One Last Hurrah

The boys and I made one last summer hurrah and traveled to Sunriver to visit with Mame, Mike & Toni and their family.  Even though we just returned from seeing them in July, it is always good to see family.

Mame enjoying some down time with the girls.

Mame and some of her grand kids.  Kellen doesn't look too excited, but Kaia looks like a lounge lizard!

Kellen & Morgan had a tough time saying goodbyes!

We returned on Thursday and bright and early Friday morning my contractors made an appearance.  They proceeded to make a big mess, which I have been told is a sign of progress.  They took out one large window, framed it in for the new cabinetry; framed in a wall for my new laundry room and tore out what was remaining of my old laundry closet. 

Window all framed in.

Current/old kitchen will become my new laundry room.

The one glitch that was giving me concern was the possibility of my old laundry closet being a load bearing wall.  From all appearances, it didn't look like one, but I just had a gut feeling so I never completely removed it.  Well, it turns out that my guts were right.  I wasn't here when they tore out the remaining posts and ceiling, but I was here to see the mess and clean up blown in insulation.  It is bearing, so we will have to make some modifications in the attic.  But I am assured that it is no big deal and they will be here Monday to keep at it. 

Morgan has also decided to run cross country for KUHS this year.  It should be interesting as he hasn't ran XC since his diagnosis 3 years ago.  It is also that time again when I must sit down with teachers and coaches and get his 504 plan and diabetes plan in place.  Where did the summer go?

It's official....

We now have 2 teens in the house!   Happy Birthday Lucas!

Week 1 Demo

Lucas and I have made tremendous progress on the demolishion.  The walls are down, except for just 2 beam that I am leaving for my contractor.  The place is really open now, if not messy.

The plumber came yesterday and plumbed for the new laundry room.  I now have my washing machine in the kitchen and no dishwasher.

Looking from the dining room into the new kitchen area.  The posts on the right side of the picture will come down.  

Looking in to the dining room.  My sink and dishwasher will be from the insulation on the right to the posts on the left.

Lucas is pretty proud of the work he has done.  We have accomplished quite a bit.  I am hoping that the electrician will be here next week to do the rough electrical.  I don't know when my contractor plans on starting, but I think Lucas and I are doing a pretty good job if I do say so myself!

Imagine Mercy

We traveled over the hill with a friend for a concert last night, to watch couple of my favorite christian bands: Mercy Me & Casting Crowns. I can barely listen to either one of these groups without tears. Their music always touches my heart and it did last night. As we were waiting for MM I saw a man standing back stage (we were in the 2nd row) and immediately noticed his T-Shirt: Black with a white hand print, red dot on a finger. I instantly knew what that was about and was set on trying to find out more i.e. trying to read the fine print. When the band came out, it was the drummer for MM who was wearing the shirt! As the set progressed I learned more. Bart Millard, who is the lead singer, shared that his son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 2 year old, Sam is now 5 so he was diagnosed about the same time Morgan was. Bart then started the Imagine a Cure Organization. That was the T-shirt I spotted. I am now on a mission to get my hands on a few.

So not only were the tears flowing from the beauty of their songs, but now also for another family who has to bear the struggles of this life-long disease. A sense of connection with another parent who has been where I have been: sleepless nights, constant worrying. I don't let myself get wrapped up in the pity party of diabetes and Morgan doesn't either. It is, what it is and I can't do anything about it, if I could, I would have. God has a greater purpose and maybe some day he will let us know what that purpose is. But in the meantime we just allow God's glory to shine through and give him the praise in both good times and bad.

Demo...Day 2

Today the boys and I tore out the laundry closet walls and made several dump runs.  Actually demo is going pretty smoothly and there haven't been any surprises.  I was terrified that we would open up walls and find termites or over the top water damage.  Fortunately, there has been nothing. Tomorrow I will pull up the carpeting and scrape the glue off the floor and tear out a cabinet or two in the current kitchen, so that on Monday I can call the plumber and electrician.

Former pantry closet...

I can't quite tell how open this area is going to be with the studs still in place.  These will also come down tomorrow and then it will really open the area up.

I still need to make some decisions about lighting.  I am hoping I will have a revelation soon, I have no idea how to plan for lighting!!

Sunday we are headed to a Casting Crown's and Mercy Me concert with some friends.  I am looking forward to a wonderful time worshiping the LORD with a couple of my favorite groups.