This past Sunday we joined a church. This church to be exact. It has been difficult to be without a church home. Once we visited this church, we never really looked back. Their beliefs line up with ours, the children's and youth departments are thriving and growing, and the preacher is down to earth and knowledgeable (but also isn't afraid to say, "I don't know"). It is challenging, and it makes me stop and think. I like that!
It is a newer church (less than 12 years old I think?). They started out meeting in a rented storefront and are now sitting on several acres in a tin building. The church is raising funds to build a permanent church house without debt. I respect that in more ways than most people will ever realize. The potential of the church is right there and I'm excited to see God work. I can't wait to see the ways that God will provide the money and resources.
I've missed being a part of a church family and it has been a while that we haven't been in a paid leadership position. The pressure is off and now we can sit back, learn, grow, volunteer, and be ourselves. Nobody is watching us in an attempt to find out our mistakes or flaws. Nobody is going to be complaining we didn't do enough, we didn't react correctly, talking behind our backs with evil intentions, twisting the truth, or trying to push us out the door.
On the flipside, it has been a long long time since we've been an 'ignorant' church member. In all honesty, ignorance is truly blissful! Sometimes "the good, the bad, and the ugly" is not pretty in church leadership. We've seen it over and over again. Sometimes you can know "too much" and it can taint your view of people and give you a lack of trust. We had a pastor friend tell us years ago, "I trust no one except my wife". I was stunned at the time and didn't understand that statement, but as years went forward in the ministry, I got it. I got it more than ever.
You know what? I want to build some relationships and friendships and trust again. I want people to love me as as flawed human being and know that we are just Christians that are trying to do the best we know how.
The sermon on Sunday was right to us, I can tell you. I haven't felt in a very long time that somebody was preaching straight to me and nobody else was in the room. Jamie and I looked at each other several times in the sermon and I know beyond a doubt we were thinking the same thing. This past week a lot of buried emotion was stirred up again with us. We knew we were joining that church and so old feelings cropped up. Honestly, we've been too busy to care lately, but I guess the finality of it all made things come to surface.
Through that sermon, I had tears in my eyes as I realized that God was telling me to "let go" of the things that have bogged me down spiritually and emotionally lately. God is big enough to not only take care of my needs, but to take care of things that I cannot see, know, or anticipate. I may always have a piece of me that wants to cry out "why?" I sometimes wonder if I'll ever look at 2010 and not have tears in my eyes. Will I ever be able to think of some people, places, or events, and just say, "OK God, thank you for testing me and making me stronger" Will I ever get to that point? God only knows, but it is no longer going to bog down my life in a negative manner. I am washing my hands of it in a sense and just getting on with my life. I'll never forget, as it is now a part of me, a scar. But like a scar from a physical wound, it will heal. A scar is a reminder, but it heals, grows back together, and becomes new again.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
The Girls' Room Re-do
We got the girls moved into their rooms this weekend. Well, at least their furniture with the clothes and toys to follow. The girls are thrilled with their new space!
Here are a couple of before pictures (DRAB!):
They wanted lime green. I don't think the pictures really show the true color of the walls. If you look at the pictures, the color looks different in each one. And the chests that I painted were more of a lighter aqua like their bedding, which again, didn't really show up well in the pictures. 
This picture below probably represents the color of the walls the best:
It feels nice to have all the kids settled in their new surroundings. They are all happy and excited and I'm glad that we could get them in their rooms first. They are great kids and have been so flexible throughout this whole thing. I'm amazed!
Here are a couple of before pictures (DRAB!):
They wanted lime green. I don't think the pictures really show the true color of the walls. If you look at the pictures, the color looks different in each one. And the chests that I painted were more of a lighter aqua like their bedding, which again, didn't really show up well in the pictures. But, nevertheless, here is the big reveal! It is such a fun room and so girly and cute. We had to get creative to fit the furniture in, but it all fit.
The small chest is the one I had as a child (it was old when I used it...I really don't know how old it is), It has been repainted several times in its life. The big chest is one that Jamie's mother gave us. I know that the extra room will come in handy with 3 girls! I also got new knobs/handles for each. The toy chest in the pictures is full of their dress up clothes (their favorite thing!).
