Looking Through My Heart: mountain farmhouse

I know that I've been neglecting my blog. Between school, homework, real work, soccer and my furniture event, I feel like I go non stop but still don't get everything done! Last week Brennan got to go on his first school field trip. I also went as a chaperon. They went to Hollabaugh Brothers to learn about apples. It was a fun little trip and they each came home with 5 apples that they picked. I'm also volunteering in the classroom one day a week for an hour and half each time. I help with their center activities and writing. It's fun. It's amazing that already Brennan is reading several words. He's learning to sound things out and can write some words correctly and others come close. He's also mentioned learning the difference between fiction and non fiction, what a caption is, about primary colors and making secondary colors among other things. This week they are having a special event at the school. It's some kind of ho down with a musician who has been serving as an artist in residency. Brennan's been singing a few cute songs that I think are part of the program.

Jace is getting used to going seperate ways in the morning. He's into saying "Aw Man!" Tonight he told me that the needed a kid lighter...he wanted to start a fire. Sorry, little dude they don't make those in your size! I think Jace has completely lost his baby look now, he's such a little man!

This was at the park a few weeks ago. Enjoying Mommy's Friday off.

The boys and I caught these fireworks on our way back from Fulton County Labor Day weekend. They loved them. They were telling Daddy about them in their sleep.

The boys are excited to rake leaves...good thing, we might have a couple!

Maybe a bigger pile for jumping into?

Always looking adorable for school

Our bus stoop

This is what goes on in my living room...and bedroom.

Some of Brennan's work from kindergarten

Fall fog...fresh hair cuts.

One of the pieces that I just finished. Check out my event here. Join us this Saturday!!

Wow, I can't believe that we've went from a bunch of trees to this mountain farmhouse. It's been almost a year and half since we bought our land and it's been 6 months since we started clearing a portion of the lot to build our home. It's came a long way from Nate drawing the house in auto CAD (with me looking over his shoulder). Now it's pretty much done, just a few last touch ups for the painter, 2 broken lights that need to be replaced and hung, new pantry doors, shower glass, a wine rack installed, a mirror hung, and grading outside (when it warms up), but we have the keys and a certificate of occupancy! We started moving some of our boxes and things up there today and plan on making the rest of the move next weekend.

Our contractor was Woodhaven Contractors/Todd Blankenship. Todd did a good job and we are thankful for his countless hours spent working on our house including just about every weekend for the past 6 months. He is an Energy Star builder and our house has several unique energy features that should ultimately save us money:) Todd was very knowledgeable regarding energy efficiency, insulation, various energy products, heating/cooling, humidity control, and lots of other things that I don't necessarily understand or properly appreciate. Todd worked with us on every detail...we literally picked out every little thing in the house. He looked at many, many of my Pinterest pictures and for the most part made my ideas a reality. Todd worked with very professional subcontractors who were not only good at their respective trades but also nice guys. Nate and I did a few things ourselves and incorporated some family items to help give the house more character. The fireplace mantle which still needs stained, is a barn beam from his grandparents barn, Nate made the barn doors in the playroom and laundry room out of wood from the same barn, and we made our own vanity for the downstairs bathroom with a washstand of his grandparents. I didn't want to build another house and there is certainly more value in buying an existing home (so only build if you really can't find anything to buy), but this process was mostly painless and fun.

Thanks to all who have helped/supported us through this process....we look forward to making many memories in our new home with our boys, family and friends. Porch party in the spring;)!

UPDATED March 20, 2015

Thanks Nate:) I think that we should take orders for these, Nate's good!

Door to laundry room

Boys playroom

Fireplace is a Heat N Glo wood burning fireplace. Todd and Nate both researched this and seem happy with it. We love the coffered ceiling that Todd constructed.

Dining room...we love our molding in here and through the house. Todd really did an awesome job with the trim details. Light fixture is from ballard.

Standing in living room. Looking forward to this wide open floorplan. This flooring is an engineered hardwood...in a wide plank in oak. Our flooring was purchased through John H. Myers...I am pleased with all of it but recommend using a different supplier. We had better service from US Carpets in Frederick and I think you would find better service at a lot of other places. The installer was subcontracted and he did a very nice job.

Happy with my black and white cupboard look and the silver cloud granite turned out even better than I thought. The pendants are Kichler (one more to be installed above the island)...I love these! Although I am very happy with the look of my kitchen...it truly looks like my pinterest pictures. The cabinets are a major disappointment in the house. I do NOT recommend Timberlake cabinetry. If you or anyone you know are considering this manufacturer please talk to me so that I can convince you not to purchase from Timbelake. Timbelake is aware of my disappointment and sent a rep here but that was a complete joke. It's not our builder's fault so I've given up the fight on these but it is heartbreaking:(

Appliances are Frigidaire Gallery, the refrigerator is counter depth. The farmhouse sink is Kraus...I purchased on overstock or a site similar. The faucet is Moen (all faucets are Moen). Todd feels that you definitely get a different type of product if you purchase these same brands from Lowes, Home Depot, HH Gregg, etc. so be careful, you'll pay less but won't get the same quality.

Sunroom (not really a true sunroom but that's what I call it, some might call it the kitchen eat in area). Light fixture is Seagull.

Standing in sunroom looking into kitchen...dining room on the right side of pic

The painter is going to do one more coat to the steps...they are still covered so that's the last thing that we'll get to see. Todd's painter does excellent work, he couldn't have matched our railing and steps any closer to the floor color. Thanks Andy.

Master bedroom

Closet:)

Master bath. Van, who did our tile and hardwood, was another hard worker who also worked weekends to keep the house on schedule. He did a really nice job.

All floor and shower tile are ceramic products. This is O'Lean Danya Stream. This granite is called Kashmir White, both granites were purchased at Classic Rock Granite in Harrisburg.

Carpet is a Mowhawk product with a stain resistent, it's nice feels good under the feet bu there are varying levels of quality that you can get in the Smart Strand line and I'm glad that we got one the more plush ones.

This chandelier ended up being moved after installed, quite a pain considering it's up nearly 19 feet....thank you Barry/Zepp Electric. This is a Seagull brand chandelier