our love shack

Well, it happened. 

We bought a house! 

I can't believe that everything truly came together. Here I am, sitting at my kitchen table, so thankful to be on this side of moving and hauling and all the worry and stress that comes with it. The best money we've ever spent is on a moving truck and a couple of guys to load and unload the truck, all the heavy stuff - it was unbelievable. That felt like Christmas. Everything else, the endless loads in our cars - I'm just so glad to be past that, especially as the temps this weekend are in the 100s! 

And now I can finally show you our house! Here is the official tour: 

This is the view from the back door, and it shows you what I love most about the house. When you walk in, you feel this whoosh of space. I love the whoosh. The high ceilings just make everything feel so spacious and light-filled. 

And this is the view from the front door. The living area is generous. Our couches look like hobbits in here. The floors, by the way, are laminate. That's much better for us than hardwoods - I don't think I am quite up to keeping up with hardwood floors yet, especially with little boy feet in my house. I am super excited to be DONE with carpet! We bought a steam mop yesterday, now all I need is a big dust mop to run around the rooms. 

This is the view from standing at the fireplace. That's the formal dining room and the wet bar. For us, it's the coffee bar. We're putting most of the bookcases in the dining room and eventually plan for it all to be a library/office area. 

Do you hear my deep sigh of contentment? How can any woman not be happy with this kitchen? After years of apartment kitchens (some that were bigger than others) this is like heaven.The sheer absurdity of so many cabinets makes me a little giddy. I love that Beaux and I can BOTH be in the kitchen at the same time, working on a meal. Of course, one day we will upgrade it and things won't be quite so white. In the meantime, I can totally live with it. Down at the end is the laundry room, and the door to the garage. No more loading Thomas in the car in the rain! It's downright luxurious, I tell you. 

Here is a view from the dining room area. 

This is how Thomas feels about it all. If he's not running, he's riding his scooter around and around. 

At the end of the kitchen is a sweet nook, which is where our table sits and where I am writing to you at this moment. This is already my happy place, where I can keep an eye on the backyard if Thomas is out there, and I can watch birds and squirrels, too. So far I have restrained myself from buying a big ol' birdfeeder. I am turning into my grandma. 

Speaking of the backyard - here it is. Plenty of room for a little boy to poke around and kick balls and hopefully, splash in a pool. Run through a sprinkler. Wrestle with a puppy. 

This is a peek into our bedroom. It's long, so we have all our furniture towards the window. I'm hoping to eventually have a little sitting area, maybe a fainting couch or a chaise lounge. We're dreaming big here! 

This is the master bathroom. Our closet is back there, and there's a shower and a bathtub. Another favorite thing is that the toliet is separate, so the bathroom is usable even if someone's gotta go. Also, by the toliet is a built in cabinet space - I finally have plenty of room for towels and linens! And extra toliet paper! 

Another view of the backyard. Of course, there are two more bedrooms - one for Thomas and one a guest bedroom, until it's needed for nursery space, and another bathroom - but that's all pretty basic. Right now the guest room is full of boxes, like the rest of the house. 

Actually, we remembered from past moves the areas that take the longest to take and set up - the kitchen and closets. So we deliberately packed those up first and set them up immediately. It's been so wonderful to have a functioning kitchen in the midst of everything, as well as being able to find a clean pair of underwear. Definitely a eliminated a source of stress; even though as we spent time arranging things I was fretting about everything else back at the apartment to be packed. 

Already, as the days and nights pass, it's becoming more of our own. I sit at my table and move around the kitchen and unpack a few boxes. Thomas plays in his room and slips out the back door to run in the hot afternoon sun. And I'm so happy to share it all with you - not because I want you to tell me how great our house is, or, God forbid, to brag (really, I worry about that) but because it's been a dream for such a long time. I know home ownership is a giant responsibility and there's a lot of headaches and sacrifices. But it is all worth it, I hope. I can't wait to paint the walls and hang art and infuse our home with all the love our family has for each other. I want people to walk in and not only feel the whoosh of high ceilings but to feel the love vibes bouncing up off the floors. 

 

Comments

[Megsie]

This is such a beautiful home, Sam! I already feel the love vibes, and that is just through your photos and words...your stuff isn't even included! I am so very happy for you. You are right being a home owner has its share of headaches, but it also gives you that feeling of "home" like nothing else. I cannot wait to see the "after" photos when you have made it truly yours with the paint and the art and more of the love. Congratulations! It is just perfect!

[bella]

It is absolutely beautiful - and I am so happy for you and your family. xo

[Sheryl]

It's absolutely gorgeous! I'm SO happy for you guys! At the end of the day, all those headaches are worth it.

[Micha Boyett Hohorst]

I love it, Sam! What a gift! I'm so happy for Thomas to have that wonderful yard to explore...Congrats, friend!

[Lizardek]

Sam, it's BEAUTIFU!!!

[becca]

I am so happy for you! thank you for the grand tour. We hope to be officially looking in a month or so for a home too (we've been living with my very gracious grandmother since november.) I doubt we'll be able to get anything near as luxurious as your abode seems to be! (though i need to leave that part in God's hands...He's got our dream home in His grasp and it will appear when we need it to...didn't i say similar words to you a few months ago during your hunt?) you are very blessed :)

[Nancy]

Congratulations on your beautiful house!! Have fun settling in. :-)

[Nick G.]

Beautiful house! I love the main living area with such an open design, and such a spacious kitchen, too! I have kitchen envy, seriously. :D

[Stephanie]

Congratulations! And it's BEAUTIFUL! What a great house and great backyard and great kitchen and...oh, well, all of it! There is something amazing about your first home. Tickled pink for you!

[amy]

oh, honey. it's GORGEOUS! and so full of light and space - I'm sure your boy is in heaven with the yard! So happy for you. I know you've waited quite a while for this. congratulations!

[elizabeth]

oh Sambelina!! I don't know if I can call you Sambelina any more with this totally ROCKING home of yours-- you grown up woman you!!! Wowza honey-- wowza. Wow. What a beautiful home you are making here--- utterly faboo-- I am so so so happy for you! xoxoxoxoxoox

[Christina]

EEEPPP! Congratulationts! Oh my goodness this is lovely and perfect and so you. I can't wait to see pictures as you fill it with your live. My favorite shot is of Thomas running across the bare floors in utter glee. So happy for you, Sam! You so deserve this lovely place.