I've had several people ask to see what our new house looks like! Here it is!
Can you see the potential? I am SO excited to get started! This one will look a lot like our current house because I am just so in love with the colors that we've picked, but with a few changes, so be ready for a lot of before and after posts! We are going to scale back the renovation on this one to paint and new carpet for now and then next summer do the bathroom and kitchen! Remember what our first renovation started as?
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I'm SWIMMING in things to do around here, and blogging has been put on the back burner for the next few weeks.
I'm beginning to understand why mothers keep saying that they can't get any work done with children at home, HELLO! It is REALLY hard to even clean the dishes when you have a toddler crying for you to pick him up, so I am now a night worker like 90% of the other mom's that I know.
We close on the new house in 10 days... wow. Lots to do. In between then I have to pack the house, sell half of our belongings, teach 2 brainwashes , shoot 3 sessions and 2 weddings. I might disappear from a while but keep coming back because I'm going to rev up my business this Fall!
Here is a photo from Josh and my recent trip to Arlington for our 7th anniversary!
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365 days ago I became a mom to my firstborn son. They say it goes by quick, but my oh my, it really does slip away from you. Maybe it is that you are with them every day and don't notice their growth like others do. Day in and out you have the same routine and I think that makes time zip right by you.
He has been walking now since 9 1/2 months and loves to push anything that he can move. He started pushing a kitchen chair across the tile tonight, not sure why he didn't go for his car, but I guess he likes a challenge! I can't wait to see what the next year will hold for us and watch him grow and learn to communicate. What an awesome year of personal growth for Josh and I, and physical growth for our little man! He is huge! What a difference food, love and time can do for a little fella'!
lauren:
i cannot believe that Sol is one already!! where is the time going?! through your posts [photos & words], it is clear to see that he is such a joy...and that you are a fabulous mother. :) enjoy this day and what is to come! :) *
(06.29.12 @ 05:29 AM)
Janet:
He looks so sweet, I love getting to know him through your blog and facebook. Seems like just yesterday I met you at your workshop in Dallas, right bf you had him! Good luch with all of the upcoming changes!
(07.03.12 @ 10:13 AM)
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We just signed a contract on this little beauty in Agra, Oklahoma last night.
It is a darling home built in 1934 and has a HUGE yard with 50 foot tall Pecan trees and plenty of spots for chickens, veggie gardens and running around. I love it.
I have been doing a lot of thinking lately in my loneliness while Josh is gone to football camps and workouts in Agra all summer and it got me to thinking again about money, things and our purpose in life.
What brings true joy? I mean, that is what we have all been seeking isn't it? We just want peace in our lives and joy.
I have been reading the books "1000 gifts" and the biography of Mother Theresa lately and am really coming to the personal conclusion that joy does comes in thankfulness and helping others, loving others. I have had a lot of material possessions in my life, I've tried on the "you are what you wear and drive" hat in life and it was exhilarating for a flash and then it would always come up wanting. It never satisfied. Ever.
I was alway the one-upper among my friendships, thinking that more money and more pride would bring lasting, loyal relationships. I was looking through the world for true, lasting joy and none of the stuff that the movies, ads or marketing ploys told me would make me happy ever did, they just stole my money and left me with their empty promises!
So we are downsizing again and I have never been more excited to get out of debt, and find joy in the "boredom" of living in a tiny town. People from larger towns keep asking me, "What are you going to DO there?" and I have been thinking about it... people need a job to do or they are bored. People were CREATED to work. I am totally bored without a purpose and I think that most of the modern teenagers are bored also because they don't have a job to do and so they get into trouble. I will keep busy working with my hands in my garden and finding ways to help people in the community, try my hand at what Mother Theresa said brought her true joy, loving people as if they were Christ Himself. It's a good thing that my husband is in a "helping" kind of job, because that will give me many opportunities to stay busy helping people and teaching my son that joy doesn't come from money or things, but in the simple experience of showing love and helping, forgiving and working for other people's betterment. Service. Service and hard work are what I'm after in this next chapter in life. I need refinement and I'm sure that this will do the trick.
I've also just started reading a book called "The Joy of Less" written by "Miss Minimalist" and it is totally opening my eyes from a secular point of view of what the Bible says about "things" and the love of money. Things don't make you happy, relationships and experiences of beauty (seeing God's creation and standing in awe and thanksgiving) are what truly make you happy.
I am excited for this new journey to see the struggle of getting rid of my "old" self who was poisoned with materialism to the person I want so desperately to become, a helper and someone who cares about everyone. You can't take anything with you into eternity but your actions and the state of your heart. I want a good heart and lots of truly joyful experience. Joy is found in thanksgiving.
Small-ish remodel experience coming right up!
On a business note! I am not quitting photography! I plan on ramping up my business in the Fall in the Oklahoma area and am still taking weddings wherever people will send me! So don't write me off just yet:)
melissapepin:
So love the direction your family is headed Lauren...it speaks TONS to your true heart and character. p.s. let me know when baby S is ready for some more clothes and I will send them on!
(06.26.12 @ 09:07 PM)
Natalie Parnell:
I alway's look forward to reading your post. They are alway's so inspiring!
October:
I admire your direction in life! It is where I want to get to. I would love it if you started posting on your Farm Revival blog again. :)
(06.26.12 @ 10:25 PM)
Sara Virdell:
NIce! Great post, I have started reading 1000 gifts as well. Best wishes on your new adventure, be blessed!
(06.27.12 @ 08:07 AM)
Katelyn:
Good luck on your new adventure in Agra! The Lord is and will continue to bless your decision to follow Him! Yay! I am really excited for you and I cannot wait to see the remodel pictures!
(06.27.12 @ 07:11 PM)
AllieN:
I also admire your direction in life! Your house is so adorable. Congrats!!
(06.28.12 @ 09:32 AM)
Jenny Beck:
I admire that you are so willing to be open and honest. I'm going through something similar and trying to find the purpose of this life. It's so easy to spend spend spend thinking it will make you feel so good, but I have still felt no fulfillment from that. Thanks for the book suggestions, I would love to read!
(06.29.12 @ 02:56 PM)
Lisa Blevins :
I needed this so much . Bless you Lauren !!
(07.21.12 @ 11:21 PM)
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We've been busy this week exploring, picking fruit, going to the fire station for a tour and swimming! We are still in the process of trying to find a house in Agra and sell our's in Stillwater, but we know that it will all happen in God's timing. I am getting really excited about it all and look forward to all of this new change!
In the meantime... we have been finding bliss in the simple things...
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I see awesome potential!!!
(07.21.12 @ 11:45 PM)
(07.21.12 @ 11:45 PM)I'm so excited to see how you are going to make this a home!
This is really a cute home, you should be very comfortable in it and wont need a lot of work to move into. That should leave you a little time to decorate to your taste. Congratulations on finding such a jewel in a small community.
(07.22.12 @ 10:14 AM)I can't wait to see what you do with this one :)
(07.22.12 @ 05:35 PM)Just a quick question for you Lauren. The house looks GREAT..you guys worked very hard and it looks very nice. Just wondering what are those two rooms of blue painted with as far as paint types, paint companies and color names? I love them and want to paint an accent wall in our house with those if possible! ;)
(01.09.13 @ 10:06 PM)