Making a "House" a"Home"....

...That is our feminine calling...our innate desire.  Am I right, Ladies?  That desire comes naturally to all of us, yet is unique to each of us.  We each approach the task in our own special way.

No two homes are alike!







Now that we've been in this house for over a week, getting familiar with the space, the sunlight in each room as the day passes by, emptying some boxes into cabinets, moving a bit more furniture inside, I have begun the process of transforming this simple cape cod "house" into our cozy, inviting, long-term home.

Added a medicine cabinet and towel bar to the master bath!

Thankfully, I've had several days away from the salon this week with no other pertinent appointments to chop up my days, so Don and I have finally been able to purchase some needed items, and hang some things on these barren walls!




It's amazing what a little organization and décor can do.  It was looking a bit...sterile...institutional...in here that first week with NOTHING on the walls, no window coverings, and very little furniture. 

Window coverings for the bedrooms.

Better already!

Hall closet is way more organized!

Monday evening, on our drive home from a New Year's Day luncheon with extended family, Don, Grace, Rosie and I reflected upon the many...many... lessons we've learned or "re-learned" in 2017 through this move:



  >We've all grown in our ability to extend grace and forgiveness to one another, most importantly, since we've seen each other at our worst several times these last 7 months.  But, also, to those in our expanding sphere of influence.


     >We recognize God's helping hand over and over throughout this year, mostly through the people...the spiritual family He's provided us, that has uplifted and encouraged us, and also met many of our physical needs.  Sometimes, these folks would just show up during an hour of need... before we'd even realize we needed help sometimes!



      >We've learned the importance of not judging another based upon outward appearances alone.

      >We have a better understanding of "NEEDS" versus "WANTS".

      >We've learned how to find joy and pleasure in the little things, and in those commonplace, "everyday" moments.

      >The importance of laughing together has been reinforced over and over.

      >Creating positive memories with the ones you love, even in difficult situations, is paramount. It builds up your "reserves".  And, someday, that may be all you have.

     >  My girls are PROS at making difficult situations more bearable; finding that silver lining in the cloud!

    >  And, when all else fails, "Fake it 'til you Make it!"

We've also learned that restaurant food and fast food gets really old, really fast...

That the showers at the gym may SEEM really clean, but protect yourself from athlete's foot with rubber flip-flops anyway...

Always keep 3 or 4 gallons of fresh, unfrozen water close at hand...

And, there's a couple of tricks to keeping those camper potties working properly..,. (I won't bore you or gross you out with THOSE details!)

Little hooks help tremendousl

Turning a house into one's home does not happen overnight.  Nor is it solely about what one hangs on the walls or sets about the floor space.  There's MUCH more to it, as many of you know.

In the "physical location"- sense, this is home # 8 in 23 years for us (not counting the campers!).  Once upon a time, about three moves ago, someone said to me, "Don't you think its time you and Don put down some roots somewhere?  The kids need roots."

Well, quite honestly, they've always had "roots"...WE"VE had roots... all along - we are deeply rooted in our faith and our spiritual family.  We are rooted in our relationship with God and our relationships with each other, in our values... in our sense of purpose.





And, each house that we've made our home holds special memories.  At each one, we've made special friends that we never would've met had we stayed in the same spot, way back at home #4.  Many life-changing lessons have been learned from each move, and opportunities for growth, new experiences, and new beginnings presented themselves because of our changes of location.

Has it been easy?  Heck, no!  Has it been worth it?  I believe it has.  I believe I am stronger and wiser and more resilient from it.  I am more aware...more sensitive to what and who is around me.

Look who claimed real estate under the king-sized bed!

Nate asked Brook to marry him on New Year's eve.  Wow!  He bought a gorgeous ring, got down on one knee, and everything!  It is surreal to me: It just doesn't seem its been that long since we celebrated our twins' first New Year's eve - I'm sure we didn't see midnight that year! Probably headed to bed ASAP, thanks to "new parent exhaustion"!  




Are they really ready for this at only 21? Then, again, is anyone ever truly "ready"?  Well, I  was 21 and Don was 20 when we got married....only 23 when I had the boys...

...More reflections on that later!  I need some more time to process it!!

...2018 will have plenty of excitement of it's own, it seems!









Hope you all enjoyed your New Year celebrations, and I'm praying you all have a blessed, healthy and joyous year!

Watch for an update later this month...