Friday, March 6, 2009

To make a long story short...

...'cause I just don't have the time to go into detail... here is the house we lived in for almost 5 years. It was situated on 2/3 of an acre (which was very large for a town lot) set back from the road. So in the spring of 2007 we decided to subdivide it into 2 lots and put two houses on and sell them both and then move somewhere else.

So we began... and in the Fall of 2007 we bought this home and moved it onto our lot of to the side and in front of the home we were living in. The real estate market was doing awesome and so we thought that we would be able to sell it no problem when we were done renovating it.


It took my husband from Fall of 2007 to Feb. 2009 to do a complete renovation to the point where it looks like a brand new house. Here it is last Fall before winter set in and turned the grass all brown. Can you believe it is the same home? I think it is so nice and yet it did not sell. We had it on the market for 6 months without a single offer!

And so last month we decided to move in ourselves so that we could settle in and relax until the market picks up again and then we may try to sell it once more. So for the time being I am having fun turning this house into a home for us.

Welcome...

... to the kitchen and office area...

... the dining room with the large closet that I use for all my homeschooling and scrapbooking things...
... the hallway leading to our bedroom on the left and the bathroom at the end and Allan's room on the right...
... our bedroom... I just love all the light colors...
... our livingroom...
... and the archway leading from the dining room to the front door and livingroom on the left.

That's just the upstairs... down stairs has 2 more bedrooms, a bathroom, a laundry room and a games room.

Like I said, I really, really like it. Didn't hubby do a wonderful job?

Now we just have to tear down our house that we used to live in (which seems a shame but it is really old and the foundation is crumbling) and then hopefully we can sell the lot beside us (it just didn't make sense to build and then sell with the way the market is going) so that we can free ourselves up a little financially.

Over all it was a pretty simple move 'cause we just had to bring everything across the yard but mentally it has been exhausting... so many big decisions to be made, so much disappointment to overcome and mixed feelings about being excited but still scared and unsure about whether we will be able to make it or not.

So anyway, that was our year 2008 in a nutshell. Not fun, but here we are and I'm not sure what the future holds for us, so I'm just trying my best to "trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, in all my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct my path." Prov 3:5

16 comments:

  1. So that's where you went. I think you hinted as much in an earlier post!
    What a lot of work going on in the background all that time. I don't know how you stayed sounding so unruffled. A bit like the proverbial swan serenely floating on the surface of the lake but paddling like mad under water. I hope you'll be very happy as your own next door neighbours!

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  2. WOW I am so impressed. I guess especially since my hubby & I have no handy skills like that at ALL hahahah..... but WOW I think it's SOOO gorgeous! It still amazes me you can just MOVE a house haha. They are built that sturdy? that's awesome!

    best wishes! :)

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  3. Your husband did a fantastic job!! I thought I was looking inside a home magazine. From the pics, I see why you love it. So....do you plan on having a house warming party?? :)

    Have a bless weekend!

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  4. Katrina, it's beautiful!! I love the shiny hardwood floors. Despite the up and downs and uncertainty, it must be very nice to move into a home that is finished and new.

    I pray that God will bless you and your family richly as you enjoy your new home!

    And thank you for the tour :0)!

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  5. wow, what a great job both of you have done, he in renovating and you in decorating!! Is that an ICF basement you did? Did your hubby do that? My hubby used to be in construction and has done ICF basements, and entire houses they are the best!

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  6. wow
    what a beautiful house and home!!
    I love the way you've decorated it, right 'up my street' as we say over here...
    am inspired for our move
    glad to have you back online :D

    my facebook ID is Rachel May Wibberley, look me up?

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  7. Katrina,

    You home is LOVELY!!! And your husband is VERY talented. What a need post too! I loved seeing the house before and after! I know that the Lord will take care of you and your family!! Enjoy the new house :O)

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  8. Lucille: Yes, sometimes it did feel like we were "paddling under water like mad". :o) Tried not to dwell on it too much, even though it was such a huge part of our lives.

    Randi Jo: Thank you! Yes, it was really interesting to see them bring in the house, especially for the boys... I'm glad they were able to experience it. Thanks for dropping by! It's great to see you around here again! :o)

    Toia: Thank you, you are too kind. I really love decorating and am pleased with the way things are turning out in that area.

    Deborah: Yes, it is really nice to be in a new home. The whole house is done except for the concrete floors downstairs... all the drywall and painting and even trim work is done, though, for which I am very thankful! :o)

    Hi Prairie chick! Thank you for your compliments! Yes, it is an ICF foundation... the first one my hubby's ever done. We are happy with the way it went and how it turned out... he says he likes it way better than the old way of using forms.

    Thank you, Rachel! It's neat to know that we have the same tastes in decorating. Mine have definitely changed over the years. I am loving the light colors, the wood floors and the simple uncluttered look. It is a very peaceful feeling to me. Thanks for letting me know about your facebook name! I looked you up but there were too many with your name so I didn't try any of them... I will now, though! :o)

    simplebeauty: Thank you, I love seeing before and after photos too, I took lots during this whole process! :o)

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  9. Your husband did an amazing job Katrina. Isn't it a huge, huge blessing to have a husband who is talented in that way. My husband has done the same thing for us - starting with remodeling a small home to building our house here in Texas.
    I love your new home. It is so warm and welcoming. The floors are beautiful. You've done a wonderful job decorating.
    We're in that "trusting" mode too. The waiting is always the hard part.
    Have a blessed, relaxed weekend in your lovely new home.

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  10. What a beautiful home. Look what the Lord has done! Enjoy the new memories to be made...

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  11. Oh Katrina, It's beautiful! You have been on quite the journey... I'll pray that your other lot will sell quickly!

    Sending love,
    Carrie

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  12. wow, katrina!!

    your beloved is amazing! your new nest is so beautiful. enjoy the blessing. that Scripture is an awesome promise!!

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  13. He did a wonderful job. It's such a beautiful home!

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  14. Spectacular! A round of applause for both of you!!
    We moved 2 houses down in '07 after spending 2 years remodeling. Now that we're settled it is wonderful but I know what you mean about all the many, many decisions. And too many options, don't you think?

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  15. Oh, Katrina! Your home is beautiful from what you and your husband have brought to it. May you settle in soon!

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  16. I hate moving, I have done the moving across the yard to a new home and moving from Mississippi, to New England and then to Chicago. The across the yard was the easiest, but you're right, it was the most exhausting. Your home is beautiful, your hubby did an awesome job. The Proverbs verse is one of my favorites.--Renee

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