Divine intervention.

So this weekend was the dreaded garage sale. And as only my luck would have it, it poured rain on our first day, but the second day was an extreme delight. While I'll never do one again, it was worth it this time around since I had to go through everything in our house to move, anyway. And we made a cool $700 in the process. But seriously, never again.

 Rain, rain, go away!

Open for business!

Despite all my moaning and groaning about the process, there was a reason we had that sale. And it wasn't to make money, sell stuff, or meet various creepers. In a divine twist of fate, God actually had His hand in the weekend's events.

As I returned to our house early Saturday morning after putting out the sale signs, I noticed a scraggly older gentleman leaving our house. I noticed him not only because of his long hair, disheveled look and 12" long grey beard, but also because he was driving an old, rickety limousine. Weird, right?

As I got out of the car, I asked Joe what had transpired. Here's that story:

The guy got out of his junker of a limo and asked Joe if we were open. Joe said not yet, but told him he could certainly look around as he placed and priced the last few items. The guy said it was strange, because he never stopped at garage sales, ever, but he felt a strong need to stop at our house as he drove by. And he wasn't leaving until he found out why.

Admittedly, this creeped Joe out a bit. But as he talked to the man he learned that his appearance was disheveled on purpose. You see, he runs a ministry in downtown Detroit and has found that people are more receptive to his Message about Jesus if he "looks like them" vs. looking more clean cut. And he drives the limo because someone donated it to his ministry.

As they talked, Joe found himself uncharacteristically telling this perfect stranger more about our life--building the house, moving, Alex and other things. And then the man asked, "What about your wife? How is she?"

And for no uncertain reason, Joe told him about the tWIPs.

"That's it!" said the man. "That's why I am here. That's why I stopped. I am here to pray for your wife. To pray for her to find peace and healing."

Got goosebumps yet? 'Cause I do.

He gave Joe his card and asked him to call or email whenever we needed it. And then he got in his limo and drove away.

It's strange, sometimes, how these things work. God has His hand in all things. Even crappy garage sales.

Walls!

I know I'm way late in the Adventures in Minnesota posts...but there's just too much happening with the house to tell you of food trucks, ninja bike rentals and the best pasta I've ever eaten. Perhaps I will get to all that next week? In the meantime, I give you...WALLS!

Basically it's the coolest thing, ever. We weren't expecting to see walls yesterday, so when we drove around the corner it was quite the surprise. Alex calls this house "the different house," and when he finally saw it he started squealing, "THEY BUILDED IT! THEY BUIILDED MY DIFFERENT HOUSE!" It was so cute I punched myself in the face.

In other news, if you're my pal on Facebook you know that tomorrow is doomsday garage sale day. I'm dreading the day with every fiber in my being, since I would honestly rather set the house on fire and rebuild it my damn self than plan, price and prepare a garage sale. However, since we are pretty much selling everything except my new chairs (duh), Alex and the TV, we figured we might as well make a buck in the process. Rest assured, however, that anything that does not sell will UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES re-enter my home. Therefore, if you want a ton of free crap, show up on Sunday at 3 when we close up shop. Tricks of the trade, y'all.

Whirlwind.

More things are happening at the house, though I can't tell exactly what. What I do know is that there were significantly more piles of wood (snort) than the day before and a higher quantity of scraps and other miscellanous hints of carpentry around the lot. Progress is progress, yes?

In other news, our current house has been on the rental market since Friday afternoon. Not even a week. This morning, we got the call that someone wants to rent it, but before our target date of August 15. We’re still waiting to hear what exact date they have in mind, but if it's reasonable we will have to make the decision if the peace of mind of having it rented is worth living out of suitcases for awhile. My gut tells me if that someone was interested only 3 days after we listed it that we would be OK to decline them and wait for someone who can move in to fit our timeline…but it’s the fear of the unknown, you know? BEING A GROWNUP IS HARD THINGS.

In other news, here's an epsiode of Cute Stuff My Kid Has Said Recently:

In a groggy state after waking up this morning to me opening the blinds in his bedroom...
Alex: Mom, God turned on the sun for me! He must have used his magic wand.

After calling out the colors and shapes of everything we were passing in the car...
Me: Alex, how did you get to be so smart?
Alex: Um, just because I am, Mom.
Me: Yes, you sure are.
Alex: Mom, I know all the things.

After passing a lake and asking if he and Joey could go fishing in it...
Me: What kind of fish would Daddy catch in the lake?
Alex: A bass. (Only he says "base" so it's WAY cute.)
Me: What kind of fish would you catch in the lake?
Alex: A bluegill.
Me: If Mommy went fishing, what kind of fish would she catch?
Alex: A pinkgill.

Full steam ahead!

With no rain in the forecast for at least the next week, I think we'll see some supa-speed progress in the coming days. In fact, when we stopped in last night we saw floors (or ceilings if you're in the basement) and walls ready to go up!

