Category: love

We moved into our home exactly one year ago.

We watched the price of an abandoned, cedar dwelling tick down slowly, slowly, and then plummet on Christmas Eve.

We watched our quivering hands sign closing papers on an unpredictable foreclosure.

We watched countless contractors bustle in and out of a dust-filled construction zone.

We watched a black tarp peeled off the mysterious, black waters of a swimming pool.

We watched endless checks fly out the door.

And finally, 365 days ago, we watched a beautiful space emerge from the chalky rubble, and spent our first night in our home, on an air mattress, in our little castle.

The years have a way of zooming by. So, I didn’t want this milestone to slip away without pausing…to remember some of the moments.

Moving from our 700 sq ft condo, during our experiment with minimalism, was a big jump. Our home was now a place that could hold more than four bodies at a time. 😉

We’ve been able to host lots of visits–family from Chicago,

family from Oregon,

family from Atlanta, and repeat :). Our kitchen has been tried and tested–it can handle intense curry-making, and a soul food Thanksgiving for a crowd. The water tank held up to 11 people bathing in one day (did I mention Thanksgiving for a crowd?)

And so far, the house has withstood a very busy, almost 18 month-old nephew who loves to rearrange stools and ottomans.

We used to have a to-do-list, but I eventually gave it up. Sure, we need area rugs, and patio furniture, and hooks in the utility closet so the brooms don’t look like a game of pick up sticks. But I know it will all come together.