It Takes a Family

Less than two weeks ago our library looked like this:

Two weeks ago I never would have guessed that today our library would look like this:

New paint, New carpet. Callie decided to take me up on my offer to pay her to paint over her spring break. I just didn't find out until the last minute. Once upon a time, renovations were my thing, and Tyler kindly supported me however possible. But I have discovered something. I no longer find the renovations fun - they take me away from the people and responsibilities that are the most important to me. Sometimes we need the results, but it takes a family to get anything done, and I am so grateful for all the willing and hard workers that have made it happen.

This girl worked SO HARD. She scrubbed and sanded and painting the ceiling, woodwork, and walls. She made dinners and picked up groceries and helped with siblings and lots more. I sent her back to school exhausted.

Hannah is my design consultant. She also helped with food prep and siblings and moral support while Callie and I disappeared into the front room for two days.  She was the driving force behind our kitchen cabinet swap-out (see below). It is super helpful to have a second brain to pick and help me to make decisions.

Jacob helped with all the heavy lifting. It took a full hour for us to move the bookshelves and everything on them out of the library.  An HOUR, with Camden and Emmie's help (and they were truly helpful).  That's why we decided to go ahead and do the carpet now, instead of in a year. Jacob thought cutting the carpet around the perimeter of the room sounded really fun, but 3/4 of the way through he was EXHAUSTED.  He has worked so hard and has been so willing to do all of the hard jobs that I used to give to his dad.  Except Tyler did have to move the piano.  Jacob's techniques weren't quite cutting it.

Drew was pretty busy between scouts and piano lessons and gymnastics, so he wasn't around for a lot of the action.  He has become an excellent kitchen tidier and he and Jacob definitely did more than their share the last little while.  He also helped with clean-up duty after our projects. 

We're also getting ready for a professional painter to come paint the rest of our living spaces.  That weird triangular cupboard down there on the left?  It needed to go. And since painting the kitchen cupboards is on the home reno schedule within the next couple of years, we didn't have to find a perfect replacement.

Camden guy wanted in on the action.  He's planning on being a "worker" someday. He helped to get off the old caulking and got to try out the power sander.

He was also a very willing vacuumer when it was time to tidy up after painting.

Jacob is my go-to demo guy. He was sad that he was out of the room when the cupboard actually came off of the wall (and I'm sorry that I didn't wait for you, man), but he finished up the install of the new one (thankfully my handsome husband was there to do the actual install). Jacob also spent quite a lot of time changing out hinges so that the cupboard doors could fully open.

Emmie has been patient. She carried a lot of knick knacks down to the basement to keep them out of harm's way for the painting. She has also wielded the vacuum cleaner, and kudos to her for coming along with me on many errands as I have hunted down colors and supplies - it isn't always fun but she always has a smile on her face.

I adore this family of mine, and they have my deepest gratitude for helping to freshen up our spaces.  When we moved in, this house was freshly painted - maybe not in our choice of colors, but it was very nicely done. After 9 years of living here, our house has taken quite a beating, and it is really rewarding to finally get to choose some things and make it ours.  And with everyone's help, we truly all own it. It takes a family, and I'd say these guys are all keepers.