Master Bedroom

 This room was our living room before the addition.

Now it has become our bedroom. At the end of construction--actually the week of Christmas--a closet was built on the big wall. Jeremy and I have not had a proper closet so is a pretty exciting addition to our bedroom.

I almost forgot to take a before picture of this side! The couch was in that corner between the windows.

This project took weeks because we had all kinds of life interruptions--like a funeral and covid and birthday parties. 

Jeremy removed the baseboard heating system.

Removed the plaster.

Adhered shims to attach the drywall to.

Put up drywall. And then I did the mudding of the drywall. I did not include a picture of this because I kindof made a mess that created a lot of sanding!

Jeremy installed french doors to close the room. That was a new project for him. YouTube makes pretty excellent tutorials!

I caulked and primed and then Jeremy put up trim. Two more coats of paint and the room was finished!

Mom scrubbed the ceiling fan and floor for us. It felt like a room that could be moved into then! What a difference a good cleaning makes.

Last Monday evening Jeremy changed the electric outlets and hung the curtains.

It's taking a bit to adjust. The room is growing on me though. I'd like a new comforter, and area rug and wall decor. All in good time. 

1 room finished, 6 to go.

Celebrating Aliza and Josiah

 What a week we had celebrating Aliza and Josiah--and a few days later--Jeremy!

 Aliza is 16! I had all of the feelings. I can't believe we are at 16. I also don't want to hold her back for even a second.

Aliza wanted a friend birthday party. This is such a good group of teenagers. I think the world of each of them. Even the boys had handmade birthday cards for her.

It was a really cold evening so I grilled the hotdogs inside and they ate inside.

But they went outside before supper to play Spud.

And headed back out right after presents. Later we did s'mores and biscuit cups over the fire. They stayed outside all evening, coming in for hot chocolate at one point.

Josiah really wanted the traditional family birthday party. This first picture is from last year's birthday party for comparison--

This year's party was in our NEW living room where there was PLENTY of room.

Aliza had the best happy faces.

Josiah was very happy too.

Joel gave him Pokemon cards and there was a good one. And he was very excited.

Since we had lots of leftovers from Aliza's party--and it was a warmer day--Van restarted the fire and we introduced our families to biscuit cups. Everyone approved. Jeremy was, by far, the best biscuit cooker because he is, by far, the most patient human. He had a full time job.

These cousins growing up together warms my heart every time.

As usual, Isaiah roasted and consumed an unreasonable number of marshmallows. At this moment, when Isaiah tripped as he pulled flaming marshmallows out of the fire, Joel and I both gasped and Joel got the picture.

There was tree climbing.

And then soccer, of course. They played for a long, long time.

Joel and Amanda were recruited to be referees which led to Joel giving us commentary on the game that had me laughing. It appears that Isaiah was tired.

That evening my parents stayed for supper along with Jeremy's family. We sat long around the table talking and laughing. And when Amanda made my Dad laugh, the evening was complete.

Joy Dare::February

 8839. Jeremy brought home *good* ice cream
8840. Josiah helping
8841. Watching the slideshow
8842. Hugging my aunt and uncle
8843. Giving Josiah my full attention
8844. Hearing all about Aliza's day
8845. Finding chocolate in the bottom of my purse
8846. Normalcy of school
8847. The smoothest car breakdown I could have hoped for
8848. The banana split dish that broke my heart
8849. All the great grandchildren choosing their treasures
8850. Family together
8851. Honoring Grandad's life
8852. All the visiting
8853. Ending the day with a little extra time with my brother
8854. Huddled together for one more good bye
8855. Aliza driving to Pocomoke for the first time
8856. Heading out for a winter getaway adventure
8857. Friends and waterslides
8858. Isaiah doing everything
8859. A very lovely dinner
8860. Cozy room
8861. Cough drops in the gift shop
8862. Jeremy doing all the things
8863. Made it home
8864. Snuggled in with Isaiah for a nap
8865. Enough energy to do what I had to do
8866. Slept all night
8867. Aliza watches Olympics with me
8868. Feeling quite a bit better
8869. A very normal day
8870. Lunch outside

8871. Sleeping in
8872. Having Jay and LeeAnne for supper
8873. Facetime with Becca
8874. Cabinets in the laundry room
8875. Super Bowl supper
8876. A bunch of children on Grandma's bed
8877. Anna was brave during her dreaded Dr appointment
8878. Aliza came home from choir smiling
8879. Another area organized
8880. Listening to the long lunch conversation
8881. Knowing my Mom is really happy
8882. Anna's face when she saw the Twix box
8883. A routine Wednesday
8884. Mom and Dad stopped in
8885. When Bible study gives you a laugh
8886. Living in a place that gives early glimpses of spring
8887. Boys digging holes

8888. A little time to catch up with Janell
8889. Getting back into the process of painting
8890. A present husband to give a pep talk to his children
8891. A full 5 days of school in a week
8892. Really starting the next home renovation project
8893. Side by side time with Jeremy
8894. Making brunch
8895. Looking at pictures
8896. Sunday afternoon reading time
8897. Mom could sit and wait with me (and listen to me talk)
8898. Unpacking dishes from Gramma's house
8899. 2:22 on 2/22/22

8900. Perfect afternoon for friends to come over
8901. Trying not to make too big of a mess with drywall much
8902. Wednesday night Cook Out milkshakes
8903. Listening
8904. When time works out so I can get all the errands done
8905. Coffee with Elizabeth
8906. Aliza made supper
8907. Mom at my house, completely relaxed
8908. An afternoon with Meghan and the boys
8909. Another step in the process finished
8910. Jeremy can do anything he sets his mind to do
8911. Wandering the library for a few minutes with Aliza
8912. When you find a book by the author you are currently binge reading

 

8913. Isaiah let me sleep in
8914. Planning out the week
8915. Wrapping birthday presents
8916. First daffodil bloom
8917. Lunch date with my boys
8918. Josiah had a really happy day

 Happy Sweet 16 Aliza!

It hurts in all the best ways to celebrate your 16th birthday. You are smart, thoughtful, kind and strong. You bring joy to everyone you come in contact with. You can do anything you set your mind to do. I can't wait to see where this year takes you. I love you!!