A Fast

I have decided to begin fasting. From what, you ask? I'll tell you.

For three months (beginning June 1st) I am going to fast from purchasing clothing and accessories for myself. This doesn't include clothing for my family.

Welcome to the randomness that is my blog. 

Why? For myself. For others. For Jesus.

When I think of others fasting from something it is usually for the benefit of someone of something else. While that is true in this case, I feel like, if I'm being honest, it's for me too. I was trying to think of the last time something ignited passion in me and when I last felt connected to Jesus in an all-consuming way. It wasn't recently, I'll tell you that. I just winced a little typing that. Ouch. And whose fault is that? My own. I am surrounded by loving friends and family and a church community that is filled with love, but lately I have let myself check out. And there are a million excuses I make to rationalize it all.

So who am I fasting for? Selfishly, myself. For my Jesus, who is asking me to do this little, tiny thing. And for others. I want to impacts lives with love during this time. And while I realize there is nothing wrong with buying clothing and filling one's closet, I think I sometimes get carried away with convincing myself that I need the newest, latest style. And if I just had this one more pair of shoes my wardrobe would be complete! And, honestly, shopping is just plain fun to me. But do I really need this super cute blouse when my missionary friend cannot even afford medical care? NO!! I mean the obviousness of that question is just beating me up!

To be honest, I'm not sure I even want anyone to know about this fast because I'm afraid I'll get some glory from it and all the glory should be reserved for Jesus. But I know myself. And I know if no one really knows about my commitment then it would be all too easy to slip up and make a mistake. But this is never on sale.... If I'm not wearing this item during the fast then it doesn't really count.... What is so wrong with buying this anyway..... I could go on.

So on day three of said fast my internet declaration is being proclaimed.

And one more -gulp- confession. I definitely didn't buy clothing for myself on May 31st knowing full well the fast would start the next day. #yesitotallydid

I can't think of a better way to end this post than with a poignant verse from yesterday's sermon.

"....Being confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."                                              

                                                                                                                             -Philippians 1:6

First Post and Super Long List

We are freshly moved into our house, and we love it. I'm not going to lie- living in a house under construction with a toddler is no picnic but everyday gets better. To make a long story short, we fell in love with our house the first time we looked at it. It was a bank-owned property that was empty for almost a year. After we viewed the house we found out through our realtor that there was an offer from a prospective buyer that the bank had accepted. We were majorly bummed but were just trusting that if God had this house in mind for our future he could make it happen. If not, then it wasn't meant to be.

Well a miracle happened, and we were able to buy the house a few months later (yes, I did a happy dance). We still cannot believe we are living in the home that feels like our "forever" house! Our house is new-ish (built within the last ten years), but after sitting empty for some time and being somewhat abused by the previous owners we have a to-do list that seems a mile long! But we are excited to tackle the projects as we can, and to make it our own!

Anyhoo, husband and I (i.e. me) decided to start this blog as a of keeping track of the projects we want to complete and to document the failures and successes along the way. Please know this blog is in no way intended to be a brag fest or anything else related to that. We feel so blessed with this home, and we aren't perfect people with the perfect house. We are so far from it! We make mistakes and struggle with money and fight and so much more! I am usually happy when we all make it out of the house with matching shoes. This blog is more for our own benefit to document our life than anything else. Truly!  

Husband is a handyman and a perfectionist and I am well, not, but I love to try! I am not an expert at all so I am probably going to list things incorrectly and make big DIY mistakes so just take everything I say with a grain of salt. :) So what better way to start out this blog than to list our list?! Note: This list is subject to change and probably will tomorrow when I find something new we NEED to do (cue eye roll from husband). 

And go...

House Exterior (Front)

0% complete

To do: 

• Add some hardware to the garage door to beef it up and make it more our style
• Trim shrubs/bushes, weed the landscaping and mulch, add some colorful flowers
• Paint the front door (maybe yellow?)
• Update outdoor bulbs with something that does not shine blue!
• Add colorful planters & baskets
• Paint/replace side door frame due to possible rot (and possibly paint this door too?)
• Pressure wash the siding
• Clean the giant front window
• Add door mat and other fun accessories

House Exterior (Back)

0% complete

To do:

• Finish closing deck opening where there was previously a pool
• Finish constructing 2nd staircase on deck
• Pressure wash and stain deck
• Add patio furniture, hopefully buy a grill and add other accessories
• Weed and mulch landscaping, trim bushes/shrubs
• Lay a patio and fire pit area below deck (where pool used to be)
• Pressure wash siding

