October Projects

In preparation for the twins we've dedicated October to working on the house. We planned to be home every weekend and try to get something accomplished almost every day. So far so good.

Evelyn really gets excited about helping with "projects." As expected, her involvement is usually counterproductive, but fun for all of us. Typically after I explain the project and get started she drifts into her own play world and turns the project area into her play house. By the end, most of her animals and books have migrated to the work area.

Evelyn can be genuinely helpful if I need something. She will happily run upstairs or downstairs to get whatever is needed for the "project."

Our accomplishments so far include:

• Side table for entryway

• Big girl bed for Evelyn
• Custom duvet for Evie's bed (Erin's sewing skills)

• Painted the nursery
• Primed the basement
• Living room drapes
• Lots of shopping
• Lots of organizing
• Painting an outside door frame

Vagabond No More

Our family of 3 has been without a home since May 19. The first 3 months of house shopping in Zeeland were frustrating and fruitless. We made low offers on 5 different homes, but weren't excited about any of them. We only made offers because we knew it would be a good investment if we got it for the right price.

Finally in late July we saw a house that seemed perfect. It was our #1 neighborhood choice, a ridiculously good price, and a layout we loved. The only problem...it was repossessed and buying from a bank is notoriously bad.

After more than a month of delays and a lot of angry phone calls we finally closed yesterday and are no longer homeless!!

But...we can't exactly move in. The previous owners took EVERYTHING, hence the ridiculously good price. We need new utilities - furnace, water heater, AC - the carpet needs replacement,

and oh yeah, the kitchen is missing a few things.

I always said I wasn't the "fixer upper" type of guy, but I guess I am now. So no big adventures for us in the next 2 months. We'll be working hard. I look forward to posting the picture progression.