Uncategorized2013…Wow. December 31, 20132013, you’ve officially blown me away. Chris and I were talking the other day and reflecting on this year and I was just amazed by all that has happened. This was definitely the most eventful and defining year of our marriage. At the beginning of the year, we sold our first house and bought our second. We renovated… …renovated… …and renovated some more. Redoing this house was such a blurr. We went five months with no kitchen. We went five months without heat or air. We went a short stint without electricity at all. Many said we were crazy and what were we thinking. And I’ll admit, there were many days that I wondered those exact same things. I can’t count how many times I prayed that Gracie would survive the renovation after I found her eating yet another pile of sheet rock. Here she is watching her dad lay hardwoods in the kitchen and chewing on a piece of framing lumber she found. Craziness, I tell you. And we even found her with a three inch roofing tack in her mouth one day. Thank you, Lord, for letting her survive. I’m joking…a little bit. We have both decided that we will never live in another house while we gut it and renovate, but I am so grateful that we did. It was so hard many days, but looking around our house now makes me glad for our hard work. But even with all of our house progress, I’m most thankful for what it taught us. This was probably the hardest thing we faced together yet in our marriage. Chris has a great job working for an electrical company and had just started this job before our renovations. He was working long days trying to figure out the business and then would come home and work on the house until midnight or so because the contractor was continually waiting on him to finish parts of the project that we had decided to do ourselves. This went on and on, day in and day out, for five months. There was frustration, there were tears, but there was bonding. We conquered it together. We learned to live with less. And we came out on the other side re-affirmed of why we love each other and why God brought us together. I’m grateful. I spent this past winter and spring researching branding and business growth. I’d been blogging at Life of Splendor for a year and a half and had finally decided that I wanted it to be more than a personal renovation blog for our friends and family. I’d found a passion that sparked something deep in my soul for the written word and design. I stayed up late at night daydreaming about what it would look like to really pursue it. Over the summer, I couldn’t get it out of my head. What did it look like to turn my passion into a business? And in September, The White Buffalo Stying Co. was officially born. I have been so proud of this little fledgling blog and business because more than anything else, it finally feels like me. In October, I started Blogger Stylin’ Home Tours on a whim and the response completely blew me away. I had a little vision for this blog to be a place where all style is celebrated and I really can’t believe that in just three short months, that has started to happen. I started two other series, Finding Style Fridays and Soul Pondering Saturdays, that have just barely been given their start. I can’t wait to build on those in the new year. I have fallen totally in love with my little White Buffalo and have really enjoyed seeing my dreams start to take shape. I have so many little dreams and ideas to keep building on and I can’t wait to do that in the new year. And most of all with the blog, I have to say thank you to all of you readers who have been here and new ones alike. Thank you to all of my amazing blogger friends that I’ve made this year. I treasure the relationships that we’ve built. And I’m grateful that God has allowed me to be a part of this amazing blogging community, including other bloggers, readers, and the like. It is truly a blessing that takes me by surprise every day. 2013 has been a year full of dreams dreamt and dawning realizations. It has been a year of trials and tears and moments that cut to the core. It has been a year of joy and deepening relationships. And it has been a year filled with moments of wonder that make me stop and stare, savoring every second. It has been a year of life well-lived and I am filled with gratitude. 2014, you have quite a bit to live up to, my friend. Wishing you and yours a very happy New Year!
Susan @ Simply Modern Home says January 1, 2014 at 2:57 pm Hi Lindsay, I just came across your blog recently and really enjoy your style and your voice! (Don’t know how I didn’t find you sooner π I write a design blog as well and would LOVE to be a part of your next “Blogger Stylin’ Home Tour” if possible. Here’s the link to my blog, if you’d like to check it out: http://simplymodernhome.com/ Happy New Year! Susan Reply
cassie says January 2, 2014 at 1:23 am you guys amaze me with all you have done in your home! what a great year you have had- so glad to know you! π you are an inspiration, lindsay! Reply
Jessica says January 2, 2014 at 1:45 am Lindsay, Your 2013 has definitely inspired my 2014. I remember standing next to you at Brooke’s session at Haven and listening to your ideas for White Buffalo and now I feel like I’ve seen you EVERYWHERE from home tours to Christmas tours to House Crashing on YHL! You have worked so hard and both your house and your blog show it! So glad to have briefly met you and can’t wait to see/read what 2014 has in store for you! π Reply
Kristin @ bliss-athome.com says January 2, 2014 at 4:17 am Such an amazing year Lindsay π I am sooo soooo happy for you!!!! 2014 will be even more amazing I just know it! So glad to have met you and love your heart and transparency π Here’s to another year full of awesome and style! xo Kristin Reply
Jesse @ Scout & Nimble says January 2, 2014 at 4:49 am Lindsay, I knew you all had renovated your house, but had no idea about all that! I love it and just think how fun it will be to reminisce about it down the road or tell your children what mom & dad did after they got married. So fun. I am so happy for you and know you will accomplish so much more in 2014! π Reply
Jennifer @ Brave New Home says January 2, 2014 at 8:29 am I’m still in shock of all the renovations you were able to make in such a short time span. All the best in 2014, Lindsay! Reply
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says January 3, 2014 at 4:29 pm Happy new year, friend! You had one heck of a 2013…and I’m hoping 2014 is even MORE fabulous for you! Xo! π Reply