{ We were happy to let it do it though! }

Only one day in, and our house literally has our sweat and blood in it’s pours. I thought cleaning blinds was hard work? Ha! I became very friendly with a pair of pliers, a hammer, and a screwdriver today… I did good. Little Miss Homeowner. I found myself longing for a tool belt of some kind!

This is a bit of our fun today…

But first- the photo that every new homeowner should have! I love this photo that the sign- taker- down-er guy took for us- this is really such an incredible moment  { I wish the kids could have been in this photo too- and um maybe more of the house. lol!  }

What a dream come true! Our first home! I smile every time I think of it! There was a time in my life when I thought I would never actually get to own my very own home, one of my very biggest desires seemed impossible and so out of reach- and look at us now!  Thank you God!

This is just a side peak of our house, it really doesn’t show the property off  well, as it is only a tiny section of what we own. I was on my way back inside and quickly shot it. One day soon I will give you all the real look at our land- it is truly awesome!

This carpet was a complete comedy. You should have seen Michael and I trying to shove it down into our basement. It was heavy! Michael also took that cabinet in the upper right away from the wall. It is a cute piece but doesn’t make sense in the living room. Apparently the living room was also used as a dining room at some point. There are large water stains right under that oddly placed ceiling fan, …right where a table would have been.

So the carpet…after getting nowhere with it,  we took a little carpet break, and ate a cheese sandwich, on our window seat, enjoying our beautiful view. It really is breathtaking. We are in the heart of a city, but it feels like we are in the country when I look out that window. I love it. I kept shaking my head. How amazing it is, that for years to come we get to look out that window.

So after lunch, we huffed and we puffed and we blew that blue carpet down. It was a beast. Eventually we were able to get er done ( or if i was to be real honest- Michael got er done! ) It will go in the kids makeshift playroom. It is awesome that we have a whole “other” house underneath us!  One day we will put egress windows down there, and make two more bedrooms, a bathroom, a rec room, and a studio for Michael.

But back to today…

We started by ripping out all the nail boards, nails, and staples out of the hardwood floor. Sounds easy, and it was for the most part. But as fast as we were moving, it took us almost all day just to get that done. It was super tedious work, and every single nail etc . had to be pulled up. Whoever put that carpet down was bent on it never coming up again!

During our work, we found some eclectic tile in the coat closet that we are going to keep, we also uncovered a tiled entry way for the door, that we are super excited about!

Another discovery of the day was that the walls in the living room used to be a lime green, as was the previous carpet. So funny. A Cotton Candy pink kitchen and a Lime Green Living room. Wow!

Other big house news is that our friends came over in the evening and tore down all that hideous wallpaper in the kitchen! I want to jump for joy. I was truly dreading that task, and now I don’t have to do it anymore! I just get to paint the walls my beloved London Fog. Which by the way was ridiculously expensive. Holy Cow Benjamin Moore. It is just paint- it is not as if you put real London Fog in a can…..but beautiful it will be…

I conquered those nails, and was pretty proud of myself.

Almost ready to sand…. I am so stinking excited! And thankful to Michael for taking on such a big monster! He is amazing!

Here he is posing for me. I had to put the camera back in the car, because it got super dusty- but I think he is hot, all dirty and sweaty! Well, was hot…and then he put on a mask, and goggles, and some of the cuteness factor faded!

He is still at the house. Working. Making our Home lovely. We decided not to stain the wood. It is a beautiful white oak underneath all that yellowish poly. We are going to put a clear water based poly over the sanded floors, and keep the color it is. I can not wait to see the final outcome. Michael has never done this before, and I am proud of him for trying! He had just started sanding when it was time for me to go, so I am dying to get back to the house in the morning to see his progress!

It has been so much fun to work together, side by side. Intent on the same purpose. I don’t take any of this for granted. These past few days have truly been wonderful, and the best parts are yet to come!

For such a huge purchase , it was such a simple procedure. Sign this and that and 100 more papers that all mean different things but look alike. We were very thankful for our relators that made everything go so smoothly!