Yard

0% complete

To do:

• Install cloths line just off the basement door
• Rip out former garden 
• Rip out grasses planted on top of leach beds and plant small pines
• Remove rotted, wooden wishing well covering pipe and replace with ???
• Build/buy a swing set (I would love to have pea gravel and railroad tile installed to designate the swing set area and to make it easier to mow around)

Living Room

20% complete

To do: 

• Paint trim
• Remove stone affixed to wall and corresponding landing
• Move light switch on stone wall to dining room
• Remove metal piping in ceiling/roof that was used as a chimney for a wood stove
• Paint walls
• Update furniture, accessories and curtains
• Add mantel and electric fireplace
• Replace ceiling fan with light fixture
• Rip out carpet and install laminate (hardwood) flooring

Formal Dining Room (Playroom) 

10% complete

To do: 

• Add rug, accessories and storage
• Change light fixture with something fun
• Make tee-pee
• Paint trim
• Paint walls
• Hang shades or blinds on the giant window
• Rip out carpet and install laminate (hardwood) flooring

 Office

20% complete

To do: 

• Rip out carpet and install new carpet
• Paint trim
• Paint walls
• Replace ceiling fan with lighting fixture
• Accessorize, mount TV to the wall and add curtains/shades

Nursery

25% complete

To do:

• Rip out carpet and install new carpet
• Paint trim
• Paint walls
• Accessorize and add curtains

Jack & Jill Bathroom

5% complete

To do: 

• Rip out carpet and linoleum, install tile
• Paint trim and vanities
• Paint walls
• Install wainscoting and towel hooks in bathroom
• Replace disgusting toilet
• Remove sliding shower door and install shower curtain
• Accessorize and add faux roman shade

Kitchen/Dining Room

5% complete

To do: 

• Rip out laminate and install new (hardwood) laminate flooring
• Paint trim
• Paint walls
• Replace/repaint existing cabinets and counter top and re-vamp kitchen entirely (this is probably waaaayyyy down the line...a girl can dream!) 
• Add hardware to cabinets
• Add curtains to windows and sliding door

Hallway

20% complete

To do:

• Rip out carpet and replace with laminate (hardwood) flooring
• Paint trim
• Paint walls
• Add super narrow sofa table for more storage/organization
• Add galley wall

Half Bath

20% Complete

To do: 

• Remove linoleum and install laminate (hardwood) flooring
• Remove vanity and install pedestal sink
• Replace disgusting toilet
• Paint trim
• Paint walls
• Paint stripes on walls (eek!)

Master Bedroom

15% complete

To do: 

• Rip out carpet and install new carpet
• Paint trim
• Paint walls
• Update furniture and accessories
• Add curtains
• Replace ceiling fan with chandelier 

Master Bathroom

5% complete

To do: 

• Rip out entire bathroom and re-do everything (also waaayyy down the line, but I'll list the to-dos until that time)
• Replace shower head
• Replace disgusting toilet
• Stain/paint vanity and trim
• Paint walls
• Add floating shelves about toilet nook for more storage
• Add faux roman shade

Master Closet

20% complete

To do:

• Rip out carpet and install new carpet
• Paint trim
• Paint walls
• Remove fluorescent lighting and install can lighting and mini-chandelier
• Paint ceiling a fun color?

Laundry Room/Entry from Garage

10% complete

To do: 

• Rip out linoleum and install laminate (hardwood) flooring
• Paint trim
• Paint walls
• (Eventually) move laundry to basement and install functional storage for a mud room (lockers? cabinets? cubbies?) 
• Replace/make lighting fixture

Entryway

10% complete

To do: 

• Rip out laminate and install new (hardwood) laminate flooring
• Figure out functional and stylish shoe/coat storage and seating for entry 

Basement

0% complete

To do:

• Finish basement (waaayyy down the line); possibly create new office space for Joe, den area, bathroom, spare room, etc. 
• Create functional laundry space

Whew! That was long, but it feels good to actually have our list down on paper...er, the internet...instead of just talking and dreaming about it. As you can see we have already completed a few things on our list. We felt it was necessary to change the carpet right away because it was so stained and filled with pet hair. Much of the work was done by husband and his brother, plus lots of other family members. They are seriously life-savers!

Seeing everything here seems really overwhelming, but we're hoping to just focus on one or two spaces at a time and as we can afford it. Right now our big goals are to just finish painting trim and to paint the walls! Baby steps here, people. (And someday soon I will post pictures...promise!)

Thanks for joining us on our journey!