kitchen renovation continued

Hello Friends and Happy New Year!

Baby has no idea what's going on! 

assuming you aren't totally annoyed at all my kitchen renovation posts, I'll share the latest: It's coming along beautifully and I LOVE IT!!  Such a sweet labor of love

Here is the brick back-splash going up.

Jake had some extra brick at the shop, 

("lick 'em, stick 'em" he calls them).

They are real bricks, just cut in half so they aren't so heavy.

He tinted the mortar to be a dark espresso color 

which matches the countertops. 

Here's the beginning and end of the wood floor being laid.

The final board went in 2 weeks ago at 12:50am!!

Just in time for Christmas!

BEAST!  He just kept on going and going, 

I said it's not a big deal if it doesn't get done, but "my tools are out and I'm not getting them all set up again" he said!  And wise he was, it rained and snowed and got fiercely windy the next few days!  

He would bring each board from the garage to the deck and then sand it down out there, then bring it in and lay it.  

Before the stain:

(you can also see some of the new appliances 

and the repainted kitchen cabinets).

During the stain: (english chestnut by minwax) 

After: he coated it with some varnish as well so it has some more shine then this picture indicates.  We had to pack up and spend the day and night elsewhere because it was such a strong smell throughout the house!  We lounged at Grammy's house and played games, spent one night/one day at my parents and spent the next night at our neighbors.  

 It was, as the kids say, "an adventure!"  Our sweet neighbors Ron and Sandy use to own a bed and breakfast so when they heard we had varnished the floors they invited us to stay the night.  "I won't have that baby sleeping in that house" they said. It felt like a mini vacation, (with four kids in a tiny house), but nonetheless, a treat.  They prepared a beautiful breakfast for us the next morning! 

We have so many wonderful souls in our lives!

Thank you to Grammy, Dad & Mom and Ron & Sandy for your kindness and hospitality to us ALL!

It is "livable" at this point, but not organized or completed. 

We are figuring out some last minute pantry space, etc. So until then I'm waiting to get "everything in it's place."  However, I don't need much space to make monster cookies.  In the picture below you can see the new sink and faucet, (she's a beauty) and the new record player, a Christmas gift.....from myself. How obnoxious is that?  And yes, I even wrapped it and put it under the tree.  I use to mock my Mother when she did that same thing and now I do it too!  

Oh, the circle of life!   

"Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true."
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

kitchen renovation continued.

Apologies ahead of time for talking about our kitchen so much,

 but it's big news around here! 

That's what this post is all about,

 so feel free to move along anytime! 

something old~something new. 

sweet old sink that made it's way to our home from 

shepherdstown, west virginia.  

she.is.stunning. 

(and it goes without saying that my husband is so kind to have driven there for her...."I did this just for you" he said)! xoxo. 

and that chair called to me from the aisle at target last week,

 (a STEAL of a deal). 

literally cannot remember the last piece of furniture i bought BRAND NEW! i ran into my sister while i was checking out

 and she gave me a high five  just for the fact that i was 

buying something new!  

and then, here is the conversation that took place between my friend amy and i on facebook later on that day,

 (after posting this pic). 

• 
  
• Amy  um...this is the EXACT chair I JUST GOT! *and just returned  hahaha, good taste huh! hahah:)

  December 5 at 8:38pm · Like · 1
• Janelle then it must be YOURS!! because i bought it at target yesterday. they said it was an online purchase and then someone returned it! that is hilarous! why did you take it back? i came around the corner and there it sat, i just KNEW it had to come home with me. 

  December 5 at 9:02pm · Edited · Like · 2
• Amy I know! Thought it was so cute the colors were just a little off for what I was looking for my loss is your gain!  *and hopefully your "on sale" gain! Hahahha:):)

How funny is that?? I thought it was pretty cool. 

new window!

here is Jake ripping out the tile countertop 

and the old sink!

lookin' good, 

(and the sink/countertops are nice too)!

the beginnings of the countertops

 made from old decking boards!

it's not done yet, but i'm still trying to make it cozy

 in the midst of it all! 

