Um. Yeah. 3 Years Later???

I ran into a friend of ours a month or so ago. This friend asked why we haven't been blogging lately. "Lately?" Is that really the right word? When I logged in this morning and realized it had been 3 years.... WOW!

We are about to embark on another project of our renovation. But I guess some updates are in order.
Here we go!

2016-2017
The Boy's Senior Year

Senior Night
Little did we know how NO LONGER being Band Parents would change us! I think we may have been to one or two games since he graduated...

This awesome senior crew, band directors, and the entire "Badger Pride Marching Band," captured the FIRST Marching Band Championship! This band has continued with this honor EVERY YEAR SINCE! Arkadelphia has an awesome band program....can you tell???

Senior Night Soccer
He didn't play much through the season. But he did this night and played like I've never seen him play.

Awards and Walk Out Day.

Proud Ma, Dad and Sis!

December 2017
The Girl LPN Pinning

Then one year later...
December 2018
The Girl RN Pinning

Super proud of this young lady and what she has accomplished!

Many years ago, Mac and I were on a night ATV ride with a group of our friends. One of my all time favorite students, Jake, was on the ride with us. We had a great night! On the ride home, Mac asked me why Samantha couldn't find and bring home a guy like Jake. Well, several years later, she did!

SHE BROUGHT HOME JAKE!!!!
I cannot explain how happy we were! Jake became an instant part of the family. But along with Jake, we got this!

 Meet Jett! The little boy that stole our hearts....instantly!

Then Easter 2019 this happens.

Jake asked. She said yes! We got a son-in-law and grandson at once! Y'all...being Granny and Pap Mac is the greatest thing EVER!

THE Wedding

November 2019

Totally shocked I wasn't crying my eyes out.

This one is from her bridal session. It's my favorite. That veil!!!!

The new Jones family.

Our Jones Boys

All day shenanigans with this crew!

Who's the boss??? Cake cutting was interesting!

One final hug before walking down the aisle.

"She wants her grandaddy (Bubba) preaching the service."

When he tears up, you know your baby girl is in good hands!

YEP! He cried.

The motley crew!

Of course, a lot more happened in the past three years. But these were the big highlights!

Oh yeah! And this...

Delilah doesn't like the water but want to be with us. Captain Delilah loves her boat!

NOVA! Our sweet grand dog.

Where is the hot summer??? These two are ready!

Home away from home.

Last Monday morning, we finally got to close on the house sending it to secondary financing.  I guess that means Phase 1 is officially done.  Next step will be to remodel the two original bathrooms.

 

Monday afternoon, Deb had me loaded up in the truck when I got off work and off to Benton we went to buy this.  Our new home away from home/home on wheels.  Our old pop up has served it's purpose and needs someone who enjoys doing handy work a little more than I do.

 

 

Unfortunately, Samantha had to work that day and wasn't able to be in the picture with us.

 

It is a 2017 Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 26RL.  We bought it from RV City in Benton, AR.  We recommend anyone buying an RV to go see them first.  Financing was done through Southern Bancorp.  I can't say enough good about them.  I love my bank!  We called around and their RV loan rates were at least 3% lower than anyone else we spoke with.

 

Here is a quick tour of the inside.

 

We always liked the rear lounge model, but this was the first time we had seen one that wasn't a fifth wheel.  The lord continues to provide what we need and sometimes what we want at just the right time.

 

Swivel rockers and leather sofa at the rear.  The sofa folds out to make a full size bed.

 

 

Kitchen, Dinette, and entertainment center.  The dinette makes down into a full size bed too.

 

 

Shower and sink.

 

 

My favorite feature is the rear lounge.  Deb's favorite feature...... a potty.

 

And finally, the bedroom.  The kids will have to make due sleeping on the couch and dinette, which both make into a bed.  But, hey, one of them is out on her own and the other only has another year of high school, so we think they will survive. 

 

 

And just because I love my truck and enjoy pulling stuff with it, here is the full width travel trailer and pull vehicle shot.  I've got to tweak the weight distribution hitch.  They set it up a little light at the dealership.  Shouldn't be any trouble to add a little more lift to level the truck and trailer better.

 

 



It Isn't a Mega Deck; It's a Mac Deck.

It all started with this.

Just a little small load of lumber.

Let the leveling begin. The use of post piers makes this part MUCH easier than having to dig a hole to bury posts.

Uggsy "The Supervisor". He absolutely loves this window. He sits here a lot during the morning while we are getting ready for work. During this project he decided to supervise from his perch.

My man marking for each pier. He will have to tell you measurements. I only remember those for about 2 seconds flat.

Tea came to help on this day. How many high school girls would take time out of her "get ready for Prom" day to help her boyfriend's parents building a deck? Well this one did! She's a keeper.

The boy worked too. I think I'll keep him for a couple more years.

Finally the piers are set. We also put down weed fabric to help deter weeds from growing under the deck. Teenagers have left us at this point to get all prettied up for the prom.

And pretty they were! Of course the parents had to take some deck building time off to take pictures of this beautiful couple...

  ...and this silly boy.

After photos, Cole, Tea and Cristo (best friend) came back to the house for burgers. They also got in some porch sitting time with the fire table, but I guess ma didn't get a pic of that.

Let day 2 begin!

Because of the existing concrete porch and steps, we had to build 2 separate foundations that are connected with cross braces. 

Later in the afternoon, the boy shows his face. Thanks to Project Prom, he came home with a new hammock! They had a good time in a safe and fun environment.

Mac and I were being very particular with the spacing of the deck boards. It was taking FOREVER!

Then the pro came over and offered some suggestions. So glad he did. The decking went much faster after father's guidance.

Those boys, yep, those up there in those pictures. Yep, those are my boys. They have my heart!

#hesmychipgaines

Weekend #2 Hoping to finish.

I am so proud of that cedar wrapped post! It was my idea. Don't let Mac tell you otherwise.

Cole has gotten very handy with a drill driver. 

Father/Son bonding! They had a great method and the spindles went up quickly.

Finished West View

Finished North View

Finished South View

Somewhere along this side is where we will build the pool deck. And I hope that comes soon. I'm ready for days in the water.

Our sweet Lucy loves the new deck too!

I'm a klutz and a 17 inch step down as too much. Mac built a step as the last step. HA!

We are moving quickly into permanent financing. After all the appraisal and insurance photos are taken, we will hopefully be able to begin on the pool! YAY!!!