An Update

Forgive us. We're well aware we haven't been the best at keep up with anyone lately.  

Things have been a bit challenging around here. 

I blog about the challenges to keep a memory as we carve through this VERY busy season we're embarking on, and to remember how it felt, but also to be able to see how God brought us through this time in our lives. 

There is one rule we learned during our first kitchen remodel three years ago: Don't schedule a remodel during the holidays. Well, here we are, and taking on more of it ourselves then we ever have before. With the kids, the majority of all of this is done after they are in bed. So much of this doesn't come natural to us either, we find ourselves learning by trial and fire error, and it's not always pretty...(just keeping things real)...so for that aspect I like that most of this occurs while the kids are fast asleep, yes, they have learned how to sleep through the sounds of sawzalls and circular saws cutting through counters and floors and walls in wee hours of the morning.  

However Luke and I are still trying to figure out how to function on less than 5 hrs a night's sleep.

 A Before Kitchen Pic

A Current Kitchen Pic.
You can walk in it currently..and that's about it.

 Luke has been busy building the kitchen bar wall and rewiring 6-3 electrical wire and a 220 outlet

for the range to go right smack in the center {so I can resume cooking!!!!}. It was a big job to do in our new panel with a million new tightly organized wires, and without any power, but he lived to tell about it. 

Some things we never would have taken a stab at doing ourselves, but on round two, we now know, some things just appear intimidating, but they really can be a DIY job, especially when you're operating on a budget, and want the job done sooner rather than later (and not to mention working hours are between 8pm-midnight). I'm well aware that when it's all said and done cooking will become a bit more enjoyable...as you know I love to bake...but after being in transition with my cupboards being moved a total of five times (so far), my memory for locating things has been jogged far too many times for this brain to find anything, so my ten year old now cooks more than I do. Change can be a good thing.

We're on the hunt for a new window!

Do I go with the arch top, quaint-and-cottage style like this one?...which I really do like.

(it matches the arch on my kitchen door)

Or do I stay with straight engineering lines like the rest of the cupboards and house, and double up?

Or do I just say....forget upper cabinets altogether, I won't likely need them...besides I do find myself staring out windows and daydreaming like a crazy lady most days anyhow, and do a wall of windows? 

For more reasons than listed, this is what my hubby likes more. I'm not sold.

So that is our brief kitchen update. We continue to try and carry on like normal as much as possible...harder some days than others...knowing God's calling us to be more patient (with each other) each passing day. Especially since this time in our lives we are being stretched in more ways than just the remodel. We know this is just a season too, as soo much of what we experience in life really is...right? Oh how I remember the newly-wed apartment season, then the first house and new baby {lack of serious er delirious sleep} season, fast forward ten years and it seems like God is calling us to a new season of transition. Luke and I both have been experiencing God's calling in our lives in a new and fresh way lately, and God has orchestrated all of it in a way that is nothing short of a miracle in itself. Much like the dominoes of our progressing kitchen remodel: everything has it's own unique timing, and one couldn't really happen without the other happening first. So while we get impatient {at times} for the end result, I am reminded...I am not the one in control, and I am so thankful for that. I will take His design over mine any day.  I also know if I let something steal my joy... I am letting that something steal my strength. Often God puts a focus for me, in my waiting, so that I am reminded of his blessings, and not discouraged by life's instant gratification let downs.

Last year around this time of year, we found ourselves clinging to Jesus in a whole new way as we were struggling to see where God was leading our family in some areas, but as time has passed, we are so thankful for His provision, as we can clearly see how He was orchestrating many of those behind the scenes details, even though we couldn't physically see what they looked like, and what an amazing journey this has been for us. We have not "arrived" nor "overcome" or anything else that sounds remotely close to having it all figured out....just making myself clear!....but God has grown us into this new season we are transitioning into, and we are both really excited to be right in the middle of His will, watching miracle after miracle happen around us. We know only God and His tender mercy can truly do that for us. Nothing else compares to Him {I love that song, and it's so fitting!}

Ya, I won't lie...it's hard as heck some days.

And as far as carrying on with folks that come a passin' through this crazy-construction-zone, well, it doesn't stop me, I lost my dignity a long time ago. In fact amidst the mess, we will be celebrating a 6 year old's birthday here pretty darn soon. God's been revealing to me, it's not about any completed remodel, cleaned, ready, & organized, pinterest decorated house though...life's simply not. In fact, none of that really matters. The world would like us to look around {everywhere} and think and justify or feel that it does. 

This weekend, mess or not, dishwasher or not, we'll celebrate the fact that almost 6 yrs ago, the Lord decided to bring Andrew into this world (and 35 yrs ago Luke ;), and what a miracle that really was, and oh the marvelous plans He has for Andrew...and my husband! So we celebrate {on paper products and without a place to set your cup}...but I think the fellowship will be sweeter than the punch! 

But I do think we need to go hook up a temporary sink....

My brain has (obviously) been comparing the stacking of dominoes happening within our kitchen remodel, to that of the dominoes He's been stacking up in my life recently. Ultimately, God's got me where He wants me, not in control, yet not alone, and I don't have to balance these dominoes alone, on my own strength or accord. It's only with the power and strength from Jesus that I can withstand any one of them, as my strength for all of the remodeling going on in my life...comes straight from God alone. I am so thankful to have my life surrendered, and enjoy {out of obedience} just putting one step in front of the other, watching Him perform a miracle in my life....thinking of the impossible, as now possible. 

I know, I realize my spiritual analogies may be clear as mud, but hey I can at least try to cast some kitchen vision!

Here are my kitchen pinspiration

Maybe I should whitewash my brick..I love the bright white

I would like to build something like this along the entry way behind my door

Old fashioned white cabinetry with more brick and lots of trim...love it!

Love the details especially the cabinets and walnut butcher block

This was a dream layout until we tore down our south AND west facing walls
back to plan B {which at the moment we don't even know what that is...lol}

 God is good. Thankfully He is the hired General Contractor of more than just my kitchen, He is the General Contractor of my LIFE! Tearing down walls where they need to be torn down (in my heart), and placing more windows where His light needs to shine, deep cleaning and washing away the dirt and filthy rags in my life, while refining me {like silver and gold} to be made in His image and to see His purpose and feel meaning in my life. Without Him, I would be in a whole lot of heapin' mess ...more than I already am!