Renovations - The Basics

The long list of things I want to change and update is pretty exhaustive. With limited resources and realizing my handiness and restrictive budget, unlike Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper, I had to break down my list and prioritize.

First things first. Toilet paper holders. Why the previous owners took them, I will never know. Perhaps they were hand laid with swarovski crystals? She owned the house for 18 years so maybe sentimental memories? But alas, the first update had to be done. Thanks to Amazon Prime and my obsession with online shopping and savings, these beauties arrived at my door ready to be installed.

Now this may look like any old toilet paper holder but no! This is a pivoting holder. The arm swivels up to release the old roll and to add a new roll. Why is this so exciting you ask? This no hassle system will now prevent my children from pulling too hard on the old spring system, sending the roll flying and unravelling. It will also encourage the other adult in the house from actually replacing the roll when needed. And they are pretty. So it's a win in my house! You can get your own beauty here! 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZVEFZM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Step two was to make progress on the girls' room.

Before

Olivia still had a toddler bed and she needed to graduate to a twin size so that I could use her mattress for Landon's crib. I also got them new matching bedding that I wanted to break out. So we headed to Sam's Club to get Olivia her new mattress. When we got home we just set the mattress on the floor and celebrated their new room with their new big girl bedding. Today we headed the 40 miles (!!!) to Ikea to get Olivia her matching bed frame like Aubrey. 

Maga and Pa wanted to get her a big girl bed as an early birthday present and she was so excited to go shopping! So we weaved ourselves, the stroller, and our two toddlers through the obnoxious maze of Ikea trying to hold on with a tight grip to our sanity until we reached the end. We finally arrived to the beds department where Olivia jumped on every bed exclaiming "is this my new bed?" And as promised, aka bribed, treats were waiting at the end for their "good" behavior - or at least what can be expected from an overstimulated, adventure seeking, wide eyed and adorable 2 and 4 year old. 

We headed home so Troy could assemble the new bed. And in true Ikea fashion, put together that simple bedframe with all 1,879 pieces, with the girls' help of course.

After
Need new rug and new curtains! 

Thank you Maga and Pa for the new bed frame! She loves it! She was quick to tell Aubrey the new rules. "This is my bed. That is your bed. Don't come on my bed. You have your own over there."

Next we had to tackle the yard. We have never had our own yard before and I had every intention of hiring a lawn service. My husband on the other hand had different ideas on the matter. The backyard has a good sized yard that needed a mow when we arrived. The previous owner had 6 dogs... so it needed some water and some clean up to "de-dog" it as well. Our trip to Home Depot to buy an electric dryer allowed us to window shop for lawn mowers on our way to the appliance department. Just so you know, they are pricey. 

Troy jokingly posted on Facebook about the need for a Go Fund Me account to purchase a mower and to our surprise a lawn mower was ordered and delivered to our door 3 days later. We are beyond thankful for Troy's Dad's generosity. Completely unexpected and whole heartedly appreciated. You should have seen Troy's eyes when it arrived. 

My electric dryer was delivered and installed that same day as well. After 12 days without being able to wash and dry laundry I was delighted to see it arrive. It was like Christmas in July! Troy had to go to work after it arrived so sadly he waited until Friday to get gas for his new lawn mower and take it for its inaugural spin around the backyard. 

The kids were so interested in what was happening in the backyard that they have yet been able to play in. For one, the backyard needed some clean up and a facelift before heading back to play. And for two, it was 105 degrees today. Yes, this man was so excited to play with his new toy that he mowed his entire backyard in 105 degree heat. 

After watching him do his man things outside, the kids and I were dripping with sweat, our cheeks rosy from the heat, and with the allure of the lawn mower subsided, we headed inside. Five and a half trash bags later and some fresh watering and the backyard is on its way to being our new space for play and adventure. Next on the Amazon wishlist... an edger/weed wacker thing. 

And so our #FaithJourneyCAtoTX continues.

Relocation - From Surf City USA to Cowtown USA

The story begins...

It wasn't without much discussion, many tears, fears, and faith that led us to the decision to take the next steps to relocate to Texas. It was a conversation and a dream started years ago which seemed like one of those bucket list items that would never take shape. Little did we know, God was leading us down a path that would take us to right where we wanted to be, many years down the road.

It was both of our dreams for me to stay home to raise our kids and to own a house. That dream was a far off fantasy living in California. We had to be a two income home to make ends meet. Although the location of where we lived is highly desired, it left us with a lot to be desired. Neither of us are beach people and for all intents and purposes we didn't take full advantage of our area and only stayed in Orange County because that was where we were born and raised and where our parents live. It was important for us to have our kids know and be raise with their extended family, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and our closest and dearest friends. But at some point we had to evaluate the cost.

The ball got rolling when Troy accepted the transfer position from Santa Ana, CA to Roanoke, TX in early May. I was still on maternity leave with my son and I had fully enjoyed and thrived while being home with my kids. I think this helped sway my decision to get on board with the relocation as well. In Texas, it was possible for me not to return to work. And once that ball got rolling it quickly sped down hill.

On June 2nd Troy packed up his car with all his essentials and headed to Texas to start his new position. The kids and I stayed back until he found us a house and I could close up shop here. It was one of the hardest 35 days of my life. I didn't know when I was going to see him next, where we were going to live, if our savings would be drained before we even arrived. I was a single parent during that time and I am so fortunate that I was able to stay with my parents and have the help from my mom, dad, and siblings. Quick moments of them keeping an eye on the kids allowed me to eat a full meal, take a quick shower, make a phone call, or even have a good cry. The rocks in the storm of my life. I grew as a wife, a mother, a child, and in my faith. It was difficult and beautiful.

Troy and I had one quick turn around trip to Texas in late May and it was terrible, for multiple reasons. The clock was ticking, the pressure was on, and Troy was leaving with or without me to start work. After that trip I did all the house hunting virtually and we put an offer on a house neither of us had seen in person. When Troy arrived to Texas we were already in escrow and in our option period. He took a tour of the house and we prayed about it. We decided to go for it and we bought a house that I had never stepped foot in.

Escrow closed on June 30th. Since I wasn't working Troy had to qualify for the home loan himself. He did all the leg work with the loan officer, the real estate agent, the inspections, the appointments, and all the hoops that he had to jump through to get to where we are. I am so incredibly proud of him and how much he accomplished for himself and for his family. I have seen a new level of self esteem rise up from him. He is proud of his career, his home, his wife and kids, and all he has accomplished.

Finally, over 4th of July weekend Troy flew into California, packed the U-Haul truck, and headed East to our new home.

My mom and my godmother drove my mini van so that the kids and I could follow by plane a few days later. My sister flew with us so I could have an extra pair of adult hands to help get me through all the traveling with 3 kids ages 4 and under.

We arrived at midnight Texas time, I took a tour of my new home, and went to bed. In the morning we did some unpacking, hung out and went to Golden Corral for lunch.

That night Troy had to take my mom, sister, and godmother to the airport. I didn't even get a whole day with them. I can't remember the last time I sobbed that hard and for that long. I wasn't ready to let go, I wasn't ready for my mom to leave, and I wasn't ready to start this new life in a completely unknown place. My heart was broken, my fear overwhelming, and the regret was starting to creep in. The thought of "what have I done?" and "did I do this because I am selfish?" repeated itself over and over. When Troy drove away with all of them in the car I called my sister in NY to cry, to hear her voice, to try not to hyperventilate, and most of all not to feel so alone.

And this was just the beginning of my #FaithJourneyCAtoTX of relocating, renovating, and rejuvenating.