12 in 12: Or Why We’re Avoiding Home Renovations In 2013
Because my resolution of completing a ‘New Year’s resolutions’ post by January first, was the first to go, I’m happily joining up with Dwija at House Unseen for her 2012 in 12 Photos link up. Maybe meditating on the past year will help me focus on a few important resolutions rather than the 1,468 I’ve currently jotted down.
January
We decided to turn this screened-in porch into a new kitchen in order to open up the back of the house and ultimately, make the first floor more handicap accessible. We hired a contractor. He said three weeks, no problem.
February
Pro: Fulton was approved for 35 hours of nursing care! YAY! Con: On the first day of the job the contractor discovers a big rotten support beam. He says, “It’ll add another week.”
March
Naked baby in sink. No reason.
April
Amazingly enough, it’s been more than four weeks and my house is still a disorganized mess. Thankfully wonderful spring weather means we’re outside a lot.
May
Hey, let’s order two dozen more chickens to distract us from the fact that our contractor walked out on us! So cute and therapeutic!
June
After three delays due to illness, Fulton has a gtube placed three days before he’s set to turn four. He makes it home on the 27th and wakes the next morning to the announcement of his namesake being declared venerable on his birthday.
July
School wrapped up and we spent a week in Ocean City where I had a near brush with death from humiliation.
August
The kids picked tomatoes and signed me up for hours of boiling and peeling. We still have bags of these in the freezer. And watermelon. Good grief….the watermelon. It’s like rabbits; every time I open the freezer I swear there’s more bags hiding at the bottom.
September
By the first day of school the kitchen and the schoolroom were finished. (Just pretend you don’t see the missing cabinet door or unpainted wall. I’m pretty sure that was done by the end of the month.) Three weeks? Try nine months. Plus, a new roof leak sent water seeping through the new drywall. Can’t blame that on the contrator, just our awesome good luck I guess! The icing was learning on my birthday that I was going to lose Fulton’s nursing care.
October
And now a cute Teddy shot to make everything better.
Teddy was six weeks premature and the size of that doll when we brought him home from the NICU. I will still be taking photos of him with Bitty Baby when Teddy’s 18 because it never stops amazing me how big and strong he’s become, even with SMA.
November
I got an iPod touch and immediately started taking way too many pictures of me and the kids doing everything. “Kid’s we’re in the Wawa’s parking lot; say ‘Cheese!”
December
No doubt about it, Fulton’s illness overshadowed a good chunk of what should have been a festive time. But although we did some things differently, I think everyone enjoyed the Octave of Christmas. And thankfully, Fulton seems to be fully recovered from any respiratory illness and ear infections.
And because I don’t want to end on a downer. Welcome 2013! This is going to be the year! Of what I’m not sure, but I’m totally pumped! (However I think I can say with some certainty that we will not be undertaking any major renovation projects. )
Wow. I am exhausted looking through these, ohmygoodness! And I also found exactly where we first met. Yay! ****meeeeeeeeeemories…..****
Dude, also, totally pumped for 2013 as well. I don’t know why. Feels like it’s off on the right foot, ya know? This is how I felt in 2010 too and guess what? AMAZING YEAR. So. I’m pretty sure we’re right 🙂
I feel pretty excited for 2013, and I have no idea why. I just hope I can figure out what to do with all this enthusiasm!
Probably something that benefits me is what I would recommend.
p.s. diggin’ the blog reno, though. New year= new look!
Thanks. Not sure if I’m done playing around or not but I thought I needed a clean slate.
Love it too!! Seems like everyone who is cool is making over their blog right now Guess it’s time for me to jump on the band wagon because let’s face it, I’m pretty cool.
And I love this recap. Poor little Fulton at the end!! Hope he’s feeling much better.
What a year! The kitchen looks great. The color is so cheery and the appliances so shiny!
Your year is making me cry. Happy and sad tears. I’m never not tired of thanking God for blogs, blogging, and bloggers. I’ve met so many amazingly strong, faith-filled women through it.
And kitchens I’m lusting after.
Yes, I’m so glad I gave another go at blogging this year. To many great people and interactions to mention. But since I didn’t have a picture of me sitting in bed with my laptop while my husband tells me it’s late and I need to go to bed, the blog didn’t make the 12 in 12.
The kitchen looks great, the kids look great, Fulton is feeling great (I’m hoping!). So awesome to see it all in a row. It’s just, well, great.
Happy new year and here’s wishing for health and no home repairs for your family this year :).
Love your style and the cabinet colors. God bless from another OCNJ lovin’ family!
I think my favorite is the naked baby in the sink picture. No reason. 😉
I also seriously LOVE your kitchen cabinet color.
Hello! I saw your blog linked to from other ones… Anyway, do you remember where you purchased (or the brand?) of your kitchen lighting fixture? I *love* it, and were in the process of a few small upgrades in our kitchen. Thank you!
I think we just purchased the fixtures from Home Depot’s online store. I can’t remember the brand, maybe Hampton Bay??? Sorry I can’t be more helpful…and I actually just threw out all the paperwork that came in the packaging. Figures.
I have a preemie too and it’s interesting to look at the pics of him from the NICU and see the days when his middle finger to elbow could fit across my (tiny) hand. What I really should do is take the pic of my dad’s hand with my arm stretching across it and put the two side by side.