Christmas 2015

That's not a very creative title. But you should be impressed I'm writing at all.

I just survived Christmas. Emotionally and Physically.

This wasn't just any Christmas. It was Christmas 2015. The last one in this house. The last one in Middle Tennessee.

It started with the typical chaos. School plays, festivities, Christmas shopping, long lines at Target, cookie exchanges and Amy forgetting which kid needed the wrapped book under $5 and which one needed 30 paper plates and cups. And on which days.

What made it different was what makes it one I'll never forget.

SCHOOL

Class Christmas party day this year was hard. Because it was also the last day of school {forever} for my four GCA kids.

Mabry and Mrs Michelle

Ashley's Surprise goodbye party by the 6th Grade girls' Bible class

Grace Christian Academy is the only school Ashley, Emily, Mabry and Kate have ever known. It's in the only church they've ever gone to and their daddy is one of the pastors. Talk about safe. Talk about sentimental... That place is home to our family. Those people are our family.

Ashley started Kindergarten the day the school opened its doors. If she stayed, she'd be the first graduating girl to attend that school all 13 years. But not now....

We said our goodbyes as the halls were loud and packed with parents and tiny siblings. The classrooms smelled like sugar and half the students were in Christmas Pajamas. Everyone was saying goodbye for Christmas break while we said goodbye, forever. Just when I would think I had it together, I'd see another loved teacher and the tears would flow again. 

Jake surprised the big girls and took them to see Star Wars to help soften the sting. I'm so grateful he did. I think it helped a lot. For a little while. At least it's given them something to think about. I'm all about processing the emotions but tween girls have a special gift for dwelling on things to the point of unhealthy. So now we can divert to theories about Rey and we find excitement and smiles again. ;)

OUR HOUSE HERE

Since this post, our Christmas tree took on a transformation. Mid-Christmas our house went under contract. I'd originally tried to keep it de-personalized (as much as such a personal thing can be) for showings. But once we had a buyer, I packed up my elegant ornaments and hauled out the special ones. The homemade and well loved ones. Much to the kids' excitement, the tree transformed into our familiar family Christmas tree. Laminated handprints and all. I'll never forget the year our tree started out beautiful and unfamiliar and ended familiar but even more beautiful.

OUR HOUSE THERE

We made a day trip out to Knoxville the day after school let out so the kids (and Jake's parents and brother came along) could see our new home for the first time. It was sweet. And loud. And I think maybe our real estate agent is afraid of us now. Anyway, it was a fun time getting to see them explore. Now they can put a picture to the end goal of the not-so-fun weeks of packing ahead. 

HOSPITAL

What would the holidays for a large family be without at least one trip to the ER? Micah was running around chasing the kids and fell, hitting the back of his head on a side table, landing him in the ER with two staples which will need to be removed the beginning of January. So yeah, there was that.

Buddy. :(

FAMILY

We were blessed to see lots of family this year. We had "4 Christmas'." Christmas morning with just the 8 of us, then Christmas with Jake's family, a day with my moms' side and today we had Christmas with my dad and stepmom. Each time was so special and sweet. And each had it's own yummy meal- much to the detriment of my waistline. Thankfully, Dad and Margie got us a Ninja for Christmas so if you see me eating or drinking anything but a green smoothie for the next month, smack me. #accountability #pleaseandthankyou

Dad and Margie with all their grandbabies 

I got to see my brother, whom I generally only see for Christmas. This year it was surprisingly bittersweet because he's reminding me more every year of our Papaw who is with Jesus. And actually the last time I saw Papaw was with my brother, on Christmas Day 2012. Whew. Bittersweet. 

~~~

Through all the good, the hard and the bittersweet, we lived. Christmas 2015 is in the books. And while the kids are all preoccupied with their new toys, I'm getting my type A on. Planning how to get this house packed and this family of 8 across the state in one piece. 

Because come 2016, it's time for a new adventure. 

Our House: the Before and Afters

I love my house. But I didn't always.

When we found this house, it was NA.STY. Actually it was like, ugly and nasty. It was a foreclosure and all the lovely things that can come along with that. On top of the royal blue carpets in the entire house, the walls were mauve, burgundy, plum, royal blue (yes with royal blue carpets) and dirty painters white. Most of the light fixtures were ripped out along with a few appliances. The carpets were dirty with clumps of hair and spilled bottles of soap and random laundry strewn around. And things in the toilet we shall not speak of. Actually, lets just not talk about it anymore.

I was 8 months pregnant with #6. But instead of feeding my nesting needs, we were temporarily homeless. And instead of a pretty, clean space to prepare, we had to replace carpets, have the whole house painted and cleaned. It was not my dream scenario for bringing our last child into the world.

Married women, can I just chat with you for a minute? A serious chat. Sometimes, you won't be in your right mind. You'll be hormonal or spent or both. And when you are in a place where your brain cannot and should not make decisions, let your husband do it. You made him the head of your house when you married him, so trust him. Even if he gets it wrong, its ok. Sometimes he'll get it right. REALLY right. I was a little bit appalled by this house but I knew in my heart that I was not in a good place to be hearing from the Lord. And I knew my husband was really pressing in for an answer from Him. So when he said he thought we should do it, I submitted. I know that word makes some of you cringe a little. But if you are married to a man who walks with the Lord, trust that God speaks to him. If I had it my way I maybe would have passed on this house because it looked like too much work. I'm so thankful that I trusted the Lord by trusting my husband. Jake heard from God on the matter of this house. And God gives His kids good gifts. So we bought the house.

Some of the things we've done to this house happened right away (before we even moved in) and some happened much later.

Without further adieu, our house of 4 1/2 years, before and after.

BEFORE

That's Me. And Kate. :)

Very pregnant.

AFTER:

Ok so not much change there. But wait...

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Boom.

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There's that lovely royal blue...

AFTER:

Ahh!! Right?!

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AFTER:

We matched the hardwood that ran through the hall and kitchen and had it put in this office,
the formal dining room, and formal living room.

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Its hard to see, but that is Burgundy paint.

AFTER (but from a different direction, its the same hall):

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If we had stayed longer, I wanted to add cabinets in here.
Can't win 'em all. :)

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No more glass doors. Unless you like to break your back while bathing small children.

And one more of the kitchen because I love it so much:

BEFORE:

AFTER!!:

There you have it. That's my home guys. Mostly just new paint, carpet and hardwoods. But the transformation will always be a reminder of the goodness of the Lord if I submit to Him (sometimes via submitting to my husband).

The one we are buying in Knoxville is new construction. Which makes my heart so happy! We've never had a new construction home and it will be so wonderful to move and be able to throw our energy into our growing church without worrying about our home. God is so good to us.

~~~

The "after" pictures are obviously insanely better quality than the before's. If you are in the Middle Tennessee area, I just can't recommend enough- our friends the Winters and their business Homepixmedia. We also have an incredible real estate agent (and beloved friend), Jenny Fann, selling our home. She's amazing to work with and we highly recommend her as well!!