It’s (almost) a new year and I’m feeling groovy

December 31, 2009

Thursday~December 31st, 2009

Most people wouldn’t choose this particular house. It has a flat roof except for the vaulted ceiling part which is what Miles calls the half triangle shape.

This house has it’s very own personal style that doesn’t really fit with the trends of the time. Kind of like our family.

When we were looking for a house, it was the first one that we saw. After that we saw house after house after house and couldn’t stop thinking about this one, “the funky house,” as our realtor consistently called it. The day we told her it was the one we wanted, her face lit up and she said she knew it would take just the right people to appreciate this house.

It’s true. During an open house, I watched the other house hunters look around not seeing it with their totally groovy contemporary modern goggles on like I was. We have loved and had a vision for this house since we first met it, and I’m so glad it’s now ours.

Sure, there’s a bit of a musty smell, and when we got here we found out that the dryer doesn’t work. Then Ryan tried to change out a shower head and found out that the valve was so old and unused it started leaking. Into the basement. And maybe the water tastes weird to us and it takes until January 5th for someone to come and hook up our internet and cable. But the thing is, we’re fine with all of that because we’re home.

We’re really home.

There is something about this house that is so good, so peaceful, we’re content with simply slowly working on the glitches and updates over time (and of course I’ll share pictures here).

In the meantime we get to love the way the house fills with light in the mornings through all the big windows. Then the boys run from one end of the house to the other in their jammies and I get to watch and see how they look so small with so much open space. I get to love how this house isn’t big, it’s just open and bright.

It’s just perfect in all of it’s imperfection.

I don’t know if I would be noticing all of this so much if the technician was able to hook us up before January 5th. Sure, it’s humorous that as we head into the year 2010 we have no cable or internet and have to leave home for those things, but a part of me is really glad that we’re starting out this way. Media-less. Unplugged. We’re without extra sound and void of entertainment of the screen variety. It’s teaching me that I don’t need the rapid-fire banter of Twitter or a constant check on my email as much as I thought I did. I unpack in the quiet and spend many more moments really looking at my boys, and that feels so good.

Lastly, I must add something of extreme importance…

…this house has a clothes chute. A clothes chute, people. And a dishwasher that actually washes the dishes without them being scrubbed first and then it completely dries them.

Beautiful.

So it’s a new year in our new funky house with outdated fixtures and faded wood floors. And maybe we have so much unpacking yet to do that we can’t find a whole lot of things we need in the moving mess. But we’re here and this place is ours and we love it, all of us.

This is the very best start to a new decade, if you ask me.

Happy New Year, my friends.

{ 53 comments }

--It's Your Movie-- December 31, 2009 at 10:41 am

When I saw the picture you posted a long time ago of the house you were buying I was immediately like, "OHH, it's so COOL!" You should get a new midcentury modern coffee table. :) And I totally get what you mean about a certain place feeling just right. Our house was the first one we looked at it and then we saw a ton more and none felt "right" like this one, even though some were bigger (our house is tiny!) and had more bathrooms (this one has 1.5). I'm so glad you found your house match. Welcome home!

Elaine A. December 31, 2009 at 10:44 am

I think 2010 is going to be so fabulous for you and your family Heather. What a wonderful way to start fresh. I'm so glad your new house is already feeling like HOME.

Happy New Year (and decade)! : )

C @ Kid Things December 31, 2009 at 11:09 am

I'm glad you're home. Happy New Year!

Ryley December 31, 2009 at 11:39 am

Happy New Year to you too.
It must feel so good to be home. I hope you guys enjoy all of those little quirks and learn to embrace them.
Enjoy your unplugged time. Sometimes thats a blessing in disguise..

Ambrosia December 31, 2009 at 11:41 am

Your house sounds beautiful! I grew up in a house with a clothes shoot. Oh, the things we used to throw down there. Toys. Animals. Brothers. I kinda miss it, y'know?
Have a happy new year! I recently took a "blogging break" and felt quite refreshed when I returned.

Sheryl December 31, 2009 at 11:58 am

oh i love this! do i say that every time?? well, i do love it!

so glad that you are home. i was going to say that i'm glad you're settled and i realized that you're not unpacked. but you ARE settled. your heart is. that is what's most important.

love ya, friend!!

