House Progress

Here are some pictures of the house as of last night.

We still have a large window that will be above the porch, directly above the large window below the porch. It will make since when all is done (especially from the inside view). 

This is the large living area, with the master bed/bath/closet to the right.

Here is a view from the Masterbed room looking into the living area. Across the room is the hall that goes to the nursery, Hunter's room, a bathroom and my craft room.

Hunter's Birthday Party!

On Saturday, we had Hunter's 3rd Birthday party. It all came together pretty smoothly. Hunter had a great time and is loving all the gifts that he received.

Here is the cake. Too cute! A girl I used to work with in Rolla opened her own bakery called Sweet Thangs. It is on Pine Street in Rolla if you are interested. I found a similar photo online and she was able to recreate it for us. I thought it turned out great! Hunter loved it!

I got all the kids a hard hat with their name on it and a tool belt. 

Andy, doing what he does best!!! 

 Hunter in the midst of opening his presents.

 Yes, that is a drum set!! Compliments of my brother!! Its ok, he will have kids one day :) Payback is a....well you know! Besides the point, Hunter LOVES it! Plays it every night and to be honest, he is pretty good!

 A tool set that he uses to help work on the house.

 Testing out the drums.

 The drums were a big hit!

 Andy and I got Hunter a Beta fish. He loved it as well. Notice in his hands, he has a guitar. That is from my mom and step dad. Our house hasn't been quite since.

 Here is sweet Liberty wearing her hard hat and tool belt.

 Laney trying out the drums.

 Hunter with his cake. I believe he blew out his candle 3 times before we actually finished the whole Happy Birthday song.

We had a great time and we're so thankful for our wonderful family coming to share in the celebration with us.

Weekend Ahead!

Tonight: I am begging Andy to go to HuHots!!!! I have been wanting to go for the longest time now!

Tomorrow: I don't have to work! Yay!!! That evening I am going to a "birthday party" with a bunch of girls. It is going to be a fun time and I am highly looking forward to it.

Sunday: Hunter's Birthday!!!! My baby turns 3!!!! I may end up breaking down and crying a few times! There is just no way he is 3! Anyway, I am taking him to go see The Lion King in 3D! He is going to love it!

We are not having his birthday party until next Saturday. So this next week will entail a lot of prep and planning. Because you know me....what's a party without a theme! Check out his invites!

I thought the theme was very appropriate considering the state of our house :)

Weekend Recap!

I know it is Friday, but last weekend was too good not to post about! Despite the Rain!

Friday Evening we just bummed around the house.

Saturday: I had to work that morning at the bank. Andy had to work at the church's fall social. Around 3pm we had some special guest arrive. It was my Dad and step-mom Denise from Omaha, Nebraska!!!! It was so great to see them, considering it was last Christmas since we had seen them. Despite the gap, Hunter had no problem with warming up to them. Not to mention they brought him early birthday presents. After going thru my pictures, I have not one picture of Denise. They are all of Dad and Hunter. Here are some pictures to summerize how the weekend went. Enjoy!

I took a lot more pictures, but most of them turned out blurry because my camera is a pierce of poo!

Love 4 Pinterest

Ta-Ta First Trimester!

I'm 14 weeks pregnant as of Sunday! Hello Second Trimester!

Size of Baby: A lemon...about 3 1/2 inches long and 1 1/2 ounces!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I am up 1 pound. But from the looks of me, you would think more. They aren't kidding that you show faster with the second kid.

Maternity Clothes: None yet. Everything seems to fit fine right now. Dress pants are getting a little snug, so I might need to make the switch in the near future.

Gender: We don't know. And we aren't going to know until D-Day! I know...SHOCKER! This seems to shock a lot of people when I tell them this. Especially when they know what a Planner I am. This is way outside my comfort zone, but I think it will be really exciting come delivery!

Movement: I haven't felt anything yet. But according to what I kept track of with Hunter. I started feeling him around 15 1/2 weeks. So anytime now!

Sleep: No problems in the sleep department other than I would prefer to sleep 24hours a day. I wasn't nearly this fatigued when pregnant with Hunter, but then again I wasn't chasing a two year old around. It is getting better, I am not falling asleep on the couch nearly as much in the evenings.

What I miss: Nothing really. I joke about needing a stiff drink every once in awhile, but in reality I can live without it. Oh wait....I just thought of something!!! I miss the ability to take medicine. When pregnant you are so restricted on what you can take. My allergies have been kicking my butt these last couple of weeks, and I would love to just take one of everything in the allergy isle at Walgreen's, but I can't!

Cravings: Meat and Spaghetti-O's (Not together). I used to just eat pop-tarts and cereals in the morning. But now I need MEAT! So I have been sneaking trips to McDonald's in the mornings to get me a sausage biscuit :)

Dislikes: Smell of hard boiled eggs and cigarette smoke.

