Operation Foundation Fix

Before we purchased our house  back in January, we were warned by everyone "Make sure you take into account all of the perks of being a homeowner." We figured that there would be things to fix or update [[I mean, our house was built in the 60's after all.]] but I thought they would be small things. Put in a new sink. Trade out the old outlets for something more updated. You know...the easy stuff.

When we moved in, we noticed that the carpet was pretty ratty and instantly thought "This must be replaced."

If your carpet is still this grimy after 3 SHAMPOOS...that's disgusting and it needs to be replaced.

This is what the under side of the carpet looked like as we were tearing it up. How does this even happen? [[I'll tell you...not vacuuming...ever. That's how.]]

 So in May, we undertook the project of replacing it with laminate flooring because it is much easier to keep looking nice than carpet. [[Especially in the front room where all the traffic from the front door comes through.]] A few weeks after the guy put in the floor, we found out in a roundabout manner that he noticed that our foundation was leaning.

{1} Not sure why it took him 3 weeks to get this information to us.
{2} Not sure why the home inspector didn't notice this lean before we bought the house. [[I mean really...this wall was leaning a good 5-6 inches...isn't that something inspectors are trained to see?]]

So, last weekend was finally the weekend that we were able to get it fixed. This is where I am really thankful to have such wonderful family and friends! Just so happens that my uncle owns an excavating business and does this stuff all the time. [[Most recently on his son's new home, which needed all 4 walls redone...ouch!]] To help with costs, my uncle suggested that we get some of our friends to come over and help. We are seriously so blessed to have such willing and helpful friends!

Best in the biz.

Here is where things get serious.

Josh doing a little mortar grinding.

Tate taking a crack at it.

Luke and Will pouring concrete.

It stinks that we even had to fix this problem at all, but it rocks my face off that we have such great friends and family to help us out! Thanks guys!!

P.s. I'm linking up with the beautiful Kacia. So make sure you head on over to her blog and show her some love!

Snapshots: Life As of Late

I feel like as of a few weeks ago, life has just gotten crazy hectic.

Not that my time has been completely filled to the brim with activities, but that when I do actually have time for myself, my very last concern is coming up with a new thing to post about.

But, hey, it's still summer...so give me a break.

A few weeks ago, Josh and I went down to SC for a visit with his family.

This wasn't scary at all...

I'm obviously married to the best looking man around...obviously.

Since I wouldn't get out of the boat [[I have a thing about murky water...]] my husband left a note on the beach so it looked like I got out.

Half eaten horseshoe crab that Josh found...that thing stank something fierce!

Shrimp boat.

This thing wasn't big at all...

I mean, honestly, the things you see in the south...

Reminds me of the church we used to attend when I was little...

 Another reason for my lack of blog posts is that I have been too focused on getting my Etsy Shop updated. I have been working on some new marketing strategies and trying to focus my products. Instead of offering up a variety of items and seeing what sells, I will now be focusing on one specific type of product and moving on from there. I will have a couple of new items up starting some time next week [[assuming all goes according to plan...]].

I hope y'all have had an amazing week, and that you have an equally amazing weekend!

It's Official!!

For those of you who didn't read this post, or didn't otherwise know, the husband and I have been in the process of becoming foster parents officially since the end of February. There was a boat load of paperwork, a 9 week class [[which was great and I recommend that anyone  thinking about becoming a parent, foster or not, take this course. p.s. it's free!]] and several home visits.

There was a lot of anxiety involved, for me not Josh, because I had this nagging thought that our home isn't good enough, that they would see a speck of dust and tell us that we were unfit to be foster parents. I thought that they would see something in our personalities and decide that we are crazy and thus unfit to be foster parents. Lot's of insane things like that. I also became frustrated because there is just a ton of waiting around. Waiting for our fingerprints to be run, waiting for a date to be free when the licensing worker can come by and check us out, waiting for our background checks to go through the system, waiting and waiting and waiting.

The whole process has really been teaching me that it is all in God's timing. Not mine. If it were up to me, we would have received a call in May [[when we finished the class]] asking us if we would take in a 0-1 year old. However, after months and months of waiting, we happily received our official, state-issued license in the mail last Saturday! Unfortunately, that means more waiting. We have already received one placement call, however we didn't feel like the child was going to be a good match for our family so we, sadly, had to decline this time. But we have faith that God has a plan and he will bring the absolute most perfect child into our home...when He is ready to do so.

