Kitchen is done!

Kitchen remodel is complete. Im really excited about the changes...it took almost 4 months but its done.  Lets take a look at the before:

Lovely oak cabinets, white stained formica countertops, brass lighting, white walls, missing and unmatched not working appliances, old sink and broken faucet....

After: Refinished cabinets, grey quartz countertops, white mosaic tile backsplash, new hardware, lights, paint, appliances, new stainless sink and faucet...

Another before shot:

After---so pretty!

Its quite amazing the transformation of space and how the kitchen was my biggest dislike of the house, and now I love it.  Thanks to the amazing hubby for again sticking with all of my demands and his hard work! Love you honey!

A new thing work wise

So Ive really decided to turn the focus of the blog more into capturing the family pictures and brief updates of our lives.  Ive decided to go back to Journaling privately and capture my thoughts and feelings there....HOWEVER a great thing has happened and I just had to share...I am now working from home one day a week!  I know I know...not big shocking news like HEY we are PREGNANT!( Okay sorry that seems to always be on my mind) but this is quite important in our family for reals!  As many working mothers know- there is never enough time, you are stretched quite possibly too thin and sometimes life seems to unravel.  Well its been unraveling for a while- too many things on the to do list, obligations.  So I approached my boss- could I work from home on the day that afterschool activities and the to do list runs a mile long...It eliminates about 2 hours on the road for me that day ( commute time) and that means I have that time BACK for laundry, dinner, house cleaning, and just general less anxiety and stress.  She said YES!

The reason this is so huge, and why I love my job so much- is I used to work for a company and boss that didnt recognize that I could do my job from anywhere.  Also happy employees make for PRODUCTIVE/ loyal employees.  Crazy concept I know.  My company recognizes this- encourages this- wants their employees to grow, do amazing things and supports us in all our endeavors.  My boss rocks.  I have never worked for someone who is so amazing, inspiring, kind, a friend, a mentor and also is incredibly respected by all at the company.  This in turn gives me increased desire for us to succeed.  I am bought in to our mission, values and go above and beyond.  Its amazing to see how this works and also works in the opposite if your company doesnt do these things...morale goes and so does employee satisfaction.  At least for me. 

I will always wish and long for the day that I can stay home with the boys..but in the mean time I have a good thing.

Anyway as Thanksgiving approaches, a season of gratitude is upon us...I am just grateful for my job.  My career.  I dont think I have ever been able to say that before- and truly mean it.  Its an incredible blessing - to be employed, have flexibility, and its something that I dont take for granted. 

Happy Birthday Elijiah!

Happy Birthday my dear boy! Ah Elijiah 9 years old. Can we just stop the clock? You have obviously grown taller, learned much and done a ton this last year! Its really sad to know that the time continues to fly right on by and I have no power to halt it and keep you my boy forever. It’s a terrible thing you know :)

So lets see the recap of last year? This is getting harder to do each year- because there are so many milestones and memories but some of the best has been to see you continue to develop and grow in your talents. Piano continues to be something you are getting better and better at. You were on the competitive soccer league and you are incredible. Your primary role is to play defense…you have naturally gravitated to that spot- hating to loose and feeling that by keeping the offensive players at bay and stopping them for getting goals is your sweet spot. I cant tell you how many times your team has fallen apart when your not on the field. You have natural leadership and the other kids not only look up to you LITERALLY- but also because you are a consistent player- one that no matter what when you walk on the field the game changes. Parents have told me time and time again when your on the field they don’t have to worry about the game, but when your not there- its noticeable.

I know you have have struggled with the move, and its been hard on all of us. Believe me- we wouldn’t have done it if we didn’t think that it was for the best. With time I know that you will appreciate the things that we do about the change.

You and Tristan continue to be at odds 75% of the time but there are times, where you can play well and enjoy one another. I hope that as you get older you will protect, love, and want to be around him more. I know that its hard when he plays with your toys, or messes up your legos. But know that its only because he looks up to you and wants to do everything you do

You have done remarkably well in school- so much so that teachers from last year and this year, think you need to be in accelerated programs…unfortunately no matter what we have done, we cant seem to get you into those schools. Too many kids, not enough funding. Not sure what we will do for sure next year, but in all reality sending you back to Lourdes may be what happens. I know you don’t love catholic school, but its really a fabulous education and we want the very best for you.

Thank you for continuing to do your best at everything. I know you don’t like certain things, but you always try hard. What also amazes me is the level that you are reading. You are reading all the teen books and then some…you just finished the Hunger Games series and if you aren’t reading late in the night I know its because you have finished up yet another book. I honestly cant keep up with you. 

Well Elijiah-Today is such a special day…its YOUR day- the day that you truly brought happiness in my life…9 years ago you made me a mother and forever a better person. Thank you for being who you are and blessing those around you. I hope you have a wonderful year.

Much love,

Mom

paint colors

I never knew that finding a pale grey/gray color was so difficult.  A total of 14 paint samples have gone on our living room wall.  NONE are working.  They either have yellow, green, blue, brown or purple undertones.  I believe now that it probably has more to do with our lovely brown carpet and brown couches - but I still cant seem to pick a color.  Its a small room that is open to our kitchen that is grey/white/black so I wanted to paint the walls in something that would be a neutral color that would blend to the kitchen.  Between elephant skin, rain water, grey skies, sterling, pewter- etc etc its just not working so the room that should be so easy to complete - has still a lot of work to be done.
I have considered just painting it white again...afterall picking a white paint cant be THIS difficult!

Kitchen Progress

While I thought we would do the white subway tile to match the fireplace in the adjoining room...I saw this mosaic and reconsidered.  Our tile backsplash in the kitchen is coming along

Halloween Madness

A little slice of our Halloween this year.