home.

i thought it was fitting since everyone is thinking about what they are thankful for with thanksgiving coming in just a few days, that i'll share mine. right now what i'm most grateful for second to my husband and family is our home. i don't think i can really explain just how much it means to us. it's more then a house, it's our life that we will create there together. you've always heard it's one of the biggest decisions/purchases you will ever make. so you contemplate, weigh out your options, refer to your budget, get excited, get let down and have so much hope that you'll find what you are looking for. and when you do find it, when everything comes together it's amazing. growing up i always dreamed of what my house would look like. where it would be and who it would be with. i never really thought it would happen.

to have the husband i've always hoped for, the home i dreamed about and the exciting future ahead, the gospel that i've always needed and the family/friends that truly care, i feel blessed. honestly sometimes i get scared wondering what is about to happen since things are going so well. someone told me that instead, "realize that you've worked hard for what you have and just remember to always be humble and grateful". so here i am. i wanted to remember this time in our lives, document it. so that later on if and when times get tough i'll have this to look back to.

the neighborhood is everything we've ever wanted. we've had several neighbors come by with gifts. welcomed by a visit at our home from the Relief Society and Elders on the first day. had the Templeman's and other husbands from the neighborhood come to help us move. the ward members have been so sweet to us. we love that everyone here is our age and in the same stages of life. we feel like we are right back in the married student wards that we used to go to. it's so unique to live in a place where everyone is young and has growing families. we've made instant friends that i know will be life long relationships. there's nothing like a good neighborhood, it makes it all that much sweeter.

our first week was busy...
saturday, nov.5th- moving day (thanks to our friends and in laws for helping), more family stopped by, couches & fridge were delivered, grocery shopping
sunday- first day at church which was so fun, we were so impressed with the ward. my family came up and brought us dinner (thank you!) later we invited to our neighbors the Kjar's
monday- i took the day off, made my first dinner for Alex in our new home, spent time with our neighbors the Owen's
tuesday- the larson's came to visit
wednesday- unpacking, Alex hung all the bathroom hardware (tp holder, towel racks, hand towel ring)
thursday- unpacking and more visits
friday- watched the USU/BYU basketball game, made dinner at home (something we've really missed)
saturday- went to park city & shopped, watched the BYU football game with the Templeman's.
sunday- 2nd day at church, best lesson in RS. finished unpacking!!!
monday- had FHE with 4 other couples in our neighborhood, so fun!

it was such a fun time!

house loves:
-openness, love that i can cook and see the dining and family room. one thing i hated about our townhouse it felt so closed off.
-the kitchen- love that i can set anything hot on the counter, granite counter tops really are worth every penny. so much cabinet space then we've ever had.
-love starting out with all new appliances- don't love that there are so many stickers to peal off :).
-arch ways, just add character to the home.
-molding & the doors, never realized how such a small detail makes such a difference.
-the stair well is so well done, and adds so much to our house.
-lots of large windows through out for so much natural light. very important to us.
-window seat in our future nursery, can just imagine the times we'll spend sitting there and reading bed time stories.
-having a loft upstairs makes it so open and unique for a 2 story home. i can't wait to decorate it.
-finally have a guest bedroom. so come visit!
-having our laundry room upstairs is lovely.
-having closets in all of the bathrooms.
-coat closet by the garage door, now my purse finally has a place.
-matching cabinetry through out the house... bathrooms, kitchen are all the same.
-love walk-in closets. i know it's a common thing, but i've never had one until now. sadly it's already packed to the brim :). can never have too much closet space.
-car is warm in the garage already, no more brushing off the snow
-thermostat lets us set the temp for each day and time
-floors, love the hard wood floor look. it definitely allows a lot more cleaning but they look so pretty.
-that it is big enough for us to grow.

and mostly i love that it's ours.

pictures of the inside to come...