Yippee!

Congrats Thomas on the newest chapter of your life!

gOOOOOD for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been working very hard with my Mom, Dad, and sister to get my new home into shape. I have painted the kids rooms, replaced 5 interior doors, and have done some various plumbing repairs. I am installing baseboard/trim in daughter's room, installing new newel post, hand rail, balusters on a safety rail in the living room, painting ceilings and walls in dining, kitchen, living rooms. My Mom and sister have been working like crazy cleaning kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

It is coming along, I wish I could say the same for a custody agreement

It's going to all come together thomasj! You keep hanging in there and doing what you're doing!

I'm glad you have something good to focus on and take your mind off the not so pleasant parts of the divorce.

Focus on what you can fix now, and bide your time and energy for those fights that you have looming. Your efforts now are making a house your home, and your kids will love the final results!

I took my son over to the house last night. He looked up at me and told me he wants to live there. He wanted to stay that night. I almost broke down - happy that he wants to spend time at my home, sad because his mother is fighting with all she has to make that not happen.

Some have been asking for pics, and to be honest we have been working so hard that I hadn't taken a lot. Here is one that I took time to upload. The old hand rail was an eye sore. It looked like it had been installed by a 7th grade wood shop drop out. It was one of the first impressions as it was right inside the front door. I did not take a before picture, actually I thought of it right after I had the old one torn out. But Saturday I installed this new hand rail, newel post, and balusters. It isn't painted yet, but I think it looks pretty good. The house has been cleaned like it has never been cleaned before, it is amazing. I actually feel much more at home there than I do my current home. I will be moving in over the next week.

My mother who is 77 has been cleaning and taking care of all the little touches that make it feel like home. I never thought a curtain in the window over the kitchen sink could have such an impact, but my mom knew it would. My dad has been painting like there is no tomorrow. They have both done so much - I can't even find the words to express how thankful I am to them. My sister has scrubbed all of the carpets, and my niece steam cleaned my wood and vinyl floors today.

My son LOVES being there. My daughter will like it much more once I have a permanent computer set up and she can access facebook!

ditto that. and tj's mom & dad, too!

An impressive entrance in deed! Good job tj!

Looks great Thomas. From that little picture it looks like a very nice house. I'm happy your son likes it. Now we can only pray that your wife or the judge sees that and thinks about the kids.

Great to good things happening guy.

I will be posting more pictures over the next few days. Things are cleaned, but I hate clutter in pictures so I have been holding out until things are put away a little better.

I took the kids there last night for our first meal together at the new house. It was nothing fancy, just pizza on paper plates and drinks from plastic cups, but it was nice to have a meal with them in our new home. They had a good time goofing around afterwards. I am hoping that it is a sign of what's to come - their laughter filling our house and making it a home.

You make me cry happy tears.

Wow, I really hope so too TJ!

You are doing an AMAZING job TJ!!! Your heart is what is giving your babies that special home!!! And what a special home I'm certain it is as well as the one you are moving in will be! Looking forward to the pictures as well as the updates!!!

It is wonderful watching your family turn a house into a Home!

Thomas - from your mouth to God's ears !!
I am agreeing with you in prayer for this to happen & happen very soon.

I did take a few pics of my kitchen today - my Mom put wall paper above my cabinets and did an excellent job. I wasn't too crazy about the idea at first, but I really like it now and she is very proud of it.

Pic 1
Pic 2

Pic 3

Cabinet galore! I'ma a little jealous the wall paper looks cute--kinda country and homey. Nice job mom!

Looking good, thomasj! It's really coming together nicely.

Love the plaid...masculine, yet homey at the same time. Your mom has great decorating sense!

ACK! IT Security Event! I got BUSTED trying to look at the pic! grrrrrrr.