So close.......

We are so close I can almost picture the kids yelling over the stair case half wall....."Mom, we're out of toilet paper!" I wish we were fighting in there right now.  We are on the home stretch and sometimes I feel myself getting ahead, like when I picked out paint for the girls room.  Granted, you all need to understand it will be the pseudo girls room just until we get the real rooms done on the 3rd floor.

So, things are not as we expected.  They rarely are.  The move in time came and went,  school officially started and now Justin is looking at colleges. Crazy! We are living with the Tripps.  The plumber once again was a no show.  Curtis built a wall by the stairs two nights ago.  The bathroom is almost put together.  And I really want to sand and paint those old wood floors.

But, I have a beautiful family, and in this picture plus one because Barbara had a friend visit.

Desperation

Well, since this happens to mostly be my blog, I'll vent....

I'm feeling a huge amount of desperation.  It doesn't help that it's raining outside.  Yesterday Curt informed me that even if he could he doesn't have the time right now to do the things he needs to on the house.  What does that mean.  What happened to my "problem solving" husband.  Our need feels so great and our resources so low mentally, physically... you get the picture, the only hope that we have is in Jesus.   So I am not sure what all this means for our family, and I can say with some amount of confidence - I don't have any.

I think that getting the boot from our apartment was the final straw in what was left of my dignity.  It's hard depending on others to help, and equally as hard depending on God to take care of my physical needs.  I am however hopeful that at the end of all this I will be okay, and so will my family.

The reality is, we are so close to getting the things done we need to in the house.  It doesn't seem so overwhelming on paper, but the physical and financial demands are another story.   It's like Pap's old saying "Talk is cheap it, takes money to buy whiskey" and boy wouldn't I like some of that right now!

Please continue to pray for us and the Tripp's as we have totally invaded their lives. I hope we can be somewhat of a blessing to them as they are being to us right now.

I really want......

I really want $10,000
I really want to go to the wine depot and buy their $7.99 trick or treat special (like 10 of them)
I really want to sit on a couch
I really want to low light my hair black
I really want to buy some clothes
I really want to eat meat (Renee and I fasting it until we get into the house)
I really want a bag of dark chocolates and but will settle for my rice cake and peanut butter
I really want play all day with no regrets
I really don't want to pack the apartment
I really need NOTHING

Some Progress this week

I have been painting the door that was put in over the weekend. It matches our barn red siding on the 3rd floor.
Anaya says "oh that is a really really painted door. I yike the red"




















Our roughed in stairs.
















Curtis took everything out of the bathroom to fix the floor. He's glad he removed the tub to fix the wall behind because there was quite a bit of wet sawdust insulation to be removed.  We also hired a plumber this week to help out as Curtis is a bit confused by that part.







We'll be moving in with Ramsey and Kristen Tripp this weekend.  Thank Goodness they offered.  Not sure what we would be doing.   It still is all very overwhelming and stressful for the family.  I would certainly like to know what God is doing, maybe it's better that I don't.

As a family we still find joy in the little things.  Like the ladybugs that we are finding in the apartment.

We have one more birthday to finish out the year.  That is supposed to be happening on Sunday but we have indefinitely postponed it.  I'm pretty sure Anaya won't know the difference as long as she gets her Strawberry Shortcake birthday.

Thanks you all for your prayers.  I'm feeling them.  

Barbara's 11th Birthday at Grafton Notch with the other Roundy clan

2010-10-09

This is the song that never ends it goes on and on ........

Last Saturday Matt Clark came to help Curtis on the house.  They put in the front and back doors which was totally cool.  Ethan Russell showed up as a surprise and he did some sheathing and siding I think. We're starting to get some of the holes closed up. 

Not a minute too soon as yesterday we heard from the landlord that we have to be out of here by Sunday.  Apparently, he has the whole building rented out for Monday.  Yeah, right..... Can you sense my frustration????  Some friends of our's from church (who have 5 kids) have opened up their home to us so thankfully we're not out in the cold but still the timing couldn't be more raunchier.  

