xoxo Katie
Friday, November 4
We're Moving
We've been in this house for almost 10 years. It's crazy to think that I've been doing anything or lived anywhere for 10 years, but it is so. We bought this house when were newly married and found out we were expecting Hope. Compared to our SUUUUPER crappy rental home, this place was a palace. We've grown as a family, acquired waaayyy more stuff than we should (almost hoarding... let's call it collecting), and been needing to leave for a while. It's also true that we've been wanting to move to a bigger place like Springfield, since it takes us an hour and 20 minutes just to go do anything. We are slowly coming to terms with leaving this place, and though it is something we've been wanting for a long time, it still stings a little. I did my first bit of nesting here. I can remember bringing Hope home from the hospital to this house. Hope took her first steps in our hallway. My daughter has grown from a baby to a young lady in this place. My business was born here. I've spent many tired, sleepless nights sewing until my fingers hurt to make sure I didn't fall behind on special orders. There have been many living room band practices in cramped quarters. We started home school here. When I found out I was pregnant with Poesy, this bedroom was my naptime sanctuary. We brought our second baby girl home to this place. There has been so much love and so many special moments here. I have painted windows, hung pictures, rearranged a million times to make sure that our house felt like our home. It will be very bittersweet to leave.
I'm so excited for things on the horizon, but I wish I could give this place a big hug before we go. I will continue to drive by year after year to watch my Magnolia tree that we planted in the front yard grow bigger and bigger. I will laugh about our crazy driveway and how we couldn't even drive down into the garage in the winter because it was so steep. I will reminisce about the time the neighbor boy drove a van through the front of our house and we had to live in a hotel. I will miss the picnics and photoshoots in the backyard. We will probably have better/bigger/cleaner houses down the road, but Jamie Drive will always hold a special place in my heart. As we pack our things and make our way out of here, I just need to remember that home is family, and wherever these goons are, that's where my home will be. I promise to only shed a few tears.
This is such a beautiful post Katie. I read it in Google reader but was so touched I had to come leave a comment :) Up until 5 years ago when I moved here to Chicago, I traveled a lot and never lived in one place for very long. I can't even imagine the connection you must have to your house, having been there so long. No matter where you go though, you'll always have all of the precious memories (which clearly you've already held in your heart!). I wish you the very best on this new adventure! May you make many more beautiful memories in your new abode.
ReplyDeletexo,
melissa
Awe this breaks my heart :( I remember when I left my home ten years or so ago. It was so sudden so it makes me happy that at least you guys get to say your good byes :) Happy moving, doll! <333
ReplyDeleteAwww, man - this touched me so much! My husband and I also bought our house right after we got married, and it will be 10 years in March since we moved in. We have brought 3 babies home from the hospital to this house, and we have majorly outgrown it! We hope to move someday soon, but I know that I will be very sad to leave. I'm excited to hear of your move, and hope that I will be able to do the same soon.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Stephanie May*
http://www.maydae.com
oh this struck a cord with me this week because i'm moving out of home for the first time ever. i'm 25 and i still live at home with my parents. i've lived in the same house my entire life and i'm excited to move into my own little home, but a part of me is a little bit devastated to leave! i keep bursting into tears at the thought of not seeing my mum every day! er... probably shouldn't admit to that publicly on the internet at the age of 25 huh? oh well..
ReplyDeletebut you are going to make gorgeous memories at your new home, i just know it! and you've got some pretty incredible photos to remember your old home by too. good luck! and nothing wrong with shedding a tear or two! x
Absolutely beautifully written, Katie. It almost made me tear up. I'm moving out of my family's home to live on my own and feel this for their home as well. It's a bitter sweet feeling for sure.
ReplyDeleteLove and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline
This is such a beautiful post! I moved around a lot when I was a kid and never spent more than 4 years in a house until I was in high school. My dad built the house I currently live in when I was 13, and I've been here for 8 years now. I never really grew attached to a house until this one and can't imagine how heartbroken I'm going to feel when my family leaves it. I hope that your new house becomes as warm and safe as this one <3
ReplyDeleteI've moved a lot in my life, and it always broke my heart to leave the places I loved so much. That being said, it always ends up making space for new adventures, new precious memories, new places to love and moments to cherish. It's OK to miss what you are leaving behind, but I know with all my heart that your family will do great wherever you will be. You will be fine :)
ReplyDeletex
Marielle
Oh lovely lady, such a sweet yet sad post. But you are so right - home is with those you love. Jen and I have moved six times as a married couple. Six moves in four years. (To and from 1 seasonal job, to and from another seasonal job and into and out of an apartment, when I lost my job.) It IS hard. You WILL be homesick. I know that. But you will also definitely love your new place - I am sure of that!!!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you and your little family!
