[null, {"document_url": "http://www.nicolejoelle.com/2014/10/when-dreams-get-stuck.html", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNytsQA9AT8/VDbIwd9yXEI/AAAAAAAAMVY/48DnxKaUSlg/s1600/IMG_8641.JPG", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNytsQA9AT8/VDbIwd9yXEI/AAAAAAAAMVY/48DnxKaUSlg/s1600/IMG_8641.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "rendered_width": 480, "rendered_height": 640}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.nicolejoelle.com/2014/10/when-dreams-get-stuck.html", "unformatted_src": "http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y381/nicolejoelleblog/31dayslong_zps53be0ded.jpg", "src": "http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y381/nicolejoelleblog/31dayslong_zps53be0ded.jpg", "formatted_filename": "dayslong zps be ded", "alt_text": " photo 31dayslong_zps53be0ded.jpg", "rendered_width": 640, "rendered_height": 187}, {"document_url": "http://www.nicolejoelle.com/2014/10/when-dreams-get-stuck.html", "unformatted_src": "http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y381/nicolejoelleblog/Blog/017c2436-fd3d-4c61-a973-15a5150fa257_zps70d6584b.jpg", "src": "http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y381/nicolejoelleblog/Blog/017c2436-fd3d-4c61-a973-15a5150fa257_zps70d6584b.jpg", "formatted_filename": "c fd d c a a fa zps d b", "alt_text": "post signature"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.nicolejoelle.com/2014/10/when-dreams-get-stuck.html", "unformatted_src": "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rU9lORgXdRU/WOcISnxBPiI/AAAAAAAAVrg/i7WDtJCz2oATAPqIapJPoLcO_fLufO8XACKgB/s640/IMG_7920.JPG", "src": "https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rU9lORgXdRU/WOcISnxBPiI/AAAAAAAAVrg/i7WDtJCz2oATAPqIapJPoLcO_fLufO8XACKgB/s640/IMG_7920.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "alt_text": "Image"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.nicolejoelle.com/2014/10/when-dreams-get-stuck.html", "unformatted_src": "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DjZRgPx6J9k/WIqxwzlVnMI/AAAAAAAAVls/rbCoE5t5Lwc957QxQi2ktWBKrcX2X5CRACKgB/s640/IMG_8866.JPG", "src": "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DjZRgPx6J9k/WIqxwzlVnMI/AAAAAAAAVls/rbCoE5t5Lwc957QxQi2ktWBKrcX2X5CRACKgB/s640/IMG_8866.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "alt_text": "Image"}, null]

When Dreams Get Stuck Before moving into our new place in June, my brain was brimming with dreams.

We would do this, and that, and this, and that. I had a checklist a mile long.

I was sure that by the end of August our home would be ready to usher in guests and welcome people in.

I even wrote about some the dreams I have for our home.

But, then, we started getting into the more challenging and messy parts of the renovation process, and it kinda feels like all those dreams are going down the tubes.

Or getting chucked into the garbage like all the other stuff we've hauled out to the curb.

But, I remember that there is beauty and learning in this process. It's hard to see when you are staring at plywood floors, a half-done tile job, and your kitchen table is sitting in the garage.

It's easy to give up on those dreams of dinner parties and after-church lunches with friends. It's easy to feel like everything is just stuck--that I will never eat dinner as a family around a big table or share some afternoon coffee with a friend in my living room.

And you know what? I don't want to stop dreaming even if those dreams seem far off.

So, today, I'm strapping on my big girl pants and searching for all the beauty I can find right here. Right now.

I bet you can too. I bet you have unfinished or unlikeable parts of your home. And I bet that we can find beauty even in the undone and not-so-perfect parts of them.

Today's question:
What do you do when you feel discouraged about something in your home? Do you fix it or learn how to deal with it? Get out power tools or paint or just live with it? I'd love to know! Labels: 31days 31daysofbelievingbeautiful first home