Today some other friends from church are helping with the plumbing.  It's raining so Curtis is working on the house today.  

Please pray, we have tons left to do and our stress is running high while our energy is running low.  Curtis' back is really paining him lately and school for the older 3 is revving up.  Lots going on with us without this house disaster so we could really use prayer covering. Thanks !

Food Bank - another step in my journey of being missional and poor.

Okay, so we are not "poor" in light of the world. But we are struggling. Today as I was walking through the forbidden world of Walmart, in disbelief of myself that I would stoop to shopping in a place that treats the world so poorly, I couldn't even bring myself to pay their prices -- I had the thought of the food bank. . (after all I really need a haircut - BAD) I am spending money on food that should be spent on bills or our house afterall, and my food stamp supplement did decrease.

So, me being the courageous person that I am. I strapped the two littles in their carseats and made my journey back onto the Russell street connecter and over to Bates str. (just for your information, if you are planning on being poor... which most of us don't... pick a city with good human services. It is a must. Lewiston is one of those cities)

As I entered Sisters of Charity I was greeted by a toothless man about 10-15 years my junior with his son that of whom he would like to get custody. He informed me of the procedures and furthered explained that the "somalians" are taking all of our benefits and get checks for $1500 twice a month. Not sure if this is true or not but nonetheless I engaged in the conversation with him. I was then ushered into a booth for my enrollment into this once a month free food program. At this time a Somali woman registered me. (ironic I thought) She looked rather surprised that I had 5 children and possibly still a husband. She seemed pleasant enough but in questioning me I could tell that she too has become jaded by all of us on welfare and trying to get a little extra. By the end of our interview I think I may have won her over. It is worth going again just see all these people and form relationships. After all, you never know who God is going to bring in your path and for what reason.

As for the man with his son, I have seen him around town and have talked to him in the past. Although, I don't think he recognized me. I hope that if he is a decent guy he does get custody, or at least more visitation with his son.

My banana box of food was so heavy. I carried it up two flights of stairs and thought my back was breaking. And, believe it or not the food bank had many gluten free options that I would never have bought in the grocery store. Thank-you God. I was in walmart thinking I should get some flour and prayed that their would be some free GF flour somewhere and the Lord heard my pitiful cry and gave me what I wanted even though it was not necessity.

I just saw this on my friends facebook and thought I 'd post it.  It goes along a little with the conversation I had today at the food bank.
http://jimbaumer.posterous.com/countering-somali-myths-with-facts-in-l-a

Decision Made...

Well we made our decision.  We found a pellet stove for a decent price.  Hope it all works okay.  It was a bit of a compromise.  There was a really nice one we wanted but couldn't justify the expense.  Actually, no justification involved it would of meant stealing to get it this week.  Oh well, God willing and the creek won't rise it won't be a pain for Curtis to get working and things will run smoothly.  My suburban is getting inspected today.  Hopefully it won't be anymore than he said, and maybe less.  

Wish I had more amazing news to share but I don't.  Rather discouraged this week.  Still in a two bedroom and not much progress to report except for a drainage ditch that Curtis put in over the weekend. 

I think I will start reading Psalms.  Thinking God may have some stuff in there for me.  Peace Out!

Decisions, Decisions......

It's warm today but not for long!  We are in the middle of trying to decide how we are going to heat this puppy.  If you've followed along at all you remember that we needed to put in the extra posts. Well, that kinda messed with our chimney placement big time!  Curtis and I have spent hours trying to figure this chimney thing out and alas, this is Maine,  and we don't  have many more hours left to think about it.

Curtis came home with an idea the other day that I think may work--No chimney.   For the price of  the materials for the chimney we could possibly buy a used pellet stove and pellets for the winter.   So, we have been endlessly looking. (for 48 hours) for a used pellet stove that works.

