It's 4:15 in the morning and I am awake, tired, excited, and sad. I have had minimal sleep this week trying to get ready for today, our big moving day. Several times I have thought about my goodbye to our first home, but I have just been too busy to sit down and write. I figured I can't sleep because my mind is racing, so I might as well be productive.
Oh first home you are truly amazing. Nearly eight years ago, we found you on accident. We were supposed look at a house two houses down, but walked into you by mistake. When we walked in you were move in ready. Tim fell in love with the T.V. stand in the bathroom. I fell in love with the blank canvas and layout.
When we moved in we had so much room that we had empty spaces. We had so much fun making you our home. A few years after moving in. with lots of family help, we painted nearly every square inch of you. My friend Lynzi has helped me with most of your decorating. We had many parties, family get togethers, and evenings with friends. Tim and I learned how to be a couple and became parents within your walls. We have faced good times and some of our hardest times here. But you have always been a blessing and provided a sanctuary.
Tim and I spent our first years adding tile, remodeling the laundry room, and making the backyard my absolutely favorite part of you. The moments spent doing this were so much fun. Tim is so handy and we really enjoyed getting our hands dirty together. We learned so much about each other. These were wonderful bonding moments for a newly married couple.
Nearly four years ago, we moved rooms around and made a nursery for our first daughter. Addison was born in the cold month of November, but you provided warmth and safety for a new Mom and Dad trying to figure it out. Tim would spend those late newborn nights with Addison upstairs in the man cave, watching T.V. or playing video games. I would spend middle of the night feedings in the comfort of the living room or nursery. During those months on maternity leave I not only bonded with my baby, but continued to transform you into a baby safe home.
Nearly two years ago, more changes happened. We decided to have another baby. Tim and Barrett made a build out in your attic to hold all of the gadgets, clothes, and gear that comes with a baby. As we prepared for Lilah, Tim's upstairs man cave turned into the guest room and storage area. Addison moved into a big girl room and we re-decorated the nursery for another baby. When Lilah was born there were hot summer days. Tim was off school and we spent lots of time together as a family. You provided a place for us to bond and navigate a new normal as a family of four.
Tim and I spent many hours fixing and re-doing your screened in porch. The first storm that hit when we got Annie and Ace, they ran through like maniacs and ripped all your floor to ceiling screens. So we built walls half-way up. Later we built a deck and took back down the walls. Tim has replaced so many screens and screen doors. Before Lilah's birth Tim gave you yet another face-lift, he resurfaced the floor and added curtains. This little oasis, as we call it, is the spot I am going to miss most. This spot has been the location for so many special memories. I have spent many mornings here blogging and drinking coffee. In the last year on Saturday and Sunday mornings, before Lilah and Daddy would wake, Addison and I would have "coffee milk" and spend so many special moments together. I remember spending my last morning with Cleo on this porch. Tim and I would spend evenings talking, planning, dreaming, and reconnecting on this porch. I have rocked babies on this porch and watched it rain on this porch. I truly wish I could just pack this special spot up and take it with me.
Thank you for being everything we needed and wanted in a first home. I am so grateful we were led to you years ago. We could not have asked for a better home to make ours for the past 7 years and 9 months. You will always be fondly remembered.
Because I don't want to forget anything. Lots of pictures of our first home.......
