We're about to start a renovation project in our house. We have a lot of work to do. Next Monday, the workmen are coming in to take down two kitchen walls in order to open up the space between the living room and kitchen. It's a small space to begin with so by opening it up, it will appear to be much larger. We're doing a breakfast bar type thing. I'll post pictures of the progress.
I'm very excited to have it done. I'm just trying to figure out where the kids and I will go during the process. We can't stay in the house because there isn't any other place we can go, but the living room. We're not going to spend the days in our bedrooms. We'd go crazy.
We are also getting all of our walls skim coated to create a smoother surface for painting, but that involves stripping off the wallpaper that is in our dining room that we have painted over. We're also taking down the chair rail.
Since we're at it, I really hope Sean will remove the old radiator baseboards that are now defunct since we just got our new heating system. It's going to be a huge job, but now would be the time to do it since we'll be skim coating the walls.
Sean has already taken out one of the horrible bookshelves that are in the living room on either side of the fire place.
We will also be getting our ceiling re-dry walled to cover up the nasty texture that isn't consistent from one room to the next.
So, we will be knee deep in dust through the summer.
Other projects include new windows throughout, which will be done before next winter, re surfacing the fireplace with a stone facade, and re modeling the bathroom.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Catching Up
It's been awhile since I blogged. I'm not that into it these days, but my mom has been bugging me to update so, I'm updating, kind of.
First, I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my daughter Lydia. She is 13. She was born on a leap year so her birthday wasn't on the calendar this year.
This weekend we had the pleasure of keeping Chad's biological sister. She is such a sweet little girl. She is very well behaved and really cute. I loved showing her off at church today. I've talked about Carmon to my church family for the last couple of years and today they got to meet her. It was fun.
When I took Carmon home to her grandmother's house, Joyce shared something very unexpected with me. She told me that both of her daughters told her she should let me have Carmon. I told Joyce that she is always welcomed at our house. I would keep her forever, if that's what she wanted.
Joyce is 65 years old and it's getting harder and harder for her to care for Carmon who is an energetic 3 year old.
Joyce looked different to me today. She looked tired. She has been depressed since her mother died on Thanksgiving day and it shows. I feel bad for her.
We'd be happy to have Carmon so she can be with her brother. We'll see what happens.
Meanwhile, before the conversation with Joyce today, we had been pursuing adopting another special needs child. There are two little boys that stole our hearts. We don't know too much about them other than one is medically fragile and the other is non-verbal. We have submitted our homestudy and are waiting to hear back from their social workers. One little boy, Christian, is in VA. The other, Jacob, is in FL. I'm not sure if we're the right fit for either of these boys. It's up to their social workers to decide. Christian is almost 1 and Jacob just turned 3. I wish someone would contact us, but we're waiting.
On another note. The tool trailer ministry is coming along nicely. Slower than I would want, but moving forward. God didn't tell me how quickly it would come to fruition, just that I needed to do it. So, no matter how long it takes, it will be done.
We have a great group of people on the board now. Five in all, including one pastor, so it's cool!
I had wanted to launch in the Spring, but because there is another community project(the community farm) launching in the Spring, we don't want to steal their glory so we'll launch sometime after that.
First, I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my daughter Lydia. She is 13. She was born on a leap year so her birthday wasn't on the calendar this year.
This weekend we had the pleasure of keeping Chad's biological sister. She is such a sweet little girl. She is very well behaved and really cute. I loved showing her off at church today. I've talked about Carmon to my church family for the last couple of years and today they got to meet her. It was fun.
When I took Carmon home to her grandmother's house, Joyce shared something very unexpected with me. She told me that both of her daughters told her she should let me have Carmon. I told Joyce that she is always welcomed at our house. I would keep her forever, if that's what she wanted.
Joyce is 65 years old and it's getting harder and harder for her to care for Carmon who is an energetic 3 year old.
Joyce looked different to me today. She looked tired. She has been depressed since her mother died on Thanksgiving day and it shows. I feel bad for her.
We'd be happy to have Carmon so she can be with her brother. We'll see what happens.
Meanwhile, before the conversation with Joyce today, we had been pursuing adopting another special needs child. There are two little boys that stole our hearts. We don't know too much about them other than one is medically fragile and the other is non-verbal. We have submitted our homestudy and are waiting to hear back from their social workers. One little boy, Christian, is in VA. The other, Jacob, is in FL. I'm not sure if we're the right fit for either of these boys. It's up to their social workers to decide. Christian is almost 1 and Jacob just turned 3. I wish someone would contact us, but we're waiting.
