Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I Really Hate....
We're moved. We're about 65% settled. We're sane again! These past, eh, six months have been very interesting to say the least. A stint with the in-laws proved to me, once again, that I have some of the best in-laws a girl could ever ask for. A decision to not build a home just yet proved to both Boog & I that we've actually learned something in our seven years of marriage. And a decision to enter into a new job field added to all of that wonderous equation.
"God's saying what? Job? In this economy? You must be joking. Ask Him again."
I'm quite sure those were my first words to my husband when he first voiced that quiet urging. Not exactly the words from a supportive, faith-filled wife. I honestly didn't know what to say. On one hand, in my own experiences, God has always provided for us. Always. Even in lean times, there would be a surprise check in the mail when needed.....or a job when needed....or career doors would open when needed. I quit my last job in advertising without so much as an inkling of a prospect in the teaching field. As soon as I told my boss my intentions, I got a phone call from my now principal an hour later, setting up an interview. Talk about stepping out in faith!
But when my husband told me that he was feeling the need to be in a place where he can make the most impact for Christ on youth - teaching - wow. I had one foot out the faith door, and one foot grasping by my toenails, hanging on for dear life. There were so many questions. I drilled him again and again and again on questions like "Are you sure this isn't a move to another church position? Or a different town?" , "Do you realize that teaching can be a grueling, thankless job sometimes?", "What if you don't get a job?"......the questions went on and on. They didn't exactly make me look like I trusted my husband or God.
Needless to say, God again, proved that my practical look on life is such a small, small, small, small, small way to look at what He has planned for us. Henry David Throeau once said, "Go confidently in the directions of your dream. Live the life you've imagined." (I've got to get better at that confidence part.)
So starting this fall, Boog will leave his youth pastor position to go be amongst the youth even more. He'll teach and coach at the highschool in my school district. I know my husband, and he'll show those kids what it looks like to be a Godly man. And he'll show it with a coach's face, I guess! Pray for his first year, please. Pray that he will follow the directions God gave him - to be a light among the lost, someone different than the rest.
A picture-filled blog will come next....let me get my house in the 80% functioning capacity first!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Much...
Thanks for the encouraging words. I'll post more soon.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Update on the Shack
I'm in a horrible mood. My hubs is stressed out. My daughters have been ignored. My life/house/car/toenails/fingernails are total in disarray.
No fun.
5 months today!!
There are so many fun things she is doing, but mostly, I just love that she can interact with us now. She watches everything we do.....and even though she can't speak, her eyes tell us what she's thinking. She's got such a sweet disposition, and really, she only cries when she's hungry or tired. When she is though, watch out!
Sophie, you are a true joy in our lives. We love you bunches. Before you were born, I said I didn't know how my heart would have room to love TWO kids. I just loved Grace so much, I couldn't imagine it. But it does. It's amazing how God shows us about His love for us through our children.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Moving Day!
The inside of the shack is 95% done. There's minor touch-ups needed still, but all of it can be done with us living IN it. (Now the outside....whew! That is a task that will take quite a while. Landscaping is not my forte.)
Here's a few pics of our little shack.
Fireplace redo courtesy of "you know who". Still some painting to be done....but look at the wiring ready for our flatscreen (that we don't currently own!)
The girls' room. Yes, it's for both of them....I'm telling you - tiny house here!
Our room...excuse the mess!
I'll post more pics of the kitchen and muse on my decorating dilemmas later. But right now, I must go take a shower. My dogs are barking, and I stink. Moving bites.Friday, June 12, 2009
How Long Will This Last?
Hands clasping her face.
A favorite dress.
The picture perfect moment.
Sweetness personified....
Grace & I went on a "date" last night.
We dressed up. She wore a skirt to match mine. In the beginning of the movie, we put on our 3D glasses, and she slapped me on my shoulder and said, "This is amazing!"
I'm glad I took the time for it to be just Gracie & I again.....we don't get much of that these days.
It all goes by so fast.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
"I'm Scared!"
But as I sit here tonight, and storms are raging around our neck of the woods, I find myself in a small anxiety attack of sorts. I get like this occasionally. I sort of freak myself out when I start to really think that I....not anyone else....but me, myself, I.....am the big person here. The adult. The one who protects. Me. I've got two little lives to take care of. Two lives to assure that nothing.....nothing....will hurt them if I've got anything to do with it. When in reality, sometimes I'm scared myself! If there's a creak at night, I'M the one who wants to hide under the covers. When storms rage, I cringe and secretly hope our little house protects us. Every news headline is just one more awful reminder that I need to padlock my girls in their rooms and never let them leave my sight. (I'm starting to sound like Nemo's dad here....)
And here I am. I'm supposed to be two little girls' security blanket.
Does anyone else out there marvel at the fact that they are the adults now?
It's probably just me.
I am so thankful though, that my dear hubs would rage like a bear in the instances where I would hide under the covers. (If he ever wakes up...he's the deepest sleeper.) And before I get too many comments, I know and am thankful that God is our ultimate protector. I know, I know, I know all of that........but I still get scared. I'm human.
Anyway, just a little monologue here during a storm. It's going away now....thank goodness! My little Grace slept through it.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Countdown!
We've certainly had mixed responses during this whole process of remodeling an old, tiny shack instead of building a new house. Let me see, some examples......
"I think you two are going to start something here in Malakoff!"
"I love it!"
and my personal favorite....
"You guys are dumb!" (yes, we have good, supportive friends!)
Nonetheless, I can't tell you how excited I am to be moving in within the next week. My in-laws are amazingly wonderful, generous, supportive people, but it is time for the Ferrell family of four to be back on their own. I've also been more and more and more sure that waiting, and not building just yet was the right thing to do. One day......one day.... we'll build our house. When we're ready.
So here we go!
New sink, faucet, and looky at the light fixture!
Can you tell how cute I think it is?
New bathroom. I don't have a "before" pic, but it was completely gutted....COMPLETELY!
Dining room...painted, finally! Hardwood floors are going in as we speak...
I still have to show you the remodel we did on our fireplace. If you read The Lettered Cottage, I stole her idea (again!) and completely copied what she did with her fireplace. Pictures soon to come of that.......
Have a wonderful day all!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Steady She Goes
And finally, my love of all things old, beaten up, or salvaged...I scored this little ditty at another antique shop outting. There's something about antique shops. My heart flutters a little everytime I go into one, because usually there's always at least one thing - even if it's just a tiny little plate - that I end up loving. And if I love it, I'll find a place for it in my home....
I imagine this Campbell Soup box holding my laundry detergents....or stacks of Southern Livings ....or guest towels....who knows!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Updates on the Shack Coming....Until Then -
I AM very excited about a couple of things, however.
2) We're within a week of moving into the shack! I never thought I'd be excited about moving into a smaller house than we previously had. It's all about perspective, baby....perspective. (Anyhoo, if we get any smaller, next time, we'll be moving into our car.)
and finally....