Happenings around here lately

It all started about a year ago.  Jarrod brought up the topic of building our own home.  While I loved the idea of that, I knew we weren't in a financial position to do that.  And I wasn't sure we would actually be able to agree on house plans lol.
Then I would get antsy to move and have a little more room in a bigger house.  He would then remind me we couldn't swing it with the finances we had.
When we first got married, we received a prophetic word that if one of us was saying yes and the other was saying no, it didn't necessarily mean no, it might mean "wait".  But if we were both in agreement-to go for it.  It was the Lord.  That prophetic word has rang true through every big and little decision we've made.
In January, I felt like I should go onto realtor.com and see what was on the market.  I wasn't sure why but felt the pull to browse through the different houses for sale.  I came across one that I really loved.  I couldn't stop thinking about it and ended up texting Jarrod to see what he thought.  He also liked it.  I got ahold of our realtor and she took us to see the house.  And we loved it.  We were in agreement on it.  Jarrod came home and started working through the numbers to see if it would work and what we would have to sell our home for.  And it would work!
Through a chain of events, we believe that God is leading us to sell our home and to buy a larger one.  Now, we have begun the process of fixing up or changing paint colors that will help our home sell!

When we moved in, I wanted to paint the kitchen/dining room area this pretty green color!  I love that color with the black table but it was time to paint the kitchen a more neutral tone if we were going to sell it!

I chose a light gray color.  But in certain lights or with the blue countertops, it looks more blue than gray!  Pretty, classy and neutral all in one!

Now we have to finish up other random projects.  Jarrod has been traveling a lot the past few weeks so we haven't moved forward very quickly.  We'll see what God's plan is concerning our home and where He leads us in this adventure!  If you know of someone looking to buy a home in our area, let them know we're looking to sell ours ;)  Pray for wisdom for us as we seek God's will for our family!

The Little Years

She had fallen asleep in my arms.  I knew I had a mound of laundry to do, dinner to prep, and a house to clean before Jarrod got home.  But then she rolled toward me and snuggled in.  Her sweet sigh of contentment when her little hand grasped my thumb and she discovered that I was still there was precious.  I lay there, unwilling to move even though my thoughts were running rampant with things I knew I needed to do.  It hit me that I am slowly leaving behind some of the little years and hitting a new stage with my oldest.  His little years passed by too quickly.  Did I savor them?  Did I soak in the new discoveries with him?  The snuggles?  The first words?  

Moms know the little years can be challenging.  And they are.  But, wow.  They also are such a blessing.  Those first years and new things pass by quickly.  I sat wondering if I rush too quickly through my day to day things to do, without taking joy in the things that happen with the kids.  Do I focus too much on the things they aren't doing as opposed to the things they are doing?

When the babe wakes up from her nap, you can hear a Ma-ma-ma-ma before fussing ensues.  I open the door and a wide grin spreads across her face as her arms reach out for me.  I scoop her up and her little arms wrap around my neck and she squeezes.  She pulls back, pats my face and then lunges in for another hug.  I love it.  It's one of the best feelings in the world.  

Savor the little years.  Before you know it, you've blinked and some of your children aren't little anymore.  Their hand isn't adorably chubby anymore when they reach for your hand.  They joyfully run to their friends instead of clinging to your leg.  They're suddenly speaking in full sentences and you have someone to converse with throughout the day.  You reach new challenges and new characteristics to cultivate.  

And you reach a whole new level of joy that you didn't know you'd have.  

Enjoy the slobbery first kisses.  The sleepless nights that you get to cuddle the babe.  Enjoy the eager hands that mix all sorts of deliciousness with you.  Enjoy the toys spread across the floor that say, "Our children love using their imagination and playing."  Take delight in playing with your little ones and ignore the fact that you haven't taken the time to shower.  

Is it just me?  I can't be the only one who struggles to appreciate all the things that young children bring can I? 

Enjoy the little years