Today was one of those ordinary yet spectacular days.  Do you know what I mean?  There was no single event that stood out.  We went to Bible study this morning and ate leftovers for lunch.  Matt worked late, so I was on my own for dinner and bedtime.  But the sun was shining and our windows were open all afternoon.  Elsa had a little trouble going down for her nap earlier today. After a few long bouts of crying, I went in and rocked her to sleep.  Since that hadn’t happened in several months, I fetched my camera and returned to document my sweet sleeping beauty.

She woke up asking for chocolate for snack (clearly, this is my child), so I grabbed a Lara bar and we headed to the front porch with her little collection of toys.

L-R: Cinderella, Chicken, and Sammy (named for her blond friend at school, obviously.)

This house is starting to feel like home.  There are still boxes and blank walls in every room, but quiet afternoons like this make it feel like home.  When we first looked at the house, Matt was in love with it, but it took me a while to come around.  The house was recently renovated, and, in my mind, we were looking for a “project” house.  Also, I am indecisive.  And incredibly sad to leave our first home and our amazing neighbors.  I kept praying for clarity and wisdom and direction as the pieces were all falling into place.  We made an offer, negotiated the details with a good, old-fashioned handshake, and this house breezed through inspections.  No red flags.  I continued to pray for clarity, direction, and for our house to sell.  Then, before we could even put our house on the market, we received a great cash, as-is offer from the seller of this house.  I think that was my answered prayer.  So, here we are, incredibly grateful to be home.

Plans are finally in the works for a kitchen overhaul at our house.  Based on our small budget, it will most likely be a facelift.  I am going to design/price a more extensive plan, too, just in case we find a secret stash of cash under the vinyl flooring (wouldn’t that be nice?!).  These photos were taken when we first moved into our house.  I am using these today because we have not significanly changed the kitchen in the last four years, and the countertop is currently full of bottles waiting to be washed.  I am not sure which fact embarrasses me more.  I will let you decide which is worse.

Our home was built in the early 1950’s.  Its many charms include a single car garage that is too small for either car (we do live in Texas), one bathroom, and enameled metal cabinets.  These cabinets were a feature that drew us to the house in the beginning, and they are the starting point for the kitchen renovation.  The floors are a very unfortunate – but not entirely offensive – beige and white sheet vinyl that do not mix well with our chocolate lab.  Especially after any amount of rain.  The countertops are a similar shade of beige, with an integrated backsplash.  In addition to replacing the flooring, countertop, and lighting, I plan to install a tile backsplash and built-in breakfast nook.  Stay tuned for more…