Finally!!!

We finally finished our first cosmetic house project other than painting the front room: our bathroom! Our bathroom was really quite ugly when we moved in... had three types of wallpaper, and a horrible vinyl floor (none of the patterns matched), the shower was missing a door, etc. Here is what it looked like:

Well bit by bit Janet took over the demolition of the bathroom - starting by tearing off the wallpaper. She would tear whenever she had a free minute... often while using the facilities. One day she started to tear up the vinyl. It turns out there was an oak floor underneath it. Janet and I talked for a while trying to decide what to do, and finally decided on re-staining the floor to a darker color (Janet really likes dark wood) and not doing tile. Her parents came out to visit for Christmas, and Janet's dad was dying to do some good old fashioned house work. First we blew fiberglass insulation into the attic on Christmas Eve, then we started on the bathroom Christmas day. We finished getting the remnants of the wallpaper off, and started to spackle, then sand, then spackle, then sand for probably two days. Janet picked a beautiful light blue to paint the walls, and we got that knocked out pretty quick. We quickly got the fixtures up that we wanted (towel rods, robe hooks, curtain rods, etc) then we started sanding the floor. We sanded for what seemed forever, and finally got to a point that we thought we could stain it at. We stained the entire floor, and decided that it wasn't smooth enough. It's hard to tell in this picture, but some parts were very inconsistent.

I sanded the heck out of that floor. And between staining, and each coat of polyurethane there is a lot more sanding and waiting. But after about a month I got the floor finished, put up the baseboards, Janet picked out a cabinet to hang on the wall for extra storage, and she helped me sand and paint the sink cabinet, we picked out a new faucet, got new knobs and handles, and even bought a new air vent register diffuser thing. Here are some more pictures of the process, and of the final product:

We think it looks amazing, and are super happy with it!

Oh, and here is a funny and I think super cute picture of Janet on Valentines day. I love her!

P.S. - she probably won't be too happy with me for posting this pic.

Valentine!

This year for Valentines Day, I wanted to keep things simple. Last year Jon and I tried to go to Olive Garden after work but it was so busy so we ended up going to Jason's Deli instead. This year I suggested we avoid the crowds and eat dinner at home. It was a wonderful day. My goal was to give Jon surprises throughout the day. I placed a picture frame in his bookbag, hoping he wouldn't find it until he got to school. I thought it would be good for his desk. But the stinker found it before he left because he was looking for something for me in his book bag. Oh well. I also left him a card and some personalized conversation hearts on the table for breakfast. After Jon left, I found a secret clue on the table. He is so creative! I got stressed when I couldn't figure it out right away but I did a pretty good job. After work we met up at the secret location. Jon was playing his guitar and had written Jon and Janet Forever in sidewalk chalk. I was looking down at him from a bridge, it was really cool. We took a walk and then traced our bodies in sidewalk chalk, just like we did on our first date. Then we headed home for candlelight fondue and gifts. Jon gave me scissors....I guess I said I wanted new ones a while back. It was definitely a random surprise. He told me it was just a joke and I had another present waiting after dinner. That one was much more romantic...but I won't say what he got me. ;) I gave Jon a blog book of our first year and a coupon book of things I will do for him like cooking dinner and shining his shoes. It was a really good relaxing day. Jon is so good to me and knows me so well. He is the best!

A gift for Jon

My secret mission from Jon

I snuck this on the table while Jon was showering. (The hearts are the kind you can write your own messages on).

The man, I am bummed hit is blurry.

Love Him!

Jon had written this for me to see from the bridge (aka the meet up point).

We always trace ourselves.

Fondue from home=delicious!

bad picture- but a book I made for Jon that has our first year blog entries. Also a coupon book I made for him.

Candlelight Fondue!

 

Scissors!

I hope you were able to spend time with your loved ones this year!