(thank you to my friend ang for the new "J" mug she gave me for my b-day)! 

i put on the first coat of grey the other night, 

so far i really like it! i'm giving myself some time to warm up to it...

and a chance to change my mind, (but as of now, it's just right). 

afterall, painting the walls 

is how this whole idea got started! 

the boys breakin' in our new farmhouse table, (and yes ,that's a Tinkerbell puzzle)! cannot wait to show you this beauty! we found it at an amish furniture consignment shop, 
(who knew there was such a place)!!??

I call this one "sabbath rest" 

because that's the only time that toolbelt is off, (on sundays)!!  

the other side of a kitchen reno:

"A little house, 

a house of my own, 

out of the wind's and rain's way."

 ~Padrak Colum~

Kitchen Renovation

Here are a few peeks into the remodeling process that I have endearingly named, "all-I-asked-for-was-a-coat-of-paint" 

because that 's the truth of it!! 

New Kitchen Window, 

good bye to my old rolling pin that held it up for many years! 

New flooring coming soon, (dark hardwood)

so I let the boys go at the floor with all kinds of permanent markers. 

You should see this place, it's CRAZYVILLE.  

tic-tac-toe games, "hangman", roads, 

racetracks, hearts, rainbows, you name it! 

Our smallest spectator. 

bless her. she just sits there and watches the world go by!

Cabinet doors are being painted white. 

OUR NEW FARMHOUSE SINK!!!! 

oh, i love her already. 

she's from 1949 and she's a beauty from what i can tell.

you see, she's still in west virgina waiting to be transported to her new home in strasburg. 

Jake will rescue her tomorrow night. 

BLESS that man!!!! 

That's all for tonight folks. 

And as the nice west virginia sink man said on my voice mail tonight, 

"holler back"

"Change always comes bearing gifts."  

~Price Pritchett~

a little this and a little that

Sweet Capri is 5 months old. 

We call her our "bump on a log" because, truly, she is. 

she just goes along with the flow and is contstanly entertained!

She eats well and sleeps well. 

She takes 3 naps a day and wakes up 

from her last nap a bit before 7pm!

So, we get some quality time with just her which is extra special.

She's our night owl, just like me. 

She is FULL of smiles and giggles 

and we are so IN LOVE with her. 

Paisley is 3 and FREE!!

She is a riot, dancing all over this place

and putting on shows and tap dances and exercises and songs, 

pinecones as microphones. 

On this particular night the children dressed themselves in their underwear and danced around the house!  What in the world? 

Jake and I were enjoying the post-dinner silence when suddenly the parade appeared from down the steps!

It was hilarious!  

Luke is full of imagination. 

he's always inventing or building or concocting something or another.  He uses his mind to play, just like his Daddy. 

Here he is getting all decked out to help me cook, (chef Luke, spelled phonetically).  And he actually is a help, he follows directions well and likes to see the rewards of his work/help.  One of his favorite smells is crushed garlic, (as well as permanent markers, gas and an extinguished match....he's our smeller)!  You can find him with his nose just inches from the garlic, inhaling deeply when he's in the kitchen.  The other night during dinner he said, "oh Mom, these carrots smell like stink bugs" and he was TOTALLY RIGHT!  Smell a handfull of raw carrots sometime and you'll see what he means!  Speaking of stink bugs, he can smell those suckers from a room away!!  

Here he is working with Jake this past Saturday. 

I innocently mentioned that I'd like to repaint the kitchen and now we are in FULL-ON remodeling mode!!  I don't know what got into my husband, but he is running with this idea.  We've had fun dreaming together, (my tastes are becoming more and more like his as the years go by).  A few weeks ago I suddenly became overwhelmed with all the COLOR around me.  I think it's because all the humans around me are now my color, so I need a more simple "background palette".  

I AM SO EXCITED for the kitchen remodel and SO AMAZED at this man, who would take his "extra energy" and spend it here, (although I will honestly say that he is rejuvenated by projects, so this is a joy to him).  This is why I don't ask him to do much around here, 'cause he'll DO IT, (and I just want to BE with him, not watch him work)!! :)  I am deeply grateful for his kindness toward me. 

