When & I moved into our cozy little home just over six years ago, it seemed like a natural next step. Married and dog owners. And living separately (and mostly long distance) for 4.5 of our then 5.5 year relationship was challenging and lonely. I think I underestimated lots of aspects of this adventure... buying a 30+ year old home comes with inherent pros and cons.
Shortly after moving in, our water went from flat rate to metered. Realizing we'd bought a mini jungle, some adjustments had to be made. We've spent a small fortune removing the over growth in the front yard created by the previous owners. I would have much rather spent that money on a kitchen remodel. But alas, you can actually see out house from the street now. So, the kitchen remodel waits.
Then, plumbing problems... the dreaded words any homeowner has nightmares about. That 6 month fiasco seems so far away now... but holy tragedy was that a mess! Thank GOODNESS for my parents who live nearby who arranged their whole lives to be at our house when countless contractors managed the plumbing issues, and then when were forced to remodel both bathrooms, simultaneously, unexpectedly and with every penny of savings we had. I would have much rather spent that money on a kitchen remodel. But
alas, you can actually pee at our house when you visit now. So, the kitchen
remodel waits.
Then, once again, we we were faced with addressing a mini jungle, but this time in the back year... and some adjustments had to be made.
We've spent our third small fortune removing the over growth in the backyard
created by the previous owners. I would have much rather spent that
money on a kitchen remodel. But alas, that beautiful, bare, dirt backyard is cleaned up. So, the kitchen remodel waits.
And then Thanksgiving on 2014, while my hubby was showering, I decided my heightened emotional state may be more than just a heightened emotional state... so I decided to take a pregnancy test. And it was positive. We were overjoyed with that faint, second pink line, but decided to wait until 12 weeks to tell anyone, considering our previous pregnancies. This once stuck, and plans to prepare for baby earmarked any small savings from that of "kitchen remodel fund" to "baby fund." So, once again, the kitchen remodel waits.
Even without my dream kitchen, a home isn't about perfect plumbing (though working plumbing is vital!), and it's not a "done" backyard. A home isn't items from a catalog or the latest-and-greatest-anything. A home is place where your faces fill picture frames. A home is an unmade bed, a pile of dirty laundry, a basket of dog toys, and an sense of peace when you walk in the door to be greeted by the world's most loving and beautiful dog! A home is your roots, your stuff, your smell and your safe haven! And our home is where my baby will grow up knowing he is loved, where we will carve pumpkins, write to Santa and hunt for Easter eggs. Home is where baby will play with Penny and help dad in the yard. Home is where we will eat pancakes, watch movies, hash out problems, and come together as a family. Our home is one of my greatest blessings & I am grateful for a cozy, little space where my family will grow and continue to make the most amazing memories!
