This week

Woah. We are busy. In my mind I didn't think we would jump on so many house projects right when we moved in. But I've been a little impatient (sounds like me, right?).  Last weekend papa Siak and Sandra got to come see the house. It was a great quick visit. Then granny got to come and spend this whole week with us helping me with my endless paint projects. 

So. My fireplace. It was red. The room is tiny upstairs and the red was just too much so I tried this technique called white washing. (Disclaimer - never do this. It's messy. It takes forever. While the results are fabulous, I personally will never do this again). 

Before:

After:

There are still a few things left to do. Painting the mantle before I put it back up. But for now. I'm happy with it!

Today I am grieving.

There was this guy in high school. The quarterback. At a popularity level I wouldn't ever attain, but he took time for me. I have many memories on his back porch. Cruising town in his black sports car. Always a friend. He left for college and we lost touch for many years. During that time he fought many demons that led him to rock bottom. He started to climb back up. And fell madly in love with Jesus. Seven years ago or so I sent him an email. Thanking him for being a positive light for me in high school. And we opened back up our lines of communication. We discovered the small world - that he knew matt and had played ball with him many years. He was in Florida and wouldn't be able to make it to our 10 year reunion but we spoke often on the phone. Ryan had such urgency in our conversations. That I was raising my children to know Jesus. He wanted to make sure that I was doing things the right way from the beginning with them. I remember one conversation where I hung up feeling convicted that I wasn't loving my Savior as passionately and as consumed as he was. A year or so later Matt and Ryan played ball in the Asheville men's league.  And last year we were so honored to be able to stand beside him as he married his true love Amanda. We kept having talks of getting together but with our busy schedules things didn't line up. Oh how I wish they had. This week Ryan went to be with Jesus. I know he was met with the words "well done my good and faithful servant". His testimony is one of grace and forgiveness. And he reached so many people. It's evident in the tributes on his Facebook wall. 

So I would like you to pray with me for Amanda. For his mom and dad. For his sister Keela. For all the seeds that Ryan planted to grow and that God will be glorified through his passing. 

I mourn for his family. And am thankful for the blessing that Ryan was in our life. But Ryan would say to keep my chin up. He has won the race. He finished. Do not waste a minute of this life. Cherish your family, and spread the gospel that changes lives. Because Ryan life was changed by the Father whose presence he is in now. 

DIY has begun.

We doubled our square footage. Doubled. From 1250 to 2450 square feet. 3 bedrooms one bath to 5 bedrooms 3 bath. I feel so blessed to have this much space to spread out in. The kids are LOVING having their own rooms. 

But the previous owners did not have similar taste to ours. To start with. The entire main floor had red walls. Let me repeat that. Red. Walls. 

My very first project was tackling those bad boys. And within two days of moving in my friend Liz, Gabe, Mary, and I got it done.  I was so thankful for their help!

So now that the red is gone, I'm slowly going to be tackling the 1,423 other projects on our list. It's DIY time!