Kitchen Built-Ins Before and After

This is what the north wall in my kitchen looked like when Nathan and his friend Craig started destructing in March of 2011.  It was a scary day.  Had I known at that time how long it would take to fix it,  I might have passed out.

 

Finally after months and months of waiting, the wall looks like this! 

I had some ideas and Nathan, being a much better artist than I, helped me put my ideas together on paper.  Nathan's friend Blake made our vision come to life and handcrafted the shelves and this is the result.  The wall was useless and a waste of space, so we decided to make it functional.

I even added some lower hooks so that Jentry can hang up her own coat.

As you can see, we truly needed a place for all of our stuff!  No longer is my kitchen counter a place to pile hats, gloves, coats, bags, shoes, etc.  I absolutely love it!  It was (almost) worth the incredibly, long wait.



Preschool

Today was a big day for this mama.  I took my baby girl to her first day of Preschool.  I really didn't know if I was going to be able to take her myself, as I have been tearing up every time someone has mentioned it this past week.  I even contemplated having Nathan take her so that I wouldn't completely fall apart in front of Jentry and everyone else at the school.  Somehow, I managed to put on my mom jeans this morning and tough it out. 

Jentry actually went to bed at a decent time last night, so she was raring to go early.  We shared a pop tart, some OJ and some laughs.  I was going to be one of those overachieving mothers and get up at 5:00 AM to make her an entire breakfast from scratch, but Jentry said, "No mom no.  I just want a pop tart." OK Jentry, whatever you want. :)

Next she went to put on her outfit that we spent an hour selecting yesterday and when the pants were half way on she said, " I don't want to wear this mom."   Ugh!  Thankfully, we were ahead of schedule so we had plenty of time to make another wardrobe choice.  Next we took a few pictures on the front porch.  A landscaping company is working on our yard this morning, so Jentry was a little embarrassed by everyone watching her, however I managed to get a few good pics. 

Next we got in the car and headed north, up the hill, to the big school.  Jentry's preschool is located in the elementary building so there were tons of other kids, moms, cars, buses and bikes to navigate through.  Never mind the fact that I had no idea where I was going. Luckily, Nathan had given me a little bit of direction or I would have ended up at the doors to the high school and I am totally not ready for that yet! 

I was doing fairly well until we were walking up the sidewalk and I started to tear up.  I was so worried that Jentry was going to see me cry, so I made her stand in front of the sign for a photo op and a brief minute to get a hold of myself.  Thankfully, Jentry was doing great and was still really excited.  If she had been scared or crying, I would have had no choice but to swoop her up and run for the car.  Ok, so maybe not but the thought would have definitely crossed my mind.

We found the BEEs room and Ms. Peterson showed Jentry where she could hang her jacket.  I was so proud of my little girl.  She gave me a hug and a kiss, and then another hug and a kiss and the one more hug and kiss and said, "Goodbye Mom."

I told myself that I could cry once I got back to the car, but instead I distracted myself by posting Jentry's pictures on FaceBook.  Thank goodness for modern technology or I would have had to reapply my mascara for the day. 

Nathan called to check on me and I told him that so far the first day of preschool has been a great success.  Now, if I can just remember to pick her up at 11:30 everyday?!?!

Office Space

Finally, I have before and after photos of my office.  It is a small room, however it is just the perfect place for me and I am very proud of the way it all turned out!

This is what the room looked like on the day I moved in to the house. YIKES!

 This is what the room looked like after we did a some patching, priming and organizing of my work stuff.

And this is what the room looks like today! Much improved to say the least.  I purchased some mission style office furniture that went with the style of the house.  I also selected a lovely shade of green that is called "Weekend Getaway", which my mother finds quite funny for an office.  It is a bit ironic, I guess.  It is very relaxing.  Exactly what I wanted!

Mom gave Jentry my old desk so that she could have her own space in my office too.  She just loves it!

Thank you so much to everyone that contributed to my wonderful, soothing, office space.  I appreciate it very much.

This IS My First Rodeo

Friday evening Nathan, Jentry and I traveled all the way from Sutton, Nebraska to Pillipsburg, Kansas to see Kansas' Biggest Rodeo!  We met up with Papa, Chad, Kelly and Isaac in Orleans and then we headed south.  Grandma was kind enough to stay home with Anna.  She said they just had the best time, however she didn't think it would work to sneak off without her next year.  This was Isaac, Jentry AND Nathan's first ever rodeo and boy did they have hootin' good time!

 Papa explaining that the cowboys were not falling off their horses they were jumping off to catch the steers.

  Very amazed and soaking it all in!

Moe and Curly Kelly and Chad

Nathan and JJ

Sugar, yes more sugar!  I tried some but is was not nearly as good as I remember.

 Papa being silly and Isaac making a creeper face.

 Jentry loved the dance after the show.  She wouldn't even let Papa dance with her mom without cutting in.  We couldn't keep the girl off the dance floor.  She definitely takes after her Papa!

Saturday was a little cooler and it felt great.  We helped the Hamilton's get settled in their new house in Orleans.  Then we all attended EhrkeFest in Stamford which really shocked Nathan.  He could not believe how many family members I had, or maybe he was just shocked by the size of Stamford?  I'm not entirely sure.  Sunday was warm again so the kiddos got to play with water in the back of Grandma's yard.

Ready, set, GO!

 Are bucket feet better than bucket heads?

Love, love time with family.  There is just nothing sweeter.  And now I get to see all of my family in one short trip!  A road trip to Orleans....Definitely not my first rodeo!

Let's Go for a Run

Since I moved to Sutton, I have been trying to get in a habit of walking everyday for thirty minutes.  This may not sound like much to some, but after ten plus years of never doing anything at all this sounded like a lot to me.  So far, I have been doing really well.  In fact, I have even started jogging a little!  Woot woot!

To encourage myself, I of course bought a few new "workout" outfits and some new shoes.  Jentry must have been taking notice, because last night she asked if she could go for a run with me.  I was quite skeptical at first.  I wasn't sure that she would be able to keep up with me and if she did it would not be for long.  However, I didn't want to discourage her from exercising and, as she very loudly pointed out, she already had her "runner shoes" on her feet.  So...I said, "Sure, why not!"  She asked how long it would take and I replied, "As long as you can keep up with mommy."  She then suggested, "Maybe we should bring a snack?"  Oh, is she not her mother's daughter?  A run with food?  Sounds like my kind of exercise!

Once I had my "runner shoes" on too, out the front door we went.  Here goes nothing.  I explained that we would just speed walk for a bit to warm up our muscles.  Jentry started pumping her arms really big and my skepticism immediately turned into a huge smile.  It was so cute to watch her imitate me to a T.  We had a lot of fun exploring the town and she ran/walked much farther than I thought she would.  I am so thankful that I have my little Jentry Bug to surprise me everyday.