What a beautiful post... it very nearly brought me to tears! Since leaving home at age 17 I don't think I have actually lived in the same house (let alone the same city or country) for more than a couple of years. Just when I think we are ready to settle down and live the quiet life we're up and talking about moving countries again!
ReplyDeleteWhat a post. This has me thinking about how many times we've move in the past 10 years. We've lived in a lot of states before settling where we are today. Its a bit of work to move but for us it's always a new stepping point for a fabulous new chapter of life and I hope this is the same for all of you! Like you said, home is wherever our families are. So Good Luck on your packing, and your move to a new home. How exiting to start fresh and new chapter and decorating will surely be a blast. :)
ReplyDeletei was so reluctant to move to a new place, but incredible things have happened ever since moving and i'm even happier here! good luck with your move, i can't wait to see your next nest :) xo
ReplyDeleteI may have shed a tear or two reading this. I think anyone who has grown in a house and had to move can totally relate. But, you're right about home being your family. I can't wait to see what this next chapter brings for you! Good luck lovely<333
ReplyDeleteI've moved house WAY more than I would have liked, and of course, it is always sad, but I always look forward to the unpacking - finding new homes for old treasures, exploring new streets. It's a lot of stress but I wish you and your family all the best for the move, and of course, we can't wait to see the pictures of your new place!
ReplyDeletelove the post
ReplyDeleteI have to move soon too, we have completely outgrown our 2 bedroom cottage and I know that although we need more space I will miss my house so much xx
ReplyDeletekatie this post was so lovely and i can understand you. i was moving with my family when i was 10, just on the other side of our small town and i missed all my friends. but i met new gorgeous ppl, so every move has great opportunities too
ReplyDeleteLove this. So well said. Time to make new everlasting memories in the new place! xo
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Katie. I wish you the best of luck with your move... and i could not have said it better:
ReplyDelete"I just need to remember that home is family, and wherever these goons are, that's where my home will be."
Lovely post. Reading your words, it made me think of all the firsts we've had in this home and how I might feel if I left them behind. It would probably be years yet before we would make a change like that, but it is something I think about occasionally.
ReplyDeleteaww what a super sweet post. I loved every word. I'm certain that you will never forget that first home and you will make many more memories in your new one. Thanks so much for sharing! :) -Lo
ReplyDeleteAwe, such a precious post, Katie.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure wherever you decide to live, you will do a great job of making the house a cozy home.
I lived in Springfield for awhile - I went to Missouri State. I truly loved the town. You get the big city atmosphere, but with a "small town feel." I loved it and wouldn't mind settling there in my future!
Plusssss, Red Velvet would be so close! :c)
aw, i know how sad and happy it can be to leave a home. my parents sold the house i grew up in last year. it was somewhat heartbraking, but just think of it as a fresh start and you will have a new place to make so many new memories in ;)
ReplyDelete<3 steffy
Steffys Pros and Cons
This is so lovely <3
ReplyDeleteI was born in Springfield, MO and though we moved when I was young, we still go by our old house every time we visit to see the tree we planted in the front yard!
Awww this was such a sweet post. I kind of teared up a little. I can't wait until my husband and I find a place of our own. We are in the process of house hunting now. We are renting a house right now but its the house that I grew up in and it has so many memories... but I can't wait to go somewhere and start our own memories.
ReplyDeleteKatie, I loved this post. I have never felt at home where I live now and I hope one day to live somewhere where I feel truly at home. I know that wherever life takes you you will make it magical!!! Best of luck on your new journey dear!!! xo
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Katie, may your family feel the warmth of the new nest, and may it ignite more creative inspiration for you all. What a beautiful energy you leave in the house to bestow on the next family- how exciting.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to leave a home that you love, but it's always a great adventure to start a new home. It will be just as special, it just may take awhile! Good luck and enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteAww,well written,Katie. I'm sure your home will be great,wherever you move to as long as there's love in it. :) Best wishes! :)
ReplyDelete...you made my eyes tear up :) {just a little; that's all I'll admit to ;)lol}
ReplyDeleteGood Luck in your new home!
