Time to Dust This Blog Off…

Wow!  I can’t believe it has already been over two years since I last posted.  I know all the reasons why this is true, just doesn’t seem possible that it has been so long!

I’ve decided it is time to dust off this site and put it back to regular use.  Why you might ask?  We are on another great TRANSFORMING adventure!

Introducing our biggest renovation yet…

COOPER RANCH

Two days ago, my in-laws closed on this lovely 38 acre ranch needing much TLC.  This exciting opportunity will be a huge undertaking for 3 generations of our family (grandparents, parents and children) with the renovation of 4 homes, 4 barns and a swimming pool to boot!

Isn’t the pool fun?!

I’m looking forward to having a place to document the journey.  There will be many stories to share, from the discovery of the property’s history to all the projects we encounter along the way.  Time to roll up our sleeves and get busy.

Let the restoration adventure begin!

Read Full Post »

A note from my daughter…

Today after our Jesse Tree devotional, my oldest daughter asked me if I still had my blog.  When I said yes, she quickly asked if she could post something today.  I have to admit that I am cautious in how I respond to some questions (especially with my children), not wanting to get stuck in some agreement that I can’t back out of.  I told her she could write something and then I would see about posting it.  She quickly started working.  I have to admit I am a humbled.  I am proudly posting it today, just as she wrote it…

December 19 2012 

I am Anastasia and I am 11 years old.  Last year for Christmas we each got one present.  But this year my mom came to me and asked “Anastasia this year for Christmas, as a family, I think we will do something different. What if we gave instead of receive?  To show others Gods love.”  I was so excited.  Because to see someone smile because I made a difference means more to me than getting a toy that I will soon forget about.  A toy can not change my life but someone else can.  Small things leave big impressions.  I can do something as small as giving a hug and the smile I will remember.  Sometimes I think we get too carried away in buying Christmas presents and seeing Santa that we forget the real meaning of Christmas.  God has given us the best present ever, eternal life. This gift will last forever.  When I am struggling and having a bad day I can call on Him.  If you don’t know Jesus and you want to know him just say this prayer with meaning lets pray    “Dear Jesus thank you for your gift.  Thank you for dying for me.  Forgive me of my sins.  Make me who you want me to be.  I believe in you. Please change my life and thank you for making me a new person, amen.” God loves you and I pray He will bless you.  Merry Christmas!

 

She has pretty big plans for changing the world.  I think she might just do it!

Read Full Post »

A Transformed Christmas

When I think about the name God gave me for my company over 10 years ago, I marvel at how appropriate it is even today.  It seems He continually “Amazingly Transforms” so many areas of my life and home.  The latest transformation is in how we are celebrating Christmas this year.  I am so excited about it and already feel the relief of peace that it is bringing.  This year there won’t be any pressures in the area of gift giving because we are choosing to only give gifts to Him this Christmas.  I know it sounds like a radical approach and yet it is already becoming the best Christmas we have ever experienced.  “How do we give gifts to Christ?” you might ask.  It is simple really.  According to Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus says…

³⁵ For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. ³⁶ I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

We have already begun this journey and it has been so special.  Just tonight, one simple act brought joy to others as well as to us.  I loaded up the car with the five kids and our family friend from Kenya and we went to the neighborhood nursing home.  My older daughters invited to sing with the children’s choir from church and I decided it would be fun to bring the little ones along for the ride.  After the kids finished singing and headed to eat pizza with their friends, the three little ones and I stayed behind to visit a few residents.

I simply pulled them in their wagon up and down the halls and stopped to greet anyone who might be in their room.  The little ones had so much fun looking to see if someone was there and then would wave and smile.  This simple gesture brought the most beautiful smiles to their faces and ours alike.  I left thinking to myself, “Why have I waited so long to bring my children?”   This gift was only a small sacrifice of time but the value was priceless!

Read Full Post »

What an Amazingly Transformed Journey!

I’ve been reminiscing a lot lately.  Can you believe that 10 years ago this month a very shy, 29 year old girl launched a business called Amazing Transformations?!  Me either!   And boy have I been TRANSFORMED!

Here is just a small sampling of how my life has changed over the past decade:

1.  Met my trainer, mentor and dear friend JoAnne Lenart-Weary who encouraged me to follow my dream to create beautiful spaces.

