Three.

It feels like home here. We’ve been here a week and I’ve already come to adore so many things about this place. Growing up my parents had a sign right as you walked in their house that said, “breathe, you’re home.” I always felt that way growing up. Home was my favorite place to be. I’ve always hoped my kids would feel that same feeling as they walked into our front door. We are working hard to be their memory makers and to make this house their place of calm, comfort, and “breathe you’re home”

Already, when our front gate opens and I make the drive under the oak trees to the front of our house, I feel that way- breathe, you’re home. Even when the floors are being demolished, walls are being torn down, every wall is being painted, and subfloors are being added, I still feel it- breathe you’re home.

This past week the rain fell for 2 straight days and the property became a muddy mess. Colton excitedly pushed the big Tonka truck he’s pushed since he was learning to walk through every puddle.  As I watched him joyfully becoming more and more muddy I couldn’t help but smile and think- breathe, you’re home. His need for adventure, messiness, and hands on work is met here. It’s only been a week but he’s already feeling it- breathe you’re home.

When the rain cleared we were left with a refreshingly beautiful yard so the kids and I escaped the remodel mayhem that is happening inside the house and headed for the citrus trees. We collected baskets of oranges and took them to the back deck and juiced them. I never realized how amazing an orange blossom smells or how pretty a freshly cut orange is. The slowness makes me appreciate things I haven’t before. It makes me think, breathe you’re home. The entire time we were out there working with those oranges Preston kept saying “it’s so pretty out here!” My heart was full seeing and hearing that my 3 year old is able to feel the beauty of this place. It’s only been a week and she’s already feeling it- breathe you’re home!