Last week we brought home the newest member of our family – Sudo.
(his head isn’t as big as it appears)
Archive for the ‘Not Lillian’ Category
Bellen Wedding
05
Aug
Dave and I were able to take a little mini vacation to attend a wedding on Block Island. Block Island is located off the coast of Rhode Island. You have to get there by ferry. It is a very cool New England style island. A good friend of Dave’s from high school got married there. The guy’s name is Ben and his wife’s name is Ellen. Ellen is from Boston and her family vacationed on Block Island during her childhood so that is why they chose the island for their special day. We had a wonderful time! Everything was perfect and so well done. Read the rest of this entry »
My Best Friend’s Wedding!
07
Jun
On May 28th my best friend since 7th grade got married!!! I had the amazing opportunity to be her matron of honor. It was crazy at times but SO fun! haha! Thank you SO much for asking me I was truly honored. I am so excited for Ashley and Jeremy and wish them all the best. I know Ashley has waited for the right guy to come along for awhile and i’m glad she found one that is perfect for her. They got married at Aldridge Gardens and had the reception there too. It was beautiful and Ashley looked stunning in her dress. We all had a great time celebrating with them at the reception.
Read the rest of this entry »
Home Improvement Roundup – Part 1
10
Apr
It’s been a while since we put anything on here that wasn’t purely about Lillian, so here’s your chance to find out what the adults in the house have been up to. Over the course of the past year or so, we’ve remodeled the master bath and installed hardwood floors downstairs. We did all the work ourselves (as usual) so it took a little longer than we expected. We bought the first supplies for the bathroom renovation in April of last year, and just used the new shower for the first time last month.
In the bathroom, we previously had a fiberglass-surround shower that had gotten so worn down that it was impossible to keep clean. We also had a giant, boring plate glass mirror and a random medicine cabinet that didn’t fit with the rest of the room. The floors were the original linoleum and the window treatments that were left in the house looked older than me. Most of our “before” pictures focus on the shower.
The first step was to get rid of the old shower, and tear out the wall to the studs. That’s my favorite kind of shower cleaning. On a side note, I didn’t know that pipe in the back wall was there and only missed it with the reciprocating saw by a couple inches.
The next step was to let Britney sweep. She’s good at sweeping, as you can clearly see.
After everything was nice and clean, it was time to install the shower base, install the new plumbing, and hang the cement board. I’m proud to say the plumbing worked on the second try. Since there’s not a shutoff for the shower line we had to cut the water off at the street, so when it came time to turn on the water, I was at the street on the phone with Britney, who was keeping a close eye for leaks, towel in hand.
The most time consuming part was all the tile. We decided to go with something that would stand out yet still look nice, and I think we found the right tile. Cutting the holes for the showerhead and handle was something I’d rather not ever have to do again. To drill one hole I would have to drain both batteries in my drill (despite having a tile bit), and sometimes the tile would crack in half right as I finished. If there’s a better way to drill holes in tile, I don’t want to hear about it. Too late. Stop talking now.
After grouting the tile, the only thing we had left to do was put in some new doors. The first doors we got turned out to be the wrong size (too big). We could have cut the frame to fit, but the sliding glass doors would have only allowed about 18 inches of clearance if they were both slid to the same side. Lowe’s was kind enough to exchange the door, despite being well outside the normal return period. The installation was actually surprisingly easy – the sides support the top, and the doors just hang on rails in the top. The bottom is just there to guide the bottoms of the doors and keep the water in.
And finally, the AFTER pictures. We tiled the floor, put in new mirrors, replaced the curtains, and replaced the towel rack with a couple hooks.
Part 2 is coming soon – Hardwood Floors
A song got me thinking
07
Jan
The other day I was driving in the car with Lillian finishing up running some errands and this song titled “If you want me to” came on the radio. The song is by an artist named Ginny Owens who has always been one of my favorite artist. Her songs are always so real and the words are so intimate and powerful. She truly writes from her heart. It’s like reading her journal. I hadn’t heard the song in SO long. It’s over 10 years old. WOW time flies. As I was listening to the song it really spoke to me and got my mind wandering. (no worries i was still able to drive and focus on the road) It got me thinking about this past year the good and bad things that have happened. Naturally its easier to think immediately about the bad.Examples: death in the family, friends struggling, relationships broken, tough decisions, financial concerns, illnesses, everyday stresses,etc. We all have things that have happened this past year that we wish hadn’t and might still be trying to figure out why. This song reminded me that God never said it would be easy but he did say we would never have to go alone. I have found through my own life and others when times are hard and things happen that we don’t understand (ie: the saying “when it rains it pours”) God and his amazing grace and love is there with us. Somehow we get through it and are able to move on and are stronger to face the next battle to come our way. The song also reminded me of God’s love for us and and how through every trial we go through there is a reason why it was there for us to walk through. The words of the song are SO much easier sung then actually done. The song spoke to me as a challenge to be able to say ok God if this is what you want to happpen in my life good and bad im gonna go walk through it because you want me to. WOW talk about some faith. How hard it seems to be able to do that but yet it should seem so easy because God promises he is in control and will get us through the valleys of life. So as the song was coming to an end i was able to smile and know that God has been there through each up and down in my life in his own little way whether I knew it then or later. Sorry if this post seems out out of left field or makes zero sense. Just something that was on my heart and I felt like sharing. I’m not the best with words. The lyrics to the song are posted below. I hope maybe someone or no one may and that’s ok if its just me finds the song encouraging and may bring you some hope.
If You Want Me To:
The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don’t know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I’m gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
Chorus:
Cause I’m not who I was
When I took my first step
And I’m clinging to the promise You’re not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will walk through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that’s not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I’d never go alone
ya oh oh no
So When the whole world turns against me
And I’m all by myself
And I can’t hear You answer my cries for help
I’ll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley If You want me to