7.01.2010

home.

It's so surreal--we are homeowners. We closed on Tuesday afternoon. All along, a part of me couldn't let go of the possibility that something may fall through, but instead everything worked out more smoothly than we could have imagined. Even after shaking hands and being handed keys, it still felt so unreal. I need to pinch myself. We just bought a home. We get to live...here.

After closing, we went out for a celebratory dinner at an amazing little pizza place in our new 'hood. Then of course we stopped by {our. house.} to unlock the front door and soak it all in. It was really heartwarming to watch Graham run from room to room, up and down the stairs, and all around the backyard, exclaiming "da! da!" (Whatever that means...) His glee was just the icing on the cake. I think he's really gonna flourish here.

I'd be a complete liar-liar-pants-on-fire if I told you it's all been pure bliss. The truth is that a twinge of buyer's remorse and doubt hit me like a ton of bricks circa Tuesday night. Maybe it's all of the cardboard boxes in my life and the big bad move coming up this weekend. (Next time we are hiring the professionals.) Maybe it's the drained savings account. Maybe it's my reservations about the neighborhood and busier street. Maybe it's the giant responsibility & commitment of a mortgage+yard+house. Most likely, it's a little bit of everything.

I've been praying for God to quiet my fears and fill my heart with joy and thankfulness over this beautiful new place. We are tremendously blessed. This space has truly everything I'd ever dreamed to find in a home. Whenever I think about how I will fill all of those darling little built-ins, I can't help but smile and regain my confidence in this place. God is good. We're going to be one happy little family here. I just know it.My top 10 favorite things about our home:
1. Inviting red front door
2. Open staircase
3. Hardwood floors
4. Cozy fireplace + pretty mantel
5. Cute built-ins. A necessity.
6. The upstairs bathroom. {Clearly, Graham's pretty amped about the tub, too.}
7. Sparkling stainless steel kitchen appliances
8. And granite countertops.
9. All the yummy wainscoting
10. Our massive backyard deck.We move in Saturday! Pray for sunshine!

42 comments:

Heather @ Life Made Lovely said...

congratulations!! it looks so beautiful just as an empty, i can't imagine how lovely it will be once you and your family put your stamp on it. enjoy!!

Leslie said...

HOLY COW.. stunning..... seriously Jess.. Really really.... wish they had houses like that up here..

that home is a find... the bathroom and builtins and red door made me swoon.

CONGRATS homeowner...

Whatever Dee-Dee wants said...

What a gorgeous home! Congratulations and good luck with the move!

Christine E-E said...
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Christine E-E said...

sorry - I deleted my earlier post! don't know what happened? it was a scrambled mess of letters.
Your house is precious... Makes me think I'd love to move from California...
I hope you will indulge our interest in your decorating of your NEW home when you are settled. Please, please with sugar on top!
My fav ~ the hardwood floors! and the mantel over our fireplace....
Good Luck getting settled!

Michelle {lovely little things} said...

Your house is beautiful! I love the shelves, the tile, the door, it's truly lovely!

SOentertained said...

Gorgeous and perfect for your beautiful family. Can't wait to see it in person!

Chelle said...

Praying for your move this weekend... a lot, a lot. I only wish we were able to help you with it...and then Jess, happy home sweet home to you guys...it's beyond dreamy... perfect for your beautiful little family. Elated for you dear friend!

Andi Mae said...

Oh, Jess! Congratulations!! So so happy + excited for you guys! Your house is so BEAUTIFUL! Seriously. Amazing! Praying for you guys' move this weekend- totally know how stressful that can be.

And we can also completely relate to the buyers remorse- I think it is really common with your first home- just to reassure you, we felt it too and now that we are here, it is completely gone. Sure sometimes we feel like we are bleeding money now- all the little things add up so fast. But the kids are so so so happy here and it really is a dream come true!

Sorry for all the rambling...
xo

Laura Hooker said...

OMG...AMAZING, I want to move in. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO jealous! Congratulations Jessica~Laura

kt said...

like I said on FB this house is amazingly cute and I am so happy for you guys. Praying God's peace and reassurance falls over you too!

Can't wait to see how you decorate this little space. I want ALL the details k :)

and there's something just so 'american' about this house - the kitchen... the bathroom... the granite... I can't explain it but its really really sweet :)

ashley maureen said...

congratulations! your home is beautiful. i can't wait to see more photos as you make it your own.

Ashley said...

Wow! It is SO gorgeous!!! It's making ME excited, ha ha! I don't know you well, but it seems like you deserve this little piece of heaven. Congratulations, I'm sure you'll fill that home with lots of love.

daniella said...

