Ready, Set, Paint

I have come to the realization that I have control issues--between Me and God mostly, but in general.  I like to be in the "know", to make decisions, to have all the facts and information ahead of time so that I can make an informed, educated decision.  Well, my life does not work like that.  
My job is to trust God when I don't have the options or information or choices that I would like, because after all, He sees the big picture and understands where I am going and why.
This is why I live a walk of faith.  
So, I do not have the luxury of knowing that I am preparing for a little bitty baby and all that it entails, I do not know that we need to be ready for a toddler or a pre-schooler or an elementary age child.  I don't have the luxury of a due date or even an approximate date.  We may not have any more notice than a few hours or we may have longer.  We don't know if we will get 1, 2 or maybe more children at the same time.  We may not ever have children.  We don't know if they will be boys or girls.  


We don't know what will happen come May when our lease is up! Our landlords want to sell the house but we are not necessarily in a position where we can finance the house, especially in the current economy and the status of our jobs.


Are you beginning to understand how difficult this situation can be for a person who likes a well ordered, organized life?  Yes, this is my life.


So, that said, the areas that I can prepare for, I will and I will trust and lean completely on the amazing grace of God as He has gotten me this far!


We know that all children need a bedroom!  That is something that we can work on.


So, Carter and I went on a quest yesterday.  A quest unrelated to much of anything that ended on a different path.  (I actually was looking for a shelf for my nail polish so that I can see them, but I am rather particular and never found what I was looking for.) 
We found ourselves at Lowe's and is my habit when I am at any store, I look at the clearance rack for anything that I can't live without.  Well, this time is was the paint clearance rack.  Most of my recent decorating and painting has been done off of this rack.  There are a broad spectrum of colors on the "mess up" rack and it was no different this time.  In my mind I wanted the paint the room a "khaki" color.  I consider this a neutral color that will go with almost any theme that I can come up with and can easily be adapted to pink or blue as necessary.  My ever so wise husband suggested that we paint a neutral color and wait for decorations until we have a child and then put up a border, curtains etc with an appropriate theme.  (I really don't like it when he is so smart and wise at moments that I am so motivated, but mostly just because it means that I was focused on something and my rock hard head didn't want to change paths.) 
So Carter and I found a gallon of paint that had potential.  It was a nice creamy shade of brown that Carter declared much too dark.  but it was only $5.00.  So away my brain goes, he is probably correct, but right next to this gallon was a quart of creamy paint for $2.60.  I ask the paint guy if i lighten this will it have a yellow base?  I am not a fan of yellow bases, I prefer red or blue.  He assured me that if it did anything it would be a red base.  For $20, we purchased the necessary supplies and the paint and headed home to create a warm and inviting space.  
Carter decided we should not tell Chad, but instead keep it a surprise.  (He was at work for the weekend.)  Paint away we did, Carter was very excited about getting to paint and be involved, so we turned on music and got started.  We eventually evolved to Adventures in Odyssey which we both enjoy.  
Initially, when we smeared the paint on the wall to check the color in our own lighting Carter declared it was "monkey poop color", obviously this was not appropriate.  We mixed in our quart of paint and tried again, now we had "monkey diarrhea", still not an appropriate color, add some more white that we found in the garage and we came up with "hot chocolate".  A color we were both happy with.  Life is always entertaining when you have a combination of a 13 year old and my imagination.  I would like all of you to know that we mixed our own color and painted the whole room with no disastrous stories or escapades to share.  Disappointing, isn't it?

Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows 

We transformed the yellow, very feminine room into a warm, albeit very empty room.


Carter eventually went out to play with friends while I worked on the edging and the trim and listened to Anne of Green Gables.


We successfully painted the room finishing up for dinner at 9 pm.  Ok, a little focused and lost in my own little world, we ended up staying up until midnight but we had such a good time together that it was worth it.  And today is Labor Day so we didn't have a specific agenda or schedule for the day.  

Finished Product (and a new hair cut)

Carter took care of all of the outlet covers and light switch plate covers himself.  
Chad was impressed with our hard work and liked the color.  


Now we begin to look for other necessary items, a bed, dresser, etc. 


We start our home study this week.  Chad and Carter have their individual interviews and we turn in copies of all sorts of things. 


Step by step we are getting there.  Focusing on the little things helps keep me sane.