Extreme Surprise -- Extreme Makeover -- and BIG BATH PROJECT!

March 11 Joel and Mitzi invited us to lunch and presented us with a BLESSING IN A BOX!  This box contained the plans for the next few weeks as to what was to take place at our house during Spring Break -- They were coming in and as a family -- giving us a new bathroom floor --
Joel and Mitzi had approached Bethany and Mat last Fall and said they knew we wanted and needed a new bathroom floor (our's was beyond gross and we kept scrubbing and covering it with floor rugs.)
The plan they created was Bethany and Mat would buy the tile and the Rays would cover the labor.

The box contained step by step instructions as to how we were to prepare for the blessing --

I got busy -- my mind went into teacher / g'ma mode when I thought about their 7 young ones having to stay cooped up at our house while their mommy and daddy worked.  I wanted treats and fun stuff for them.

We picked out the tile -- with Bethany's help- cleared the bathroom and headed for Spring Break in Denver.

On Monday morning -- demolition began -- we got video texts from Joel twice a day.

The tile job turned into extreme makeover of our bath as Joel would text and ask "what about the cabinets?"  "what about that ugly tile on the second countertop?"  "Do you need a new toilet?"  Joel would shop online find items and we'd make selections.

THEN we put the squeeze on and dropped the bomb shell -- not only were we coming in a day earlier than they expected -- we had company coming in the next night who needed the shower.  (never mind the toilet and sinks weren't in).  It just so happened it was our best buddy, Dallas who is an expert painter and house remodeler.  In the short time he was with us, he painted both bathrooms -- giving careful eye to the gray -- to make certain that it was not too blue, too green or too dark.  His keen eye paid off and I couldn't be happier with the colors!

In all of this special blessing experience, I have some favorite memories ---

Coming home to the kids having a water battle with the super soakers I left for them --- dripping wet.

Seeing them play so quietly and being respectful.

Ryan's statement as he heads out the door --after four cutie oranges and a banana -- "I'd like you a whole lot better if I could have a take away".

Alayiah enjoying looking at our photo albums every time she was there and telling me what all she like about those pictures.

Doing puzzles with Riley --
Seeing Tiarah take care of all the littles while reading a book at the same time --

Atalie -- being the sweet sister so intent on her reading -- serious about it all.

Caedman and his swords -- using our door prop as his favorite

All 6 big Rays carrying Dad's tools to the car the last night -- like a little line of soldiers and then while he and mom finished up -- dropping all over the den falling asleep.

I just finished up the doors and trim this week and soon we'll be moving downstairs -- using the master again -- this project's timing was an answer to prayers literally!