Yard Before and After

I first began talking about landscaping our yard this past spring.  Our yard needed a major overhaul.  The lady that lived here before had planted all kinds of plants, but unfortunately she had really let things get overgrown and out of hand.  I have been told by numerous people that you couldn't even see the house from the street.  I can't even imagine!  Nathan had done lots of clearing out and cleaning up when he moved in, however it was still not a place that you would want to spend much time. 

John and Jan took me to All Around Landscaping just south of Fairmont, Nebraska.  I was very impressed with the selection and had heard nothing but great things about their work.  I gave the owner, Ben, my name and number and asked him to come give us some ideas.  At this point, I really didn't think we would do anything at all.  I just wanted to think about the possibilities of "someday" and what that might actually cost. 

Ben arrived three weeks later and after hearing his ideas, I was sold.  I had to have this amazing yard!  Then he gave me a ball park figure of the cost and I was certain my dreams of green grass would be quickly mowed down, when I shared the amount with Nathan.  Much to my surprise, Nathan said let's go ahead and have them draw us a design.  I was more than ecstatic and could not wait to see the plans on paper. The plan was beautiful and lured us both into saying... yes to the grass? 

After much anticipation, I finally received the call on August 15th.  They were coming, they were really coming! Our dirty, weedy, uninviting yard would , in just three days time, look absolutely amazing.  It was so fun to watch the transformation.  It would have taken Nathan and I months to accomplish all they did in such a short amount of time.  I felt like I was on the show Yard Crashers, and I was lovin' every minute of it!  Neighbors said they didn't even recognize the place.  Unfortunately, one neighbor told Nathan that he was very upset, now his wife has all kinds of plans for him to spruce up their yard.  Ha!

Before

After

Before

After (Can you find the cute blonde?)

Before

 After

Before

After

I could not be happier with our new outdoor space.  It turned out better than I had even imaged it could ever be. 

Labor Day Weekend

We had a very busy yet fun Labor Day Weekend.  Saturday we traveled to Lincoln and stayed at John and Jan's condo.  Nathan went to the Husker football game while Jentry and I hit the shopping stores.  By the time we arrived, Jentry had already mapped out our meals in the city.  "I want Runza for lunch, Old McDonalds for supper and then Fazoli's on Sunday."  I suppose I will take responsibility for her ridiculous eating requests.  Thank goodness there isn't any fast food in Sutton! 

Jentry and I had a great mother/daughter day shopping, eating and just being together.  We have not had much time just the two of us lately.  After four big stores, I had her completely worn out so we stopped at my dear friend Abby's house to relax.  Jentry took a nice, long nap on the couch while Abby and I got caught up on all the exciting things going on in our lives. 

For her amazing behavior, Jentry got to pick out one thing to buy at Walmart and she chose fake nails.  They reminded me of something you would see on Toddler's and Tiaras!  After she finished her kids meal, I helped her put them on.  To say that she loved them would be a drastic understatement.  She flaunted them around all evening.  I warned her that they may not stay on through the night, however the first thing I heard Sunday morning was, "Mom, my nails are still on!"  She loved them until she realized how difficult it was to do anything with them on and then begged me to take them off mid morning.  It was bitter sweet.  Oh the things girls do to be pretty!

Sunday we traveled back home to get our work done so that we could spend Labor Day resting and playing.  I had been promising Jentry a night of camping all summer.  Since we never had a good weekend to go the lake, I decided to rough it with her in the back yard.  Nathan was nice enough to go get his tent and camping supplies rounded up.  Jentry was soooo stoked she could hardly stand it!  It was such great fun to watch her excitement that even Nathan got into the camping mood too.  The two of them even had the tent set up before I even realized they were in the back yard.

We had blankets, pillows, flashlights, water, books, and of course Snuggie.  We headed out to sleep around nine and it was still rather hot and sticky outside.  Jentry didn't seem to mind until it was time to sit still and try to actually sleep.  "I'm all hot and sweaty." There was a brief moment where she wanted to go back inside, however I distracted her with one more book and she soon fell asleep.  I tossed and turned for a while and at 1:00 am Nathan finally wimped out and went inside.  I was finally able to fall asleep and Jentry slept until 7:00 am.  I don't think we will be attempting camping again until next year...maybe two more years. 

Monday morning we enjoyed egg-in-a-holes for breakfast, per Nathan's request.  Then we bummed around in our jammies and watch Dr. Seuss' The Lorax.  For lunch Jentry wanted a sandwich on triangle bread, which I finally determined, after a near meltdown, was just a regular ham sandwich cut in half diagonally.  Next we headed to Fox Hollow for a round of golf.  After golf, Jan invited us to their house for supper and Jentry got to go for a four-wheeler ride and watch the humming birds on the back deck.  I have to admit they are quite amazing, little creatures. 

By the time we arrived home at eight, we were all exhausted.  Jentry fell asleep watching The Lorax for the second time while Nathan, so very kindly, let me watch The Lucky One.  It is a romance movie based on the Nicholas Sparks book, however I think he even liked it more than he will admit.  I can not think of a better ending to an amazing weekend!

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.