A House to Call Home #GiveThanks

Six years ago--when we lived just around the corner from my parents--our landlords told us they were going to sell the house we were living in.

It was hard for us to move--we loved being able to walk to Grandma and Grandpa's, and we really felt at home in that house. It had beautiful woodwork inside and all the bedrooms were together down a single hallway, so I always felt close to the kids.

It took six months to find a new place to live, and in that time we looked at a LOT of houses we didn't want to live in--or houses where the owners weren't willing to take a chance on a self-employed landscaper with his wife, four kids and cat. But finally we found a place that had enough bedrooms and a nice-sized yard--we thought it had potential to work.

Jason transformed the yard, astonishing neighbors who didn't even know there was a house behind all the dead trees and overgrown shrubs. He put in a beautiful lawn and we planted nice, low-maintenance shrubs that flower at all different times throughout the growing season.

We bought curtains and carpets; we painted and cleaned. We trick-or-treated in the neighborhood, spent time at the local park, and brought a Christmas tree home. We celebrated birthdays and holidays, had friends and relatives over, planted vegetables, cooked and baked, played music and read lots of stories. 

Within a year or so, we felt comfortable here, and since then, our little house has felt more and more like home. I have been grateful every day for a place to live and raise our children.

      

Now, about a week ago, we found out that our landlords have other plans for this house. So, we will once again have to find a new place to live, hoping that over time it will feel like home.

It is overwhelming to think about moving, and--more than ever--I appreciate the time we have had here. But still I hope that there are more good things to come.