Midwest Mommy December 31, 2009 at 12:00 pm

Happy New Year to you!

Jen December 31, 2009 at 12:14 pm

I am so glad that you are happy in your house. I hope that you have a great time with your family.

Happy New Year!

Becca December 31, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Ah. Home. Yea! That is a huge blessing. I'm glad you found your way there!

Dave December 31, 2009 at 12:35 pm

awesome. and i'm starting a pool to see how long it takes for a boy to get stuck in the laundry chute.

I'm gonna go with… Jan 2nd 2010.

and for bonus points, i'm gonna predict that the boy to be stuck will be…. the hubby.

have a great one :-)

Amy December 31, 2009 at 12:52 pm

Long live the laundry chute!!! My house has one, too. Trust me…it'll change your life.

Tooj December 31, 2009 at 1:02 pm

Congrats on finding your funky spot. :) A clothes chute is AWESOME…..so long as the boys don't think to throw one another down it. Of course, that is probably something only my boys would do. Ha!

Happy new year, lady.

Sue December 31, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Good for you on unplugging a little. Sometimes I think we forget that its o.k. if the internet is a temporary distraction from the kids, but it is NOT o.k. if the kids are a temporary distraction from the internet. Some of my friends are so constantly connected that I just can't fathom how on earth they spend much time being present in their actual, real lives.

Hänni December 31, 2009 at 1:16 pm

I love the idea of a good unplug! It sounds like, you're kind of camping (with the convenience of a dishwasher and *gasp* clothes shoot). Radical.

jen December 31, 2009 at 1:30 pm

it's so good to feel at home.
happy new year to you and your family … and your laundry chute.
my girls LOVE the chute … and think it's the greatest invention ever. works really well to get them to pick up clothing.

Roban December 31, 2009 at 1:48 pm

I think moving into a new house and making it your groovy little home is a perfect way to begin a new decade.

Enjoy being unplugged…

Hoping lots of special blessings come your way in 2010…

Roban

Jamie @ Six Bricks High December 31, 2009 at 1:58 pm

I'm so glad you are home! Have a very Happy New Year…sounds like you are off to a great start.

Rebecca December 31, 2009 at 2:01 pm

A clothes shoot – I'm turning green over here I'm so jealous!

Kristen December 31, 2009 at 2:21 pm

Welcome home, Heather! May you and your family enjoy many happy and healthy new years in your new space.

DeNae December 31, 2009 at 2:27 pm

A quiet, slow start is such a rare gift. As is finding yourself a "home" instead of just a roof over your head.

Beautifully put, Heather. I can't wait to see the pictures!

Kim December 31, 2009 at 2:56 pm

Happy New Year! Your house sounds wonderful!

Sabrina December 31, 2009 at 3:10 pm

I can't imagine you in any other house! Looking forward to coming for a visit!

Happy New Year!!!

maggie, dammit December 31, 2009 at 3:15 pm

That sounds absolutely perfect. I love the idea of the right house being like another family member.

Happy new year to you and yours, my friend. See you soon.

xo

Kristina P. December 31, 2009 at 3:48 pm

I would love to see pictures!

Wishing you the best 2010, Heather!

Kelly @ The Miller Mix December 31, 2009 at 3:59 pm

Sounds perfect. I'm so glad you're ringing in the new year with your family and your home.

H-Mama December 31, 2009 at 5:26 pm

so glad you guys found your 'home'. a laundry chute and a supreme dishwasher? awesomeness ;)

L.T. Elliot December 31, 2009 at 5:34 pm

I'm so happy for this post. It not only sounds like you have a perfect fit, but a delightful fit too. It's so easy to see your home's charm through your eyes. Welcome home and Happy New Year!

sara December 31, 2009 at 5:34 pm

and I loved reading this post!!! God is good….all the time!

MidnightCafe December 31, 2009 at 6:00 pm

I'm jealous of the laundry chute!! Glad you're getting settled & feeling good.

minnesotamom December 31, 2009 at 6:39 pm

So glad you're feeling "home" amidst all the chaos of moving during this season. I hope the company of your new old town will be just what you have been looking for!

Corinne December 31, 2009 at 7:45 pm

A CLOTHES SHOOT!?!? No way! That would be a deal breaker for me…I'm in a huge sea of envy right now!