On another note. The tool trailer ministry is coming along nicely. Slower than I would want, but moving forward. God didn't tell me how quickly it would come to fruition, just that I needed to do it. So, no matter how long it takes, it will be done.
We have a great group of people on the board now. Five in all, including one pastor, so it's cool!
I had wanted to launch in the Spring, but because there is another community project(the community farm) launching in the Spring, we don't want to steal their glory so we'll launch sometime after that.
Monday, February 9, 2009
First Responder
My Class Photo.
What a fantastic CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) training I had this past weekend. I am now qualified to be a first responder in the event of a natural disaster, terror attack, or any tragedy. Special thanks to Dr Gary Evans, my trainer. A great man of the Lord.
I am now certified to help those who have just gone through any stress situation, including domestic violence, witnesses to tragedy, victims of rape, trauma (mental, physical, spiritual), someone contemplating suicide and so on.
I will now partner with Christ In Action in the event of a disaster. Christ In Action is a very large operation based out of Manassas, VA which is right in my own backyard. They have deployed to The Pentagon on 9/11, hurricane Katrina, hurricane Ike, and Virginia Tech, just to name a few.
This group sets up a base camp, which is named Camp Hope, near the disaster area and they feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give hope to the hopeless. They are truly Christ In Action.
Being a first responder is no picnic. You may work for 18 hours straight, get a few hours of sleep and then get back to work. I asked where we would stay when deployed. The answer was where ever you can rest your head. They slept in an abandoned hospital, on the second floor of a flooded church, on the ground and in their cars. I think I'll bring my car. Denny Nissley, the founder, said we can even shower every 3 days whether we need it or not. lol
They have a huge set up including a trailer with showers, a trailer with internet connection and computers, a huge tent, huge cookers and smokers for cooking, and just about anything you can think of that would help people in a tragic situation.
Of course, I would deploy every time, if I could, but it isn't practical right now having kids at home. I will respond, though, if needed on the east coast.
Sean is going to Richmond to take the same training in April. I encourage you to look for a training in your area and take it. They will be going to Houston, TX in April as well. It's so worth your time.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Compassion
Our pastor has been doing a sermon series on compassion for the past month. He challenged us to say to God "Here I am". This is one area that I do not struggle in. God has given me the gift of compassion. I cry in church every week he speaks about it. It just touches me. He challenged us to see people how Jesus saw and sees people. I do look upon people who struggle in their daily lives. It breaks my heart to see homeless people or drug addicts. I help them whenever I have the opportunity. This is what God tells us to do- Isaiah 58:7.
Sean, however, never had a compassionate bone in his body. Well, I think he did once. While I was pregnant with Devyn, I was on IV's at home and could barely get out of bed let alone take a bath. I was so weak I couldn't lift my arms to wash my hair. My dear husband gave me a bath and washed my hair. I remember sitting in that tub crying because I couldn't bathe myself. I was helpless.
Imagine feeling that way every day of your life. What if you were homeless? What if you couldn't feed your family? What if your car broke down on the side of the road and everyone just kept driving by without even slowing down to help? Where would you turn? That's where we, as Christians, need to step in. Whenever and every time you see someone in need, YOU need to do something about it. Don't turn away. What if you were in the same situation? For crying out loud, show them the love of Christ.
Since becoming a Christian, Sean has slowly been developing compassion. It started with his agreeing to provide foster care to children in need. We've had 12 so far. Well, last night, Sean saw a stranded driver on the side of the highway right at the crest of a large hill when he was on his way home from the grocery store. As he was driving past the guy, he realized his car was broken down and smoke was coming out, so he did a u-turn and went back to help.
The man explained that he lives in Quantico, which is over an hour drive from where he was stranded. He was on his way to see a bird cage someone had offered on Craig's List. The guy, Will, was going to call the lady with the cage and cancel, but Sean offered to take him to the lady's house. She lives in a neighborhood close to our house. After looking at the cage, Sean called to let me know that he was bringing Will to our house.
