A Fun Backyard

With two boys, I would love to have a backyard like this picture above. See more creative playground ideas like this one here.

Dresser Makeover

I have had this white dresser for several years that was passed down from someone who was like my grandmother. I used it, then David used it, and now it is in Asher's room. It has been needing a makeover for quite some time. My mom helped me a couple of weeks ago to complete the project.

Above is Asher wanting to help with the painting. We gave him a paint brush with some water that I added food coloring. He then "painted" a used piece of wood in our yard. Below is the completed dresser.

Now on to some of my many other home projects.

Future Home

We are getting closer to a move-in date. We think it will be the beginning of March! Here are a few shots of the work in progress. This is a side view. Strangely, I only took pictures of the back and side of the house but not the front.

The architect had drawn in a desk to be in this small open space in Jonas' room. We thought that shelves would be a better use of the space, since we don't think Jonas will be doing homework any time soon.

Below is a shot of the boys' bathroom. We went for more of a cottage look.

This final room will be a playroom/guest room. We had asked for shelves to be placed on one of the walls and were very pleased with what they built for us.

I will try to post more pictures soon of other rooms as it continues to come together.

Too Much Stuff

picture from here.
After we packed up all our stuff and moved in with David's parents, we said to ourselves, PLEASE let us go through our stuff when we unpack it and see what we really need and see what we can give away. Yes, we will have more storage in our new home, but I find it funny that we had stuff in our crawlspace from the time we moved in to the time we moved out that we never layed eyes on. I don't even know what was in half of those boxes (sorry to the guys who had to move them to storage for us). So, I was excited when I came across Martha Stewart's 100 Reasons to Get Rid of It.
Here are a few highlights from the list:
#10 Swaporamarama.org Attend nationwide clothing exchanges and do-it-yourself alteration workshops. Unfortunately, I could not find one in Nashville. :(
#17. youthfortechnology.orgPut scanners, computers, and cameras in the hands of deserving, impoverished kids around the world.
#22. excessaccess.org
Match your household items with a local non-profit's wish list.
#26. www.operationfairydust.org
Send formal wear to teenage girls who need help getting to the prom.
#29. Suitcasesforkids.orgSupply children in foster care with luggage.
49. Recycline.com
Yogurt containers become colorful plates, flatware, toothbrushes, and razors.
#63. Titletrader.com
The great entertainment exchange: books, music, movies, and games, all swapped in one place

For Sale

Our house is officially on the market. With a second baby on the way, we are finding that our space is getting a little tighter. David and I have really enjoyed this home and will be sad to leave it. It is the house we moved into after moving back from Kenya, where we brought Asher home and where we will bring our second baby home. We can't be too sad though since we won't be moving far away. We love our location so much that we bought a lot on the street behind us and just a couple homes down. David is able to come home for lunch since he works so close. We have grown close to our neighbors, and I have found a great moms group for Asher and I to hang out with during our week. Our new home will hopefully be finished by February 2009. Meanwhile, I am trying to keep our house clean and picked up, which isn't easy to do with an 18 1/2 month old and being 38 weeks pregnant!