House Update

We have been slowing transforming this place in our home.  If you would have asked me a few weeks ago how I felt about this place, I'm sure I would have grumbled something negative about it. I didn't really have a good attitude about moving, as I'm sure you already know!

But ask me now, and I can honestly say this place is starting to feel more and more like home.

As of today, we have painted the main level/master bath, our bedroom room, the kids bedrooms, the upper level hall and the loft.  It's slowly taking shape, and its defintely beginning to feel more like us. While I would love to have unlimited funds to transform this place, I am not wanting to take a loan to do any of the work, so slow and steady is how it will have to be for now.

Here are a few pictures. They aren't the best, but a hint of what we've done!

While I am enjoying the wood ceiling in the living/dining area and the wood floors just need a little TLC, most of the orangy wood trim is slowing leaving this joint! And it is bringing much joy to my heart! I am toying with leaving the banisters in their natural state though. I'm not sure how I feel about them, yet.  I kind of like how it ties the ceiling and the floor together, but I also like the idea of lightening it up a bit. We shall see. One thing that I know for sure is that I loathe the doors and floor trim. I came up with a solution for the doors that won't break the bank, but those transformations will have to wait until the weather is a bit more stable. Tons of sanding, priming and painting involved!

As for the floor trim, we are working on caulking and painting as we move through each room, and boy does that ever feel good.

I've have had some "issues" with the carpet in this house since day one, and the relief of knowing it will be replaced in just 12 days makes me SO happy! Most people don't care for carpet because of the dirt it collects, but I like the warmth and the cushion it provides on my feet. And knowing that the dirt is my dirt provides me with much relief. Counting down until I can walk on my floors barefoot!

The other thing that we did this past weekend was finally get our vents cleaned out. When I called to schedule it in January, the earliest they could come was February 23rd. We've had a ton snow here this last month, so they had to postpone until March 7th. While I did some research about whether or not we needed to do this, the feeling in the back of my head knowing the vents are cleaner provides a little peace of mind.  Hey, you do what you gotta do, right! (In case you were wondering, the EPA couldn't provide proof one way or another if it is necessary. But I'm sure glad we did it.  The stuff they sucked out of those vents was pretty nasty!)

The one thing I know for sure is that God has us here for a reason. I have learned so much about myself in the past 2 months. I am grateful for the struggles, and I am thankful for the joyful moments. I keep reminding myself that this is just a house, and it is the people in the house that makes it a home. My faith provides me the strength to get through each and everyday, and I'm reminded everyday how lucky I am to have Craig and the kids on this journey with me.

Until next time...

Seasons

My love for seasons has changed over the years.

For the longest time, I was a winter lover. I was all about snow. Turtlenecks and sweaters. Boots. Hot cocoa. Fires. Hunkering down.

As of late, I like summer better. Blooming flowers. Green grass. Shade trees. Sandals. Pedicures. Warmth. Evenings around the firepit.

But the season I am truly learning to love is the season of Lent. The time of year where I anticipate the arrival of Easter.  For me this is a time of growing in my walk with Christ. I've been reading daily from the guide my church offers. I'm enjoying the devotions that they've included to help me dive a little deeper into my understanding of the Word. This morning, I was moved by a video link about prayer I came across. It's a part of a Lenten series found here.

I'm intriqued by the way they suggest to end each day.

I am inspired to tryout the breathing technique of inhaling and saying 'Abba' then exhaling and saying 'I belong to You'. This simple act of putting the focus on my Creator and giving Him first place in my life brings such a sense of peace. A sense of knowing that I can all embrace all that life had has to offer.  The joys and the trials. The pure of act of being grateful for things that are frustrating or discouraging puts a new perspective on living life to its fullest.

This journey is my own. But I am grateful to share it with each of you. I am moved by how the Lord provides wisdom. Grateful for His patience with me. Endeared by His everlasting love even when the choices I've made aren't in alignment with His will.  I will continue my walk knowing that I have opportunities to grow and learn. Stretch and ponder. Accept and embrace.

I am so grateful for this season.