the floors

I’ve always wanted hardwood floors.  They’re beautiful, rustic and classic all rolled into one. 

I got hardwood floors.

I hated them.

Ok, maybe hate is a strong word but most of the time, the floors felt like my nemesis. 

Fact #1:  Hardwood floors are difficult to keep clean. 

Fact #2:  Dark hardwood floors magnify every piece of dust, sand, footprint, and shoeprint.

Solution:  After a month and a half, I finally found a mop that works well, without breaking the bank.  And believe me, I’ve been looking!  I’ve even tried a couple before returning them.

This one came with a wet mop cloth as well as a dusting cloth (for those dust bunnies that like to gather under the beds).  It’s super easy to maneuver, yet not at all flimsy.  It’s also lightweight and easy enough for the girls to use.  Notice the cute picture of my second daughter mopping the front room?  She did a great job and most importantly, she loved doing it! 

Now that I have the proper tool, I’ve made peace with my floors and I’m actually thanking God for them!  He uses everything in my life to refine me (even hardwood floors) and He encourages my girls to serve their family in love by learning a fun and new responsibility! 

The lesson for me… sometimes, what I think I want isn’t necessarily all that it’s cracked up to be. 

Would I choose hardwood floors again in my future?  Hmm? 

Ask me again in about a month or so!    

Gracie came up with this outfit herself and just happened to be wearing it when she asked if she could mop for me.  Adorable little thing!  She’s gonna make a great wife and mommy one day! 

Lord willing!

Luke 12:33-34

We baked over 60 muffins for the girls’ bake sale.


We love our local CPC!


Ready for our first customers!


Busy, busy!


Faith serves up some lemonade.
We’ve been studying about earthly treasures vs. the treasures we can store up for ourselves in heaven…
Inspired by Luke 12:33-34, we had our first garage sale in our new neighborhood this Saturday. I thought I had donated a bunch of stuff before we moved but apparently, not enough!  Thankfully, it’s pretty easy for me to part with unused “stuff!” 
Our rule:  If we haven’t used it in the past year, it’s time to pass it along!
In order to get the girls involved, we helped them organize their first bake sale.  It was precious.  They made over $60 in muffins and lemonade.
We also wanted to bless one local ministry with half our proceeds so we picked the Crisis Pregnancy Center.  Julie, the founder does an amazing job over there and she has an incredible heart for building healthy families and being a voice for the unborn. 
Another portion of our proceeds will go towards blessing Manuela, our sponsor child in Columbia via Compassion International.  For over 10 years, we’ve had the privilege of being her sponsors.  Recently, the girls have taken to corresponding with her as well.  This gave them a tangible person to bless, rather than a general focus.
All in all, we made $350.  Not bad, considering we didn’t have much time to accumulate or collect a bunch of stuff since our move. 
Thank you to all our friends who came out to support us!  We loved seeing you!   
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ~Luke 12:33-34