~~Recessed Lighting!~~

Here's one inspiration picture for the kitchen and of course, 

our kitchen pinterest page!  

ingenious apron find!  

 Happy Halls,

Tyler and Luke's school.

Tyler fell at recess last week and so we've officially been introduced to the world of stitches.  He was a trooper and only cried when he had to get 3 numbing shots into the wound! ugh!!  Afterward I took him out to the Thomas Store and let him pick a new train and then we went for milkshakes, (the wound is on his chin, so he couldn't eat). Bless him, he was so brave! 

Sweet Grammy made his favorite vegetable soup, she loves him so well!  

Speaking of Grammy, here is the Thanksgiving table spread in her cozy home!  We are always astonished at the amount of food that comes from that little kitchen, and filled with so much love.  Capri and I weren't feeling so good, (head cold and such) so we didn't spend too much time over there, however, the games went into the night!  

 Well, better get going

there's snow in the forecast, (not much, but I'll take anything)....

I'd like to decorate a bit to welcome the snow!  

Peace to you friends!  

"When the bold branches

Bid farewell to rainbow leaves -

Welcome wool sweaters."

~B. Cybrill

a deck and father's day.

He starts stirring at 4:30am.

I know what's happening....he's got a project on his mind.

One hour later I get up to close the bedroom windows. 

Determined hammering and the sun is barely over the hills.

Jake built a deck on Saturday. 

Something he had wanted to do before the baby came, 

so OFFICIALLY, we are ready! 

The kids were by his side most of the time and he was so gracious with them....except when they kept trying to refill the six, 3 foot deep post holes, which he was digging by hand to avoid hitting the sewer line. BEAST I tell ya, beast!! 

This was where I perched for most of the day. 

Watching this supernatural man do his thing, he's so astounding to watch, like a force of nature! I got my notes of encouragement ready for the big day!

verses, quotes, short lines to keep repeating while I'm in labor. 

my brother asked me if one of them says "why hast Thou forsaken me?" LOL. 

I did say that my theme verse this week is 

"be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act." psalm 47:7. 

and we could throw in psalm 6:4 too, (slightly out of context)!
 "turn, o Lord, and deliver me!!"  

i'm still feeling great.

very tired of course with getting up so often at night. i'm just taking it easy around home during the day. Psychologically it's getting harder though. how can 9 months fly by and one week go SO SLOW!!??  SO READY to meet this SWEET BABY STOLTZFUS!!!!  

In typical Jake-style, he worked and drank and barely ate. He kept saying he wasn't hungry and he was drinking TONS of stuff.  He was "having so much fun!" (what the heck)?  He truly was so motivated as this was something he's been wanting to do for years. I can imagine it felt wonderful as this is part of what he does for others every day, but never enjoys the fruit of his own labors.....

Needless to say the kids loved it.  

Jake learned by watching and hopes his children will do the same.

Especially his clone, Luke.  At his side practically the entire day, working and sweating and digging and filling and drinking "refreshing water."

Jake gave him money at the end of the day. 

He was delighted. 

And of course Paisley-girl would not be left in the dust, 

literally. 

. 

 15 hours later and this is what we had!!!!

It's beautiful.  Still needs the steps and railing and some finishing touches, but for the most part, it's completed....and being enjoyed!!

Father's Day greetings. 

cards~love~kisses~gifts~breakfast in bed.

and of course, some time on the deck!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY AMAZING MAN!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, 

and let me watch him do it.  

~Clarence Budington Kelland~

Some links to the past

Happy Friday Everyone~

we're in high gear getting ready for my brothers wedding tomorrow!

All 3 kids are in the wedding, (pray for us)!!

I'm guest posting over at Bryan Allain's blog...
it's the most unladylike subject possible:
Poop....
You'll understand if you read it!

For any of Bryan's readers who have made their way over here,
I'll put up a few links to some older posts,
some "get to know ya" posts~~hope you enjoy!
Thanks for taking the time to visit!!

