Welcome Home, Momma

Well, I'm now a 30-year-old wife of a(n almost) policeman and a stay-at-home mom of three girls under three.  Now that's a description I couldn't have predicted.  But it's one that I am thrilled to claim!  We've been overwhelmed with the Lord's blessings over the last few weeks (and years for that matter).  He is ALWAYS good -- even when we are in the midst of turmoil, grief, struggle. But it is so good for my ever-faithless self to SEE that at work. Isn't He good to allow us to reap the blessings of knowing Him? He WILL glorify Himself in all things, and He could just demand obedience on our part.  But He gains glory and lets us enjoy it too. 

I've been told during this process that I'll get tired of being at home with my girls. That I'll need to get back to work. But let me tell you something -- I'll never forget the way I felt when I went to pick up my girls after my last night of work.  My sweet Mom had helped them make this sign for me. I bawled like a baby, suddenly aware that I was now going to get to do the only thing I've ever wanted to do. Once again, isn't God good??

And just in case I get bogged down by the day-to-day tasks of being at home -- it has already happened -- one look at this on the fridge and I melt again.  Overwhelmed with gratitude all over again. For the Lord's provision. For my hard-working husband who LOVES having me at home. For my precious girls who seem to enjoy being with me. :-)

And in my "spare-time" I do get to put my brain to work in other non-child-related ways, chiefly organizing -- my number one nerd-ly indulgence. This was my recent accomplishment:  organizing the hall medicine cabinet. James and I had both reached the point of going nuts when we tried to find a bottle of Advil (or realizing I had accumulated 3 bottles of Advil because I couldn't find the ones we already had).  SO, it's not fancy, it's not magazine-worthy, but hey, that's why I have my own blog -- so I can post pictures of my random organization -- is that an oxymoron?  And why is it that correct sentence structure flies out the window on a blog?  Run-ons, fragments.  It hurts the editor in me. But I press on...

Well, the girls are awake.  All 3 of them. Back to work. :-)

Catching up.

To all of my loyal followers out there who have been waiting with anticipation for the next post... here it is.  Something about a holiday and a birthday and a party and a baby.  Not to mention hundreds of pictures scattered over 2 computers.  Now, I'm back in order (for today), so here goes.

James replaced the metal pipe ("beam") in the garage on Christmas Eve.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my hunk of a husband lifted 2 massive beams into place BY HIMSELF while Charis and I blissfully watched Rudolph on the laptop.  Talk about impressed.  He's still frequently measuring to watch for any sag, but things look pretty good for now.  He's also been crawling in the ceilings, trying to figure out which way joists are running and who knows what else.

The house plans are daily changing.  We have come up with a kitchen plan that seems to work -- and we're able to "walk around" in it thanks to Ryan's fancy-schmancy computer program.  I did have a panic a couple of weeks ago and decided to start over with the kitchen in a completely different place. After I exhausted every possibility, my ever-patient husband was glad to get back to our original plan. :-)  I've spent lots of time online, looking at picture after picture of kitchens.  And I get a tad stressed when I consider that we haven't even begun to make decisions on the details -- colors, styles, hardware, lighting, appliances... I'd better stop.  James is working on the upstairs, trying to create a space that will handle (at least) 3 teenage girls someday.

One exciting addition to our "playroom" is a PIANO! Thanks to my grandparents and parents, we now have my mom's old piano. James and I are both so excited to have a fantastic stress-reliever so close!  We've enjoyed several evenings of music already. 

I'm struck daily with the magnitude of our project.  This is going to take some serious time, people.  BUT, I'm still excited, still dreaming, still impressed with my hubby.  Among other things, we've had many opportunites for problem-solving together, digging into the details of planning.  And while it can be stressful, it's always productive! 

James graduates the end of March, then it's to work we go. 

Until next time, whenever that may be...

Lost track of the days... December 22, 2009

Well, the biggest news is that we finally have a DISHWASHER!  YAY!  Thank you, Craigslist, once again.  It was awfully fun to watch James at work installing it. He pulled out some electrical skills, some plumbing skills, some tile skills, some muscle skills.   Impressive.  The man has mad skills. :-)

We also hosted our first big party -- James' birthday.  Over 40 people joined us for dinner, and we weren't sitting on top of each other!  Thank you, Lord, for our house.  Of course, we can only imagine it being better within a couple of years, but it's definitely pretty cool right now.