But in all seriousness, I am so very happy for you, Heather. Happy New Year!

Baby Mama December 31, 2009 at 9:28 pm

im so excited for you to start this new adventure and home! happy new year!!

The Fritz Facts December 31, 2009 at 9:49 pm

So excited to see you get settled, and make the house even more your own.

I do have to say that I am JEALOUS of the clothes chute…ours is blocked off and that makes me really sad. Darn water softner…

Jen December 31, 2009 at 10:00 pm

Congrats! It must feel SO good to be HOME!

Terresa January 1, 2010 at 1:42 am

A clothes chute would totally rock. Jealous much? Yes, says I. :) (Never had one, still dreaming…)

Happy new years, you!

Steph @ Diapers and Divinity January 1, 2010 at 10:16 am

Happy New Year, Heather! You've got all the right kind of heart in your family to turn that house into a home in no time. It's a fun journey (if you ignore the bills).

Graceful January 1, 2010 at 10:30 am

Dear groovey girl,
Congratulations on moving into your new house — I cannot WAIT to see the pictures! You have survived a very trying time, and 2010 will surely bring blessings and joy in your new abode.

I also just want to say thanks to you for touching my life — I really connect with so many of your words. You are making a difference to me!
Michelle

Debbie January 1, 2010 at 10:32 am

I am so very, very happy for you, my dear friend. And I love a funky house too. Mine is such a mess and no other family would ever live her, even if they were paid. That's why it was meant to be ours.
I hope your family has a blessed 2010.

TKW January 1, 2010 at 11:09 am

I love that you have a funky house! I'm so pleased that you are getting a happy vibe from it…that's really important! Happy New Year!

Marisa January 1, 2010 at 2:30 pm

So glad you are feeling at home already! Have a wonderful time adding your own touches!

Kelly @ Love Well January 1, 2010 at 7:10 pm

You're HOME! Congratulations my friend. I can't think of a better place to be to start 2010.

Mommy Mo January 1, 2010 at 9:47 pm

I cannot wait to see pictures of your house- I am positive it is very cool, just like you!

Happy New Year Heather!

Haley January 2, 2010 at 3:48 am

So happy for you and your family!

It's nice to know you are already starting to settle in.

I'm more excited than I can say about next weekend!

Anonymous January 2, 2010 at 9:11 am

Congrats. On all of it. On recognizing the house for the home that it is. For the tedium of packing and unpacking which really isn't tedious when you know and feel that you are truly home. For the voice and heart that you have maintained even through sickness and relocating. Congrats.

Happy New Year. I can't think of a better start for a new decade, either. Enjoy it all (I know you will)!

Sarah January 2, 2010 at 9:19 am

Um, yeah. That's me, Anonymous up there. Weird server timeout apparently.

Angie January 2, 2010 at 5:19 pm

And you are all together… that makes it a perfect home. :) Congrats on the groove.

Sarah@EmergingMummy January 2, 2010 at 10:47 pm

Yay! Glad you're in and (getting) settled.

Graceful January 3, 2010 at 1:59 pm

Hi Heather,
I know you're crazy busy and you may not do the "award thing," (I'm not sure I really get the blogger award thing myself), but I gave you an award on my blog today, and I just wanted to let you know. I do really, really love reading your blog! You can pick up your "lemonade stand award" over at Graceful. Thanks!

Kazzy January 3, 2010 at 3:48 pm

Happy New Year! I am excited for you to be in your new funky house! I hope to see more photos soon.

Anti-Supermom January 3, 2010 at 9:40 pm

I agree with what others have said: it sounds like a wonderful, fresh start to your life. What better gift in the new year can you ask for?

kanishk January 5, 2010 at 2:26 pm

glad you are feeling at home already! Have a wonderful time adding your own touches!

Work from home India

tara January 5, 2010 at 4:18 pm

i've been thinking about you, about the move, hoping all went well. sounds like it went very well indeed! i'm glad you're already feeling homey.

Lisa January 7, 2010 at 10:44 pm

Congrats on the move! You sound very positive about it, although that can be a very stressful thing.

And wow, the pic of Asher wearing the blue shirt and the paci…looks JUST like you! Amazing.

Happy New Year.

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