Hey everyone!

I'm back after a nice, long blogging hiatus. I needed to take a break in the worst way. I love blogging, but I needed some space. I was putting way too much pressure on myself to churn out good blog posts and it started becoming unenjoyable. Thus the break.

But I have missed it a lot.

This blog started out as a way to inform our family of all of the updates that we have done (and will do) on our house. I have to say, this little blog is still that, but it has also evolved into so much more. It is my online journal of sorts.

For many, many years I have kept a journal. I have a dozen hand-written journals stashed away in our bedroom. They are a treasured possession. They allow me to look back on what my life was and shed a whole new light on what my life has become. I love to see how I have changed and they help to spotlight those things that I still need to work on.

Over the past, meh, six years or so, I have stopped keeping a handwritten journal and have turned to blogging. In college I kept a blog that was just a smattering of my thoughts, design ideas, an overall mishmash of things. It was also the blog I kept as a newlywed. Then, when we bought this house, I shut that one down and started this blog as a way to chronicle our life as homeowners.

But now this blog has become so much more. It's a way to keep our family informed about our house projects, Daniel, and our day to day life. It also has become very cathartic for me. I love using my blog as a way to focus on the things that God has blessed us with on a daily basis. It allows me to keep things in the right perspective. After all Proverbs 15:15 says, "...a happy heart has a continual feast." This is my way of keeping my heart happy, so to speak.

I have a hard time seeing small blessings at times: A breath of fresh air. A much needed rain shower. Daniel's smile. Curled up, sleeping dogs. All of these things are beautiful and God created--but sometimes I miss them as I focus on the more (or less, depending on how you view it) important things. So, this blog has been a way for me to stay grounded. I'm so thankful for that.

So I plan on continuing to blog, not only to update family, but because it has been such a blessing to me.

I'm excited to get back into it again. Over the next few days I would like to update you on how things are going in our little house. Daniel is eight months old---and that has me completely freaking out and getting excited as I think about plans for his first birthday party! Our house has probably changed a bit (or a lot, for some of you) and I want to show you some current how-it-looks pictures. And, well, I have been changing a lot myself. God has been challenging me in ways I never thought possible and I can't wait to share some of the things I'm learning!

But first, what do you think of the new blog look? I came up with it all by myself. I have been teaching myself how to code a blog and use GIMP. It has come with a steep learning curve, but I have enjoyed learning these new skills. I thought it was about time I learned, as I wasn't really satisfied with any of the looks that pre-made templates offer.

So, look around and let me know what you think! Feedback is always appreciated. And keep looking around for more updates. I'm still working on things. :) See y'all Thursday!

The Real Reason

I have decided to change up the blog a bit!

Why?

Yesterday, our Pastor talked about the "Comparison Trap." His sermon was based on the one given by Andy Stanley. Wow. What a powerful message. To put it simply:  we all compare ourselves to others and it needs to stop! 

Still confused? Check out the video (this is just the intro video, but you can watch the entire sermon on YouTube).

Have you ever been there? I know I have. My comparison trap looks a bit different, because I don't have kids, but it is a trap nonetheless. I always compare myself to those around me. Especially when it comes to this blog, our house, and my current stage of life. I want to make sure that I am 'up to par' with those around me, so I am constantly weighing my life against someone else's.

Andy refers to this battle as the 'Land of ER.'

"If only I were pretti-ER."    "If only I were rich-ER."    "If only I had a nic-ER      fill in the blank       ."

As sinful people, we do this and hope to eventually reach the 'Land of  EST.' 

"I am the pretti-EST"  "I am the rich-EST"  "I have the nic-EST            fill in the blank         ."

It's just such a tangled web to weave and I have submerged myself so deep, in that web, that I am about to strangle myself. I guess that means it is time to get out. :)

Can I get an amen?!

First things first. This blog needs to change a bit. I love blogging, but I have been blogging for the wrong reasons. To be honest, I felt like I had something to prove. I'm a stay-at-home wife and wanted to show everyone that I wasn't just wasting time--as if blogging is somehow a better use of my time. I wanted to prove that I was good at something and valuable in this world. I wanted to bring others into the 'Land of ER' and make them compare themselves to me. This isn't OK.

I wasn't listening. I couldn't hear God telling me that I don't need to prove it to all of you and instead should be proving it all to Him. And you know what the funny thing is?? He already thinks I rock...just check out Psalms 139. Yup...I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. I'm going to start believing that myself.

I am taking this blog to a new place. I want it to glorify God and Him alone. I still want to write about my passions: my husband, family, decorating, renovating, and the puppies. But, I also want every post to first reflect the appreciation and devotion that I have to my Heavenly Father. I'm not perfect, no Christian, or person for that matter, is. But I sure-as-heck can stop comparing myself to others, trying to become perfect.

This mind game is o-v-e-r.

Instead, I think it's about time that I start realizing that I am my ER and EST -- and that is definitely more than enough.


P.S. Check out the updated 'about us' page!