I feel like the last couple of months have been quite the whirlwind. A good one at that. My body is starting to settle once again. I joined the team of Katrina Porter Designs, held my first residential presentation that I have done in years, still shooting and managing Kellen Jacob Photography, and still trying hard to hold onto this ole blog. Oh, and let's not forget the whole mama and wife thing. I am committed to be all in while doing whatever task is at hand in order to make the most of my time. When the kiddos are at school I am in full work mode and when they get home I try to be in full mom mode. Ellie joined a swim team and although I was worried about the time commitment it has not only blessed her but me also in a way I did not expect. It gives me one full hour lounging on a chair, feeling the breeze, and watching my baby learn to spread her wings. It has quickly become my favorite hour three days a week. Of course horseback is still to be had, soon baseball will start for KJ and they both are going to do piano. When I write it all down it seems like quite a lot, but these are the years that I believe they are finding things they love and once they no longer love it then we will shed it, but I want to grant them the ability to be brave and try. Our full weekends are now left to friends and relaxing. This whirlwind I am in is quite beautiful.
The Not So Pretty
I'm not sure what this space would be defined as. Laundry room, kitchen nook, original breakfast room? Oh, how I would love to meet the original owners and have them walk me through every space and say what the intended purpose was. This space currently serves as the open laundry area. Part of me loves being able to be in the kitchen and do laundry at the same time. The other part of me can't stand that it invites clutter and well it really is messing with my pretty new kitchen re-do look. Since closing in January I have evaluated this space over and over.
Here are just a few options that I have mulled over since moving in at the beginning of the year...
1. At first I thought we would enclose the space and add some sort of old schoolhouse door so light could still shine through. The space would remain a full functioning laundry room and I would add simple shelving for storage. This one is just perfect.
2. & 3. I then came across Michelle Adams office and LOVED the builtins. Of course I have never stopped thinking about Jessica De Ruiter's office since spotting it years ago. We do desire having an office space that is more open to the living area so as the kiddos get older I am able to monitor more closely their computer use. I think a combination of both the offices would solve the office storage dilemma and also give us a space to work. I love the thought of having a more communal office area.
4. We have also considered moving the refrigerator into this space and adding open storage to serve as a pantry. Love how the above uses a window to define the two spaces so light would still come in. This would also give us room to get the microwave and some other appliances out of this main kitchen area. Since it is plumbed we potentially could add another small sink into the mix. It potentially could be what pantry dreams are made of.
In both the latter two options we would move the laundry to the huge hall closet by the bedrooms. It was serving as a play place for Ellie, but she hasn't used it in months so now it's just wasted space. What way would you all lean towards? Wish it was a big enough nook to serve all purposes, but alas it's not.
3 things
FAMILY: I've been putting the house together slowly when it comes to making holes in the walls that we painstakingly painted for weeks on end. I did finally add my most prized piece of art though. I could not stand it being packed away any longer. My mother passed it down to me. What make it so special? Ellie's namesake painted it, my grandmother. It's a little reminder of my family daily as I walk out of my bedroom.
NATURE: We added a new tree to our home that is quickly becoming a greenhouse of sorts. It's in the olive tree family, but I can't remember the official name for the life of me. She has dropped a few leaves which can be the shock of the move or something else entirely. I am really praying she stays awhile. Could not imagine killing such a beautiful piece of nature.
photo by: Rylee Hitchner
LIFE: I turned 36 yesterday. The kids were baffled why I would work on my birthday, but alas that is life. Does one ever really feel their age? At times I feel like I am still in my early 20's straight out of college. The girl who is still trying to figure out her place in this great big world. Then other times I feel like I've done enough laundry to last a life time twice over. I am a girl who has lived a long enough life that I can now help others through whatever stage they are in. I did find a gray hair and I am gaining laugh lines that no potion can erase. I enjoy getting another year older. Maybe it's because I enjoy the thought of growing another year wiser. My story has lasted 36 years thus far. It's had it's high's and low's, but it's my story and one that I am grateful to share with you all.