They came in and we were introduced. I was making an easy dinner, just pork barbecue sandwiches. I told him his car should have broken down the night before because I made a really good dinner. He was grateful for the sandwich. He called his wife and told her the story. He was shocked that Sean picked him up when he was stranded and now he was eating dinner at our house with our family. He said tons of people drove right by him and didn't stop to help.
He gave his wife directions to our house because she was going to pick him up, but that changed when he called AAA and arranged to meet the tow truck for a ride back home.
We had fun talking to him. He's a Pharmacist and an animal lover. Boy did he come to the right house! He showed us pictures of his pets and a great video of him sledding down a hill on his stomach, going over a ramp, and landing standing up on the sled like a surfboard. He's going to put it on Youtube.
After making arrangements with AAA, Sean drove him back to his car.
What I love most about this story is that Will had asked Sean why he stopped and Sean told him it's because that's what God asks us to do. That simple act of helping someone in need showed Will the love of Christ in action.
Way to go Sean! You good and faithful servant. Matt. 25:21
Sean, however, never had a compassionate bone in his body. Well, I think he did once. While I was pregnant with Devyn, I was on IV's at home and could barely get out of bed let alone take a bath. I was so weak I couldn't lift my arms to wash my hair. My dear husband gave me a bath and washed my hair. I remember sitting in that tub crying because I couldn't bathe myself. I was helpless.
Imagine feeling that way every day of your life. What if you were homeless? What if you couldn't feed your family? What if your car broke down on the side of the road and everyone just kept driving by without even slowing down to help? Where would you turn? That's where we, as Christians, need to step in. Whenever and every time you see someone in need, YOU need to do something about it. Don't turn away. What if you were in the same situation? For crying out loud, show them the love of Christ.
Since becoming a Christian, Sean has slowly been developing compassion. It started with his agreeing to provide foster care to children in need. We've had 12 so far. Well, last night, Sean saw a stranded driver on the side of the highway right at the crest of a large hill when he was on his way home from the grocery store. As he was driving past the guy, he realized his car was broken down and smoke was coming out, so he did a u-turn and went back to help.
The man explained that he lives in Quantico, which is over an hour drive from where he was stranded. He was on his way to see a bird cage someone had offered on Craig's List. The guy, Will, was going to call the lady with the cage and cancel, but Sean offered to take him to the lady's house. She lives in a neighborhood close to our house. After looking at the cage, Sean called to let me know that he was bringing Will to our house.
They came in and we were introduced. I was making an easy dinner, just pork barbecue sandwiches. I told him his car should have broken down the night before because I made a really good dinner. He was grateful for the sandwich. He called his wife and told her the story. He was shocked that Sean picked him up when he was stranded and now he was eating dinner at our house with our family. He said tons of people drove right by him and didn't stop to help.
He gave his wife directions to our house because she was going to pick him up, but that changed when he called AAA and arranged to meet the tow truck for a ride back home.
We had fun talking to him. He's a Pharmacist and an animal lover. Boy did he come to the right house! He showed us pictures of his pets and a great video of him sledding down a hill on his stomach, going over a ramp, and landing standing up on the sled like a surfboard. He's going to put it on Youtube.
After making arrangements with AAA, Sean drove him back to his car.
What I love most about this story is that Will had asked Sean why he stopped and Sean told him it's because that's what God asks us to do. That simple act of helping someone in need showed Will the love of Christ in action.
Way to go Sean! You good and faithful servant. Matt. 25:21
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Devyn's Creation
Devyn spent all day working on this house and I let her. She outfitted it with a bunk bed, patio, and patio set. I think it's adorable and ingenious. She used plastic wall anchors to stabilize the straws which she used as the framework for the house. The only materials she used were; straws, tape, wall anchors, paper, and glue. She just made another chair while I was writing this. She put it in the "living room".
The Patio Furniture
Construction
Devyn "building" her house.
A "girl" sleeping on the top bunk.
The Patio Furniture
Construction
Devyn "building" her house.
A "girl" sleeping on the top bunk.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Disaster Relief
Wow, how convenient! I just heard about a 2 day disaster relief seminar being held in my town next weekend. So, I signed up. I can picture hooking up the tool trailer and heading out. God forbid there should be any disaster though.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Chad Can Count
Chad can count to 5 without any help from us. We just ask him to count and he starts. I'm not trying to presume that he is a genius, but can you say Rain Man?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
