It's good to be home

October 24, 2017

Well hello! I'm writing to you from our new home!! 

It was a whirlwind of a weekend but we are getting settled slow but sure. Other than having my baby and marrying my husband, I've never been happier. This is our dream home and we are constantly pinching ourselves that we get to live here. I've gone from teary (with happiness) to giggling like a little girl more than once over the past few days.

Here's some shots I've taken of our home and the process. 
felt letter board Walmart

I found that letter board sign months ago at Walmart after a blog friend shared her find. Less than ten bucks people!! When we decided to move I knew exactly where I was going to put it. (In our laundry/mud room.)

I kept all of these plants (and more!) alive in the hotel room. Where's my sticker?: 
thick window sill with plants

I was absolutely starving the morning of our move so I grabbed cinnamon rolls and baked them in our new oven. Because I COULD: 
double oven microwave combo

If you haven't had Trader Joe's cinnamon rolls you are missing out. Delish. 

I quickly realized having a house full of boxes wasn't going to fly with me. I knew it would drive me crazy. I was unpacking boxes as they were bringing them in. Boxes like this were my favorites: 
moving into a house

Lightweight? Check. Not much inside? Check. Easy to put away? Check. Lamp shade boxes were another favorite. 👊

By the way. We have a ton of pillows. Most of these were on the window seat (yes I'm planning to add another one!). But woooow: 
blue white green pillows

This is when I started sweating a little. Nope. Can't handle this for too long: 
moving in

The friends were visiting immediately and we feasted on delivery pizza: 
white table wood chairs

I've spent a lot of time outside. You don't do that a whole lot at a hotel. So sitting on our new patio has been a treat:
breakfast of champions

Another treat? Fresh air. We couldn't open windows at the hotel and I couldn't wait throw open the sashes. :) 

As much as I wanted all the boxes emptied right away I ended up being fine just having a walkway through most rooms. But by the end of the second day I had the kitchen, mud room, family room and the master bath pretty much finished up: 
faux marble tile in bathroom

BEAST MODE. That level of unpacking has not continued though. 😂 I've done about ten boxes in the past two days in comparison. 

Sweet neighbors brought us cupcakes the second day: 
white kitchen brass hardware

And I had wine to celebrate my unpacking binge. By the way, her cupcakes were delicious and the icing was the best I've ever had. I hope she'll share the recipe. 

The animals settled in almost immediately. All three of them have been cooped up in the tiny hotel for so long, and we could barely even wait to bring them to our home!! We knew they'd love it: 
dark gray chair

We still can't find our sheets. I don't even care. I was just thrilled we were able to get the sleep number connected and filled up on the first night. I woke up the next morning smiling: 
two windows on either side of bed

No. The nightstands are still not finished and yes I'm deciding between two lamps. :) 

I just sit, look around and smile like an idiot. Can't believe it and can't believe how much this place feels like home already: 
dark railings white spindles on stairs

That's pretty awesome by the way. That this house feels so comfortable so fast. I know it's because we picked everything out and saw the progress along the way. It's also because this was meant to be our house. When I got to know my husband, I knew he was meant to be my partner for life. When we came across our dog one day not even looking to adopt a pet, I knew he was meant to be our pup. When we walked into this house for the first time when it was just studs, I knew it was meant to be our home. 

As I mentioned, the cats are doing just fine:
round glass coffee table

You couldn't even walk through the mud room the first day. I mean, legit, boxes piled four feet in the air, flat boxes piled all over the entire floor. Oh and did I mention we haven't washed clothes in awhile because a. I was done paying for it when I knew we were moving in and b. you could fit about six things in each load there so a normal sized load cost about $10. I ain't doin' it. ;) 

We hooked up the washer and dryer yesterday and did a little happy dance. I've NEVER been so happy to do laundry. Ever: 
laundry with gray washer and dryer

A friend gifted this foaming bath a couple weeks ago at a gift exchange and I've used it twice so far here. If you're counting I've taken two baths and two showers in three days because I can: 
Foaming bath

Annnnd now I know exactly what I'm giving everyone I know for a housewarming gift from now on. A hot bubble bath after being on your feet all day is exquisite. 

