Curb Appeal Progress

When we started our house hunt two and a half years ago ( I can't even believe it's been that long) I had one thing on the top of my "must have" list. A front lawn with grass and a pretty exterior. I was a typical first time home buyer who wanted something I wasn't going to really be able to afford in the neighborhood we wanted to live in. I guess that's why it took us nearly 6 months to find a house. I eventually came to my senses and realized A. being house poor isn't very appealing and B. I wasn't going to get my pretty picture house for the price we wanted to pay in our ideal neighborhood. It just wasn't going to happen. So I had to....compromise. It was hard but well worth it. I've learned to appreciate a house that has a good structure and has "potential." It's actually been a driving force to make me much more patient in the last two years. I guess God really is working thru everything, even our vain desires for a pretty house:)

Last weekend Lawton and I spent all day on Saturday landscaping. It's been a slow process getting some grass in the yard and reviving the plants we do have, but it's been worth it. It's not there yet, but it's getting there. We're definitely making progress.

This is what the house looked like when we moved in. Yes, that is Lawton's 87 year old grand mother doing my yard work. As you can see, zero grass, a lot of weeds and the shrubs were butchered. The house color was pretty bland too. And the wall...ugh.

Here is the progress. Half of the wall removed, Holly trees out, painted front door, new plants and revived old shrubs. Looking much better. The next item on our agenda will be to paint. Not the whole house, but details of it. Hope to get it done before baby comes in September!

Cousins.

Weslyn, Kobe and I made a trip to Raleigh last week and had a fantastic time with her cousins. Poor Lawton had to stay home to work, but we took lots of pictures for him so he could see what we were up to. Weslyn had the BEST time with her cousins. She warmed up to them very quickly and really enjoyed being with them every waking moment. Kobe enjoyed the attention too. Chesson and Anna Corbin took turns feeding him every day. He and Chesson also had some great male bonding time. I wish I had pictures of Chesson pretending to be Kobe and laying down with him. So cute! We were all pretty sad to leave, but we're looking forward to our next visit!

Going to a restaurant with three kids is easy...if two mommas are there to control the chaos!

These two princesses had so much fun dressing up and playing. Weslyn wore this dress everyday she was there. 

Lots of silly faces to send to Uncle Lawton/Daddy, Gigi and G daddy!

Finally some down time. It's a good thing these kids
enjoy the quiet time as much as Kobe.
 Notice him taking a snooze in the background. :)

Back to the dance party

Lots of dance parties!

All three in the Yukon. It's a good thing Corbin and Byerly have this car with their third child on the way. Plenty of room for all of them!

Can't wait for all of them to be reunited again! We've got to get ready to have two more added to the bunch:)

Baptism.

This was one of the happiest days of my life and also one of the most emotional. A year ago from Easter my sister gave her life to Christ. Almost exactly one year later, she made a proclamation thru baptism that Jesus is her Lord & Savior. My words were few. My heart was grateful. My faith was changed. Jesus changes people.

My sister did a video that she resisted to do for some time. Once she realized the reason for doing it, she was ready to go. Not without tears and heart break, but also with a new perspective and an open mind. She killed it. I know in my heart that her testimony changed someone's life. Her testimony was used to bring someone closer to Jesus. That's all that matters.

If you have some time, hear her story. It's pretty amazing. Be careful, it might change your life.

http://vimeo.com/62211549

I was sent this picture from our good friend, Matthew, who was filming. I've had butterflies in my stomach ever since. 

Pure joy.