Friday, February 21, 2014

Our New House!

Well, our search for our home has finally come to a close! We found it - THE home -  and we are so very happy! We feel so blessed that things have worked out the way they have and can't wait for our next chapter! I've attached some pictures, but I'll give a quick summary of how this all happened…

So, back in October, Tim and I were driving around Copperwood (in West Lethbridge), getting a feel for the neighbourhood etc., and we came across a house that was just finished being built. I fell in love with it from the outside (curb appeal points), and so I looked it up when I got home. The asking price was in our budget, and it was about 250 sq ft bigger than some of the other comparable homes we had looked at. Since it was a new build, I was able to look up the floor plan, and I fell in love with it as well. I told Tim I really wanted to go look at it, and he agreed. At this point we weren't quite ready to buy, so he was worried I was going to get my heart set on it too soon, but he agreed the house was intriguing and he loved the idea of Copperwood (new area, close to work, lots of young families etc). We went to see the house, and it was very dreamy inside. My heart fluttered because when I walked in, there was the perfect room for me to put my piano in. There's a room at the front of the house (they call it a den) that is perfect for a piano and a couch. I had been looking for a house with enough space for a comfortable family room, with room for our couches, tables AND my piano, and it was hard for me to picture it working in most of the houses we looked at. Plus, for teaching voice lessons, I can have that extra room away from all the commotion, which will function so well for my young family. Tim calls that front room the Family Home Evening room, which I love. He is used to me and my songs by now i guess. :)

So a few months pass, and I keep looking up this dream house…and, it's still there! Still posted as being for sale. I kept waiting for the day (yeah, I probably checked everyday) when the posting would no longer be available, but that day never did come. So about three weeks ago, I just couldn't shake the idea that we should go look at it again, and that it was by far the house that stood out to both Tim and I for some many reasons. So we took my parents to see it, (I really wanted their opinion) and they agreed that it was pretty awesome. It had the most square footage for the price out of any "newish" home we looked at. We liked the idea and it felt more and more right the more we thought about it, so we decided to put in an offer! After some stressful nights and negotiations (my nails are non-existent) that's a story in itself, IT'S OFFICIALLY OURS!

So here it is…



So this is the Piano/Family Home Evening room. 
I love all the natural light from the big windows.

Half bath on main floor

Tim is pretty excited!
(Can't you tell from the huge smile on his face!) ;)

Kitchen
love that there is a breakfast bar
and i can't even express my excitement for a dishwasher!
Pantry

Dining Room
these pictures make it look more beige, but the walls are actually more of a grey

Living room
I greatly appreciate the massive windows

View from the living room into the kitchen

stub wall separating the living room and the dining room

Bedroom #1

I love the display shelving

Bedroom #2

Laundry room
i'm very glad it upstairs!

Main bathroom


Master Bedroom
Tim says i can have two whole racks in the closet to myself! Lucky me!





Lots of light :)


Can't wait to rediscover all of my belongings that have been hiding in storage for 7 months! 

So we take possession April 16! We are savouring these last few months with my parents and sisters. It's been such a blessing to be so close to them, and especially for Renne. She is very lucky to have so many people who love her.



Renne Turns One!

I can't believe it, but this little munchkin turned one yesterday!!


We had a super fun day, and a really great party! So many friends and family came to celebrate with us. I love birthdays almost as much as I love life. And growing up, our birthdays were always a big deal, so I loved planning this day and tried to make it perfect for my little Renne.

Pre-party pictures in her birthday outfit
yes, yes, i made her wear a skirt ok







Uh, is someone spotting me, cause my feet can't touch the ground…??

Not really loving mom and dad picture time


                                



Not surprisingly, this girl loved eating her cake icing
"Mom, why haven't you given me this stuff before?"

Too much Birthday? 
I think most likely, too much sugar...


Present time!


Not really sure about this whole present opening thing yet









Renne loves her auntie Jocy. She has been so lucky to spend so much time with her lately!



Thank you to everyone who made this day so much fun!