When people ask me if we have a kitchen yet, it’s hard for me to explain why the answer is still no. It’s not as simple as it might seem. When you are on a budget and trying to fit working on your house into an already busy life, it can be a bit heartbreaking to realize how long it will truly take. We have made some progress though, so we wanted to share an update on how Bryarton Farm is Comin’ Along…

A few weeks ago the living room and kitchen looked like this…

For my Valentine’s Day gift I dreamed of receiving a finished kitchen.

Then reality set in and I settled for an epic weekend of working towards that goal with my handsome Valentine and my little loves.

We all worked together! Mommy and Daddy finished opening up the stairway, widening the openings, and working on the shiplap. Meanwhile, the girls had a blast sweeping up and playing in the sawdust.

This is how the kitchen is looking nowadays…

I explained in this instagram post all about the shiplap in the living room. For your daily dose of Bryarton Farm, follow us on Instagram (click here)

Cinnamon the barn cat snuck in to see how the living room was comin’ along. I hope he approves.

If you are wondering how we are living without a real kitchen, this is an instagram post I wrote explaining our situation.

I am still growing in the area of patience. I wish I could just wiggle my nose and have the whole farmhouse finished, but then I would miss out on the growing experience of the process (or at least that’s what I tell myself).

Our nearly 3 year journey of fixing up this forgotten little 1800s farm DIY style hasn’t been easy. Living in a construction zone and “fancy camping” has been a wild ride for sure, but I am amazed at how close the adventure has brought us together as well as to the Lord. Valentine’s Day was the perfect excuse to stop and just take a break as a family. We enjoyed pizza and presents at a local pizzeria.

We set up the tripod and Michael ran back n’ forth to take our annual Love Day Family Picture. We got a couple cute ones, but it’s getting harder to catch all of us smiling, looking forward, and with all of our eyes open at the same time.

When I feel confused or doubt our decision to follow our dreams of fixing up a historic farm ourselves in the boonies, I have to remember that this tough season will not last forever. Someday we will finish this huge project and not only will we have saved a dying part of America’s heritage, but we will be stronger though this journey…

“This isn’t easy, this isn’t clear, but you don’t need Jesus till you’re here” – Ben Rector

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