Choosing our options!! Yipee!

Top pic is our cabinet (maple "Espresso") and granite counter ("Suede")

Second pic is the backsplash tile and the counter tile for the boys' bathroom. The cabinet will be the same as above in kitchen and bathrooms. Powder room has a pedestal sink.

Third pic is tile for master bath and back splash. The backsplash tile will also be in the shower for accent decorations.

Jeff and Judy in the Palmino design center!

Many of you know that for the past 2 or so years Jeff and I have been exploring every new model that comes to town. We spent countless hours imagining which house we might like, in which neighborhoods, etc. Whenever we found one we really liked we'd spend a few hours choosing the options (cabinets, counters, flooring, etc). So, needless to say, we were extremely excited about doing it for real!!

We were scheduled to choose the options 2 Saturdays ago. We were both looking forward to the appointment so much. Much to our dismay the option lady (Judy) called to cancel because she was sick. Jeff and I were bummed but agreed to reschedule for Saturday the 8Th (yesterday).

My mom and Mike took the boys on Friday night. When Jeff got home from work we decided to take advantage of the alone time by going to Cheesecake Factory (I had the Oreo mudslide cheesecake, he had the white chocolate macadamia, yum...). After our leisurely dinner we enjoyed window shopping at a couple of the new stores in the mall. It was nice! Thanks mom and Mike!!

Any way, I woke up at 6 a.m. too excited to sleep in. Jeff was up at around 8, I think. The appointment was at 9:30. I was ready to go at 9:10 but Jeff was busy blow drying his pants because Bella spilled some milk on him (it was really his fault)! I cannot stand to be late, plus I was so looking forward to this appointment that I had little patience at that point. We finally got out the door and Jeff announced that we needed to stop for coffee. COFFEE!! Why couldn't he just make a quick cup of coffee at home? It would have taken all of 2 minutes! Despite my disapproval we stopped at Starbucks. I waited in the car for what seemed like an eternity! I don't know if they were giving away free coffee, or what, but there was a line like you would not believe.

So, we were 2 minutes late and I was not in the greatest mood. Judy greeted us and we quickly begun making choices. We began with electrical and plumbing (boring). Then came the fun stuff... we chose a dark maple ("Espresso") cabinet with dark black and brown granite ("Suede"). We chose the dark on dark because that is what was in the model of our house and it looks so nice. But, I am a little worried it might be too dark now because the model has a white mosaic tile back splash and ours will be full height granite, the same color as the counters. I hope it turns out OK.

Here are some highlights of the options we chose: we extended the concrete patio in the back yard, we added decorative back splashes in the bathrooms, all fixtures will be rubbed bronze, I got my jetted tub, we got a whole house water filtration system, we added a second oven, we added electrical and plumbing for a fountain by the front door, added an extra light to the front of the house, added extra insulation in all bathrooms, the master bedroom, and laundry, we extended the cabinets in the kitchen into the nook, we added a row of bottom cabinets and a large buffet area between the family room and the kitchen, and a bunch more! Mann... I am going to have so much counter and cabinet space in my kitchen I won't know what to do with it all! The total storage area in the kitchen will be about 4 times what I have now!!!!

We still have to meet with "Future Homes" to arrange for our technology features. We want to get a security system, intercom, data wiring, and surround sound.

The appointment was 4 hours! But we got everything done and they should break ground this week!!! I am so excited!