Prayers ARE Answered

Just in case there was any doubt, God does hear and answer our prayers. I go through phases in my life where I doubt that He does, but then he ALWAYS reassures me. Ever since I have moved here, I have been dying to have a friend here. Jon is my best friend but I have always been the girl with a big group of friends. I feel like you can never have too many friends. We have some friends at church that we love but they have five kids so we don't get to spend a lot of time with them. Same goes for the rest of our church friends. We are basically the only childless ones...That and almost everyone at church lives nearby family so they spend all of their time with them. Not complaining, just explaining the situation. :)

Anywho, we live next door to some awesome peeps who are close to our age and they have a daughter who is five. They have been so nice and friendly from the get-go. We have always wanted to share the gospel with them, especially more recently. We have been praying and praying for this. We even invited them to a bonfire we had at our home with some church friends but they didn't come. A few weeks ago the elders challenged us to pray for an opportunity to share our testimonies. We prayed and prayed and our week deadline came and went.

Well to make a long story short the other set of elders (we had two sets of elders for a while) came last night and did a really special thing with us. They prayed with us and for our neighbors, friends, and family members. We told them of our desires to share the gospel. Well today after work, my neighbor approached me and asked who "those guys" were. She assumed they were Jon's coworkers. We got talking about our church and her church. She was really excited that we feed the elders and asked if she could too. She was amazed by their service and wanted to support them.

As soon as I finished talking to her I raced to call Jon, then the Elders and set up an appointment for early next week, and then called my mom. I was SO happy I couldn't stop smiling. I invited her to come over when they come again so that she can meet them. Then, she invited us to their church's pancake dinner tonight so Jon and I went to that. It was really fun.


It felt so amazing sharing the gospel. I always cringe when the elders challenge us because I want to share the gospel but it is so hard for me to do at times. I felt the spirit really strongly and as I opened my mouth the words literally just came. All I want is for this family to know how much the Savior loves them and how much happiness He has in store for them. And I am feeling more and more like I have a friend here, which is really great too.

P.S. Today is Jon's sister Katie's birthday and my nephew Xander's birthday! We love them both so much!

Happy Birthday 21st Birthday to the happiest girl I know!

Happy 2nd Birthday Xander! His faces are the best!

Random

I have been getting all sorts of age comments as of late. The other day someone walked by my office and asked if I was the new intern. What?! I guess she had never seen me before (even though I have worked here for a year and a half) and I look young. To give her credit though, I am rarely in my office as I travel around a lot for my job. And my facility is pretty large. But still.

Also there was the blood drive recently where they asked if I was over age 19. I don't mind it at all but it sure cracks me up. And it makes for a great story, especially for my coworker who thinks I am a baby.

Jon made up a sauce for Hawaiian Haystacks. It is the bomb. That man can cook. We were out of Cream of Celery one day so BAM, he just made up his own. And it is WAY better. YUM!

I am so beyond ready for summer. I miss the heat and humidity. Plus I am missing my garden-such a granny thing to say but true.

My job rocks. I love it. I work with the cutest children and families. It is tough sometimes but I love it. It is my basically my dream job, aside from motherhood of course.

Jon is in the process of applying for Grad school. I have to admit that I am jealous, as I was accepted and ready to go to grad school when I moved out here, but decided to postpone it when we got engaged. I am dying to go back but I feel like it is more important for him to go first, since he will be the provider when we have kiddos. I dread the long hours he will be away though.

And there you have it. The random thoughts of my head as I procrastinate more important things.

Voting Time

My friend Mandi wrote about what kind of animals her and her family look like. This is a game my friend Kristen used to play with friends and strangers. So now I need your vote!

What animal does best represents Jon?

I was originally stumped but then I narrowed it down to a bear (because he is cuddly and loves the mountains). But then, the other day it hit me. He is a monkey. That is my vote.

Opinions? Other suggestions?

I am known by most as a deer or a dinosaur. I prefer thinking I am a deer. What do you think?

Snow Day!

