Resurrecting the Swing Set

If we were meeting for lunch, or chatting over a cup of coffee today and we were to discuss the topic of marital disputes ... I would be OVERJOYED to tell you a six month battle in our home has finally be put to rest. That's right ... a SIX MONTH BATTLE ... all about a stinking' swing set!

Now, before I start pointing fingers and tell you how it's all (ahem, obviously) Shane's fault ... I should mention a few things. We purchased this swing set for Bennett about two year's ago for his birthday. All of the family members chipped in, and it was the perfect addition to our new yard in Nashville, TN.

However, when purchasing said swingset - I had no idea we'd be moving to Louisville so quickly - nor did I know the company I purchased it from was super southern based and the northern most city they service was Nashville, TN. So, fast forward to our big move back to to Louisville, KY and couple that with unpacking and realizing we cannot find any of the screws to put the swingset together and we've got ourselves a real mess.

Long story short - Shane moved hell and high water to hunt down all of the random screws (who knew there were special stores for that kind of thing?) and the process of gathering all of the pieces - along with finding someone who would put the swings back together (because other companies wouldn't service someone else's product) and do it with safety in mind so our kids won't hurt themselves proved to be a real challenge.

So, we were faced with two options - and annoying amount of time in between - and one perfectly divided martial dispute. Side A) this is taking way too much time, money and everything else and I simply can't talk about it anymore - let's just get rid of it and buy a new one (Katie)... and Side B) ABSOLUTELY not, that thing is basically brand new, and we can make this work (Shane).
The conversation went round and round and lasted entirely too long -- so last week I put my foot down. Either the swing set is up and ready to play by this weekend ... or I'm purchasing a new one. And would you look at that ... Hubs found a way to make it happen!!

We picked up Bennett from school and told the kiddos to head to the backyard ...
You may notice Lainey's sandals (ahem, Bennett's sandals) because she is refusing to wear anything else but his shoes. And I'm picking my battles.  And believe it or not ... that face right there tell me the sixth month battle was worth every minute.

 They were so surprised and so excited!

 "The bumpy slide! I've missed you old friend!"

 And this little bit can't get enough of the swings.

 We're so glad to have a swing set grace our back yard again. Thanks daddy for all of your hard work!

The HOME Stretch

Well gang, I'm here today to nervously report we're in the home stretch of house renovations! We're turning a sharp corner and finishes are FINALLY happening! I'm going to be honest with both myself and you, my readers, I have absolutely no idea when we will actually move in ... BUT I do think it will be soon :)

If you need to catch up, here ya go:

• We announced we were moving home - September 2016
• We shared the realtor images from the house we purchased - October 2016
• We worked to draw new house plans and finalize the designs - January 2017
• We worked on selecting some finishes and decided on a farmhouse theme - January 2017
• We began demolition and pouring a new foundation for the addition - February 2017
• We finalized framing, plumbing, HVAC and electrical - April 2017
• We shared some cabinet design sneak peeks - April 2017
• We talked drywall and exterior paint colors - May 2017

I'm waiting to purchase any new furniture, rugs, decor, etc. until we move into the house and I have a true understanding of the space. Because, I personally think it's better to learn the flow of the rooms and what not before I make big time purchases like that. I have a good idea of what I want, and several options picked out, but I want to get a really really good feel before pulling the trigger, but walking through the house and seeing things come together is making waiting SUPER DUPER HARD! But instead of getting ahead of myself, on furniture purchases... I will share some exciting photos of what's happening at the casa, because I am getting soooo excited! I simply cannot wait when I get to publish the official BEFORE | AFTER photos!

INSIDE:

You may recall the great color debate a couple of weeks ago deciding the exterior paint color of the house. We were pretty strongly between colors #1 (SW 7075 Web Gray) and #6 (SW 6251 Outerspace) ... Shane was 60/40 Outerspace and I was 60/40 Web Gray. And to be honest, most of the feedback we got was pushing us towards Outerspace as well. However, after MUCH debate we decided to play it a little safer and stick with Web Gray. We had the painters start on the trim so we could go back and forth longer on our great debate.

So, all of that simply to say ... WE MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE! YAYYY. We went back and forth SOOOO many times. Literally up until the painter took his brush and started on the wood we were second guessing ourselves. We left the house and agreed we wouldn't come back until a wall was finished and when we came back we were PUMMMMPED. The color turned out wayy more blue than we anticipated, yet still gray enough to achieve what we were hoping for. Winner winner, Web Gray Dinner!

We also polished and refinished the copper dormer covers and I'm loving them!! They've still got to finish painting the rest of the exterior and do a few more coats -- but I'm loving the direction! I think the white trim changes the entire look of the house!

INSIDE: 

Most of the inside stuff is pretty :) and making me so excited too! Cabinets are being installed, trim work is almost complete, most of the tile has been laid, the hardwood floor has been patched in, and we're working on final tweaks and built-ins as we speak. Along with finalizing granite choices, door knobs, pulls, etc. It's all coming together, FINALLY!

They began patching and completing the hardwood floor in the new great room addition.

 Then they painted it :)
 They painted the office.

They started the kitchen cabinet install.

 And my little helpers came to check on the progress with me of course!

My contrast island made it's appearance! EEk!!

 And my contrast bar area made an appearance as well ... and I raised everyone's eyebrows when they asked why cabinets were missing their inside panels and I told them I'd be gluing chicken wire to them! Ha!

 The kiddos and I also made a trip to the granite shop (they love it there...wonder why, HA!)

 And we picked this beauty for the kitchen!

They started laying the tile in the master bath. 

 Then put in the bottom of the cabinets.

 And then we picked this pretty slab for that room, LOVE that vein in the middle.

And after I picked it out I learned we'd have to have a seam in the granite (RATS!) so I had to head up to the shop to work with the vinyl templates to ensure we'd be happy with the final product. I'm a little anxious about this one.

We painted the laundry room this fun little shade!

 And added pretty cabinets.

And decided to add a pretty marble to the room for a subtle finish. 

 They started laying my most favorite tile EVER in the hall bath.

 And I'm in love with it.

This room gets a wood wall accent and also an apron front sink ... so I kept the granite simple and found an awesome dark honed remanent with faint lines running through it. So, hopefully it'll keep the focus on the floor and wall, while keeping the counter top clean. 

 We worked on some trim options to make the weird angle in our great room work. 

We got our cubbies! To which when I sent my girlfriend a picture she replied: #momporn hahahaha!

We're finalizing the kiddos bonus room.

 We're painting the guest rooms ...

And picking out sweet granite for that bathroom:

 Painting Bennett's bathroom,

 And finishing with this top:

And we're working on little miss Lou's room too.

 And her bathroom tile is completely swoon worthy.

Plus working to find a granite that will fit into her monochromatic scheme as well ...

Here's a look at her bathroom cabinets, still at the warehouse and about to be installed.

And our contractor built her the most adorable little window seat/chest. I've been trying to pick out the most perfect fabric for a cushion that will adorn the top. I can picture her (or maybe myself) reading a book and enjoying a warm cup of hot cocoa in the winter :) ... maybe she'll invite me in sometime!

 And last, but certainly not least ... we've  been working to pick out all of the final details (door knobs, stains, carpet, etc)  for the house ... and again I have the best helpers :)

And that's where we are folks! The HOME stretch (see what I did there?!).