Here we go!!! (House Renovation Post 1 - Living room)

So if you’ve been to our house then you will understand these pictures and posts so much more. But hopefully I did a good enough job taking pictures throughout to help it all make sense. Because after this post, the changes are massive!!

Ok...why renovate you may ask?! Well, we've lived in this house for 12 years now, brought 4 babies into it, and other than changing colors we pretty much haven't made a lot of changes to the house. And until recently, there hasn't been a real need as the house was in good shape. BUT, with four growing and very active children and both of us working, we started to long for a home that worked and flowed better for us. And by "we" I probably mean "I."  But there's no I in Team. So, it's We. I longed to build a house ("dream" house) and put my own touches on our living quarters. I had searched for land for years, but never found anything reasonable and kept hitting mental roadblocks on the financial aspect of buying land in Marshall County (must be gold in it because people don't part with it easily) and then the expense of building a home that would fit our large family. Then I started looking at homes to buy that had more of what we were looking for. But I kept hitting roadblocks there too: the house was super expensive for what it was/needed updating/too small/too far/poor location. And when Josh and I talked about it, I mean REALLY talked, we realized we weren't on the same page of nearly anything. But we both liked our current home, location, size, the fact that it had a basement. And the steal we got on it when we purchased it in 2008. The thing we didn't like was that the "working" part of the house wasn't working for our big family. And thus began the decision to renovate. And we always said that if we renovate, we are going to do it all....floors, kitchen, living room, and basement. So here we go!! We got the loan in September of 2019, secured out contractor in November, and started the project the first of February 2020. It is nearly fully complete, except a few odds and ends here and there, but we were able to use our home for the first time in the first of August.

Hold on tight, I'm going to start the Renovation posts with the change of our Living Room. 

This is the picture of our home from when we purchased it in 2008. Carpet! 

And an awkwardly tall ceiling

The true "BEFORE" of what it looked like before we demo'd

Took the mantle off and had the hearth built up to move the fireplace up off the ground

Santa?! Is that you!?!

Taking the teeny window frames off...good-bye useless windows!

Josh and I framed the new fireplace up to the ceiling. And by "we" I mean he was brawn and I was brains. And holder. And hander of all things. And supervisor. 

We lived with scaffolding in our house for a couple months. It was fun.

We lived with scaffolding in our house for a couple months. It was fun.

but first...before stone comes shiplap!!

Time to paint the shiplap!

Before the scaffolding came down we let the boys climb on it.

STONE!!!! (and tv mount)

Hearth stone was placed!

We are IN LOVE!

Why stop at the fireplace!? Let's re-do the stairs! BEFORE!

Not really "After" but during. I still had to clean up edges and caulk and paint nailholes. But you get the idea here...(the stairs are completely done, I'm just too lazy to take a picture right now for the blog. ha!)

Note the floor color....it will change

AFTER!!

Maclyn’s 1st Dance Recital

Aka adorable train wreck.

This was Maclyn's first year of dance, and she loved it. Sometimes. She started ballet, tap, and tumbling in October of last year and participated well until it Covid-19 forced participation to only Zoom meetings. She did have a couple of private lessons to get ready for her recital, but I don't think she got much out of them. Or maybe she did? Who knows. It didn't help that her recital was just in front of family only and there was no dress rehearsal. She had no idea what to expect. Oh well!It was funny and cute. And Keagan and Finn were beyond embarrassed for her, but isn't that how brothers are? If you watch the other little girl you will see what Maclyn is supposed to be doing. Haha!

My Tiny Dancer

Mac was so excited when her sweet friend and dance partner (the only other little girl in the class) walked in!

Maclyn and Laney Kate - friends from preschool and dance class

Now it is time for ballet! It went a little better...but still a hot mess!

Ms. Caitie and her two girlie girls! This sweet instructor has so much patience!

Maclyn is FOUR!

Oh My. My Maclyn is now FOUR! And she is going on fourteen...  heaven help me!  This child has so much personality, it is probably illegal. She is about as sassy as the day is long, can be meaner than a snake, but yet she gets her feelings hurt easily and lets everyone within a mile radius know that she isn't happy. She is a beautiful little girl who is full of sugar and spice and has made life exciting since the day she was born! She is famous for wearing her emotions on her face, plain for all to see. She is genuine and funny and loves to talk and tell stories. Maclyn, we love you so much and we enjoyed celebrating you turning 4!

Mac got to celebrate her birthday at MeeMee's house!

We celebrated Mac at Gamma and Poppy's house. Maclyn picked Hoppin' John for supper!!

Annie came to Mac's birthday party!

baby sis is pretty excited about all the presents Maclyn is opening!

Lisa Frank cake for a Lisa Frank party (Maclyn found some of my old Lisa Frank stickers and specifically asked for "this kind" of party! I told her I was ON IT!!)

Check out her Lisa Frank dress!! I bought that when she first told me she wanted "this kind" of party...before the Covid explosion ruined all parties...

Mr. Billy and Mrs. Chasity came and brought her new binoculars!

Mrs. Stacey brought Play-Doh!!

Playing with her new Barbie House from Gamma and Poppy