...and so we continue work on the entry of our home.
This has been a HUGE learning experience for each of us- mostly, we've learned all the things we have done wrong in the past.
First, we applied mastic and Paul put down backerboard. Courtney asked if we might write out Bible verses and Biblical blessings for our new home.
Such a great idea! We spent a couple of hours just looking up verses and writing them:
These are the tiles we had purchased:
We chose to buy a few sheets of these smaller tiles to use in the design and cut them apart to create our own pattern. If you purchase a pre-designed layout of tile, it can cost HUNDREDS of dollars.
This method was under a dollar a square foot for the larger tiles and it only took two sheets of the five dollar smaller tiles to create the entire design.
A designer look- *NOT* a designer price.
I love tiling!
We laid them all out- it took me several layouts to finally decide on a design.
The older children and a couple of teens next door helped me set the tile.
I think I'm most proud of Miss Courtney who is an expert on the wet saw!
We gave the mastic a day to dry and today we grouted. I've always used white grout, but this time we chose "mocha". It turned out beautifully!
We still have to replace woodwork and Paul needs to lay a threshold-- but that doesn't involve me, so I'm marking this one DONE, LOL!!
Our newest project is the floor in front of the front door.
When we first bought this home, this area was covered in a big piece of linoleum taped to the floor. We knew this was going to be a big project- I guess there is no time like the present to get a start!
We've been trying to fall back to a normal school schedule while working in the house. The unpacking, I think some days, will never end. *smile*
We've had a few projects in the works. Today, we're working on building needed housing for our flock of chickens (46 now, to be exact!). We still need to figure out something for the turkeys- but, the chickens are first.
What started out to be an easy design, meant for the chickens to some free-ranging, while protecting them from predators, turned into this when I stepped inside to make chicken pie for dinner:
***SIGH***
Leave it to my men to create the world's first "chicken chapel" as they are calling it!
They still have three additional houses to build. Do I even want to know what ideas are wandering around their heads?
I suppose the yard has taken up much of our time.
Clipping dead growth off of our fig trees, planting apples, peaches, plums and berries of all sorts.
Each day, I walk through the yard and see more and more blooming. I've tried to move some plants like these hostas that were randomly planted in the back yard:
The dogwoods are beautiful on this piece of land. I've not stopped to count how many there actually are- but there are a bunch!
I've found Forsythia, Pink Magnolias and today, Jessica found a Hydrangea in the backyard (these may be my favorite of all!).
We also have a ton of purple and white Wysteria.
Though these are beautiful, I'm thinking we're taking them out of our yard as quickly as possible. They can bring a tall oak tree down over time. They look so beautiful, but slowly strangle the life out of anything they wrap themselves around.
They are a *very* nasty plant!
I've had lots of help in the yard. Joshua, seems to gravitate towards the outdoors. It's not uncommon to leave for the store and to arrive back home with him working on some new project. This week, he cut part of the front yard (not an easy task with hundreds of bulbs blooming!), put in square foot beds and built Courtney the sweetest herb garden (I'll post pictures in the next day or so).
This little guy received a turtle for this last Christmas.
It was in his stocking- the kind that expands when placed in water.
He named him Tippy. He's been played with for a couple of months now.
A few days back when I went out for my morning walk, I came across this little guy. Of course, Ben immediately wanted to name him Tippy too- so his one really is "Tippy Two". *smile*
He was working hard to cross the road. I picked him up and brought him back home where he stayed in an aquarium in the family room for a few days.
All of the younger children were amazed to watch him swim through the water and sun out on the rock we had placed for him.
We checked a book out of the library on turtles and did some research on this specific type of turtle.
We returned him to the lake this morning. I'm so thankful for the learning opportunity God provided for us. I'm always amazed how much we can teach our children without lots of textbooks- the best lessons are always FREE!
Joshua has spent time petitioning the local government concerning internet access in this area.
Tuesday, he was on the agenda to go before this group and make a speech. He did so well!
I know he was nervous, and honestly, I was nervous for him! The men asked him several detailed questions. He calmly and politely answered each one and then thanked them for their time.
We had such a nice Sunday celebration here with family! It's been a while since we've hosted a meal...I'm so glad we did. My children love time with their "Grands"!
I'm short on words at the moment (I know this comes as a shock to some of you!).
I do hope that you enjoyed time well spent with your families.
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