Month One

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I haven’t been on here much, as we have been trying to finish the house and start moving things in this month. I don’t have any idea how a family can go through a tornado, lose a ton of their belongings, and STILL have So. Much. Stuff! I haven’t been able to have an open house party, yet, for everyone to come see the new place…so, I’m going to post a few pictures of the downstairs. The upstairs isn’t finished, yet, nor the outside of the home..so you will just have to wait to see those pictures. Keep in mind, that I’ve only put the basics in. I still have pictures and decorative items to buy and display. Guess I will get to that someday. Maybe.

Besides all this, Israel and Eden have finished school for the year. Ethan will still be working some through the summer, to try to get a head start on his senior year. He’s also been putting in applications for a job, so if you hear of an opening somewhere, let us know.

Also, I’ve been accepted from Bethany House to review books, occasionally, and then to share my thoughts in blog posts. They will send me free books, and I will write a review and tell you what I think…so, look for those posts in the near future.

Enjoy the pictures, and if you have any “decorating” ideas..PLEASE feel free to help a gal out ;o)

One Year Ago on this Day….

Today, one year ago, our world was turned upside down instantly…and literally! This day is the anniversary of the Tornado that ripped through Greeneville, Tn, and practically took our home with it. It’s been a hard year, and as many of you know, we still are not settled into a permanent home. Things seem to move at turtle speed for us, and I’m not sure why that is. It all got taken away so quickly, yet it’s taking so long for restoration to return. I just have to keep my head held high and trust that the God that brought us through a tornado, will take care of us in His own good time. Money is tight, patience is thin, and nerves are shot around here…pray for us!

Thank goodness for Guardian Angels~

Friday, David sent Ethan and a helper to work at the new house, while he went on to another tile job. I know it’s hard to believe this, but Ethan is 17, and perfectly capable of doing manual labor…(even though HE thinks life is about games and movies…..still!) The plan was for them to finish up the hardwood in one of the bedrooms, and then to dig a ditch for the cable wire so the guy could hook up our internet someday in the near future *fingers crossed*. Later that evening, after I came home from work, here is the story David related to me.

David had told Ethan to dig the ditch for the cable line. In his defense, Ethan gets told to do things sometimes, that he hasn’t actually ever done. So, he tries to reason out how to do them instead of asking for someone to show him..because he’s a guy. And he’s 17. Which = I’m-smart-and-know-I-can-figure-this-out-by-myself. David told me that about noon he got a strange feeling. He called Ethan to check on how they were doing at the house, and then gave Ethan a few little directions about digging the ditch….

“Ethan, when you dig that ditch, DON’T use the pick axe to do it.”

Silence….

“ETHAN…DID YOU ALREADY USE THE PICK AXE TO DO IT???”

Quietly, “Yes, sir.”

“Ethan, did you hit something?”

Even quieter, “Yes, sir”

Ethan had hit the main ELECTRICAL conduit line. AND cracked it open! Now, if you know anything at all about this kind of thing, you know that if you ever hit a “hot electrical wire” you are dead. D.E.A.D. Instantly. By the grace of God, he hit the conduit with the pick axe, cracked it almost in half, but didn’t touch the electrical wire. I get sick to my stomach thinking about what COULD have been, but I am thanking the dear Lord above for what didn’t happen! Shew! All I know is that Guardian Angels of 17 year old boys must be VERY busy creatures!

March 2012

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March was busy, as always. Ethan turned 17, and Eden turned 7. We had the usual birthday celebrations on top of the on-going stress of trying to get the house ready to move in. David took the whole month off from work to try and get everything finished, but he just doesn’t seem to have enough hours in the day. He had to start back to work April 1st..since unfortunately, money does NOT grow on trees (contrary to what my kids think!)

I took a few pictures of the house this past week. The colors are a little off, and you guys will have to just come see everything in person to get the full effect! But, for those of you who are interested and keep asking me to post some….these are for you….

Tub envy?

I’ve been off from work all week due to Spring Break for the kids I babysit, but unfortunately, I haven’t been off from WORK! We’ve been painting the house! I really wanted to hire that part out to someone who knew what they were doing, but finances has caused us to take stock of our situation and buckle down to the true DIY finishing of our home. Eden’s bathroom is finished except for the trim, and all her bedroom lacks is hardwood flooring and trim. It’s getting exciting to see things shape up, after almost four months of working (and I will leave the interpretation of that term to you readers..haha) on our new house. The Master bathroom has been tiled, and painted, but still needs to be grouted, the fixtures installed, and the trim applied. Speaking of bathroom fixtures….

How would you like to take a nice, long, relaxing bath in this baby??? ROTFL! This is our clawfoot tub we were given for Free.. Yes, Free! I promise to post pics of it when it’s finished, so you won’t look at me and and inwardly gross out thinking that I may or may not have taken a bath in this monstrosity looking like it does now! It really just needs a good sandblasting, paint, and then she’ll be as good as new. I long for the day I can soak in a hot bubble bath in my new house~

We are supposed to close on our building loan on April 1st, but it may be a few weeks later than this, if the bank will give us an extension. We still need to tile the kitchen, finish the painting, put the hardwood downstairs, carpet the upstairs, trim the house out, and do a few more endless little things here and there. I constantly console myself with “We are closer to being in it, than we were yesterday!” I’ll keep you posted………..

Bluegrass Underground

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This weekend, David and I went to Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, Tn to watch the PBS taping of the Bluegrass Underground concert. It was really neat. I will just let the pictures speak for themselves. We also went to Nashville and saw some of the sights, there. We had a totally awesome time. Have fun looking, and if you get a chance, you must visit Middle Tennessee and see all their lovely sites!

House Update

The inside upstairs got a final coat of Drywall this week. David spent three days working on the big covered front porch that I said *Must* be included in the home package. We haven’t taken any pics on the inside yet…it still looks so unfinished, but we did take an updated pic of the front porch work. Keep praying that we will get this huge project finished SOON..and if anyone is looking for something to do, call us! We could use some help around Restoration Homestead!