Julie and Guneet

What a lovely wedding watching two of the sweetest people get married!

Julie and Guneet's story is truly amazing.  Guneet is literally from the other side of the world in India.  They  met while getting their PhD's at Clemson.  Guneet has been at most family get togethers for at least the last 3 years (maybe more, I cant remember.)  It wasnt until recently that Julie and Guneet officially started dating and then were quickly engaged and then 4 months later, married.

I almost waited to post in hopes that I would get the wedding pictures from their Indian wedding (which will happen later this week in India!)

Mr and Mrs...

Julie wanted to include the boys and my nieces in her wedding.  She said that could serve in whatever capacity they wanted to.  I talked to each boy separately to see what they envisioned themselves doing.  Hunter said he wanted to be in the wedding party so he is a junior groomsman.  Ashton said he did not want to be in the wedding (to which Hunt said, "Ashton that is the same as not wanting to play in the game and sitting on the bench"... haha).  Ashton said he would like to hand out programs.  Shepherd said, "I dont want to go. I hate weddings."  I, informed him that was not an option and he joined Ashton as guest book attendants.  Bennett, well, I didnt ask him.  I told him he was going to be the ring bearer and walk with Sami and Joey.

Here are some pics of the wedding.

Leaving the house- what a sharp looking crew.

Guneet with Bennett and Hunter

The program helpers (who literally raced to get to people to hand out the programs)

Julie and her dad 

Hunter escorting Charlee- The wedding party was so short, Hunter could have easily escorted and adult... haha, I guess when you are 11 and 5'4" that happens.

Bennett is super excited. ha.  These crew was super cute though

Flower girls and junior bride

Joey chilling on her other grandma's lap (Tommy's mom, Lois).

Bennett getting sleepy

The bench warmers... :)

Charlee looking quite grown up!

One of my favorite pics- Hate it is a bit blurry. I had to change to my phone because my camera died, of course.

This picture just makes me smile as it is so reflective of my niece's personalities!  And, I feel like I should add that Sandee's arm is not up because she is belting it out but to prohibit Joey from tumbling off the stage.  Speaking of Joey, hahaha.  Hysterical child!

This was the sweetest thing- he kissed her forehead first.

then, did the real thing!

 We happily welcome Guneet to the family.  Julie is in the process of getting her 2nd PhD and will also be teaching at the high school I work at so I will get to see here sweet smile almost everyday!

Congratulations and Best wishes to you two!

Come on In!

I have to chuckle at the two extreme titles of this post vs the last... oh, what a difference a week makes.

Though I still have so many things on want/ to do list, I feel ready to head back to work... tomorrow.  I would love to be able to take a week or two to really enjoy the house, but back to school we go.  The boys still have another week, but us teacher folks start tomorrow.

If you were to show up at my house right now, this is what you would see.  Some rooms are not done, other rooms are basically done.   As I complete rooms, I will post about them but here is what we have now.

I threw in a couple before pics (the small ones) just for a comparison.

If you were driving to our house, this is what you would see.

BEFORE

After

Love our long driveway.  Hunter says I back out "like a boss"  haha.

Side view

Walking to the front door.  This fall/ spring, I will get on the landscaping.. But short term, I trimmed bushes, yanked out dead stuff as well as that awful plastic stuff, and spread pine needles.

Door is open- some come on in!

Before it is ours...

Day 1 with us.

View from the front door.

The couch was a perfect fit... it is the only piece of furniture that will fit but it looks good.

View from the kitchen.  Paint color- Agreeable Grey

I love a good gallery wall and I think this one turned out pretty good.  This room was originally a formal dining room.  We decided to have a sitting area instead.  It also extends seating for tv watching and is a great reading nook. Paint color- Poised Taupe

This is not the kitchen of my dreams but, now that we are in the house, it is a lot better than I was expecting

Before.... bleh bleh bleh

Eat in dining- use the armoire as a pantry- Good idea mom!

One of my favorite features we added... a laundry shoot.  Just realized today that I forgot to paint the drywall section.. haha

The very messy garage... However, all that cardboard in the front is dump bound.  So, pretty soon at least one car will be able to be parked in the garage.

Our workout room.  We also have the desktop and the Wii is currently set up out here.  Still so surprised by how much I like this weird little room off the garage.

 Heading back inside...

