Beginning about 6 months in, guests started trickling in-- experiencing their first taste of the South- and of the wonderful state of Tennessee, which we now call home.
From the end of August through a few days before Christmas, our home was a revolving door of family and friends. We had a wonderful time touring all of the Historic homes in Franklin, trips to downtown Nashville, Main Street Festival, Pumpkinfest and Dickens Christmas in downtown Franklin, ate plate loads of wonderful Southern foods from places like the Loveless Cafe, Big Shakes Hot Chicken and Fish, Gray's on Main, Pucketts, Acme and Saffire-- my waistline can tell you!
We also traveled with our guests-- to Chattanooga, TN, and Mammoth Caves, KY.
Some of our guests-
Some of our guests-
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| Grandpa and I had a good time listening to some live tunes at Kimbro's pickin' Parlor |
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| Theresa and I enjoyed the Fall colors both in Franklin and Nashville |
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| 3 generations enjoying the Loveless Cafe |
Josh completed his first year of working at Lampo- now called Ramsey Solutions, in November- with the Lords help, he has risen to the challenge and has grown immensely spiritually and professionally as he has navigated this new role. We know more growth is coming, and we welcome your prayers!
The kids have just completed yet another year with Classical Conversations- this year found us with a 7th grader, in the Challenge Program. To say it has been a "challenge" is putting it lightly. The first 6 weeks I was unsure that my firstborn was going to live to see another day let alone year... However, the Lord has been gracious, and we not only survived the first 6 weeks as we got into our 'groove' but He has allowed us to finish strong, and we are very proud of the maturing Rowan has exhibited through this process. Come August is Gavin's turn.... pray for us!
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| Fall 2014, @ Carnton Plantation photo by Jerry Smith |
The most significant news we have to share, is that we BOUGHT a HOUSE! And not just any house... the cutest house in Franklin, Tennessee on the prettiest tree lined street...( in my humble opinion!)
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| we live in Leave it to Beavers house.... |
This adorable Cape Cod, dubbed "Carnton Cottage" by me, sits on Franklin's historic tree lined "Carnton Lane"-- the original lane that led Andrew Jackson, and other historical characters to the doorsteps of our beautiful neighbor- Carnton Plantation, former home of the Widow of the South, Carrie Winder McGavock and her family, This stately home served as a Civil War Hospital after the battle of Franklin.
read about Carrie, and her home, here-
http://www.midtneyewitnesses.com/still-standing/franklin/carnton
Our road now dead ends, but we are able to walk down the street, and across Eastern Flank Battlefield Park, to stroll through the plantations beautiful grounds. We love to go for walks, runs, bike rides, and even just sit on the back porch of the plantation, watching fireflies, smelling the fragrant honeysuckle growing wild on the perimeter and rocking in one of the beautiful green rocking chairs on the expansive porch.
We can't imagine a better place to be-- well, except for Josh, who is missing his garage and tools... However,we just hired a contractor to start building a detached garage in the next few weeks. We are hopeful it will be done before more guests arrive later this summer, but not sure if that will necessarily be the case.
The best news of all in all of this, is that we didn't have to move! The Lord provided the perfect house at the perfect time. The Landlords had mentioned they would like to sell, when we moved in February 2014. After living here for a year, we were well acquainted with the 'issues' the house has/had, and were willing to purchase it. Once the time came to negotiate price, it was over very quickly, and we closed on the house a few weeks later. It was a little anti climactic, not needing to get keys/ etc... but I am thankful for all of the Lords provisions and spiritual growth ( Patience, Perseverance!) opportunities this adventure has allowed.
The best news of all in all of this, is that we didn't have to move! The Lord provided the perfect house at the perfect time. The Landlords had mentioned they would like to sell, when we moved in February 2014. After living here for a year, we were well acquainted with the 'issues' the house has/had, and were willing to purchase it. Once the time came to negotiate price, it was over very quickly, and we closed on the house a few weeks later. It was a little anti climactic, not needing to get keys/ etc... but I am thankful for all of the Lords provisions and spiritual growth ( Patience, Perseverance!) opportunities this adventure has allowed.
Now we shift to being homeowners instead of tenants, bringing back this little jewel from the neglect she has suffered being a rental for 6 years. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed because there is so much work to be done, but making lists and working slowly through it, remembering it is OURS now, helps!
I am sure our neighbors are relieved to see we are working on it, but are having to tolerate large piles of branches, many many bags of leaves, and a couple weeks ago, an old dishwasher by the curb.
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| Porch project |
I am sure our neighbors are relieved to see we are working on it, but are having to tolerate large piles of branches, many many bags of leaves, and a couple weeks ago, an old dishwasher by the curb.
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| one of many piles of brush/limbs ready for pick up.. |
Fortunately, Wednesdays are days of magic, as the city of Franklin whisks all of my yard waste, garbage, recycling, and even that dishwasher away lickety split......
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| 18 bags of yardwaste ready to be picked up.. |
Crazy that it's been a year already! The house is beautiful and while anti-climatic, how nice that you didn't have to move again!! :-)
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