We did a traditional processional into church yesterday waving our palm branches and singing “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”. It was such a beautiful way to begin Holy Week. The little girls paid close attention to communion yesterday in anticipation of their first communion on Easter. These palm fronds (leftover from our Palm Sunday service) will be a visible reminder for us as we anticipate the events in the last week of the life of Christ.
~in other news~
The packing continues. Caiti came home Saturday to help with packing up her room and Taylor’s (accompanied by her boyfriend Cody). We got lots accomplished, not the least of which was packing up both her and Taylor’s closets. It was a whirlwind of memories as we took down all the sports paraphernalia, trophies, pictures,etc. They were both such a big help and I didn’t cry at all that day. Which brings me to my next point. How do y’all do it? You friends of mine who’ve moved in the last few years—-how were able to be so stoic and not collapse into a pool of tears every 5 minutes? I need to know your secret.
And then the littles and I decided to make crafts instead of packing start packing up the playroom. We were up there a total of five minutes before I was sewing and they were cutting and pasting. We’ve decided we’re REALLY gonna miss this room. We won’t have a craft room per se in the lake house. I may set up my sewing machine in the guest room—which just so happens to overlook the lake. Maybe I’ll require that all guests do a little sewing while they stay with us! I did whip up a little dish mat yesterday which I plan to give to the sweet lady whose house we’re buying. We bonded on the phone last week and she’s as sentimental about her house as I am about mine. She got ‘verklempt’ when she told me how she prayed that God would send people to buy the house who would love the lake like they had. I got ‘verklempt’ when I told her that this transaction has been nothing if not divine.
So, here’s the 411:
1. Something has wedged itself underneath my mouse on my laptop–a crumb or some milkshake or french fry or something. In essence, the mouse is always engaged. It clicks on EVERYTHING. It’s almost impossible to surf the net, let alone blog. I must go see my friends at the apple store soon.
2. We are closing on our house next week. NEXT WEEK!
3. I have to finalize my kitchen plans by Wednesday. Now I’m having second thoughts about my cooktop. I should have gone with a Viking. The Viking stove is not much more than the Kitchen Aid cooktop and the double ovens I had picked out. But the stove is 48 inches whereas the cooktop was 36. That throws my cabinets off. But I want it to be right even if I have to change it at the last hour. HELP! Have you seen or better yet cooked on a Viking stove? They’re like buttah!
4. My girls have their first communion on Easter. We are so excited for them. I’ve got lots of neat stuff planned to help us all remember our Lord’s death and resurrection. Issues is having a special Holy Week series which I can’t wait to hear.
5. It will take approximately forty eleven boxes to pack up my craft room. I packed about 10 boxes last night and it doesn’t look like I’ve taken one thing out. As fast as I could pack it, my girls were digging stuff out so they could finish their crafts. And they’ve unpacked the American Girl box twice already. They come by it honestly because I’ve left 6 or 7 boxes untaped so I could have access to my stuff. I really don’t like moving.
6. I probably won’t see you again until after Easter. {either that or I’ll maniacally blog in the wee hours of the morning when I can’t sleep} I pray you have a blessed week and maybe when I see you again, I’ll be the proud new owner of the best view in town.
Love and hugs,
edie
Your post makes me worry about moving- and we aren’t even looking to move yet! I’ve moved a lot in the past, but the house that we live in now is “our” first house (my husband and I). We’ve done so much to make it our own, that I hate to leave it. We know that we want to move within the next year, but I’m still trying to figure out how I can take my favorite room in the house (the guest bath that I remodeled ALL BY MYSELF) with us! Good luck and I hope everything goes smoothly!
“Maybe I’ll require that all guests do a little sewing while they stay with us!” What a fabulous idea! I’ll come sew just to be at the lake.
I grew up with a lake house (trailer) where we spent our whole summer swimming, skiing, boating and enjoying the beautiful views. So happy for you all.
Oh you say forty eleven, I love ya more now. I pray for you and your family for this move. Have a blessed Holy Week.
Cha Cha
have you seen a dcs oven? amazing. amazing. very simliar to a viking. we love ours.
If you think you should change it, change it – you’ll regret it if you don’t!
We love to cook so we splurged on a Viking cooktop and LOVE it. Considering the beating we give it, after several years it still rocks. Highly recommend.
praying for you this week as you pack and cry and pack and cry and pull things out that you’ve already packed up and cry some more as you re-pack it.
We’ve moved 5 times in 14 years to 4 different states….life in ministry. Each move brings new growth…and I know this will be true for your sweet family.
Enjoy Holy Week as you remember and honor what our Lord has done for us……we will be doing the same.
