house progress

our house renovations has gone amazingly smooth (thanks to g). really besides the granite place selling the countertops that i have picked out we really haven't had any issues.  our kitchen goes in this week--i really hope it is smooth so that we can move in sometime next week.  

all of these pictures were taken about two weeks ago.  all of the painting is finished now.

 sara beth's room

leigh's room

sam's room

dining room

zeb's office

living room

kitchen

you can scroll down to see where we started.  i will be sure to post some finished pictures soon!

home

In March we put our house of 5 years on the market so that we could move into town to be near schools, church, and work.  It took a little over 6 months to sell and in God's perfect timing, we sold our house to the first people that looked back in March.  We loved our house and knew it was perfect for a family like us.  When we bought it in November 2007, I was pregnant with our second and due in March.  The couple that bought our house this November is expecting their second child in March.  That makes me happy.  I feel like they will love it as much as we did!

If we had sold our house in March when they looked the first time, we would not have bought the house we did.  We would not have been willing to buy a "fixer-upper" and it wasn't even on the market!  After we closed on the houses last Thursday I had a "what in the world were we thinking" few days.  However, I am over that now and very excited!  We could not be more excited that Zeb's dad is spearheading the renovations!  Zeb and I are both sentimental and we will really cherish the work he is doing in this house!  Also, we know it will be done correctly!  Work began this week and I can't believe the progress already! Most of the wallpaper is down and everything that had to be ripped out is out!  I hope (even tho G would never say) to be in the house in about another month. If not, it's no big deal, but we will be spending Christmas Eve in the house even if we are sleeping on the floor and eating doughnuts and bottled water!  We have been living with my parents the last two weeks and it has been so good!  They have gone out of the way to make the 5 of us, plus our crazy dog, feel comfortable and welcome!  We obviously could not do it without our parents!

The house was built in 1986 and was owned by an elderly couple who is now deceased!  It is in immaculate condition, but it is very out of date.  It is in the perfect location for us.  I feel so safe and tucked away!  Most of the house has floral wallpaper--which we found out this week is two layers deep in most places! Here are some before pictures.  I had one friend say "boy, Anna, you have vision".  That made me laugh and then I realized by her comment how much there was to do.  But the thing is, I have NO sense of style when decorating!  I had all the paint picked out and had to start over and it completely stressed me out!  I wasn't sure if I could do it again! ha!  Painting starts Monday and I hope I like the colors because they will be there for MANY years! Thankfully, I have a mom who will sit and listen to me talk about gray undertones for entirely too long!

The screened porch--my favorite part!

 master

The next two pics are both in the girls' bathroom--yes, two different wallpapers--one room!

Sam's room

and bath

SB's Tribute Week

This poem is for the class

Of terrific Mrs. Nowell;

It’s about Miss Sara Beth,

Our special Henson owl.

So sit back in your desks

And listen up to me,

‘cause I’m about to tell you

some facts about SB.

She’s a precious little girl,

You’ll know right when you meet her;

But be careful if you’re cooking,

‘cause she’s a picky, little eater.

She likes her food groups separate

And would rather them not touch;

She usually eats quite well,

But if it’s mixed—not much!

She loves the game of soccer,

And plays it with such zeal!

Did you know that she’s a gymnast

And does a great cartwheel?

Bikes and dolls and hula hoops

Are things that give her glee;

But what she’s really best at

Is caring for sam and leigh.

Helpful, kind, and tender—

She always thinks of others.

In fact, just tonight

She shared her candy with her mother.

She loves God, church, and Sunday school

And pays attention to the preacher.

I think she also likes her school,--

She’s always talking about her teacher!

I probably could go on and on

And tell you more and more,

But if you know my sweet SB,

She’s running for the door!

Another thing about this girl

You may not have realized yet,

Is that all this talk about her

Has embarrassed her to death.

So, I’ll conclude this tribute poem

With one thing left to do,

“Sara Beth I must confess

straight from me to you;

I’m proud of everything you are

And the things you say and do

And me and mom and Sam and Leigh

We all love you.”