James spent the day of the party jacking up a beam in the garage. The best part was that less than an hour before the party, he's making the house creak and groan, and I'm imagining the guests arriving to a house with only 1 story.  Learning to trust his knowledge was the lesson of the day.  But I sure was jumpy!

Did I mention I got presents wrapped and under our prettiest tree ever?  

Day 63 -- About time for an update...

Well, we've been busy. Not many major things getting done, but to those of us living here, the little things are obvious.  Another box unpacked, a clock hung on the wall, a cabinet organized, and, oh yeah, more laundry done and meals cooked/eaten/cleaned up. :-)

James has been doing a lot of work in the garage, including tearing out the ceiling in preparation for a new beam.  And Saturday, he got everything in there unpacked and organized, allowing us to get all 3 vehicles in!  Of course, we're still working on that garage door opener, but it's progress.

I got the inside of the front door painted -- the last of the blue is gone.  YAY! And it only took 3 coats to defeat the blue -- 1 of Kilz and 2 of the paint.  I'm about tired of painting all those little grooves!  But it looks so much brighter in the entry.

Planning for our first get-together here this weekend.  Looking forward to having lots o' people in the house.

And the dreaming stage is in full force for the kitchen/dining area.  Trying out some new ideas in my head.  We'll see...

Day 52

Step by step.  Every day, another box unpacked, a shelf organized, something cleaned, etc.  It's the little things that are happening right now.  Hard to see the progress, but I know it's there.  And tonight, the Christmas tree! Now that will be a big fun thing. Probably won't get it decorated until Saturday night, but I'll be glad to have it in the house -- love that smell! 

I'm officially at home now.  Full-time.  And it's real-life. And it's good.  Love having time to order my house and serve my little family -- and others. I've realized that I'll have more time to minister to OTHERS.  Praying for the obedience to follow through. 

Day 47!

YAY! We have a playroom/back room/extra room/clean room!!!  Uncle Jeff finished the carpet tonight and James got the baseboards put in.  I got the call from work to stay home all night!!!! So, I was able to do some moving and unpacking after the girls went to bed.  It's all been in my brain for weeks, so it went together pretty quickly.  I also discovered that only 1 of 5 outlets in the room work, and it only works when the left lightswitch is on (the right switch does nothing. nada.  zilch.).  I love this place. :-)

I forgot...After their baths, the girls got to run and crawl and lay around on the new carpet. They both seemed awfully excited.  Of course, Gwyneth probably won't enjoy it as much now that it's not off-limits. 

It felt so good to get it sort of settled. James and Jeff brought down the toy box I painted and (after we pried the lid open -- I forgot to follow-up after painting it -- haha,) we filled it up. Of course, one wall of the room is sheet rock, the other bright red, but it is so nice to have that space. And especially for the other living room to not be so full of toys. 

James tore out a little of the garage ceiling today -- he's been working hard to get the shed organized with the garage stuff.  He was doing some investigating to determine a plan for replacing the "structural beam", commonly identified as a "pipe".  :-) 

I also made cookies for the first time in my oven.  Electric's definitely different, but they were plenty yummy! 

Can't believe I'm one 12-hour shift away from unemployment.  Getting awfully excited...

Day 44

Well, yesterday was a great day of doing absolutely nothing. :-)  It's okay to have those days, right?  We played and napped and played some more. Then as soon as Daddy got home, we headed to church for dinner and prayer.  And then went to bed early! (for us)

breakfast time with Bugs Bunny and pancakes

Today started out much more productively. I got up early (on time!) and we had a nice calm breakfast time.  Charis and I then made Cranberry Walnut Muffins and a Cranberry Pecan Pie (yes, I had cranberries to use up).  Yum yum. 

Uncle Ric and Aunt Debbie from Virginia came by to see our house with Grandmother and Papa.  Mom and Haley also joined us for muffins and coffee.  Charis has headed to Granbee's for an afternoon play date and I'm enjoying a quiet house with G sleeping.  Tomorrow will make up for the nice quiet slow day we've had today.  :-)

watching intently

Lunch at the Browns', a stop at Grandmother's, then off to work for me.  Looking forward to getting another shift behind us.