Made With Grace and Grit Launch

I am filled with excitement and some nerves. I don’t have all the answers for what God has in store for this blog. I am taking a leap of faith knowing it is something he continues to put on my heart for a reason. I really struggled to pick the topic for the first post.  It dawned on me, I just need to share how this started. Duh Cassie

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

Just kidding, I am clearly a boy mom. In all seriousness about 5 years ago, my oldest son stopped needing my undivided attention. It was the first time in my adult life I had free time, and I had no clue what to do with myself. My husband gently nudged me to find some hobbies and do something for myself…… Do something for myself? Mom’s actually do that!? It is funny to me now, but I had no inkling what I was interested in. I was in heavy pursuit for my outlet, and what better place to turn than the internet and pinterest, right?

With this new-found “free time” I started to really discover my passions. I have always loved decorating my home and creating a home that makes our family and friends feel welcomed. I am also cheap and indecisive. I hate spending tons of money on things for the house, because it makes me feel obligated to keep it that way. I love our home to evolve and change with the needs of our family. I quickly realized one of the best ways to decorate on a budget was a ton of DIY.  I started small with just painting and re-purposing furniture pieces. With our second son on the way I loved every minute of planning out his little nursery. I painted his room three times before it was just the right shade of gray to match my vision. It became my favorite room in our house, and it gave me confidence I didn’t have before.  I loved the process of transforming a space and making it functional.

When that little nugget was about 8 months old, I was exhausted, a bit lost, and craving an outlet. We were using every inch of our house to live, and I didn’t really have a space for projects and craft supplies. I started dreaming up a shed for a workshop in the backyard. Keep in mind up until this point I had only painted a few pieces of furniture in the front yard.  I had no real experience with power tools outside of a drill and typically stripped every screw. The fact that my sweet husband was so supportive of me creating a space to chase my dreams, just melts my heart!

We hired my cousin to build the shed. He finished it out with pine boards for a shiplap look and concrete floors. My first project was to paint and stain the floors. It was HOURS of mindless painting and staining and I brushed every inch to avoid pesky roller marks.  Then I started building furniture to furnish it and solve different dilemmas in our home. I always listened to sermons or christian music to fill the silence. I didn’t realize it then, but that shed was all God.  He was gently nudging my heart to pursue my dreams and grow my faith. Ironically I was getting even less sleep, but it didn’t feel like it. I would wait until the kids were tucked in, and then sneak out to the shed. Time stood still and flew by all at the same time. That oasis is where I found myself and grew my faith. When I think of my “she shed” season of life this verse sums it up perfectly.

God puts crazy plans, even with zero experience, on our hearts. If I have learned one thing, he doesn’t make mistakes. Building a shed for furniture projects is not everyone’s version of rest, but it was mine. I am so grateful I listened to that nudge, because it led me to my now and this blog. That shed and my projects became like another family member people would as about. People started asking if I was going start selling my furniture as a business. I considered it, but it just didn’t fit. The furniture was just a small piece of the puzzle. I love the whole experience of creating a space, but I am no designer or expert. I am just a girl who loves her family  and creating a loving home for them.

We may live it out differently, but I do believe God designed woman as caregivers with an innate desire to create a “space” for our family and friends.   We are each unique some woman are incredible cooks, some can clothe a village with their sewing machine, some can orchestrate an incredible event without blinking an eye, some turn junk into gems, and others have a way of healing hearts with their words and actions. Regardless of the specifics God has blessed each of us with our own unique gifts and abilities to bring people together. Made With Grit and Grace is all about discovering your gifts and honoring the gifts of others.