Sun Room Spruce Up and a Full, Thankful Heart

I often wonder why God chose to answer my prayers of staying home to raise my child by uprooting us from a home and a town and a church that we loved, and planting us in a completely different state, to a town we're not in love with yet? Why couldn't he have just given my husband a better paying job there? Wouldn't that have been simpler? But as we know, God doesn't always do the EASY thing. Well, everything's easy for Him, but not always easy for us! During this process of moving we sure have been STRETCHED! Not me so much as my husband. I've seen him grow in his faith in a way that I would have never dreamed a year ago. I've seen him, through his fears, trust God because that was the only option he had left. And he's been so amazed by God faithfulness. I find it a little easier to trust, but I've had my own challenges that God and I are working through. I still ask God, "Why here? What are your plans for us?" And although I don't have all the answers, I get little hints along the way.

There are days like today when the "whys" become a little clearer. I looked around at my beautiful, blooming backyard and it occurred to me that God has literally GIVEN me my wish list. You know, things you always whine about wanting, but never seen to get around to building or buying or making? Yeah, I have a big list of those! But some of the more constant, "wants," God has amazingly given to me and I can't understand why? I know it's because I'm His kid and He loves me. But I'm talking about SPECIFIC stuff ya'll!

I'm not kidding when I say that I've been going on about this stuff for YEARS and YEARS and YEARS and because we really just couldn't afford such extravagance, we never bought or built any of these wants. But friends, my new house HAS all the stuff I ever wanted!!!!! Why didn't this occur to me before?

We have a "porch swing" now. I had one stored under the deck of my old house for many years, begging my hubby every summer to hang it for me, but he never got around to it. Now, I have one! It's not on a porch, but I like it so much better. There are vines and vines of wisteria growing up the posts, and I'm just on pins and needles waiting to see what it looks like in bloom this summer! Won't it be so romantic? And I have a vegetable garden, already fenced in and ready for planting. I've always wanted one, but never had the gumption to get out there and put one together. Now, it's done for me. WOW! I also have a hot tub and a pool! Now, these are things that were on the "I'll probably never see this in my lifetime" list. But I always wanted them nonetheless. How did that happen? And the piste de resistance. A beautiful, cozy sun room (which I've been working on today, getting it "fluffed" for the season). Now, this was also on the list of things I never thought I'd have, but here I am, the owner of one!

This was the patio furniture that the former owner left behind, but I added my old quilt to soften and comfy it up. I can't believe how perfect the colors are!

I think I could just curl up and stay here all day!

These smell sooooo dreamy!

I'm seriously blown away people! And as if God wasn't good enough, as if He didn't already think of everything, He put a wonderfully fragrant butterfly bush right outside the sliding glass door, so that sweet fragrance fills the whole room and the whole house if I leave all the doors open.

Sorry these are sideways! LOL

It's just makes me wonder, what incredibly PERSONAL things is God gonna have waiting for me at my home in Heaven? What things, that only He knows that I love, will my mansion and gardens be filled with? I can only imagine what glorious sights and sounds and fragrances await me there!

I've never actually prayed for a sweet, meandering path of phlox, but I've envisioned it before. God thought to give me a bed of phlox because He knew it would make me smile.

And a single red tulip amidst all the purple phlox. I bet more pop up soon!

For whatever reason, God chose to not only give us a house, but a wonderful testament of His love for us. Because around every corner, there is something else that just tickles me to think, He put there just for me!

Thank you Father! I have a such a full, thankful heart today!

My Little Piece of Heaven!

Doesn't this look nice? Yeah...it is. It's actually too nice!

Sometimes I feel a little self-indulgent for enjoying our hot tub so much. But I REALLY do enjoy it. I feel a little better knowing that I didn't just go out and spend the money on such a luxury myself (although I've always wanted to and am not condemning anyone who does...if you have the money...go for it!). It came with the house...and so did a pool...and a beautiful sun room. We haven't used the pool yet (can't wait for summer!), but we've thoroughly enjoyed the sun room and the hot tub. It feels so good to get out there at night with my hubby. Since we've been using it, we have become so much closer. We get out there and talk...and actually "listen" to each other. It's been so nice and good for our marriage. I guess we just needed something that would help draw us closer. We rarely go out on dates anymore and are usually wrapped up in a TV show or on the computer at night to pay as much attention to each other as we should. I bet a lot of couples can relate. That's why I say EVERYONE needs a hot tub in their backyard! It's probably a lot cheaper than marital counseling! LOL

So I just wanted to post a little something to express how blessed I feel. We have a very modest home that we are comfortable in and happy with, and certainly don't "need" all these things. But for whatever reason, the Lord saw fit to give us a few extras to enjoy.

I'm so thankful.

FINALLY! Some Christmas Pics

Baby GG saying, "Ooooo!" when we turned on the lights.


They may not be the grandest decorations, but here are a few pics of what I put out for Christmas this year.

Merry Christmas!

New House Pics as Promised

Here are some pictures of our new house. Sorry it's taken so long. I got tired of looking for the USB cable to post my own pics, so I found these that the realtor took. My husband just ordered another USB cable, so hopefully I can post Christmas pics as soon as it comes in!

This is a pic of the little gated vegetable garden. I'm hoping I have the where with all to actually plant something and keep it up next spring and summer.

In front of that is a swing with wisteria growing over the posts. I can't wait to see it in bloom next summer!

No, we don't live in Florida. These were taken in the summer. This is a flower bed with a pond and fountain in the back yard. I'm thinking of digging it all up and putting in a swing set.

A view of the pool from the sun room. I love sitting out here! When it's sunny, it's the warmest room in the house, even if it's 30 degrees outside.

Sun room and patio.

These pics were taken of the former owner's things. They took their appliances with them. I didn't like the white, so I got all stainless. I'll post more of my own decorations later, but it pretty much still looks like this. I kept the same draperies and the pot rack.

The backsplash is a shiny tin material and the counter tops are Corian. The little island in the middle has granite on top...I love having an island. We left the color on the walls the same. Here it looks orange, but it's really a nice rust color. It goes well with the family room, which is a sage green (more pics of the family room to come).

Again, this is the previous owner's table and china cabinet, but I too have a round table and a china cabinet and hutch. I sort of don't like having the dining area in front of the fireplace, but my husband likes it, so it stays I guess. I'd rather have a small kitchen table (who uses their dining rooms anyway?) and put some comfy furniture in front of the fireplace. But, it's a no for now.

The view as you walk in the front door.

Just 19 Days to Go

So here's our new house, just sitting there, waiting for us to make it our home. Isn't it cute? Look at that nice edging (sp?) around the sidewalk! My husband is famous for his lack of enthusiasm for yard work. I hope he can keep the yard looking this nice. I can't wait to show you picks of the back yard when we move! It's incredible!

I looked on the real estate website that I originally found it on yesterday, and the site has already removed this as a listing and all pictures (luckily I have some saved), so the ball's rolling I guess. The trouble is, I'm having trouble letting go of our home here in TN. Although I'm excited, I'm feeling so sentimental right now. I don't want to pack and move anything! But there's just 19 days left before we move...I've got to snap out of this and get a move on!

I'm so excited and a little panicked! I haven't started packing and there's a reason...I don't know where to start! And furthermore, I really don't have any boxes to even put stuff in.

Do any of you have any tips or advice on how to start packing up a house to move. What do I absolutely have to keep around (food is one obviously), and what can I start putting away? Any tips on keeping it all organized?

Seriously...I need help!