
Marriage would be so easy if life didn’t get in the way. You’re tired, talked out, touched out, and at the end of the day, you just want to veg out on the couch alone and watch some TV before … Continue reading
Marriage would be so easy if life didn’t get in the way. You’re tired, talked out, touched out, and at the end of the day, you just want to veg out on the couch alone and watch some TV before … Continue reading
I don’t think I realized how much a gift it was to stay at home and raise your children until I had the chance to do it myself. My mother stayed at home with my siblings and me while my … Continue reading
Do you remember how old you were when you chose to assume your family’s faith as your own? I was a Junior in high school. My husband was in college when he experienced his “re-version” (a conversion-like experience for those … Continue reading
Any couple who has been through a marriage preparation class or marriage counseling has been warned of the difficulties that come with a lack of communication between spouses. It’s one of the primary indications of future divorce, and one of … Continue reading
My husband is not my perfect soulmate. Even after over a decade of working with high school students, seeing the faces of teens when I make that declaration never gest old (literally- I swear their faces get even younger every … Continue reading
When I was pregnant for the first time, people were quick to remind me that I needed to take care of myself. New babies were needy and it would be easy to forget that I had needs, too. This was … Continue reading
Since I opened up about my struggles with an eating disorder a few weeks ago, I’ve had some time to think about how I’ve found healing in my recovery process. I know that my story is fairly unique (or at … Continue reading
I have always tried to be as honest as possible in my writing. I have written about post-partum depression and anxiety, about regrets and challenges, about deaths and loss. I have written about some of my happiest moments, as well … Continue reading
You are looking at the newest (probably) homeowners in the fine city of Stephens City, VA. That’s right! We bought a house! And it was one of the most exhilarating and exhausting days of my life. It ranks right up there with my wedding day and the births of both of my children, and I’m sure it’s going to have the same kind of lasting impact in my life. We’re still a few weeks from actually calling our new house home, but Andrew and I are both so excited to start making memories with our children there.
We came to Stephens City by accident, when an apartment became available just a few weeks before I was due to give birth to Felicity and Andrew was supposed to start his new job. It wasn’t in the city we’d hoped for, but with time ticking away and limited availability for housing, we agreed to lease an apartment that ended up being conveniently located near our church, parks, pool, mall, job, and the friends we would make in the coming year. When we decided to start looking for a house, we knew that we wouldn’t find a location as convenient as Stephens City. We knew what town we wanted to live in; it just remained to find the right house.
It took about three weeks, but we found it. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac in a neighborhood that was part of my regular jogging route, it was perfect. The house was a walk-able distance from our current apartment, meaning that commutes wouldn’t change at all. Our new home is a split-level with three upstairs bedrooms, as well as a fourth bedroom on the lower level. The house needs some work, but everything we’ll need upon moving in is already ready to go. In the long-term, we can add an additional bedroom and bathroom on the bottom floor, which will be wonderful as our family expands in the future. There’s a deck that comes off the dining area, which overlooks a decently-sized backyard with space for a future play gym. The house has everything we need right now, as well as potential for more in the future.
We’re still a few weeks away from moving in, but slowly our belongings are making their way home. I know more about loans, financing, and down payments than I ever wanted to, and though I’m definitely not fluent in real estate lingo, I know more than I did before beginning this process. And looking for houses with two children? Difficult, but not impossible. John considered house hunting to be an adventure, and I think he was just as excited about visiting a new house as he was for an afternoon spent at the playground. He was even more excited when we were able to tell him that one of those houses was ours.
Andrew and I have been married for just over four years, and we’ve lived in three apartments already. We’ve moved twice, called three places home, and this will be our fourth time going through the packing and unpacking process as a couple. The only comfort is that this will be the last time for a very long time. We will finally have a home that is really ours. John has lived in three homes at this point, but this house will be the home that he most remembers. This will be the only home that Felicity will have any memory of. This will be their childhood home, the place where so many memories will be made. And we just can’t wait to get started.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us!
I don’t think I realized how much a gift it is to stay at home and raise your children until I had the chance to do it myself. My mother stayed at home with my siblings and me while my … Continue reading