The view around here

Not only have we added on to our family this year, we're also adding on top our house. This will be a garage, living room, guest room, and storage room. Can't wait for it to be finished.

Goodbye House

This weekend we said goodbye to our house of 5 years.  I took some last pictures, and realized that most everything I had taken pictures of were things that Jonathan had built himself.  (Well, with some help. :))

I think that is one of the best things we will take from our time at that house.  We learned so much there.  We grew our family there. We watched our kids grow.  I learned about gardening and canning and much more.

But the great thing is - we don't leave that stuff behind.  We just leave behind the place the learning happened.  I was surprised at how easy it was to leave.  And how easy it is to settle into this new house.  Where we will learn a whole new set of things.  Where we learn all about what it is like to have a girl.  What it is like to have family as close neighbors.  We'll learn more about landscaping and gardening and building.  I can't wait.  And can't wait to share all we do to our new place.

Before I post the pictures, I do want to acknowledge the one thing that we will miss the most.  Our neighbors.  There were several kids right close by that Ohlen loved to play with.  It was a great set up.  They had a lot of fun together, and now we've left.  I can't imagine moving your kids when they are in school and have lots of friends established.  I'm hoping they will still get to see each other here and there.  And actually Ohlen is attending Bible School with one set of neighbors.  And I will probably buy eggs from our one neighbor too - it is nice that we've only moved about 5 minutes away.  It will be really strange to someone else's car in "our" driveway.  Maybe then it will sink in more. :)

And now for the pictures.  Some of the things we added ourselves that I'm the most proud of.

Crazy Times

So, we have a new baby.  And a new address.  Or we will after this weekend.

It has been pretty crazy.  Jonathan has been working his tail off trying to take care of everything with the move, plus keeping up with his normal job, and dealing with all the stresses of a new baby and a wife that can't help much.

I've been feeling pretty useless as far as stuff for the move goes.  I can do a little here and there, but I know immediately when I'm starting to do too much - and really I can't do a whole lot without that feeling coming on.  It is so frustrating.

I don't know what I would do without my mom.  She has taken off a couple days this week to help pack things up and take care of the boys.  She has gotten so much done!!  I try to help out a little, but like I said, I can't do much yet.  I can tell I'm starting to heal, and I really have to watch myself or I will go backwards.

I am so excited to be in our new place.  It is definitely a bit smaller, but there are so many things there that we don't have here.  We will have much more closet space (although, we are losing a basement).  There are just little nice things here and there.  Like a built in medicine cabinet on the sides of the bathroom mirror.  A lovely pantry type unit that is just itching to be filled with all our food and canning supplies.  Plus there are all new appliances.  OH and a kitchen faucet with a sprayer.  And a corner shower with a rain fall head thing that I can't wait to try out.  Just some little things to excite me. :)

We are currently waiting on some inspections to happen - and then we will be free to officially move in.  We have to be out of our current house by Monday.

Actually typing that out kind of makes me sad.  I am going to miss this place.  We've done so much here.  Our kids have been through some major milestones here.  So many of the little things about this place we did ourselves, and that is hard to leave behind.  I'm guessing there will be some tears shed the last time I am here.

Shocked

Our house is sold. Well I think the technical term is under contract.

5 days after signing papers to put it on the market, we signed a purchase agreement.

Shocked, amazed, blessed, thankful, so very thankful

Date of possession is the day after my due date.  Yikes.

I've been praying this whole time for contentment with whatever timing God chooses for this.  And I am.  Completely content.  Despite that Yikes up there.  It is more of a smiling laughing yikes, rather than an actually scared nervous yikes.

We are in a frenzy trying to get our new place on a roll.  Trying to plan, choose, make decisions.

I've been feeling pretty nostalgic.  Thinking about all the great memories from the last 5 years in this house. (took these pictures on the day we staged for the pictures for the realtor.  It really isn't usually this tidy. :))

Dining room area - countless board games, lots of laughter, Noah's first diaper change at home that resulted in a fountain sprinkling the table, teaching little ones to eat.  The stairs - Just images in my head of the boys learning to go up and down and just sliding down on their bellies.

Oh, the bathroom. Originally the wrong paint color, the struggle to keep it clean. :)  Potty training....  Had I ever blogged about the cupboard?  Jonathan added that several months ago - it's great.

I don't think this room need any explanation.  :) This little girl may or may not get to sleep here.

So many things baked and cooked here.  I will miss my countertops, but looking forward to more space.  Especially more storage space.  And the island I will be getting. (over the moon excited for this)

I'll keep this space updated as we progress through this process.  On this week's agenda is talking to banks and the house people.  Jonathan also has jury duty this week.  And we will celebrate Noah's second birthday.  Should be busy and fun. :)