End of Summer update

Well, the summer is coming to a close, and I am here to write down a few thoughts, show a few pictures, and ease myself back with my dusty old blog.

When I'm stressed, Mike will sometimes mention how I haven't blogged in a while and suggest that I try to make time to do so. He knows it helps center me a little. But things have just been so darn busy around here that there hasn't been time or energy left over in each day for blogging. Also, we've just been so immersed in projects that we literally haven't had any friends over this summer! How sad is that? (So, friends, let me say this before you go on. This post is meant as a preview - not as an excuse not to come over and hang out and see for yourself the Corrigan household changes. You got that? :)

House Projects:

So, back in May, we found ourselves with 3 major projects we wanted/needed to tackle for the summer. The first was ripping out the walls between our dining room/kitchen/and living room. The second was getting oak hardwood floors installed (previously there had been carpet in the dining room and living room) and the third was replacing our deck.

Jump ahead to August, and we a lot has been accomplished! But, not everything. The floors look great and we are in love with the open concept. However, our deck has been somewhat of a nightmare and it's still not complete. The actual deck part was done back in June, but the railings, well, they have been another story. And what mother of a 2 year old wants a deck with no railings for two whole months to deal with?! Anyway, the whole idea was for us to save a little money and install the railings ourselves.

Wait, so - stepping back a little, we opted to go for a solid-surface deck, or weather proofed deck. For one thing, we live on a mountain and in a wooded area, so we wanted it to last longer than a traditional deck, and for another, we wanted the kids to be able to use the space below it to play with all year round. We were very happy with how this part of it turned out! However, we have made a million mistakes with the railings and consequently have suffered set back after set back. As of right now, the posts are up and we're hoping to get the rest of it installed in the next two weeks. But...we've said that before. So, we'll see! After going an entire summer pretty much without the use of our deck, the kids and I are pretty used to it. It will be weird to have it finally done.

As for other projects, here are a few more snapshots for your viewing pleasure:

Lets start with the unfinished deck...

See the solid surface? We are quite happy with this! 

But, these dang balusters have been a thorn in our side. They are mostly all finally stained and ready to put up...

 And see, this is the view from the bottom. The deck is all waterproofed underneath so when the monsoon season starts in Seattle, the kids and I will hopefully have someplace new to hang out!

We had an area paved underneath. Maybe one of these days Mike and I will acquire a hot tub to go down here too. That's the dream.

Another view from the side of the house. You can see the deck now wraps around to the shady-in-the-afternoon side of the house. Mike also built this fence to enclose more of our yard!

No room was really safe from pregnant, nesting Kayleen. Mike was the golden, amazing, super-star husband as always, and painted our bedroom at my request. I am very happy with our new oasis. He also painted the entry way, repainted the hallway downstairs, as well as touched up all around the living room, kitchen, and dining room.

Back to the kitchen...

The view after you come down the hallway

I am most pleased with the hardwoods. I mean, they should have really always been in this house. They make the space a million times crisper and cleaner and happier. Yes, they require a good amount of care, as I'm finding out (ie sweeping multiple times a day), but infinitely better than carpet for this family anyway. If I could go back in time, I would have installed these the day we moved in five years ago!

Well, the downstairs is still carpet...ugh. But even these carpets were not safe from me. I shampooed them and paired down the kid's toys a ton. The basement is almost how I want it again. Almost there!

 Behind those boxsprings is a HUGE tv that my neighbor just GAVE us. Kind of stoked because we've never really had a very big t.v. to watch movies on or anything, but now we do. Just have to figure out what we're going to put it on! (We don't really want to mount it. It's pretty huge. Any suggestions?)

The carpets don't bother me as much downstairs, I guess, because it does get pretty chilly down here in the wintertime. Plus, we just don't spend as much time down here. My kids are still young enough to want to mostly be around me throughout the day.

School

Can you tell I'm getting a leeetle excited? 

Some really awesome homeschoolers, and a handful of traditional schoolers seem to start school mid-August?? I, on the other hand, always like to start after Labor Day. I've been ordering books and planning our year and I think it's going to be a great year!

Keeping in mind that I will have a 2nd Grader, a Kindergartner, a Preschooler, a toddler, and, come October, a newborn....well, as much as I *despise* the phrase normally, I WILL have my hands full. 

I'm counting on a few things to help keep me sane and us all productive. First of all, the 2nd Grader and Kindergartener will actually be going to a Homeschool Enrichment program two days a week. Last year we did a co-op, but this year we decided to go with this program because I will be able to drop them off for about 3.5 hours. I think it will break up our week a little, give the girls built in social time and exercise, and give me some time to be with just the little kids. Maybe run a few errands or nap. Second of all, Mike and I are working on introducing a new family routine in the fall, which includes a better morning routine (prayers, breakfast at the same time, him helping me start school before he heads off to work, etc.) as well as chore chart and bedtime routine. We've enjoyed a pretty loose schedule around here for many years, and it's worked well for us, but we realize that with our kids getting a little bigger that they can handle more responsibility. We as parents are also looking forward to trying to practice a little better discipline, mostly with getting to bed earlier and guiding the kids in more regular prayer times and school hours. It does sound like a lot to take on, but we are actually pretty excited about the possibilities.

BABY

Coffee cake and peaches for breakfast. Oy, ya'll don't want to know how much weight I've gained with this pregnancy!

It is hard to imagine growing a baby on top of everything else this summer, but that's what I've been doing! Penelope Rose is presumably just happily growing bigger and bigger in here and not minding all the commotion. I have to admit that I have pushed myself, and at times, further than I ever have, which has some worried about me. I did actually make myself sick on day when I was determined to clean out our shed in preparation for our garage sale earlier in the month. It was just a hot day, and I wasn't letting myself rest enough. That night, I'm pretty sure I suffered from heat exhaustion as I was really quite sick. Although I'd like to say it taught me a lesson...I'm afraid I'm still inclined to push it. I honestly do a lot better with a newborn around than I do being even 7 or 8 months pregnant because I just feel "I can do this"...even if I know I will be sore and achy in the morning. But, since I am also suffering from anemia and terrible sciatica, I know intellectually that I need to rest more. At this point, there are only a few small nesting projects I'd like to get done before baby comes, and then I feel I can finally...maybe...relax a little? Can't wait for those newborn snuggles. Bring it on! (Though labor and delivery...ugh not so much looking forward to that!)

both of us tired but happy. Worked half to death...but, still happy :)

Well, my friends, I think that's a fine not-so-little-update for now. I am tired. Next post will hopefully come sooner than this one did! I'd like to stay caught up, especially as we embark on another school year, another added member to our family, and another...well, another season of life!