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| Ella Mae and Tobias |
WOW it has been a crazy summer! I haven't blogged or done much of anything for that matter. We have been so busy finishing the last of the remodel that summer flew by and these last few weeks we have just been trying to enjoy the last bit of summer.
I am excited to say that this house turned out better than i dreamed, and although it still needs LOTS of work on the outside, the inside is nearly complete! It has been a labor of love and there has been no shortage of blood, sweat, and tears but it was all so worth it! The best part is that, God willing, in the next week or so this house should officially be ours! I cant thank my parents enough for making this dream a reality, they have been so patient and generous!
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| Great room/Kitchen BEFORE |
Ryan worked his tail off and i felt blessed watching him work so diligently to finish this place, and make it beautiful. He truly is a jack of all trades. The house is beautiful and i finally feel home. As the cool weather of fall creeps in i am just so very thankful for all God has done for and continues to do for us. This journey is ongoing and with God at the wheel i can only imagine it will be and adventure every day!
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| great room/kitchen BEFORE |
Ella Mae loves her house, her yard, and playing at Grammie and Papas house. I will admit it has been an adjustment for her. Her world really did get turned upside down and this summer that has been evident as we have dealt with some very real separation anxiety. With patience i know this too shall pass and she is already starting to blossom. I have to keep in mind that for her "goodbyes" really mean goodbye. She said goodbye to her best friend Kira, Becca and Justin, people that she loved, she said goodbye to Salim who was there from the day of her birth and the first new face outside of us she ever saw, she left a country that was home to her, her apartment and most of her things. She said goodbye to her first Church and the amazing family of Christians we grew close to. I am so proud of her courage, she is an amazing child.
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| Great room/Kitchen AFTER |
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| Kitchen AFTER |
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| Kitchen AFTER |
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| Blue Stained wood ceiling |
This summer Ella Mae has changed so much. She has a sense of humor and a smile that could melt the coldest heart. She is kind and loving and very sweet. She cares about the people in her life and talks about them often. Although she is a bit shy, underneath is a social butterfly ready to spread her wings. We also added a family member this summer, baby Tobias. He is a darling golden retriever puppy who plays with Ella Mae and Deogie constantly. He is a joy and Ella Mae fell in love with him from the moment they met. Ella Mae is quite a little artist and loves water colors the best which she has no problem coloring herself and Tobias with as well. She also wears hats constantly, she has quite a variety and switches it up now and then but her favorite this summer is her fedora.
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| Loft BEFORE |
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| Loft AFTER |
When we weren't working on the house, we were camping with the Kings. It was so much fun to spend time with our very special friends and i am thankful for the opportunity to camp with them so much. Ella Mae got to spend time with her Aunt Kissy, cousin Isaiah, Grammie and Papa nearly every day and they got to know each other a bit better this summer. We also had the great opportunity to have some of Ryan's family come to visit us and got to meet our darling niece Claire. It was great for us to get to spend time with Ryan's Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister in law, and Niece, it was a real treat!
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| Ella Mae and Tobias |
We took our traditional family hike up Harney Peak in the beginning of September and it was a bit surreal because last year when we took the hike it was on borrowed time due to the hurricane delaying our flight back to India. I still think of India daily and all the people we left behind. I am trying to keep life moving forward which for me requires less looking back. God brought us home and so i need to keep my eyes on his direction. Ryan and i will be starting level 1 INSTE this fall to further our eventual hope of returning to missions some day.
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| Top of Harney Peak |
This entry does not nearly capture all that has happened this summer but it at least highlights the basics. I am excited for my first fall in 3 years, it will be so nice to watch the colors change and feel the cool weather move in. This time of year is kind of magical for me, there is just something about it and i am happy to be home!
