Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life
I thought this was a pretty ingenious idea from Lexi. She packaged a doll and dress in cut up tissue and shoe boxes and wrapped it in plastic wrap to make it look like it was for sale. They lined them up on my bookcase and priced them, pretty close to actual price, nonetheless. Possibilities are endless. Well, as endless as your supply of boxes. Have fun!
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If I could walk into my new bathroom right now, this is pretty much what I’d want to see
From HGTV; Designer Lina Khatib
OR
From HGTV; Designer Cindy Aplanalp
Let’s make it happen!
Today we met with the designer and our friend that’s a builder. Both were really good meetings but boy, do we have a lot of decisions ahead of us.
The designer looked at a few of the designs we had come up with and liked one that I actually didn’t post. The biggest thing she recommended which really surprised me was to not do the tub if we don’t use it. She suggested instead to do a huge tile shower which would still satisfy the spa type feeling for the master. The plan also takes into account the split closets we wanted. She’s supposed to be putting a plan together this weekend so I’ll share when we get it.
We spoke with the builder and all seemed well. There were no hiccups or gotchas that came up and in fact, we think we might have a few extra feet on the end of the house to use. He gave us a few steps we can start with, mainly getting our survey from the courthouse to see if we need a new one or not. And then there are A LOT of decisions to make on what materials to use so he can do a proper bid. A few of the bigger things we’re having to consider right now:
I won’t overwhelm you with more, that is quite enough to think about. I’m horrible at decisions so you can imagine that this blows my brain a bit. But, at the same time, it’s fun picking new stuff out!
I have to say most projects around the house are conceived in my brain and are birthed out of Scott’s hands. But this one, is all him. And if the s’mores we had tonight were any indication, I call it good.
Can we think of more fun titles for this process? I’m thinking that’s going to get old quick after a few months. We’ve had enough go on in the last four hours that it’s worth a post though!
This morning started off a little early and disappointing. I had our appointment with our designer down for the wrong day. But I didn’t realize it until we all got up early, got ready and got the house in showroom condition and the designer was “late”. I checked my emails and sure enough, I had today down when it is really tomorrow. You know how excited I am about her coming but yeah, only one more day I have to wait.
Also, I was supposed to talk to the bank yesterday but she never called so we chatted this morning. The thing I was worried about (why do I do that?) is that last year we tried to refi because we have a 7 year arm and it’s “up” this spring but we couldn’t even though we’ve always had excellent credit. One credit card Scott got to hide a birthday present from me in 2009 was late and it tripped up our credit score enough we couldn’t get a conventional loan. We were planning to refi this spring anyway assuming our credit was back up. But I was nervous! Knowing they’d be checking our score in this process, I haven’t wanted to check it on my own lately so I’ve been in a big waiting pattern for the past year to see if it had gone back up. I told her our plans and she said she’d go ahead and check our scores while we were on the phone and we are BOTH back in the excellent range!
The thing I want to mention specifically for this post is I really can see God moving because you know how God has been saying do this in a hurry? I think I saw why today. Because we are doing a fairly small project and it should be done in a few months versus 8 months or more, she wants to do an equity loan for the addition and then refi it all together at the end. So no construction loan and no multiple closings. The thing about it is we won’t be locked into a rate right now. Rates are supposed to go up so she said the best thing to do is…HURRY. Can you believe that? First conversation with the bank and she unknowingly confirms what God has been telling me. The addition is a green light and hurry up and do it!
I can not believe the circus is going to be in Charlotte NEXT WEEK. I haven’t reminded the girls about going since we first found out in December and I can not wait to get them psyched up for it. I’m planning to use some coloring sheets that Time Warner has provided and am happy to share the link so you can do the same if you’re going. Or not. Free coloring pages are always a plus in my book.
Also, I may as well talk about the elephant in the room. Almost literally. Not my room but you know, they will be in the room. So I know circuses get a lot of pressure because of the treatment of their elephants. If that is a concern for you, here is some information about the care and concern for the elephants in the show. I feel confident that the show will be safe and that the elephants are taken care of sufficiently.
The circus will be in Charlotte at Time Warner Arena Wednesday through Sunday January 26-30. And don’t forget I have a coupon code for you to use to either have a fun date with your significant other or take your kiddos.
Check out this page for more information, a show schedule, and how to purchase tickets.
And be sure to let me know when you’re going. The four of us will be headed out for the January 27th 7pm show!
I received this opportunity including tickets to the show because of my participation in the NC Blog Buzz network. I have pledged to give my honest opinion of the product/event. All opinions are my own.
I feel like the last week and a half has been a month. After a long snow week, we basically slept through the weekend. Sunday night Lexi got sick so we’ve been home, trying to nurse her through that. Looks like she’s coming out of the woods today. Although it feels a bit like everything has been on hold, there are a few highlights.
Addition of the house variety
Tomorrow morning we have a designer coming to look at the house and help us brainstorm about how to set up the addition. I am ITCHING to see what she comes up with.
We are having a friend come over after that and give us a ballpark estimate. Hoping that will happen this week as well.
I’m supposed to be talking to a bank about the loan today.
So yeah, we ARE moving forward!
