It's been quite the whirlwind but we are finally starting to settle into our new home at last:).
The builder (KB Homes) did a beautiful job and made us feel like royalty on our big closing day. On the night we moved in we discovered that we had company. Our little bird has come back to the same spot every night since. Maddy has named him Clover - we think he's a baby Carolina Wren? We also think he's a good omen:)
Our house is the first to be built on our street which is presenting lots of challenges. We had no TV, phone or Internet for 6 days (since the company couldn't find us on GPS) and we still haven't had any mail in 8 days :(. If you'd had told me that living out of boxes at the old place before we left was going to be easier than after we moved in I wouldn't have believed it but I have to say, the first week has been incredibly tough for us all. That said, we have made it through and several parts of the house are starting to look 'homely' now. The chinchilla room was a priority of course...
We converted a parrot cage for their new home and they seem to love it!
We loved the blue color in the sales model and got the codes from the builder so that we could paint accent walls in exactly the same shade. I am very proud of my plagiaristic abilities :)
We don't have anywhere to put my hoard of craft supplies, hang up clothes, or sit and watch TV right now but who can resist these measuring cups. Had to have them...priorities...
There is a big mall close by with all of the usual stores but if you venture a bit further north, the old Winter Garden Village is just adorable. Little cafes, curiosity stores and bicyclists everywhere. Right on a huge lake and tons of gorgeous old red brick buildings. My idea of a perfect town :)...
Maddy got the school bus for the first time and has been such a trooper during a very difficult transition. I am so proud of her...
And Mike's team won a golf tournament at work this week! Let's get a closer look at that trophy Mike...
Roh roh...
During the daytime, there are construction workers everywhere and houses appearing all around. At night though it's really apparent that we are very much living on a building site and it's a little scary. But we do get a nice view of the Wishes fireworks at Magic Kingdom every night :)
But my favorite part of all is our beautiful back yard. The wood out back is full of squirrels, amazing butterflies and gorgeous birds. I could just sit out there and read forever...
We haven't yet cranked up the new grill but it's on the list for this weekend!
After Mike and then Madison, I think this house has been the third biggest love affair of my life :). I realize now, however, that a new home marks the beginning of a new chapter - not the conclusion of one. I'm excited to see how this will pan out (once the settling in period subsides a bit) and feel very grateful that we get to make new family memories in such a lovely home. Lucky me :)