Oh wow! What a special time in your life. To top it off, it's a beautiful house too and you'll make it into a beautiful home as well. Praying blessings on you and your family, and that the Lord will invade every hallway, crook and crany of it.

(LOOOOOVE the built-ins! Perfect for the bookworm and photo-framing obessive like me...) Makes me want to go start shopping for you, HA! A rug, a foyer table, a base and flowers...

Jenna Lou said...

Wow... that place couldn't be more dreamy. It's pretty much what I hope our house will look like one day.

Congratulations!!

Michelle said...

It's so beautiful! I want to move now and find a charming house. I can't wait to see how you decorate it!

Amanda said...

I want to live here!!! It has everything I dream about when I think of the home I want to live in.

jen @ homeinthecountry said...

Your new house is stunning - congratulations!

If it makes you feel any better, I've always had just a twinge of buyers remorse after closing on a house (we're in our third house now)... I think it's just such a huge purchase and the "what ifs" start running through my head. Hopefully the little twinges will subside around the time that you're painting, unpacking, and making your house a home - mine always did!

Cassie said...

Congratulations. It looks so homely already, even without all your things so I imagine it will be even more gorgeous when you are all settled in.

Safe and happy moving xx

Amanda said...

Your house is gorgeous! I LOVE the built-ins! And the wood floors... and the bathroom... it looks amazing. My husband and I bought our first house last August, and I still deal with those feelings of buyer's remorse/uncertainty. It's such a huge investment, it would be hard not to feel that way. I hope you have lots of fun moving in and making this your home!

Alecia said...

Congratulations! Definitely praying for sunshine and cool July Minnesota weather for you this weekend! Enjoy your new space. Wish we could find something like that . . . I am still holding out hope! Best wishes.

Allison said...

Congratulations, it looks BEAUTIFUL! I know your family will create memories of a lifetime in this home. Best wishes and congratulations again :)

Kat said...

I'm in love with all the built-ins. It looks like such a gorgeous house, congratulations!

ellen said...

it's beautiful -- post lots of photos when you get settled!

summer said...

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
so. beautiful.
congratulations, jessica!
i'm so happy for you!

have a lovely said...

how beautiful is your new place! i hope it feels like home sweet home so very quickly! it is just precious and full of so much charm!!! congratulations!!!!

Theresa B said...

BEAUTIFUL! Hang pictures ASAP - it'll feel more like *your home* once you have those up.

On Second Street said...

gorgeous! What a charming home! I love the built-ins. you are going to have so much fun.

Bridget said...

that house is sooo lovely. i LOVE the bathroom/tub/black&white floors.

Katie said...

SOOO beautiful! Congrats...seriously this would be my dream home too! :)

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Nikki said...

Jessica ~ This house is AMAZING!!!! Even without your belongings, even without you making it your perfectly feathered nest, it is gorgeous. So, so happy for your family to be able to call this place home! And I can't wait to see more photos once you've moved in! Congratulations, homeowner!

Bluebelle said...

That house is beautiful! Thank you for sharing. We saw a house a couple of weeks ago that looked perfect but they accepted another offer before we could have a second viewing. It's so encouraging to see that God has given you such a beautiful place to grow your family - I know he will for us too, although I am struggling to be patient at the moment! Thanks for sharing. :)

Nicole said...

Congratulations on your new home! It is beautiful!! You will be very happy there, I'm sure.
I used to live in South Minneapolis and loved it.
[We just moved ~1 year ago.]

Aminta said...

so so so so lovely! I am in love with your home and what you do with it...... it will be insane amazing.
Jessica, you are lovely, and will make this a beautiful home.

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Chelle said...

Been praying for you. How'd the move go dearie? Hoping you had lots of help, wishing I could drop by with a happy housewarming bouquet of my own for you. Love you friend.

casey said...

oh my goodness. wow. beautiful! what a wonderful home! congrats!

Anonymous said...

your new home is GORGEOUS!

Jenny said...

this house is divine!

Alivia said...

Oh, sweet goodness. So, now that you've moved in, when are you thinking of moving out and selling it to me? Seriously, I just exclaimed, out loud, "HOLY GOD I LOVE THIS WOMAN'S HOUSE!" My roommate was incredulous until she saw pictures! :)

Tan Family said...

This house is stunning! And, with your touch, it will be ready to be featured in a magazine, no doubt. You have a beautiful blog. Those fears are normal (we've gone through it a few times!). Enjoy every minute of living and fixing up your beautiful home. :) (I found your blog through Rhythm of the Home)