2. Launched my business Amazing Transformations.

3.  Made weekly/monthly appearances on NBC56 news in Tyler, Texas.  (Yes this very shy girl actually asked to be on live television and they said yes!  Not sure if I would be able to do that now. :))

(No, I did not have the opportunity to decorate the set.  I sure would have liked to!)

4.  Had the privilege of working in all levels of homes across the country.

Here are a few examples:

Before…

After…

Before…

After…

5.  Opened 2 different studios (one in Texas and then one in Oklahoma) to teach decorating classes.  Oh how I loved that season of my business!  It was so fun to share so many decorating tips with my friends and clients.

6. Started writing Transforming Tidbits on a weekly basis in 2007.  I continued to faithfully write almost every week for about 3 years straight!  But because of #7 (see below), my ability to write as frequently, dwindled quickly.

7. Went from longing to be a mom (and having great difficulty becoming one) to becoming a mother of FIVE! (through the gift of adoption and fostering)

8. I began the homeschooling journey with my oldest two daughters.  I have to admit, although I never saw myself ever even considering being a homeschool mom, I can’t imagine my life any other way now!  I have enjoyed growing closer to my daughters and learning along with them.  I will say, this year certainly has its challenges with also raising three little ones 2 and under.  You can usually find them right on top of the dining room table while I work with the older girls.  At least I know what they are doing, right?! 🙂

9. About 1 1/2 months ago, I rid my home of almost all processed foods and started a very challenging but exciting adventure of eating whole foods.  As you might imagine, eliminating processed foods leaves one having to do a lot more work in the kitchen.    You may be asking yourself…”Why in the world would this open adoption, fostering, homeschooling, decorator mom even think about adding this to her already full plate?”  I know it is crazy, but I am finding it is totally worth it!

You see, about 6 months ago, a very dear friend who is just a few years younger than me was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Through her journey, she shared with me how much the food we eat affects our health.  She made the choice to fight this ugly disease through diet and I am pleased to say she is winning!

Once you learn information in life, you are then responsible with what you do with that information.  Well, what I learned has motivated me to make a huge change in the way my family eats.  It was tough changing at first, but now I can’t begin to express how amazing it makes me feel!  I have renewed energy, my clothes are much looser (woo hoo!) and best of all, my husband says I am more beautiful than ever before!

10.  And probably the most significant change, I am content with who I am.  For a long time, I was driven to be “known”.  Known as an amazing decorator, known for working with people I highly admired, known for writing an amazing blog, known by the world.  But now, 10 years later, I couldn’t be more happy.  Now I am a wife, a mom, a teacher, and a homemaker who occasionally decorates and I wouldn’t change this privilege for the world!

As I enter my 39th year of life, I can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store.  I have a hard time imagining being able to top the last 10 years!

Read Full Post »

Where has the summer gone?

I am so thankful for my camera.  Without it, I’m not sure I would have remembered everything that occurred this summer!

Here is a pictorial glimpse of our whirlwind summer:

First Ballet Recital

Oompah Loompah in the local summer Children’s Musical Theater performance of Willie Wonka

So fun and so proud!

Fun with New York Cousins

Water sprinkler fun and

an occasional sip from a bird bath.

(Yes, I did run for the camera instead of wash him up right away.  I figured the damage had already been done.  Might as well laugh, right? )

There is oh so much more to share!

How did you enjoy your summer?

Read Full Post »

Happy Birthday Little Man!

One year ago today this little man was born…

and then something happened,

He GREW!

He is such an adventurous, sweet boy!  And he loves playing outside and eating… sticks and

and flowers and

lots of leaves and

an occasional cheerio!

Happy Birthday my beautiful son!  Looking forward to celebrating you all day!

Read Full Post »

Amazingly Transformed Again

Just this evening as we decided to take a walk as a family, my neighbor walked up and in the conversation said to me…”I miss seeing your decorating articles in the paper”.  I shared with him how I have written so many things in my head and then pointed to my children and said…”These sweet little ones are why I never have time to write my thoughts down”.