Symptoms: I was nauseous for awhile, but not too terrible. I never got physically sick. This is where the meat helped. I would feel better if I ate meat instead of sweets.

Best Moment This Week: Entering the second trimester!!!

I can't decide if this pregnancy is going fast or slow. In my mind I think, dang I am only 14 weeks. But then again next month is half way and we get to have our ultrasound. So maybe it is going a little quicker.

10 Years Ago

I cannot believe it has been ten years since 9/11/01. This is one of those dates that replays in my mind like it was yesterday. I was a senior in high school driving to school when I heard of the first plane crashing into the first twin tower. I didn't think anything of it at first, I just thought it was an accident. But then later I was in class when someone announced that another plane had hit the other tower. That is when the goosebumps took over and everyone realized this was no accident. Considering our lack of technology at Maries R-1, a bunch of classrooms gathered in the high school hallway trying to get reception on an old TV with bunny ears antennas. Another vivid moment was getting out of school and going thru town and seeing the huge line of cars lining the highways trying to get into the gas stations.

Wow, how our country has changed in the last 10 years. We were severely broken, but the patriotism that erupted was breathtaking! Everyone banded together and were united as one.

Lion King in 3D

A couple month ago I took Hunter to his first movie theatre experience. He did fantastic! I have been really anxious to take him to another one. Then I seen this movie was coming out in theaters...in 3D!!!

Hunter LOVES the Lion King. He watches is at my mom's house via a VHS tape. So I know he will really enjoy this one. Andy likes the Lion King enough, that we may be able to get him to tag along with us this time!

In case you missed it on Facebook, here is Hunter and I at the movie theatre watching Kung Fu Panda.

Still Recovering from a Busy Weekend!

Like I had mentioned before, we had the big Maries County Fair this past weekend.

Wednesday Night: I took Hunter to the fair where we met up with Kevin, Kelly and Aubrey. It was buddy Night, so Hunter and Aubrey got to ride for the price of one. They had a great time and I became exhausted just watching them.

Thursday Night: Back at the fair again. My mom and step-dad took Hunter around on the rides that night. Not sure who had more fun, Hunter or Tim! Andy and I watched the demo derby. It was a really good one this year. They even had trucks.

Friday Night: Guess what we did? Yep, we were back at the fair. Hunter stayed at Donnie and Shanda's so he could get to bed at a decent hour because the last couple of nights was catching up with him...AKA cranky boy! Andy and I watched the truck and tractor pull and the Burn out Competition.

Saturday: I had to work that morning. Afterwards I met Andy and Hunter in town for the parade. Lordy was it hot! Hunter actually got the concept of the parade this year and was picking up candy and putting it in his bucket. Well, let me rephrase that...for about half the parade Hunter picked up candy, the rest of the time he sat on the ground eating his candy as people picked the candy up for him. He's no dummy!

Here's a shout out to my co-worker Jessica for winning Miss Maries County!

After the parade we met up with the Schwartze clan for lunch. We were supposed to go to my uncle Larry's lake house next to meet up with the Hollis clan, but Hunter was way over due for a nap! So we went home instead. That night we went back to the fair. The tractor pull that was going on was a flop, so we took Hunter on a few rides. Then we watched the Jane Dear Girls Concert. I thought they were really good! They re-did a lot of well know songs. Hunter had a blast dancing!!!! Not bad Maries County....Not bad!

Sunday: We went to the river for Andy's Grandma's birthday. The temperature was 30 degrees cooler than what it had been the days prior. It was like Fall slapped us in the face. After returning home that evening, we went on a ranger ride with some of the family. Oh my gosh....Did we have a blast! We got home late and decided to grill some brats. While us girls waited by the grill, the guys (including Hunter) went frogging. They were gone for a long time, but got a lot of frogs just on two ponds. Tired of waiting on the guys, us girls took a semi dip in the hot tub. Considering hot tubs are frowned upon for pregnant ladies, I just stuck my legs in! But loved every minute of it!

Monday: Labor Day! Literally! We spent the whole day cleaning up around the house due to the construction. There was lumber, shingles, nails, trash everywhere! It was an all day project. I am still paying for it today!

Moving on Up!

The house construction is really moving along. This was all done in a week! Pretty amazing. Now I fear it is all going to come to a screeching halt as they do the fine interior details. That part seems to move a lot slower! Right now I am grateful we have a roof and are pretty well water proof.

Unfortunately we have had some extra cost that weren't expected when decided to build up. I was under the impression when we first built our house that we were prepared in every way possible for our future expansion. Well...I was wrong! We need all new siding (because apparently they have discontinued the kind we have), a new furnace + new duct work (on top of the big new expensive outdoor wood furnace we are getting as well), new plumbing to run to the opposite side of the house. I better stop because I can feel my blood pressure rising.

WHY DID WE NOT JUST BUILD THE WHOLE HOUSE AT ONCE?!?!?!

