Adventures in Home-Ownership

I consider myself a pretty together, resourceful person, but, in the nearly two years Jimmy and I have been homeowners, I've realized that I'm not nearly as skilled or smart in some of the practical areas of adulthood: namely, the area called "What to do when things break." Our dishwasher had been making a pretty bad grinding sound for a couple cycles, and all the manual said by way of troubleshooting was, "Something's probably stuck in the motor. If the motor doesn't grind it up after one cycle, it's time to call service and pay a lot of money" (paraphrase mine). Things didn't sound too promising. And while I'm not opposed to doing dishes, I really don't enjoy it.


Then, on a do-it-yourself whim, Jimmy decided to try and tackle the problem himself, saying, "I think I can take apart a motor." Again, not too promising, even though I love the guy! He came home from work one night this week, ate dinner, and set to work on the dishwasher. He found a great website that had step-by-step diagrams for each layer of our exact dishwasher, and within an hour had the problem solved and the culprit, a big chunk of plastic, snagged from the motor. I just had to brag on him! Here he is with his "I am man, I have tools, I will conquer" face - that's a keeper.

Anna's Room

Jimmy and I put the finishing touches on Anna's room earlier this week. We have been so blessed by family hand-me-downs, and I'm proud to say everything looks pretty darn good in the room together! Here are some pictures:


Layla has been fascinated with baby preparations. She followed us back and forth from room to room as we carried the pieces of the crib into the nursery for assembly. Then she sat and watched Jimmy assemble the whole thing from her perch captured in the picture above. It's been pretty cute!


This is the beautiful crib and bedding from Jimmy's cousins Darren and Cynamon. Thanks, Case and Lena for sharing your crib with baby Anna!

This rocker is from Patty ... she rocked Jimmy in it when he was a baby!

I couldn't get both the dresser/changing table and the adorable quilt, courtesy of Grandma Herdeman, in one picture. Thanks, Grandma Herdeman, for the beautiful quilt! Thanks, Michele, for the too-cute quilt hangers! Thanks, Grandma Roxane, for the expert painting help on the dresser!

The last three shots are of Anna's outrageously overstocked closet. One of my parenting goals is to raise a humble, gracious child, and I'm not sure how that's supposed to happen if she keeps on being spoiled like she has been ;-) All the diapers and clothes are such a blessing to us!

Fencing: A Gentleman's Sport

We're excited to show off our beautiful new fence! Michael Imlay, a friend from church who owns his own building company, and his boys built the fence in three HOT Tennessee days. We love it, and, as you'll see from the pictures, so does Layla! Thanks, Mom and Dad for helping make this happen!

DAY ONE: Holes for the posts ...

The Tennessee clay slowed down day one's progress ...

DAY TWO: Posts and frame ...


DAY THREE: A finished fence!






Our new routine has been to head outside with Layla every night to play. Jimmy bought her a kong-on-a-rope that is a designated "outside toy" - the minute we get it out, Layla gets ready to go outside. We weren't too successful capturing her in an action shot, but rest assured she can sprint around the yard fast enough to keep Jimmy on his toes. I'm not much of a playmate right now ... my run is more like an awkward waddle ... but I'm looking forward to many days and nights of enjoying the yard with puppy and baby!

Yesterday morning my friends from work threw me (and Anna) a brunch and shower. It was wonderful! Everyone was tanner and more relaxed, and we spent a few hours catching up and enjoying the beginning of summer break. I received lots of practical baby-care items, and some of the girls chipped in to buy my infant car seat - how nice! Here are some pictures of everyone ... I think we're a darn good-looking English department, if you ask me!

The gracious hostesses, Lindsay, Laura, and Lane

Laura opened her home to us and had everything decorated for baby, Lindsay made her delicious peach french toast and grape salad and planned some low-key games, and Lane made an adorable diaper cake and brought her new baby, Jackson, for our entertainment (he was perfect!). Thanks, girls!

*Sorry I don't have pictures of all these things ... I'll get better at this blogging business!

Carlen, Michelle, and Ellen

Kristen ... she's expecting a little girl of her own in September!

Stefanie