The living room... finally...

After several coats of paint and hard work on the floors, the living room is finally done. The final product is beautiful and I am so proud of it. It is very comfortable and cozy!

Before...

Carpet and white walls.

Foyer

After...

From upstairs.

Foyer

(Still a little blue painters tape on the wall... oops.)

We painted the kitchen this weekend which is the last painting project. I will have before/after pictures for that room next month. I want to wait until the floors are done. We are getting beautiful slate tile!!

Bless this house...

Last Thursday I escaped from the quarter-end madness at work to meet my friends Mary and Laura to do something very special. But before I get to that - a little about Mary and Laura. They are friends that I have made from church and we are in a Thursday night Women's Bible Study together ... but they have become so much more. They are both amazing women that love God and love life. They support me, hold me accountable and make me laugh. I love every minute I spend with them. Some of you might recognize them from my wedding... they took part in a reading during the ceremony...

Mary is in the process of having her first place built. It is going to be a beautiful townhome in Cedar Park. Laura and I went with her a few weeks ago to help her pick out the finishes so it is really exciting to see it go from carpet and cabinet samples to actual foundation and support beams!! When Mary mentioned that she wanted to go write Bible verses on the beams and I was excited to join her. Apparently a lot of people do this, but I had never heard of it! So, after work, I met Laura and Mary to bless her house.

Some other friends that couldn't come had sent some verses they wanted added. So, armed with Sharpies and all of our verses, we went to work. 

 In addition to verses, we wrote words of encouragement and love.

It was such a neat thing to be part of. I hope that as Mary makes a life in her new home, she will remember all of the words we wrote.

I hope they remind her of how loved she is and how much God is with her. Thanks for including me Mary. I am so excited for you and your new home!

Rockets & Rainbows...

This month marked the birthdays of a very special little boy and girl. So, what better way to celebrate than a joint party with Rainbows for the girls and Rockets for the boys?? Who are the lucky twosome?? My favorite 1 year old, Rush and the most awesome 4 year old, Troy!!! These are the children of my friend Kasi. I always look forward to her parties because they are awesome - every detail captured and SO creative. This party was no exception.

Before I get into the fun that was this party, I have to go down memory lane for a minute... It is unreal to me that I met Troy in the hospital and was there for her first birthday party. Now we celebrate FOUR years!!! 

As soon as we walked in the door, we knew this party was going to be true Kasi awesomeness...

Soon after we arrived, the activities for the kids began. Painting and drawing pictures and magnets. There was paint and every shade of glitter known! There was also a face painter!

Troy is ready to paint!

Rush wants to color!

Troy looking on as Mom gets a rainbow painted on her arm.

Cute Rush sporting a gel - mohawk.

The birthday boy and girl

Troy, in all her rainbow colors... showing off her artwork.

The adults enjoyed BBQ for lunch while the kids got their own treats. 

After lunch and the activities were done, we moved to a favorite part... the cake. Just as Troy had done on her 1st birthday, Rush got his own "smash cake" and he did it justice!!!

Too cute!

 

Going to get cleaned up by Aunt Monica.

Troy's cake wasn't just any ol' birthday cake. Kasi had baked a surprise in this one and we were all wow'd by the cake - especially Troy. 

SEVEN rainbow layers!!

A few of us grown-ups decided to join in the face painting too! The artist was happy to oblige since we didn't squirm as much as the kids.

L to R: Monica (Jay's sister), Me, Tolva (Kasi's sister) and Kasi.

After all the guests had left, we stuck around with the family for a while. As we cleaned up from the festivities, Troy decided to have a little fun with some of her cake.

It was kind of disgusting - but she was having so much fun!

I feel so blessed to consider them my extended family. Every year I see Troy get older and get to know Mr. Rush even more, I love Kasi, Jay, their families as my own.