Settling In

Well, most of the boxes are unpacked, and 'our' old house is officially someone else's home. It was surprising to Kevin and I that neither of us (or the kids, really) were very sad about the transition. Sure, I had a few twinges when I went back for the last time to clean the carpets and grab the last of our things. Lots of memories happened between those walls.

This door was the hardest thing for me to leave!

But I didn't cry, and I just really feel so grateful to have been able to sell our house and be completely out of debt and saving for our next house, wherever that may be. Yes, I said completely out of debt! Mind you, we drive a nice-ish 12 passenger van (and by nice I mean: not rusting and runs well :) ) and a sixteen-year-old Honda with one side view mirror. But, you couldn't even tempt us to go into debt for a car again! We just feel free. And, we feel like the Lord has really given us a nice situation with a rental home that fits our family.

Wanna see it?

Here's the living room, kitchen, and formal dining room, which will be our school room.







And, this is the kids' bathroom/laundry room.

See that little face in the tub?

I was caught up on laundry on Saturday. Can you believe it? I don't know how to simplify the work of that part of a large family any more. It's just work. But, they're so worth it. :) We had to take off the doors to the closet for the washer and dryer 'cause ours wouldn't fit. Not so pretty, but I'm hoping to come up with some kind of cute solution. A curtain? I don't know yet.

The kids are missing their neighborhood friends, but are doing fine playing with their siblings. The 'on loan' trampoline in the back yard is helping, too.

Tomorrow is a special day for me. I hope to write about it then. Have a great day!