Last Thursday evening we received the most miniscule amount of snow. A lot of the schools were put on delay for the next day BEFORE it even snowed. Once it started snowing, most of the schools were cancelled. Jon's school went on a 2 hour delay. So we slept in and went to work and most of the snow was already gone, it was fun!

Today we had some kind of weird hail/ice and so all of the school dismissed around 9. All my sessions were cancelled and I worked from home. Jon was home by 11 and worked next to me. I am still in my pajamas and it is almost 6pm. I could get used to the Friday snow days.

Who is ready for summer?!

We may be in the South but it is FREEZING here!

Super Sonic Sunday

I have no idea why I titled this post that way, other than the fact that it is Sunday (or it was when I started this post). But anyway...I have some New Year's Resolutions for the year, most of which revolve around being more spiritual and more grateful. I won't bore you with posting them all, but I will say two of them. The first one we are doing as a couple- A Gratitude Jar. Basically you write down your blessings throughout the year and then read them on New Years Eve so you have a year worth of blessings recorded. The second resolution is taking a picture a day for a year. I have heard about this idea before and it may sound trendy or whatever, but I really like the idea and I am loving doing it already. It helps me remember to document our day to day life. These are pictures that won't win any prizes or contests, but they will be full of memories. I hope to put them all in an album when I find one I like.

Anyway, do any of yal'll like to cook? Jon and I LOVE food and LOVE to cook. I think I may start posting yummy things we make because they are too good not to share. Would anyone be interested? Be honest. I love when my friends post recipes- (Mary, I am thinking of you).

Ok so here are some pictures from the Year. 1 a day....almost.

1-1-13 The date on this picture is wrong, I guess the time was off on my camera. This was taken right after midnight on New Years. Joshua swears he made it until 12 but he was asleep as soon as the clock struck 12- I ran in to kiss him goodnight and he was out. He is so cute.

1-3-13 One of Jon's Stocking Stuffers from Santa

1-4-13 So I may have forgotten to take pictures a few days... but this is Callie in the morning. She isn't a morning person either, like me. We take forever to get going.

1-5-13 Xander the Salamander


1-7-13 A sign we made for 5 Guys.

1-8-13 Callie eating Frosty Paws (dog ice cream)

1-9-13 I came into the bedroom one night and Jon was brushing his teeth like this. Apparently he was stretching his quads.

1-10-13 I got a letter from my nephew complete with a code to solve. He is the cutest. This letter made my day.

1-11-13 I found this lotion on sale, it is my favorite of all time. I bought the body wash too. Lemon Vanilla. MMMMMM.

1-12-13 Keep your children safe from this Easter Bunny! Creepy hat from Ikea. And me looking miniature in the chair.

1-13-13 Jon talking to his family on a Sunday, I thought he was sitting oddly.

1-14-13 The bathroom so far- still needs a painted vanity, baseboards, a new cabinent and a finished floor. Oh, and a shower curtain but we can't find any big enough.

1-15-13 Callie propped up on the chair next to me, I thought she looked hilarious.

1-16-13 This is for Melani. This is a definite BEFORE picture of our other bathroom. We haven't started remodeling yet but I am dying to fix this one. So ugly and nothing matches. Oh and the floor is a bit uneven. (We did replace the blinds which used to be pink and were sticky from tobacco).

1-17-13 SNOW! Yes we had snow and yes they cancelled most of the schools- Jon only had a two hour delay. And yes this is about as thick as it was. Most of the schools were delayed before it even snowed.

1-18-13 Yahtzee for date night. And yes I won both games. :)

1-19-13 Callie and her Croc

1-20-13 Jon showing off at Frisbee Golf.

And if anyone is crazy enough to still be reading this, Sunday after church we had our friend over and played Yahtzee, ate delicious chicken pot pie, and played Frisbee Golf in our church clothes. It was almost 70 out and a really nice way to walk around and enjoy the Sabbath. (If you have never played Frisbee Golf you should! It was my first time and even though I am terrible it was fun. And it is basically just tossing Frisbees around, very relaxing and low key.)