Mom and Dad's Kitchen

Let me just preface this with the fact that my parents are not procrastinators. They have just been working every possible minute they could for over the past, um I don't know, THREE years on this kitchen. Yes, Dad does develop ADD and decide to go build a new, however really cute, storage unit out back, or Mom decides they need a new camper, so now some weekends are used actually out of the house and out in the world, away from "redneck hill." Yes, JZJ Lane was renamed by my Dad and his bff, Bubba to be called "redneck hill." I guess when Dad drives the tractor up the hill to the Stark's house that could be considered a little country. Let me also say I am not from "redneck hill." (not that that would be a bad thing) I was raised in town and they only decided to abandon all reason, (and closeness to everything) when they choose to buy some land and move out of town to the pines and to eventually be called "redneck hill."

But this post is not about what hill they live on, but about how incredibly talented my Dad and Mom are. My parents bought some land that had a house on it already. Well, I don't even know if you can call it that. More like a cabin. A cabin that needed A LOT of work, not to mention a bug man to remove all the scorpions. Yikes.

They immediately started a total renovation on the house and the biggest job has been the kitchen. Dad gutted everything; knocked down a wall to make the kitchen bigger, then proceeded to rebuild everything.

This first picture is what the kitchen originally looked like (AFTER my mom had thoroughly cleaned and put up a few decorations) Yes, we all know. It wasn't exactly a kitchen that made the family want to congregate in.




But leave it to my Mom's positive imagination and who could see the light, and my Dad's skillz, they were able to turn the kitchen into this.....

and this....



Now THAT is a kitchen.

I also have to say, because my Mom said I did in order to post this, that it in fact is not entirely finished. As you can see upon second look, the two cabinets above the stove are not painted. Something about Dad building those wrong...well according to Mom. And also they are going to put up some back splash. I'm just glad they finally got the granite and floors. Coming home to concrete and wood counter tops wasn't exactly awesome. I would also like to say that Mom and Dad did everything in this kitchen except for laying the granite. Dad built and Mom painted and decorated. They even laid the floors. I'm very proud of what my parents can do, and even more proud of what MY future kitchen is going to look like! :) Right Dad?

Anytime: Logan Mitchell

Welcome the newest member of our family. This little guy belongs to my cousin Kurt, and his wife Rebecca! He's also the second grand baby to my aunt and uncle...He followed this guy, Callen James, by a few months.

Logan's Nursery. They had a woman come in and paint the walls. I love how bright it is!



Kurt designed the lettering and had them put on canvas.











This is Bruiser. (Their first little boy) We didn't want him feeling left out...like he looks in the above picture.


Kurt made it home from work at the end for a little family shot. Logan was pretty tuckered out.

Personal: New Orleans and an Ode to Friends

Traveling. Traveling makes me happy. Something that has never been understood by my Father (sorry Dad). Home makes him happy, which it does me the same, however I feel alive and excited when I get to travel, which I wish was much more. Hopefully, with my new business, the possibility of traveling will become a reality!

Friends. Friends also make me happy. I've been blessed over the years with amazing girls (and a few boys) that have come into my life and helped me experience things that I normally wouldn't have been brave enough, strong enough, or daring enough to experience on my own. Meet my new friends. Well, and one old.

Melissa. Rachel. Sam. and Me.



This now leads me to New Orleans. Two weeks ago, my new friend Sam, while laying out at the pool says, "guys, do y'all want to go to New Orleans?" When? "In like two weeks..I'm open."

Besides me, I think it took everyone around 2 seconds to think about it and respond with a big YES! So, by the next morning we already have a hotel booked (thanks to Rachel being a Triple A member), with no plans besides the time we are leaving! Which is the best possible recipe to make for an awesome road trip to a really cool city.

So let's skip to Thursday night (night before we leave). I call Mel to ask what she is packing (i.e. what to wear out) and to complain that while I was making my oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies, I can't use my flour because I find weevils. Only I didn't even know what this gross bug in my food was until I called my Mom. SO, after throwing practically everything out in my pantry with fear that I would eat one of these little weevils, I go over to Rachel's to borrow some flour so I can finish baking. Ok so problem one, solved.
Well before I can get out my little bug problem, she informs me that while popping in a starburst she pulls out her temporary crown. Yikes, this can not be good. However, being the trooper that she is, she decides not to waste any time with the dentist the next morning and says..."no problem, I'll just eat on my right side of my mouth." Perfect. Problem two...kinda solved.

7:00 am the next morning...Sam is lost trying to find the booming town of Manor (the place of Mel and Chase's residence...Hungry Horse Drive, Manor, Texas) Thank goodness Mel is able to steer her in the right direction. Problem three, solved!

So needless to say, we make it to the most humid town I have been to! New Orleans. Find our hotel, well the one we thought we were staying at. Only to unload ALL of our bags, food, and clothes, pay our bell boy, and discover that "no I'm sorry there is not reservation under Mills."
"what you must be mistaken, M.I.L.L.S. This is the Marriott Courtyard right?" Umm no we were not at the right hotel...so reverse, load everything back up and go maybe one block down the street to our, less fancy but way cooler, hotel.

We had good food, listened to some really good music (jazz at Snub Harbor), and had some really good dessert (beignets at Cafe De Monde). Here are a few pictures of how beautiful the French Quarter is. I hope everyone can continue to travel to New Orleans to keep their city alive!

GABBY

How adorable is this little girl? She belongs to my parents.