Moved in

Sorry, this post does not include the before and after photos I have promised, but they are coming...we are so close!
We moved in to our home almost one month ago and I'm happy to say all the boxes are unpacked! Eric held my hand the other day and pull back in shock. "Your hands feel like A MAN!" Sorry sweet-E, I have been working hard doing manual labor.

The "worker men and worker lady" (as my two year old calls them) have been at the house Monday thru Friday since we have moved in completing renovations. While living here we have had countertops installed, foyer board and batten installed and painted, sanding & staining beam, backsplash installed, electricity wiring complete, appliance installation, painting touch ups, kitchen plumbing complete and we still aren't done. The nine week timeline is now on week eleven since we added a few extra "handyman" projects.

 To be honest we should have waited to move in but we were so excited to all be under one roof again, we moved in literally hours after the hardwood floors were dry. The renovation dust was everywhere and thick! I felt like I was drowning in boxes, most of which were put in the garage and filled it to the point where you could hardly walk around. It took me a week to find my coffee maker. A WEEK! If you enjoy your morning coffee like I do, I know you are feeling really bad for poor ole me right now! (first world problems but still a big deal!)

A big thanks to my parents for keeping the two little boys (big boy came with me to help) and the dogs at their house during the first few days of move in. Also big thanks to "K" the once little girl who I used to babysit (now 18 years old) who came to babysit my kids so I could unpack and clean. And thanks to one of my BFFs, "L", who came to help to rearrange heavy furniture, unpack boxes and hang wallpaper. Also, many sweet text messages checking in on me sure do make a girl feel loved during a big life transition. I am surrounded by amazing friends and family who support and love me.  I never take that lightly and am so grateful.

Here are a few photos of the work in progress:

move in day: H1 looking out the window waiting on the moving truck

so many boxes!

 Our belongings were put in these giant wood containers in a storage unit for 4 months, then delivered to our home. One neighbor told me she followed this truck up the mountain and thought they were transporting gorillas! haha Sometimes I feel like I live in a house full of gorillas! #onlyfemale

Unpacking is serious business!

  Plastic tunnel trying to contain the dust while beam is being sanded and stained. 

Fancy table cloth made of packing paper. 

Foyer Board & Batten progress. 

 The dynamic duo, husband and wife contractor team who are making 

my renovation dreams come true.

I've been doing my own painting project also, in the kitchen and bathroom.

foyer complete: Board and Batten hung & painted made me love the brick flooring even more! I picked a dark gray paint color for the interior front door to create contrast.

When I sit in these bar stools I can't help but to swoon a little. Yes, I feel blessed to have a nice renovated home but more importantly I think about my family and the memories we will have seating around this big island. 

 Sitting at this island, I think of laughing while hanging the wallpaper with my friend. I think about my Collierville friends who thoughtfully gave me a gift card to a local antique store where I found this glass jug. I think about our family who handed down this cute little blue and white Delft pig from E's birthplace Holland Netherlands. 

The first picture hung on the wall. 

This picture was handmade by a sweet friend and represents so much to me. Our MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) theme last year was "A Fierce Flourishing". 

Over the year we learned how to 1. Embrace Rest   2. Notice Goodness   and 3. Celebrate Lavishly.  My Life's Story is filled with joys and failures. Each time I see this picture I am reminded how God continues to transform my life and teach me daily.

Now that the boxes are unpacked, its time to ORGANIZE! Have you met my label maker friend? This little label maker is one of the best gifts I have ever received. (Thanks again sister!) 

I tried to be very intentional about what is unpacked and brought into the house. I love the idea of a minimal lifestyle but it is a challenge to live it out. I am learning the best way to stay organized, is to have less stuff. The donation/garage sale pile is getting bigger daily. Less is More. 

In this crazy world, I somehow feel like I have a little control when bins, bags and drawers are properly labeled & organized. It really makes me happy. And the boys like identifying their name to know where their personal items are stored.

And of course to keep happy kids and a sane mama, we have been taking lots of breaks to explore the yard, Vacation Bible School, TN Aquarium, Splash Pad, Pool, Rock Climbing gym, Children's Museum, and playgrounds. 

More photos coming soon.