We have KEYS!

It's hard to believe that I just got my keys yesterday.  It seems SO unreal to actually walk in there and think that this is OURS!!  (well, ours and the bank..but I don't like to include them!)   I called Kent and walked around room to room (he was at work) just squealing.  Then, I got off the phone and felt overwhelmed by the amount of stuff left.  Seriously, every room was full still.  Things were still in dressers.  Towels still in cabinets.  Clothes (seriously vintage 70's clothes!) were hanging in closets.  Packed!!  Not a few.  Packed!

Then, I went back to my stack of papers from closing and saw a letter that she wrote to us.  She told how hard this move was for her.  It said how hard it's been living alone since her husband died and how people have tried to help her.  Then, she said how the Lord sent us to her.  How overwhelmed she was trying to deal with everything in her home.  And what a blessing we were to her.  Okay, seriously.  I am a bit emotional.  (did not ask for any opinions Kent! anyway...)  But, by the time I got through with that two page letter, I was crying so hard I couldn't talk. 

So, in the space of about 10 minutes, I called Kent bubbly and excited like a little kid Christmas morning..to the I'm crying so hard I cannot speak and give me a moment.  He was a bit worried as you can imagine.  What's wrong?  What did you find?  Is everything okay?  I finally got out that she wrote us a letter.  I am probably glad that I did not see his face because I probably would have covered all the emotions and got mad! :~P 

I was ready to begin now going through Ms. Myrtle's things.  She felt like a family member by now.  I was so wrapped up in the moment, that I didn't even think of taking "before" pictures.  But, I did get some today.  While looking please remember that there are over 60 (yes seriously stopped counting at that number!) trash bags outside waiting for pick up tomorrow.  There is also one room just designated for yard sale stuff.  But, we only have one room to go through tomorrow.  The rest are done!  We still have to move Ms. Myrtle's furniture out and around but they are now empty! :)

It's even more full now! :)

So different than when we began yesterday

Little touches like this which I love :)

One will be the living room and the other one will be a formal dining room with a reading/writing nook.  :)  I'll update more pictures as we go.  We are going to get paint for Faith's room tomorrow since her room is totally empty.  Can't wait to see how much we can get done before I pick them up on Saturday morning!!

Plans for a New Start

We are yet again find ourselves collecting boxes and packing up.  But, I've never been more happy to see that sight!  I don't even have to ask the kids to help pack.  As soon as we get boxes, they are ready to get them filled.  Monday we get to sign the papers and get the keys!  Of course, that is after I drop the kids off at camp on Sunday afternoon.  :)

The kids and I have been going through paint samples since we put an offer on the first house the end of February.  Yes, this home has many hopes and dreams already.  Faith's color is called Crystal Aqua.  Doesn't that sound beach-y?  Luke's color is called Fisherman's Net.  It's a perfect outdoors-y color for him.  Joey's is called Soothing Green Tea.  He wanted bright red walls ~ I told him to pick another color! I've done red walls before and not doing it again! My room color is called Lilac Whisper.  Doesn't that sound light and airy?  Luckily Kent really doesn't care what color is on the walls! :)  Yeah Me!  The living room/dinning room will be a nice neutral color.  But I want lots of desert colors added with curtains, furniture, and rugs.  I love the reds, blues, oranges, and yellows. I love the warm colors that invite you to stay awhile.

We have a long ways to go.  We have carpet to tear up.  Even some wonderful wool yellow and green plaid carpet in the kitchen that was glued down...that will be fun.  Kitchen needs an overhaul.  It still has a push button 27" drop in stove! The only way to get a standard 30" stove is to mess up the cabinets.  I can see my new kitchen in my mind even though I know that it's going to be a while before we start that!  My kitchen is going to have some color! :) I still have to go through Ms. Mytrle things as well.  I will enjoy seeing what she left for us to find.

So many hopes and dreams and plans!  I am very blessed and very thankful that the Lord has given us this home.  It's hard to me to realize how long it's going to take to make it the way we want it.  (or even close to the way we want it!)  I've been planning for so long and now I'm ready to begin.  I just have to remember that even baby steps are one step closer.  Our home will be a work in progress...just like us!

A Woman's Look in the Mirror

As I look through other blogs I read, the message seems to be just accepting yourself.  Which is one of the hardest things to do ~ especially as a woman!  Compare my life to others and it seems so ... dull, maybe? boring?  I'm just a curvy (another way to put that I need to lose a few! LOL) middle age  (...oh, my gosh did I really write that?? should I erase it?? no..no, just leave it) mother of three trying to be a loving mom, aunt, friend, daughter in a world filled with anger and hate. 

I look at other mothers who seem to have it all going for them.  It's easy to start to feel hard on myself.  But there are certain things as I've gotten older that I have come to accept.  Yes, there will always be other women prettier than I am.  I will never be a Reese Witherspoon or Julia Roberts.  God only made one of them ~ just as He only made one of me.  Yes, there will always be other women who seem to have it all together.  I've learned the key word is "seem".   They are just a frazzled over a kid puking in the back of the car, as you and I would be! 

Remember that God made each of us with a plan.  All of us are not supposed to be Reese or Julia.  I am just Jen buying the movie ticket hoping that for the next hour and a half I'll forget about the laundry and dishes waiting for me when I get home from the movie.  Most of the time, I'm just 'Mom" coming home to my kids after work, helping them with homework, and cooking supper. 

And, part of my self-esteem comes with being okay with that.  Even things that I am good at, there is probably some one out there that can do better.  I am a good cook and baker, but it's not like I'm on the way to having a cooking show! ;D  I am pretty good at art, but it doesn't mean that it should be in a museum!   If I strive to improve, then I will get better.  But, if I keep striving for perfection ~  I will never be happy.

God made you with every freckle and hair counted for.  When God sees you ~ He sees His child.  He loves ever wart you ever will have.  That is what God wants for us when we look in the mirror ~ to see love.  Not wishing for perfection.  But loving His creation right now...right where you are.