View into the nook-

p.s. You can click on any pic for a bigger view

Left side of the nook {these cabs are now antiqued green and in the main kitchen…the fridge and pantry now sit here}

The right side of the nook- where the “barland” now is

So, Josh had the brilliant idea of pulling those cabinets from the top pic and putting them in the main kitchen.  We saved all cabinets, moved some around, bought some new cabinets, had a carpenter build fronts to resemble the original 1927 cabinets, special-ordered matching hardware, and spent weeks antiquing them green. We got granite and a subway style back splash, too, and pulled up the linoleum to reveal hard woods.  Finally, we switched the paint scheme and put a light khaki color on the wall and did white trim.  Well, let’s not forget the addition of a DISHWASHER and other new appliances- I am so, so blessed!

Okay, so onto the “bar-land” – we originally thought we wanted an island.  Upon measuring and thinking, we realized that just wouldn’t comfortably fit.  So, to boil it down, what I needed was a space for kids and when we have guests and more counter space.  We called a carpenter {our beloved carpenter from before has moved }and our granite guy and came up with this: bar-land…half bar, half island, totally practical!

Just as a reminder, here are the kitchen remodel pics from Christmas–

The cabinets from the nook are the ones on the corner- wasn’t that such a great idea Josh had?!

Well, it has been 12 years now.  12 wonderful, sweet years with my best friend!  It’s so funny having everybody know us as we are NOW- married, 3 kids, student, stay-at-home mom.  When we got married, Josh was an electrical engineer and I was a Spanish teacher.  5 years later, we found ourselves post-seminary, in IA, and with our first baby.  Now, we live in Spokane, WA, have good jobs, love our church, and are enjoying some great new friendships.

Here are some pics of the past 12 years…

Josh’s first deer

We traveled…

To visit family (Frani and Phil- the coolest!) in CA 2003

Carnival Cruise to Cozumel and Belize 2004

Alaskan Cruise and my mentor’s wedding immediately after (we flew back and drove straight there) 2006

Josh helping with worship at our church

We did tons of mission trips- seriously, we’ve been to Mexico (and Josh to India) more than a dozen times…

Josh to India 2003 and 2004 (yes, he looks young…you know you’re thinking it…)

Mexico 2004 with TCA (I taught Spanish 1 and 2 at Trinity Christian Academy for 4 years and went on the school trip to an orphanage 3 years (I skipped the year I was 6 months pregnant))…

Mexico 2005 with Dad with TCA

Mexico with our church (Culiacan) 2005 and 2006-I think?

Our Christmas picture 2004 or 2005?

Skiing 2005

As a teacher, I used to mentor young women and loved being a part of discipleship…

Wilderness- another TCA trip (these gals just finished college, I think- what the what???)

You know, we did a lot of cool stuff. Looking back, I have fond memories and even miss some of the freedom to just take off wherever and whenever. I do miss that a lot.  However, NOTHING could replace the joy Rebekah, Luke, and now Lizzie! bring us and the work the Lord is doing in their lives is just as valuable. With prayer, they, too, will have a passion for people and God’s word and we will resume these activities soon!

And here we are…12 years of bliss with 3 amazing kids we can’t imagine life without.  Seriously.

The first ones are garlic- literally cloves of garlic that you just push down with your finger.  Luke enjoyed this process.

This is the “plumbed” part of the garden box.  It does work, but it malfunctions and just soaks, so I still hand water, which I greatly enjoy.  I love any reason to be outside and Lizzie loves it when my back is turned and she can go incognito and grab a handful of dirt …

So, I really had pretty low expectations.  I was worried since we had so many squirrels digging for nuts after we planted.  I wasn’t sure if anything would take root.  I am so happy to see green things!!Look at the pic above- we planted garlic far left, then radishes, then green onions, then a smattering of lettuce, onions, and carrots, and sugar snap peas lining the back.  We left the far right for basil and tomatoes, which I am still working on “hardening.”

Basil and flowers {& my helpers}

Full Garden

Radishes- we don’t even eat radishes, but I would welcome your recipes or ideas!

Peas- I have now added twine for them to grow up to

Lettuce

Garlic

Here are the tomato and pepper plants that have to “harden” and get used to being outside.  Okay, I had to throw a few pics of Lizzie in, too.

These plants will be in the ground this week- I’m so excited!

I got this chair FREE driving by a house that had a pile of stuff for the taking.  I may or may not have scored another booster seat and a play house {indoor} for the kids, as well.  The whole lot was worth the look on Lizzie’s face when she saw this chair.  She has staked her claim and the big kids usually honor it.  Her cuteness is scary.

That night Rebekah was awarded for finishing 2 books in AWANA, a Scripture-memorizing program at a local Bible church.  I was proud of her for going all year.  We’re not sure if we’re going to continue next year, but we are glad for this year.  We had a little time to kill, so we got some ice cream.

The Awards ceremony at AWANA.  She is with her best buddy, Eli, who started coming when Rebekah invited him.

At her 18 month check-up, she was 50th% for height and 12th% for weight.  Evidently, if you double this height, you get an idea of what the adult height will be.  I remember Rebekah’s was 6 feet {!!!} and Lizzie’s is 5’3″!!  Ha ha.  Luke is somewhere in between.  We were in the UK and I didn’t get an 18-month check there, so I’m not sure, but he is on the lower end of height.  Other than those stats, nothing new health wise.  Lizzie is a great eater, a great sleeper, and a happy little girl, at least when she gets her way, that is.  She definitely has an opinion and a very adorable {if naughty} “Nooooo” but honestly does back down with firm parenting.  ;)  She pushes limits, but sometimes she just wants to see what I’ll do, what I’ll allow.  She is very funny, and she is quite aware she is crazy cute.  Lizzie has these funny little grins where you know she’s showing off.  Rebekah and Luke still adore her, though they’re learning that they have to put treasured items away in her presence.

Favorites:

• Her pacifiers, aka “ba ba”  
• Food she feeds herself…she loves most things, but has a special place for sausage, blueberries, eggs, noodles, ketchup, and anything you’re eating
• Being OUTSIDE, aka “siiiide!!!”
• Baby dolls, aka “bay-bee”
• Luke’s cars
• Drinks…she’s my girl in her love of all things beverage
• Being held by Mama
• Throwing  stuff out of her crib
• Sitting on little perches
• Playing on our front porch
• Bubbles!
• Birds

I am amused by what people notice about her- usually the same few things: BIG brown eyes, no fear, and determination.  I do have a soft spot for those eyes.  They started off the same size…

Lizzie is a loved little girl, and I am glad she is secure in her place in our family.