Let's Get this Party Started!

It has finally happened this weekend!  The beginning of Pam's Place being built has started.

 On Friday, the dumpster arrived as did the the stakes for where the new garage would be placed.  And of course, we had to try it out for size!  It'll do!!

Then this morning the doorbell started ringing around 9 am.

First, it was the worker from garage door company.  He needed to disconnect the springs and pull the plug.

Then, it was Ben.  He did the majority of the work on the first renovation.  Great worker, and we are so glad he is back to do this project, as well. 

Shortly after that, it was Bestway disposal with the bathroom facilities for the workers---AKA the porta-potty!

By the middle of the afternoon, Jeff, our project manager arrived to give us an update on the progress and where we are headed by the end of the week.  I always the love the beginning of projects, because such huge changes can be seen almost daily.  It's when the wiring and plumbing take place that things seem to slow down.  All I can say right now, is woohoo! I am so glad this party has started!!

Pictures of what happened during day 1:

And, naturally, now that my car doesn't have a warm and happy home, the snows are coming!!

Gratitude

Today I have much gratitude in my heart.  It has been quite a journey for this little family of ours.  We have put our faith in God to bring us through this trying time of moving our family to the county and praying that it was the right thing to bring my mom out here to live with us.  It has been a growing experience for sure!

I am filled with much gratitude that this week I can finally say that God has allowed His Grace to fall upon us without question!  We have acquired the funding to begin my mom's apartment and construction will begin next week.  Our prayers have been answered. Hip Hip Hooray!!  I never realized how long this process would take.  But God is so good and had grown each of us in our own ways.

I am filled with much gratitude to our family and friends that have had to listen to us go on and on about making this happen.

I am filled with much gratitude that what started out as a simple question--"do you think you would ever want to move?" turned into a reality that even I didn't realize I would appreciate so much.

You see, I really loved my three story home in the burbs.  I loved my close-knit neighborhood that had many parties throughout the years.  I loved being just a few minutes from work. I loved that my kids could play in the cul-de-sac and I didn't have to worry about traffic--at least not too much that is!

However, while I have been mourning this part of my life during the past few months, I am now realizing that I am loving my new life in ways I didn't think possible.  I love that I don't have to close my curtains if I don't want to.  I love that I have to stop on my way to work to allow a family of deer to cross my street.  I love that I can walk outside at night and see so many stars that I had no idea they even existed before.  I love that my kids can go outside and climb trees.  I love that my puppies can bark to their hearts content and noone will complain!  I love that I only have two bathrooms to clean and not four.  (I hate cleaning toilets!)

The gratitude that fills my heart is so great I feel like shouting it from the rooftops!

Happy Birthday

You are too funny!  One of the reasons I love you so much is that you have such a wacky sense of humor.  It never ceases to amaze me when you make a comment out of the blue that has me laughing like crazy!  

Happy Birthday Friend.

Love, Me

Eighteen

It was 18 years ago this afternoon that I was blessed to be able to marry this man.

And so I offer you this my love...

Today as I sit and remember the years we've shared, I know this for sure. Our love for each other today is far greater than it was the day we married.  I truly had no idea what to expect. We each have our quirks.  We've had many ups and downs along the way, but through it all, we have managed to stay madly and deeply in love with each other. Joyful experiences beyond measure have been shared. Frustrations have occurred.  We've moved...again and again and again.  We've become parents.  We've lost loved ones...we've gained new ones. We've had many dates. We've completed a few "half-hour" projects! We've put on a few pounds. We've even raised a few pets.  And all the while, our love grew.  Deeper. Stronger.  Eighteen years ago today, I married my best friend and I am so grateful that God brought you into my life.  

I look forward to what the next 18 years has to offer. It may not always be easy, but I know that we will always find ourselves "at home" with each others love and the grace of God to hold us together.

Happy Anniversary my love.