8/26/14

We moved!

We are still unpacking and getting settled, but it is so wonderful to be in a new house better suited to our family.

Stephen 100% gutted and renovated the kitchen. Y'all, I'm beside myself. I love it. He is so talented. The man can do it all!

Since these pictures, he has put up the backsplash. (see last pics)

The floor is slate tile. The cabinet color is Gettysburg Gray by Benjamin Moore, half formula to brighten it up. Walls are French Canvas by Benjamin Moore.


So far, I've resisted the temptation to buy anything. I'm really really trying to use what I have to fill this new space.


Stephen could not resist jumping in these photos ;)


This is my little closet "office." Can I even tell you how luxurious it is to have a room to myself?


One of my other favorite things about this house is the corner windows in the kitchen. They let in so much natural light, and there is tons of green when you look out.


We still have to pick out cabinet hardware. Suggestions?


This house is already making day to day life more comfortable. My mom came and stayed a week to help us get situated and so many others have reached out to help us make this transition. THANK YOU. You know who are!

Lord willing, we will spend many years here.

8/11/14

Kindergarten, here we come!

I've been to two rehearsal dinners this summer, and at both, the parents recalled how fast time went.

One day they are born; the next they are off to kindergarten. It's true. I blinked, and now I've got a school boy.

We chose the sweetest school with a three day a week, half day kindergarten. It's just our speed. Stephen keeps saying "I love my new school, Mama" and he was all smiles when I picked him up in the carpool line. I hope the rest of his year goes as well as the first day.

 
 

I love this boy. I like this boy.



This last pic is Stephen and his good buddy, proud as pie on their first day. We are so thankful for good friends making the transition with us.


To be expected, I cried a few tears in my second cup of coffee on the way home.

But the dominating emotion around here is excitement for a new school year!

8/1/14

Social Media: Get On and Get Off

Several weeks ago I got of Facebook and Instagram. I was distracted. I spent too much time on both not even interacting or commenting, just lurking and procrastinating whatever it was I should be doing.

Generally, I just felt overstimulated. So much input all the time. 

Sick and tired of wasting time, I changed my FB password - too difficult to remember, and I deleted my Instagram app. At the beginning, it took some getting used too. What do I do with this dead space of time?

Well, I guess I'll just empty the dishwasher...or fold this load of clothes....and put them away. Immediately, I became more productive around the house. I did not have an excuse. 

Also without my media, it became apparent how short my attention span had gotten. I needed entertainment while I was being entertained. Stephen and I would sit down to watch Band of Brothers and I would think about checking Intstagram. But oh yeah, I don't have Instagram. It was relaxing to sit there and do one thing, watch TV.

The first Saturday I was off social media, I was more productive than I ever have been on a weekend. I cleaned I cooked I exercised. Typically, I have psychological problems with weekends. Stephen is off so that makes me "off" too. Wrong, moms are never off. Not having a tiny computer in my hand really freed me to get up and get going.

Another huge benefit, I started relishing taking care of my children. I looked them in the eye more often. When I brushed Laurie's hair or gave George a bath, I took my time and studied their little features. I began really enjoying caring for them. I gave more thought to preparing their meals and making their plates pretty and appealing. I was not neglecting them before, but now I'm delighting in them more. Because there's nothing else to do!!! In a good way.

 "The human heart is an idol factory," - John Calvin
I know that my heart can easily fixate on something else, other distractions that are just as devious. Be it reading or exercise, blogs, online shopping, etc. Anything can become an idol, take up too much time, and distract us from the important work and people before us. I/you/we have to be on guard. But there is a unique danger in social media (or time spent online in general). It's so easy and accessible. It does not require much brain power on my part to scroll through news feeds. It's entertaining and addictive. 

So here is my conclusion: get on and get off. I still have Facebook and Instagram accounts. But I've changed the way I'm using them. I sign in, use it, engage, comment, share a laugh....and then I sign out. With Instagram, I just download and delete the app maybe one day a week. It's so freeing.

The other morning I realized it was 9:00 a.m. and I had no idea where my phone was. I didn't need it. I had not even checked my e-mail or even thought about it. I had been up for three hours. I was alone with my thoughts, my children, and my housework. It makes me feel old fashioned. I loved it.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

{pics of life lately around our house}
 


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