So, my friends once again, I'm asking for you to pray that God will show favor on us again and give us the heat that we need this winter.  Along with a kitchen to cook in, plumbing and lots of other things.  It's amazing how happy one is when necessities get met in strange ways. Living downtown here in Lewiston has definitely changed my perspective on needs and wants.

Stairway to Heaven.....Not

This picture was taken from the front of the house looking towards the back right.  We took the center stairs down and Curtis is constructing the new stairs.  You can see them in the back of this picture.  I like the way my camera captured all the dust flying around the room.  It rather encapsulates how I feel right now. A little foggy and hazy.

This has been a very trying week for me.  We had some struggles at the beginning of the week and are feeling like we are playing catch up again.   I am beginning to think that God really doesn't want us to be able to breathe a sigh of relief any time soon.   Anyways, enough complaining.

Renee had her 13th birthday yesterday - hard to believe.  We celebrated with good food and a pretty cake that Barbara made.  Curtis moved from his traditional roses to an orchid for the flower.  Renee had mentioned she liked orchids.  I think she liked her gifts.

Nightmare on Shawmut Str.

Well, the kids started school on Monday.  Tuesday Justin started his college Physics class in Augusta.  That will be a 6 - 7 hour class for him.  Took the girls to Kohl's to find a few "personal" items.  (thanks to a very welcome gift card)  Tuesday, Barbara took the dogs out in the morning to be greeted by a man that said he was going to kill Jack because he wouldn't stop barking.  Wonderful!  I said I was sorry and that Jack wasn't a mean dog just liked to bark a lot.  I think I heard him say sorry as he walked away.  I will choose to believe that.   I have gone to the laundromat twice this week.  I am back to using cloth diapers.  I just can't see spending $30 a week on disposables, it doesn't make sense.  I am hoping to be 10 lbs lighter after running up and down these stairs all week long.

Curtis has been working in Wiscasset.  Today he is working on the house, and I have the glorious pleasure of assisting with loading up the truck for the 40th million time with gross, decaying, stinky stuff out of the house while the littles quietly play and get along in the backyard.  Hahahahahahaha!

Can you all sense my sarcasm.  Curtis reads this too so I'll be nice from here on out.

Curtis is building stairs and putting in a couple more posts as the beam we installed was bowing quite profusely.  He was a bit disappointed because the idea was to have an open concept first floor.  So we will have an open concept first floor with 3 posts.  Not a big deal and I actually like the posts.  It reminds me of an old barn.

We really are on the home stretch, it's just seems overwhelming still.

Better run and load up a truck!

A day at the Beach

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at Old Orchard Beach .  It was so warm and beautiful, and the water was actually nice.   This is an album so open the picture and you can see the family playing.

Hope

Mt. Katahdin at sunset 

This picture represents hope of a new tomorrow.  Sounds corny, but right now we need hope.  This process is so slow and our needs are so great.   If  I allow myself to think to long on our situation the hopelessness sets in pretty fast.  My mind can play some pretty nasty tricks on me, and take me to some dark places.  Sometimes I feel like we are almost homeless.  And possibly not to far from it.  But  when I really think about it I realize the worse case scenario is really not as bad as it could be and most likely we'll not be homeless.  No pics of the house today but Curtis has made some progress this week.  The stairs are starting to get built and we've made plans for a kitchen.   Hopefully, next week we'll get a sander and get the floors done downstairs.  Someone has removed the pile of bricks from our backyard and I think we are almost done with demolition.   School starts next week and then my craziness begins.  One of my friends gave me a water bottle for my birthday that says "Which kid am I picking up where, again?"   And I'll sign off with that.

Emotions

Emotions are a funny thing.  Laughing, crying, anger,  feeling stressed, and there are many more.  At any given moment I can feel excited about our future home, and in the same moment feel totally overwhelmed and depressed.  Why is that?

There is nothing more calming than staring into a campfire in the evening.

The girls and I just spent a week at camp playing and having a great time.  The moment I got home my joy turned to frustration.   I wish we could be done walking through this disaster but at the same time I am hopeful that we are being part of a kingdom construction of a sort we don't  yet understand.

