Home-life at it's finest.

Ryan and I don't live in your southern small small town, although we wish we did sometimes, but we like to think we live in a nice secluded area. One where people say, "Where's that?" or when they visit they say, "you live in the middle of no-where!" That's exactly how we like it too. If it wasn't for our families, and just loving the area we grew up around, we probably would have moved down south in the mountains somewhere, we've talked about it before.

What I enjoy most about my home, is the quietness... the beauty of acres of farmland, woods, the fact that we have our space. Our roads not completely bare, there are houses on it, we have a neighbor behind us, and a soon to be house on the other back side where they sold some land (not happy about that) but after our house, it's my parents farm, and more farms... and sometimes just nothing. I love that.

View from front of house

Ryan and I could never be city people, there's nothing wrong with that, we just couldn't do it. I like to think we like the quiet, simpleness of life. We like to, and are striving each year to be more self-sufficient. With our gardening, Ryan hunting, and raising animals that could potentially keep us fed if anything were to happen. We like making our meals from our home grown food, and trying to do things around the house to make us more efficient.

I believe we're the type of people that if the world were to go to crap, we would be just fine. We'd have each other, and everything to keep us going (just about, still working on some aspects) I wouldn't call us "preppers" like some of the shows you see on TV, although we do have some prepper stuff on hand, you know, just in case. We like to call ourselves independent... the fact that we would love to have a place off in the woods, alone, living off the land would be great... but I'd miss my family too much, and my friends... and that is why we stay here.

Ryan building the wood shed for our fire wood for Winter

But that's ok, because I do truly love my home, my life, and us building our family on the values of being independent. I don't want my kids to grow up getting everything they want with a snap of a finger, it just doesn't build character and knowing your self-worth.







Our life may not be exactly how we dream, but we're working towards making it pretty darn close. The things we love may not be for everyone, and that is perfectly fine, as we don't hold it against anyone for doing things the way they want. Luckily, Ryan and I share a mutual agreement on how we want to do things in our lives, how we picture home-life at it's finest.

I'm not saying we're perfect at this life, that we want to be hermits and have no contact with the outside world. We still go to the grocery store obviously, still buy clothes (because I suck at sewing anyways) but if there is anything that we can do that can save us some money, or help keep us going one more day without the need of help from someone or something else, then we are all for it.

If we got caught in a time travel device and landed back in time where there was no electricity, and people relied on each other and the land, I'd like to think that we might be happy... we wouldn't have all the luxuries we have today, but I think we would do alright, and I hope that our son as he grows aquires these skills, because who knows what he will see in his lifetime, who knows what this crazy world will bring to us.

Sitting on my back patio, drinking coffee in the crisp air, hearing the calls of our quail (so cute) and having this view? I love it. I'm proud to say that we know who we are, or at least, who we are striving to be. I mean, we're just starting out, we're young, but in time we'll have everything how we want at our home, one piece at a time. What do you love most about your home-life?

I'm back!

Things have obviously been quiet around here due to me being on a business trip for 4 days.

It was also a very long, long, tiring, 4 days.

I've actually never been away all by myself like that, staying in a hotel, doing my own thing. It was w.e.i.r.d. I felt totally out of place, you know, then the anxiety kicks in. But, I got through it, and I'm still here.

It's just a totally different experience going off on your own, without the comfort of home. I missed my husband pretty bad, and I could tell he missed me too when I got home. Although, I have to say he did take good care of the house, it wasn't totally trashed.

I'm not one to travel away from my loved ones... thus the reason I hardly moved in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to travel, but more of a vacation type of travel, with my husband, not alone.

It was a nice get away though when I really think about it. I didn't have to cook, clean or feel the need to do anything really at night, but I don't think I want to make a habit of it.

I have a busy week coming up... I have lots of things to do around the house before my brother and sister in law come into town from California. I have to prepare their room, and finish up projects that have still been sitting around (that are really starting to get to me now)

They'll be in early next week and staying with us for a good bit.. it's going to be fun.

So, this week.. will be lots of projects, painting, hanging stuff, organizing, etc. I'm going to try and get as much done as possible... let's hope that happens.

Feels good to be home... have a great week!

Amberlee

My new self....

We have been in the house nearly two weeks... but we have really been in the house around 1, since that is when most of our furniture arrived and boxes had been unpacked.

It looks like a home now, everything is unpacked and put into place. In just a few short days, I made that house our home.

The new feelings I have everyday make me feel, so grown, so old.

Not bad feelings, just different then what I have been use to the last 22 years of my life. You know, all the things your momma once told you would happen.

Here are a few things that happen when you move out, and the thoughts that are constantly running through my head now...

1. I look at the floor constantly, and can't stand the sight of dirt.
2. The dishwasher is always filled at night, no dishes in the kitchen sink!
3. "Lights? Who needs lights....I'll do things in the dark."
4. "What should I make for dinner?"
5. Running around in your underwear has a totally new feeling.
6. Clean, Clean, Clean, Dirt? No!
7. Now, I can do things when I want.
8. The food in the fridge? Yes, that's my choice now!

I still have a lot to learn in this new stage in my life, but for now I am loving it.

I am loving all the time I get to spend with my husband, just us two. The planning of our home, and doing things how we want. I am excited for our future together, this new journey. I feel so blessed for all that I have, and how far that we have come.

Everything is just perfect.

 

Weekend Review: The place we now call home!

The day finally came!

Say hello to the new place we now call home!

We spent the whole weekend working on the walls, fixing holes, priming and painting. We got mostly all we wanted done, in just TWO days! It was unbelievable. Thank God for good friends and family who helped us already through this process, I don't know what we would have done without them.

It feels great to have people like that to rely on.

Here are some quick shots we took that day...(the sun was in my eyes on this one!)

 

Here is a shot of part of our backyard.

 

And our front porch view! Isn't it just beautiful?

 

There is still so much to do.. so many things to fix, but I know in time and piece by piece the house will come together just as we dreamed. I know nothing can be done all at once (even though that would be great) But, we're going to work on each room at a time (really just the bathrooms, kitchen, and basement)

I believe that by the end of the next summer the house will be looking fabulous, I can't wait.

  I'm saving the inside pictures until all the furniture is in, and painting is 100% complete, so stay tuned on that!

Welcome home soldier

Guess what this is?

 

Yes, if you remember, I wrote a post way back.. 7 months ago, stating that I would wear this band, day in and day out until the return of my brother in law who was stationed over in Afghanistan.

And I did, I never took it off once, for anything.

Until today.

I'll still wear it of course.. there are still so many soldiers still out there fighting for our country.

What a long and hard 7 months it has been... but he is now home, safe and sound in the arms of his family!

 

Thank you for your service Greg!

Welcome home soldier.