Another house update

We went by the house yesterday evening because they had started painting and the kiddos were anxious to see their rooms. Well, the boys were excited because their room was painted. Birdie's room was painted, too...just the wrong color. She was so disappointed, but we assured her that they would fix it!



They should start painting the main level today, so it will be exciting to see how it transforms with new paint. The ceiling in the living room should really pop with the coiffured trim!



Scott designed the trim in our entire house -- the crown molding, the doors, and windows. It is so beautiful!! And he even did the dining room himself. It's so special to have his hands all over our house as it's being built.







Front doors are in! Covered by plastic so they won't get paint on them, but still in!



And the outside -- brick and stone are complete, just waiting on exterior pain to be done and shutters put on. The dumpster has finally been moved from the front of the house!! Yay for a family picture on the front porch. :) I'm pretty sure landscaping will make a huge difference. ;)



Yay for more progress!! 31 days and counting. Hopefully!

House Progress

I am way behind on updating the progress of our new house, but I have pictures that I've taken because lots of work has been going on!! These first pics are from about a month ago.









 

The view from our back porch. Ahhh, I foresee me spending LOTS of time out here with this view. :)





Before the steps were built for the back porch. Looks very far down and makes me nervous!







Photo op on the front porch.







And in the front windows.



Inside progress.













And these pics are from two weeks ago. There's been so much going on since these pics were taken, but they've been painting so everything is covered up. I'll have to go over in a few days to get updated pics.

















It takes a long time and a lot of work to build a new house. But it has {mostly} been fun. We are definitely looking forward to it being complete and settling in. But of course that requires moving again...and that was hard work!!

When life gets too busy

If you know me at all, you know that being too busy is not my style. I just don't like days that are rushed and filled with running around here and there and everywhere in between. I don't like going to bed late because I have so much to do.

But lately, that's been my life. It's been hard for me to find any time to do anything, let alone find some peace and quiet, blog, or even get in a decent quiet time. I don't see any immediate relief in sight, but I am hoping that there is some coming.

One of the better things that has kept me busy has been editing pictures that I took of our new niece. Oh goodness! It took a good bit of time, but it sure didn't feel like work. :) Sweet Ariana Rose was born into our family at the end of April. She's pretty cute, so I thought I'd show her off just a little!

The family of three - Jason, Justine & Ariana



Justine's mama painted this sweet picture. I thought it was a great addition to this baby girl's room!



Ahhh, a baby. I just LOVE babies!! But as much as I anticipated having baby-fever once this little girl arrived, I can honestly say (for the first time ever) that I'm good with the three babies I've been blessed with. In a way, it's a funny feeling; in another way, it's just good to enjoy the family I've got. It is making me truly enjoy each one of my own kiddos in their individual stages a little bit more.

However, I will still be getting lots of cuddles in with this little girl as often as I can. I may not have baby-fever, but friends and family don't call me the "baby whisperer" for nothing!! ;)

Multitudes on What I've Learned as a Mama

3160. I've learned that it's really hard to get a picture where all three kiddos are looking and smiling...but it's OK because I've still been blessed to be their Mama



3161. I've learned that sometimes it's easier to just let the little ones sleep in bed with us occasionally, because they will be too old and too big before we know it

3162. I've learned that I can make promises all day long, but until I carry them out my children won't feel love and learn to trust

3163. I've learned that it's really hard for just one person to take care of three children 100% of the time, so it's OK to ask for help

3164. I've learned that my children are as long-suffering as I am, and after a bad day we can still come together with love, forgiveness, hugs, and good books



3165. I've learned that discipline looks a lot less like spanking and a lot more like long walks holding hands and talking through things

3166. I've learned that a soft answer turns away wrath and is much more effective at calming a situation than yelling back

3167. I've learned that my kiddos need a lot less stuff, and they need a lot more books, outdoor time, and attention

3168. I've learned that it's OK to need a "Mom's Night Out" to refresh myself occasionally

3169. I've learned that I need consistent prayer and time with my Savior to make it through any day as a Mama



3170. I have learned that being a good Mama is the hardest thing that I have ever done. It is hard to continually lay my own needs and desires aside in order to put three children and their Daddy first. It is hard to lose sleep night after night, to go to bed late and get up early, to cancel dates with friends because my kiddos need me more. It's hard to find time to shower, or read a good book, or get my hair done, and I haven't had a mani/pedi in I don't know how long.

But the difficulties of being a mother are a blessing because I am the one they call for in the middle of the night. I am the one they tell that they are hungry. I am the one they cry for when they hurt. I am the one woman they need and love most. I am the only one they call Mama.

And I am thankful.

1 Corinthians 13 for Moms

I heard this poem at a conference that I went to a few weeks ago, and I loved it. It spoke directly to my heart. It helped me to realized that the "perfect Mama" is unattainable, and that if I go looking for it I will miss the wonderful memories that come from the normal, messy, everyday life.

1 Corinthians 13 for Moms

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,
but have not love,
I am a housekeeper not a homemaker.



If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,
but have not love,
my children learn cleanliness not godliness.

If I scream at my children when they don’t follow instructions,
get frustrated and fault them for every mess in our house,
and have no grace and love,
my children learn that Mom cares more about having things done exactly her way
than about listening to the needs and hearts of her children.



Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.



Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present “mommy,”
the taxi-driver to every childhood event,
the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,
then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.



Before I became a mother I took glory in having it altogether.
Now I glory in knowing that God’s in control, and His grace is sufficient for each day.

All the projections I had for my house and my children
have faded away into insignificance,
And what remain are the memories of my kids.

Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,
dishes with missing place settings,
and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters, and markings,
But the greatest of all is the Love
that permeates my relationships with my children.



-adapted from 1 Corinthians 13 by Jim Fowler