Making it Our Dream Home

When we were house hunting in November, we knew this was the house of our dreams.  It was a bit beyond on budget, but we willing to save to make it happen.  It had everything we wanted and needed for our family.  

 Within a few weeks of moving in, maybe just a few days, we knew there were big problems.  Water was everywhere in the basement.  Thankfully nothing was ruined, but we were frustrated. 

 We continued to use and live in the basement through Christmas.  It is the perfect place for all the toys.

 We did a few painting projects to make things a little more our style, but no major projects.

As the early spring rains began we had fewer and fewer opportunities to use the basement because it was wet for weeks at a time.  We realized something had to be done.  We contacted several companies and decided to install a sump pump and cover the walls with a special plastic.  Unfortunately it would be mid summer before work could begin. 

 With the help of our precious church family we began demolition on our own.  We removed thousands of bricks from the floor.  We took down all drywall, paneling and studs on the exterior walls.  There was mold and water damage everywhere.  Not a good thing for a little boy who suffered from asthma for years. 

 At the very end of June trenches were dug and the sump pump was installed.  Walls were covered with the special material.  Rain fell and it remained outside, not in our basement.  Praise the Lord.  We weren't done yet.  It was our job to finish the rest of the basement. 

 Again with the help of our precious church family, new studs were hung, and drywall was replaced.  We added some new electrical as well.  We learned a lot.  Adam and I painted.  There were many arguments about the paint color.  Adam took his UK basketball shorts to Lowe's and they color matched them for him.  Two walls are UK blue and the rest are cream. 

 We installed the new waterproof flooring and painted the steps.  We had a professional finish the flooring and hang trim.  It looks and feels like a new basement.  It is a project we would have done 5-10 years down the road, but we were forced to do it much earlier.  We are very pleased with the new space and the kids are thrilled to have their basement and toys back. 

In the midst of the basement renovations we painted two bedrooms upstairs. Special family and friends painted our master bedroom a lovely Peach Cobbler.  They also painted the ceiling.  The walls were the same color as the brown walls.  I also painted the guest room yellow like Owen's room, to match the blue and white bedding we have had since we got married.

We love our home and pray we are able to spend many wonderful years here watching our children grow up and as we continue to serve the Lord here in Owensboro. 

Alexander's Birthday

                                    Alexander had a Super Hero party for his 6th birthday. 

 The cake was probably one of mommy's better cake efforts.  The fondant was homemade marshmallow fondant. 

 We were thankful it was still warm enough to swim on the day of the party. 

 The boys got to choose their own Super Hero cape to wear. 
                                     They looked so cute.

We requested no gifts, but his sweet friends still shared in the celebration in addition to giving to local charities such as Bellevue's Hand 2 Hand Ministry.  
Alexander received Spider Man toys, a Mario Wii remote, a Mario costume, new sheets, a new blanket for his bed and several new pairs of jeans.  They were all things he could use and enjoy. 

It is hard to believe we have been given such a precious gift.  We enjoy him everday, even though we often clash with our strong wills.  We love you sweet boy. 

Baby O

Owen will be 18 months old this week.  He is so fun and reaching new milestones each day.  He has begun using many new words.  He says:
-go - I don't want it. -I want it. -Mama - Daddy- ba ba 

He loves to make animal noises like a cat or dog.  As we walk and play outside he always notices birds, squirrels, and rabbits.  He gets so excited by them. 

 Owen just recently began sleeping through most of the night.  Mommy insisted a few weeks ago, that it was unnecessary for him to have a 2am feeding like a newborn.  We are in the process of weaning, but it is hard for Mommy as well as baby, knowing this is probably the last baby. 

 Owen loves his slicky blanket that my Dad bought for Alexander when he was a baby.  Owen also sleeps with this baby doll that our friend Lisa in Nebraska gave us.  He kisses the blanket and the baby and rocks his baby.  He still likes his pacifier as you can see here. 

