Backyard Makeover

Our backyard has undergone a major makeover in the last month.  When we initially sodded, we only did half of the backyard.  It's been a couple years now and we were ready to finish the job.  Another big project was to add landscaping along the fence.  We didn't want to look out at a fence, but would rather see green leaves and pretty flowers.

Here are some before pictures, taken the day before we started.

First, we came up with a landscaping plan with our favorite plants and I drew it up in CAD.

We rented a skid steer on March 9th to dig up the weeds and prep the ground for sod.  We had to go back after to fine grade with a rake.  We also used it to help move the fire wood and brick stacks.  This made for more room in the yard.

Then, we got help from Adam's Aunt Virginia & Uncle Allen to get the plants at wholesale prices.  This was a huge money saver - thank you!!  The plants arrived March 19th and we spent the next week planting and mulching.

 Adam and I planted the 100+ plants over the next week.  We got a trailer full of mulch and put that in place.

 We got four pallets of sod on March 26th.  Adam's Dad and brother helped lay the sod quickly.

Here's our yard as of this morning.  The sun is just rising, so the lighting isn't the best.

Now, we still need about two more pallets of sod, which should happen on Monday.  Then, we'll be all done.  We left a path for the trailer to add more mulch.  We'll fill this in and then throw seed in the very back corner.

I love how it turned out, makes me want to have a picnic!

Fire Pit

Adam and I had quite a bit of brick left over after building our house.  What better way to use it then on our very own custom fire pit?  We completed this project throughout December and it was ready for marshmallow roasting by Christmas.  We followed this tutorial.

First we marked the area where the fire pit was going and we (by we I mean Adam) dug out the circle.

For the foundation, Adam placed some concrete blocks in a circle.  We added re-bar and filled them with concrete.

After this cured, we used fire brick and refractory cement to line the inner portion of the fire pit.  Four vent holes were left at the bottom.

Then, we cut bricks in half and created the outside circle.

We used whole brick for the top, overlapping the edge slightly.

Adam filled the bottom with some broken brick and gravel, to help drainage.

Adam was able to get a ton of free firewood from a coworker, I think we're set for awhile.

Our first fire.

We have already roasted marshmallows and hot dogs on it.  We even made a camping trip out of it and slept in the backyard for a night.

But the big moment was when Adam lit our Christmas tree on fire.  This happened on my birthday and it was quite a show.

Update on Fostering

We have now been foster parents to our two girls for over 8 months.  Time has flown by, yet it seems like we've known them forever.  We had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays together.  We still don't know what the future holds for them.  There are some upcoming court dates where the state is asking to terminate their mother's parental rights.  If that happens, we are first in line to adopt them.  However, anything can still happen at this point, including reunification with their mom.  Please pray for our hearts and the girl's well being through all of this.

 Our big girl turned four around Christmas and loved having friends over for her Birthday party!

We decorated sugar cookies at the birthday party, here are the leftovers.  The kids also made their own mini pizzas, which was a hit.

 We had Christmas a few days early at Majo & Papa Joe's house.  The big surprise was an indoor trampoline, all the girls LOVED it!

 Here's a picture before the girls came out Christmas morning.  They had a blast opening presents.

 Our first year having lots of stockings . . . love this!

Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas to you!  This year has had a lot of change for us: we became licensed foster parents in June, then in July we welcomed two sisters into our home and Adam started a new job.  Life has been much busier, messier and louder than what we were used to, but so fun.

The girls have been in our home for five months now . . . and it's going great.  We have taken them to the beach, zoo, swimming, birthday parties, corn maze, trick or treating, parks, visits to grandparents, church and everywhere in between.  They have adjusted well to us and living in our home - these kids have grown so much just with a healthy routine and some consistency!  We are even making great headway with potty training.  :)

We're not supposed to post too many details/pictures on the internet about our foster kids.  But I can tell you that A is almost four and a bundle of energy.  She loves to sing, play pretend, swing, and watch Dora the Explorer.  A is very outgoing and doesn't know a stranger.  She has come so far with her behavior, which is encouraging.  There is still plenty of room for improvement, but it helps to remember how far she has come and what she has dealt with in her few short years.  She can be so sweet and loves to give hugs and kisses.

M is 15 months old and about the sweetest and cutest thing ever.  She loves to dance, cuddle, play with her dolls and stuffed animals, FOOD, and climbing.  She started walking at 10 months (right after we got her) and hasn't stopped running since.  She is a great climber and has been caught standing on the dining room table and climbing a wooden ladder unassisted on our swing set.  She has a happy disposition and understands almost anything we say.  It's fun to watch her vocabulary expand, her teeth come in and her personality blossom - so much happens at this age.  What a joy.

They have another court date tomorrow that may give us more of an idea of their future . . . but, whether they are reunited with their mom, go to live with extended family or are adopted into our family - I'm so glad they came into our lives.  We don't know what the future holds, but we're trying to enjoy each day as it comes and looking forward to celebrating Christmas together.


As for Adam and myself, we have had our patience and endurance tested again and again.  But, we have grown and hopefully are better for it.  Adam is enjoying his new job with Elkins Constructors and is doing another project at the Navy base in town.  It's keeping him really busy, but it's an interesting project with fun people.  I am still at WW Gay Mechanical and it's going well.  We've had to put a lot of our home improvement projects on hold, but still manage to get a few things done.  Our current project is building a fire pit in the backyard using our left over brick.

We are so thankful for our family, friends, and church that have supported us through this crazy transition.  We are blessed and thank God for all the good gifts he has given us.  Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Adam, Stacy, A & M

Adam and A at the beach in July.

 Enjoying our new to us swing set.

Swimming at Majo's house. 

M checks out her 1st birthday gifts. 

A & M look at animals with Papa Joe. 

A & M at the zoo with Adam and Granddaddy in September. 

Feeding cows on a hay ride, followed by a corn maze in October. 

M dressed up as a bumble bee for Halloween. 

A was Ariel for Halloween, we went to a "Trunk or Treat" even at church and had a blast!

Status Report

We have had the girls in our home for just over a month now.  I have been so much busier than I'm used to, but everything is going well.  So far, the experience has been hugely overwhelming, frustrating, fun and laughter filled.  We've dealt with hitting, screaming, potty training (failed) but also have experienced lots of hugs, laughter and fun.  There was no way to prepare for the change, but after a month it's starting to feel "normal".  The sweet moments are starting to outweigh the tension filled ones.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us - it's working!  We don't know how long the girls will be in our home - a couple months, one year or forever.  But, we're trying to enjoy each day we have together and impart some lessons into their lives.  That's enough to keep me busy.

My Foster Shower

Adam and his mom threw me the best Foster Shower on July 7th.  We had a huge turn out and it was so great to feel the support of so many friends and family.  Thank you to everyone that came and to all those who sent gifts.  It made us feel so loved and helped prepare our home to take in children in need.

Adam and I pose before everyone arrives.  The cake was delicious!

Adam's Grandmama, Uncle Mark & Aunt Susie traveled all the way from Tampa to be here for us.  We really enjoyed spending the weekend with you guys!

Here I am about to open all the presents - everyone was so generous.  

The kids helped me open some presents.

A snapshot of part of the party - great turn out.

Ready for potty training.

My niece Laura Jo.

Adorable bedding that matches the kid's room perfectly.