Making a House Our Home!

So, I've been off of blogging for a while and have much to catch up on! This one may be a little lengthy, but I know my brain won't remember long and I've already probably forgotten much! My goal was to update about the house frequently with lots of pictures, but that hasn't happened! So, here's the scoop!

On Friday, November 20th we closed on a home with beautiful potential in Woodstock, Georgia. It's an old farmhouse with a huge porch, a barn, a pool, a cool mudroom, beautiful trees, a little over 4 acres, 7 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, a keeping room, kitchen, family room, formal living and dining rooms, lots of junk in the yard, all kinds of fruit trees and who knows what's yet to be discovered! We have been so blessed! We were able to get a great deal on it, but it needs a ton of work! It has so much of what Steve and I have dreamed of in having a home and although the work it needs can be a little overwhelming at times, we are so grateful! We are grateful for all we get to learn through this process. I am grateful in thinking ahead in how we will be able to use our home to serve our family, the church, guests, etc.! I am grateful that this is one of the hardest things that Steve and I have ventured on and how it is teaching us to trust God more, be more intentional with our time, allowing us to see God's faithfulness and giving us opportunities to meet new people and learn so much. It is teaching me patience and contentment.

So, in 2 1/2 weeks since closing, here is what all has been done so far...

A new roof
20 out of 30 new windows have been installed
Reagan and Sydney's bathroom has been demolished (almost all the way)
New tub has been put in their bathroom
Stairs to master bedroom have been demolished
Ceilings in both girls' rooms and in family room have been scraped of popcorn
Ceiling in master has been scraped of popcorn
More wallpaper than can possibly be imagined in one house keeps being discovered =)
Wallpaper has been removed in both girls room
Drywall has been removed in Reagan and Sydney's room
New drywall is up in their rooms
Carpet has been removed in Jordyn's room...off the wall!
Carpet was added throughout the house so we could close, now it's being removed again
Trees have been trimmed around the house so roof could be put on and so it will be ready to be painted
Trim and ceiling in family room has been primed
New fans are up in family room
Electrical is repaired in Jordyn's room
2 new hot water heaters are in
Tons of phone calls have been made
Supplies have been bought for the new stairs
I have paint colors picked out for all the rooms we' hope to paint before we move in

Thanks to the Battaglias, Nick Campagna, Matt from work, Mom and Dad, Scott Snyder, Brad Miller, Kim Pfaller who have so kindly served us over the last couple of weeks. We are so appreciative.

We've had some great workers so far, too. If anyone in this area needs any kind of work done on your house, I can give you some great recommendations!!

Please pray for some warmer dry weather so we can get the house painted. Also, for wisdom and strength for my extremely hard working husband. This has been his busiest month so far for Steve's job, on top of that he's working so hard on the house and in taking care of all his girls. And we head to Orlando to be with our family for Christmas for a week! I am amazed at the grace I've seen in him! Please pray he does not get sick as our bodies are still not adjusted to this cold weather! Oh, and that we get a better quote for the a/c/heaters that we need. They are coming in pretty high. This is a short season and before we know it, we'll be in! We want to glorify God through this season, and although some days it seems as if we are in way over our heads, I know that in His strength we will make it through!!

This Psalm has been on my heart this last week and has been so helpful!

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Ps 121:1-2

Now for some pictures!