Sunday, August 15, 2010

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.
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Saturday, August 14, 2010

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!
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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

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!

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

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?
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Monday, August 02, 2010

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.
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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.
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Random pics from visiting up north




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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.




Friday, July 02, 2010

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.

Monday, June 21, 2010

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

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wow, it's been a while

Well, it's been a while but we are still alive. As some of you know this has been quite a few months for the Roundy family. Kiana had her surgery on Sept. 4th and I guess we won't know until Dec. if there will be another.

Kiana was quite happy with her IV and only cried when they took it out. She did better than Curtis. Very long day and really don't want to do it again.

We chose to take our Sundays this summer and spend it as a family. It worked out pretty well as most Sundays were sunny and most other days it rained. We usually get a park pass and use it as much as we can. It ends up being a great buy for our family of "7". This picture was taken while hurricane Bob was off shore. We had some tremendous waves and someone was actually surfing.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Sunday, May 24, 2009

A Day with the Barkmans

our day ended with a bonfire and started with waffles, monopoly, roller skating, ice cream, a concert, barbecue, a bonfire and smores.

Garry and Curtis put together this playset that someone gave us







a little monopoly, and a cute baby