I can’t see you giving up your craft room…I have a feeling the guest room will be used a lot!!! Hope moving goes well!
Awww you’ll get there, you’ll get settled in, you’ll make new wonderful memories and savor the old ones.
I helped my parents move out of their house a few months ago, they’d lived there since I was 15. We were all crying all day. My mom had a really hard time. I told her this: it wasn’t the actual house that made it home, it was her and my stepdad, and they would take “home” with them where ever they went. And it’s true 🙂
They love their new home!
Edie, can I just say, I love you?
You seem like a DOLL and I love reading about your adventures.
I feel a kinship with you because you’re so similar to my mom in that you LOVE your family, your home, DIYs, cooking, and your hubby, but the kinship begins where your similarities with my mom end. You love the LORD. It is beautiful. I don’t know many women who remind me of my fabulous mom but who know Jesus like you do.
Can’t wait to see your new home and hear/see more of lifeingrace 😀
Edie, you know me, I can’t get through the entire post until I answer questions as I read them, LOL LOL LOL! Since I am having the SAME problem making a decision on range or cooktop here are a few things to ponder. Number one, look at Dacor and Thermador cooktops (this alone may sway you, lol). Think of the “bending” factor, I know that sounds lazy, but you are already used to NOT bending because you have wall ovens now. If you do decide to go with a cooktop you can have nice BIG beefy drawers under your cooktop for your pots and pans. On the flip side, if you go with the range you have a bigger cooking area (also a bigger one to clean, playing devils advocate, lol) and your ovens in one spot not taking up your wall space. I know, I have been NO help whatsoever, LOL!
Another thing that I’m looking into. In my current home I have a dual fuel range from the GE’s cafe series (had to fit in a 30 inch space) which I LOVE. My only complaint is that it’s stainless around the sealed burners and doesn’t come all the way clean. If that doesn’t bother you then I say go for any of them. But now (and viking might be one of them, but I’m almost positive thermador and dacor are) they have SS pro cooktops and ranges with the black ceramic (glass) under the gas grates to make for easier cleaning. My mother just got one in her Florida home and I’m WAITING to hear her results, LOL. But many people like them! Something else to think about, lol!
I’m sorry if I have confused you more but just want you to know!! LOL! Ok I’m going to read the rest of your post now! 😉
One last thing, just BREATHE and it will be over before you know it!! How exciting your girls will be having communion for the first time! Mine had it for the first time last Easter!! Have a wonderful, blessed Easter my friend 🙂
Kristi
hey. . .i hope you have a great week. if you get time and are you on your computer. . . .will you do me a fav?
do you care to send me the pdf file you posted with the 3 month bible reading. . .i thought i saved it, but it’s not coming up. . and when i visit that website, it is overwhelming, and i can’t find the basic link to the scripture passages for each day!!!
thanks girl!
That is something I definitely miss about being Catholic (I know you guys aren’t). I miss all of the rituals of Holy Week. Our church is non-denominational. I love our church but it’s just not the same.
I hope everything goes smoothly with your move.
Have a blessed Easter.
Dream kitchen. Subzero fridge – the glass doors are art in your kitchen. Wolf or Viking range both come in a variety of sizes. Wolf is known for its trademark red knobs – major eye candy. There is a store in Pearl, MS, Riverwood Home Appliances that is discontinuing their wolf/subzero brand and has them all discounted. You could probably get a major deal on some top of the line appliances. And I have no connection with them. 🙂 Just thought it might be helpful.
How exciting to live on a lake. Your girls will love it!!! Have you ever seen a Wolf stove? They are pretty cool too! Joyous Easter! V.
ps I agree with Stacey and Vicki, Wolf is another great brand!! My parents did Wolf ovens and seperate Wolf cooktop when they did their kitchen remodel. Their kitchen is the size of the first floor of my house!! LOL! However not sure if it was a fluke or not, their ovens had to be repaired 3 times in the first 4 years. Just a thought 🙂
My oldest is being confirmed this coming weekend as well. So exciting! I’ve been working on a scrapbook just for him (birth to now) and added special cards and letters from friends and family reminding him of how proud they are of him and his “rite of passage” in the church. I’m going to be a big cry baby! My oldest taking communion?? How can that be??!!
Edie, I miss you already! Take care and try to remember that this is “Divine Intervention” or it would not have happened. God moves us where he can use us. He is several steps ahead of you and is smoothing the way as you walk in faith. Love to you and your little family and Happy Easter if I don’t get to “talk” to you again!
BTW, I don’t know squat about cooktops and/or ovens. I just use what I have. Would love what some have mentioned though!
