What a month it's been! We sold our home and are settling into a temporary house while we wait for our dream home to be completed. It all happened so quickly that I'm still waiting to catch my breath. And am still mourning.
I'm so deeply going to miss our neighbors, Kika, Leilani, Dirk & Christina. When I saw Leilani this morning, I burst into tears. Our neighbors have been like family and it will be a process for me accepting the fact that they're not right next door any more.
I'm surrounded by boxes and reflecting on some things, because that's what I tend to do when the house is quiet and I have time. And here is what I know:
I'm thankful. Incredibly thankful to have sold our home in this really difficult housing market.
GRATEFUL for the best best best realtor we have been so blessed to have representing us. If you need a realtor, Jack Morse has my highest recommendation. He knows what he's doing, he's honest and direct and doesn't always tell you what you want to hear. He tells you what you need to hear and is really great at what he does. Because of him, we sold our home.
And we're so filled with thankfulness to everyone who helped us with our move. Cody, Ace, Robert, Uncle Rick, Grandpa Pete, Scott, Lana & Erika, and the boys. Micah even sacrificed his birthday. (We'll have a belated extravaganza!)
We're excited for what's to come with our lives and our new home.
And although I was so sad to see our happy home empty, the memories we made there will be with us forever. And our neighbors are just a phone call away.
Goodbye, happy home. We love you and will miss you so.
I'll be taking a sanity break for a few days while I unpack and try to get us all settled into our temporary home.
I'll be back soon...
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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.
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WoW!! How exciting!!!
Posted by: Laura | October 18, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Congrats on this next chapter of your life...those walls just look like they are resounding with love, laughter and life. Your new house will too!
xxoo,
Posted by: Lisa Hilderbrand | October 18, 2010 at 12:30 PM
Hi Serena,
Oh that must be so hard! Leaving your sweet home. I too would have a really hard time leaving although, it is for something new, bigger, better and exciting :)
Take care,
Sanna
Posted by: Sanna | October 18, 2010 at 12:39 PM
A house is not a home..that takes love and care...you will have your "home" back soon, just with a different layout! Best wishes to you on this adventure!
Posted by: stephanie | October 18, 2010 at 12:44 PM
So happy for you my friend. So much change since our Alaska days. I couldn't be happier for you! Endings sometimes bring sadness for a while. But also open up the possibilities of new beginnings... :)
Posted by: Beth | October 18, 2010 at 12:49 PM
OMG!! So much going on in your life...how do you breathe???? Good luck, best wishes, and all my best to you!!!!
♥'s
Sherry
Posted by: Sherry@Ties2ThePast | October 18, 2010 at 12:50 PM
yeah for the good news...
but i know exactly how hard it is to leave great neighbors.
xo
Posted by: illinois friend | October 18, 2010 at 12:51 PM
Oh how hard that must be. So many are NOT blessed with great neighbors, and you were lucky to have had that. And your home was "HOME"...
But aside from the "it must be so hard"...How stinkin' excited will you be to move into your new place?! I can only imagine! Well, actually we will start building in March...but it will just be across the road from where we are now because we are on a farm. BUT...I am sooo anticipating your move, as each time I see a "new house" picture...I also get so excited about mine...:)
Posted by: jimi | October 18, 2010 at 01:55 PM
Congratulations Serena!! I totally understand your sadness, but the adventure ahead is so exciting that soon all will be alright. I LOVE Jack!! My old office door was across from him only a few years ago...I miss his nicknames for me as I'm not really ever sure he really knew my real name, LOL! What a great guy...congratualations again...adventure on!
Love from the -
Ballyhoo Girl aka Chrissy
Posted by: Chrissy Dunham - the Ballyhoo Girl | October 18, 2010 at 02:01 PM
It is always a bit sad when you sell your home.....all the memories created there. But only more great memories to come in your fabulous new home when it's complete:) Cheers!
Posted by: The Wife of a Dairyman | October 18, 2010 at 02:29 PM
So hard to be in between, but before you know it your new house will be home... its the people that make a home, not the things. Also, I have some major kitchen envy of your old kitchen. GORGEOUS!
