Seventeen years ago Phil and I were getting off work early to sign our life away on our first home. We were both working full time and I was going to school at night to finish my accounting degree. The house was so big for two people three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, unfinished bonus room, two car garage more than we needed.
Today this same home is bursting at the seams. Phil and I now have three kids, two dogs, two cats (outdoor) and a fish. Since 1999 I have redone every room in the house at least once. Since 2012 they are all getting a second go round. I have scrapped popcorn ceiling out of every room except three, mudded, sanded and new coats of paint. All windows have been cased in sanded and painted. Every floor has been replaced. All of my blood, sweat and tears are in every room.
But these are all physical things that have changed our home. If the walls and floors could talk you would see a movie of flashbacks. Neighbor kids coming to the door to ask if Mr. Phil was home. They always wanted to play video games or throw the football around. As the reel ran, you would see the tears of joy shed when we found out our first baby was coming. You would see all the laughter shared with family and friends over meals. The days when some of our beloved pets have crossed over the rainbow bridge. Many late nights in the rocking chair with feedings and children that would not find sleep. The giant pig we roasted in the backyard and the beer caps we picked up for years after that roast. The giggles, boo-boos, sweaty faces and tears of our children as they are growing.
One of my favorite stories about home is Bob. Our home was new construction in 1999. There was no fenced in back yard, no trees, shrubs and there was barely any grass. Every single plant life on the property Phil and I planted. One Saturday we went to a green house and bought three trees. One was a weeping willow, one was a burning bush and the other was just a tree. No tag on it, I had no idea what kind of tree it was. We named him Bob. We planted these trees in the summer of 1999. A few years later this tree started spitting out acorns and lots of them. We planted a very fast growing oak tree. Bob now covers 2/3 of our backyard in shade.
In 2008, Phil went and bought wood and rope. He made some very sturdy old school swings. Bob's branches were just right for hanging swings. I can not tell you how many carefree summer days and nights the kids and I have swung from Bob. This year we discovered Bob ate the rope around his branches and we had to remove the swings. Over the next few weeks, I hope to have new swings hanging from Bob.
Every memory made in this house is ours.
Phil and I laugh that we closed on the house on April Fool's Day. We were told to bring over $1200 to closing. When we arrived and started signing papers only $500 was required. Phil and I thought it was some kind of joke. Sure enough it was right. I guess it was God's way of making sure we could pay cash for the new refrigerator we needed.
Today our house seems small, every single orifice of the house is full. I am in the process of making sure all the kids have their own room and I still have my crafting and design space. The goal is to have this part done by Madelynn's first communion in May. I hope to continue to make lots of memories in this house even if it includes sadness and tears. Knowing our friends and family it will be over powered with joy and laughter.
Happy April Fool's Day Phil! Thank you for continuing to bring laughter in our home.
TTFN~
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