And So it Begins

I started drawing my dream house when I was 5 years old.

I wanted a red front door and a secret loft that you could only get to through my closet.

I collected shoe boxes and created models of each room, leaving them separate so that I could switch them around to make good use of the southern sun.

Shoe boxes turned into refrigerator boxes.

Then I learned how to draw building elevations and angles in perspective ... and then, it was ON.

I'd say I missed my calling, except this is the only building I ever cared to labor over.

After hundreds, of revisions and a multitude of changes in my taste .... my dream house evolved into what I now like to call the "Christmas House" a.k.a. our "Forever House."  

This glowing place is warm and inviting where the adults stuff themselves with turkey at the fancy dining room table, while the kids seated at the "kid's table" battle over who can shove more green beans in their mouth.

This is the place where we all snuggle up on the squishy sectional sofa in the family room and watch A Christmas Story for the umpteenth time in our PJs under fleece blankets, sharing handfuls of my homemade Chex Mix.

The lit Christmas tree can be seen from the road, sparkling behind large windows.... the large windows on the house nestled amongst trees, sky, family ... and love.  The house that smells like warm pumpkin pie and fluffy fresh just-out-of-the dryer towels.

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We have sold our house.  Our first home as a family.  

In about a week, we will be leaving these walls to make a new home.

Thankfully, my incredible husband and I share this dream of our "Forever House," though he just calls it "bigger, nicer and more energy efficient."

We have picked out some land we love, and with any luck we will be in that dream house by January.

I can't believe we are actually doing this.  

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I am sad, mostly because I hate taking Holden's room away from him.  

He will love his new room and backyard, though.

We have started packing, but it is hard.  I have moved soooo many times.  I hope this is the last time I ever have to move.

To make it easier on me, Jordan put on some Christmas music last night.  It was silly, but oh so very nice.

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When we decided to list the house, I prayed that I would be given the strength to just go with it ... no matter what happens, because we are where we are suppose to be on this roller coaster ride, and if it is meant to be, it will be.

And it was .... in four days.

A family that desperately and quickly needs a home in this area found our house immediately and made an offer.

So here we go, on what may be the biggest journey Jordan and I ever take together.  Hang on......

-Carmen