Setbacks and Seattle

“Setbacks and the Pacific NW” didn’t sound as catchy… alas. Hope those of you that follow us on IG (plug plug plug) enjoyed our weekend getaway across multiple Oregon sites as well as Seattle. From ridiculous views and way too much good wine (I somehow signed up for two additional wine clubs?), to bikini coffee baristas with much less than a bikini, we had a blast and it was much needed. As Kels alluded to in an Instagram post, we received word on Wednesday afternoon that both our contractor and architect decided to back out of the job to start on the first floor overhaul. While we were disappointed to hear this as both came well-recommended, after a walk-through prior to kickoff earlier that morning, it was clear we weren’t on the same page with what was scoped and planned for our space. So, as promised, you get the ups and downs with us.

Where was the disconnect? Well, we had talked about turning the stairs 180* and they thought we meant turning just 4 steps after the landing vs the entire bank of stairs, and in addition, the garage to home elevation disparity turned out to be about 18” lower than we thought, meaning another 2 steps had to be added without any real space to add them! So, we restart and recalibrate our vision for timelines, as well as what is realistic within the budgets we’re operating within.

This weekend we plan to wrap up the front yard landscaping redo, and then combine that with a master bedroom floor and paint makeover before officially moving everything into it. Upgrading the size of the closet, adding some canned/recessed lighting and then hopefully getting some decor in there as well. If there’s time, we’ll also then tear out some very worn carpet in the loft area and office/second bedroom. Thankfully, we’ll have a lot of assistance over the weekend, with as many as five additional people lending hands from both sides of our family coming in. Stay tuned!

Jeremiah

You may remember him as a bullfrog, but he was also known as the weeping prophet. He faced many challenges and wrote about them in a best selling book. You may have heard of it... Throughout all the challenges he faced, he kept his eyes on the Lord. The Lord reassured his steps:

It's easy to get anxious and overwhelmed with a new home the horizon. The anxiety can sometimes overtake the excitement, but it's quickly calmed when I remember this verse.

I've always been one to turn to scripture (whether I liked to or not, right Mom?) when life throws a wrench in my plans. This verse grounds me. It helps me realize that my plans are much different than the Lord's plans and that is quite alright. Even when my life gets too busy with work or my obligations or trying to prevent my toddler from peeing on the floor, I'm calmed when I read this verse. God is consistent. He has led us to this place and will continue to guide us in our journey, as cliché as that sounds. Calling out my mom above is laughable because when we were growing up we listened to Mom's relentless BSF teachings on our rides to school. Whether we liked to admit it or not, somehow the lesson of the week perfectly described a problem one or all of us were dealing with at the time. I mean, come on, how does that happen!? God. That's how it happens. He's always there and he's leading us even if we're too busy to notice.

Today is closing day. We're prepping for the walk-through and excited to sign on the dotted line when whaddya know - an email from KLove graces our inbox:

Oh hey, God. We see ya!

Just as Mom's BSF lessons reminded us of God's faithfulness, today's KLove verse gives us confidence in the plans God has for us. We hear you, Big Man, and we're excited to see where you take us next. Right now, it's off to close on this bad boy, our 1888.

-k

One Week

So... we close in a week. One week is a long time. Despite our best attempts to focus on what's in front of us, life and work threw themselves in the way and we both felt that heavily this week. It was month end and for anyone who works in sales can tell you, the pressure to deliver against numbers ratchets up as the month winds down. That goes double in our household, and when you combine that duress with travel and other challenges in a short period of time, you could say it's been one a helluva week. The good news? It's over, we celebrated the fact that it's complete with champagne, a baguette and some exquisitely sliced cheese sticks, and can focus on what's in front of us. Sometimes to remain upright, together, at the end of challenging week is worth celebrating. 

What's in front of us, you ask? 

• Closing on the home, migrating two homes into one, and settling in just in time to...
• Line up contractors to flip (yes flip) the stairs 180* and install an interior access door from the garage to enable us to...
• Update the entire main floor, from floors to lighting, kitchen location to dining room and both family rooms
• Host Christmas for our families??

Sound fun? Slightly insane? I can speak for both of us when I say we've never shied away from a challenge, so why not add another deadline? After all... it's how we're used to working. -K