Mountains and Valleys

A year ago, our life looked very different than it does today.  We were living in a home we loved in a mountain community we loved, but my husband's commute of just over an hour each way to the valley was taking a toll on not just him - but on myself and the boys.  We needed more time with daddy home…time that he wasn't exhausted and trying to catch up on sleep. After a weekend away together, we decided it was time to make some changes.  Up went the for sale sign and the beginning of our new journey.

our home in the mountains

We moved over the summer to a small community where my mom had once lived. It has always been one of my all time favorite places, and I have loved visiting family here since I was a child. It also shortened my husbands commute to only 20 minutes.  The housing market is slim here for our budget so we decided to rent (the only house available to rent at the time!) while we looked and waited and prayed for a house meant for us. 

chikens at our farmhouse rental

The 6 months that we rented the "farmhouse" was a fun yet challenging experience. There was plenty of room for the boys to play outside and ride dirt bikes. We even got to take care of ten chickens. But it always felt like we were living in someone else's home. It took a couple of weeks to get over the feeling that I was trespassing. :)  

farmhouse rental kitchen

I tried to keep a good attitude about our temporary situation, but I was longing to have my own place - a place to dream about, create, and enjoy with my family. After the sadness of losing out on two houses, God provided the perfect place and in the perfect timing for escrow to close on our new home right before our lease was up at the rental.

We've had some highs and lows these last 6 months…mountains and valleys.  We've had many, many changes (location, school, friends, church, medical issues, etc).  There have been some bumps in the road but God has provided peace and security along the way.

I can't wait to share some projects and pictures of our new home with you. Here's a sneak peak at what it looks like from the real estate listing:

See that extra garage to the left of the house? 

That, my friends, is begging for a "Carriage House" makeover.  

 We have the most amazing, serene view from the back of the house.