Andy is living the high life that this is all no big deal. But he doesn't understand the concept that we-are-on-a-budget! I guess we may have to tap his shop budget to pay for the house. He may have something to say after that :)

We will battle those issues until the time comes, until then I will continue with my tight-ass ways and be as thrift as possible!

Carnies in the house!

Its that time of year again in Maries County. The World's fair has arrived with all of their carnies in tow.  I have to be honest that I get a little excited to go, just because it is actually something to do in this small community and you get to visit with people that you haven't seen in awhile. Not to mention the demo derby, tractor pulls, carnival rides, pork burgers and funnel cakes....Can I hear an AMEN!!!

Lets take a little trip down memory lane to Hunter's first carnival experience last year!

Hunter had a Love/Hate relationship with the rides last year. He loved some, he hated some, he hated some at first then ended up loving them.

But this year has been a total different story. HE LOVES ALL THE RIDES!!! It is so much fun to watch Hunter enjoy experiences like this. It make me what to pack up the Jeep and travel around the country and take him to Six Flags, Disney World, Sea World, etc. When Hunter is happy...MaMa is happy!

Going a Little Crazy!

For the fact that we had to remove our roof....we then also had to remove our Dish Network and our Internet. I am going a little loopy without them!!! You never realize how addicted you are until they are taken away!! Now we are left with the radio or DVD's. Watching movies is just not the same. I feel so out of the loop on the news and current events. Considering we have no roof, now would be the ideal time to watch the Weather Channel 24hours a day...But we can't! Pull up weather.com to check the radar...But we can't!

Last night was my turn to pick out the DVD to watch!

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!!

 This is one of the best movies EVER! Despite Andy's complaints, this movie CAN and WILL be watched all year long. It is too good to restrict it to just the Christmas season.

Got to Love Pregnancy Cravings!!!!

I love me some Spaghetti-O's! I ate these a lot when I was pregnant with Hunter. Not sure what it is about them, but I cannot get enough. I've been feeling pretty good, but I do have my nauseous moments (I think it is because of my prenatal vitamins, because I don't feel the best after taking them). Therefore when it comes to eating I don't feel like eating anything too heavy, so Spaghetti-O's are just right!

People either love them or hate them.

I = Love Them!

Andy = Hates Them :(

Hunter = Love Them!

Side Note: I bought these at Dollar General Friday night. It was in the section 10 for $10. Not only that, these are 24oz cans. They are huge!!!! I can only eat half a can at one sitting. So that is like 50 cents a meal! Thrifty!!!

There is no backing out now!

We have officially began the construction of building another story onto our house. As in we have to rip our current roof off, build the addition, and put the roof back on as quickly as possible. Prior to the construction I had no worries, until recently a family member doing the same type of construction had lots water damage from the rain getting in while their roof was off....therefore I am now FREAKING OUT!!!!

I have a lot of confidence in our contractor. He is really good and has a great reputation for his quality of work and how quickly they work as well. I know he will do a great job and do everything in his power to make sure that we stay dry. But if you all have some time, feel free to send a prayer our way!

Before taking the roof off, I said I needed a sunny five-day forecast in hand. This was the weather forecast as of Friday! Perfect! Let's do this!

I am going to try and capture the construction process I'll start you off with our before picture.

By the time I got home on Friday, Andy had already started removing gutters, soffet, etc.

Then Andy and Kevin began to rip some shingles off. No long after they called it a night.

The next morning our contractor, electrician and plumber came over to go over the game plan. Then Andy and Kevin got back on the roof and continued where they left off.

Hunter and I left for the day, considering there wasn't much we could do to help. Andy was periodically sending me pictures of the progress. They were doing a lot more than I could have ever imagined in one day! Here is the trusses after all the shingles and plywood had been removed.

Here is Andy's view from the tractor as they took the trusses off.

Needless to say I was in complete shock to come home that evening and it was nearly all done. I am so grateful for our family. They really come together when someone needs help. They are extremely hard workers.

This is what the house looked like Sunday morning.

We in too deep! There is no going back!

So on Sunday I spent the majority of the day picking up 9,735 (give or take a few) nails out of the yard! I am paying for that today. The guys worked on taking nails out of all the plywood. And then we removed the nails from the trusses. After completing that, We removed the last outer wall of the roof, all while it was thundering like crazy! So much for my clear 7 day forecast!! Should have known better! We quickly straightened all the plastic that covered the exposed insulation. Then covered the whole roof with a huge tarp that we bought from MFA. Best $250 I have ever spent! Just in time for it pour rain! It only rained for about 10-15 minutes. Knock on wood...No rain got in!

It was a successful weekend, now it is up to the contractor to do the rest!

We did have two casualties for the weekend.

#1: Kevin cut his finger pretty good!

#2: Brian's foot went thru our bedroom ceiling! Resulting in a hole in the ceiling and insullation everywhere. Considering it is free help, I can't complain! It is actually pretty funny!

If this is the worst of our disasters, I'll call it a success!