The thing I'm most afraid of...

SNAKES! ...terrify me!

So you can imagine my overwhelming fear when, on Sunday afternoon, I open our front door and happen to glance to my side and I see a rattle snake (about 18" long) on the ground slowly slithering along the dirt next the the front porch. It wasn't rattling, just quietly slithering. I hollered into the house, "Rattle Snake"! Kirk thought I was joking. I was not. I would never joke about seeing a rattle snake!

Kirk ran to the garage and grabbed a shovel, I grabbed the camera and stayed a safe distance away. Kirk trapped it, then ended up decapitating it. Now we're thinking about how we can keep other rattle snakes away. Several people told us to get some cats to keep as outside pets since the cats eat mice, and the snakes are around looking for mice to eat. The only problem is, the area coyotes will possibly eat the cats. ...circle of life?

We suspect the snake came out from under the house (a pier and beam foundation), where is was cool. It was probably looking for a sunny location since our afternoon temperatures this past Sunday were in the high 80's (F).

I'm FREAK'IN OUT about this snake and have emphasized with the kids what they need to do to be safe and to always be alert. One thing I KNOW I can do is claim Jesus' words in Luke 10:19 (NIV) over our house and property (we have scorpions, too)...

" I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."

Nothing will harm us!; Lord, keep us and all who visit our home protected from these critters and any other kind of danger! In Jesus' Mighty Name I pray. AMEN

A New Appreciation!

FOR ANYONE WHO DOES DRY WALL FOR A LIVING! Hat's off to you. Dry walling takes patience and is truly an art form I have learned!

We have been getting the kids' bedrooms moving ahead these past several weeks with getting the walls fit for new drywall, installed, plastered, and finished out.

Kirk and I put up new 1/2" dry wall on the 3 bedrooms- replacing most of the 1/4" stuff that was on there. After installing the drywall, we've learned that "taping" & "mudding" the seams, getting all the finishing work done is a lengthy and time consuming process. All to be done in preparation of primering and painting. WOW! ...talk about labor intensive!!! I have muscles hurting I forgot I had.

Joe helping with cleaning.

Before we finished putting up the dry wall, we had the kids write their favorite verses and anything they wanted to express on the walls of their bedrooms that would be under the drywall.

Andrew has always had a small concern of this house being haunted since it's over 70 years old. He's asked several times, "do you think there's ghosts in this house?" When we told the kids to write things on their walls, he decided to include a word of protection on his wall.

I wrote a special message on each of the kid's walls...

"I love Jesus" written by Jessie.

Joe had a certain Super Hero on his mind when he did his wall writing!

I've become quite the "pro" at cutting dry wall!

The stages of "taping" is a messy job! I'm SO READY for a shower & manicure!

Jessie and Joe's Room (before closet, above)

Jessie and Joes's room (after closet added)

Andrew's room

Kelsie's Room

Kelsie paints her room "Spring Cactus" by Glidden.
The orange ceiling fan HAS TO GO!

We are currently at the place of getting the painting on the walls finished and have ordered the new carpet- a nice neutral frieze by Mohawk. We will hopefully have the carpet installed (by professionals) no later than April 23 (according to who we ordered it from).

Besides getting the painting finished, the other things we'll be working on in all the bedrooms over the next couple weeks in preparation of the kid's having their rooms done:

• install new doors and paint them
• install door hardware
• replace ceiling fans
• caulking around all windows (inside)
• caulking around air conditioner ceiling vents (to prevent further condensation which has been an ongoing problem)
• paint and install door & window trim molding
• paint and install base boards
• install new 2" Bali wood blinds (faux wood , that is)
• add customized units to Kelsie and Jessie & Joe's closets
• DECORATE the rooms to feel fresh and cozy!

We are starting see this phase of renovation FINALLY coming close to an end! I will soon be able to post the official "after" pictures! I can't wait!!!