Fire Proof

Gosh. It has been over a month since our house fire.  I haven't been too diligent with my posts, obviously, because it has also been over a month since my last post.  We finally purchased a new laptop today, so I am ready to get back to blogging!

Here's a little update on the fire situation: Our house is now stripped to the studs.  The garage has been sand blasted. The deoderizing process has begun inside the house.  We picked out flooring, fixtures, and cupboards.  I have boards on Pinterest started for decorating.  So, that's that.  I will post some photos soon.

Here's a little update on the "hometel" situation: living in a hotel suite with four kids is ___________. You could probably fill in the blanks with many words: stressful, loud, cozy, etc. I am thankful every day that I still have four children with which to share our little home, so I refuse to see the situation as anything other than fortuitous.

I have been asked by several people how I can be so cheerful about the situation.  I respond this way: I'm not going to create a worry where there isn't one.  We have insurance.  We have all our kids.  We have a place to live.  Enough said.

Don't I think God hates me? Look at all the tragedy that has befallen us in our lives.  I respond this way: I'm glad this sort of stuff happens to Colby and I.  WHAT?! Glad?? We have friends and family to support us.  We have insurance.  We have savings.  Lots of people don't have any of the above.  They have no way to shield themselves from tragedy or recover afterwards.  We know we can and have shown we can weather a storm.  Would we rather go through life without strife? Surely.  However, gratitude doesn't exist in a bubble; we have to be thankful every.single.day. Every.single.day. Without question and without regard to what has happened or what is to come.

And, by the way, if I did believe in a specific god I wouldn't believe him/her to be vindictive.

So, we're fine. We're happy.  We're excited to have a remodeled house.  We're looking forward to having a happy holiday season.  I'm excited to get back to blogging.