Home Sweet Home, well sort of...

Being new to the blogging and DIY world, I have been comtemplating how to kick start this site now that the Lang introductions are out of the way. I decided there is no better way than to have an introduction post to the Lang house, it only seems fair. The following pictures are of our home on moving day or shortly after (November 2009). As each major project is completed, I will update with "Progress" pictures and then later, "After" pictures once the room is 99.9% complete, since I'm slowly learning that a room is never 100% done. And here we go...

-front of home-

A lot has been done to the front exterior already. The green carpet has been removed, awnnings repainted white, the grass beneath the hedges has been tarped and sparkly, white rocks have been placed on top, new mailbox, new street numbers, and some new porch decor has been added as well. Will post updated picture once I feel it's more progress than near progress.

-back of home-

The deck is partially stained at this moment, other than that, it's still a MAJOR work in progress.

-entryway-

Wallpaper has been removed! YAY! Worst job ever! Carpet on the stairs has been taken off and is waiting for a replacement. The trim has 3 coats of white paint on it and has one more coat to go to be done. I had the crazy idea of painting all the wood trim about a week ago and LOVE the outcome, but forget to take into consideration that the ENTIRE downstairs is wood trim... everywhere. Seriously, I think our home can hold a record for the most trim and woodwork on one floor of a house :/

-hallway & stairs leading to the basement-



-dining room-

Wallpaper has been taken off, installed new light fixture & fireplace primed to to be painted to match the trim.

-kitchen-

Dishwasher has been replaced. That's it. Kitchens scare me.

-downstairs bath-

Carpet has been taken out (ew.), new toilet seat, new faucets on sink & tub, new light fixture above mirror, and new hardware for toilet paper & towels have been added.

-office-

-upstairs hallway-

New light fixture installed & carpet removed.

-craft room/office/master closet-

not sure what this little ol' room will be.

Wallpaper & carpet removed.

-master bedroom-

Wallpaper removed.

-ben's bedroom-

Wallpaper removed. Wall added to that open space to make two bedrooms (Ben's & the master).

-yaya's bedroom-

-carmen's bedroom-

Carpet put down, new baseboards, new walls, purple paint added, closet reopened and lots more. This room is the closest to the finish line as of now.

-upstairs bathrooms-

two rooms equal one bath up there.

-attic-

That's all for now... didn't post tons of basement pictures since that is at the very bottom of our to-do list. I hope to update with what & how I do what I do, along with some family posts as well since this blog is about our family as well as our home. I might even be able to convince Josh to post once in awhile too, keep your fingers crossed!

-A

Introductions are in order

- Angela & Josh -

a.k.a. Mommy & Daddy

Josh & I met when I was 14, he was 16. It took him about 2 years to commit to our teenage love, but he finally came around. I was the stalker type from the start. Less than 8 months later, we found out I was pregnant. If you did the math, you're right, I was 16, he was 18. We got a head start on building a family and it ended up being one of the best things that ever happened to us. I know teenage pregnancy is not the ideal way to begin a family, but we got lucky and it ended up being among the biggest blessings in our lives. Thirteen laters, we have 3 children, are happily married & are just as crazy in love as we were as teenagers. I consider him my Superman, as I have said so many times before. He is by my side NO MATTER WHAT. I know every happy wife stakes that claim but more sincere words have never been spoken (or written) from me. Unconditional love is his forte; when he loves someone, he loves them with every ounce of his being. I don't know what I have ever done to deserve a love like this, but I can only hope and pray that I continue to be worthy of this wonderful life God has given me.

- Caroline -

a.k.a. Yaya

Sweet Caroline. She is the reason Josh and I are the people we are today. She forced us to grow up and become humble, selfless, devoted parents. She, and only she, was the first driving force in shaping our future as a family. I delivered her on June 18, 2001 and was terrified. How could I possibly give this beautiful baby girl everything in this life that she deserves? How could I lead her in the direction of becoming an independent, successful, healthy and most importantly, happy, young woman? I had no answers, but I gave it my best shot. I still am giving it my best shot. I am still just as terrified today as I was the first minute I met her. Yes, I am more confident but as every parent knows, you are never a professional when it comes to this occupation. I don't think I am doing that bad though. My heart bursts with pride when I look at her. She is the most sensitive and compassionate person, adult or child, that I have ever come across. Anyone that knows her will agree. There is not a mean or hurtful bone in her body. Sweet, sweet Caroline.

- Carmen -

a.k.a. Barbip & Carmen Girl

Carmen is in a league of her own. She is so stubborn, so nosey, so defiant at times and yet I would not change a single quality about her. I see her being stubborn as a tool of leadership. I view her nosiness as an inquisitive young mind. Her defiance is her strong will in what she believes in. She is my little mother hen. She looks out for her little brother and even her big sister. She is honest, even if it's brutally honest. She cuddles with me. She hates when someone is fighting and has just as weak of stomach as I do. "John Q" made her sob hysterically as did the Tim McGraw song "Don't Take the Girl". I am so excited to watch her grow into herself, to stop hiding in Yaya's shadow and show this world what she's made of. The force is strong in this one. I am not even close to being a "Star Wars" fan but this is the only quote I can deem suitable for this little lady.

- Benjamin -

a.k.a. Dude

Ben, Ben, Ben. Our Big Dude. Hysterical, loving, smart, curious, world champion cuddler. I love when he is in the other room playing and I hear "Moooooooooooooooooooooooooom!", just to go in and him tell me "I love you", which happens atleast once a day. He idolizes Daddy and what young boy wouldn't? He's a co-sleeper and is turning 5 in May. Save your comments. He's my last little munchkin and he can sleep in our bed until he's ready to leave. He's a gentleman in training and has recently began pulling chairs out for me and the girls at dinnertime. Oh the girls. Could a little boy love his sisters any more than he does? I don't think it's possible. I sure hope he doesn't grow out of it. If he must go through phases, as I suppose all boys do, I pray the "I hate my annoying sisters" is one he bypasses. Ben was the icing on our family cake. He brought us all together in ways I never could have imagined. Benjamin John; my sweet, messy, sticky family cake icing.

- Jack -

a.k.a. JackDogJackDogJackDiggityDog (all 1 word)

(said fast & to the tune: "Hot Dog" from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)

*all photos of humans were taken by an amazing & talented photographer named Dana Monticelli.

You can find out more information about her & all her awesomeness here.

-A