Kiana rode a horse last week and that was so cute.   That brought me joy to see her not afraid to sit on an animal 100 times her size.  I also took Barbara and my 4 year old niece Jada at the same time.  Fun fun fun!
     

We still have miles to go before we sleep but have managed to find some fun family moments with the kids this summer. Hoping to soon be able to unpack our stuff into our new home that Curtis is working so hard to fix.  We still need to fix the kitchen, move the stairs, finish the plumbing and electrical.  It sounds like a ton but we have made a lot of progress with the help of friends, family and God.  Still praying everyday for more miracles.

House progress this weekend - Aug 14th
This week we (we being a mutually exclusive Curtis) have been working on the kitchen. Curtis removed the existing cabinets and wall from inside the kitchen only to discover that the outside wall had not been properly "studded". He pushed studs up through the wall from the outside of the house and secured them. Now we need to trim the window and put some siding back up.












He also removed the existing door, which you really can't see from the picture. We'll be putting a door on the back porch where you can see a window half covered with debris. This will be our main entrance into the house. I would rather have everyone walk through the back and hang there stuff up by the kitchen.











Here is the inside of the kitchen. We'll be insulating as there really wasn't any and sheetrocking. Curtis is going to make open base cabinet boxes with no doors for now. Cheap and it will get the job done. Someone is helping us out with a countertop- so we'll see if that really works out or not. I am a bit skeptical these days. In the bottom pic you can kinda tell from the new studs on the left wall where the door was.

It may look like we haven't done much beside demo but if you look closely you will see lights! And then come one when you flick a switch! Doesn't seem like much of an accomplishment until you realize rewiring was like solvng a Sudoko puzzle.

So, this week has been very interesting. We had someone add a Mary to our shrine and within a couple days both Mary and Jesus disappeared so we are left with just the crucifix candle holder.

There is a little boy that pretty much drives us nuts. He is always getting into our vehicles and touching everything and everyone. When you ask him not to he looks at you and does it again with a smile. For those of you that know Curtis you can imagine how he reacts. We'll just leave it at that! I have to say, the little boy is being much more respectful and comes around with his big brother who also seems to be a nice kid. They like to hang out and watch Curtis work.

We still need tons of prayer, we have a long way to go on the house and Curtis is pretty much doing alone these days. Sometimes my dad can help and that's nice. He's also working and I can't imagine how tired he must get.

The three older kids have been gone to camp and I unfortunately allowed one of Justin's bearded dragons to kick the bucket. It made me sad.

New kitchen window, just trying to figure out the best placement.

















No basement stairs now. but we did get the support beams in downstairs and the house feel so much more solid.


















New front door that was donated. What a blessing!

Fear

I know that God  has not give us the spirit of fear but of love and a sound mind.   I have to say that the sound mind part of that verse is vitally important when experiencing fear.   This last year and a half has been one of the most fearful years for me. When you go through loss of work, or not enough work to keep up and get steadily behind   - you stop answering your phone.  When you have a knock at your door you look out window before answering.  I, even on one occasion took my kids and hid in the bedroom to avoid the person at my door.  All this for the sake of money.   I am not sure it is worth the trouble.

As good little conservative Christian children we were taught to not overspend, always pay your bills on time and  through the actions of others judge those who don't.  I will admit that I have stood in judgement and now have experienced the other side.   I hope that I have learned a valuable lesson when it comes to being the accuser.  Some lessons are harder to learn than others.

As for fear, I am not so afraid anymore.  Of course, our phone has been turned off.  We have moved.   And we are definitely experiencing another side of life.  I hope that in the end all will be forgiven and that God's economy is not like ours.  I'm sure it's not.

Curtis has a job interview tomorrow.  Pray all goes well.
The roof should finally be finished today.
Please pray, we can get plumbing , electrical, and a kitchen in before the end of the month.  And that it will all be free.  I know I ask for a lot but my God is BIG!

Religious shrine

A religious shrine comes to Shawmut street.

