Moving

For the last 11 years we have updated, painted, replaced and added onto our old Victorian home. The amount of money that one can put into your home is mind-blowing and Evan and I were done with it. With three kids we just didn't have the money anymore to keep doing it and while we loved our old home with all of its character we were less in love with all of the projects that went along with it.

So in April we listed our home for sale. We told our realtor that we didn't have to move. We could still love our home if no one else came along. We liked our neighbors, we loved our school and we were in no rush to move on.

The red couch was tossed to the curb. Butters was heartbroken and I couldn't believe no one came to claim free furniture full of dog hair. Toys and books were stored away. A home stager came in and rearranged furniture in a more pleasing way. We were functioning on just the bare necessities so our home would appear clutter free and as if a buyer could picture themselves enjoying the fireplace that we had only used once.

We had many showings, some people stayed only for a few minutes while others stayed for nearly an hour. We would pack up the kids, any loose clutter and the dog and sit in the car a block away so I could first see who was coming (are these the type to actually make an offer) and secondly so we would know when they left so we could go home again. I'm pretty sure this was very confusing to Butters but our neighbors always got a good laugh watching us spying on potential buyers.

It only took 2 1/2 weeks to get an offer. Someone else had fallen in love with our old house just like we had all those years ago. With her inspection done and her very long list of to dos to get it ready for her we were very busy this summer. But on July 16th we all said good-bye to Fell Avenue.

I thought I would cry leaving our first home. We brought home all of our babies to that house, watched them take their first steps on that beautiful hardwood floor and celebrated new jobs. But I was very content while looking around our vacant home before we locked the door; all of those memories would be coming with us and we will be making even more memories in the new house.

When packing up all of ones belongings it is essential that you ask yourself "Do I really use this? Do I really need to bubblewrap this, pack it in a box and move it across town?" At least that is what my mother in law kept telling me. The amount of help that we had packing everything up, bubble-wrapping and then actually loading it into the U-Haul was fantastic. Our family came and conquered and our church family also showed up with smiles and hearts of gold.

The kids stayed excited throughout the whole process. And while the thought of starting out at a new school was slightly terrifying to Liam it helped to know that our new neighborhood is overflowing with kids his age. And also that we were not leaving town and so if he wanted to see someone from our old neighborhood or school we could just call them up and see them in less than 30 minutes.

We may still have boxes in the basement to sort through but for the most part we have settled in well. We have most pictures hung and our day to day life can be accomplished without wondering what box did we pack that in. Life is good in the new house. My husband is relaxed and not constantly worried about home projects that seem impossible to get done. The kids have met neighborhood kids and adapted very well to their new school. They also love their new after school program.

This was the best thing for us at this time in our family. It couldn't have turned out any better than it has.