Addition of the family variety
Friday we met with a couple from our church that is adopting. She filled us in on her story and what they are doing, gave us some contact info, answered our questions and gave us some books to read. I read Adopted for Life this week and can’t recommend it enough. For EVERYONE. It gives you a Biblical representation of adoption, helps families of those thinking about adoption and lots of tips for adopting parents and even adoptees.
So we haven’t physically done anything about the adoption. Initially we thought we’d be adopting from Haiti but so far that doesn’t seem to be the direction we’re receiving right now. We know we want to adopt 3-5 years old and feel like our local DSS is where we’re headed. I have to admit, it’s scary. These kids have baggage, no doubt. And this isn’t the pound, you can’t take the child back if it doesn’t work out. I hate to sound so callous but it’s actually quite the opposite. This child will be ours forever, I truly believe God had picked this child for us since the beginning and they will be a Bennett. Emma and Lexi’s brother. Our son. And to type that is overwhelming. And thinking about my son with baggage is hard. So to make that first call is like signing up for life, not just getting some info. So yeah, I guess I’m scared to do anything. But we will. We will. I feel like the rush is on the house right now so that’s what we’re concentrating on.
Feeling crafty
Monday I was feeling inspired by this post, so I got out by myself for a bit and went to Michael’s. I had a 40% coupon and I was gonna use it! I ended up stumbling on their 80% Christmas sale where I got lots of little red stuff for only .20 each that I could use for crafts. They also had paper on sale and I used my coupon for a little heart wreath. I spent a few hours after getting home making a few crafty layouts with the paper for Valentine’s Day and just fun ones for my office. I may not keep it around or I might. Each one only costs about a quarter since I already had the frames lying around.
Is that owl not so cute? That is an owl from one piece of paper I painstakingly cut out and taped on that awesome, colorful paper behind it. The bird on the top left one says “tweet”. It of course reminds me of Twitter. I had to literally, yes, literally, cut and paste some of the birds around that piece of paper to make it look right in an 8×10 frame. I love the heart on the picture of the Eiffel Tower, which yes, was part of a piece of craft paper for 19 cents! The flag one was hard. I don’t have a Silhouette so I had to break out the razor blade to make the flags. The last one on the bottom right is simply a sticker with a bunch of romantic words and definitions (which I already had in my craft supplies) stuck on a red piece of paper. So simple and only 25 cents!
Feeling clean
With all the time in the house, I’ve spent some time cleaning out my closet and kitchen drawers the past week. Can’t tell you good that feels. I’ve debated consigning some of my clothes but I’ve never done that. Is anyone familiar with the process? Wondering how much you actually get. Our local ones either do 60/40 or 50/50 split but I wonder how they price them and if the split really makes it worth it.
Blood:Water Belt
We’ve picked up a little steam on the Blood:Water Belt this week. Several ladies have sent in their pictures and have done some more posts about it. We’ve gone over the 50 mark, with over $1500 raised. So amazing. When I see the pictures of everyone in it, I’m just amazed.
Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights is coming to a close. After tonight, only 3 weeks left. Kaitlin and I have continued to do our fan site and podcast. We had the pleasure of interviewing Connie Britton “Tami Taylor” last night. My favorite interview to date. She’s so well-spoken and really knows her FNL. She’s not doing any TV or movie projects right now and is doing some charity work. You can tell she lights up when she talks about their projects. It was a little sad afterwards to be making plans with Kaitlin for when to shut everything down but it’s been fun. I have made a life-long friend with Kaitlin through this, had a blast doing the podcast and even going to Austin to meet some of the cast. It sounds a little trivial at times but I’m glad to have spent the time on it that we did. At the same time, I think it’s good timing with the above-mentioned stuff going on that I move on from this. A time for everything right?
Bible in 90 Days
Today is the half-way mark with reading the Bible through in 90 days. I’ve managed to stay on time every day and oddly, God has been stopping me from reading ahead even when I’ve had time. He’s showing me it’s my DAILY bread, not a sprint to completion. And still, I can’t recommend doing this for no other reason than it forces you to stay in His word.
So that’s a lot! I think that catches you up and I keep saying it, but I really want to get back to daily postings here!
What do you blog when you’ve been snowed iced in for 3 days? What do you blog when your husband has worked 7 evenings in a row? What do you blog when your day has been a monotony of wake, cook, work, cook, eat, cook, entertain kids, cook, sleep?
Well, if you’re me, I guess you don’t.
As I imagined, this week was tough. Not tough, tough. No crying spells or pulling out my hair or yelling (and I have PMS—it’s a miracle!). Just having to keep-on-top-of-everything- I-don’t-have-time-for-anything-else. You know, PARENTING. So I don’t have anything amazing, blog-worthy things that have happened this week. Just a lot of good home time. I have enjoyed the late mornings and not rushing to go anywhere and eating in and lack of drama. It’s actually been a nice week now that I think about it.
Wednesday afternoon we managed to get out to the bank and post office and stopped my parents’ for a few minutes. Their yard was still very iced over and the girls had a blast playing in it for a few minutes. Of course they thought it was like a skating rink. And in fact, some spots did hold Lexi up. So here you can hear my mad parenting skills and if you watch to the end, you can see Lexi take a couple falls. And yes, she IS wearing her Halloween costume and a lightweight jacket.
Hope you guys are having a great week!
