Part of my problem with change is that I humanize inanimate objects. This house we are leaving has become a person of sorts to me. My 5th child. I'm sad I can't bring him with me. While sitting around the dinner table tonight Greg asked the kids what their best memory was in this house. Kidlet #2 said, "All of you!" There are times I marvel at the wisdom of my children. He is so right. The memories and important things - the people in our homes - fortunately go with us. Once they are all gone, all that is really left are 4 walls. Those walls don't create the memories, it's the people who reside and enter them that do.
But for the memories created in these walls I thought I'd share some pictures of our home and describe exactly what we did while living here that has made it ours:
The Front Exterior:
When we bought this house I HATED the way it looked on the outside. The brick drove me crazy and the original shutter and front door color of hunter green was something I tolerated for way too long. A few summers ago I finally replaced those green shutters with dark brown and painted the front door an orangish color. I LOVE driving up to it now.
The Study:
This room was the bane of my existence for so long. Where the bird picture hangs use to be a large opening into the family room. Have you ever tried to decorate and coordinate two sitting rooms right next to each other? What is the point? I finally closed it off and gave them both their own do purpose. The desk along the far wall was for future homework to be done. It never happened, but the idea was good. It was a great music room and my children are developing into quite the musicians.
The Dining Room:
I have always claimed this space as "My Room". Children were forbidden from running through it and no one but me was allowed to put their crap in it. I feel that is my right as the keeper of the house. I needed somewhere to claim as my own. We have served many a dinner with family and friends at this table. I love the chandelier and I will miss this room for it's tranquil beauty.
The Family Room:
This is the heart of our home. The place where we have watched hours of movies, played games, read scriptures and said prayers as a family, and had many a family discussion. When we first moved in the fireplace and built-ins were a dark wood color. I wish I had painted them the day we moved in. It changed the whole feeling of the room. The window treatment was a handmade copycat by me and I still love it. I was happy and content with this room when we put it on the market, but I know I could have done a lot more with more time.
The Kitchen:
My domain, the work horse of the house. We peeled wallpaper off every inch of wall in this kitchen and painted the cabinets the first few months after moving in and I have never regretted it. Had we stayed, this space would have gotten a major overhaul and I have no doubt would have been beautiful. Unfortunately, the neighborhood just won't support what I would have liked to do and since we felt it was time to go, the vision will have to be someone else's to fulfill. We added the decorative board and batten wall and the pantry doors were another great addition. Hopefully the new owners will keep them.
The Laundry Room:
This was a labor of love by my sweet husband. He doesn't really like doing diy projects, but was patient and did this one for me. He worked hard and I have always loved it. The cabinets were a Craigslist find and I love the way they make the room feel.
Well, that completes the first floor. Sometime next week, I'll do the remainder of the house. Like I said, it's moving week, so I'm a bit stretched for time. I can't promise much in terms of consistency in posts at the moment, but if you stick around I will have plenty to share at a later date.
Have a great weekend!!
Have a great day everyone and go make some memories with the people in your 4 walls!
