Floor Updates

I finally downloaded some pics of the work we have done so far on the house. If any of you have ever refinished floors you understand what our past week has been like. The wood on the floors were never intended to be left exposed. They have always has carpet on them (something I will never understand) and one of the previous owners had taken the carpets out and tried to refinished the floors themselves. Bless their hearts, they had no idea what they were doing and left huge gouges and sanding grooves in the living room. The other rooms, the hallway and 3 bedrooms were left as they were found. So, we rented 2 sanders and went to work last Saturday and it took us the entire weekend to finish!! Sanding is back breaking, on your hands and knees breathing in wood dust HORRIBLE work. But 2 solid days, 3 different passes in each room with 3 different grit sandpaper, about 50 lbs of saw dust, two totally ruined masks, and two very sore back, we were done sanding!! The clean up was hard work too. Each room had to be vacuumed at twice and then Swiffered several times until all of the fine dust was gone. I know we did not get it all but we did the best we could!!

Now we had to begin staining. This didn't take very long at all but was tedious. In each room the stain had to be rolled on in 2 foot sections so that Steve could go back on his hands in knees and wipe and smooth it with a rag. Again this was not a hard thing to do, just back breaking!! We finally finished last night before AWANA!! Now all we have to do is put 4 coats of polyurethane on this week and the floors will be finished!! We are hoping to move in this coming weekend!! I hope to finish painting both baths and the boys bedroom before!

I added some before and after pics! I also added some pics of the master bedroom. It was a flat ceiling white earlier this week but I managed to paint it "Hot Chocolate" and instead of staining these floors, we painted them black!! I know I have a lot of skeptics out there about painting the floor, so I hope this pics will give you a better idea of my vision. None of the trim is painted yet or window treatments installed but I hope you can see where I am going!!

Steve sanding the living area

Staining

The Living Area stained

The Bedroom Floors before painting. There was a lot of water
damage we either sanded out or painted over!

The Master Bedroom Floors painted

You can see the wall color against the black floors. I am going
to paint the trim a high gloss white

Another MB shot

The sanding and staining in the boys room turned out the best.
We are going to paint their room navy and light blue.

We also had the roof replaced. Here is the roof color before.... it was brown

And after. It is also black and is going to look great with the
new exterior paint job we have scheduled for March!!

My Husband Rocks Friday

Okay... so I wanted to share pictures of how Steve tirelessly sanded and stained the wood floors in our new home this week. Believe me, if you have never sanded floors, it is a BIG job. Lots of patience and tenacity; not fun at all. But a sick child has thrown off my week and the camera is still over at the new house. I will post pictures as soon as I can though, the floors look amazing!!!

So.... I am going to brag on Steve a different way. I don't think I have ever verbalized this to him but something that I love about him is that he ALWAYS compliments me on my cooking. It is so wonderful to have a husband who recognizes and appreciates the meals that I prepare for our family. I love to cook and poor over cookbooks to find fun, nutritious and different meals. Sometimes my efforts are more productive than others but Steve is always there to make me feel like I'm the best cook and more importantly, he never complains!! I take for granted that he does that! I realized last night, when we finished my newest Chicken and Rice recipe, and he not only complemented me but ended with "I think this my favorite Chicken Recipe", that he makes my job so much easier. So I have to say "Thanks Beloved for making something I love to do, even better!!".

I am going to end with enclosing my new recipe. It was very good and new twist on Chicken and Rice....

Chicken and Wild Rice

Ingredients:
1/2 lb of Raw Bacon
2 Cups of Cooked Wild Rice
( my favorite is Royal Blend Texmati White, Brown, Wild & Red)
1 lb of Skinned Chicken Breasts
1 Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can of Water
1 Package of Dry Onion Soup Mix

Layer bottom of casserole or baking pan with raw bacon. Layer rice over bacon. Lay the chicken breasts over the rice. Mix together the mushroom soup, water and onion soup and pour over chicken. Bake at 250-300 degrees for 2 1/2 hours, covered with foil. Most importantly, do not peek! This recipe adds a smokey, Steve said "Cajun" taste to the Chicken and Rice. I hope you enjoy!!

