The one you've been waiting for

No more excuses. Time to post pics and my feelings on week 1 in our forever home. I'm not going to lie, it has been a whirlwind. Emotionally, as well as physically. Actually, it has been more than a whirlwind emotionally. It has been a roller coaster amidst a whirlwind. It's been a rollerwind. Coinciding with the daily thunderstorms that have blown into Utah this week.

Blame it on the stress of moving, but I have felt much more anxious this week than I have in a while. I didn't sleep very well our first night here, but instead kept hearing all kinds of "new" noises that I was not accustom to. Also, because we cannot yet afford a rug (and other furniture), the house is very echoey (as if that's a word), and all noises are amplified (including crying, which has also gotten on my nerves quite quickly). So, all night that first night Jeff and I listened as the ice maker began to work, the floor began settling, and the wind chimes outside announced a slight breeze. Not the best way to start off.


Here we are hours after moving in, the beginning of day one for us. Every day has gotten better and better. Damon only asks where I am and where I'm going six or seven times a day, rather than every 15 minutes. The girls are getting along better and don't need me to be in plain sight to feel at home.

That being said, I love it here. Every morning I wake up and can't believe we actually live here. I know everyone has been dying for pictures (if you haven't, please humor me), so here are a few. These are my favorite things about the house.

THE VIEW. This was taken from my the window in my closet. I did zoom in a little, but isn't that gorgeous?
MY LAUNDRY ROOM. Only a mom could be excited about something like that, but since we have been married, I have never had a laundry room. We had a laundry closet in the bathroom in Ohio, a laundry garage in Florida, and another laundry bathroom at Jeff's parents' house. So, you can imagine that the sight of these two beauties doing their business gets my heart racing.

These are the Whirlpool Cabrios, and I LOVE them! I don't particularly care for front loaders (had them in Ohio) because I could never throw something in after it was started without making a huge mess. So, when we found these at the Sears Outlet for a smoking deal, I was so happy! Come over and do a load. You'll be sold, too.

Funny side note: the other night I left for an hour or so, and when I got home, Allie told me this story. "I was sad that you were gone, but then I went into the laundry room and saw your dryer balls and it made me happy." I guess there's another reason to enjoy the laundry room. It helps you not miss your mom so much.

THE DISHWASHER. Needs no further explanation.



THE SHUTTERS. This is another long story that I will save for another day. I love them, though!


THE MASTER BATHROOM (AKA THE GIANT TUB). The bathroom is incredible. Seriously, it blows me away every day. And I'm thinking about hosting hot tub parties during the winter up there. Any takers?

THE PIANO ROOM. This piano was Jeff's great aunt's (who never had any kids of her own and lived in the basement before us, where she was baptized at the age of 90). We inherited it while we lived at the Trapnell's, and I love having it here in the house. True, the room it is in is rather empty besides the piano, but it sounds so good. It makes me want to practice more so I can wow you with music as you come to my door.


THE ENTRY. This is the view when you come in the front door. I love it. Especially if these three are sitting at the bottom of the stairs.

Most of all, what I love about this place is what is inside it. No, not the floors or the appliances or even the sweetest tub of all. I love the people that are here with me. That has been the other part of my "rollerwind." My heart is so full of love and gratitude for the very fact that we are here together. I know that without doubt, they are the most important, and everything else is meaningless without them here. I told Jeff once that I would live in a cardboard hut with him, if it meant that we could be together. And, while I still mean it, I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have the best of both worlds--a wonderful home and a wonderful family to share it with.


And while I know the storm is far from over (I expect it to continue off and on throughout the rest of my life), today I am grateful for those moments that take your breath away. The rainbows that appear amidst the storms.

(Photo taken by Jeff Thursday night from our deck)