Zeb wrote this poem because SB was the star student at her class this week.  I know she can't fully appreciate it now, but I know she will later!  

I made some owl cupcakes for her class and went and read a book to her class on Tuesday!  Her teacher makes this week so special for each child!  She had a blast!

Her Thanksgiving party was also today!

Birthday Fun

My Mom's birthday was the 11th and my Dad's was the 14th.  To celebrate, my grandmother took us all to AJ's for dinner.  

This was a big one for Mom so the kids are telling her that Bo Bo was going to take us all to New Orleans on Saturday!  She was so surprised!  He figured what she wanted most was for everyone to just hang out!  To do that, we really have to get out of town--where there would be no farming, errand running, napping, or phone talking--just fun family time!

Bo Bo's turn---Sam looked up at Bo Bo and said "I brrood it, Bo Bo".

Saturday morning we headed out in the 15 passenger van very early so that we could eat some breakfast down there!

Then we walked around the French Quarter--this REALLY grossed us out-but the kids had a blast!

Transformer 

We picked up Johnny's po-boys and headed for the river.

The plan was to go to the zoo.  However, the parking lot was packed so we opted for a trolley ride!

Then headed to the park for some playtime!

Mom kept Sam occupied on the way home by looking at pictures!  All 5 kids were EXCELLENT travelers!  

Once upon a time...

There was a grandmother, a wolf, and little red riding hood...

woof eating grandma

all three loved trick or treating this year

Do you see the Finish dishwashing detergent in the corner of his bag?  It still makes me so mad!  So thankful I caught it and he didn't open it and try it!

 At one house Sam got a regular sized sucker.  He carried it around until he got this one at another house!  He was so excited when I let him eat it at home!

Even though we are moving this weekend, Zeb still made time to carve a pumpkin with kiddos!

Costume parade at Trinity

Love how intently Sam and Jake were watching big kids!

Getting Kids involved in Politics

My kiddos are 2, 4, and 6.  So, they don't really understand much of what is going on with the election.  Every time I  vote, I take my kids with me and we talk about the privilege and importance of voting.  To get them involved this year, we made Obama and Romney cookies.  Then we gave them away and let our family and friends vote on their favorite.  Sara Beth made a graph with everyones pick. They had a blast doing this.  We actually did it a while back, but they still discuss the cookies!  I think the results were so funny--it ended up tied!  Kind of like the election seems right now!

(recipes below)

I found these recipes in a magazine this summer.  Supposedly they are the favorite cookies of our candidates!  Let me know if you try this with your family!

Obama Cookies

Yield: 5 dozen cookies

Prep:   15 mins 

Bake:   12 mins  375°F 

Ingredients

         2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

         1 teaspoon baking soda

         1 teaspoon salt

         1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

         1 stick Crisco butter-flavored solid vegetable shortening

         3/4 cup granulated sugar

         3/4 cup packed brown sugar

         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

         2 eggs

         1 cup each white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips and mint chocolate chips (or Andes mint pieces)

         2 cups chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter, vegetable shortening, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract.

2. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. On low speed, beat in flour mixture. By hand, stir in white and milk chocolate chips, mint chips and walnuts.

3. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

 Romney Cookies

Yield: 3 dozen cookies

Prep:   15 mins 

Bake:   18 mins  325°F 

Ingredients

         1 cup granulated sugar

         1 cup packed light brown sugar

         1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

         1 1/2 cups crunchy peanut butter

         1 tablespoon light corn syrup (such as Karo)

         3 eggs

         1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

         4 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

         2 teaspoons baking soda

         6 ounces chocolate chips

         2/3 cup M&M's candies

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, cream sugars, butter, peanut butter and corn syrup on high speed until well combined. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in vanilla extract.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together oats and baking soda. Stir into peanut butter mixture until combined. Mix in chocolate chips and M&M's.

3. Using a standard-size ice cream scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets (about 9 per sheet). Bake at 325 degrees F for 18 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 2 minutes, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.