I have a Wolf 48″ and love it! I chose not to go with double ovens but instead the Wolf and don’t regret it one bit. Get it right the first time! My kids are classically schooled but in a private school – a lot of the same you are teaching. Love your blog!
Moving is so hard. Packing brings back so many memories~all the moments spent in your home. Keep looking forward to the many happy memories you will make in your new home on the lake. I look forward to hearing all about your new home.
What a special time for your young ladies as they prepare for communion.
Wishing you and your family a blessed Easter.
Ruth
Our house goes on the market next week. We just had our last Passover seder tonight-and I did get teary. My darling husband said, “It’s not too late-we can rewind the whole thing”-but that’s not really the point, is it? I want to move-but it’s the end of an era. Our last holiday here. Sniff-sniff.
Oh dear, there is really no good way of moving. Even when I’m excited about where we’re moving (we’ve moved 12 times in 14 years of marriage)I still get sad about where we are leaving and what will be left behind, ie;neighbors, yard, walls for decorating. I’m super good at the packing and moving part, but it still stinks and I don’t enjoy it. But then, when you’re unpacking and pulling out all of your things and putting them into your new home, everything will feel right. Good luck!
Oh Edie, I’m gonna be praying for you this week. Such excitement and sadness all rolled into one. I say if you have doubts about the cooktop you should go with your gut. AND, I also think you should have a tiny guest bed in your craft room. You and your girls won’t make it without a place to do your thang! ;> Take care of yourself. I can’t wait to hear updates and drool over new pictures!
God’s blessings sis,
Sarah 😀
Just a little encouragement on the moving front: This is not our real home anyway, and all these trappings of home that make us feel so warm and fuzzy inside – they are really insignificant. Now I know that sounds harsh, yet these are the things I have learned with each move. It’s still not easy, and I still feel like I have been run over every time the moving truck pulls away with everything I own on it (and I still silently freak out over the stories I have heard about military movers – eek!), but each and every time I have learned a little better that I can live without it all . . . and that the people in my life and the God who sustains me are all that *really* matter. With each move I am also reminded of God’s gentle care for me; I am always more aware of his provision when all my stuff is packed away and my sense of organization is lost in a pile of boxes somewhere!
May you experience and remember this move as a sweet, sweet time!
Oh, I think I’ll feel sad about packing up my new fave…the homeschool/bonus/play room. I have just kept it out of my mind. I figure I can decorate one in our new house like it. Of course I’ll be using all your sweet ideas again. Chalkboard paint, robins nest paint etc.
We’ve changed our plans again…we’re going to just buy an existing home that alreay has a few acres. I decided I don’t have it in me to build from ground up. Been there, done that and it was a nightmare. We’re buying a short sale home (most likely) so the process will take a few months.
I bet you have some great memories from your home. Leaving this home will be kind of hard because it’s the only home Soph’s ever known and I relate it to our adoption experience. Tear.
I can’t wait to see your kitchen! I have only heard good things about the Viking stove, look on the web for reviews from people who have bought the Kitchen Aide one. Good luck.
The higher end appliances do not live up to their pricing. Sub-Zero, Viking and Bosch are all over rated. Kitchen-aid is a wonderful product as is the Jenn-Air. (my two cents from experience) I am excited for you and your new home, location and new kitchen. Look forward to lots of great recipes to come from there. And what wonderful lighting.
Thanks so much for your sweet email It meant a lot to me:)
I too miss Catholicism during Holy Week. I HATED the feeling of the Good Friday Mass and seeing everything shrouded in black and will never forget the feeling of rejoicing on Easter morning. The week feels so ordinary to me now. That isnt OK.
The fact that our house has a Viking range is one reason we bought it. We love our stove. I might not love the way the previous owners designed the kitchen, but the stove, oh, the stove!
I am thinking of you and rooting for you during this big change.
We moved 3 years ago, and I’ve still not recovered. 😉
I took a round-about way to get here but I’m glad I came by to see your beautiful blog! As the wife of a retired Air Force man, I can relate to the moving thing. Have fun with it! And most of all blessings on this holy week.
I have a 36″ viking cooktop in my island and thermador double wall ovens. love both.
1. Get the Viking. You know you want it. Do not suffer in kitchen regret- just do it!
2. Do not let the boxes overwhelm you. In our last move, I made sure to have a steady supply of empty boxes and packed in spurts complete with a timer. Get your packing playlist going and pack your little hands off for 45 min at a shot. No thinking, no debating, just put stuff in boxes, label em and tape them up!
Then relax for a bit and wait for the next scheduled packing spurt.