Things are coming together, slow but sure. We've had a tiny TV in our room but hopefully as of tonight we'll be watching TV in the family room. Can I tell you how much I missed cable? We had it in the hotel but I never realized quite how amazing DVRs were. I mean, a gift from God. He knows. 

We've gone grocery shopping and it's actually been quite fun. I loathe grocery shopping and IT WAS FUN. Because we have a place to put food. :) I filled the baking jars again -- it's the little things. I was practically clicking my heels in the air as I filled them up: 
baking jars white subway tile

(I'm installing shelves there soon.) 

Most of the house? Looks like this:
future office

But I'm cool with it. It's going to take a long time. I joked that it would take about six months to unpack everything and now I'm thinking that may not be that far off. :) I don't even care. The main areas are mostly cleaned out and I'm getting used to seeing cardboard everywhere. As long as we're here I will gladly take it!!

I have to say...even though our "in between" got to me at times, it made me appreciate this house even more. I would recommend it to everyone at one point or another because you get a much different perspective on the little things in life. Opening the windows, baking, stretching out on the floor. All of the things. It's really changed how I look at home now, in a good way. 

OH and this process has changed how I look at our stuff now too. I've already got two boxes full of donate/sell and many more will be coming. I'm looking at so much of it and saying WHY did I keep this?? After not using some items for so long it lessens that attachment to them. Other things, like our bed? Those things I want to marry because I missed them so much. Anyway, more on that later. 

I'll be back with more updates and tours of the rooms! I LOVE THIS HOUSE!! Thanks for all your love and support, we have appreciated it so much!! 

P.S. I'm sharing stories on Instagram pretty often so you can get a good look at the progress there too. :)

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Comments

  1. Oh where is your chandelier from in the dining room? I have been looking for something similar. Love it!

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    1. Me too! I'm pulling a source list together because we got everything through the builder. I am making a list and finding alternative sources, so stay tuned!!

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    2. Hi!!!Congrats! Home is gorgeous! We are about 2 months away from moving into our new home. I can't wait.I have enjoyed following you and your journey. Enjoy and have lots of fun settling in. PS Dr Teal's is AMAZING!!!!

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  3. I know you have to be just thrilled to finally be in your new home, and while not settled, just the joy of knowing the build is behind you is immense. So happy for you friend.

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  4. Yay! Congratulations on moving in!!! I can't wait to see how you make it all (more) wonderful :D

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  5. Congratulation! Wishing you all many happy years in your beautiful, new home.

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  6. Congratulations! I'm beyond excited for you guys! Beautiful new home and looking forward to all the projects that will make it yours.

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  7. Your new house looks A.MAZ.ING! Can't wait to see more once you get settled. Enjoy!

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  8. So happy for you all! It looks like so much fun!

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  9. What a beautiful home which made the wait worth it!! Congratulations!! it is just lovely. take care from Iowa

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  10. Let your sister look through those donate boxes yo!! 😘😘

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  11. This is so exciting and y’all deserve it!!! It looks so gorgeous! We still have boxes I’m embarrassed to say after 2 months. I keep telling myself maybe they will unpack themselves lol. But I remembered you posted about the book life changing art of tidying up so I’m thinking I may order it and see if that helps me!!!! Can’t wait to see more photos!!!!! Cheering you on from Nc!!!!

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  12. Wishing you all the best as you set your new GORGEOUS home! Angie from Mukilteo, WA (IG Bungalow904)

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  13. Your excitement is coming through in your writing! So happy for you! When we remodeled our kitchen I took my time putting things back and got rid of anything that we really didn't need. Everything I kept had to be "worthy" of the new space. Take your time and get things exactly the way you want them - have fun!
    Shelley

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  14. Looking good so far! Can't wait to see the finished product! :)

    Turquoise and Chaos

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  15. SO stinkin’ excited for you all!! Congratulations! I can’t wait to see more of your progress in your lovely home!