Master Bedroom.  Still some stuff to do here but it could be awhile

The master bathroom is officially the only room that has not been painted yet.  I will get to it when I get to it....

And the last room on the 1st floor... Bennett's room.  I caved and let him pick out dinosaurs covers... I figured if it made it happy to have his own room (he still wanted to share) then it was worth.  Plus, I bought them from Wal Mart for under $35.   I have a few little touches to finish for his room but it is close to done

 Upstairs we go.

Shepherd in his art zone.  I have a lot of stuff to still hang up and he needs some new bedding.  He wants Minecraft and I said, "he!! no" (in my head) and "uh, no" (out loud).  We are looking for bedding with brighter colors and kind of block like.  I will know it when I see it.  But, for now, it is fully functional

The new upstairs den.  We still need some seating.  On the look out for something smallish as this room is not real big.

 And, the new section

Before the house was ours.

Part way through the process

This is worth the wait!  The new hallway.

Hunter's room.  Again, new bedding.  I hate these covers plus his sheets dont fit so lots of changes coming to this room in the coming months.  

Ashton's room.  Ashton actually has the largest room as the fusbol table had to go into a room.  Hunter really needs his get away time from his brothers so Ash was all to pleased to add the fusbol table and forego on some privacy.  Again, lots of changes coming to this room too.   He opted to stay in his twin bunk bed but add some seating underneath.  We got some clearance bedding at Target a month or ago... Figured this black and white check would blend with any sports stuff we add.

Boys bathroom upstairs.  More pics coming

 So, there is a quick tour.  I cant believe my summer is over.  It has been so busy.  With Chad working so much, I have had so many people step up to the plate to help out with the house and the boys.  So, thank you.  

GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!

This post is a total vent.  So, if you don't like vents or will think of me as whiny, then just skip it.

Before I vent, in the back of my head, I know these things to be true...

1- We are very blessed to have this house fall in our lap and to have the ability to add space to make it fit us better

2- This house basically had everything on my "want/ need" list

3- In the overall scheme of things, these weeks waiting on the rooms to be done is so small.

4- This time next year, this summer will be a memory.

We closed on the house June 6.  A week later the popcorn ceiling started coming down.  We were told after the popcorn was down, then completing the renovation of the two new rooms would be about 2-3 weeks.... this was June 22.  We are now at August 1.  Today the carpet is going in.  I am crossing my fingers that by Friday, we will be finished.  But, I am in full pessimist mode right now so lets be honest.  They will never be done.  I kid, I kid- I think.

I have spent countless hours with a paint brush in my hand.  My parents gave up another Saturday to help me.  I knew with the carpet coming today that I wanted to have 99% of the painting complete so I would not mess up the carpet.  Though I have some touch ups to do, the only painting left is my bathroom and the upstairs den and small hallway upstairs.

Hunt's room... this from about a week ago.  Coat of primer

This shows how Shoji White (in the crease) is really not a bright white... it is crazy because by itself it looks quite white.  I love paint- I am so odd!

I had the flourescent lights taken down in the kitchen and the master bath... Unfortunately, I had this taken down after the popcorn ceilings were already completed which left BIG sections unfinished.  I scraped them and then had the drywall guy, Mr Harold, mud it for me.  This is why I paid $2000 or someone else to scrape the popcorn.  It was easy to scrape but SOOOOO messy.

Yesterday, I did a little bit of yardwork... I am actually looking forward to really/ literally getting my hands dirty.  I took a couple before pics but let's wait for an after picture to make me feel better about the progress.

Moses has stayed at his co-owners (AKA- my parents... haha) house until the men are finished since he doesnt really love strangers.  I miss him terribly.  We visit mom and dads every couple of days to visit with him.  I so wish he was more friendly and less guard-dog like.

Chad is in football world.  As the athletic director as well, he works from 6am to 9 pm.  We live totally separate lives this time of year.

I head back to work August 10.  Though I like my job, I would be lying if I said I was excited about going back.  I am a loner at heart and long to retire... haha.

The boys get along most of the time, but there are days when they just fight and fight and fight.  We have not been able to unpack due to the rooms not being complete, so though are kind of on top of each other. We are all anxious to have our own spaces!

Ok, so this wasnt a total vent but let me just say again- I am sooo ready to have all this work done and to final settle in this house.