HOME

Friends, we have a house!

Before I tell you about it, I have to start with two things:

Number One: God is so very faithful.  His timing is perfect and he knows what we need better than we know ourselves.  We are so very thankful for the blessing of a more permanent home, for God's graciousness as we struggled against his plan, and for his guidance in finding this home.

Number Two: My husband is so wise, so discerning, and so prayerful.  He listens to me and considers my needs and desires, but he also knows when to tell me no.  I don't usually like him in those moments, but I am thankful for the way he gently squelches my inner brat.  If it had been up to me we would have put offers on several homes that had lots of appeal but just would not have been the best choice.  

I didn't love this house.  The day after it went under contract I bawled my eyes out.  It just wasn't what I expected when I thought of us buying our first home.  Perhaps I had seen one two many real estate commercials where impeccably dressed couples popped open champagne in front of their dream house.    Naively, I always dreamed that after nine years of marriage, the first home we purchased would be something we absolutely loved and were just thrilled about.  Instead, I felt like I was entering into an arranged marriage.  I knew I would love this house in time, but that day it just seemed like the best practical decision, and absolutely the decision God had led us to make.  The land is beautiful, but the house is not quite my taste, so it has taken me some time to catch the vision of what it can be.    

Closing day came, and after visiting the title company and signing our lives away, we drove out to the house.  The two acre wooded lot had filled in beautifully, creating a lush tunnel over our driveway that evoked the greenlines of our beloved Memphis neighborhood.  I have bemoaned the barren, brown Oklahoma landscape since our return, so to have found a home surrounded by trees is such a treat!    

The home sits off of a little private road on the outskirts of our city.  This is our driveway!  I feel like I'm going on vacation every time I drive down our street.

And that's when I squealed like a giddy little girl and realized that while it is not perfect, this is the home we have prayed for.  We're going to make it our own, and we are going to make many memories in this place.  It's going to be a great place for our boys to grow up.  

The view of the house after you come through the driveway.  

 Jonathan checking out the view to the west.  He has always wanted a bit of land, and I get so excited to think of what a treat it will be for my nature man to come home everyday to a place that recharges his batteries.  This is the view out our living room windows.  It's so peaceful out here!    

The view out of the front of the house.  There is a creek just behind the treehouse and swing; see the little footbridge on the right edge?  I foresee many hikes and campouts in the woods!  I also foresee a tree house remodel as I currently would not want my worst enemy to climb up there!  

Just a glimpse of our new place!  Get ready for lots of before and after shots as we make this place our own.  We are currently staying in our rental and trying to get as much done to the new house as we can before we move at the end of June.  Currently in the works: a kitchen renovation; sanding and painting every bit of the light oak stained crown molding, trim, and cabinetry; and repainting all of the walls from their cavelike ambiance to fresh, airy neutrals.  We are doing all of the work ourselves so it's a beast of a project, but I know we'll be happy all of that is done before we move in.  

And if you know us in real life, get ready for some FUN!  A big selling point for us on this house was that although it isn't huge, it has a great layout for hospitality, and of course the outdoor spaces are perfect for get-togethers.  We are so excited to open our home and create memories with our families and friends!  (In the meantime, your painting services are welcome any time!)