Well, I guess the word is getting out that we are Christians. And, on one occasion a certain somebody asked Curtis if we wanted a bell. Something about getting one from a local cathedral????? Anyways, not a bell, but I guess our first "religious" donation. Not sure how I feel about the shrine in my flower garden, or how it got there, but here it is. What are you to do with an unwanted donated shrine? I guess I'll light a candle and hope that the Somali's aren't too offended during Ramadan.  I'm not sure if this is what I had in mind when I asked God for more but I am thankful that some are thinking about us...... Could be Marty.....

Now, what do I do with it?

Our Barn

Front of the house got sided over the weekend. Curtis started Friday afternoon and with the help of my dad it got finished on Saturday. We celebrated with steak and salad for dinner.

As we get ready for this next chapter in our lives I am entering with mixed feelings.  It was definitely easier, quieter, and comfortable in our last house, although friendlier I am not sure.   This has surely been a "not so fun" time in the Roundy household.   In the last month we  checked out of our last house, put our stuff in storage, moved into a two bedroom apartment,  Barbara has been to camp twice now, and the girls and I have been traveling back and forth to my brothers to hang out with them.

We have seen God's provision in this whole event in ways that no one could imagine.  So, I just keep praying for more. There are still miles to go before we can move in and I think that if this process had been quicker and easier the neighbors wouldn't be getting to know us the same way.  Maybe it is good for them to see us struggle, maybe this will help with our testimony with them.  I am not sure what God is doing but I know he will complete what he started .....

In the meantime my current prayer if you would like to join me :  Lord, please provide what we need to be able to start the new school year off in the house.  And also if you see fit let Barbara be able to stay at her school.  Thanks and thanks all of you for journeying with us in this process.

house progress

We found some nice windows for a good price.  They had these 1/4 moons on top of them which Curtis removed.  We then used them to put half moons in the peak of the roof.  Not a very good pic but you can get the idea.

Random pics from visiting up north

Family outing to Aquaboggan (open the pic and it will take you to an album)

We decided to give take the kids to a water park as a surprise last Sunday. They didn't know where we were headed. It was a wonderful day out as a family and I'm glad we had the day together.

July 2nd and Justin turned 17 years old!

Officially out of the house today.  We didn't go in today, we took care of what we were going to do on Wednesday.   It was sad and now we are looking to the future for what God may have for us next.  Sounds cliche but I guess that is all there is  at the moment.

We have temporarily landed in a third floor apartment on Lisbon street.  It is some fun walking up and down those stairs with little's. It is making me appreciate what people around here go through on a daily basis.

There is still lots to be done on the house.  I am hoping for a month but Curtis has said two.  We'll see if it is less than four....... He is almost finished with trimming the roof so they can shingle.  We are expecting the windows next week sometime and hopefully it will go faster from here on out.

Justin celebrated his 17th birthday by getting a classical guitar we found on craigslist.  It needs some work but I think it will be a nice thing for him to learn on.   Pictures soon.

Father's Day at Range Pond (album if you open the pic)

We spent a couple hours at Range pond before the showers hit.  It was really warm and nice to be together as a family for an afternoon.  That hasn't happened in a while for apparent reasons. The kids made Curtis a t-shirt with their hand prints and various fun stuff.  Also some magnets and breakfast in bed.  It was overall a relaxing day and I think Curtis enjoyed it.

progress the day of June 19th (album if you open the pic this and most other house pictures)

progress through June 18th

House progress through June 11th

house progress through June 9th

June's progress through the 4th

pictures of our house progress

Well the windows went in this week which made me feel a whole lot better about things. I guess God does want us to live their after all. We'll see about tomorrow. It's funny how are attitudes depend so much upon our life situations. When we have money and things are taken care of we are happy and God loves us. When we are messing up and don't have anything to show for our life-----God still loves us. Hard to live in that truth sometimes. If you open the picture you will be taken to an album of the house as it is today.

Some video of Kiana's last crawling and first steps