The Big Move

Well, that's a wrap.  Since the last post, we have closed on the house and moved into the house.  It's been a very busy few weeks, and thankfully today I have the time to blog again.

The move was long, and typical.  They estimated our shipment at 15,000 pounds, and it took them two full days to pack, and a full day to load and unload the truck.  They packed our things very carefully, which is sort of a double edged sword.  It's great to have things arrive safely and in one piece, but that also means you have piles and piles of paper to dispose of.  And it takes awhile to unpack when every little thing is carefully wrapped in paper.  I'm not complaining though, because only ONE thing was broken in this move.  Just one.  And that was when one of the guys actually fell off the truck while he was carrying it.  We had every last box unpacked and everything in its rightful place within 72 hours.  I think that was a record.  There were so many things coming up though that I really needed to get it done quickly so I could focus on the next alligator closest to the boat.

I'm sure glad this is over with.  I dreaded it.  I dreaded leaving the old house.  I still get sad when I go up there to either clean or pick something up.  Justice cried like a fool when we closed that front door after the movers picked the boxes up.  Jack is still mad.  He says he doesn't like the new house.  

Me?  I do love the new house.  I do miss the old house.  But I am happy here.  Everything is new, it is well organized and it has been a snap keeping it clean.  I had a difficult time keeping the old house clean, and now I know why.  It really was TOO SMALL.  The stacks of clothing, the overflowing toy boxes, there was always stuff everywhere.  Not anymore.  Clothing is in closets where it belongs, toys are in the playroom.  The Coach, the kids and I aren't stepping all over each other in our bathroom, and everything is just pretty much awesome.  And new.  We bought all new furniture.  There are a few pieces from the old house that we were emotionally attached to for one reason or another, but the rest is new.

Without further ado, here are a few pictures.  And I'm going to start with the bathroom, because that surprisingly is my favorite room.  There is a huge tub, whereas we didn't have a tub in our old bathroom.  Just a shower.  I love the stone tile, especially the shower floor.  

And there is the fact that I have my own sink.  And a whole bunch of storage space.  I'm not tripping over Joe's razor or toothbrush chargers.  I also don't have to deal with his man-business, because there is a separate toilet-closet with a super powered fan.  I'm not even sure whether he's pooped since we moved in because he's left no trace.  Ha.  

The master bedroom is beautiful.

This is without a doubt the favorite room in the house for everybody.  It's the "hearth room", and it's right off the kitchen.  We put the craft/computer space there, a small seating area, and and a casual dining set.  I can be in the kitchen cooking, the kids can be on the computer and The Coach can be watching TV all at the same time, and all of us together.  That was my biggest worry with the new house, that we wouldn't ever spend time together anymore.  This room solves that problem.

I had some serious doubters about how this space was going to work out.  When I took people through the empty house and showed them this space and said "this will be the craft room…" I got all sorts of crazy looks and a few laughs.  

Well, it worked out great, and just as I pictured it in my head.  

This is a view from the other direction so you can see the table.  I know I need to get some things on the walls, but that will take time.  And did I mention I hate putting stuff on walls?  Yeah, I'm not keen on putting holes in walls.  If it weren't for the invention of those cool velcro strip picture hanging things then they'd probably stay bare forever.

And just to the right of that table is the kitchen.  The kitchen is very nice.  The new fridge is really neat, and we put the old fridge in the garage and I love having two refrigerators again.

Living room.  The paint is NOT that yellow.  It's the same color as the paint in the hearth room and kitchen.  I definitely need to get some stuff on the walls in there.  And a lampshade for that poor lamp would be swell.  

From the other direction.

Now, on to the upstairs.  There is also a dining room and guest room, but they aren't finished yet (still waiting for new furniture to be delivered), so I'm skipping those for now and I'll update them later.

Boy has it been nice having the boys out of my bathroom.  They have two sinks and a separate shower/toilet area.  

And now for the boys bedroom.  We looked long and hard for the "right" furniture for the boys room.  With three boys, we had the potential to fill up the room quickly with a lot of furniture.  Three nightstands, three beds, three dressers… and very little room to walk.  Not sharing a room was not an option for them, they insisted on it.  So yes, we have a five bedroom house and all three boys are still sharing a room.  Thankfully it's a big room.  After months of searching, we did find the perfect furniture.  Beds with built in shelving and dressers so they only needed one piece of furniture each.  Score. 

There is still plenty of room to move around.  Or play dodgeball.  Whatever.  

I was super excited about this little nook next to their closet, but they haven't used it much yet.  I'm sure it will get used once school starts, but in the summer there isn't much of a need for them to set clothes out for the next day except on Sunday.  

They have a really big closet.  And it amazes me that I filled it to max capacity.  All three boys shared a coat-closet sized closet in the old house.  It was 24 inches wide.  No wonder their room was a disorganized mess all the time.  Now, not so much.   And this picture is only half of it.  The other side is just as awesome.

And the playroom.  We had that slide bed in the attic from when Justice was very small.  We decided it would work perfectly in the playroom and the kids have enjoyed playing on it.  When we configured the closets in the house, we put only shelves in the playroom closet and had some additional shelving added to the playroom itself.  Everything is neatly stored away and there is plenty of room for all of their toys, video games and other random stuff.

That door inside the boys playroom closet leads to the attic.  No more pull down stairs and tricky maneuvering to get to the attic.  That's great, and there is lots of attic space.  

I'm not complaining.  The house is beautiful, and it's big.  We needed the space.  We also have a huge yard.  I'm REALLY happy with the yard, but Bo is the happiest.  He plays outside in the dirt everyday.    The fence paid for itself ten times over he first day we spent in the house.  

See that little speck by the fence?  

There, let me zoom in a little.  He LOVES to play outside.   

Once we get the play set in and up, it will tough to get him to come inside!

Now, time to enjoy the summer with my boys.