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  16. So happy for you! Also... definitely the curved lamps, not the stick ones! :)

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  17. I'm embarrassed to say we moved into our first house just over a year aho and still haven't unpacked everything. We lived in an apartment for 8 years and quite haven't figured out how to use all this space. Lol. But just like you said as we've gone through the boxes we have found so many things that we can't figure out why we kept them

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  18. I'm so excited for you! This is such a lovely home and I'm sure it's going to come together wonderfully. That letterboard is so cute!

    xx Chelsea
    www.organizedmessblog.com

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  19. Congratulations!!!Tell us about your wood floors, they look really nice.

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  20. Congratulations, Sarah! It has been so exciting to follow along with you on this journey. You are HOME! I can't wait to see how you make this gorgeous space your own. So happy for you.

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  21. Wow!!! Dream house for sure, and I love that you realize how very fortunate you are. There’s no place like home. Is that a new rug in your family/living room? Perfect colors and style for mine...do you mind sharing where you found it? Thank you!

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  22. Love your home, love your enthusiasm, and love how real you are keeping the process of moving and unpacking! Can't wait to see more. I know it's going to be fabulous!!

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  23. I love your home! And sidenote- I think I need a lettering board now!
    XO Ellen from Ask Away
    www.askawayblog.com

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  24. Congratulations! I am so happy for you and your family. We also live in our dream home and I always love being home....eager to see all your decorating!

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  25. I have copied many of your projects from your last house and thoroughly enjoy following you on your blog. Congratulaions on your new home! I have been wanting to get one of those letter boards for a while now but didn't want to pay the hefty pricetag. Thanks so much for sharing that Walmart carries it. Picking one up today!

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  26. Congratulations Sarah! Wow, everything looks wonderful, even with the boxes. I know just what you mean about losing the attachment to things you haven't seen for awhile. This summer I painted my living room and dining room, so all the pictures and mirrors came down (naturally). Since then, I've rehung only 3 things. The rest are still in my basement. When I look at them, I'm not so sure they're going back up. Or at least not in the LR and DR. By the way, I vote for the gourd lamps for your bedroom. Enjoy your new home!

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  27. So happy for you in your new house. I'm in Indy, so know that you didn't have the best weather to move, but you got it done anyway. Now comes the work but also the enjoyment. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

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  28. I'm so happy your in your house now. Can't wait to see how beautiful you make it. On another note. Your ads on your page kept popping up all over the place and I couldn't get rid of the one in the middle of your pics. So annoying. I even have a Mac which blocks most pop up ads. Just an FYI...

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  29. I'm so thrilled for you, Sarah!! Moving is TOUGH without a doubt! When I was moving into my house I had the movers put all the boxes in the garage so I could put them away at my leisure. It kept me sane....I would bring in a few boxes each day and get them put away, the boxes back out, and start all over again. This way there weren't a BILLION boxes all over the house! Looking forward to watching you settle in and create the amazing cozy home I know you will!

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  30. Congratulations on being in your new home! I'm so happy for all of you. Everything looks wonderful, and I am looking forward to seeing your finishing touches. Enjoyed reading about your FEELINGS and thoughts!

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  31. Congratulations on your beautiful new home!! Even with all the boxes it already looks gorgeous!! I'm going to pin your kitchen to my dream kitchen board because it's what I have envisioned my dream kitchen to look like one day. :)

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  32. I got to move into my dream home one year ago...nothing better!! Thank you, for reminding me again, of how lucky I am to have what I have...sadly...that initial thrill has worn off to a degree and I'm remembering, now, how blessed I am! I love my house the most when my family gathers and fills every corner...that's when it's a home!!! Love your posts, thanks for sharing your journey!

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  33. Who is the builder of your new house? It is gorgeous!

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  34. Congratulations! So happy for you. I'm excited because I know there will be lots of projects down the road and once you get settled. It is true that you don't realize the little things you are thankful for until you have to do without them for awhile. Enjoy!!!

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  35. I've moved into several brand new houses and the thrill does wear off after awhile like someone posts. I always tell friends not to build because you want "new" and "on trend" because that won't last, but make sure it's because of the floorplan and how the house works for you for years to come!

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    1. I'd love love to see your floor plan. I think it's what we're thinking of next!

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If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!