Naked faces for this vulnerable blog post. 

I’ve had so many people ask me recently about my Tiny House and “what’s happened to your blog?! I was so excited about reading it!” Well, that makes me feel happy that you’re willing to share this journey with me. It also makes me REALLY sorry for not updating more.

Obviously I’m in love with this bathtub. 

So here are the few main updates I have:

• I found the perfect bathtub.
• I received some awesome commercial grade flooring for free. Hopefully I’ll have enough to cover the entire place or perhaps the lofts.
• I’m currently on the hunt for the perfect doors.
• I know I’m going to have two lofts. One for my bed. One for my closet.
• I want my table to be able to fold into the wall.
• I need a ton of windows.
• I think I’ve decided to go with stairs rather than a ladder.
• I want the whole thing to be about 13 feet tall.
• I still have no idea how I want the outside to look.
• I think I want a fold-up porch added on to it with a non-traditional awning(no camper look-a-likes).

A lot of people have also reached out to me and asked me where I currently am with the project. The only thing I have completed thus far in the actual preparation process is the demolition of the original trailer.

Official status: Bare Bones. 

The next step I need to do is get the frame on level ground and wire brush the entire thing. Then I want to slap a fresh coat of paint on it. Ideally, I need to sandblast it. But! I’m on a very strict budget, and I just don’t have that kind of money to drop right now. After that is taken care of I need to make plans with a dear family friend, named Tony, and figure out how much my supplies are going to cost. Then Tony is going to tell me how to build this house.

Now I know the look on your face is probably of utter disbelief, but you read all of that right. I plan to build my own house. With my two hands… And many brains from people that know what they’re doing better than I do.

First of all I just want to say that I’m completely terrified. I know I’m capable, but the project is so big it overwhelms me. Building things isn’t difficult, but building things right is what makes it hard.  I’ve been praying really hard about this whole project and I have peace that God’s going to help me and bring the right people along to advise, guide, pitch-in, and encourage me to do this. He already has and I trust that with Him, we can do this.

Secondly, the part I’m most worried about and that dictates everything is: cost. I’m not sure how much everything is going to cost to get started. My goal is to try and build this house below $5,000. I’m not sure if that’s reasonable, but I really want to try and make it work. I don’t need a decked out house. I just need my own space to live in and make a home.

Above are a few home renovation photos of my parent’s house. 

Right now my biggest obstacle before getting started, aside from cost, is my family’s home renovations. This summer we discovered just how bad my family’s 1890′s sharecropper home has gotten over the years. I’m amazed it’s stayed livable for this long. But waiting for them to figure out what they need to do(move or rebuild), ultimately stresses me out. I’m no longer living in my room and I feel like my life is completely chaotic.

My childhood room that I shared with Tristan. Crazy that it doesn’t even exist anymore. 

Now I know you’re thinking, “Well… That’s your parent’s house. Why don’t you just build anyways?” And it’s because I don’t feel right about doing that. I want to help my folks in anyway I can before I just go do my own thing. It’s not that I won’t be building at all, I just wont be building as fast as originally planned.

This waiting period has been good for me though. I’ve learned a lot spiritually from it. I have no idea what God’s doing or what His plans are, but I trust His intentions. He’s changing and challenging me everyday to not let little stresses and worries overwhelm me. I’ve learned over the years to not make any plans set in stone, because I want to be obedient for whatever He wants me to do.

I’ve recently started taking significantly better of myself to manage the overwhelming amount of stress I’ve been experiencing. I’m working out now, eating better(still not where I want to be, but better), and really taking time out to figure if I really want certain things that I planned in the beginning. My layout has changed at least 4 times. I decided I don’t want a tv. Maybe a projector. I have to have real furniture. I think I can definitely handle the reality of a composite toilet. I really hate ladders, so I need to figure out how to make stairs work. Tony said he can make sure sunlights wont leak, so I’m definitely getting some sunlights in. I have got to have a stove with an oven. I need that. I want my floors to be painted yellow and my walls to be white. I definitely want french doors, and my bathroom will be a room with a pocket door.

My photography business is doing well. I can not complain at all, but at the same time it’s not exactly where I want it to be and I honestly don’t know if it will ever be. As a business owner and entrepreneur, my brain is constantly thinking about the next thing I need to be doing. “How can I make things better for my clients? How can I make sure they’re all doing okay? How can I lift them up in a way that no one else can?” As well as: making sure I’ve followed up with all the messages and inquiries. How to guide them for what they’re needing/wanting. “What is going on with my budget?! Am I making enough to live/save for my house?” “Should I start doing mini sessions?” Followed with self-doubt of “No one will book. You’re crazy.” Etc.. etc.. Lots of highs and lows.

2016 has been over the top stressful for me. Somedays I feel wonderful. Other days I feel like I can’t even sort out what I need to be doing, but I know that Jesus is with me every step of the way. He’s always been good to me. Always has provided for me. He never once has let me down. I know I can trust Him. He puts the perfect people in my path to encourage me and help me. He is the ONLY reason I haven’t completely lost my mind, heart, or spirit.

I hope this jumbled up mess of a blog lets y’all see a little insight as to where I’m at/how I’m feeling about all of it. I feel like I got a little more personal than I originally intended for this blog… But that’s what makes reading fun, right? If you’re a praying person, please be praying for me and my family… And if YOU need prayer, please let me know and I will lift you up!

Also, forget about me posting DEMO DAY #2. I meant to get it up, but 5(I think) months have passed, and I’m ready to move on. Lesson learned: blog while things are actually happening in real time.

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If you want to follow my photography instagram, you can find me here.