Kitchen update: it's done! (or at least until the next phase...)

So, it's been about a year long process, and I've got lots of pictures through the process, but I'll just share the before and after. I downloaded pictures from the MLS listing when we bought it, to see it before

Audrey takes the top at US National Whitewater Center!

What an amazing girl! And the field trip destination was cool too!  Audrey's class went there and we did an obstacle course, rock climbing and team building activities. Here are some pictures.

Happy 15th Anniversary!!

We have been married for how many years?!?  Well, the first few I was able to keep track of, but since kids came along, well the last 11 have just slid by! I am so thankful for Tim and the wonderful man and example he is to me. I anticipate lots of adventures in the years to come!!

We were able to get away to the beach this past weekend because Jill Harper has been staying with us for the last few weeks, and before she continued on her US road-tour, she willingly entertained the girls while Tim and I scooted to Savannah, GA and Charlestons SC for the weekend.  It was much needed  and just wonderful!

Here are just some pictures of the places we

Pencils, er, scalers ready...

The past few weeks have been full of me studying and dealing with memory/anxiety of testing for my Dental hygiene license 10 years ago. I am taking a clinical exam on

Summer Recap part 1: the beach

Here are some pictures of our trip to Wilmington Beach over the 24th of July weekend.  I just wanted to post them as they speak for themselves! We had a wonderful time, and are all aching to go back as soon as we can.  We visited the aquarium there on our way out of town, and just walked on the beach and collected as much salt spray in our hair and skin as we could. 

Don't blink...

Spring and Summer have nearly passed me by!  I have been doing my best to relax and enjoy my days with my girls and Tim (when I have him).  I have been battling some anxiety that I believe is related to moving so frequently in the past few years.  Anyway, in my attempts to keep it together, I've tried to limit my "screen time" like I do for the kids. Lead by example, right? I haven't taken nearly as many pictures this summer as I should have, but the ones I have I'll share soon.

School starts in only 2 1/2 weeks (which is weird for me, I'm used to starting end of July, beginning of August) so I want to make the most of this summer with the girls, then I have my clinical exam to get my hygiene license (yeah, I have to prove I can clean teeth before they'll license me here), then I hope to have a little less anxiety about "settling in" here in NC.

Thanks for reading! I've decided to make the blog private, just because of all the cute pictures of the family, so thanks for understanding!!

Drab to Fab, that's the theme~

I always listen to General Conference better while I'm busy doing something, and this time we were working outside, and blaring the TV speakers for the neighbors to hear (does that count as "sharing the Gospel?) so we could listen as we sorted plants, dug holes, planted shrubs and flowers, then spread mulch.  It was a great face lift for the front of the house, and a great spirit lift for us to have some color and life to welcome us home each time we arrive. I wish we had done it before Tiffany came last week, but now it is ready for Audrey's baptism and more family visitors in coming months.

So this is what it looked like,

Yay, Houseguests! Welcome Smiths!!

Yay!! We came home from Myrtle Beach at 11:30 pm, to meet Tiffany and her mini brood at the house at 11:45 pm.  It was late, but it was wonderful!!  I wish I had more pictures, but the ones I got are precious, because both of us wanted to just be "unplugged" from our electronics, and plugged into each other, and it was just awesome!!  They arrived late Wednesday, and were here with us for 6 glorious days until early Wednesday morning, April 2.

We played around the house, we played around Huntersville, Charlotte, and Mt. Airy, NC, more commonly known as Mayberry.  It was just so enriching to have my sister here, and to just be with her and her wonderful kids and for cousins to just be together and play.  Thank-you, Thank-you for such a wonderful vacation at our own house!! I will always remember this wonderful time!