We met the seller and her son. Very sweet lady. I couldn’t help but try to imagine what she was feeling selling her home of 52 years. It was a big day for her. She sold her home to us, and then later in the afternoon bought a condo very close to her old home. She promised she would be by to visit, and I really hope she does. I want her to know that we adore her home, and will take care of it.

I tried to smother my giddy excitement throughout the procedure but all I really wanted to do was jump up on the table and do a happy, my dream came true, dance.

I didnt.

I smiled and sat on my hands like a good girl should do.

At one point, our relator leaned over to me, and whispered, “Aren’t you just SO proud of him { meaning Michael } .

Yes yes I am. So proud of the hard worker and provider he is. But even more thankful to our ultimate provider, God, who made all this possible today. Both Michael and I are filled with so much thankfulness.

As soon as we got into the car, and shut the door Michael said, “Now you can scream! ” Doesn’t he know me through and through! I did. We hugged. It was a wonderful moment!

Now for a little picture tour. The before if you will. We have ALOT of plans and work ahead of us… I will try my best to document it all.

{ the quality of the photos are poor, and I forgot to take off my watermark- too tired to do anything about it- these will just have to suffice. }

Our Living room and front door.

Our window seat and view. My favorite feature of the home. It is such a lovely scene to look at!

My two year old, kept asking, “But Whyeee Mom.” when I would try to explain that this is now our new home. Poor thing was a bit confused.

Our kitchen.

Another view of our kitchen. I love that I have a sink window. It is perfect!

The eating area.

Mine and Michael’s room .

Caleb’s room. Originally we had planned to put the girls in here, but realized today that it wouldn’t be big enough for them to share. Both Caleb and Bella were upset that we changed things up on them, but I know in the end they will be happy.

The girl’s room.

Ok. So about twenty minutes after being in the house this afternoon. We got to work.

And pulled up carpet to reveal beautiful hardwood.

In the livingroom.

In our bedroom!

In Caleb’s room!

In the girl’s room!

The girl’s room at one time used to be a diningroom. So at one point the first owners had put tile down over the hardwood. Whyeee? So now we { or rather Michael } is left with this mess. Fun.

We also started the process of dismantling the cabinets so we can paint them. It is a big job! These photos make me laugh so hard, because leave it to us to tear into the house just hours after purchasing it!

I also just realized that I never took any photos of the outside of the house! I will try to tomorrow!

We planned on getting more done tonight. But the kids were done after only being there for an hour. It was a big day for them, bigger than I think Michael and I realized. They all had a really hard time handling their emotions. So we came home, took baths, and put them to bed. The next few days will be long for them, but I am so thankful for our group of friends that are helping us with the house, and with taking care of them. I know they are in good hands.

I am feeling exhaustedly happy. Trying to soak these moments in. It was such a special day! Thanks for sharing it with us!

And the Mama is So excited!!!! I can not believe that tomorrow is almost here! I feel like a kid at Christmas and can not wait until morning!

I am so tired. But I know that I will have a hard time sleeping!

I really really forgot how much work packing is. And we haven’t even got to the moving part yet.

And cleaning. Wow.

I consider myself to a pretty neat and organized person. But after uncovering all the dirty spots in my home the last few days, I know longer consider myself a clean person. You should have seen the pile of dirt behind our fridge. There are no words.

My hands are cracked, and sore from scrubbing. My back hurts. And I have been over the verge of tears many times this week. Thank God for my sensible, cool headed and patient husband. I could not have made it through the past few days without him. He is amazing.

I should be cleaning and packing more. But I have hit a wall, and can’t seem to do anything productive; besides my amazing husband gave me permission to just sit, everything else can wait. Oh how lovely it is to live in his happy calm world!

So ignoring the dirty kitchen floor glaring at my backside, I have been cruising  Pinterest and my favorite design blogs dreaming of my home. How can I clean when I am just so stinking anxious?

I have also been giving WAY to much thought about what to wear to the closing, and looking at my un manicured nails wondering if anyone will notice how awful they look. Sheesh.

We dont actually know if we will get the keys in hand at closing or if we will have to wait 24hours. It all depends if the seller has vacated or not. For my sanity I hope she has.

This is all so surreal. Happy. Tired. Thankful.

We had another morning discussing paint colors for the kitchen.

We still have reached no conclusion my friends.

All the other rooms we have sorted out.

Caleb’s room is wood panelling. Not my favorite, but it works for now. So we are going to leave it as it is for as long as I can stand it. Eventually his room will become the diningroom and maybe many years down the road we will build a sunroom off of it, so I { trying really really hard to } am looking past the panelling for now. Yes. We dream big. I love that our property is huge! The possibilites are endless.

The girl’s room is going to be white, and a super soft yellow. Thankfully we already have those colors chosen and the process wasn’t super painful.   { Meaning I got my way } Their room is super tiny, perfect for a set of white bunks, and a white dresser. Secretly I think it is perfect for them. Quaint and Cozy. Neither room has no room for  a ton of toys which makes this mama super happy. Finally I will have a playroom for them to mess while their rooms stay clean.

Now for the big announcement of the year…..

Michael gave me free reign to decorate our bedroom.

All of you who know him feel free to gasp now!

{ Only took me 8 years to gain this permission }

The walls are going to be a French white, our furniture is black, and our bedding and curtains are white. I have been collecting some awesome creme- antique mirrors that will pretty my walls. I have plans to buy a fluffy white rug to go under the bed too but that may take some time to climb up the priority ladder! I have a feeling that our room will be my favorite room in the house! It is going to be so lovely.

The living room is blue right now, and will stay blue for a month or two or three. It looks fine, not my favorite- but I can handle blue for awhile. Especially since we are for sure taking out that fabulous blue carpet. I have hopes that Michael will let me paint the walls French White as well, but shhh don’t tell him.

I can’t really picture the bathroom. I know it has wallpaper..or at least i think it does. And eventually I will want to change it up. But to be honest, I really don’t care at this moment.  I am just excited that it has a window. One day we will be fighting over bathroom colors, but not today.

Now the kitchen.

We have issues.

We have chosen already two whites. An ultra pure white for the wainscoting and trim, and antique white for the cupboards . We are putting up a white { tiny square} backsplash as well. And by we I mean Him.

My vote for the wall color is a soft grey.

Michael wants a rich color.

Now I should just give in and let him have what he wants. Especially since he has been so generous with the girl’s room and our room. He also has spent the last three weekends redoing our table set. He is a rockstar. So I really should give a little.

My issue is not that I don’t want to give him what he wants but because the kitchen/eating area is so tiny. I am worried that a rich color will shrink the walls more. I can’t have that. He thinks that a soft color will make it look blah. He can’t have that.

So what are we to do?

We have decided to wait to choose. It’s not worth tearing each other’ s eyes out.

Thanks for listening to my paint rambles, all an excuse to put off cleaning our stupid apartment blinds. That sadly I cant put off any longer.

Why people why? Do we ever but metal blinds. Never again. Window treatments in my new home are going to be wood. Easy to clean. Simple.

Especially blinds that haven’t been cleaned in two years? 

Stop Judging me.

I never have been the most of domestic types. Sure I love a clean home.

{ I’d just rather someone else do it for me }

I always strive for a clean home.

But It has been made apparent from all the dirt surfacing that I do a lot of striving and not a lot of deep cleaning.

I am paying for that now. Sigh.

And I am not all that motivated either. I just keep wishing for time to go faster and days to come sooner.

oh and I pretty much spent all day yesterday obsessing over all the scary “what if”s on closing day.

{ Six Days away! }

I quickly worked my way into a major snot infested crying spell that lasted for a few hours.

It wasn’t pretty.

Neither is the mold and soap scum growing on my bathtub.

Again Don’t judge me!

We set up our utilities today.

Now all we have to do is sign sign sign before we get our pretty gold key!

oh…and finish scrubbing tubs and blinds. blah.

to take a peek at our new house… { again }

…because we are weird like that.  { Are we the only home buyers ever to do this? }

I feels incredibly strange that we have a house….all the way over the river and through the woods…but we are still living in another house…that day by day, as an additional box is packed…looks and feels less like our home.

Transition is a strange place to be in.

Exciting. And Scary. And Exciting. It takes me forever to fall asleep at night and I wake up in the morning with my heart beating wildly in anticipation.

My little blue house on my hill… 

It was snowing lightly as we drove up on our new street; the sun was peeking through the cloudy skies, giving our new neighborhood the coziest- most wonderful feel.

The sellers were outside packing up the garage, so we didn’t slow down to gawk.

{ but oh how we wanted to }

I long to step inside my front door.

I can’t wait to discover our new house’s little treasures. Where does the sun filter in and out? Do the floorboards and cupboards squeak?

I can not wait to meet every nick and cranny, and fill this home with the  beautiful sounds of my family.

But instead we drove up the hill, and behind the house, where we found the most magical place. Along the hilly, twisted road were tall trees, and country fences, horses, and barns.

{ How did we not know this was here before? }

It was lovely. And sweet.

And so unreal.

There is no place like home. Can’t wait to get there.

This will be our 7th move in 8.5 years.

1. Basement Apartment to College

2. College to Paraguay

3. Paraguay to Minneapolis Apartment

4. Minneapolis Apartment to Bethany Apartment

5. Bethany Apartment to Brazil

6. Brazil to Bethany Apartment

7. Bethany Apartment to Our First House!

 And that my friends is a whole lot of boxes, and suitcases.

That is a whole lot of hello’s and good-byes.

A whole lot of transitions.

A whole lot of life happening in just under a decade.

And as exciting as all that was. I am getting tired of moving my family.

I am so ready for us to be settled. Rooted.

Of all the moves we have moved. This move is one that I can imagine our family in for a very long time { Minnesota of all places! Who would have ever guessed? }

Our little house on the hill will be where we celebrate many Birthdays, and Christmas mornings. Where we will watch our kids grow too fast, and where we will call home. It will be where we create memories and where our stories will come from.  I just love that.

I AM  SO eager to start this new chapter in our lives.

Perhaps just a little too eager.

I’ve started packing. Which is to be expected, we do move in just under two weeks. But I was a bit overly ambitious and packed some things I really shouldn’t have. Like our check books. Ah-hem.

The reason I am on the move is not just because I am excited, but having moved so many times already, I am very aware of just how much work it is. I know that if I leave it all to the last week, I will be swimming in boxes, stuff, and cleaning supplies.

That is not a fun way to move.

I want everything to go as smoothly as possible. Especially for the kids.

Caleb is all excited. He knows he is going home. In fact when house shopping, this house is the house that he walked into exclaiming, ” This feels like home! ” Plus he gets the super cool room, with the super cool closet. He has always been my go with the flow guy, so I expect this transition to be super easy for him. Besides like I said,  he gets the cool closet. Lucky man!

This will be Bella’s 6th move in 7 years. She is excited, but we all can feel her apprehension. I think she is tired of moving too. In many ways Bethany has been her home even when we didn’t live at Bethany. It is where we brought her home from the hospital, it is the place we have always come back to,  it is where she has felt safe and comfortable for most of her life. I think that this move will be fun for her but filled with so many mixed emotions. Above all the reasons I am glad for a new home, I am so glad for my home girl, that she will finally have a home that is truly hers .

Now I am a little bit worried for my LiliBean. I have been telling her as I pack that we are taking these boxes to our new house. I am not sure she totally gets it, but her response has been, ” but whyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Mom. ” She is my girl that loves everything in place. She is just a bit obsessive when things are not in place, so I am expecting a few { or hundred } meltdowns. On the upside, she is also my girl that gets over things quickly, so maybe by week two she will feel at home again.

I still have a gazillion things to do. Why haven’t I noticed before just how dirty my apartment is? You take the clutter out and all I can see is dirt! It is disgusting.

So I am off to clean up a bit more! …and maybe pack a little bit more too! Fun fun!