Shining through the Sorrow

Hello readers!  I feel like I have a million things going on in  my head, and one thought is clear - I've got to start writing more.  I've said it a million times - it's therapeutic, helps me gain insight, and allows me to clear my mind. Dare I say, I'm going to try to start two entries a week - Thursday Thoughts and Monday Memoirs.  My "thoughts" will probably be random and change week to week, and my "memoirs" will be letters to my children.  Something specifically for them to read in the coming years. So what's in my head today that I just MUST share.  Oh, this house.  Kyle found this listing online, and instantly fell in love.  I was really pregnant with Ruby, remembering our last move when I was really pregnant with Joel, and was trying my best to be a supportive wife.  I vividly remember the first time he brought me to see the property.  He had already been over several times.  Once with a realtor, then a few more times ju...

In case you missed it, here are some pictures that show all the amazing work my hubby has been doing on this home of ours.  I wanted to share it here on the blog because the photos no longer exist on Facebook ( here's why ), and because I'm hoping to pin some of the images in the hopes of helping others who are in the middle of remodeling/decorating via Pinterest .  Enjoy! Our new home!  Loving our burnt orange doors, which perfectly matched the fall leaves this year. Entrance Before After - With completed siding, new paint, and new screen door. Foyer Before After - New paint, entryway accessories. Living Room, looking into Dining Before After - Blessed with beautiful hand-me-downs. Loving the custom shelves my husband made for us, Pinterest inspired. Kitchen Before After - Lots of white paint.  Still so much work to be done. Bedroom Before - Completely not finished. After - With carpet, paint, etc. Our ...

Just wanted to share our latest home updates with you all!  I was surprised and thrilled to find out that my amazing hubby and his awesome Daddy were coming over and spending their entire week-long Christmas break re-doing our kitchen floor... which lead to other projects like re-doing our half-bath and finding other custom projects to complete.  Yeah.  They're kind of amazing. Just like our kitchen, we have done improvements all over our home - little by little.  As we can afford it.  Not all at once.  It makes for some great before and after photos.  Enjoy! Kitchen when we moved in.  First things to go: Wallpaper and L-shaped counter. Next addition was a custom cabinet above old fridge... Then, finally got a new fridge...  (See old floors.) Before Floor (You can see new counter-top.) Floors AFTER - new tile Half-bath Before (Tiny sink was behind wall on the left.) Half-bath AFTER (New floor, wainscot...