House tour - part 1 (Photos Only)

It seems like each time we move it takes longer to unpack than previous. Maybe we're just worn out, or perhaps we're secretly willing ourselves not to move again (the last 3 moves have been almost exactly within 6 months of unpacking our last box). Needless to say, we're not moving at light speed unpacking and settling in. Here's where we are so far. 

Kitchen:

So far we've hung a few things on the wall and moved in our furniture. I also replaced the microwave out of necessity. This was the first time I've ever witnessed a microwave die. It started sparking, flaming, and then lighting our food on fire...needless to say it needed to go. Unfortunately they don't make a replacement so we had to get a new one (for future reference, built-in microwaves are the only thing MORE expensive than over-the-range microwaves, this one was about $400 to replace). So our first trip to Metro Appliances in Maumelle was set. If you haven't been this is an excellent place, we will likely get ALL our appliances from here in the future. Great service, AMAZING inventory, and it's really a one-stop-shop for everything you could want (also it's local, which we prefer to support when possible).

We have plans to replace the countertops (probably keep the backslash, we like the aged tile with diamond inset). 

Half Bath (Hallway):

So far we hung a new mirror and that's it. I love the reflection of Jen and KK in this photo!

Living Room:

We've moved our furniture in, hung a sconce and shadow boxes (nothing in them yet), hung the TV over the fireplace.

We need to find a piece of furniture to hold the media stuff as well as cable management (I'm not sure on this whether we're going in the wall, or on the wall).

Well that's about it so far. I'll update with more soon...

We're Moved In!!

God is SOO Good! Every time I feel like we've reached a new point of providence/blessing He shows us a new opportunity to trust and be rewarded. 

Life has been a blur for the last two months. So here are the highlights:

Paul has transitioned jobs. He left Windstream in June and is starting a new Kitchen and Bath Remodeling business...where you ask? Little Rock! So you guessed it, we decided to move HOME!

So we moved back last month and stayed with Jen's parents while we looked for a new place to live.

Initially we weren't sure if we would be able to get a loan, buy a house, etc. So we were preparing ourselves to have to rent. In short, we were able to secure a loan. So we set about on finding THE HOUSE.

This was more difficult than we had expected, but thanks to the help of our realtor (and new friend...really if you're in the market call me for her info, she's the best I've worked with!) we fell in lurve! Then we saw the price tag...tears...WAY over our budget. Why would she show it to us?? "oh ye of little faith[...]" In short, she knew something we didn't and we left the price up to her... after about 3 days of agonizing patience she called, it was in our range!

The next month was a blur of inspections, paperwork, fighting the bank (if given an option, never again will I get a loan through a bank with out of state underwriters) and coordinating. The end result??

We're so excited!

On top of this we're now all-in with the remodeling business and targeting to open our showroom and fabrication center in October. This will be the first of its kind in AR, we're pumped to bring Granite Transformations to the South!

Where's the "WHY"?

Week 30 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

We 29 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

 

Weeks 27/28 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

Check out the chunk! She's 

Week 27 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

So she's officially over 6 months, on to the next big chapter...oh yeah, here's this week's photo.

Life just seems to get busier and busier. Like many in the midwest this year, summer can't come quickly enough with it's promise of warm days and leisure. But for now Jen and I are doing our best to cherish the time we have with our little girl. Tomorrow is May 1st and we've officially taken 2 family walks outside (with the forecast of snow on Thursday it's not looking like winter is EVER GOING TO END).

You've probably noticed the most of the home projects have come to a halt recently (because we have so much extra time on our hands), so my intention to document our updates to this house have been an epic fail... 

Week 26 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

 

Perspective is a funny thing. It holds the key to meaning in all that we say and do. For instance, earlier in my life I enjoyed "relaxing" by playing a round of golf, going for a workout, or some other activity. Now the work "relax" holds an entirely different meaning. It might signify sneaking in a 30 minute nap on a Sunday afternoon, enjoying a book, or even just sitting for a few minutes in the evening talking with Jen while laundry hums in the background. Life changes perspective and in turn our definitions. One of the most significant re-definitions I've learned is LOVE. Before marriage, it was just a feeling, before KK it was a commitment, now it's an overwhelming privilege. To be able to love and be loved is humbling and charging simultaneously. I can't imagine life without THIS kind of love and yet I've only defined it in these terms for a short while.

I wish many more new definitions as life pours out experiences on each of us!