3. I still have boxes that I have not unpacked in my garage from our move 3 yrs ago. I know what’s in them, and refuse to believe the boyfriend’s claims that anything in boxes that long should be thrown out. This is where the labeling comes in handy.
Have a wonderful week!
I haven’t dropped by in a bit, and when I just did and read about you moving I gasped out loud! I hate to admit it but I actually picked up my phone and called my niece to tell her how disturbed I am with this change and she immediately knew who I was talking about. “That pretty blogger with the amazing blue and white kitchen?” Was her answer. Yeah. Blogworld so strangely affects me. I’m mourning over your house for you.
Although, the lake house? Awesome. Even as-is the kitchen is lovely and I know you’ll improve upon that. And even your lovely current home can’t compete with the location and view of the new one. So I’m thrilled for you. Just resistant to change.
PS: I’m glad/proud for you that you post what YOU want to.. not discarding anything that might be polarizing. (faith, homeschool, etc) Plus it’s a good example of how loving the Lord can look different to each of us and still be true.
oh Edie – it’s so fun to live this with you and yes, moving is painful. More so for you because you have so much invested into this house. More than just life lived but emotions, change, homeschooling, hard sweat and tears. we’ll be cheering you along as you do the same for your new home 🙂
I’ll echo Tara in saying that I’ll be praying for you! Being military, we’ve moved quite a bit, too (9 times in 13 years, 5 different states, but 2 states we left and returned to, so really 7 states … GIRL!!! I can so smell those boxes:)!!). I wish I could say it was fun, or offer some magic ideas, but there’s is just so much “nitty gritty” and it can be overwhelming. What a wonderful time of year, though, to be moving. A great time of year to be reminded of what’s truly important and all that has been done for us by our Lord and Saviour.
Just take it easy and get one room done so that you have a retreat of sorts. And I don’t mean completely done … just a place where things are functional and no boxes abound. I must say that I do actually enjoy those moments when I feel like I need another lamp here or there or a photo her or there and all I have to do is walk out into the garage or basement and grab what I need:).
Again, praying for you and I know you’ll LOVE your new home. Excited to see your progress as the days go by.
Much love!!
Your packing and planning sounds so effortless. I know it has not been, but it must be the precision of all that sewing that helps you to see things, lay them out, plan and put it all together in a beautifully stitched together pattern.
I wish you blessings and tidings of all things during this most Holy time for you and your family!
I so love your blog!! There are only a few i read on daily/weekly and yours is one of them. You are a blessing to me. I hope we will meet one day.
Hi, Edie, I’m so sad you are leaving that gorgeous turquoise kitchen (that I featured last year…has it really been that long?). But, I know the new lakehouse is going to be fabulous & I can’t wait to see what you do with it. I saw the pics of kitchen, nice space. You probably got lots of ideas on that railing, but I would definitely stain it darker or paint it black/brown. That would be a nice contrast to your space. I stained my light oak railings darker and haven’t regretted it once.
I moved 4 yrs. ago from ATL to B’ham after living in the same house for 20 yrs, so I know some of what you are going thru now. It’s very hard to move, but at the same time, very rewarding. I did have a yardsale before I started packing & still brought tons with me. I’ve had several yardsales since then & every time I get rid of more, it’s a good feeling. There is always going to be room for bringing home more treasures along the way & I haven’t regretted anything yet that I unloaded. It’s a good feeling to declutter & purge & I love my stuff too, just like you.
Can’t wait to see how it all goes with the move & see you getting settled in.
Hi, Edie, I’m so sad you are leaving that gorgeous turquoise kitchen (that I featured last year…has it really been that long?). But, I know the new lakehouse is going to be fabulous & I can’t wait to see what you do with it. I saw the pics of kitchen, nice space. You probably got lots of ideas on that railing, but I would definitely stain it darker or paint it black/brown. That would be a nice contrast to your space. I stained my light oak railings darker and haven’t regretted it once.
I moved 4 yrs. ago from ATL to B’ham after living in the same house for 20 yrs, so I know some of what you are going thru now. It’s very hard to move, but at the same time, very rewarding. I did have a yardsale before I started packing & still brought tons with me. I’ve had several yardsales since then & every time I get rid of more, it’s a good feeling. There is always going to be room for bringing home more treasures along the way & I haven’t regretted anything yet that I unloaded. It’s a good feeling to declutter & purge & I love my stuff too, just like you.
Can’t wait to see how it all goes with the move & see you getting settled in.
Much luck with your loan closing next week and moving after. What a busy time for you. Planning your kitchen redo – fun stuff. Can’t wait to see your new home and all it’s fabulousness. I have GE professional style cooktop and love it. I’ve heard VIKING is amazing and Kitchen aid is great too.