Home Improvements

Nate purchased our house last summer, and we spent several months before our wedding getting the place ready to move in after we got married in March. While the house was move-in ready by then, there were still many projects on our "to do" list! Here's a look at some of the improvements:

1. New Front Deck - No more water draining into the basement when it rains!

2. Brand New Stove - We lived for 7 months without a stove. We are now enjoying several new meals we weren't able to make before!

3. Vent Covers - This task was way more difficult than we ever imagined! The old covers were...well, old! And beat up, random colors, etc. When we decided we wanted to replace them, we did not realize standard sizes have changed. Stores no longer carried what we needed. Nate ended up having to cut away some trim work in order for these new vent covers to fit. Thankfully, he's handy and did a great job!

 4. Energy Efficient - Nate received a random package in the mail yesterday. He was so confused when he opened it up and found a shower head! We recently recycled an old fridge with NYSEG, and they sent this to us so we can be even more energy efficient and save on water. This was in addition to the energy efficient light bulbs they gave us the day they picked up the old fridge - Thank You, NYSEG!

5. Fall Fun - Nate's dad gave us some mums at Easter. Even thought I thought I'd killed them and they looked hopeless, we planted them over the summer, and they came back so much bigger! They've really popped out this past week and add quite a bit of color as everything else is dying out for the year. How fun!

I realize there will probably always be things at the house we want to work on, but we're not letting the seemingly never ending list overwhelm us! The transformation has definitely been a learning experience, and things like unexpected shower head deliveries keep it fun and interesting!

A Few Things I've Learned About Nate

Nate and I recently spent a week of vacation together! We traveled to visit family and friends, and then enjoyed time together in Lake George - fall is a beautiful time of year in the Adirondacks!

Today marks seven months of being married, and I've already been reminded of our wedding ceremony a couple times this morning! The scripture passage in the devotional book Nate and I use highlighted Colossians 3 today - the verses we picked for Pastor Jim to share during our ceremony. Later, I was blow drying my hair and realized I was singing "I Surrender All" which our guests sang along with us during the ceremony! Neat reminders today as we reflect on our marriage.

The other day I was thinking about things I've learned since meeting Nate. I grew up with two sisters, so he has certainly opened up my eyes to all things GUY! Such as:

• Anything is better if it's gas powered. Give Nate a gas powered weed whacker and he's happy for hours!
• For Nate, a trip to Harbor Freight is like a trip to Joann's for me - this guy loves his tools!
• Breakfast isn't complete without honey or waffles - or both. We received two waffles irons as gifts before we got married. I was going to take one back, but Nate wanted to keep them both - one was for regular waffles and one was for belgian waffles - I wouldn't have known the difference! Nate is the Waffle Master.
• Reflective listening is automatic for Nate. I noticed this early on and really appreciate it. Nate's always repeating back what someone says to him, but in his own words. He often will recognize someone's situation from their perspective. Many people have to be taught and reminded to use reflective listening skills, but Nate truly engages people in conversation.
• Nate appreciates fun. He definitely has a goofball side and is always up for new adventures!

I could probably write a book about Nate. He lives out the life we're called to in Colossians 3, and I'm so thankful for the privilege of being his wife!

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17