9 years ago we sold our first home. It was a cute brand new townhome. The house was perfect for a newlywed couple. 5 years ago we bought our dream home. Not really our dream home as in super gorgeous, but a nice home with lots of potential. It had a nice layout for future kids. A nice backyard to have guests and play in. It had nice bones. It was also the ugliest house on the block. 

When we pulled up to the house, I remember thinking, "no, nope, this can't be right. Why is that bush like that?? I'd never. We don't have to get out of the car." The house looked scary from the outside. We went inside, I closed the door behind me and was amazed. The first thing I saw was the lake in the backyard.  Then I noticed the high ceilings. THEN I noticed the holes in the floors, 1,000 nail holes in the walls that had been patched with plumbing caulk, dead lizards, a shut in smell and lots of dust. 

At first glance, the house said run. As I walked through the house, I realized it was what I wanted. Just in rougher conditions than I pictured. But, I could see what there could be. Cutting down that bush, new grass, flowers out front. Inside a good deep cleaning, new paint, fix the floors, clean several times more. One day a new kitchen and new bathrooms. A house is a long term investment. It isn't always the 8 week full renovation we all see on tv. 

Everyone thought we were crazy to buy the house. It was a 15 year old house that needed work. Likkkeee, who would want to live there? Us. And several others who put offers on teh home. Truthfully, a house is more than what you see at the moment. You have to be able to purchase a home for the things you can not change. I can change a bathroom, maybe not this moment, but one day. I can NEVER add a lakeview to a property. If you are buying a home, buy it for your needs. Go to hardware stores and price the items you would like to change in a house. Light fixtures, new paint, fencing, cabinets,...create a budget of how much you would be willing to spend on those items when the time comes.

In 5 years we have had things break, replaced a tub and the tile around it, replaced a broken garbage disposal, and renovated the kitchen. Smaller projects have been painting, replacing a broken doorbell, outside light fixtures and create outdoor living spaces. There are still projects I want to do over the coming years. They will get done, but it is going to take time because I don't want to replace it with just anything. 

​Lastly, It is okay to save for what you really want. Remember who has to live there and who is paying the bills. Do not design your house because the next buyer may want. No! Design your home for you. No matter what you put into that house, the next buyer is going to come in a take it out. Over time, everything comes in and out of style. Get what YOU want. Everything doesn't have to be perfect the moment you walk in. Over time it will get there.  

​The more changes we've made to the home, inside and out, the happier we are with our purchase. 

However, you can also have a family room that is cozy and full of toys to play with. The catch is a room has to have some sort of division. If it is one large open space, then you are kind of stuck. ​

When it comes to our home, we have both traditional and contemporary styles.  Our foyer, living room, dining rooms are traditional. However, the family room and kitchen are less formal. It is a mixture of modern farmhouse and contemporary. I love wood accents in the kitchen, however, I also love my shiny quartz and copper cabinet pulls. As I get decor for our home, I try to think, what is the purpose of this? When will I be able to use it, can I store it? Is it going to be safe from my kids???

Over the past 4 years, I have changed out our spaces enough to drive my husband crazy. He's actually asked me, "why do you keep changing stuff??" As any good wife knows, he'll live *smirks*.  My style has changed and what I can afford has changed. Having that, "really nice vase with crystal beading..." dream has come true. I had to save up for them, but when I finally found, "the piece," I knew I had to have it. 

Please enjoy a few pictures of our spaces over the years. Our style has grow up a bit along with our children. 

In every mom's life there is a point where household have piled up. Laundry, dishes, dusting, picking up 1,000 toys off the floor AGAIN...it happens. When we don't feel like cooking, we go out to eat. Why don't we do that with some of our household chores? ​

I've hired help a few times, move out cleaning, move in cleaning and most recently just before the holidays and after. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I should have hired someone to help me clean just before she arrived. It was a rough last month before she was born. My 18 month old got sick with an ear infection just a few weeks before she arrived. After two Urgent Care visits, he ended up needing to see an ENT. At the same time, I was still working my full time job and tutoring some evenings. I did not get to all of my cleaning before she arrived. Life still went on and everyone was fine. However, looking back, it is something I wished I'd done to make me feel better in the moment.