And, just for fun, here's a view from the backyard. If you squint really, really hard and look to the right three blocks you can see the best feature of the house. A Dairy Queen. That's walkable.

We should skip town more often.

We spent the weekend in Minnesota (more on that later, but teaser: I ate at SEVEN food trucks in one lunch sitting), and when we returned we were greeted by loads of progress on the new house. The garage footings are poured and the 1st level floor (or basement ceiling?) is started. I wonder what we'll see tonight?!

A house & a wedding.

They backfilled yesterday! It was so super weird to stand on our lot without the giant piles/mounds of dirt thinking, "This is where Alex will play. This is where Joey will mow the lawn. This is where I will sunbathe."  Let's be honest, here. I don't get down and dirty with the yard work because that? Is a hard job. It's literally in our marriage contract that I do not do hard jobs. See also: taking out the garbage, lifting heaving things, reaching things on high shelves, and other miscellaneous tasks that require manual labor and/or excessive sweating.

So fab, yes? Anyway, we're off to Minneapolis tomorrow morning for the wedding of our very dear friends, Mark & Kelly. This means I will have accomplished two things on my life list: get Marky-Mark married and visit the Mall of America. Multitasking, what?!

Carnival fun!

Note: my tongue is out. #awesomemom

More treasures!

We're still not telling Joey about this, yes? Good.

Anyway, here's the FAB chair I found for our bedroom. I lit-chrally cannot buy any more chairs for the house, as I am running out of decent hiding places. Well, except for barstools but those don't count, right? IT'S A SICKNESS, PEOPLE.

I know, right? It's delicious & goes perfectly perfect with the gray/yellow color thing I've got going. HAPPY DANCE.

I also got my Mother's Day present in the mail over the weekend. It's a squee bit larger than I expected it to be, but I lovers it. Simply lovers.

Oh, that reminds me! I'm on Instagram now - find me under kristiwmu...someone already had kveedub. Boo.

Today, I choose...

To laugh at the rain.

To celebrate life.

To smile much.

To count my many, abundant blessings.

To kiss my sweet Alex.

To hug my loving husband.

To happily remember my precious tWIPs, who were due today.

______


Here's to new beginnings.

More progress!

Yesterday we stopped by the house and saw what I'm relatively sure is the start of basement walls. It's seriously incredible how fast it's all going up. Probably because I nag the builder every single day with "What are you guys doing today?" and "What will you be doing tomorrow?" Not unike Dora in Finding Nemo. But, whatevs.

Moving on.

I present to you, WALLS MADE OF CEMENT and a kid in adorable rubber boots!

With all the rain last night, I'm not sure if we'll see anything new today...but we're meeting tomorrow to pick out our hardwood floors. Insert inappropriate joke here.

Also, my friend since forever (lit-chrally, in the words of Rob Lowe) flies in from DC tomorrow. Remember Caitlin and Caitlin and Caitlin and Caitlin? Anyway, I'm picking her up from the airport and we're going to cause trouble, as exhibited by the aforementioned links 1-4. Please have bail money ready.

Also? I had a peach bellini for lunch today.

Best. Start. To. A. Weekend. Ever.

Heeeey there!

Long time, no chat. Sorry 'bout that. I've been a bizzy little girl over here. New job. Biggest show of the year. Potty training. Oh, and we're doing this other little thing called building a house.

SPEAKING OF.

I'm proud to introduce y'all to...progress!

We officially own a hole in the ground. It's terrifying.

We've hired some cheap, union labor. He's 3, wears Spiderman boots, his shovel is made of purple plastic and I'm quite sure his "tool belt" is made of felt and dollar store Velcro. But he's just so damn cute. Whatever works, right?

Since the first dig last Friday, they've added footings and what appears to be the start of basement walls, though I'm not really into all the terminology. As a disclaimer, you'll probably hear me say things like "concrete thingy" and "big machine with wheels" and "tool with a spinny thing on the end of it" quite substantially over the next few months. Trust me, I'm legit. But it really is incredible how fast it all goes up. Now, if only the rain would stay away this week...

In other news, please don't tell Joey but I continue to hoard decorative pieces in the basement. Because when you find things on clearance you can't not buy them, amirite? I'm saving us money in the long run, love. Promise. Yesterday I added a new entry rug, ottoman and...well, I don't know what to call the last thing. It's basically just a cool decoration I will prop up on a wall. It makes me smile when I look at it. Also? I'm on a first name basis with the folks at Home Goods. It is like a sport, and I lovelovelovelovelove it. Imagining our house all set up with the fireplace on and a glass of wine in my hand as we wind down the day is like thee best thing, ever. It's magical.

My latest treasures:

My secrets are safe with you, yes? Kthanksbai.