Lost Bridge Trail

We have enjoyed Spring Break.

I got a little time off work while

Eric had time off school.

I officially hit the 20 week mark

on Saturday.  I can't believe I'm halfway

 through this pregnancy.  But we

are anxious to meet our sweet boy.  

On Friday, we drove to Springdale, Arkansas

and spent the evening with friends.

Summer and her husband Trey live there. 

It's always great catching up with friends.

We enjoyed some yummy burgers near

the University of Arkansas campus.

Summer and Me - we've been friends since early childhood.

After a delicious breakfast Saturday

morning, Eric and I traveled to Lost

Bridge Hiking Trail near Garfield, Arkansas.

This trail is on Beaver Lake, which

is one of the most beautiful lakes in the area.

It was a brisk 40 degree morning when

we started our hike.  It warmed up a little, 

but the wind kept it pretty chilly.

Trevor and Candace got me a selfie-stick

for Christmas - so I was able to take lots

of pictures of us on our hike...

I want to do this hike again in the fall - 

maybe not this fall since I'll have a newborn,

but I can only imagine how gorgeous this

area is with leaves on the trees.

Taking a short break by a neat rock formation

We came across this temporary shelter

on our hike.  It looked like something

straight off the Dual Survivor Show

Eric watches.  It was a neat little

shelter with a fire-pit and a gorgeous view.

  

Overhanging bluffs like this one were typical
of the dry shelters which were favorite living
 quarters for the Indians in the mountainous
portions of the Arkansas Ozarks from the earliest
 times until the time of contact with Europeans.
There were several other landmarks along this trail,
including a plantation foundation with a fireplace.

...and we finally got to the end of the trail.

This is the part where I looked at the map

and realized the 5 mile hike was actually

a 7 mile hike.  Phewww.  Needless to say,
my legs are tired today.

I will most likely not be going on

any more lengthy hikes during this

pregnancy, but we had a great time

exploring this trail together.

Nursery

We started working on the nursery.

I wanted a reclaimed wood wall...

and Eric made it happen!

We acquired some wood pallets

from a family friend and got to work!

We borrowed the suburban and picked up as
many pallets as we could

We got home and Eric started cutting! 

Taking apart a pallet is hard work.

Eric worked on the pallets until it was too late

to use the saw - we didn't want to 

disturb our neighbors.  He picked up where 

he left off the next day.

Working hard - tearing apart the pallets

After all of the pallets were taken apart,

Eric power-washed each board front

and back.  Then we set them out to dry 

on the back porch.  

The next step was sanding each board.

Each step was very time consuming.

But he worked until he got it done!

And the weather was fantastic...

so at least being outside was enjoyable.

After each board had been sanded,

it was time for a final power-wash.

We let all of the boards dry outside overnight

and then brought them into the nursery.

Eric had to take off the baseboard.  He was

able to do so without breaking it - 

cause he's good like that.

Next, Eric picked up some plywood

to attach to the wall to prevent the drywall

from being damaged with millions of tiny nail

holes.  He painted it black in case

there were any gaps in the wood panels.  

One more strip of plywood

before we can start putting up

the boards....

While Eric was putting up plywood, 

Oliver and I picked out boards that

were the same width and made groups

so we would be ready to start when

Eric finished.

Each row took about 5 boards.  Eric

took them outside and cut off any rough edges.

He also had to cut at least one board to fit

the space for each row.

...and the first board goes up!

We borrowed a nail gun from

a friend from church.... and it made

our lives so much easier!

I even got to use the nail gun!

When we got down to this point, 

we were both almost certain we would

not have enough wood to finish.  But we

kept going, row by row.

We got to the row with the power

outlets.  Eric did lots of measuring and cut

perfect squares for each outlet (3 total).

Miraculously, we made it to the last

row with only 4 or 5 scraps left to spare.

...We had enough wood to finish the

entire wall!  We were so happy!

It was really a miracle.

The finished product.

(Eric still has to get a couple

of things to bring the outlets forward

and up to code)

Pallet wall selfie!

We are thrilled with the way it turned out.

This is the wall the crib will be against.

Now I can't wait to get furniture!

We still plan to paint the rest of the

room a bright and cheery color

and Eric will be spraying a clear

coat of something on the wood

as well.  So furniture is

probably a couple more weeks away.  

I am 17 weeks pregnant and

finally getting a little energy back.

My appetite is growing as well.

I can't wait to see our little boy

again - next ultrasound is March 21st.

It's the big one, where they check

baby's development to make sure

he is healthy.  And we are

close to announcing his name - 

at least we've narrowed down the list

quite a bit... so stay tuned!