You see, as of this Monday afternoon I became the mother of FIVE!  Yes you read that correctly.  Three of which are 1 year and under. 🙂

About 14 years ago when my husband and I started trying to have a family we never dreamed that in the years between our 15th and 16th wedding anniversary we would add 3 sweet babies to our ever growing tribe.  It really is an AMAZING story that I hope I can remember in a few years when I actually have time to write out our adventure.  I believe it would make a great book and who knows, I might just have the opportunity to write it.

But for now, I wanted to let all of you my dear and faithful friends meet the 5 special reasons that my life has been abundantly transformed and why I haven’t been transforming too many spaces lately.

Beginning with my beautiful firstborn:

She is such a great help to me with the babies.  I can’t believe how grown up she has become.

Next there is my full of laughter second born:

She is always willing to give a helping hand and so loves her baby brother and sisters.

Then there is my oldest “baby”, my sweet one year old (not able to provide picture at this time).  This happy girl brings a smile to everyone she meets.

My handsome and completely loveable son:

He is growing way too fast (4 months old already) and seems so grown up next to his little sister.

And last but not least our tiniest member who joined us on Monday and is now 5 day old (not able to share a picture at this time).  She shares a birthday with her 1 year old sister.  Such a treasure!

So by now your mind is probably spinning with questions most of which I hope to be able to answer one day but for the obvious ones…

“Have you lost your minds?”  Yes, probably.

“Are you getting any sleep?” At times 🙂

“Is taking on so many babies in a short time worth it?”  Absolutely.  We are AMAZINGLY BLESSED!

Read Full Post »

It’s A Boy!

Oh how I have wanted to post for some time.  My mind is flooded with so many details to share, but finding time to record them is a totally different matter.  Thankfully I have a burst of energy and everyone is asleep at the present so I thought I would at least take a few moments to introduce the newest addition to our quickly growing family!

Let me present my sweet little boy…John Adrian!

He made his grand appearance on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at around 10:15 pm.  He was 9 lbs, 4.5ozs and 21.5 inches long!  

Our First Glimpse!

My first thought when I heard how big he was…”He must be meant for me!  He was almost as big as I was when I was born!”. 🙂

He is so beautiful!  He has dark hair and blue eyes like his daddy.  God couldn’t have given us a more perfect surprise present!

And if you are wondering about his big sisters…

They are extremely proud!

And me…

Well, I’m pretty much in heaven. 🙂

Read Full Post »

Our Latest Adventure

It is amazing how one little phone call can turn your world upside down in an instant.  We certainly know this from experience.  A week ago Tuesday, we received one such call.

It had been a long day with the kids at homeschool co-op.  My husband was out of town and I was looking forward to a quiet evening at home and putting my three sweet little girls to bed early.  We were finishing up dinner and expecting a friend to stop by for a visit when the phone rang.

Many times I will answer the phone…”Amazing Transformations, this is Jennifer” when I don’t recognize the name on the caller id.  This particular night I simply said “hello”.  The sweet voice then asked…”Is this Travis or Jennifer?”  I said…”This is Jennifer.” and then the life changing conversation began!

This timid young girl began telling me that I didn’t know her but that she had been working with CPO (Crisis Pregnancy Outreach) and that she was expecting a baby boy that she decided to place for adoption.  And then she said…“and I picked you to adopt my child.”

My response…”oh, oh, OH!”  (I was a little slow catching on! :))  “When is the baby due?”

“March 30th”

And then I began babbling non-stop.  I guess I needed to process this conversation and the poor girl had to endure my rattling on.

What makes this such an amazing call (besides the fact that it was COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED) was that just the weekend before I thought to myself…”I need to write my mentor an email and ask her to send me our family profile book back.  Our book has been with CPO for 2 years now and obviously it wasn’t God’s plan for us to adopt from this ministry.”  Well, I never got the email written and three days later I received this call!

Normally, when a family works with CPO a mentor will contact the family and set up an appointment with the birth mom to meet and decide if everyone wants to proceed.  Apparently this time, the birth mom was certain of her decision and wanted to call us herself.  Boy was she brave! 🙂

After a week I have begun to get used to the idea that we are about to have a newborn in the house again.  It really is crazy isn’t it?!  Two babies 8 months apart!  God really does have a sense of humor…and I am glad!

