Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Tour My Home - part 8: {main area}


Welcome to... the grand finale!  This last area, the main area, consists of our living room, kitchen, dining room, and office space.  In reality, this living space is the whole second half of our house, and I am showing it all to you in one post!

I don't think you will ever know how much we sacrificed to get to this point in our home.  (You can actually see a little of it here and here.)  But, let me tell ya... it was worth it.  We scrounged and saved to get to this point, and are now enjoying the benefits.   

{Below}  I am standing in the door of Brianna and Micah's room, taking this picture.  If you turn right, you will be heading out the back door.  If you turn left, you will find the master bedroom and both bathrooms.  But, since we've already been to those spaces, let's walk straight ahead!
{Below} Welcome to our big, open space!  I timed this post just right so that you could see it decorated for the holidays.
{Below}  That door to the right leads to our boys' bedroom...





 {Below}  Since we do not have dryers in Ukraine, many people have asked where I hang our clothes during the winter.... Here is your answer... (Yes, I would prefer that they be hidden in a bedroom somewhere, but I don't like the mugginess it creates.  They dry faster out in the open, and we hardly notice them anymore.)

 {Below}  This is hubby's desk.  I also want you to notice the picture hanging on the wall, which is what we gave him for Father's Day this year.  Love it!
 {Below}  This is my desk which sometimes has a laptop setting on it (when hubby hasn't taken it to the church to work).





{Below}  My view from the kitchen sink.  I see nearly everything that goes on in my home (but my kids still think I have eyes in the back of my head... LOL!

{Below}  No such thing as dishwashers here, so are you wondering where I put my clean, wet dishes to dry?  Wonder no more.... See that drying rack that is disguised as a drawer?  Pretty smart invention, eh?
{Below}  You might remember our wood-burning stove that faithfully kept us warm our first two winters in this home.  We are actually thinking of selling it now!  Our tile floors are heated, and now that we have worked the kinks out, we love them.  The only heat we have in this entire area comes from the floors, and we stay cozy warm this way.  Gotta see (feel) it to believe it!
{Below} See that hole in the ceiling?  One day we dream of building a wooden staircase in that wide, open area that will lead to the attic.  And, in the attic, we plan to build our three boys a big bedroom!
{Below}  Since hubby and I both play the piano, having a piano in our home was a very high priority.  I am teaching all three of our oldest children, and when they "outgrow" me, we will find them a "real" piano teacher.
 {Below}  Looking back to Brianna and Micah's room (left) and the main bathroom (right)


Left to finish in this room:
*  Baseboards
*  Staircase
*  Curtains
*  Large, area rug for living room
*  Light fixtures in several sections of this area
*  Office cabinets and bookcases to replace the two desk  (and our big boys will get the desk for their homeschooling spaces to replace their tables.)
* Decorate, decorate, decorate....!   I still have all kinds of decorating dreams for this room...  But, one day at a time...

So, that about wraps it up!  I really hope that you enjoyed this "Tour My Home" series.  I enjoyed having you come along.  Do you feel like you know us better now?

God has been so good to us!  Even though we have seemingly made many sacrifices by leaving our comforts back home, the Lord has provided for us in great, big ways that we do not deserve.  Yes, we have had to be smart with our decisions and spending, but that is no different than if we lived anywhere else in this world.

Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful home You have given me.  And thank you, hubby, for seeing your dream of providing me my first OWN home ever fulfilled.  

I am forever grateful.

29 comments:

  1. Oh, Jolene, it is BEAUTIFUL! It is so warm and inviting! I love the kitchen! It's so sleek, modern and CLEAN! That drawer for the dishes is amazing. I've never seen anything like that. The floors are such a pretty color, and the fact that they are heated sold me right away! I also love the openness. Thank you for sharing. You have done a great job, and I have thoroughly enjoyed! You all have a wonderful Christmas! Gail

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  2. I really enjoyed your "Tour my Home" posts. Being a carpenter's wife :) I love see people's homes :) and always like getting new ideas. It is neat to get to know you.

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  3. Jolene, I love it! Your kitchen is wonderful and I really love the lights/lanterns hanging in the dining room. It gives it such a neat touch!
    So happy for you!
    Kami

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  4. Hi! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! Looks just like you!! I'm so happy for you all. Just got back to a computer and had to look up your blog. You'll hear from me soon. Love you.

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  5. Very impressed.

    I dream of the day I get to walk into that door and sit on those couches and have tea with you....

    Or wash dishes together at your lovely sink and talk as we work...

    For now, I'll imagine you sitting at your desk, typing at me on your computer keyboard, which is the best way that we can visit.

