Bittersweet


Eric and I closed on our little starter home this past Friday, and we made it through the first leg of our move without too many dings or scratches. We admit that we are so very excited to have sold our house for a good price in this buyer's market, but we are a little sad to leave our sweet house behind. After all, it was our first house as newlyweds. All of "our traditions" started in that house, and of course, we expanded our little family in that house. As I took the last of our things out of that house on Friday morning, I looked over my shoulder and got a little teary. It's bittersweet. Of course, when one chapter ends, a new one begins. And, for sure, a new exciting chapter has begun for us...our "forever" house being built in a larger neighborhood that seems to be busting at the seams with families like us. Our thoughts of backyard BBQs with lots of kids running around playing with one another while all the adults enjoy each other's company certainly dries up any tears we may have about leaving our sweet little house behind. Not to mention, the couple that bought our home seems just like us when we first built that house --- young newlyweds learning how to care for a yard, excited about all their new kitchen dishes and appliances they received as wedding presents, and just thrilled to have a space larger than a one bedroom apartment. I was very excited for them at the closing as I've been in those shoes not long ago.

We are getting adjusted to the rental house, and things slowly but surely seem to be getting back to a normal routine. Madeline seems to be adjusting to the new house rather well. She has more space to explore, and the stairs are her new favorite addition to her daily routine. This child loves to climb the steps --- up and down all day long --- if I'd let her. Unfortunately, a few times a day is all she gets.

All in all, we're happy the move is behind us for now, and we're really happy to have all of our stuff out of storage and under one roof again. Now, we look forward to driving by the new house to see what's happening. A new chapter in the Stewart family is certainly being scripted with each new day, and it's exciting.