We have had the opportunity to meet the birth mom and she is BEAUTIFUL!  I can’t wait to introduce you to my son and his birth mom!  We are going to have an open adoption and I am so thankful.  The birth mom has already expressed that she would like to see him as much as we would allow her to.  I am thinking that having two sweet babies to hold will offer lots of opportunities for her to come and see our family! 🙂

The girls can’t wait to welcome a little brother!

Read Full Post »

Ever Changing…

Ever since we moved into our home about 3 1/2 years ago, my husband has been ready to sell it. He likes our house mind you, he simply is always looking for the next “deal”.  I guess this might hinge on him being raised in a builder’s family, having moved about 20 times before college in the same small town.  They didn’t even have to change their phone number!  I, on the other hand, lived in the same home from the age of two until I left for college.  My parents still live in that home.   I am completely content to stay in a house long term.  He feels like he needs to move every couple of years.  Talk about opposites attracting!

I’m sure you could imagine my disgust when he first started talking about selling our house only days after we moved in. After 2 1/2 months of hard work and finally putting everything perfectly in its place, the last thing I wanted to hear was talk of selling.  I will say, it was a large compliment.  He was so impressed with how nice the house turned out that he thought we could make a lot of money on our investment.

Well, I was able to ward off any “For Sale” signs in the yard for the past 3 1/2 years but it appears selling is on his mind again. He has been busy getting lots of things done around the house with plans of trying to sell in the spring.  I’m still not ready to change but I am humoring him at the moment.  At least, he is getting a lot of “honey-dos” accomplished.

He has figured out with me that if I have an idea of where my next home might be, I am more agreeable to negotiate a change in houses.  About a month ago he heard about another house auction.  Since we had such great success with our current home as a result of an auction, I was game to check into it.

As we did the first time around, we took advantage of the opportunity to visit the home during the arranged open houses.  We showed up on a very chilly day with our tape measure in hand.  The auctioneer knew he had a good prospect, seeing we showed up and at least looked like we knew what we were doing. 🙂

We asked many questions and took lots of notes so we would be able to go home and agree on our top dollar bid. We learned early on that it is very important to know what our top dollar bid is before we go into the auction.  It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the moment and bid more than what the property is worth or what we are able to pay.   Of course, this is what the auctioneer would like us to do, but we were ready to stay strong! 🙂

This auction was a fun one to participate in because they were selling the contents of the house and the house that day. The contents were bid on individually before and after the house auction.  The house was auctioned off at a specific time.  This was very nice for me so I could just show up in time for the house sale and not have to stand in the cold waiting for a couple hours.

My husband and the girls headed to the house early to check out the competition and see what items were up for bid. It was a little scary sending that three-some off without me there to supervise their purchases but I just didn’t want to take the baby out in the cold so I had to trust their judgment.

Everything imaginable was for sale that day and the prices were great! In fact, my husband called me very excited and said…”You need to get down here ASAP!  Hardly anyone is here and great stuff is selling for cheap!”   Thankfully I am trying to downsize in the “stuff” department so I was able to use self control and show up just in time for the house sale.

You should have seen my face when my middle daughter walked up to me and announced…”Mom, we bought a piano!”. I had visions of a Baby Grand dancing in my head and thought “where in the world are we going to put a piano?!”  Instead, I smiled and said that’s nice honey and decided to find out more later.  It was time to get ready to possibly purchase my new home!

There was an excitement in the FREEZING air. The last time we participated in a home auction, it happened so quick we almost missed it!  This time we were armed and ready with our bid.

My man was concentrated and ready to get a “great deal”! We just had this feeling that this would be our next house.  And then a very funny thing happened…

The auctioneer started the bid about $70,000 more than our top dollar bid! Talk about a quick auction!  I immediately had a relaxing feeling swoop over me!  Another move averted…at least for now!  😉

Our day was not a total loss though.  We didn’t come home empty handed.   Remember the “piano”?

See this keyboard…it is the “piano” my daughter was so excited about. Isn’t it beautifully “compact” and doesn’t it fit well in my daughter’s room?!  We were able to purchase it and the amp for only $10!  The entertainment it has provided was well worth the investment.  So glad we went to the auction!

Read Full Post »