    Thank you for the tour. Yes, the Lord is so good...How wonderful how He has provided these luxuries for you.

    Hugs, hugs!
    Anna

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  6. I love your house, Jolene. My heart thrills that God has given you and your husband that dream come true! It is beautiful.

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  7. I have really, really enjoyed this series! Thank you for sharing.

    I have one question: What do people say when they visit you? What surprises them the most? (Okay, that was two questions. :-)

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  8. Your home is beautiful! Korean homes have heated floors as well. Aren't they wonderful! I missed them last winter when we were in the states on furlough. So happy for you all! Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Jolene,

    Your home is incredible! It is so neat to see where you live your life and your pictures help us to visualize you doing that....living your life. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Pray you guys have a blessed Christmas season remembering the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our amazing Lord!

    Love,
    Becky

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  10. Mrs. Jolene:

    WooHoo!! I loved your tour. Thanks so much for opening your home to us.

    I really appreciate that you use your blog to "humanize" the life of a missionary, both in ministry and in "real life." Thank you for allowing God to use you to be such a blessing to so many.

    I got an email from Carole Shull in Greenland the other day and she mentioned what a blessing you are to her, so your sweet spirit is spreading worldwide.

    Greet your sweet husband for me, and hug your kids. Have a very Merry Christmas and a tremendous year in 2012.

    Bro. Garry

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  11. I really enjoyed the tour. So happy for you. I like the idea of heated floors. The big thing here in America is wood or tile floors. I don't like them because they are cold even here in Texas. If they were heated, they would be oh so nice. :) Have a great day & Merry Christmas!
    Sharon Hoffmeister

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  12. Hi Jolene,
    Thank you for such a lovely tour of your home.I love your hidden dish dryer and the heated floor ideas.:)The open space is a really nice part too.Thanks for inviting us all in.:)I enjoyed my visit as ALWAYS!!

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  13. So beautiful! It is such a relief when a big project like that is finally done.

    Thanks for entering the free blog giveaway at Priceless Design Studio!

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  14. Love the open space that you have. With four kids I know that is a wonderful feature to your home.
    You have done a great job decorating and I know you'll enjoy doing the rest as you can.
    I also love you big clock over the piano. I brought one with me from the states and I just love it.
    Enjoy your nice cozy home, your wonderful family, and the Christmas season.

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  15. Oh Jolene, it is beautiful! Very simple, clean, classy, and inviting. I really like the tile color (we have heated floors in Germany, and REALLY like them!) and your kitchen is gorgeous, Jolene!

    I pray that your family shares a special and Jesus-full-to-the-brim Christmas celebration in your peaceful, joyful, beautiful home!!! *Hugs*

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  16. This is such a beautiful home! I am so happy for you. I can tell that you are a wonderful homemaker, wife, and mom. Wish I knew you better. God bless you as you serve Him! Molly Audiss

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  17. You have done a very nice job with your home. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the walk through. ;)

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  18. Very lovely! Enjoyed seeing the pics!
    Mrs. H

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  19. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

    Pray for a wonderful day of souls.

    I look forward to your newsletters. They are always so fun and exciting. Thank you so much for the wonderful tour of the new house. Look forward to the pictures of family and the children growing.

    God Bless You.

    Much Love,
    Mrs. Judy

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  20. I've been following the tour of your home and I love it!! I love the colors you chose! They are perfect for each part of the house! And I LOVE LOVE your drawer for dishes. Might not be such a bad idea for our house... :D Do you have a towel underneath the drainer for water to drip onto?

    Thank you for sharing your home with me!!!

    Mary Wagler

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    1. Mary, the pull-out drawer for dishes comes complete with its own pull-out tray that can be emptied periodically. Isn't that handy?!

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  21. Nice to see it finished since the last time we were there we toured concrete everything. I'll bet you miss it too. I hope someone is staying there or you might come home to find out someone has moved in. Hugs, Coleen

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  22. Can you please tell me how you created that dish drying drawer? Or did you buy it like that? I need one in my kitchen remodel. Help me please.

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    1. Jennifer, we ordered it that way. It comes with a plastic tray that slides in and out so you can empty the standing water. Very handy!

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  23. I would like to know how you made this dish drying rack? Please advise.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Jennifer, we ordered it that way. It comes with a plastic tray that slides in and out so you can empty the standing water. Very handy!

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  24. Hi Jolene,
    I really liked your dish drying pull out drawer, would you mind sharing from where you ordered it?
    Thanks!
    VK.

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    Replies
    1. We ordered it with the cabinetry from a small Ukrainian cabinetry company.

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Thank you for your encouraging comments! "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25