In Process

There were two main spots in this house that we wanted to have improved.

We wanted to take out the wall b/t our kitchen and family room. There aren't windows in the kitchen (gasp!) because of an addition on the back.  The lack of a wall will allow more light into the kitchen.  There also wasn't a window in our dining room.  That former window became a doorway into a room that's part of the addition.  

Before: 

(family room looking into kitchen)

 (dark dining room)

Progress:

 (windows in)

(trimmed out opening to kitchen)

Things are mostly finished, even more so than these pics show.

The bay window is more and better than I expected, which is always nice.  It's our first time to have a big project like this done.  I was excited but trying to manage my expectations.  The window has proven to be so great (its much more elaborate than I thought it would be).  I hadn't planned it or anticipated it but I feel like with the bay, it reaches out to grab the light for us.  Surprisingly, it gets both morning AND afternoon sunlight!  

I am the painter for this job.  So I have plenty of work ahead of me, also involving caulking and priming.  There are now many rooms that need to painted (I started in on our room during this project.)  Surprisingly, I feel pretty relaxed about it.  When there is more room to spread out, it doesn't feel quite as urgent.  :)

Progress

Coming up on 35 weeks!! Only about 5 more to go!

What the heck?

We had our new house inspection today!

All looked great!

It got me super excited and helped put any hesitations to rest. :)

What on earth will we do with so much space?!  I can't wait to find out.

Baby Boy, we can't wait to meet you.  It feels quite surreal.  But stay put til close to 40 weeks and be easy on your mama!!

New House!!!

My heart has wanted more space ever since we first thought we were having more kids and I couldn't get the idea of more kids out of my head.  But over time, God was good to help me surrender that desire to Him and trust Him.

Well, the time has finally come!  We've been getting our house ready to sell over the last few months.  

And isn't it looking so so cute and good?!

We found a house that we liked over the weekend!  We made an offer and have a contract.  

Its been a wild ride of emotions, that I didn't totally expect.  

(Altho, I should have, knowing myself.)

Its the thrill of 'wow, God is providing this great house at just the right time'.  Truthfully, I have just been thrilled to get our current house thinned down and fixed up (loving the lack of clutter!) and have been relishing in the fact that we are getting to have another baby.  So it felt like an easy place to rest in trusting God's timing. 

Its the thrill of 'its so much bigger! and has so many great things about it'!

To the sadness of 'we are leaving this house that we've brought two babies home to, and spent hours playing in the back yard, and I've painted every square inch of the awesome chunky trim and wood work, to oh no, our new bedrooms are smaller and not as charming'.

But I can't complain and pout about God's good provision to us!! 

This morning I read in Jonah 4 after it was mentioned at church yesterday.  And the Spirit reminded of good truths that need to sink deep into me.

 "I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity."

The Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh..."

It convicted me that God is gracious and compassionate, and not as caring about my old hardwood floors and chunky molding, and painted brick.

Our new house allows us to welcome more people, to show hospitality and compassion.  And it is wonderful!  Thank you, Lord!