This picture below probably represents the color of the walls the best:
It feels nice to have all the kids settled in their new surroundings. They are all happy and excited and I'm glad that we could get them in their rooms first. They are great kids and have been so flexible throughout this whole thing. I'm amazed!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Is It Only Tuesday?
This week and any week where Jamie is here, there, and yonder I have to hold down the fort and make things work on my own. I've hardly laid eyes on my husband this week, but God has given him this job and we are appreciating every minute of it. He is loving his new job and the people he works with. It has been a breath of fresh air for him! I appreciate his hard work for this family. I can only do what I do, because he is doing what he does.
It does make for a long week though when it begins like this. Just today alone here are the things I accomplished:
So, as tired as I am, I really was thinking to myself, "how in the world is this only Tuesday?" but I'm so thankful that Jamie has a job, homeschooling, and a house that needs redecorating. It can get overwhelming at times, but really I've gotten all I've ever dreamed of (and prayed for)!
It does make for a long week though when it begins like this. Just today alone here are the things I accomplished:
- homeschooled 4 children
- painted a dresser
- painted a chest
- put 3 coats of polyurathane on the girls' floor
- laundry
- cooked supper
- made banana muffins (bananas were looking bad)
- made homemade laundry soap (still love this stuff!)
- cleaned up the living area
So, as tired as I am, I really was thinking to myself, "how in the world is this only Tuesday?" but I'm so thankful that Jamie has a job, homeschooling, and a house that needs redecorating. It can get overwhelming at times, but really I've gotten all I've ever dreamed of (and prayed for)!
Monday, September 20, 2010
What a Long Weekend!
It was a long weekend! We began the girls' room Friday night only to run out of the paper around 10:00. I was aggravated, because I planned to get it all finished before bed.
Saturday, we had to be at soccer at 9:30 for pictures . We left at 11:15 for a lunch break, and then we were back at 12:40 and Abbi played 2 games (with an hour break between), so we FINALLY left at 4:15. It was so incredibly HOT! We were burning up just sitting there in our chairs much less running around. Hannah won her game and Abbi won both of her games (against boys too!)
We were pumping her full of fluids, of course, but by the time she got in the car, she said she was feeling "weird". You would have never known it while she was on the field, but it hit her all of a sudden. She was weak, and began getting really sick at her stomach by the time we got home. She was sick all night until she dozed on the couch.
Then we got freaked out, because I was unable to wake her for a few moments later in the evening. I was practically in her face screaming her name and by then shaking her arm to get her awake. Talk about a moment of sheer terror. I was checking her chest to see if it was going up and down. That was how still and limp she was! She finally starting moving and we were able to get her to bed and we woke her again before we headed to bed to make sure she was fine.
We worked until 2am to get the floors laid after everybody was in bed. When Abbi got up in the morning, she was sick again. She finally perked up about 2pm that afternoon.
Jamie and I both got up tired Sunday morning too, of course. My kids don't know the art of sleeping in, so we are up early no matter what day it is. I went to get in the tub and realized the carpet was soaked around the tub. So, I was NOT going to start another project, but was forced into one by my youngest daughter (I'm assuming) and her out of control baths! So, we ripped carpet and tack strips yesterday too despite the fact that this project was suppose to have not been happening for a couple of weeks. Carpet in the bathrooms....ICK! That was the one room I dreaded ripping the most I think. I just don't even want to think of the germs that infested that carpet. But, it is out and we are now sharing a bathroom, which will certainly get our butts in gear, because with 6 people that is a nightmare!
So, my weekend is gone and Monday has arrived only to wonder where my weekend even went. I have a floor to poly today, homeschool, and soccer practice this afternoon. Of course it is Jamie's long day too!
Saturday, we had to be at soccer at 9:30 for pictures . We left at 11:15 for a lunch break, and then we were back at 12:40 and Abbi played 2 games (with an hour break between), so we FINALLY left at 4:15. It was so incredibly HOT! We were burning up just sitting there in our chairs much less running around. Hannah won her game and Abbi won both of her games (against boys too!)
