Building the Braid Castle - A good start

The girls think rolling up old carpet is great fun!

The "before" kitchen. Notice the black sponged soffits, black painted countertops and carpeted floors. 

Nathan removing the cabinets for reconfiguring, refacing and painting.

Nathan removing the soffits with a pick ax. (They were covered in wire mesh and concrete) This took hours.

Me removing the tiny grey mosaic tile backsplash- one by one!

Demo is complete! 

Stripping the cabinet drawers and doors - all 48 of them! (Even the garage was painted colorfully! Peach walls with bright orange storage cabinets and some casino carpet)

Nathan framing in the former door opening to enclose Liam's future bedroom from the dining area. Notice the beautiful color scheme. : P

Nathan and his Dad planning out the flooring (The filled in wall behind them)

Nathan with his dad Bill and brother Justin installing the new high efficiency boiler for the radiant floor heating system.

Our "New" old house

Well, we did it! (Not really, He did it) 

In our efforts to glorify God in our finances and be debt free, we bit the bullet and got a fixer upper for less than half the price of our current home! (Thanks be to God!) 

It is a cement block construction rancher on about 1/2 acre in the valley. It has 3 bedrooms and 1 bath and about 1300+ sqft. (plenty of room to add onto) We plan to paint the entire interior (including the kitchen cabinets, which we will rearrange) and replace all the floors, windows and doors. That's just to start so that we can get moved in. :) 

(Next will be landscaping)

No, we have not lost our minds, just our free time. So if you are ever wondering what we'll be doing on the weekends, now you know. And you'll also know where to find us if you want to come hang out with us - just don't forget your paintbrush!! ;)

Easter Festivities

Decorating Eggs

Our Easter Yummies. My first attempt at dying sugar and coconut. :P 

Easter Baskets!!!!

Easter cuddles

Our little man isn't sure what all the fuss is about.

The girls in their sugar coma

Easter Egg Hunt Round 1(Home)

Easter Egg Squabble

Easter Egg Hunt Round 2 (Granny's Park)

Momma in her Easter Best

Family Bath!

Liam's first bath with his sisters. 

Can't wait to show his future girlfriend this someday!! 

(As you can see, he's thrilled about the idea)

Thank Heaven For Little Girls

Growing up I always dreamed of having boys. Maybe because it was just my sister and I, no brothers. Whatever the reason, when I became pregnant with Rosen I was TERRIFIED of having a girl. One morning in my eighth month of pregnancy while I was lazily daydreaming about the son I was hoping desperately was in my belly I heard God tell me very gently that it would be a daughter. I tried to ignore it at first, denying that I had heard it, but it was no use. He was very clear. He must of known that I would need some time to adjust to this news. I remember my first response was that of disappointment and then resentment. (Basically acted like a spoiled brat when things don't go her way) But then I started to gradually get used to the idea - even excited about it. By the time she was born I was SO PROUD to have such a wonderful creature for my daughter. When I look back on those days I have to laugh at myself. How foolish I had been. My girls are the joy of my days and keep our home filled with squeals of delight. :) They are so precious and sweet, and amaze me daily with the tenderness of their hearts. Thank heaven for little girls. 

My funny bunnies

At my mom's group at St. Mary's we made washcloth bunnies and I brought them back for the girls to decorate and give to Nana & Grandma for Easter. They had a blast painting them with water colors and then covering them in multiple colors of glitter. They even glued on bubbly eyes. :P 

Smiley Boy :D