On The Way In
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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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!!
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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.
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it's wonderful ali! the photo of the yard looks so inviting.
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The spaces all look wonderful!! Welcome home :)
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your new home is beautiful AND spacious - just what you needed!! Love your shelves for your 12x12's
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What a beautiful place for you four! I hope you build loving and lasting memories....Congratulations on your New Home:)
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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!
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Hi, Ali, it looks like a wonderful home. Congratulations and have fun making it your own!
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What an exciting new chapter for family - congrats!!
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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!!
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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.
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Congrats--love all the windows & those shelves for your albums!
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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 -
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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.
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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.
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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 :)
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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!!
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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?
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New home! House beautiful. I dream of it too... =))
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It looks absolutely perfect! Congratulations ali--I hope it's good to you for many years to come! :)
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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 :)))
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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.
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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!
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