Just keep racking, racking , racking...

I thought I would do a quick update on our current house renovation: installing wood floors. 

 

When we purchased our home in October of 2012, we knew there were improvements we wanted to make, but we made the choice to wait one year to do anything (except paint).  The main driving force was financial (we don't borrow money), but secondly we wanted to live in the space and see how we would use it.  Some things that I initially didn't like, I wouldn't dream of changing now (like our brick fireplace), and some things I thought would be a big priority (like adding a full bathroom to the master bedroom) don't seem to be a big deal now. 

Anyway, we stayed true to our commitment of waiting a year. Improvements we've made in the last year include adding recessed lighting on the main level and widening a doorway between the kitchen and dining room.  The recessed lighting has made a huge difference and I love it. Before all we had was one ugly ceiling fan for overhead lighting.  The widened doorway is technically not finished yet (waiting for trim), but I'm sure I'll have pictures of that when I get an "after" of the floors.

 

For now, we work on the floors, and work on the floors.  I said right away this would be a quick post.  We are currently in the throws of installing the flooring, and I've got to get to work.  We got the kids a movie tonight and hoped to get the living room finished.  But, alas there's probably about two hours left of work to do and the kids HAD to  go to bed.

 

But, here's a progress shot from last night.  Matt started Saturday morning, and we worked Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings. The type of wood is quarter-sawn white oak.  It's gorgeous and the same type of wood as we currently have in our foyer, only it's parquet.  It is unfinished, but this is  because we are going to sand and restain the foyer and make everything a uniform color.

 

 

Here's a close-up of the grain. 

 

 



 I love that it's not as "oaky" as regular oak, if oaky is a word. I don't want to over-spiritualize things, but I also see this flooring as another blessing from God. We were very patient when choosing what type of wood, where to buy it from, what width boards, what color, on and on. Then Dakota Floors in Brandon, SD had this in their warehouse and wanted to move it out. It is exactly the board widths we wanted, (both two and three inch), AND exactly the type of wood that would work best in our home.  AND but because they were moving it out we got it at contractor's price. It was far less, albeit it is unfinished, that anything else we looked at.  Our final estimate for everything (wood, supplies, and finishing), was $50 less than the modest budget we had originally set.  In the scheme of all that's going on in the world, it seems like floors schmoors.  But, I continue to find these small gifts from Him and I want to have a heart of gratitude...so, Praise God!

 

Here it is this morning. 

 

You can see that we had to move all the boards to the other side of the room and that we racked out a few more rows to be nailed. We are literally laying this floor board by board. Every board has to be just the right size. We learned a lot about seams-mainly you don't want them close or in a pattern-but I still may grab five or so boards before I find one that works. Matt is obviously better at this than me and so it may take him less time. Those rows you see that are racked (I think there are six) took us one hour.

So, progress is s.l.o.w.  However it's coming along.  It's not moving faster with me at the computer, so I better go rack it out, and if all goes well the living room will be fully installed tomorrow morning!  Woot!

Back at it & Nathan goes to school: A lesson in trust.

So...It's been over a year since I've written here.  It's funny how a year goes by.  It's okay, I don't think anyone has missed this blog and the last thing the world needs right now is another blog.  But, I've decided that this year, I'd like to give it another try.  Perhaps I  need it.  I've had many hard times through the past year-and-a-half since my mom passed away and so many moments I don't want to relive.  However, God has been showing me His mercy and goodness.  By faith I continue to move forward.  Though the brokenness of this world and the affects of sin are more real to me now, so is the truth that Jesus is Victor and redemption wins out.

We continue to live life.  This year will be unique for us.  Nathan has entered the public school system (eeks) as a second grader while Ella will continue to do school at home as a first grader.  Addie will have a more structured school year, at home, as she will be five in October.  Ella and Addie are also doing Classical Conversations.  It's a classical Christian homeschool group that meets once per week, but will also dictate much of our school work the other days.  I will post more about that as we begin our meetings and school work in September.  But, it feels we are jumping with both feet into two pools, and I'm eager to see how this year will shape and mold decisions we make regarding education in the future.

 

We are also starting some more serious home renovations.  I want to post those too.  To remember our progress and see how we've improved our home.  Hopefully it won't be all that's improved this year.

This time, I focus on Nathan.  We decided to have him repeat second grade since he has a summer birthday.  He is also going to an accelerated school, so he will be able to work at the appropriate math and reading levels, and not just be confined to "second grade" work.  This was the main reason we felt good about holding him back.  Academically he could definitely move on, but we saw it as wise to let him grow and mature another year.  Another year at home with Nathan seemed like an advantage too.  Our kids are young yet, but I'm in no means excited to have them graduated and gone!  (Ask me again in 10 years though:)  Here he is on his first day of school.  A little nervous, but totally excited!

 (2 for second grade)

 

The first week has gone well for Nathan. He is a rock star and has mainly adjusted with no issues. The only issue Matt and I have had is with his personal choices for reading material. I would like to write that Nathan naturally gravitates towards poetry and all the classic children's literature out there...but that would be a lie. Most of his reading time was spent with Captain Underpants. I'm sure lots of kids read it and love it, but it just didn't seem like a productive way for Nathan to spend his time and fill his mind. He since is making better choices :)

 

Here he is with a couple classmates waiting for the bell to ring.

 

 

The week may have been more challenging for me. I hated giving up all that control to a lady I'd never met before. All of sudden someone else was choosing his curriculum and spending the day with him. I just wanted to tell her, "This is Nathan, and he's really special so take extra good care of him. Get to know him, he's wonderful!" But praise God for peace and a willingness to trust Him, (and self-control so I didn't look like a crazy lady).   He has led us down this path and He is good.

Look at all those kids though.  Nathan's class has 27 students!  Way too many for my comfort level (trust, breathe, it's going to be okay).  His teacher, Mrs. Ivey is at the head of the line and admittedly doing a fine job so far.

 

I've also seen lots of good things happening this week.  Matt and Nathan eat breakfast together and do a devotional every morning.  Nathan even gets to ride in the truck, something much coveted for all the kids.  We also spend more time intentionally praying for him, and the girls look forward to picking him up.  I'm sure that as the year goes on (and even now) I could make a list of negatives, but we'll deal with them as they arise and continue to humbly bring them to the Lord.  Praise God He is leading this adventure!