Monday, May 4, 2009

Moving In

I've been too busy unpacking boxes to take many pictures, but I do have a few. Grandpa and Grandma Tractor slept on the futon mattress in Caroline's room and the frame was set up in the living area. It looks awfully uncomfortable.

Uncle Alan and the kids and Grandpa and Grandma Idaho brought dinner over Friday night. After a very long day of unpacking and cleaning we were starving. Dinner was delicious. The kids ate at a little kids table making up silly phrases and laughing their heads off at each other. Ella exclaimed loudly "I knew it was gonna be fun to have Ezra living here!"

Here's the kitchen at the end of Friday. We focused on this room that first day. I figure that if I can cook meals for my family, I can slowly work on the rest of the house.
This set of 3 open shelves is one of my favorite parts of the kitchen.

Last week when I visited my friend Sarah at her house I was complimenting her on her cute window treatment above her sink. She told me they were just cloth napkins hung over the curtain rod. Another friend, Aura, had recently given me some cute springy napkins from World Market and I was hoping I could use them in the same way. Sure enough, there was a curtain rod above the window over my sink here and I was able to add a splash of color with the napkins.
A cabinet for my china! Yeah. I love my china and am so happy to be able to use it now. It's been hiding in storage for quite some time. I can't wait to get it out for some entertaining. It's fun to be able to see it every day too.

And now for the sad part of this story. Sunday afternoon we had to take Grandpa and Grandma Tractor to the Idaho Falls airport and say good bye. I did not handle it well. Ezra wanted to go with them and campaigned the whole drive there. He told Grandma he didn't really need a ticket because he could sit on her lap.
Caroline tried to sneak on the plane on top of Grandpa's suitcase. In the end, both kids had to stay here with us and Grandpa and Grandma had to go back to life in Gig Harbor. We will make sure that there are many visits back and forth. These kids (and their mommy) cannot live without seeing Grandpa and Grandma Tractor on a regular basis. Praise the Lord we have plans to drive to Moscow in less than two weeks for Uncle Jakey-pooh's graduation.
I don't want to end on a sad note, so here are a few more pictures from around the house.

This little lovely was given to us as a welcome gift Friday morning. It was surrounded by warm fresh-out-of-the-oven delicious muffins. Thank you, Lucy!

Here is Ezra's room. My mom and I organized and put away all his toys on shelves in bins. You can see how long that lasted. His room is also the toy room.
And Caroline's room. The last "little" girl to live here left quite a dainty feminine room. Eventually we'll get a bed in here so that it will double as the guest room. Anyone care to be the second (mom and dad were the first) guests to use this lovely room???
And this is our room. It's as big as half of our old house. Seriously. And the view is pretty nice, my friends. Living here in this rental might prove to be a huge mistake. One could sure get used to living in such luxury : )
This is the view from the windows in our bedroom.

Miss Kine insisted that I take her picture.

This fancy lady is a jewelry holder that my parents got me for my birthday a month ago. Isn't she stinkin' cute? I just love her. And her mesh butterfly wings hold so many necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

One last kitchen shot. My favorite room in the house. I can't wait to have some friends and family over so that I can cook up a storm in this kitchen! Have you caught all my hints at wanting visitors? Come on people! I apologize for not getting all the unpacking, organizing and cleaning done before taking these pictures. We'll be slowly working on the rest of the sorting and organizing for quite a while, I'm sure. And I'll be hounding Tadd to help me hang pictures and put up decorations for the next week or two. It already feels pretty homey. We can see how much He has led us all the way and gone before to prepare the path for us. And we have felt all of your prayers--so thank you!

Also, yes, I know the word "kine" means cow. No, I don't think my daughter is a cow. Ezra started out saying "Car-kine" since he couldn't say "Caroline" and somehow it changed into the single syllable nickname of "Kine". We'll try to get rid of the nickname before she finds out/cares what it means : )

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my word, I LOVE the house esp. the windowed wall in your room, nice!! You will have to let me know if I can come by the week before July 4th weekend(when I hope to go to WY for a couple days), as I know you are going to Lassen, and I am not sure when that starts. Haha, okay the napkins above the window, that's great, maybe you saw our Indian swim pics, but Katy Froese did that same trick at her house or maybe her mom did, but anyway I LOVED it! :) That is TOO funny what Ella said!! ~Cath

Megan Miller said...

I'm so glad you guys are settling in. Looks like one lovely kitchen. Now no curtains on that wall of windows in the mstr? Your livin' in the country and all but...? We shall happily come visit, at least for a meal. :o)

Unknown said...

Looks like you have a little bit more room now, and a view to boot! Glad you guys made it down there safely. I hope all the rest of the unpacking and making the house yours goes well.

Amy said...

Oooh! Double ovens! I love your new home! Caroline's room is so sweet and I love the yellow kitchen. Is that a river or lake that you look out at and does your property go right to it? The kids will enjoy the big yard to play this summer. Looks like you are coming along with the unpacking and settling in. Prayers to you for this transition!

NaomiG said...

Oh my gracious. That kitchen is gorgeous... looks like a lovely house, which for me anyway, would make me much happier about moving. I'm a little bit of a material girl. :-) Glad you're settling in! I think Kine is cute!! My girls call one of their aunts Ca-ca. And we all know what that means. But, it's sweet.

gourmetgirl said...

NICE kitchen...wow! Thanks for keeping us updated...and thanks for posting our photo with "Kine." We miss you all but I'm so glad you and your possessions arrived there safely and you are getting settled in. :)

Mike, Alice, and Hank the DOG said...

It was fun to see your pictures! Oh my heart goes out to your parents....I hope they can come here often. I have napkins hanging in my kitchen window also! And as Megan said - don't cover your view with curtains!!! I envy that view.....and the kitchen...and soooo happy to have you all here in Idaho!

Mike, Alice, and Hank the DOG said...

I meant to add to my comments...please, friends of Tadd and Brooke, come!!!

Sjo said...

Your house looks so spacious, I love the kitchen and the decor in general! Awesome view too! I can imagine struggle of seeing Grandpa and Grandma off, here's to lots of visits in the future.

rachel said...

So much space! So glad you are settling in so well. Keep the pictures coming. :)

P.S. I'll gladly come for a visit. If only I could take some time off. I think I might be able to squeeze a Wednesday off sometime in August...

Mandy said...

Hey Brook-ee, The house is fabulouso! I'm sure you're gonna love it. I've been praying for you...and your parents! Ya know I was thinking...there is more chance of us staying with you and getting to spend time with you there in Idaho then ther ever was in Washington! Hope to see you at Lassen.....

Anna-b-bonkers said...

Wow, what an adventure!!
What a beautiful new home, my goodness, the kitchen, LOVE it!

I am sure missing family will be tough, it has always been the roughest part of our moves. However settling in and making a house a home is fun and no matter what you have your kids and husband there and that is all that matters. (I think I am finally learning this)
We'll see what happens when we sell this house and move out to our dump of a cottage for a year. Should be interesting.

Anyway, I am glad you had a good trip out, I love all the pictures!