I admit that I have been feeling discouraged the past few weeks with progress on the house. I feel very guilty saying that, but it has been hard. I have been praying about having a better attitude, as I have so much to be thankful for. We’ve all been working so hard on it.

After six months of not having my own space, it’s really begun to get me down. I haven’t seen 75% of my possessions in six months. I have no idea where half of my winter clothes are, as everything I own is in boxes stored at my parent’s house and my new house. I haven’t been able to write Christmas cards as my address book has been MIA. I’ve collected Christmas tree ornaments from Maine to Alaska and everywhere in between. One of my favorite things each year is to put each ornament on the tree and reminisce about where I got it. Denali National Park, the Iditarod headquarters. Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Outer Banks. I have no idea where my Christmas decorations are. That’s been tough.

I’ve dreamed all fall of putting up a Christmas tree in my new house this year and making cookies to take to co-workers in my new kitchen. I’ve held on to this dream, but in the end, it will not be reality and that is ok.

My parents, myself, my sister, and brother-in-law have been working as hard as possible and we’ve truly been making progress. The downstairs bathroom is nearly complete however, we still do not have water. Hopefully within the next week.

The kitchen is also making great progress. The base of the cabinets have all been set. I decided to put some high-quality plywood down, as we are thinking about making the countertops out of hard wood. I need something to tie me over and something to hold the sink in place in the meantime.

Saturday, I spent the entire day staining the loft. Stain and I are not friends. I was covered and the floor was covered, but thankfully the walls were too. I am going to put a second floor in the loft, so it really wasn’t a big deal, but I am still not sure what. I really want to do all the floors in either hard wood or bamboo.

Tuesday night my Dad and I went to Waterville to get more supplies. We needed some plywood for the cabinets and some wire. We decided to drop the stuff off at the house on the way home. When I walked in the door, I saw that my parents had put up a Christmas tree in my living room. I almost cried I was so happy. It was not exactly what I had in mind this year, but it will do just fine!

The tree has now relocated upstairs in the loft. My Mom, who was 100 % the mastermind behind putting the Christmas tree up for me, put some lights on it. I’d love to put some ornaments on, if only I knew where they were.

Even with these small frustrations, which some days feel overwhelming, I feel so incredibly blessed. I’m within a month (fingers crossed) of moving in and being settled, my family has been an incredible support during this entire process, and my Dad continues to regain his health. I celebrate Christmas because it is the birth of my Savior Jesus. No matter what daily trials I face, I am able to overcome them because of Him.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:11-12