thank you for building our home... "how ardently I admire and love you"

I think my husband deserves a post and today (valentine's day) seems fitting. I don't think I would feel right about displaying pictures and posts about our home without paying tribute to the man that built it. This will be a great starting point for me. So, let me begin with one of the best lines ever written:

"My feelings will not be repressed, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you" Brett Thomas! (thank you mr. darcy for your inspiring words, that is EXACTLY what i must do)

I keep walking around my house thinking, "wow, he really did it, he built us our home with his own two hands". It was no easy feat. There was plenty of blood, sweat and tears along the way. The majority of the blood and sweat was supplied by Brett while I contributed most of the tears. I really don't have words to explain it all but I can say God is faithful and I am soooooooo thankful for this beautiful, little home! It's already become a very special place to us and I've promised God that I will open up my home to serve others and PRACTICE that fine art of hospitality. God be with us all if you are familiar with my cooking:) The guests are going to have to grin and bear it for awhile... I've got a lot to learn.

Anyways, back to that husband of mine. He really is an amazing man. I missed him so much this past year. The man did most everything for our home himself. I call him my "can-do man" because he can and he does...I love that positive attitude and outlook he possesses. He sacrificed a great deal for us. He worked through both the hot and cold extremes of the weather as well as through the days of being hurt, sick and fatigued. Beyond the demands of full-time work (providing for our family) and every other free moment of daylight working on our home, he tended to me and the kids as best he could. He is an incredible husband and father. His attitude and words remained gentle, kind and loving. He carried a tremendous load and he did it with much grace. I have a great deal of respect for this man.

We look ahead to our next chapter in life with grateful hearts for the blessings and opportunity we've been given. Our hearts are filled with lots of dreams for this little home and our little family that is currently in the process of growing. Somewhere in the midst of this crazy and exhausting year we managed to get pregnant again. Baby boy is due to arrive June 14th. The Lord listened to Brett's heart and prayers for this baby boy...he already holds a very special place in his dad's heart.

We've learned to trust the Lord with our dreams as we understand that "many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Proverbs 19:21). So what becomes of those dreams is in the Lord's hand... we just enjoy seeing how well our dreams fit together. It's wonderful to be able to share that with someone.

Brett, you are an amazing man and I love you. I'm just so grateful you chose me to build a life with. I gave you my heart years ago (this proved to be a difficult thing for me) and you have made it the safest place that this world can offer...thank you. And thank you for this beautiful place that we get to call home. You did it as I like to say "with a little hope and a hammer".

So glad to be looking back at these pictures. There is still much to do but we will get there.

Hopefully soon I can start sharing little bits and pieces as we get our home put together and finished.