The Miss Elaine-ous Life

random acts of life, family and photos

Saying Goodbye to Our First House

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Last night was our last night in this house as a family.

When we bought this house The B Man was only 6 months old. We moved from a 1200 square foot two-story town home to over 2200 square feet on one level and we were in heaven.

(hangin’ out in the room that would be his once we moved in)

There was a lot of work to do, especially since we decided to overhaul the kitchen. Never mind that it actually took about 3.5 years to fully complete.

(The kitchen in 3 stages, how it was when we bought it, after some re-do and then FINALLY complete)

As with any house, it took time years to get it the way we wanted it and if we continued to live here there are still a list of things I would like to change or re-do.

My biggest complaint (well, until last week anyway) with this house has been the tree issues we’ve had to endure. We had a tree fall on the back, right corner of the house just a little over a year after we moved in and one of the huge branches went right into Tim’s closet (of course the joke has always been thank GOD it wasn’t my closet or I may have been admitted to a room with padded walls…). Some people suggested we just go with it and install a sky light. Uh… no.

We’ve also had several branches fall off of the Bradford pear out front and one of them took out the original wood mailbox. But I still adore the that tree in the Spring time. Can you blame me?


And of course after last week’s foundation trauma, (warning: if you plan to buy a house in the N. Texas area MAKE SURE you check for foundation issues FIRST!) I’m a little “over” this house right now.

But despite all the craziness of owning a home, and particularly this one, our first house will always hold a special place in my heart. I have a kazillion memories here with my husband, my boys and family and friends. We brought our second son home from the hospital to this house and have welcomed so many good people through the front door, one that left a good impression on me from the first time I walked through it.

Here we have hosted our boys’ birthday parties, holiday get-togethers, and even a baby shower. I’ve spent countless hours in our driveway watching The B Man ride his bike and I’ve trekked up the hill that is our street with Little G in the wagon many a time.

I kinda knew this house was “the one” the moment we drove up, even though it was a bit of a jungle out front. I was just so excited to have more space and a yard of my own, and a place to really call “home.”

(the front yard/driveway at the time we bought the house, September 2004)

As the truck is packed up this week and we leave our first house, I may get a little teary-eyed (who am I kidding, the water works are starting as I type!). From the “blue room,” where I rocked my babies, to the den where I’ve spent the majority of my time as a SAHM, I will most certainly miss this house.

(please make note of the beautiful stone mailbox that I had someone build just a couple of months ago – no tree is takin’ that baby out!)

We have yet to put the house on the market (it should be listed week after next) but I do hope when someone buys it they are able to make as many wonderful memories here as we have. Goodbye to “The Citadel.” You’ll always be our first…

elaine

Comments

  1. It’s always hard letting go…. of people, of pets, of houses….. especially one you’ve made so many memories in. This coming from the girl who has lived in the same house since she got married almost 17 years ago!

  2. This is a beautiful way to remember your first home. 🙂

    I’m glad I got to “know” it a little before you left it.

    I can’t wait to see your new house one day…perhaps after that sweet little girl of yours arrives.

  4. Oh that is so wonderful..and sad. We have moved 4 times in our 9 year marriage, not once have I been that attached to a home…until now. we are moving too and I will likely have the same emotions, it’s different when kids are involved, the memories seem to be more relevant!

  5. Elaine and Tim, I will miss you guys terribly at MBS. You and your beautiful family will be in my prayers. I will be looking forward to baby girl pictures on your blog! May God bless you in your new life! Much love, Ann

  6. What a sweet post. I can understand your emotions surrounding your home, especially with all the effort to make it your own,and all the fond memories it holds for you as a family and as a mom. I’m sure the new house will become that for you too – it will just take a little time. Good Luck in your new home pretty lady!!

    Maria @BOREDmommy

  7. What a sweet post. I can understand your emotions surrounding your home, especially with all the effort to make it your own,and all the fond memories it holds for you as a family and as a mom. I’m sure the new house will become that for you too – it will just take a little time. Good Luck in your new home pretty lady!!

    Maria @BOREDmommy

  8. I remember how it felt to leave our first house. It was so hard to leave all the memories behind, and I still miss it occasionally, but we’re so much happier where we are now.

    Once you settle into your new home, you’ll be making new memories!

  9. This post made me think about if we left our house…I would be a wreck! But your memories will last a lifetime for sure.

    And that tree in the house, YIKES!

  10. I know this must have been so bitter sweet for you guys. At least you have tons of pictures and lifelong memories of your beautiful Texas home. :o)

  17. I know how you feel. We moved from our first home 3 years ago. And it happened to be the home I grew up in.

    I bought the house from my parents when they built a house in 1993. I loved that little house.

  18. Just think of all the new memories you will make in your new home with the new baby! We’ve contemplated moving and I get teary eyed at the thought since both of the kids came home here. So many memories. Good luck moving on. Your house was beautiful by the way and the picture of the tree totally made it worth it!!

  19. When we moved from our first house – the house we moved into together when we were married, the house we lived in when Jenna was born – Jenna was just shy of six. We knew we wanted to live in a different town and we wanted to do it before she started school so she wouldn’t have to make the switch. I still get teary eyed sometimes when I think about it, but the house we live in now is truly our home. You will soon feel that way about your new home, especially once baby girl makes her arrival!

  20. Sniff, sniff. Hope the trip to the new home is going well. This house is very pretty. I can’t wait to call a house mine soon 🙂

  21. I love all the brick–a structural no-no in earthquake-prone California. Good luck with the sale and your eventual move. You’ll be taking the best part of that home with you.

  22. Elaine, your house looks great and I hope it sells quickly.
    I remember when we were leaving our first house, Abby was 5, Harrison 2 1/2 and I was pregnant with Lilly. Abby was hysterical crying about leaving and the new couple that was moving in was parked out front waiting to get in-this was at like 11 p.m.! It was so sad to leave but I tried to focus on this young couple moving in and all of their excitement. We are fortunate enough to be able to still drive by and we know that they too have brought kids home to “our” house. Good luck on your move and with the rest of your pregnancy!

  23. I’m gonna miss you! you think the new owners will mind me stopping by once in a while to help myself to some of your rosemary out front? hummm.

    and i had almost forgotten all about the tree! i remember you talking about that back when we rented the hotel room with all the playgroup moms to scrapbook.

  24. i took a crazy amount of pictures of each of the houses we have left behind. just empty room pictures…

    hubby and i still get them out and take a trip down memory lane!

    i get it 🙂

  26. Bittersweet, for sure. But think of all the amazing memories you are about to make!!!

    I know, I know . . . easier said than done.