New Beginnings

New post up on the Traditional Cabinetry blog.

Open the Gates and Seize the Day!

Seriously, Andrew prepped the children with beautiful Bible verses the night before their first day of public school to guide their thoughts and dreams before the big day. When I woke up Monday morning, instead of the inspired word of God greeting my mind, it was the inspired word of the Newsies set to music:

"Open the Gates and Seize the Day!"

I'm pretty sure it was God who spoke to the Newsies, too though.

I've told you a few of the reasons for this galactic lifestyle change we've made- Traditional Cabinetry and Dreams. Another reason is home schooling in April in Minnesota. Combined with giving birth to a baby in April in Minnesota, I see this as the perfect storm. Last spring we were so on edge, crawling the walls with 'I'm-sick-of-your-face-and-your-voice-and-your-breath-but-we-can't-go-outside-because-everything's-melting-and-mom-hates-messes' disease (also known as cabin fever). I know I should view this as a beautiful lesson in patience and togetherness and learning to love each other even when things aren't ideal. And sometimes we really can rally and make the best of things! But last April found me in a tough place mentally, and as I've had a bout with postpartum depression (after G, born in May), I panicked when I found out I was due with this baby cake late spring. How could I function as a mom, a teacher, a caregiver, housekeeper, and heal from the trauma of childbirth all at the same time? I had to come to terms with the fact that I don't think it would be best for anyone if we went into spring with our current lifestyle. And the more I thought about the change (which terrified me honestly), the more I thought about the things I could do with my time instead of teaching. The result of this reflection was surprised relief. You know it wasn't an easy decision and saying goodbye to that lifestyle (for now at least) brought so much mourning. But as of 3 o'clock Friday, I can tell you that everyone is doing well and adjusting fine (I had a breakdown at the end of the day, but that could have just as easily been triggered by the fact that my little troll baby, Oliver, turned 13 on that blessed day).

Therefore, the actual school part is another reason we're choosing to send them for this semester. We don't know what fall 2020 will bring, but we hold our expectations high, though loosely, knowing God will provide ways and windows and every other grace we need when we need it. 

Adolescence

The very word gives me an awkward shiver- adolescence. But I have so much of it in my life right now, I have to embrace it. Oliver turned 13 on Friday. A teenager living in my house and it's not me?! Where has the time gone?? He is a piece of individuality. And even though it's been a little tough being the mom of an adolescent boy (there are more times we don't understand each other lately, I can't just ruffle his hair to mend things...), it's been such a gift to see him grow in ways I didn't expect or didn't prod. He anticipates the needs of others, and jumps to help. He runs a trap line that I don't understand (though he did take me on the full hike in the fall). He beats me in chess in 5 minutes (okay, that's been happening since he learned 4 years ago). He loves his English class and playing piano and snowmobiling and mountain biking. He loves to make his little brother run and his sisters scream (not my favorite). But then he sits down and plays Monopoly peacefully with them for hours. He's a pretty descent kid, considering he's in the depths of puberty. Love you, Bud!

Here we have Andrew and Mini Me...they even have the same teeth. (Oliver powered through a very messy bike race and a fever in Duluth  in October.) 

Another adolescent that's part of my daily grind is Traditional Cabinetry. Andrew started this company 13 years ago in January. At that time he had a business partner (not me) and a vague idea of what to do with his God-given passion for creativity and craftsmanship. A few years in, he bought out his business partner, and has been through a few transitions with employees and vision. He now has a business partner again as of last Monday (me), a team of 3 rock star employees, and the same dream to be a creatively fine craftsman. There have been actual growing pains during these maturing years of TC, as we question who we are as a company, and what our purpose is in this world. Sounds dramatic, but we're trying to embrace the awkward and listen to the promptings God has for us. Andrew and I are so excited to be working together and seeking to fulfill our calling as small business owners during an extraordinary time of cabinetry design, with companies like deVOL and Plain English Kitchens and designers like Emily Henderson and Jean Stoffer Design inspiring our work.

Here's to growing through discomfort and believing the matured version of ourselves will be all that we've dreamed of and more!