Happy 2017!
Before I share some more home renovation/decoration-related news, (which reminds me to ask- is that mainly what you’d like to read about here this year?), I *have* to tell you about our “wake up call” on New Years Day morning. Would you believe Steevenson woke BOTH Kevin and I up with kisses on our cheeks and “I love you”s whispered in our ears yesterday morning? I don’t think we’ll ever forget that. It was SUCH a sweet way to start the year!
Like I’ve mentioned in other adoption-related posts, we had a bit of a turbulent start together (#TransitionTrauma #FirstTimers #FiguringOutFamily), but MAN does it feel like SO much healing has happened in the past couple of weeks! I’ll share a more in-depth post about that in the future if anyone’s interested in the specifics (maybe folks that are thinking about or in the process of adopting would like to know?), but for now, I’ll just say that what has transpired over Christmas break has been *very* encouraging and I am SO happy to see our Sonny feeling “sunnier” and more secure. Praise the Lord!
Okay- now onto the renovation/decoration stuff…
Someone mentioned our sunroom (a.k.a piano room) in my previous post, and it reminded me to share that we’ve decided to turn it into a playroom for Steevenson.
It has literally just housed our (only occasionally played) baby grand piano for four years, and at this point, that doesn’t feel like the best use of that 130 square feet of space. We have a very creative kiddo that LOVES train and race tracks, so we feel like it would be nice for him to have a space to really spread out and have fun. I’m also envisioning some better toy/game/craft storage for him in there too. (It’ll also be nice to have our living room floor back- ha!)
So long story short, we’re trying to sell our piano (Jim & Katie are bringing their upright piano with them with they move in. It’s the one Kevin grew up with!) so that we can create an inspiring space for our Sonny (and his friends!) instead.
Selling the piano has proven to be easier said than done though (ugh!), but maybe one day we’ll find a buyer and be able to start pulling that space together.
And speaking of rooms with new purposes, since we can’t do the built-in beds quite yet, Katie invited Kevin and I to use their loft as a laptop workspace for the time being. He and I both work on the computer from home, and sometimes it’s hard to get work done with a curious little cutie pie around, if ya know what I’m sayin’. 😉 It’ll be nice to have a quiet place to work when we need to.
And speaking of sharing spaces, because there’s no room in their budget for kitchen right away, Katie is actually going to be using our existing kitchen for a while. Kevin and I don’t spend a whole lot of time in there, and of course she’s welcome to use it for as long as she needs to.
…and if you’ve ever tried one of her recipes, you know that we are more than excited to get some free cooking lessons while we’re sharing a stove with her, too. 😉
Layla
I loooove your decor & renovation posts! That’s the reason I started to follow you years ago!
More decor, less personal posts, please.
Thanks for weighing in, Carol! I definitely hope to have more time, money, energy and interest for design and decorating projects this year…but I’m not making any promises! 😀 Plus, I love to use this space to share all kinds of inspiration…food, faith, family, fashion- whatever tickles my fancy on any given day. I’m happy to read that’s what most folks come here to find, but will definitely keep your request in mind because I love to share that kind of inspiration too! 🙂
I LOVE your personal posts!! There are THOUSANDS of blogs out there, not to mention MILLIONS of “Pins” that show me anything I want to see about decorating. I love your posts about your faith, and about your Sonny boy and about your in-laws. I’d much rather read about real life things that matter, than just see some pretty pictures. So while I LOVE LOVE LOVE your decorating posts, and seeing the Bungalow Barn come to life, PLEASE keep sharing your faith and your family and your heart. It’s your blog . . . POST WHAT YOU WANT!!! Prayers for you sweet friend!!!
Waking up to “I love you’s” and kisses is the best way ever to start your day 🙂 I remember when my boys were just little guys……….those moments remain so sweet even years later!
I love your personal accounts because they speak to my soul. I was originally drawn to your blog for your amazing decorating style but I come back to it for your adoption story. It gives me so much hope as a mama to a girl that may herself be looking at adopting one day because of medical reasons. I cannot tell you what a blessing I have gotten reading about your experience and the hope it gives me for whatever family God has woven together for my daughter. Thank you so much for sharing!
I enjoy all of your posts, and the variety of topics you address. But, like others, have found following your adoption and parenting journey especially meaningful. Children and families are the world’s most precious resource and treasure. I’ve prayed for you and your family for a number of years, supported your t-shirt sales, and now pray daily that all orphaned children will be united with a forever family. You and your blog are an inspiration and compass for compassion. God bless you always!
Layla,
I love your decorating style but I have to tell you, I so look forward to hearing about Stevenson.. I followed your adoption steps and I was cheering you and Kevin on every step of the way. Being adopted, I know how hard it s to adjust but I was lucky too.. a great family took me in ?! Please keep sharing, it’s inspiring to see and hear people with a huge ❤!
I think you have a balanced mix of posts. I enjoy reading about Sonny’s progress. I say don’t change a thing. 🙂
Thanks, Becky! 🙂
P.S.–I do miss Kit Kat & Max. I hope you haven’t gotten rid of them?!? 🙁
Kit-Cat is still with us. Steevenson was pretty scared of him for the first few months because he wasn’t familiar with cats. (I’m sure he wondered why we had a “wild animal” in the house!), and although the two of them still steer pretty clear of each other, they can be in the same room now and I’m sure they’ll eventually want to touch each other. 🙂
Max, on the other hand, had to go live in another gal’s home on Christmas Eve. We tried to get him used to Steevenson, but he just wasn’t having it. He had always been pretty territorial, protective (of me) and not great with kids, but we hoped he would be okay with Steevenson since he would be here every day. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. 🙁
Layla, I’ve loved your blog for a long time and love the mix of posts that you share. It’s so much easier to relate to when you share your “real” life. Happy 2017 and prayers for a wonderful bonding year with your little guy!
Layla,
I love to hear about your personal life and always check back with the hope to hear more about Steevenson. I started to follow your blog because of the decor posts but would hate it if you felt the need to leave out your personal life experiences. The gals and guys that truly care about you want to see it all! You should hear my family when you post a video of Steevenson and I play it multiple times. They say “mom you really need another kid” hahahha! It’s not that, it’s that I followed your whole process and am so happy for you and Kevin. You both and Steevenson have been through so much! Lots of love and big hugs from our family! Continue to share it all!
I love the current mix of the barn addition, your house updates, the presto changos AND Steevenson! It’s a great mix. Don’t change a thing!!
Joni