Home Improvements

I have neglected my blog the last couple of weeks in part to a little home improvement project we have Andrew has been working on non-stop. WhileI have not helped outright on anything, I have been in a support role providing lunch, drinks, and the occasional Home Depot run when needed. One of my posts months ago made a pitiful attempt at describing what our plans were for the space off our kitchen previously part of the garage. If you would like to see some before pics I included some then (see post HERE). At that time I had dreams about what our new pantry/dog/storage/utility room would be like, but the results are more than I could have imagined! It is so beautiful and wonderful and huge! Some of you have been to our home and know the limitations to our previous pantry space. I am simply amazed at what Andrew with the help of his brother Marty (THANK YOU MARTY!) were able to do in such a short amount of time. The pictures don't quite do it justice as that pesky window which I am thankful to have there, seems to mess up the lighting. Either way I think they communicate the beauty and splendor of our new home space. Enjoy:)

This is the opening from the kitchen....

As you round the corner

looking in...now you can see the pantry on the left...love it!

Spacey and luxurious dog area

Wesson's view from the crate...

Looking out...have I mentioned I love the pantry? 

We still have some shelves and hardware to add but it is essentially done and I don't have to keep our food on the mantle anymore! Thank you Andrew....I am very impressed with your handyman-ness.

Nathalie

Big News

We got some exciting news today I wanted to share with the world. You are now looking at Andrew McClish Professional Engineer (PE)!! Andrew found out today that he passed his PE exam he sat for back in April. You may recall this post when I asked you all to join me in praying for my husband during the grueling 8 hour test with a 30% pass rate. The Lord was gracious to bless him with a score of 76 (this is a really good score) and the relief that he never has to take the thing again! The PE title doesn’t change a lot, but is highly respected in his field since Professional Engineers are the only persons allowed to sign drawings. Andrew will receive a special seal that will engrave his name on drawings making him responsible for the structure. I guess that is a lot of pressure and perhaps why the test is so dang hard! No matter, Andrew is a great addition to the PE community (if I do think so myself) and I know he can handle it. Way to go Andrew!

Stage Fright

My home town...why do I live in Texas again?

This weekend I am heading to my home town in Colorado to attend my dear friend Rene’s wedding. Andrew is staying home since we just got back from NYC and as you know flights are not cheap these days. Rene and I have literally grown up together sharing many fun, meaningful, and hard times. I think one of the reasons I feel so close to her is because she knew and loved my Dad who passed away when we were in High School. He loved her too and always considered her part of the family. It is comforting to have a person who remembers him with me even now who is not technically in our family. Sadly, I only get to see Rene a couple of times a year (if we are lucky), but each time it is as if we were never apart. We do frequently talk on the phone though so that helps. Bottom line, she means a lot to me and I couldn’t be happier about her nuptials to her love named Bob. I think it is fun to type the name Bob especially when referring to a man in his twenties. Just makes me smile….

So of course I agreed without hesitation when Rene asked me to be part of her wedding by singing ‘Come Thou Fount’ in the ceremony. For those reading this who have known me 8 years or less, I used to sing. In High School I was quite the performer in our school’s rendition of Oklahoma and was a valuable asset to the soprano section of the choir. I know what a geek right? To my horror, my mom has the video tape of my Oklahoma performance and gladly showed it to Andrew one Christmas. The fact that she even has a VCR is beyond me. He was highly entertained, although I am certain not impressed.

Back to the issue at hand. After graduation in 2002, I ended my music career and now limit my singing to the car, and at church with everyone. Needless to say, I am very out of practice and feel completely inadequate to be the feature performer at a wedding. Don’t get me wrong, I am honored that Rene has asked me to be part of her special day. I also love the song ‘Come Thou Fount’, and love to sing it. However, I would not be honest if I didn’t confess that I am nervous about how this will go down. To Rene, who never had an ear for music (no offense Rene but you know it is true), will think it is lovely no matter what. I also realize that she did not ask me to sing because she wanted a stellar musical performance, but because she loves me and wanted to include me. As I grow anxious and the day (Sunday) approaches, I am comforted by one thing. I have a sister with TWO degrees in music! Maria has promised to sing with me which will make it A LOT better!! Rene is all for it too as she and Maria are practically sisters.

So tell me to ‘break a leg’ as they say. Maybe it will be more fun than I think since it has been so long. It will also be fun to sing with Maria worshiping the Lord together with Rene and Bob at their wedding. My one request is that Andrew never sees the video!

Nathalie

Happy Birthday Andrew!

This will have to be short and sweet since my lunch hour is coming to an end, but wanted to do a quick shout out to my husband who turned 30 yesterday! He was a little down in the dumps about it, but I think he's going to be OK. His spirits were certainly lifted by the party we had for him last Saturday. One of these days I will get the pictures downloaded of which I didn't take a one. Thankfully, my mother-in-law had the where with all to take a few shots during the event. It was lovely thanks to the McClish extended family coming in from the Texas Panhandle to help! Mercy I don't know how I would have made the food, decorated, or set up the party without them! If you are a McClish and are reading this....THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Lets just say it was a pretty fun time. We had amazing meat prepared by our friend Justin (he has a gift), red velvet cake, and a pinata! Really the party needs a proper blog post and hopefully I can get to that soon. Thanks to all of you who came to celebrate with Andrew. It reminded us how blessed we are to have such wonderful friends and family to walk with.

To Andrew: I for one am very glad you were born May 19th 1980. Happy Birthday! I love you and being your wife....even if you are an "old guy" :)

Love, Nathalie

June Update:

 

June will have a new family starting on Friday. A woman was immediately interested in meeting her as soon as we posted her information online. The woman is in her 50’s and wants a dog to walk with and keep her company since her husband works late. We invited her over last Saturday so we could meet her and introduce her to June. I think June liked her and we did too. Her home will be a good place for June where she will be the only dog and there won’t be any young kids around. It is sad, but honestly I am more and more affirmed this is the right decision for our family. We will miss June, but having one dog and not worrying about June’s behavior is a weight lifted. Wesson might have the hardest time of anyone though. He loves him some June.

Nathalie