While things are not put back in place completely, and the pantry isn't replaced. Here's a sneak peak at what the wall color looks like in the daylight w/ our planned window coverings.

The contractor comes tomorrow morning actually to replace the pantry cabinet and finish up the molding around those units attached to the pantry. Then, we'll be able to really settle in! ... Just in time for Thanksgiving. I'm still looking for artwork for the walls, so if anyone sees cool French Country-inspired fruit prints (combining red, green and yellow), let me know. :)

What a blessing to have a spiritual family willing to help. Erica and I selected a color for our kitchen, and our mid-week Bible study group offered to come and help us paint on a Saturday morning. They asked for updates we tried out colors on the walls, and once we chose one they asked for possible days. Give our schedules, I selected Saturday morning expecting that some of them would come. Not the case because they all came! It was such an encouragement to have them come and help us get our house in order before our son arrives. Here are some photos from the packed kitchen.


The crew arrived at 10 AM, and we were done by noon. We chatted and laughed about many things, and we were blessed by their willingness to help.

Now, our kitchen is a nice shade of green, and I'll post some pictures of the finished project once the pantry is replaced this week. The countdown to our son's due date is into single digits, but that is an update for our other blog.

Updates to the kitchen have been slow, but we finally have everything in cabinets and cupboards. We also brought the kitchen table into the room yesterday. Drew & I ate dinner last night IN our kitchen AT our kitchen table. Now that there is a defined space for the table, it's much more comfortable to sit and eat there. (Generally we were always eating at our dining room table or on the couch.) On top of eating dinner at our table, I also hosted a friend for a cup of hot cider and conversation last night at the kitchen table. No, it isn't as cold as it is up north (there's snow on the ground in Michigan), but it's getting into the 50's at night - perfect fall weather! We have fall such a short period of time in Texas, we really have to relish it!

There is still progress to be made (aka paint needs to get on the walls), but we're totally functional (all appliances have been put to use) and looking up. Now the focus is shifting to being ready for a totally dependent little boy to come into our home. Check out the baby blog for updates there.

Also, if you're curious ... you can be praying that Drew and I find the time and energy to get everything done. Things at IBM are not wrapping up smoothly for me and are keeping me much more engaged (read: stressed) than I'd like, and Drew's project is in the final **crazy** stage that always has him working too much and too hard. We both want to crash at night, but we just can't yet.

Nov 1: Window coverings and wall color.

Here are a couple options I've started to mull over. Drew likes the plain yellow check, and I like a combination of the red fruit fabric with the yellow check. Either way seems to point me toward a soft, rich yellow or a soft green. We'll keep you posted.