settling in

Moving into our new home has felt surreal. I am incredibly grateful and also mindful that so many people lack decent housing. It feels overwhelming to call this house a home. Sometimes I forget that I live here, I just think I’m working here instead, moving surely feels like a job! We’re settling in, getting our boxes unpacked, and the most fun— hanging up pictures. I’m unpacking and unboxing things I haven’t seen since high school, college, or a few years ago. Colorful latte bowls, my Fire King Jadeite collection, all the cute hats I collected when I lived in Uptown, a giant box of journals I have kept throughout the years… they’re all here together under one roof finally.

We hosted a big, fun Fourth of July celebration. It was intense pulling off a party just a few days after moving, but it was incredibly fun and worth all the hassle. We realized how many random “home owner” things we don’t have: like a plunger (we learned that the hard way, haha!), or roasting sticks for s’mores (we have a fire pit out back), or even a hose/bucket for watering the plants. It was a wonderful gathering, though, and I just wish I would have had more time to talk long to all our guests. I can’t wait until we are all settled in and I get to really dive into planning little gatherings. Homemaking is one of my greatest joys. It just feels so good. I want our home to be a place where the door is open to friends and family to stop by, have a cup of coffee, and feel at ease. I anticipate visits and getting to know our neighbors better.

The day of our closing we drove right over with just our overnight stuff. We woke up, had my friend Jess take some photos, then changed into our moving clothes to meet movers back at the condo. It was a long, good day. I’m so grateful we took these images. They are such treasures.

{A huge thank you to Jessica Devins of Foto Film Studios, she is fantastic!!!}

These big bay windows are one of my favorite home features, though it does reminds me of the Waterford’s living room in The Handmaids Tale {!!}.

The portrait that hangs above the fireplace is of the man who built this house, he was a Democratic senator for Minnesota. We can’t put a TV in its place because of the lamps, and we don’t mind it.

Since we had a long weekend ahead of us we made the most of it. We checked out a few new to us restaurants and each of us went on runs. I’m really hoping to get connected to a CrossFit gym here! Sunday we visited a new church. There are several churches within walking distance of our home, which is so special and something I have always wanted. We tried out First Presbyterian and Priscilla did great in their nursery. This was only her second time in nursery at all and I was really impressed that she lasted so long. I’ve ordered groceries twice now, done laundry a handful of times, and we’ve put out the bins for garbage and recycling day. Seth and I have been sleeping in the guest room since our bed has yet to arrive, we ordered a king (yay!) from Casper since I’m not sure a big mattress would fit up our third floor stairs. Our bed frame is also on its way, tufted cream linen— it’s going to be gorgeous. Last night I hung Priscilla’s fabric hoops up and am excited to decorate her room even more. We need rugs, more furniture, but that will all come with time.

This is my new favorite family portrait of us. Priscilla is such a ham for the camera sometimes, I’m thrilled that Jess got several smiles out of her. This staircase and bannister reminds me so much of my maternal grandma’s home in Pennsylvania. Her Jesus portrait hangs right above the living room doorway.

I’m imagining we’ll get quite a bit of use out of our front porch. It has a dining room table that we’ve already eaten a few meals on, hosted Sunday dinner at, and just sat together with a glass {likely two} of wine at the end of the day. It’s easy to pull out Priscilla’s high chair. We wave at neighbors as they walk by, and they wave back. Without all the ambient city noise we can hear the families around us talking to their kids, putting them to bed, and dogs barking. It is lovely.

We cannot wait to watch Priscilla grow up here! She is one very, very lucky girl.

I’m excited to settle in more, we have heard from neighbors that the previous owners really went all out for Halloween decor so I’m going to start preparing for that now. I love that this is our home!

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