Not just a house...a HOME.

Well, the hubs and I have decided it is time to build on to our home. We have been contemplating this for a while now. What would be best, put the house on the market (in a slow market -- and could drag this out) or just build on the house that has so many memories. We have gone riding around and looked at the "dream" home that would be on a stretched budget and Oooo'd & Aaaaahhhh'd over some beautiful homes; but really is this for us?

So, we really sat down this past weekend and had a heart to heart at our dinner table. We got out our pieces of paper and wrote down 5 things each of pros and cons to moving or staying. So we come to the conclusion this house was not just a house any more...it is our home.

See, I bought this house in 2006. I was 22/23 years old. I was freaking out when I bought it. I closed on it on Valentine's day (the day of LOVE) and my mom (who I love so very much and needed her by my side) was in Spokane, WA this day. She coached me and prepared me for what I needed to do so there were not any mistakes with signing my life away (so it felt) that day at the lawyer's office.

Well, time has surely flown. Not for one moment did I ever envision myself having a family here. I thought, this is my first home. We will build on family land and then start our family. Nope, didn't happen that way. That is the beauty of all of it. There are so many memories in this house. I am not sure if you are one that believes in meanings behind things, but I am. Our house number is 426. This number means so many things to me! It all started out in high school...this was my locker number for four years. Then, when I rented a house for a year and the house number there was 426. I bought this house and it is 426. I went in to have our son and as I was being wheeled in, I looked at my husband and giggled and said "our room number is 426." Also, the first time my husband ever told me he loved me was at 4:26pm in Leesville on Lake Murray. So, I am a BIG fan of 426. The doctor that actually delivered Daven...we told him this story and he said that it should definitely be our lottery numbers. LOL. BUT, long story short here I do not want to leave the house at 426 that is now our home.

So as we were discussing all of these possibilities of what we could do with an add on - we looked at each other and said, we both wanted another baby. There would then be room for Baby Hyder No. 2's nursery and still have a craft/spear room. So, we smiled and said yes...it is meant for us to stay at 426 and not just add to a house but to our family.

This is where my photographic memory comes into play. See, I just love it here. I remember what scuffs on the walls were from and what Daven was doing at the time when the carpet got that certain stain in it. I remember all those muddy shoes coming in the front door after playing and making other memories. All the dirty dishes piled up at the kitchen sink (& me complaining constantly that there is not any counter space here) after cooking family dinner with my loves. I know you are thinking that all of this could be in a new, bigger house...but it will not be same. It simply will not be the same. The sweet memory of making Daven's room from a spear / junk room to a baby's nursery. Y'all this house even has it's on scent. Do you smell like your house when you leave? I can smell it when I give Daven a hug or lean over and kiss Michael. I am not talking about a smell and that makes your nose squinch up...I am talking about a smell that brings warmth to your heart and makes you smile and say...that is HOME.

So, we began to draw out what we wanted. This is where we got:

 

I know this is very chuckle-worthy! See, you can see my view. A view that no matter what the house will look like from the road with a the new addition -it is still our sweet home at 426. Just way more room for more memories. And, then there is Michael's view. The simple, architect mind in hand drawing out the BEST new addition for him and his sweet family. Having a plan and going forward from this great plan. We put these two together and we just laughed at 2am and said to each other, "Which one do you think the contractor would like to look at to make a plan?" LOL. Yet, another memory! 

So, the first group is coming out in two days (this Friday) to give the first quote. I am beyond excited. I am very excited. I am ready for this new adventure and making wayyy more memories. :) 

But, I will definitely keep you posted on our process. :D 

And, always remember...your house is just a house unless you have those special people in it with those great memories that make it a home!