I want to start writing some blog post that are not necessarily projects, but are related in some sense. Not sure yet what I am going to call this series either. There are some ideas floating around in my head that I hope to write about and encourage you all with. If that vague introduction isn’t enough to capture you, I’m not sure what will. haha
To kick things off for this undefined series…Before, After and After
I LOVE a good before and after photo! Seeing real transformation is exciting and inspiring! I have shared several Before and After photos on this blog, for that very purpose. My hope is that any project I share on this blog, would be an encouragement that projects are totally doable and can even be fun! That’s right, I believe projects can be enjoyable!
What I DO NOT want as take aways from this blog:
- My home is always put together. (Not even close to the truth)
- Do enough of your own projects and you will achieve the perfect home. (The perfect home does not exist, so you can scratch that off the list)
I share my home with 4 other people and 2 dogs. Three of my people are little in size, but BIG in messes. Our home is VERY “lived in”, if you know what I mean. Need I say more than “twin 2 year olds”?!
So, even though I share photos of a finished project, that look nice and staged, know that within a day or two, or possibly within minutes it DOES NOT look like that anymore! I have pictures down below to prove it.
Let’s talk about comparison
It is easy for me to compare my home to all the beautiful pictures I see online and feel inferior to these women. How are their houses so immaculate?! How is every room perfectly put together?
BUT instead of falling prey to that wicked trap of envy,
I am going to try these things…
- Grow in celebrating women who have strengths that I don’t
- Try to learn helpful tips/tricks for my weak areas
- Continue to enjoy the process of working on projects, not just the results
- Grow in my contentment of all that I have been graciously given
- Ultimately, rest in who I am and how God made me.
Alright back to, Before, After and After. I am going to share more pictures, capturing the “lived-in” moments of our home; the “after” the photo moments.
To kick this series off I present my refinished dresser project…Before, After and After…
Every time I get our bedroom cleaned up I commit to never letting it get out of control again, but then life happens. Soon there is a pile of laundry again and a scattering of toys (including Rosie the bouncy horse!)
If you want to read about the story of this dresser you can check it out here!
Next, I present the newly finished fireplace and mantel!
We spend the most time as a family in our living room, which means it pretty much never looks like the “After” photo below. It does however look like the other After photo daily 🙂
Who cares about a chunky wood mantel, when the floor is hot lava!?
If you want to read more about the Fireplace Makeover you can check that out here!
I hope you enjoyed this first post and little peak into our real life.
Emily