10 Prayers for My 1st Grader

Last night, the backpack was waiting by the door, the clothes were laid out, and everything had been double-checked.  Lil' N was sleeping soundly, dreaming of the first day of first grade.  As I headed upstairs to my own bedroom, I felt compelled to stop in Lil' N's room and pray for her day; to place a blessing upon her year.  And as I prayed, I realized I'd asked God for 10 things for my sweet girl:

(1) The Lord bless you and keep you.

(2) The Lord make his face shine upon you.

(3) I pray you'll be a leader,

(4) a learner,

(5) and a lover of God.

(6) I pray you'll be kind,

(7) and caring,

(8) and compassionate to others.

(9)  I pray you'll be blessed this year.

(10)  And I pray that you'll be a blessing to others.

Top 10 Home Improvement Projects

Last month, we celebrated the two-year anniversary of home ownership.  And as any home-owner knows, there are always, always, always projects on the "to-do" list.  And because our home is so old (it was built in 1892), there seem to be extra projects for that list.  But as I started thinking back on all we've managed to accomplish in the past two years, I began to feel pretty proud of us.  I also feel pretty blessed, because my handy hubby is able to provide the sweat equity for all of these times when I say, "Hey hun, I've got a great idea!"

So here are our Top 10 Home Improvement Projects 
(thus far, and in no particular order.)



1. Curb appeal

 2.   New entrance, fence, and door.

3. Replacing the deck

4.  Putting in a patio door

5. Replacing the old, mauve carpet with hardwood flooring in the living and dining rooms.
(As well as removing wall paper & painting.)

6.  Un-landscaping the backyard (Removing trees, shrubs, & overgrown plants.)

7.  Removing the pond in the backyard.  (It seemed cool for about a week --
which is the time it took for one of the girls to almost fall in.)

8.  Painting the bedrooms (Showing what a mama can accomplish during a 1 hour nap- time!)
Lil' N's Room:

 Lil' R's Room:

9.  Painting the Master Bedroom: 

10.  Adding the Hallway Closet
 (Hubby turned this wasted area into much-need closet space.)

I'm sure there will be many more projects to come. 

But as I look around, I'm so thankful for the many ways that this house has turned into our home.