Posted by: naomig | October 18, 2010 at 02:32 PM
Congrats on the sale, that is so exciting!!! I hope your new house finishes quickly. Looks like we too will be moving soon, hard to say goodbye to the old, but excited about the new adventure! LOVE your old kitchen, wish I was moving there!!!! I dated a guy in highschool who lived in Mead. There are some really beautiful pockets in that area. Can't wait to see your new house!
Posted by: Emily | October 18, 2010 at 02:52 PM
This is just too funny. Just the other day I was looking at properties on-line in the Spokane area. I happened upon a house that looked familiar but couldn't quite place why. I emailed it to my husband and said, "this is my dream home." After I sent the email, it clicked where I'd seen it. On your blog! So my dream home (which we really aren't in a position right now to move to your lovely state) just sold. Bummer dude!
Posted by: Kimberlie | October 18, 2010 at 03:47 PM
Serena, like alot of people I love your sold home, esp. the kitchen. We just bought a little vacation home over in Eastern Washington (naches) and I plan I using some of your decoration ideas. I love how the lower kitchen cabinets are the wood, and the upper cabinets are white. Could you tell me what kind and color of flooring you used in your house? Love it! Is is laminate or hard wood. Enjoy your new home!
Posted by: Suzanne McAdams | October 18, 2010 at 04:41 PM
Wow! I don't know if I could do better than that kitchen! :) Seriously, though, from a lurker in Ohio, I hope all will continue to transition smoothly and the build will continue to go well. You are so sweet to share a little bit of your life with your fans...
God bless!
Posted by: Jolie | October 18, 2010 at 05:54 PM
world head quarters on the move! It's a good day.
Posted by: linda/lulu | October 18, 2010 at 06:12 PM
I'm so glad things are falling into place for you . . . as bittersweet as it is, your dreams are taking you where you really want to go. And congrats to you for that fortitude and vision, Serena!!
xo ~ Debi
Posted by: Debi Burton | October 18, 2010 at 06:47 PM
Oh happy day! Can't wait to see your new home (when you get settled of course).
Congratulations!
Posted by: Alice | October 18, 2010 at 07:01 PM
Good Luck Cool Farm Chick!
Posted by: Michelle | October 18, 2010 at 07:37 PM
oh how bittersweet! I know that feeling; I just did that last year after I was so fortunate to spend a year in my childhood home before it sold; just me and my dog. I will long cherish the memories of that house surrounded by apple orchard and filled with light.
Congrats on starting new memories!
Posted by: suzanne | October 18, 2010 at 07:41 PM
Bitter-sweet symphony! Congratulations to new beginnings and memories!
~Syd
Posted by: Sydney | October 18, 2010 at 08:06 PM
Congrats!! Yea to answered prayers!!
hOllie
Posted by: Hollie Eastman | October 18, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Oh my! Sometimes it's good when things happen fast.
Congratulations!
Posted by: KarenSue | October 19, 2010 at 05:33 AM
I hate the home selling process, we are in it right now... congrats to you!
Posted by: Prudence | October 19, 2010 at 08:13 AM
I have never commented before, but I just HAD to when I saw this post.
Although we've never met, my heart did a happy little leap in my chest for you when I saw this post this morning.
We are selling our home, too, and no takers, no nuthin'. I know how it can be and I am SO so happy that you guys sold!
Congratulations, and best of luck in your new home!
Posted by: Sara | October 19, 2010 at 09:53 AM
I remember the first time we moved after living in our home for 14 years....it was like leaving a loved one...but we soon filled our next home with memories and love....but I still have a soft place in my heart for that first place.
Happy Day to you and your new adventures.
Posted by: teresa | October 19, 2010 at 11:17 AM
So....that's NOT your dream home? I would kill for the space you have pictured!
Posted by: Deb Grogan | October 20, 2010 at 05:13 AM
Congratulations! I too shed tears as I packed up and left the home my children were raised in. But, here is what I know: you will grow new memories in your new beautiful home and your future is going to be so bright, Ms. Serena, that you won't have time to look back for long.
Congratulations Sweetie to you and your family!
Blessings,
Suzy
Posted by: Suzy Miller | October 21, 2010 at 07:40 AM
It's great you're getting your dream house. If you need to leave friends, some sacrifice would make things better in the end. You can still visit them, right? I can't just wait to see your new home! Plans for a garden or yard?
Posted by: Nixie Kucharski | April 27, 2011 at 11:24 PM