We were pumping her full of fluids, of course, but by the time she got in the car, she said she was feeling "weird". You would have never known it while she was on the field, but it hit her all of a sudden. She was weak, and began getting really sick at her stomach by the time we got home. She was sick all night until she dozed on the couch.
Then we got freaked out, because I was unable to wake her for a few moments later in the evening. I was practically in her face screaming her name and by then shaking her arm to get her awake. Talk about a moment of sheer terror. I was checking her chest to see if it was going up and down. That was how still and limp she was! She finally starting moving and we were able to get her to bed and we woke her again before we headed to bed to make sure she was fine.
We worked until 2am to get the floors laid after everybody was in bed. When Abbi got up in the morning, she was sick again. She finally perked up about 2pm that afternoon.
Jamie and I both got up tired Sunday morning too, of course. My kids don't know the art of sleeping in, so we are up early no matter what day it is. I went to get in the tub and realized the carpet was soaked around the tub. So, I was NOT going to start another project, but was forced into one by my youngest daughter (I'm assuming) and her out of control baths! So, we ripped carpet and tack strips yesterday too despite the fact that this project was suppose to have not been happening for a couple of weeks. Carpet in the bathrooms....ICK! That was the one room I dreaded ripping the most I think. I just don't even want to think of the germs that infested that carpet. But, it is out and we are now sharing a bathroom, which will certainly get our butts in gear, because with 6 people that is a nightmare!
So, my weekend is gone and Monday has arrived only to wonder where my weekend even went. I have a floor to poly today, homeschool, and soccer practice this afternoon. Of course it is Jamie's long day too!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Micah's Room Reveal and Soccer
Well, we are officially finished with Micah's room! I'm so excited to have one room complete and we have already gotten a good start on the girls' room.
Before (he insisted on being in the pictures...HA!):
During (my little helpers):
The reveal:
We painted our old night table and dresser for him to use. It made the room come together nicely and gave him more room for his things. We decided to not use the chest of drawers, so the small room didn't feel overcrowded and he still has a little room to add a desk or table at some point when he is older.
I still need to hang pictures (I think they are at my sister's house???) and bring his things in. You better look at the pictures good because his room will never be this clean again!
And, the girls had their first soccer game of the season on Saturday. They both did great! You'd never know that Hannah has never played on a soccer team before. She got right in there and even scored a goal! Abbi did great on defense and passing it to the other girls on her team. Her team scored the only goal of the game.
It was hot and Hannah didn't even get a break (they didn't have enough players to substitute), so they were both wiped out. We have a few issues with Hannah's coach. Jamie got yelled at for letting her sip some water during a time-out and I got in trouble for tying her shoe. That woman is harsh and rude. I really hope that it doesn't put a damper on the whole season. Micah said, "we need Nana at these games, she will tell her!" HA! It is very hard to have a Christian attitude around people that are hateful to my children! Practice is tonight, so we'll see how it goes. I'm not putting up with it though. I didn't sign her up for the army last time I checked!
Notice that Abbi's tongue is hanging out. I have many soccer pictures with her tongue hanging out. It is cute, but I'm waiting for the day that she bites her tongue really badly too. Ouch!
Before (he insisted on being in the pictures...HA!):
During (my little helpers):
The reveal:
We painted our old night table and dresser for him to use. It made the room come together nicely and gave him more room for his things. We decided to not use the chest of drawers, so the small room didn't feel overcrowded and he still has a little room to add a desk or table at some point when he is older.
I still need to hang pictures (I think they are at my sister's house???) and bring his things in. You better look at the pictures good because his room will never be this clean again!
And, the girls had their first soccer game of the season on Saturday. They both did great! You'd never know that Hannah has never played on a soccer team before. She got right in there and even scored a goal! Abbi did great on defense and passing it to the other girls on her team. Her team scored the only goal of the game.
