This thing we call a basement!

So for those of you who know a lot about our life, know how important this project of finishing our basement has been to me this year.  First of all, there are 4 of us, 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom...I'm sure you can do the math there.  IT'S CROWDED IN HERE!!  Thankfully enough, over the winter while being laid off, my loving husband got started with this very large project with the help of his delightful brother Darin and our Brother-In-Law Aric (for the electric work).  In the beginning, Adam thought that he was getting into something bigger than he could handle.  I must say I am SO pleased with the progress that he has been making regardless of how slow this process can be, at times.

Today I thought I would share with you all the parts of the basement that are the furthest. 

First on the list are the closets! Yes!! I am finally going to have closest space, besides the kind that clothes go in!!!

This will be Truitt's closet...needless to say, he won't really realize much of the benefits of having his own closet yet, but I can't wait until he has more room to himself!  I think in the long run he will really appreciate it.

This closest will be Ashlyn's.  Let me tell you, she is SUPER excited to have a closet all to herself again.  We like to call it a "Big Girl" closet...that way it gives her more incentive to want to move downstairs to the basement.  She is also very excited to pick out paint colors and has done so on multiple occassions during Menard's trips!

Last, but most certainly not least, is the closet that will be in my living room.  We will probably place things like blankets, extra pillows, etc. in here.  This is something that our house currently lacks, and we have had no place but an empty basement to store them.  Now they will have their own "place!"

The next MAJOR development in the basement has been this fireplace idea that I talked Adam into.  Originally, he was against it.  However, I batted my eyelashes enough and got my way.  The actual floor plan and ideas that we had going into this house have definitley changed, because there was supposed to be a bar down here too...but with age and a growing family we decided against the bar and went with a fireplace.  I think in the long run we will like the fireplace much more than the bar.  Who needs a bar when you have something as cool as this fireplace anyway?? 



Pretty cool, huh?  I know, not a complete project yet...but envision the flat screen tv above it and all kinds of pretty stone work around it.  Also, he will be purchasing a beautiful slab of rock to be the mantle.  I can't wait to able to enjoy this part of our new basement!!  Ashlyn is pretty excited too.  She is already planning a campfire themed sleep over and has invited Grandma Mary over to sleep in front of it with her.  So, I can't wait until we pull out that Princess tent, put in a good movie (we will also have surround sound also...installation already in the works), and have a good 'ol fashioned slumber party with the girls.

Well, that's your first sneak peak into the new addition to the House of Paukert!  What did you think??

Sincerely,

Jaime...House of Paukert President (we really have to keep this between you all and me)!



First try at blogging!

Ok.  I have been contemplating starting a blog for a really long time.  Sounds like a really cool idea, but has always seemed like it would be a lot of work!  Since I work in a prison I find it hard to tell the world what kinds of things are going on in my life, but recently I figured out that I am really not that big of a deal.  So more than likely those that follow the blog will be loved ones and friends anyway...why not let everyone know how completely chaotic our life is! 

Anyway, for those that have not closely followed my facebook page, I thought it would be fitting to introduce you to my family...my pride and joys!

 
Here is my spitting image...AKA the 1st little monster that I created!  Ashlyn.  Life truely changed when we were blessed with her.

Here is my second little monster...Truitt.  Accompanying him is the love of my life, one true love, soul mate...however you would like to describe it...Adam. 

And last, but certainly not the least me! 

Adjusting to family life has been amazing so far.  We couldn't have mapped out our life any better than this!  I read a lot of other people's blogs and I love learning from others trials and tribulations, so I figured...what the hell!  Maybe someone can learn something from mine.  So here goes nothing...

Sincerely,

Jaime...head of the "House of Paukert" (that is our little secret, because I am sure that Adam thinks that he holds that title).