The Story Of Home Begins

long narrow hallways and trophy filled cases

ant covered peony bushes and fields surrounding

a turquoise bow maker of my own

swimming in a “gigantic” pool

the story of home begins

polishing silver that was never tarnished

fishing with christmas tree lures

youth group and choir

first kisses and holding hands

the story of home begins

family all around

cap and gown of blue

more schooling only three hours away

an unexpected soul mate found

the story of home begins

white dress of lace

flowers too large to hold

joy rising in the air

love of a soul mate forever sealed

the story of home begins

the clock of years roll

children at feet now drive

love abides within so deep

all needs are met and wants are small

the story of home beings

Poem It Out online class by Liz Lamoreux

Writing prompt....The Story of Home Begins

A Mr. Rogers Kind of Neighborhood

When we made the decision to move and find a new neighborhood and home, we had hopes of backyard barbeques, football in the streets, bike riding, and chatting on the porch with the neighbors.   We hoped and prayed we would find a home that would fit our needs AND have the neighborhood we dreamed of.  We hoped, but really thought the reality would be one or the other, but we have BOTH.  It’s truly a dream come true.

In the last week, our boys have played in the rain with the 12 neighborhood kids, played bike tag in the street, hung out in the back yard for a bonfire, shared 30 popsicles with everyone, played softball, jumped on the trampoline, nerf gun wars around all six yards and played ghost in the dark three nights in a row. 

Last night they continued their ghost hunting game when then rain and lightning came on in full force.  The entire neighborhood took refuge in our garage and waited out the storm, laughing and joking and eating popsicles at 9:30 at night.  It was wonderful.  I know it might not seem like that big of a deal to most of you, but our boys didn’t have this in our old neighborhood. 

Just the other day, I was sitting in the living room reading, when the front door flew open and two kids (not mine) armed with nerf guns ran around the corner and exited through the garage and back out into the playing field.  I couldn’t stop laughing.   It’s what I’ve always thought a neighborhood should be.  And, to top it off, the kids are polite and respectful.  (I know! Somebody pinch me now.) They range from 9-15 years old, but everyone always includes everyone in all the activities.  It’s beautiful to see. I think Mr. Rogers might even live on this street it’s so nice.

Not only does our physical home fit our needs perfectly, but our neighborhood has added that shine we were missing.  The glorious sound of kids playing in the street, kicking the ball, riding their bikes and the warning signal, “CAR”, sounding to warn everyone to move to the side is truly music to my ears.  Who knew that a street named after a war could be so peaceful.

Here’s to another fun-filled summer day in the neighborhood.   

Life Is So Very Good

The sun is setting on this beautiful day.  I can feel the pressure rolling off my back and the air filling my lungs.  I can smell the grill of our neighbors and can hear the crickets chirping themselves to sleep. The sun is fading to a light yellow behind the mountains and haven’t been bitten by a single bug.  Yes, that’s right, I’ve been sitting out on our deck typing away on my computer while my three boys (one man and two boys to be specific) are lounging in the hot tub.   Life is so very good. 

I spent the day relaxing and unpacking the last room; my craft room.  I more or less just emptied the boxes out into the storage closet and will take my time organizing them over the next few weeks.   I need to be in the space for a bit to see how I use it, then will hang some pictures and set out my seashells.  I can hardly wait to have room to make cards, wrap presents and read quietly during the day.   Life is so very good.

We’ve been in the house for a week now and it feels like forever to me.  We’re using every space just like we thought we would and have spent some great quality time together as a family.  I never thought I’d love a space so much, but when the shoe fits……hey, it just fits.

Good night to this wonderful day.

Home

Home.  We are home.  I don’t really have the words to explain how I’m feeling right now.  Joy, elation, exhaustion, drained, motivated, comforted.  It’s all those emotions rolled up into one amazing week.  It’s gone by so quickly and without a hitch.  That’s the incredible part of this whole process.   Everything and I mean everything went smoother than I ever could have hoped for.  We are now living in this beautiful space surrounded by a gorgeous view of the mountains, flowers in the yard and our children running circles around our fenceless yard.  Truly blessings are flowing.

This house now feels like home and everything (except the office downstairs and the craft room upstairs) is in its place.  I know where the macaroni goes in the cupboard, and where to add bleach in my new front load washing machine, as well as where the traumatized cats go when someone rings the doorbell. 

There is a bit of a learning curve when you move into a new home though, and I’m hoping it will be a short one.  Light switches are still a mystery and aren’t where we expect them to be.  The gas stove takes FOREVER to boil water and takes 20 minutes to cook a 12-minute pizza.  Ceiling fans are dangerous in loft beds, and blind dogs don’t know which yard they’re in when they’re doing their business (so barefoot tag in the backyard might require a scout before play begins).

Overall, this move was painless and problem free.  With the market the way it is and with all the things that could have gone wrong, we somehow avoided them all (except for the one couch that wouldn’t fit around a corner, and is soon to be on Craig’s list).  We even had the nicest sellers, who left us every manual for every item in the home (from door knobs and garage door manuals to receipts for furnace updates and lawn maintenance).  They even left us a photo album of the home being built and photos of every stage of the process.  Pretty cool, huh?

Tonight I will go to bed with a sense of accomplishment, and a complete feeling of exhaustion.  Starting tomorrow, I am cranking down my speed to a mere troll and will leave the speedboat racing for the professionals.  I need to breathe and enjoy the view, the deck, my flowers, my husband, my children and having the most wonderful home to start creating new memories in.   We are home.  Home.