Spring Updates

Sorry for the lack of posts and pictures...I promise pictures soon! I currently don't have a computer & Internet at my new house, we are working on getting that set up.

What's new you ask?

HOUSE - We are officially in the new house! We had a wonderful moving crew help us unload our items into the house. We are swimming in boxes, but slowly things are starting to come together. We are so grateful for our new place and super close commute to work. Come visit!
TRAVEL - We have lots of trips coming up! June is going to be a crazy month for us. Peter has a week long work trip and then he is going to the boundary waters with his buddies (annual trip). Then (drum roll please) we are headed to Europe for 1.5 weeks! Peter has a 3-day meeting in Milan and I am tagging along! We will be flying into Germany, traveling to Austria for a few days, then heading down to Italy (first to Milan, second to Florence, third to Rome). We will fly out of Rome. We are looking forward to a vacation together and we have not been to Europe together. Can't wait!

SUMMER - We don't have a lot of summer plans other than to work on the house. Projects, projects, projects! But, the best time to be living in MN is in the summer..so why leave!?

That's it for now. Look for pics of the house coming shortly!

Neighborhood Blessing

Last night we attended to a bonfire/BBQ in our new neighborhood. It was hosted by the current owners of our new house as a good-bye party for them (they move out later this week. We move in Mid-May). They have lived in the neighborhood for 15 years and as you can imagine - it is very hard for them to say good-bye after all that time! We felt so privileged to meet almost all of the neighbors before we have even moved in!

I can not TELL you how welcoming they were to us! Everyone asked us tons of questions about ourselves, gave us lots of insight and history into the neighborhood, and told us how they all watch out for each other. I was overwhelmed at their warmth towards us! And I was also so impressed by the close-knit community they have going on. The "neighborhood captain" said that she would be sure to get us a "neighborhood packet" (who has a neighborhood packet?!) when we move in. The packet has all the information about the neighbors, such as phone numbers, address, names, etc.

We are definitely the "young kids" on the block. Most of the neighbors are older; their kids are out of the house. However, there were a few families with elementary and middle school-aged kids. So - when we have kids someday there will be babysitters! Also, there are 2 police officers who live on the block. Bonus!

I continue to praise God for this blessing. We are anxious to get into the new house and settle in. I feel really lucky to move into a neighborhood where I will feel loved and safe. I know that is not always the case...and so I do not want to take it for granted!!

Spring

Spring is upon us! I get so excited seeing all the buds and green grass. Peter and I have been taking long walks about 4-5 days a week lately. It's been a treat to see the progress on all the the trees each day!

We are getting so excited to move into our new house. I attached a picture of the outside for you to see! It's a 2-story cape cod style house with a really huge backyard, 4 bed, 2 bath. Overall the house is in really good shape for a 1964 house. We have lots of ideas about what to do, paint colors, carpet colors, furniture, etc! It will take us many years to get it how we want it..but that's OK..it's fun in the process! I will have a 10 min drive to work & Peter's will be 5 min. We are 2 blocks from church..can't beat that. AND..the very best part is that we have a coffee shop and Dairy queen less than a block away. BAD for my waistline, GREAT for my spirit.

Sold!

Our house has been on the market since winter - and I am happy to announce that it finally sold! Our goal is to be on the side of the city closer to where we "live our life"; where our work, church, family & friends are. I will be so sad to leave our current house, though, It's where Peter and I have shared so many memories and our first house together as a married couple. However, I am looking forward to getting into something with a location and size that will meet our needs in the future. Our closing date is August 25th!

Home, Sweet Home...

So, we have been noodling over the idea to move for a while now. With the market the way it is, we will take a hit selling our current home, but can take advantage of getting into a much nicer, bigger home for less money. We are really wanting to move closer to work and church - where we feel we will be for a long while. This winter has put me over the edge with many days taking me between one and two hours to get to work. Needless to say - those are precious hours in my week I'd rather not spend sitting in my car. It's sad to think of selling our house - it's where Peter lived when we met, where we spent much of our time while dating and engaged - and the first house we lived in as newlyweds. But, we trust that the Lord has another house in mind for us..and so we are trusting Him while we embark on this adventure!

Attached are some before and after pics for you:

Kitchen BEFORE

Kitchen AFTER

Outside BEFORE



Outside AFTER


Living room BEFORE


Living room AFTER



Dining Room BEFORE


Dining Room AFTER