It was hot and Hannah didn't even get a break (they didn't have enough players to substitute), so they were both wiped out. We have a few issues with Hannah's coach. Jamie got yelled at for letting her sip some water during a time-out and I got in trouble for tying her shoe. That woman is harsh and rude. I really hope that it doesn't put a damper on the whole season. Micah said, "we need Nana at these games, she will tell her!" HA! It is very hard to have a Christian attitude around people that are hateful to my children! Practice is tonight, so we'll see how it goes. I'm not putting up with it though. I didn't sign her up for the army last time I checked!
Notice that Abbi's tongue is hanging out. I have many soccer pictures with her tongue hanging out. It is cute, but I'm waiting for the day that she bites her tongue really badly too. Ouch!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Paper Flooring
So, Jamie and I are trying to fix up our new home as inexpensive as possible, but still keeping in line with the look we are wanting. The house has not been updated in a long time and it is amazing what some fresh paint can do for a room. But, the carpets and floors were still a problem area. We knew that the carpet was not ideal and we had a couple of choices. We could either live with it a while until we could save up for laminate or we could do something about it that we could afford now.
I started researching a couple of months ago on inexpensive flooring. I came across a blog that did brown paper floors and she called it "faux leather floor" I was intrigued and researched this some more to see if this may be a viable option for our new home. It looked really nice and would be within our budget.
So, Friday we began the room re-do for Micah (more pictures to come upon completion), and the first thing we did was rip up the carpet. Let me just say, carpet is a dirt trap! I'm now anti-wallpaper, anti-contact paper, and anti-carpet! Anyways, we did the floor in brown paper and we plan to do the entire house this way. It looks really cool, was very inexpensive, and supposedly durable (4 kids will test that our for sure). And, in the future, if you need to make a repair, it is very simple.
We spent under $80, but we have enough materials for at least 1 more room if not 2! You can look at the other lady's blog for more instructions on how to do it . It is time consuming a bit, but what home project isn't?
Here was the beginning of the floor. You can see where I had started gluing the paper in the corner.
Here is a little more complete (still wet) with the stain added. We did this without stain inside the closet and it looks better with the stain, although you can do it either way.
Here are a couple of completed pictures.
I think it'll get faster and easier as we do it more. We know some of our "mistakes" that we made in the process and will correct those next time. Micah's room ended up being the experiment room, but I think it turned out rather nicely!
I started researching a couple of months ago on inexpensive flooring. I came across a blog that did brown paper floors and she called it "faux leather floor" I was intrigued and researched this some more to see if this may be a viable option for our new home. It looked really nice and would be within our budget.
So, Friday we began the room re-do for Micah (more pictures to come upon completion), and the first thing we did was rip up the carpet. Let me just say, carpet is a dirt trap! I'm now anti-wallpaper, anti-contact paper, and anti-carpet! Anyways, we did the floor in brown paper and we plan to do the entire house this way. It looks really cool, was very inexpensive, and supposedly durable (4 kids will test that our for sure). And, in the future, if you need to make a repair, it is very simple.
We spent under $80, but we have enough materials for at least 1 more room if not 2! You can look at the other lady's blog for more instructions on how to do it . It is time consuming a bit, but what home project isn't?
Here was the beginning of the floor. You can see where I had started gluing the paper in the corner.
Here is a little more complete (still wet) with the stain added. We did this without stain inside the closet and it looks better with the stain, although you can do it either way.
Here are a couple of completed pictures.
I think it'll get faster and easier as we do it more. We know some of our "mistakes" that we made in the process and will correct those next time. Micah's room ended up being the experiment room, but I think it turned out rather nicely!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Whew! That was one busy weekend!
We started Micah's room re-do this past Friday. We ripped up carpet Friday and painted until 1am, but that part was done! Saturday, we worked on his flooring most of the day. It has all been a process over the past 4 days, but it is so neat to sit back and see the improvement and how warm and modern it already feels in there! It makes me even more excited to see the rest of the house done! It'll take a few months or so, but when it is all said and done, we can sit back and just enjoy:-) and know how neat it was to be a part of the entire process.
I'll be sure to post pictures when everything is done in there. By the end of the week, his floor will be cured and we can move him in. It'll be nice to have at least one room normal in the house!!!
