn about the history of our new community.

Staying warm, and counting my blessings,

A Year In Pictures-365 Project

After three long days of keeping kids busy while the packers and loaders were wrapping up things at the NC house, and a long day of driving.  We finally made to Vermont, our new home.  

The cold Canadian air greeted us, brrr.  We spent the day running errands, dropping off the kitty at her temporary digs, and visiting the kids new school.  We drove by the new house to show the kids and will get a chance to go inside later this afternoon.

4 degrees :)

Ben did not appreciate the cold, he snuggled with Mimi for warmth.

The new house. 

We are making progress!

A Year In Pictures- The 365 Project

The packing/Organizing/Cleaning/Laundry continues!

Included in our Open Me First boxes are: full set of fresh bedding (flannel!) for each bed in that room, alarm clocks, reading lamps.  Everything else needed for that busy first night in the new house will be with us since we will be in temporary housing for about 4 weeks.  Good times!

A Year In Pictures-365 Project

We had a brief, but fun visit from the cousins on their way home from vacation!

A Year In Picture- The 365 Project

Saying goodbye is the worst part of moving.  Today we said so long to our church family.  They sent us off with a God-speed, and some much needed words of wisdom from our Pastor.  "Good-bye is not an ending, but a spoken blessing.  A shortened form of God be with you."

The girls confirmation class and our Pastor.