Owen is quite a Mommy's boy and has lots of separation anxiety when he goes to the church nursery.  He adores his brother and sister.  He hugs, kisses and pats on them when they are hurt.  He is quite a boy though.  He is rough and loves to play ball. 

Miss Auj Goes to School

 Audrey started preschool at Cathedral Preschool this week.  Her teacher is her grandmother- Nana.  She is so excited to help Nana clean up the classroom and earn a Skittle.  Audrey has been waiting for August to arrive for months.  She attends school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  She is eager to learn and loves to draw, color, and create.  After just a few days of school it has been interesting to see the difference in boys and girls.  Audrey willingly shares most of her school experiences from the day while Alexander has to be begged to share any information. 

 Audrey loves "reading" books to herself and playing with Play Doh.  She recently found one of Adam's Economist magazines.  I found her reading it in her bed. 

We look forward to Audrey developing new friends at school and learning a lot. 

Alexander is in Kindergarten

 August 6th was Alexander's first day of Kindergarten at Sutton Elementary School.  So far he loves school and his teacher Ms. DeWitt. 

                            He had his first soccer practice last week. 

 Mommy and Daddy are so proud of the fine young boy he has become.  He has a heart for Jesus and loves to sing for the Lord.  At night or nap time we often hear him singing along with the music on his ipod. 

 It is hard to believe that we were blessed with this precious boy almost six years ago.  In just a few short weeks we will be celebrating Alexander's birthday.  It is such a joy to be Mommy to this sweet boy. 

Home Sweet Home(s)

 We built this home in Lexington in 2006.  It was the home where we brought our first two children home from the hospital.  It was a labor of love.  Adam worked so hard to maintain the beautiful green grass.  I loved planting flowers there.  We grew strawberries and blueberries in the back yard.  My brothers built a great fence to contain Alexander and Audrey.  The large maple tree in the back yard was a gift from Mama and Daddy. 

 

We spent 5 wonderful years there.  When we moved to Nebraska in October of 2011 we rented it to our dear friends Derek and Jessica.  After moving back to Kentucky and purchasing a new home in Owensboro we decided it was time to sell this home.  The home sold in May.  It was a little difficult to leave for the last time. 
The blue and green vertical stripes I had tediously painted and then repainted for Audrey with pink and green.  And the crown molding hung by Daddy and Adam were some of the special features of this home. 

 

 In late June we began a major renovation on our Owensboro home.  Unfortunately this was not a renovation we had hoped to experience so quickly.  The basement leaked water with any rainfall large or small. 

With the help of our church family we did some demolition to remove the drywall, studs and flooring in the basement.  This is what we found behind the drywall, mold and water stains.  

A sump pump was installed after a week of jack hammering and carrying out buckets of concrete.  The walls were wrapped in a plastic material and new windows were installed.  Now we have the pleasure of putting up new studs and hanging new drywall.  We have a lot to learn.  We are anxious to get our basement back to normal, especially for the kids.  It will be a great living space when it is complete, but man am I glad that is the only renovation needed for hopefully many more years.  We love our home and look forward to raising our kids here and being here for many years to come. 

Dancing Girl

 Audrey had a busy weekend of dancing.  Saturday she had dance rehearsal.  She was a little nervous to go on the big stage, but with a little encouragement she put on quite a show. 

 She loved wearing her costume for the "Good Ship Lollipop."  She called it the Friendship Lollipop. 

 On Sunday she was excited to perform again.  She did a great job of showing off her plies. 

On Saturday evening, Audrey got to demonstrate more of her freestyle dancing at Jill's wedding.  Auj loved dancing with the big girls, Jill, Madeline, Emily, and Ellen.  She was enchanted by their dresses, especially Jill's wedding gown. Audrey put on quite a show by dancing to Beyonce's "Single Ladies."  

Audrey is definitely into fine arts.  She loves music, dance, and creating things with paint, markers, and play dough.  She is our beautiful princess and will tell you that.  She is quite the entertainer.