We have had to set priorities on our plans, be creative to make our budget stretch, and put some time/effort into it, but it is kind of fun.
And on a WONDERFUL note, my dryer is working and I've never been so happy to do laundry! It has been almost 2 weeks, since I've been able to dry my clothes. Nothing like modern convenience and soft clothes!!!
I'll be sure to post pictures when everything is done in there. By the end of the week, his floor will be cured and we can move him in. It'll be nice to have at least one room normal in the house!!!
We have had to set priorities on our plans, be creative to make our budget stretch, and put some time/effort into it, but it is kind of fun.
And on a WONDERFUL note, my dryer is working and I've never been so happy to do laundry! It has been almost 2 weeks, since I've been able to dry my clothes. Nothing like modern convenience and soft clothes!!!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Today starts the Home Re-Do!
We are starting in Micah's room, because it is the smallest. Jamie has a 4 day weekend, so we'll be in there ripping carpet, painting, and doing floors. Maybe we can have 1 "normal" room in the house. We saw this Lowe's Commercial a month or so go on Hulu. We both died laughing and I rarely watch commercials again, but we watched it again. I hope we aren't like the couple in the commercial, but we will be frequent customers to Lowe's.
I've spent the last week, cleaning, picking off old contact paper from shelves, and picking wallpaper. I've decided that I now protest both contact paper and wallpaper. My thumbnails actually hurt. I wasn't even sure that your thumbnails could get sore! But, it'll get done. Who knew that the steam shark that I bought to clean the floors would be run up and down the wall more than the floor?
So, my dryer problem is going to require an electrician. Jamie's dad came over here and worked and worked and it isn't anything that can be done without a professional apparently. We talked to one of my parents' friends that works for Lowe's and installs these things. He said that sometimes in older homes there isn't enough energy going to the dryer, which means it'll either not heat up or blow a fuse. My dryer seemed to be doing both . So, that is frustrating and even among the craziness of moving has been my main stressor. I had a bit of a meltdown yesterday about it, but I'm OK today.
My lovely mother came over last night and took all my dirty clothes to the laundry mat, so my laundry could be caught up without me hanging it all over the house. I tried to tell her NOT to, but she insisted and I was grateful for the help! It'll be nice to put on a soft t-shirt today rather than one that is still from hanging to dry.
But, even though my life is chaotic and a bit stressful at times (darn DRYER!) we appreciate God's blessing on our lives. I may have had a meltdown yesterday, but today is a new day. We are excited to be home owners again, and while the house is not really "us" yet, it will be and it'll be darn cute too! I'm ready to tackle my next home improvement project. I'm never moving again! Wait....did I mention that already?
I've spent the last week, cleaning, picking off old contact paper from shelves, and picking wallpaper. I've decided that I now protest both contact paper and wallpaper. My thumbnails actually hurt. I wasn't even sure that your thumbnails could get sore! But, it'll get done. Who knew that the steam shark that I bought to clean the floors would be run up and down the wall more than the floor?
So, my dryer problem is going to require an electrician. Jamie's dad came over here and worked and worked and it isn't anything that can be done without a professional apparently. We talked to one of my parents' friends that works for Lowe's and installs these things. He said that sometimes in older homes there isn't enough energy going to the dryer, which means it'll either not heat up or blow a fuse. My dryer seemed to be doing both . So, that is frustrating and even among the craziness of moving has been my main stressor. I had a bit of a meltdown yesterday about it, but I'm OK today.
My lovely mother came over last night and took all my dirty clothes to the laundry mat, so my laundry could be caught up without me hanging it all over the house. I tried to tell her NOT to, but she insisted and I was grateful for the help! It'll be nice to put on a soft t-shirt today rather than one that is still from hanging to dry.
But, even though my life is chaotic and a bit stressful at times (darn DRYER!) we appreciate God's blessing on our lives. I may have had a meltdown yesterday, but today is a new day. We are excited to be home owners again, and while the house is not really "us" yet, it will be and it'll be darn cute too! I'm ready to tackle my next home improvement project. I'm never moving again! Wait....did I mention that already?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Around the New House/Town
So, this week has been comprised of work (for Jamie), school (everybody), and trying to at least get a little bit done in our "spare" (Ha Ha....what is that?) time. I feel like I've been spinning my wheels and not really getting anywhere for some reason.