Such a beautiful post... it made me think about the house I lived in when I was Hope's age. The little blue house with the willow tree and the big backyard. That place represents SO much of my wonderful childhood. We moved when I turned 11, but that precious house will always be in my heart forever - filled with the BEST memories.
ReplyDeleteYou'll fill your new home with lots of love and laughter and joy and traditions. It will be so wonderful! I'm excited for you! :) xo.
Very touching, thanks for sharing :). My family is looking to move soon too, but I'm more than ready to move on. We've been discussing a move for at least a year now, and we have recently had a bad experience where our neighbors stole electricity from us. It was a big kick in the pants to get moving on something we've been dreaming about for some time now. I will turn this negative into a positive!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you and your family :).
I am so excited for this new chapter in your life, Katie!
ReplyDeleteAww, Katie. What a sweet post! I can't even imagine how sentimental I'll feel about my first home! I'm excited for you during this change in your life!! <3
ReplyDeleteThis transition is going to be so good for you and your family! I am so happy for you guys. Yes, it is a little sad to be leaving the place that so many memories were created in. Just remember, that the house doesn't get to keep those memories. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, this will be the beginning to so much fun for you! And you get to be in the same town as your very best friends and get around easier from day to day. I say congrats to all 4 of you and happy moving!
You brought tears to my eyes...change is hard, but sometimes it just has to happen. Good luck to you in your new house. Hugs!
ReplyDeletereally beautiful post. i hope one day i feel attached enough to a home to feel that way.
ReplyDeletexoxo lizzy
www.lizzypancakes.blogspot.com
what a special post. it really touched me. we just moved 2 weeks ago. we lived at our previous apartment for almost 4 years. i brought home 3 babies and we made many happy memories there. but i'm excited about our new home. we own it, so i can actually paint etc. change is fun but i can get rather nostalgic. thanks for sharing your heart because it echoes my own :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, touching post. Here's to all the happy memories you and your family will make in your new home.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! I love every word in this post.
ReplyDeleteAww! It's hard to think you are leaving all those memories behind you but you aren't. You will take them all with you to your new home and create new ones! Congrats to you and your family on finding a new space to call home.
ReplyDeleteevery time i see Poesy's baby pic i'm like "NO way". she's such a teeny little thing. seems like just yesterday....
ReplyDeleteexcited for your move! time to come be our neighbors!
Such a gorgeous post! This is such a bittersweet time for your little family. You know big, beautiful things are on the horizon but it is sad to say goodbye to that lovely little nest and all those wonderful memories... (Sadly) I have never lived anywhere 10 years, but I can imagine how hard it would be to leave. Best wishes for all the big changes though. It will be magical!
ReplyDeleteKatie x
Always hard to leave a home with such happy memories, though you take those memories with you always. Excited for you all on the next part of your adventure x
ReplyDeleteI left my family, friends, and the only home I'd ever known when I moved from Michigan to California in 2009. It was the best decision I've ever made! Moves are difficult but rewarding and exciting. I look forward to seeing where life takes you next! Good luck with everything!
ReplyDeleteI am completely a fan of your blog! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteAww! I understand how you feel. Just think, your new house will be a whole new place to decorate and make new memories! :] Poesy will start walking in the new house!! :]
ReplyDeletethis is so touching! i have similar sentiments about the house i'm living in right now. we've been putting off buying a home because we couldn't imagine leaving our little old rental house and perfect neighbor for the suburbs.
ReplyDeletethough it is bittersweet, it's wonderful to think of the amazing times ahead, experiencing new and great things and creating unforgettable moments as a family.
Leaving home is never easy. Every time I think of leaving our current apartment I get super nostalgic and sad. Funny how we get so attached to places! Good luck on your move. <3
ReplyDeleteI understand the emotional attachment to a place we live and grow. I wish you the best and I can't wait to read your new memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures. So adorable! I love the twinkle lights and the tiny baby in a suitcase. hehe! ;-) Moving is never easy, but once you do you have a new home. ;-)
ReplyDeletei know just how you feel leaving your place. although the place i left for our new home was only a rental, i was there for 9 years. that long of time in any place just makes it feel like home. there are lots of things i miss about being right in town, but there are so many good things about the new place that make up for it. and what fun you will have with a fresh start to re-decorate (the best part)! cant wait to see how it unfolds for you. and im sure being in town closer to some of your friends is going to be sooo rewarding for your soul. enjoy this adventure!
ReplyDelete