[new house: Our New Old House.]

It's Sunday night as I type this ... the house is quiet - kids fast asleep.  It was another spectacular, sun-shiney day ... another wonderful day of exploring and creating at our new place.

No, we're not living there just yet.  But we got the keys yesterday (Saturday), and so we've started the process of moving things, getting cable/phone/alarm ... you know.  Moving.

Our "official" moving date is a week from today - the day the movers come and carry off all of our furniture and hopefully plonk it down in the correct room at the new place ...

New place.

It sounds so strange - considering that it's 38years old.  But I can tell you, that in the last 24hrs I have already learned so much about this home.  It's a good home.  It feels nostalgic, not dated ... you can tell that it was loved by the previous (and the only) owners.  It has enough space for the whole gang of us ... although the big challenge will be where all of our stuff will go.  The storage space is the biggest issue ... we'll just have to figure it out.  And we will.  And it will be home.

In fact ... today, as the kids jumped on the just-moved-to-this-location-from-our-other-house trampoline and playground, I said, " ... come on kids.  Time to go back home."  To which Mattias tilted his head and replied, " ... but mom.  We ARE home."

Oh man.  I loved that.

It's a strange thing to downsize ... it doesn't take you long to realize what space you're going to miss, and what space was a waste.  I think this change is going to be so valuable as we plan to design and build our home behind this house.  We may not build for years, we may start in the upcoming spring - so many factors will decide that.  But the time in this space will show us how we live in a different space, other than the 3600 sq ft house we've been living in for the last 8 years.  You can see all about our love for our current home, the renovations etc -  HERE

But it's all about to change - and I'm excited ... 

So.  This is our entrance (I used my 10mm lens, so it appears MUCH larger than it actually is) ... but it is definitely a good size.  We've decided to not paint ... we really don't want to put $$ into a place that will be eventually be thrown down or sold and taken away.   Painting was a bit of a debate - what if we live here for 5 years?  Will we regret not taking the time to make our home, "home"?  

Naw.  It' just fine the way it is.

The entrance from another angle.  Nifty flooring, eh?  *smile*

This is the unfinished "rec" room.  The basement couches and TV will go in here, toy storage, a craft area - once the drywall and super cheap carpet go in.  We won't paint in here either ... 

Again - the 10mm lens makes it look massive ... love that lens *grin*.  From this angle, you can see where all of our storage units are going to go all along that back wall.  They will house our kids games, our office supplies, our winter coats ... I'll figure it out.

So, apparently I skipped the two bedrooms and bathroom downstairs - and this next pic now shows the upper level. This is the "living" room, I guess?  A good space - and lots of walls to hang things *grin*.   Wow ... that lens ... 

The other angle ...

This is the dining room / eating area.  I never understand why people have carpet in these rooms ... but, alas, we have dusty-rose now *grin*.  The previous owners kept it immaculate ... they must not have raised boys LOL ... 

"Hi, mom"  ... my mother-in-law was diligently cleaning out the cupboards.  Man, this lens is amazing ... makes that kitchen look huge.  Can you see the stacked laundry in the back?  I thought that was interesting ... and I guess convenient - so you won't burn your soup while throwing stuff into the dryer ... *wink*

I wish the cupboards were about 4inches longer.  But they aren't ... They're really sturdy, though.  

Our bathroom is VERY blue.  With a teensy mirror ... we've got one that will replace it nicely without having to buy a new one ...

And Katia's room is a wee bit too "pepto bismol" for me.  I'd like to tone it down a bit.  We bought her a new Hello Kitty bedding set for her new toddler bed, pale pink and purple.  I'll choose the pink from there, if this doesn't match *wink* ... 

... the master bedroom ... this closet is the best one in the house.

... and the "furniture" room, as our only our king-sized bed will fit into the new bedroom.  So this room will house our other furniture, and our our kitchen pantry storage.  It'll work perfectly.

OH!  Here they are ... the two other bedrooms ... 

Our deck off of the kitchen that wraps around to the side ... 

In the last 24hrs, this is the place where our kids have explored and rode their bikes.  They've dug gopher holes and jumped off the swings from bigger heights.  They've taken their shoes off and not complained once about stepping on twigs or rocks ...

I am so so happy here.  It's quiet, it's cozy ... it has history - in a very 70's sort of way *grin* - but I know that I know that I know ... we're supposed to be here.  And THAT is what "home" is.  The place where those you love are safe and where you feel that God has placed you.

Preeeeeeetty sure that once it starts raining, I won't be feeling all "rainbows and ice cream" about living in a smaller space ... BUT.  It's home.

Have a great one!