This Old House. - Pretty Real

This Old House.

2:28 PM

I recently read "Lessons Learned in Staying Put" over on A Handmade Home.   I could not have read a more perfect piece of encouragement than that one (thank you Ashley!).  A few years ago Joe and I took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course and decided to use the majority of our savings to pay off my school loans instead of using it as a sweet down payment on an even sweeter newer, bigger, prettier home.

I don't regret that because it was the right thing to do and it was one major decision that led to me being able to stay home with the girls after I had Nadia.  YET God (poor God) has to constantly help me to be content in my circumstances.  Be content when I'm taking yet another box/bin/storage tub down to the disaster I call the basement, be content when yet another friend upgrades from their apartment or "starter home," to an amazing feels-like-a-mansion-from-where-I-sit home, be content when I'm trying to find a place for something even after my umpteenth trip to donate more STUFF- because clearly people in the 1950s didn't need closets, be content...To just be content.
It's so easy to look at the Jones' but what about the Smith's--the family who can barely afford their rent and for whom a mortgage would be a silly dream.  We never look in that direction do we?   I'm so thankful that I have a roof over my head and that God is changing my desires to match my circumstances rather than the other way around.  I'm thankful for people in our lives who encourage us in the things that are really important. I'm thankful that (like it or not) God is steering me away from "excess."  I'm thankful for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law who live the "Dave Ramsey" way of life and encourage us to do the same. I'm thankful for my MIL and FIL who gave us the push we needed to pay off the debt instead of buy a new home (one I surely would be working to afford).  And I'm thankful for this little house.
purchase this awesome print here.

We became a family here.  We brought home our babies to these 2 (now 3) bedrooms.  We experienced loss here, loved here, won here.  I guarantee I will miss it when we move.  I will miss all the memories made here, our cute little backyard, our little neighborhood half full of retirees; the other half young families.  I will miss my decorating blunders (lime green kitchen anyone?) and oh dear I will miss that labor of love I call the Chevron goddess. (I still love it by the way!).  I will miss so much.
The video below was part of one I sent (along with the first photo) for a family casting for Bank of America.  They were looking for multi-racial families and real homes.  We were one of 3 final families in the running (out of hundreds who auditioned).  Unfortunately we didn't get the gig but I was thankful that it made me take a photo of my home and record my thoughts on it when I wouldn't have had a reason to do so otherwise.  I don't think I've ever shared a video on Taste{Full} because they're kind of embarrassing. But this one just makes sense.  Enjoy.  Oh and I miss neon. and my tan.  and Genevieve's humidity hair.

Do you feel content today?  Do you have a material comfort or desire that you are trying to be content without?  Or am I alone? ;)

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10 comments

  1. I Love what you have done on here!!! Keep Faith and May God Bless you and your family.

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  2. I am content yet have to work at it some times more than others. You are Not alone!

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    1. I love that you are content but always working on it! Thanks for your comment :)

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  3. I LOVE this Tiffany!! You are one of the responsible ones - there are so many out there who are up to their eyeballs in debt, just so they can maintain an appearance of wealth. And I have seen plenty of really ugly, big houses. Bigger isn't always better. :) ~Amanda

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    1. Amanda! Thanks so much for the encouragement. We try! ;) And I agree with bigger isn't always better--I love the graphic on the article I linked above-- "less house; more home." Amen right?!

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  4. Such a moving post, Tiffany! Thanks for opening your heart and home...you captured the essense of what's really important...LOVE!

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    1. aw, I love your sweet comment and you are SO right! Thank you!

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  5. Replies
    1. my core values come from you sweet mama! And you always made our space a HOME no matter how big or small it was. LOVE you lady!

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