a new era

It was really hard to sell and leave our home in Knoxville. We had invested so much in that house: money, weekends, sweat (mostly Curtis') and tears (mostly Katie's). Over the last 5 years, it had been a huge part of our story. The sweetest part of moving has been finding a home in Greensboro... one that seems to truly fit our family and the way that God is shaping our story.

If you're interested, here is an album of pictures we took of the house before we moved in:






We love so many things about it... the family-friendly neighborhood, its age and corresponding character, the garage (aka man-space), the functional wood-burning fireplace, the fenced-in backyard, the sunroom, the updated plumbing and electrical systems, and the big kitchen. Just to name a few. :)

Of course, there are a few things that are not quite as great... the roof, the tiny/lame master bath, the lack of square-footage (more on that to come), the uber-red walls everywhere, the drainage issues, and the run-down gravel driveway.

Now, here's the exciting part. Within days of closing, we had already made major progress. How?

It's called HIRING IT OUT. What a gloriously new concept to us. So, welcome to the new & improved version of our before and after documentation. The kind where we don't do ANY of the work! Yipee!!

Before:  (looking down the driveway from the backyard)

The driveway was gravel and came only as far as the back of the house.

This is the back of the house and you can vaguely see the driveway's end on the left.

If the driveway had not stopped, it would have extended to meet this detached garage, located in the backyard.

During: In come the professionals! Woo hoo!

First, they ripped up what had been there, including the piece of concrete leading to the road. 

 Then they brought in the big guns. Cooper was in heaven. Curtis would have been too, if he hadn't been at work. 

Note: This picture is a bit blurry, mainly due to the fact that I took it through the window so as not to look like a freak.

They laid out the wood parameters (do you like how I'm trying to sound like I know what I'm talking about?!) and, while the kids and I hid out at my parents' house, laid most of the concrete!

I cannot tell you how fabulous it felt to come home and see this. Isn't it beautiful?

They weren't done! Using this giant wet-saw contraption, they cut lines/grooves into the concrete. Who knew that those happened after the concrete was laid?  

Note: Curtis was not afraid of looking like a freak.

It wasn't until the next day that they were able to finish out the front portion of the driveway (maybe called the apron??), but it was an amazingly fast process as far as we were concerned.

After:

The finished product, and a happy toddler!

Can't you just picture Cooper riding bikes down it?

Just imagine a backboard mounted to that garage... pick-up game anyone?

 Contrary to how it appears in this picture, there is still big backyard available for all manner of grass-fun. The best of both worlds! 

We are just going to love this.