The Blue House :: Weeks 2 & 3

The Blue House :: Week 2 and 3

Sometimes the hardest thing is just doing the work that needs to be done. Other times, it’s just staring at it. That is what this past week has consisted of for me. I had to resign myself to just sitting on the couch, holding my son while he rested or reading to my daughter. Friends, we were sick.

I know it could have been much worse. There was no throw-up and by the grace of God, the dishes and food always got put away eventually. The laundry was folded and put away, with more hung in the evening. The daily messes of life were attended to. That’s pretty good when you have two sick kids and are recovering yourself.

Yet each evening and morning, I’d hope the day would be different. I’d hope the kids would just play and I could just work. But each morning, until Friday, it was the same. We sat around or watched movies, and in snippets I would barely get the daily basics done.

I knew I should remember that dirt will wait and to be thankful for what I could get done. And I did. And I was. At times. But you know these times are… a constant struggle.

And here I am today, the first day I don’t feel like I need a nap during quiet time. I’m hopeful for this week. Last week was full of spiritual work (how fruitful, I don’t know). I hope this week can be full of physical, concrete work. Yet, more so, I hope I can accept whatever kinds of week it is.

Here are some quick lists of what did get accomplished the past two weeks, and what I hope to do this week.

Week 2:

-          sunroom unpacked

-          new daily and weekly rhythms planned

-          new cleaning plan

-          Morning Time and school plans made

-          unpacked my clothes into a dresser from my parents

-          cabinets cleaned

-          some of the floor deep cleaned

-          laundry room shelves and hooks put up (by hubby)

Week 3:

-          kids’ toys organized into 3 rotations

-          kids’ big clothes organized and repacked

-          fan cleaned

-          curtain rods bought

This coming week:

-          finish cleaning the floor

-          clean walls

-          stain boards for entry way

-          paint curtain rods

-          make a plan for icon corner shelves

-          have friends over

-          start feeding the chickens at my parents (!!!)

Here are the pictures:

In case you forgot what it was like before...

 

And I realize now that my pictures of the sunroom and laundry room are still on my computer at home! Sigh. Well, another time!

when things come up

I Was Planning On Posting This Weekend, But Then I Got Sick.

And Then My Husband Spun off The Road and The Car Needs Repaired. (But He Is fine, Thank God!)

And Its 0 Degerees. Every. Day.

Obviously i'm Not Getting Out Of ThE House these days.

So here's A Little Note From My husband's Phone To Explain My Absence.

And For Some Reason It Capatilized Every Word, Except i'm, Which Would actually Be Appropriate.

So I'll Be Back With A Real Update And Pictures As Soon As It Works Out!

The Blue House :: Week 1

Sunset view from the front door this week.

 

By God’s grace, the move went very smoothly. Nevertheless, it was still stressful. Of course, that was to be expected.

We’ve made more progress than I had imagined, but as I predicted, I still felt/feel overwhelmed by how much there is still to do.  Obviously right now my mind is constantly occupied with thoughts of how to improve this home, things to do, things we need, etc., etc. The other morning I read in Luke, “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (17:33) I don’t know how to do this. I feel like I’m trying to create a life - one I’ve pictured in my head and one I feel God has inspired me to, yet I keep leaving Him out.

And while I still don’t know how to practically apply this to my life, I received some basic instruction on how to live in 1 Peter 3:10-11: “For ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.’” Shocker: this is something I really need to work on right now.

It all goes back to love: loving others and loving Christ by seeking Him and trusting in Him. I don’t need some grand act to “lose my life”; I simply need to be faithful in the little things.

This week I hope to do some real cleaning, organize our closet and the laundry room, get back into routines with the kids, and trust God for the strength to do what I can, and let go of the rest.

While I work, I pray I can keep this quote in mind: “Work with vigilance, simply and naturally, without anxiety, with joy and happiness, with a good disposition. And then divine grace will come.” St. Porphyrious, Wounded by Love pg 144

Here's review of the progress. I'm sure you'll be able to tell, but just in case, the first picture is the before, the second is after. :)

 

 

 

We've made an entry way on the side of the living room.

 

 

My desk in the sun room. Needs some decluttering!

 

 

 

 

 

 

In case you were thinking we were unpacked. Nope!