Week 24/25 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

 

KK was so excited to show off her new Easter dress. We had a great day in Omaha visiting family. Thanks so much to John and Kim for hosting  

 

 This week Paw-Paw was in town. Brunch at the club, a long walk outside in the sunshine, and a big dinner of Sweet Potatoes...this girl went down hard!

Week 23 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

We're sooo ready for Spring to...uh, spring. More snow this weekend, I realized that we've only been able to take one walk as a family so far this year (even that day it was 49 degrees and KK couldn't handle more than a quick walk around the block). We're ready for that sunshine and warm weather!

With warm weather means that we'll be working on more projects around the house cleaning and updating things that we've been adding to the list since last fall. But enough about the house...more about Kennedy!

I wanted to include this photo. I love how expressive she is, it seems like every time I come home she has the biggest smile and laughs waiting for me. There's nothing better to be greeted with!

Week 20-22 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

Okay, so I'm a few weeks behind here again...this doesn't bode well for the future, but at least I'm catching up.

Kennedy is over 5 months now (I can't believe that)! Since the last time I posted she's rolling over with ease, starting to scoot, only sleeping on her stomach (this still freaks Jen out), and grabbing her toes any time I put her on the changing table. I love getting to see glimpses of her personality coming out too! She's such a happy and easily entertained baby.

Here's to getting caught up...

 

Week 20 - She's able to roll all the way on to her side and stay there.

  

 Week 21 - She rolled over both ways!

 

Week 22 - Grabbing her toes, rolling over to sleep in different positions at night, scooting (trying to crawl).

Week 19 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

Okay, I'm finally caught back up on posting photos...whew!

KK had her 4 month checkup this week. And the numbers are...(drumroll):

24 1/2 inches long (40%)
14.10 lbs (52%)
16 1/4 inches head circumference (61%)

Jen was commenting today on how solid KK is getting (this was prefaced by a "you're getting heavy"), she's right! It's amazing how strong and more well built she is than just a few weeks ago.

Our big challenge right now is she's starting to fight her bedtime that had become so routine, and sleeping through the night is hit or miss now. The Dr suggested that we start forcing the issue, but we're just not ready to let her cry...

Week 17/18 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

Time to get caught up on a couple of weeks of posts here. I have been terrible about posting over the last several weeks. I love both of these pictures from the last two sittings. We finally had to ditch the first set of onesies (they made it to week 17) for a larger size. When I got it over KKs head and then was instantly worried it would never come back off I thought it was time to trade up.

Jen and KK spent a week at Jen's parents visiting. Paw-Paw had a little influence on Kennedy's baseball allegiances...I went and picked the girls up last weekend and ended up getting SICK! (Yeah, sorry about that everyone.)

 

Getting back into the swing of things has been tougher than expected. KK has had a cough and runny nose and Jen's fighting a cold. It's no surprise though, we've had another good round of snow and some really cold days (looks like more to come also!). 

Week 16 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

 

 It's Super Sunday, one of the best days of the year! While Jen was at the store shopping, KK and I had a discussion about tonight's game. I explained to her that the Cowboys would not be playing because they didn't make it...needles to say, she was not impressed.

 

However, a little play time on the floor and she was right as rain again. As of late, KK has been experimenting with laughs and I think she's found hers! I'll try and post video later, it's too cute.

Tonight's Super Bowl Menu

Starters:

Jalepeno Poppers

Corn Chips and Cheese Dip

Main:

Chicken Quesadillas

Desert:

Milky Way Chocolate Cake

What's your favorite Super Bowl party food? What traditions do you have around the big game?

Week 15 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

I love this hat! Our little lamb is envisioning her first motorcycle ride...they grow up too quickly don't they?

Week 13/14 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

I've been a bit behind in posts, so this week I'll be updating the last two weeks' worth of photos. Also, for your interest I've included some additional photos below these! A week ago Saturday was KK's 3 month birthday! What an amazing time it's been and I can't believe how quickly it's gone by.

You can see her baby acne is getting a lot better these days. She's also starting to reach and trying to roll (she can get to her side, but someone's stuck an arm under her that's preventing her from getting all the way over).

I love this picture of my two girls! So much personality (I'm not sure where she gets it), and you can see her hair is starting to turn Jen's color.

Week 12 - Kennedy Weekly Portraits

I have no idea what happened to our little girl, but this BIG girl turns 3 months on Saturday! We're so excited!

Week 11 - Kennedy Weekly Portrait

It's amazing to see how much this little girl has grown over the last 2 and a half months! She has blessed our lives so much and is a bright spot each day! It is amazing how quickly life can change, and yet leave you trying to remember what it was like before someone was in your life.