If you would like to get email updates from us about the process, please send an email to:
 jspencer2303@gmail.com and let us know!

Snapshots

I have been waaaay too tired and busy lately to even think about this blog.

Please forgive my laziness. Here are some snapshots of what I've been up to:

Josh got to rearrange all of the hooks after the box was spilled.

I tried water skiing for the first and most likely last time.

This fell from a tree and landed on my Pa.

 

Happy Belated 4th of July!

Kris celebrated her 15th birthday here in the States and was a little embarrassed by all of the attention.

Group photo: complete with elbow glossing protection.

Jacki celebrated her Sweet 16!!

 

Pa looks so sophisticated.

Ma should grow a 'stache...

Jodi looks as though she is about to sneeze.

As you can see, we've had a lot going on. Jacki turned 16 and the family had a lot of fun with some photo props I put together, Josh and I took a much needed technology break, we went to see the local fireworks with a large group of people from our church, and there has been a lot of hanging out with the Basque students. It's all been quite fun, but it has kept Josh and I quite busy. I'm looking forward to the next time we get a break!

Happy Friday! And have a blessed weekend.

Snapshots

A neat old gadget I found at a thrift store in town.

Best spent 3 hours of the summer so far!

Look at this kitchen...couldn't you just die?

Actual moon rocks from the actual moon! And I was literally inches away!

Chinese soapstone carvings.

 I think they were overwhelmed with the size of the crowd...

 

This week has been a very busy but very good week! Josh and I visited Funk's Grove for a mansion tour. It is fantastic so I highly recommend you make your way out there for a tour. All I'm going to tell you about it is that the family seems like such an encouraging Christian family. They didn't actually come out and say that they were Christians, but the way they lived their lives would suggest they are. I left there feeling refreshed and just...encouraged. It was beautiful.

 A team of us from church have been arduously preparing for the coming of our Basque Students! They arrived in Peoria last night and there will be a welcome dinner for them tonight. Along with another woman, I have been preparing decorations for said dinner. It has been a lot of hard work but ultimately worth it.

Have an outstanding weekend, y'all!

p.s. I'm linking up with Kacia again today. Make sure you go check out her blog too!

The Joys of Summer

 

 What I like about this summer [[so far...]] :

{1} Peaches! I've always liked peaches, but this year, I'm really enjoying buying them locally and eating them often...perhaps too often...

{2} I have really enjoyed making different kinds of iced drinks this summer. I've been experimenting with different ways to do iced coffee and I have even tried making Sun Tea!

{3} Trips to the zoo. You're never too old to enjoy the zoo! [[even if we do look a little odd going without any kids, we still have a ton of fun!]]

{4} My garden is actually producing crops! We've gotten to enjoy some lettuce and spinach thus far, but the tomatoes are looking good and ripening quickly! They should be available to eat soon!

{5} Every day that passes we are closer to becoming licensed foster parents. This prospect really excites us and I am LOVING that we have a nursery in our home!

{6} Since the weather is nice and people don't mind driving, we've gotten to spend a lot of extra time with friends and family

{7} I opened my Etsy Shop so I've been doing a lot of knitting and crocheting [[which I have a lot of fun doing]].

{8} Again, because of the nice weather, Josh and I have been able to go on a TON of bike rides. I really enjoy the time we get during those to chat and connect.

{9} Summer = ice cream. It's just a fact.

{10} Summer is Blockbuster Time so all of the great high action films are coming out in theaters! [[If you haven't seen The Avengers yet, get off of your computer, or whatever you're reading this on, and get that booty over to the theater to see it! You heard me...GO!]]

HAPPY FRIDAY Y'ALL!

Snapshots + Link Up

Today I am Linking up my Snapshots post with Kacia! She's pretty cool so you should definitely go check out her blog. =]

Here's a peek at my current project! It should be done within the next couple of days!

My cherry tomatoes seem to be doing nicely...

I find this fascinating. Something seemingly so fragile, yet somehow so strong...

I hate wearing shoes in the summer...

This guy and four of his friends reside in our back yard. Which is cool because they eat all of our dandelions!

Blackberries...There's only 5 of them, but they're doing well!

A recent finished project of mine.

I took this one for Jami!

That is a boat load of Lionfish...I don't like them...

The worst part about summer...ALLERGIES!

p.s. if you have any home remedies for allergies, PLEASE send them my way...I'm DYING over here!