*Let's say you live in a cold, drafty farmhouse
and your mortgage and oil bill pretty much match, then here's how you might save some $$ with a wood stove.

*So, you're having a baby at home and the midwife doesn't make in time.
( husband catches baby)!

*A French Dinner party for my husband because I love him and would like to thank him for catching the aforementioned baby,
oh, and it was his birthday!

*The Story of how I married this Amish man of mine, (he was Amish until age 17).
I'm so glad I didn't judge an ex-Amish man by his cover, (i.e. silk shirt, tight jeans and white high tops)!

*A little tour of our vintage kitchen.

*Blogging 101~some blogging advice from Mr. Bryan Allain

*My thoughts and judgements about homeschooling. *

So there you have it, a few links to the past.....
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!

“Live life so completely
that when death comes to you like a thief in the night,
there will be nothing left for him to steal.”
~unknown author~

Balance~learning to love.

My husband works like no other man I
have EVER met on this earth!
I'm talkin' sweat, blood and bursting forehead veins!, (he has this one vein that pops out on the side of his head if he works too hard or if the heat is too intense while he's working)!

I am convinced he can do anything he puts his mind and heart to.

(pictures in this post from a local home show created by EWBN)

We had a "discussion" this weekend around our kitchen table.

Some raised voices and some shed tears from both sides.

It was about work.

The discussion matched the one we've been having for 8 years now

and that one seemingly insurmountable word:

BALANCE.

Sometimes I wish he were employed;

nicely, neatly, unstressfully employed, (the grass is greener lest I forget!!)
Instead he graciously *employs* himself and others through his excellent business EWBN.

(Jake with Rueben, his brother and business partner).

On top of owning, running and working his business he is renovating the carriage house for his Mom to live in.....and the heat is on, (or shall I say, the COLD is on)....

Winter is sneaking up on us,

I feel her nearness on this cold, rainy day.

We emotionally provide for one another in such drastically opposite ways.

All he does is for us, working hard, providing, long work days, this is how he says he loves us and yet I need *more*....I want his presence!

All I do is for him and yet he needs *more*.....he wants my understanding and respect! I didn't realize how the little things I do or don't say effect him so greatly. We don't realize in general how we signal all day long that we don't respect/love each other. We don't intend for it to happen, life just takes over and we just get through each day together.
Yet, there's got to be more to life and love then this!!

I was listening to a podcast last week on Focus on the Family.
If ANY of this sounds familiar you may enjoy popping over there for a listen.
It's a 3 part series and some of the best listening I've done in awhile.

Tomorrow I'll be posting a new prayer for our husbands in regard to their work.

It's a beautifully written prayer by Stormie Omartian and its stirred my heart anew toward my husband and his work, for example:
"May his labor bring not only favor, success, and prosperity, but great fulfillment as well.....develop his skills so that they may grow more valuable with each passing year.
Show me what I can do to encourage him."

In all honesty, it's ME who wants some encouragement.

SAY this to me.

DO this for me.
RECOGNIZE this about me.

me, me, me.

This is where I'm at right now,
but it's not where I want to stay.
I'm renting a campsite here,

but I'm looking to buy some property & build elsewhere.

Of course we as wives have areas we need to be fulfilled in.
Things that only our husband can, (and should) be providing.

Yet, when things aren't being met *to our expectations*, how do we act?

I'M DOWNRIGHT UGLY I'll tell ya that right now!

And I don't like it.

So, God and I are going to CHANGE THE WAY I ACT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
If nothing goes how I think it might, then who really cares anyway
because I'm better off for the changes I've made in me.

Here's the DANGEROUS THING ABOUT BLOGGING:
You're seeing through a keyhole into someones home....
you only catch a glimpse.

I am not a wonderful, supportive wife.

We have issues.

The only difference is I'm not okay with staying that way

and I hope you aren't either.

Join me tomorrow if you're able.....

"Chains do not hold a marriage together.
It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads
which sew people together through the years."
~Simone Signoret