Then and Now ..

Memorial Day weekend marked exactly four years since we hosted our first "guinea pig" guests!  And guess what .... They came back!

Sometimes it's hard to see how far you've come - especially when there is still so much to do.  But when Mark and Deb said,  "WOW - you guys have made so much progress!,"  it made me stop and remember ....

THEN - May 2008

We were still in the process of renovating our first guest room!   We raced the clock, working until after midnight to have the room ready.  Luckily (for us) our friends were caught in traffic and didn't arrive until 2:30 am! 

NOW - May 2012

 We have THREE finished guestrooms and are "old pros" at welcoming guests - having hosted well over 2,000 people from around the world. 

 THEN - May 2008

 

 We tried out some new recipes for our guests ... served on our rickety old kitchen table, somewhat disguised with a tablecloth.  We had NO furniture in the living room or dining room!

 NOW - May 2012

 

 We have a beautiful dining room table and regularly serve 6-8 breakfasts a morning.  (No - we don't still have our Christmas tree up!  I just didn't have a recent photo).  Our recipe repertoire has grown vastly and now includes vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose intolerant dishes.  

 THEN - May 2008

 All three of our girls fit in one hammock!  Furthermore, they were young and playful enough to BE in a hammock together ... cuddling with their WebKinz ....

NOW - May 2012

 The girls have grown so much that they would not fit in a hammock and furthermore they would NEVER be caught in a hammock together because that would be just "disgusting!"   They HATE having their pictures taken ... and the WebKinz have been relegated to a dusty shelf ... Sniff, sniff ...

THEN - May 2008

 

Mark and Deb were good sports!  We "guinea pigged" them all weekend and they were still smiling when they left!

NOW - May 2012 

Mark and Deb enjoyed the "full bed and breakfast experience!"   It was great to see them again and to share how far we've come with friends who were there "when it all began!"

One more ...

THEN - May 2008

 Four years ago, we had just celebrated the college graduation of our daughter, Katie.  CorrieAnne was still shorter than I am ... and Wayne ... had lots of hair!

NOW - May 2012  

 

Now we've just celebrated the MARRIAGE of our daughter, Katie!  Time just keeps marching along, doesn't it .....

Sometimes it's good to take a moment to see where you've been before you keep moving forward!