Lessons Learned

After a few headaches and more money than I would have liked to spend our shower is almost done. We are waiting on a shower door we order, but most likely we will have to return that one and order a different one. I am relieved this process is almost over and really pleased with how everything is turning out!

Here is a sneak peak of the tile we picked- Throughout the process I learned a few things like:

1. Go with your gut when picking a contractor

2. Know what you want and double check the work that is being done

3. Tile looks very similar and is harder to pick out than I thought

4. Dust accumulates quickly and everywhere when renovating

5. Contractors care more about money than anything else

6. God sends blessings in all different shapes, sizes, and colors; as in Rudy, John, and faucets (I already knew this, HE just helped me see it again)

7. All things happen for a reason (again all ready knew this, just cool to see HIS plan play out)

8. Every thing is easier when Mel is doing the work

9. Every thing is clean and picked up when Sharon is assisting Mel

10. I am very spoiled by the handiwork of Mel and cleaning of Sharon:)

Okay I know not every contractor is out to make a buck or two, but I think ours was. Everything worked out and probably for the better. I loved how my memory verse proved to be so true because the victory was God's from the beginning and HE showed me how much he loves, cares, and provides for us in ALL circumstances!

It's Never A Good Thing When...

-You lean against the shower wall and it feels like the wall pushed in.

-The tile is really coming off and the drywall behind it is soggy.-There are ants behind some of the tiles.

-Mel can't fix it.

-Things like this happen, but I know God is teaching me that He is control of everything and I need to surrender my plan to His! This is just not the way I want to learn:)

Home Improvements by Mel

We were able to complete Jackson's room the first 2 days Mel was here. His room is not complete by anymeans! We are in the process of ordering pictures for the wall, hanging a shelf or two, and we still need to purchase a dresser that matches the bed. We did buy a black cube organizer to hold some toys and books but it is not really worthy of a picture by itself.

Just to show you what the previous owner's left us in Jackson's new room. It feels so good to have all the wallpaper gone upstairs! We painted 3 of the walls gray with an accent of Bayside blue. I am really pleased with how it turned out.

The project that took a longer time was the staircase. We were taking out the old staircase and replacing it with rod iron spindles and new posts and rails. Mel had made the posts and rails at home and brought them with him when they came down. He was able to stain them to match the book shelves he made for us last January.

A comparison between the entryway we saw when we first toured the house to now! I do believe I like what I see now A LOT better:)

It seemed to be a very tedious project. After the new staircase was complete we realized that the off-white walls leading upstairs and in the upstairs hallway looked blah.
Mel then taped off the upstairs, textured, and painted the walls Restrained Gold. It made a huge difference in the feel of the upstairs. I love how it looks when I walk out my bedroom and walk down to Jackson's. Now we just have to get some things up on the walls up there too.

After painting the upstairs and liking it so much we decided we would repaint the entryway and dining room the same color. Brian was going to do that but thanks to the artic blast of cold weather everywhere Mel had some extra time and did it for us!

Thanks for all the hard work Mel! Once again the end result is perfect and improved the look of our house a great deal!

How-To Redo A Room in a Day

Step 1: Remove all the junk from the guest room to Jackson's old room.

Step 2: Rip down the lovely pink floral wallpaper.

Step 3: Call Papa down from Wisconsin and help him mix up drywall cement.

Step 4: Apply drywall to walls.
Step 5: Tape off the ceiling, baseboards, doors, and window. Then spray texture on walls.
Step 6: Let the texture dry and make a trip to Ikea to buy Jackson a new bed, mattress, blinds, drapes, and circle rugs.

Step 7: Run to Lowes to buy paint.

Step 8: Help Daddy and Papa paint the walls.

Step 9: Leave your handprint behind.

Step 10: Take a break and head to the park for some fun on a BEAUTIFUL Saturday afternoon.

Step 11: Act like a goof!

Step 12: Walk to the car together to go refuel at Fuddruckers.

Step 13: Prolong the trip to the park by crawling through the bike rack as many times as possible.

Step 14: Put the bed together once Jackson goes to bed. Carefully transfer a sleeping boy to his new big boy bed!

Stay tuned for the reveal!!