Progress

In a flurry of emotion, the fact that we just moved 2,000 miles hit me last night. Before that, I knew, of course, that we'd traveled across all of those states. But last night, for whatever reason, I started crying, thinking of the people we've left behind and may or may not see in the future.

When I left Beaufort, I was sad, but I knew that most of my friends there were people I'd reconnect with because they were from there as well. Our paths would likely cross again. Spokane is a little different. There are friends with whom I'm sure I'll connect again. Two of my very good friends have parents that live less than an hour away in both directions and I'm excited to see them around Christmastime or whenever they can make it. There are others, though, who will stay in Spokane for a short time before going on to the mission field, or "back home", which isn't in the mid west. These are people whom I love, but may not ever see again. I guess that reality just struck me for some reason. It wasn't a pleasant realization. 

That said, today I've made it my goal to put things on the walls and to make this place seem a little more like a home. It's been two weeks since we walked in the front door, which makes me think that it's about time that it should look like it's ours. We've put up bookshelves in the upstairs hallway, bought a dresser, a bed, a table for the breakfast nook (it's really quite small, but so cute), were given some coffee tables and chairs for the table. I don't have those things on the walls just yet, but I'm planning to do so and I'll take pictures then! 

In the meantime, here's some progress from the beginning of the week: 

The breakfast nook is the room that's the most "done", simply because it's the smallest, and because of the built-in shelves, it was the easiest to decorate and finish. The flowers on the table have gone now, but they were my bridesmaid's bouquet from Erica's wedding, which I need to get on the blog. 

The living room looks mostly like this. I really like the room and can't wait until it's a comfortable, cozy place! We thought we had a couch coming yesterday or today (via Craigslist), but the seller and his wife didn't communicate well, and she gave it to a co-worker. I'd like something neutral in here, though we did find a really pretty red fabric sectional on Craigslist that we'd like. We'd most like a sectional. If you're wondering, those windows face the fireplace (which does work, for those of you who asked! It's a gas fireplace.)

We lucked out at Target. They had all kinds of things we needed that were on sale because of back-to-dorm sales. Our most notable purchases were these two bookshelves which we put upstairs in the little nook right before our room. In the future, Carson would like to put a chair up here for reading.

Carson found a ton of furniture at a 50% of sale at a local thrift store, which is where this dresser was purchased. It has some "heat stains" (he says), which are gummy marks on the top. Any ideas on how to remove them?

The view from the door isn't spectacular. I'd like drapes on that window and something to go on either side.

Most of all, I'd love to figure out what to put over the bed. We had a window behind our bed at the apartment, but it looks so lonely with nothing there right now. I've been brainstorming and welcome all suggestions.

And I'd considered something like this... put three hooks in and get some fabric that matches the room (I'm holding up a scarf). I can't tell from my picture if it's a good idea or a little bit tacky. Help?!

Boxes

No words are really needed besides yeah, it really was that bad. 

Here's what the packing, cleaning and moving process looked like in Spokane.

Link to More Pictures

Well, I've posted a million pictures from our move and more, if you just click this link. 

I'm sure there's nothing better in life than to see pictures of us. 

John Carroll University

Carson's beginning his first day of classes on this beautiful campus today!

Where We Used to Live

Before I get too caught up with sharing the new, I'm going to share a couple posts of the old. 

This is where we shared two happy years of life. Right above the church office, in an upstairs corner apartment (that is not pictured here). You may wonder why I share pictures of the church... well, that's because for two years, we were janitors of that old place. The nooks and crannies of that building were as familiar to us as if we lived there, and technically we did, since it was right across the parking lot, after all. 

So Long, Farewell

We didn't get a formal post about all the goodbyes, so this will have to do. These are really just a handful of the wonderful people we've left behind in Washington.

The Day We Moved In

On Thursday morning, we woke up earlier than we wanted to in order to pick up the keys at a certain time. Once they were secured, we set out for our new home. We like the area that we live in. We have a really pretty street!

We’d seen our house on Google Maps and in a few phone shots our landlord was kind enough to take for us, but even so, we were excited to see it from the car, in person. 

We drove up to the back of the house, came up to the side door, and entered through the kitchen. These are the nice pictures I got before we ruined the house with boxes and bags.

The first few nights, we’ve been sleeping on this borrowed air mattress in the guest bedroom. We purchased a mattress, but it won’t be delivered until the weekend. In the time since we moved in, we’ve picked up our boxes from the train, all of which arrived on this end, although we did have a few broken things.

Furniture is being picked up here and there but we’re hoping to have certain things soon, so it feels like a home and so that we can put things where they belong. Carson located a great thrift store with lots of 50% off furniture, so that was exciting.

In the meantime, this is what our house is looking like right now – definitely starting to feel more like a home, which is great, since we’ve only been here a few days. 

Look closely at this one

guest bedroom

kitchen

 dining room shelves

living room

back entry/hallway

messy linen closet

bathroom

guest bedroom

 our closets

kitchen