I finally feel rested like a normal human today. I was so tired from last week and the big move that it was hard to function, honestly. The kids have been extra energetic from all the excitement too, which makes the days interesting to say the least.
My dryer is unusable at the moment, which is just a major headache and creating stress for me. With 6 people in the family, I need my dryer! Not to mention my house looks like an episode of Hoarders with all the boxes and things inside out. My back is way out of whack and Jamie's shoulder from the move.
I sound like I'm complaining, but in reality, I'm very happy about this new chapter! I love the room we have and the plans we have to give the house a 2010 facelift. It'll be a lot of work, but at the end of it, we can sit back and enjoy. There are actually a lot of plans we have for the life of the house to make it more our own, but since time and resources are of the essence, we are focusing on walls, floors, and light fixtures for the moment. That'll be enough to give it a nice update and the rest can wait until we get there. I can hardly wait to see how it'll all turn out!
We also have been visiting a church in the area. It is a nice church and fits our beliefs. It is a growing church and very mission minded. It was actually church plant from Hardin Baptist, which I did not know until Sunday night, but now that I know it, it makes total sense.
Yesterday was Abbi's first soccer practice. I was sitting there and thinking to myself, "what have I signed my kids up for?". We live in a county that is very serious about sports. We are used to the gentle approach of Upward. The coaches were scolding, fussy, and harsh in my opinion. Abbi has never played positions before, so even though she is good, it was new to her. So, she was a bit lost and nobody really explained anything. They assume you know all this stuff by 8 years old. She cried when we left. I felt horrible!!! One little girl on her team even told her that she wasn't any good. Jamie said he was going to meet us over there after he gets off next Tuesday. Oh my!
So, that is our lives at the moment. Today my goal after homeschool is to wash kitchen cabinets and get some more stuff unloaded into them.
Oh, and God has a sense of humor. He moved us right beside Baptist youth leaders! HA! Before we moved, we lived by a Baptist minister too.
I finally feel rested like a normal human today. I was so tired from last week and the big move that it was hard to function, honestly. The kids have been extra energetic from all the excitement too, which makes the days interesting to say the least.
My dryer is unusable at the moment, which is just a major headache and creating stress for me. With 6 people in the family, I need my dryer! Not to mention my house looks like an episode of Hoarders with all the boxes and things inside out. My back is way out of whack and Jamie's shoulder from the move.
I sound like I'm complaining, but in reality, I'm very happy about this new chapter! I love the room we have and the plans we have to give the house a 2010 facelift. It'll be a lot of work, but at the end of it, we can sit back and enjoy. There are actually a lot of plans we have for the life of the house to make it more our own, but since time and resources are of the essence, we are focusing on walls, floors, and light fixtures for the moment. That'll be enough to give it a nice update and the rest can wait until we get there. I can hardly wait to see how it'll all turn out!
We also have been visiting a church in the area. It is a nice church and fits our beliefs. It is a growing church and very mission minded. It was actually church plant from Hardin Baptist, which I did not know until Sunday night, but now that I know it, it makes total sense.
Yesterday was Abbi's first soccer practice. I was sitting there and thinking to myself, "what have I signed my kids up for?". We live in a county that is very serious about sports. We are used to the gentle approach of Upward. The coaches were scolding, fussy, and harsh in my opinion. Abbi has never played positions before, so even though she is good, it was new to her. So, she was a bit lost and nobody really explained anything. They assume you know all this stuff by 8 years old. She cried when we left. I felt horrible!!! One little girl on her team even told her that she wasn't any good. Jamie said he was going to meet us over there after he gets off next Tuesday. Oh my!
So, that is our lives at the moment. Today my goal after homeschool is to wash kitchen cabinets and get some more stuff unloaded into them.
Oh, and God has a sense of humor. He moved us right beside Baptist youth leaders! HA! Before we moved, we lived by a Baptist minister too.
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