Sick again

Why is it that when you have so much to do in a week, one of your babies gets sick? Isaac woke up with 102 temp, sore throat and aches. I thought maybe we would miss the flu this year!! With my mom in the hospital, a new house that we desperately want to finish fixing up so we can move in and all of the other things that need to be done in a week, I have hard time wanting to slow down and care for my son. Steve told me to take a relaxing morning, give Ethan a good history book to read and nurse Isaac back to health. That sounds so great but I have a hard time just relaxing. My post on my new blog is all about slowing down and taking pleasure in my family since that is what God has called me to do. I am not sure why that is hard for me!!

I found this poem and thought I would share... May we all take joy in our families!!

I Love To Be a Mother

Some houses try to hide the fact
that children shelter there.
Ours boasts of it quite openly,
the signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
little smudges on the doors,
I should apologize, I guess,
for toys strewn on the floor.
But I sat down with the children
and we played and laughed and read;
And if the doorbell doesn't shine,
their eyes will shine instead.
For when at times I'm forced to choose
the one job or the other;
I like to be a housewife but
I love to be a mother.

My Husband Rocks Friday

My New Living Room
I have always wanted a stove for a fireplace!!

My Husband SOOOO Rocks this week because he "Bought Me A House!!" !!! Those of you that have been following the continuing saga of "Where Will The Hill's Live" know what a huge answer to prayer a home is for us!!

It has been a year of uncertainty of whether or not we were going to build out here in the country or move back into town. With many frustrating months of dealing with the bank and mortgage company and a couple of thousands of dollars lost in the effort due to surveys, house plans and such; we finally decided to abandon the idea of living out here with my parents and start looking back in town. To catch up you can read this, this, or this. The saga is really too long to document all over again!!

Anyway, most of you know how Steve's work schedule goes. Construction never has time off and if you are not working, you are not getting paid!! It really is a double edged sword. With the economy so bad right now, we are grateful for building projects but the time away from family is really hard!! Steve and I have also really felt lead to get out of debt. We have not always been the most frugal couple and many bad decisions have not allowed us to use God's money in the way we should have. So when this house came up for sale in a neighborhood surrounded by friends, really reasonably priced and within walking distance from LeTourneau where Steve is building the dining hall, we couldn't refuse!! It is a perfect little wood-framed home with hardwood floors throughout and lots of charm. I am itching to get my hands on it and decorate!! We have a lot of updating and refinishing projects to tackle but we are looking forward to making this our home for a while!! I will definately update with before and after pictures and share this experience!!

Thanks again for all of your prayers and encouragement during this year of uncertainty. God is definately good and faithful!! Our only prayer now is to glorify Him and reflect His love!!

Entry Way!
There are hardwood floors throughout the whole house!!

The Kitchen has new slate floors that we will be taking
out as soon as we redo the kitchen! Not real fond of the color!

The backyard is really big and there is lots of room
for the boys to play, a garden and a dog!!

We have a contract to have the outside repainted but can't start that
until the weather is warmer!! Maybe March! I have the colors all picked out
and will share later!

New Blog

Okay.... I have finally set up the new blog for our book club. You can find it here. Now I am a little bummed because "Cutest Blog on the Block" site is down and I can't see which background I am choosing. So.... I probably will be tweaking the site a little before all is said and done!!

I am really looking forward to getting into this book with you. I am anxiously awaiting the wisdom and insight I know you ladies will offer. I think we have about 6 that are joining now but I hope more will later!!

Before we really get started though, I ask that you lift this effort up in prayer. I want these discussions to be encouraging to those who read it. I pray that we only seek the truth that the scriptures offer concerning womanhood!!


To sum up the premise of the book:

"The feminist revolution was supposed to bring us greater fulfillment and freedom, but it has instead robbed us of our distinctive makeup and calling as women. It has affected our families, our churches, and our communities. To protect future generations, we must plant new seeds—seeds of humility, hope, obedience and prayer. This call to biblical womanhood is resonating in the hearts of women everywhere. As you read these resources, may you, too, delight in God’s created order and the role He has for you in His grand, redemptive plan."