So Late on These....

Added a few family pictures on here. I PROMISE that I will get renovation picts up soon...right now, I am trying to get the house done. All the little touches still need to be added! This picture is of us on a carriage ride while we were on our mini vacation. We desperatly needed time away after this rough year, but didnt want to spend much money, so we took a one nighter to Indy. Our favorite place!
Abbie took this one in front of the window of our hotel room. We got a GREAT deal on the Hyatt! Priceline is wonderful. We stayed in a $400 room for $65!!!! And we had a corner room with huge windows that showed Indy in all her glory.
This was Abbie and Isaac on our last night in the old church. It also happened to be the 4th of July! Have no idea what Isaac was doing...he looks kinda wierd.

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90 Day Power Make Over...

So, we begin. Tonight we started the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makover program! Our goal is to be financially fit. That actually is an inaccurate statement. Our goal is to be physically fit, financially fit, emotionally fit, spiritually fit... We have 90 days to acheive these goals: (Some of these are personal goals, some are goals as a couple)

1. Save at least $1,000
2. Pay off at least $2,000 in debt
3. Have enough money saved for the purpose alone of enjoying Christmas.
4. Finish all the painting of the house.
5. Landscape the exterior.
6. After the house is finished, go 30 days with a clean house.
7. Be in a size 6-8 jeans by Christmas.
8. Stay on a budget for 30 days.
9. Stay on a schedule for school for 4 weeks.
10. Go 30 days without missing devotions/prayer time.

My goal is not to do these all at the same time, but to start one and then after I start feeling better about that one, start working on another one. I desire by the New Year, to not have to feel bad that I never achieved my 2007 goals. I desire that when I take communion this year on New Years Eve, that my life is glorifying to God.

I am praying that God will keep me accountable. I am praying that He will give me strength. On my own, I can not succeed. On my own...I will fail. I need discipline. Pray with me???

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Week 3 and 4

Well...since it is now Thursday of week 4, I thought that I would just post an update for both weeks.

We now have the siding finished. We have a finished front porch and deck. We have finished wiring. We have a finished roof. And now...onto the FUN STUFF!!!! We are starting the inside this week!!!!! YYYIPPPPPPEEEEEE!!!!! Ok, so actually this is the cheapest part of the whole renovation process, but it the part that I will actually notice ;)

The contractors started the bathroom today. And it is lovely. lol. Right now there is a green ceiling and untrimmed walls and doors. We also got our new front door today. Looks good. We started tearing off the wallpaper today. (Yes it was a busy day!) And we will start patching tommorow and hopefully painting on Sat. We need to have at least 2 of the rooms painted by Monday.

And

all the patching needs to be done by the end of next week. So, we have a lot of work to do. I threw in a before picture of the kitchen just for fun! The majority of the renovation is set to be done by next FRIDAY! Can you believe it???? Cant wait to show you all the finished house! I'm so excited...and I just cant hide...I'm about to loose control and I think I like it. Have a Cheery Day!

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Meet Jack...

Jack, the newest member of our family. He is a Boxador, part Boxer, but mostly Lab. At 4 months old, Jack weighs in at 45 lbs, and his paws are every bit as big as Zeke's. (And Zeke is a BIG boy!) We were told that he could easily pass Zeke in height and weight, so Brian is a happy guy. He takes great pride in having a big dog...(weird huh???)

Anyhow...we are in love. He is a very friendly dog. At 16 weeks, he is still fairly disobediant. He loves Brian, and will stay right at his side, but refuses to listen to me...Crazy puppy. He also SNORES, BURPS, and GETS HICCUPS! Have you ever seen a dog have hic-cups? It is really funny. He is also a big eater. He has been eating more than Zeke. Hopefully that will stop soon, otherwise, we wont be able to afford him! Here are a few pictures of him, but I will have to add some more b/c he refused to pose for me...Doesnt he know who adopted him? He will have to learn soon~

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Week 2...

And at the end of week 2, we have a lovely siding-less home, and a NEW PORCH! lol. Also, I still need to take pictures of the deck, but it has been redone! Brian and I are going to stain the porch white (I think that it is called white washing)...should match the house.

And they started the siding trim...but no siding yet. Oh, and the picture is the UNFINISHED porch...I will post a picture of the finished porch soon! Sorry...thought I had one, but didnt... :(

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Week One...

And so it began...On July 18th, Our wonderful contractor's crew started on our house!!!! They started with tearing off all the siding of our home. It looked quite quite lovely. lol. We learned that it had some windows that we had NO clue were there...:) Here are the picts from the end of week one.

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AAAAAHHHH...THE BEACH!

We got to go to the beach last weekend. It was awesome because we did not even care if we only had money for gas...

It was just about getting away. The kids had a ball.

Abbie learned to boogie board all on her own! We all got extremely sunburned...well Brian and I did, the kids are in better shape! Oh and Isaac spent most of the day looking for bugs. What a boy! Have to say, Lake Michigan is quickly becoming our favorite get-a-way spot.

There is a picture of the view of Chicago from Michigan City. I think that is really cool. I said a mental hello to Carrie Smith!!!! ;)

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My Grandpa Is....

---a sweetheart of a man

---a man who would threaten an 8year old that if they used their middle finger for pointing one more time...He would chop it off!

---a fisherman

---a born again Christian! Praise the Lord!

---my grandmothers lover and best friend

---a man who was never without jelly beans for his grandchildren

---a man who makes baby blankets and diaper bags for his grand-daughters and great-grandchildren.

---a man who always has a twinkle in his eye like he is getting ready to do something bad!

---a man who can play euchre like it was his second job.

---a man of integrity

---a man who's chuckle makes me laugh just thinking about it in my mind.

---a man who loves his children dearly.

---a man who made a 4 year old sit for an hour to learn to tie her shoes

---a man who doesnt care if it took tears to show you that he loves you and try to get you to do the right thing.

---a man who always has a dollar in his pocket for the eager little child.

---a man who can say "weeeeellllll" like no one else on this earth.

---a man who's belly actually does shake like a bowl of jelly when he laughs!

---a man who always wears a polo shirt.

---a man who's polo shirt always smells the exact same way that it did the time before.

---a man who takes his teeth out just to get a squeal out of little girls.

---a man who's voice is one of the favorite sounds in my head.

---a man who likes to act like he is tough, but I know that he is really a terrible softy.

---a man who is an awesome bingo caller...

---a man who walked hand in hand with me through Disney World.

---a man who is filled with honor, but yet is humble.

---a man who is my all time hero...and my best grandfather.

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Fourth Watch...

Mark 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

I am in my fourth watch on the row boat. The storms seem as though they are going to cover me, and wipe away all that I have and am. But, I also serve The One That Walks On Water. He will not allow me to taken over by the storm. I continue to look towards Him, waiting and watching for His hand to appear...to come as a miracle...to draw me from this storm. I know that He is allowing all of this to happen. I know that He is in control, so that when His Mighty Hand moves, we will see it. I am praying that my heart is not hardened as the disciples were. They did not even see the meal that He provided for the 5,000 because they were so busy working. I DONT WANT TO BE THAT WAY! So, I am sitting, praying, waiting...for Him to move. And can't wait to testify when He does...

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Time to get fit...

Brian and I are determined to glorify God in every way that we can, and we really realized that our bodies do not. So, we are working on making them very healthy. I will be doing a pretty intense 2 weeks starting next monday...I know that we will have our cheat times, but for the most part, we are detoxing and working on our core muscle groups. (abs, buns, thighs, and upper body) Here is my current weight, shamedly...(this is the highest I have ever been...)

Current 136 Target 125 by 7/4 Goal 115

This is possible...

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