backyard

Our move involved losing a kid friendly back yard. Yes, we have a backyard, however it is more geard towards wildlife than wild children. Many friends and family commented on the lack of play space, however Brad and I weren't too concerened. Never fear, they have plenty to do....

 

 riding bikes in the cul-de-sac

 our tree swing now hangs from the rafters in our unfinished basement

along with plenty of space to ride scooters

and Dad is always good for afterschool pond exploration.

 

 



It's moving day, it's moving day........

This is a long and crazy post.

August 14, 2002. My first day of in service for my very first teaching job. Brad had asked me to come over to his new house that night to help him clean. He was closing on his 1st house that day. After in service I went over to the new place. When I pulled up he came outside and walked me in.The house was in its' 1978 glory, with a Costco sized package of Bounty paper towels sitting there in the entry way. I can see it clearly. On top of the paper towels was a card with my name on it. I opened it and it was a housing warming card. The words said "Welcome to Your New Home." only the "y" in "your" was crossed out making it say "our." I was confused and even more confused when I look over and Brad is on his knee with a stunning diamond staring up at me. What the???? Long story short, we got engaged in this house and I am going to miss it! Brad is a frugal person, but obviously spent some money that day.

We wanted to move for various reasons, mainly a bit more space, more privacy in our backyard, and some general updates that we didn't want to invest in this house. We have spent a lot of time, money, sweat and tears updating this house to make it ours. It is cozy and us. It sold in less than 48 hours to the first couple who looked at it. The morning of the first showing we stopped at Sonic and I sat there and cried and cried. Why? I knew it was a young, childless couple buying it and I was just so happy for them. If they have half as many wonderful memories as we have had here than they will be so lucky. We got engaged here, came here after our wedding, brought our beautiful babies home here. They both walked their first steps on this carpet (which by the way the new people are tearing out) and swang their little hearts out on our tree swings. We have painted every bit of walls here, redid all the floors, new siding, roof, driveway, landscaping, and it is hard to leave.

About the carpet, I can see Brad with his Spot Shot scrubbing any little stain out of our carpet. "Stace, put more Spot Shot on the grocery list, we are out!" he would yell as he scrubbed. We didn't wear our shoes on the carpet and our girls are well trained machines about food/drink ONLY IN THE KITCHEN!!!! It is white and looks pretty stinkin' good for being 9 years old. Oh well, it is their house now.

The girls aren't really emotional about it, trust me I am handling that for all of us. When asked what they thought about moving Mia said "How will me make the new house smell like our old house?" and Jilli said "I think Mom will bawl her eyes out." Mia is a deep thinker, Jilli is a smarta$#.

We aren't moving far, even my Sonic is still on my route to work. Speaking of Sonic, they provided me with many boxes and even asked if I was still going to come there. I laughed and told them that was the plan.

God has blessed us beyond words with the happy and sad times within the walls of this house. We are lucky. Even though I am awfully sad, I know that we will make many more memories in our new home. We will paint and make it ours. The girls will probably catch a lot of fish in our pond and walk down the staircase in their prom dresses. To comfort Mia I am sure it will eventually start to smell like us. Jilli is right, I will cry.I told Brad that after the movers are gone I want just him and me to come back and walk through it empty. Maybe another diamond? That might be pushing it, but I am sure he can swing another package of paper towels.

Missing Sis

I was worried about who would entertain Jilli while MK was at school. So we hired some help..........

Mia is a lot cheaper!

But this has certainly kept Missy Miss busy for two days.