Remodeling This Life

Two years ago this week, we closed on our house. For two years, this labor of love has been such a huge part of our life. So much has happened since that day that we signed the papers to take on the hugest challenge of our life together. We had no idea the work we were in for and the struggles and challenges that we had ahead but most of all no idea of the blessings we were in for.

This is me the day we closed on the house 2 years ago, not yet aware that I was pregnant with our 2nd child, a beautiful baby boy.

If the complete demolition of our home and rebuilding from the ground up wasn’t enough, we were faced with a few huge setbacks but nothing we couldn’t overcome together.

This house has helped me in so many ways. It may seem silly that this house means to much to me, but it does. It’s not just a house. It’s a home, that WE built ourselves. That we went through heartache in. That we came together in and found what truly matters in life. I have learned from this house that you can make good out of anything. I mean, look!

An unredeemable rotting wall

Is now part of our outdoor oasis

It didn’t happen overnight. It took a lot of time, patience, sweat, frustration, pain, joy, perseverance, and love. All good things come to those who wait, right? Using patience and restraint we have made our visions come true. There were days back in 2006 when I would see this house and would feel hopeless. I just couldn’t see that it was redeemable, that we could actually do what we had thought we could. Or that if we could do the work on the house that we couldn’t stay together through it. They say remodeling a home is one of the hugest strains on a marriage and for us it was so true. Having come out this side, with a home that isn’t finished but getting closer everyday and a marriage that is stronger than ever, I can only think about how grateful I am.

I know there are so many things I have learned through this process that I never would’ve before. I have learned what true necessities are - a toilet, running water, food, family - and what indulgences are. I have learned to differentiate between wants and needs and prioritize those things. I have learned that when money is tight because you need it for building walls and floors that you’ll still find a way to make your daughter’s new room that daddy built by hand a “princess room”.

I have learned that home is about where my family is and nothing more. All the cleaning and decorating in the world don’t make home unless the space is filled with love and laughter.

I have learned more than anything about the pride that comes from doing things by hand. There is nothing that fills me with more pride and admiration than seeing this house that we call home and knowing from the concrete slab up, with a few tools and his own two hands, my amazing husband built it. It didn’t go quickly, but it was worth the wait. Seeing my daughter help her dad, taking pride in calling herself “daddy’s big helper” makes my heart burst with happiness.

From this experience in this house, I have learned to enjoy each day for what it is and not look for happiness in the wrong places. I have learned to stretch myself out of my comfort zone and have found it’s pretty fulfilling to go places I never thought I could. It’s been quite a ride this past two years. I never would’ve imagined then what life would be like today. I am thankful though that this is the path my life has taken, and am appreciative of the curves and hills that I have navigated to get to a place of truly happy.

Happy Anniversary, house. Thank you for providing us with so much more than just a roof - thank you for showing us that with love and patience and hard work, we can make beautiful out of anything.

May 27th, 2008 | Category: rambling | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL