Spring Break

Chad and I were both on spring break this past week. It was much needed and at just the right time. Although Chad still had to work throughout the week, we were able to get alot of work done around the house and manage to relax some, sleep alot (OK, I did this more than Chad), and spend some quality time together before the athletes come back and track meets start up again. In the beginning of the week my mom and Roland came to visit. We ran some errands on Saturday while Chad was at a track meet. On Sunday we took them to church, went shopping a little, and prepped the kitchen for painting. Yes, I said painting! On Monday we painted the kitchen a beautiful green color. They left on Tuesday morning and Chad and I painted our "sitting room" which we are turning into our study. I could not have gotten that much done without mom and Rolands help! Thanks! Here are some before and after pictures:


The kitchen before painting. Check out the lovely diamond pattern. While someone spent alot of time on it, it was just not us!

Another picture of the kitchen before painting. The eat-in kitchen area is a gold/tan color if you can't tell.

This is our "sitting room" before painting. As you can see it is a lovely DARK burgandy. While it might be nice for an A&M fan, it was not for us and much too dark for that small of a room.

Mom an I are painting a coat of Kilz on the sitting room walls before painting them.

Chad decided he would help us. He is taping the walls up before painting.

The "sitting room" with a coat of Kilz on the walls. A work in progress.

Here is the kitchen after painting, but still a mess. Looks much better!

The final product in the kitchen-a dark sage green.
The eat-in kitchen. How lovely!

The sitting room. It is a little lighter than the kitchen, but you cannot tell here. Now we notice other changes that we need to make because of the beautiful wall color. We'll start with the couch, it has to go! We will turn this room into our study and are currently looking for a black desk to go in it's place. That beautiful plant and lamp need to go too!

Wow! What a difference. Now we just need to find another place for the exercise ball.

While the painting really lasted until Friday after we did all the touch-ups and got everything picked up and put back in place, it was well worth it to see the difference it made.

The rest of the week was filled with doing taxes, running errands, going to doctor's appointments, and working (for Chad). Chad's parents are coming into town tomorrow and we are planning on cleaning our siding and pressure washing while they are here. Look for that update soon! I will try to take lots of pictures.

Tara

Busy, Busy, Busy

I'm sorry it has been so long since I have blogged. We have had alot going on lately and there is just not enough time in each day. Here are some of the things that have been keeping us busy:

1. Crown Financial Ministries
We are taking at class at our church called "Crown Financial Ministries." It is a 10 week class that looks at what scripture says about money and being a good steward of God's money. Along with each week's Bible study there are also worksheets to complete about debts, budgeting, life insurance, ect. Although the class hs not gone as in depth about finances as we thought it would, it has been very beneficial in teaching us that it is not our money, but God's money and we must been good stewards with what He has given us.

2. House Improvements
Although our house was built in 2000, we are trying to make some small improvements in hopes of increasing the value when we try to sell it. We are extremely SLOW at this because our opinions seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum. While this can be very frustrating at times, God is teaching us patience and how to compromise.

3. TRACK SEASON
Track season is here! Samford had their first outdoor track meet last Saturday and will have one almost every weekend until the middle of May. It will be a very long few months, but I hope it goes by quickly. Needless to say, Chad is VERY busy and spends lots of time working in his office or at home. That leaves me to take care of most things around the house on my own. While it is very tough, God knows what we can handle and He seems to give us time to spend together just when I don't think I can take it any longer.

I'm going to try hard to blog more regulary, even if nothing exciting is going on in our lives.

Tara