A 700 Square Foot Home Welcomes Opa and Oma
August 20, 2024
The atmosphere in our humble abode changed this week with a long anticipated visit from Opa and Oma! Our life has been buzzing this summer with many activities — including much reflection and decision making on our second property which has been listed on market for already the majority of this year.
After many months of Michiel working — commuting from Bridgewater every other night, then nightly, a planned stay from family a few provinces away was more than welcomed! The change of pace in our daily routine brought new perspective to our sometimes burdened spirits — burdened because of the situation of living in a 700 square foot space, shared by six humans (now eight) and two cats and one dog.
As I ponder on our family’s journey, I stumble across a truth that some times glares at me unapologetically: One of the many blessings of living a shorter distance away from grandparents is the availability of their helping hand with the grandkids during times of need.
As a friend in the past jokingly shared with me some time ago, something along the lines of, “when your kids are non-stop barfing and you are desperate for help, your good friends will likely not come to your doorstep, but you can always count on the grandparents!” Now to come think of it, I don’t believe the friend who shared this with me was joking…
Crafts time with Oma is expected at every visit, and if schedule allowed, every free time of every day. To say this well loved, experienced mother and grandmother, is crafty — is truly an understatement! She is wildly creative, intuitively artistic, and ingeniously imaginative (yes, I’m hoping to get browny points from her, lol). If you ever wonder where my kids’ creative side comes from (think drawing, crocheting, bath bombs, etc.), well you have proof right here.
Grandkids and Oma got right down to making bead crafts only hours after Opa and Oma settled in from their three day drive to get here!
The busy-ness in this 700 square foot space cannot be complete without the whirring, grinding, hammering, and rumbling sounds coming from the second floor.
Opa, who is an absolute champ, after having had knee surgery not too long ago, initiated a pivotal project which will advance our renovation work by leaps and bounds! Radiant floor heating across the span of the majority of the second floor has commenced this morning. As winter approaches, Michiel is working tenaciously hard towards installing reliable heat in the bedrooms (and increasing the square footage of livable space…yay!).
Our summer has brought us to see many places, to do many things, and has given us an array of opportunities to do what we can with the available resources we have to advance our renovation project. We are eagerly awaiting a completed home — what a celebration and a joy that will be!
Music camp has started today. After a challenging morning of somehow rudely awaking 3 out of 4 kids — we have successfully made our trip to camp only 25 minutes late. Since the kids have taken a break from playing their instruments this summer, having their teacher organize such a marvellous get together was greatly appreciated.
Please pray for us — specifically for our second property to sell quickly with no hiccups or challenges. This property sold will be a major (and necessary) milestone for our family!
Thank you taking the time to read our journey. Have a wonderful evening, dear friends and family!
