Pictures of our new house!!

I have had requests for pictures of the new house. So, now that things are a little more settled and we have it looking like our home, I will share some with you. These are some that I had to take for our updated home study but I'll add more of the kiddos rooms and school room later. To give you an idea of what all we've done, when we moved in, all the walls were white and there was carpet in the living room. The house overall had been updated quite a bit but we are the kind of people who like to put our stamp on our home pretty quickly. :)

Master Bedroom

Kitchen

(I was nervous about the colors I chose in here once they were on but they ended up being the perfect backdrop to all the Kenyan artwork my hubby brought home last year.)

Dining area

Dining area #2

Living room#1

Living room #2 (the fireplace is a double sided fireplace...the other side faces the school room. After some repairs on it we were told we could not use it as a wood burning fireplace, only a gas one. That means no ashes to clean up. Oh you know I was so disappointed about that! Ha!!) 

Back yard

Backyard #2

Front of house 

Little Man's/Visiting grandmas room :) 

Nursery side of his room. His bed is ready for him!!

So that's it! We have spent several days this last week meeting new people which makes me feel less like a visitor and more normal. Last night we got together with some other Ethiopian adoptive families and had a traditional Ethiopian meal. It was so great. I loved watching my kids play with the younger ones. They proved to me once again that the age gap is not going to be an issue. They are so excited for their little brother to get here and they are looking forward to travelling with us for court. I have great kids. :) 

Have a fabulous Sunday!!

Signs of Spring

One of the things I knew I would enjoy about this new house was the established landscaping. In every house we've lived in since we got married, I have had to dig out and plant my own flower beds. So it's a welcome blessing to see that part is already taken care of here. I'm ready to add my own color, but I love how God has painted some beautiful colors already. Saturday we took a much needed family day and just spent time together doing normal, non-moving things. Princess and I went shopping while the boys put up the basketball goal and got dinner ready to put on the grill. When we got home, I got out my camera with the big lens and started searching for any signs of spring around our house. I was thrilled with some of the things I found. 

Then my handsome hubby started fajitas and fresh corn on the grill and I let Little Man take over the camera shots while I relaxed. He did rather well. 

I love spring. It's like God's promises coming to life every year. Even with the still, quiet of winter, I love how he shows himself in the newness of spring. We're not forgotten and it feels like we've won a prize for making it through the cold. 

I hope you are seeing signs of spring wherever you are. Look for God in the little things...He is waiting to show himself to you. 

Move Successful

We're here! We made the move okay and have been unpacking boxes like crazy. The kitchen is completely unpacked, the kids rooms and baths, and today I hope to get our room and bath unpacked. I am; however, moving a lot slower today. I am so sore and tired, I had to give my body a break. That, and we want to start painting tomorrow and I literally can't move my arms above my shoulders. But it will be so worth it when it's all done.

Some things I really like about this new house:
* TREES!! There are several established trees in this yard. Trees that are actually taller than I am! This is new for us after living on the outskirts of town and struggling to keep trees alive with the wind beating them down. One tree in the back has a large bird's nest in it and I'm anxious to see who lives there.
* School room...instead of having to travel to a school house in the backyard, we have the joy of getting to do school in a separate room in the house and then close it off when we're not working in it. I am going to do some different decorations in this school room. The kids and I love antique shopping and that 'old world' look. So, instead of bright, in your face colors, we are going with a more antique, old school feel. I'm really looking forward to getting it set up.
* Cabinet space. Oh my word, you should see all the storage in this house! This is a good/bad situation because although there are a lot of cabinets, I get to re-line all of them. New shelf liners in everything means one sore, tired mama but one happy mama.
* The kids have plenty of space for all their "stuff" and more. They are enjoying getting their rooms set up and are looking forward to paint so then they can put up all their wall decor and make it feel like home. They have been great through this whole thing and have kept a positive attitude all week. They are tired as well but have been handling it like champs. I love my kids.
* Spring is coming. Okay, this really isn't a house thing but it's fun to see the green poking through on the trees and shrubs. I can't wait to see what all this wonderful landscaping looks like when it's awake and in all it's glory.

Okay, I guess I've stalled long enough and need to get to work. :) I'll show pictures just as soon as things are put together.

Have a great day!