COUNTING DOWN

Right now, everything in my world is a whirlwind of looming changes, large and small. The anxiety of waiting for the debut of this entirely new life feels like I'm teetering at the top of that first wonderfully, awful drop on a roller coaster. Here are all the countdowns going down in this little life of ours. 

• Of course there is the house...I swear, it's all I talk about these days. Every conversation begins with a variation of the question: "How's the house coming?" A month MAX. And we really do mean it this time. We are in a race against the clock to have it ready to close before our June 1st deadline. What a year it's been!

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• A new house means a new neighborhood, which means a new ward for church, which means a new calling, which means new people I have to learn to be comfortable around, which means feigning calmness while experiencing heart palpitations.

I'm not antisocial, I promise. 

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• It's the last leg of the school year, yet there is SO MUCH TO DO. I know my 3rd grade sweeties sense the nearness of summer vacation, because it's getting harder and harder to keep their attention. Between warmer weather, assemblies, field trips, field day, the class play, and standardized tests, this dreaded month of no structure or routine to speak of makes classroom management nearly a bust from here on out.

• I just took part in the interviewing and hiring process of my new third grade partner teacher for next year. When it came down to it, I was basically allowed the final decision. This was very, very generous, and having been on my own for so long made it mean all the more. Having the new gal to work with is going to change EVERYTHING, and I am nervous and excited and full of hope for next year. 

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• My birthday is coming up.  I'll be 27. Yes, I count down the days until my birthday. Because simply put, birthdays are awesome. This year's countdown has been especially hard, because Mom's wrapped gift arrived in the mail a week early. And then Andrew placed it in the middle of the living room with the instructions that I am NOT to touch it. He did it on purpose just to torture me. Punk. 

Don't tell him it's working.

• Even the weather is getting in the mix. Spring is so close! My tulips are blooming, the grass is green-ifying, and it was in the 80's this last weekend. And then...I drove to work this morning in a blizzard. Countdowns shouldn't go backwards--it's not fair!

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• According to the receipt from the DMV, my brand-new driver's license will arrive in 10 days. The lady had me stand against a blue wall for the picture while she clicked away on her keyboard. I stood waiting for her cue, contemplating happy thoughts that might incite a non-awkward smile...when a bulb flashed in my eyes! That woman forgot a countdown altogether! I was indignant but didn't say anything. Now, for the next eight years, my I.D. will illustrate me as a seriously sullen, slightly spacey organ donor. 

FEATURE {Master Bedroom Wood Ceiling}

We are so honored to have remodelaholic.com feature our ceiling today! 

HOUSE UPDATE {stone, lighting, wood floors}

We are almost there!!!! These pictures were taken today. 

Here is my crazy, color coded diagram to help you (sort of) picture what the exterior will look like. 

It'll look better than this, I promise. 

The stone has been started. It was what was in stock for a really good price. So, we took it. Color good. Price even better.

This stone will go on the living room fireplace too. 

Andrew works with our brother Lane and our dear friend Josh. It is their help that is going to help us get this house finished before we have to close on June 1st. 

Inside, we are putting up fun lights. This Lowes find was installed over the kitchen sink. 

Three smaller lights of the same style hang over the island. 

I have been anticipating our bamboo floor going in for a long time. Beautiful, eh? 

It will continue through the kitchen, great room, and hallways. 

Above that lovely new floor in the dining area, hangs a new chandelier. 

Lowes find.

But the happiest new installment has been that of the toilets. It is a joy not to have to drive to the nearest gas station every time we needed to "take care of business" while working on the house.

Hooray for indoor plumbing!

PACKING

It's begun. We won't be out for a  month, but I'm getting antsy. The house is so close to being finished, I can taste it. And I don't want a mad, unorganized dash at the end.


What's depressing is the fact that I have three times as many boxes packed then are pictured here...yet you can hardly tell. How the HECK did we ever acquire so much StuFf?!


For any of you more experienced movers out there, any tips you have for packing and a smooth move would be much appreciated. And any Rexburgers who would like to donate boxes to this cause, let me know! We are definitely in need of more boxes. Lots and lots and lots of boxes. 

ANTARCTICA CRAFT & BULLETIN BOARD

We spent the week reading about Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure. (If you haven't watched the movie about this true, incredibly inspiring survival story, put it on your Netflix queue today.) As a super fast, easy culminating activity, we made these penguins:

TP Roll wrapped in black construction paper, a white tummy, black wings, and a face. Some added feet too. I provided no templates...just scrap paper. The kids took care of the rest. 

They were displayed on a simple bulletin board with a map I enlarged on the copier and photographs of other Antarctic animals. 

Easy peasy.

CHECKERBOARD TILE UPDATE

Master Bath

So...when the tile went in last weekend, I raved about how much I loved it. It looked perfect with the paint colors! It was unique! It was fun and classy at the same time! 

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In response, Andrew only rolled his eyes. 

Master Bath View II

If you remember, after purchasing said tile, I threw a melodramatic fit of remorse over installing it in both bathrooms AND the laundry room. What was I thinking?!!

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And I placed the entirety of the blame on Andrew. 

Guest Bath

Of course, my first post was exaggerated slightly for comic effect. But I was worried and I did breathe a huge sigh of relief when I watched the floors go in and I LOVED THEM. 

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(And Andrew did gloat that he was right and I had been overreacting.) 

Laundry/Mud Room

We will be building black concrete counter tops to go over the vanities in each of these rooms, which I think will help tie everything together nicely. 

Mud Room Bench

Have I mentioned that I love this tile? 

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(Andrew, you better not be rolling your eyes again.)

Laundry/Mud Room

Just ignore the mud. I guess the construction process and clean, shiny tile don't go together. 

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We only need to finish grouting and installing baseboards in these rooms The end seems to be in sight on this never-ending house building project!

HAPPY EASTER

Wishing you all a happy Easter Sunday.

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And a Happy SPRING BREAK! Hopefully I can get that tanning in I was planning on three days ago when it was 60 degrees. What do you think?

P.S. Thanks Mom, for the tulips. They're lovely. 

MASTER BEDROOM WOOD CEILING {DIY}

I want to share step-by-step how we built the beautiful wood coffered ceiling in the master bedroom. It completely transforms this room.

Here is the master bedroom many moons ago. Our coffered ceiling started with simple drywall. 

1.) Andrew first took 2x4's and created a grid pattern. 

2.) Next, he took four-quarter knotty alder and nailed it over top of the 2x4's in the same grid pattern. 

3.) Then using quarter-inch alder, he filled in all of the grids.

4.) To give it a finished look, Andrew wrapped each grid in crown. 

5.) Then he used a maple-to-alder spray stain and a coat of lacquer. 

6.) Next, he used a water-based rusty old glaze that was wiped on and off. This is what caused the knots and grain patterns to pop.

7.) After letting it dry for 30 minutes, it was lacquered one more time.  

It was gorgeous, but it looked shockingly stark against the white walls. I was anxious to get everything taped and painted. If you notice, we painted the walls AND inside the coffer itself with the SW Pussywillow color. 

Here it is with the tape and plastic removed (and on the floor). It all looks more complete and gradual this way. 

Second perspective. 

And finally, here it is finished with the ceiling fan in the center and the can lights installed along the outside edges of the coffer. This room is just waiting for carpet and vent covers!

I am linking up here: and here: