On The Way In

IMG_4233

I have to tell you that when we first turned down the street towards this house I was overcome with emotion.

There's something about it - a feeling that goes along with the outside and the inside spaces. Maybe it's that there's a bit more room for all of us to breathe and stretch out and grow-into. Maybe it's the yard with areas to play and have adventures and do cartwheels and a spot to sit and eat outside. Maybe it's that I think we'll likely be here for awhile - something I've hoped for in my heart of hearts for a long time. 

Chris keeps saying that there's something familiar about it - he thinks it's similar to the house I grew up in south of Seattle. Maybe that's part of it too.

Right now we are living in the middle of boxes and figuring out what goes where and papering drawers and painting cabinets and orienting ourselves. I'm excited to get to that point where I'm ready to put stuff up on the walls - a big part of what will make it all feel "real" to me.

Here's a couple peeks into the house:



IMG_4227


This closet in the living room is holding all my baskets. I love "shopping" in there for what I need as I begin assigning homes to things and putting them away.



IMG_0159


Cabinets in the kitchen are getting a fresh coat of paint. A couple more days and we can get things put away in there too.



IMG_0160


Looking into my office (Chris on the phone with Apple support) which is an upstairs bonus room. Along the right wall in that alcove area are some shelves I had built-in which are designed to hold my 12x12 albums. I kinda also wanted to cry in a good way about those.



IMG_0163


Simon working on a lego project in his room. He's done really well with this transition. He's been sleeping in our room until we get a new bed for him and I think he likes that too. I'm excited to get things organized in his room to be able to give him space to create with his legos. Seeing him sitting at that table working away is a really good feeling.

Anna's room is currently a lovely bright mint green that will be painted later this week. She's been all over the backyard - an outdoor toddler for sure.

Overall I'm just feeling really thankful and excited about this next chapter in our lives. Moving is such an in-your-face delineation of change. I'm taking lots of deep calming breaths and keeping a long-term perspective in mind - it doesn't all need to happen at once.

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

118 thoughts

  1. Tara says…
    08/10/2010

    Beautiful can't wait to see more. So many windows...great light. Congratulations on your move hope your very happy their for a very long time.
    Tara

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Ali Edwards says…
    08/10/2010

    Hi Amanda - we loved that place. It was perfect for the time we were there and we have great memories (and documentation) of our life within those walls. I didn't really feel sad because I know that this one is a better fit for our future.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Karen G says…
    08/10/2010

    I didn't realize you had moved...what a transition! I moved A LOT as a kidlet, but have stayed put for the last decade (that has been a transition in itself...to reprogram my brain to live & enjoy the concept of staying in one place). There is something so fresh about starting again in a new home though, something so full of possibilities. :> Best of luck to you making your new house your home!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Deirdre says…
    08/10/2010

    So happy for you! Sounds to me like you recognized your family's home when you saw it. Sometimes are hearts and bodies know things long before our minds do:)
    My office is an upstairs bonus room with slanted ceilings (and yellow too). I love it.
    A random question: Do you have any issues with your back after working for a long time on the computer or standing while scrapping? I recently switch to a counter height table to stand and scrap thinking it would help my back, but I'm finding it can cause its own neck/back issues.

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Michele H. says…
    08/10/2010

    it's wonderful ali! the photo of the yard looks so inviting.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Amanda Mankin says…
    08/10/2010

    The spaces all look wonderful!! Welcome home :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Kim says…
    08/10/2010

    your new home is beautiful AND spacious - just what you needed!! Love your shelves for your 12x12's

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Katrina of Southern California says…
    08/10/2010

    What a beautiful place for you four! I hope you build loving and lasting memories....Congratulations on your New Home:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Ashleigh Bronner says…
    08/10/2010

    Your new home looks lovely. It's great that you were able to find a home that resonates so deeply with you. Here's to making happy memories while making this house your home!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Trish says…
    08/10/2010

    Hi, Ali, it looks like a wonderful home. Congratulations and have fun making it your own!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. lori says…
    08/10/2010

    What an exciting new chapter for family - congrats!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. jenr says…
    08/10/2010

    Ali--we moved into our current home 2.5 years ago and bought it "as is." Well needless to say, there is always a "project" going on. I am always reminding my husband it is a pace, not a race because we will be in this home for a long time!! Enjoy your new space and nesting in your new home!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Smriti says…
    08/10/2010

    What a lovely place you moved into! I so agree with you - " it doesn't all need to happen at once". I keep telling this to myself off and on and that brings peace to my uneasy mind.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Elise says…
    08/10/2010

    Congrats--love all the windows & those shelves for your albums!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Ali Edwards says…
    08/10/2010

    I haven't had any issues with my back while standing to scrapbook. I've done it that way since the beginning and tends to be the most comfortable for me (and is a change from sitting at my computer). I do find that if I sit too long at my computer my back will ache -

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Gabi says…
    08/10/2010

    Your new home looks wonderful, Ali! I love all the light coming from the windows. Enjoy your new place, and yes, it doesn't have to happen all at once, slowly enjoy the settling process.
    Thank you for sharing the photos from us! Happy unpacking.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. alexandra says…
    08/10/2010

    Congratulations - looks like a fabulous place to put down roots :)
    Wonder if you could tell me a bit about the painting of the kitchen cupboards - I am about to do the same to mine - I long for white cabinets!!
    Thanks!
    A.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. lacey anderson says…
    08/10/2010

    Congrats to you and your family Ali! Moving is a pain for sure...but settling in with all your familiar things will be worth it! Can't wait to see what you do with all of your framed photos-i've been in that process myself-little by little as I've started over (after a painful divorce), buliding a life and family with my boyfriend of a year (who has a 11 yr old son and 2 step children). Anyways, looks like a very cool place and can't wait for a tour if you're willing! lol :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Halle G says…
    08/10/2010

    Looks like you are well on your way to being "moved in". We made our move when our ASD son was 3.5 and we had a 5mo old infant!! What were we thinking!! Although everything went REALLY WELL. The only down side was the 3.5 yr old gave up naps at the transition. Bummer. But it happens quickly after that anyway for most....
    Congrats!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Tammy B says…
    08/10/2010

    Congratulations Ali! Your new home looks wonderful! We moved into our new home almost 15 months ago and just last week, I reorganized my pantry so that it actually works for us now! Sometimes you need to live with things for a while until you figure out the way things suit. I would love to see how you decorate Simon's room. Will he still be able to take the bus to school?

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Katya says…
    08/10/2010

    New home! House beautiful. I dream of it too... =))

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Katie says…
    08/10/2010

    It looks absolutely perfect! Congratulations ali--I hope it's good to you for many years to come! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Julie says…
    08/10/2010

    I am so happy for you all. What an exciting time, place, and adventure.
    You are truly blessed!!! Have fun and enjoy all those little moments.
    And btw thanks for sharing, it looks like a beautiful home :)))

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Annika says…
    08/10/2010

    good thinking, it will all come to it's (his or her) place.
    I took my time as well, when we moved back closer to our families so we could be with them and they can be with us and their newborn grandchild.
    Coming home is a feeling (for me) that has to be there as soon as I enter a house apartment or whatever that I am interested in buying or renting.
    As soon as that's given the rest will evolve.
    Welcome home, Ali.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Erika Melnychuk says…
    08/10/2010

    That's right, Ali - just one thing, one day, one moment at a time! No need to rush it. Thank you for taking the time to share with us what's going on, even though you're so busy right now!

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.