Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Home

Well, y'all.  We sold our house.  

It's officially not ours anymore and I have to admit, I MAY be crying while typing this post. 

We moved into this house on April 1, 2009... Luke's first birthday.

I'm pretty sure we were taking selfies before selfies were a thing.
This was us the day we got our keys!



Three sets of first steps have happened at this house...


Newborn babies have slept next to our bed in this house...


Our very first picture of these three was on the front walk of this house.


We have made this house our own...



... and created countless memories in this house.



We've cried sad tears, mad tears, tired tears and happy tears in this house.




We've laughed hysterically, giggled uncontrollably and had DOZENS of dance parties in this house.


We've hosted friends, family and even Santa in this house ;)


We've had Halloween parties and Christmas parties.
Baby showers and girls nights (#fcforever).
New Years Eve parties, birthday parties, Super Bowl parties and wedding watch parties :)
Play dates and craft days and sleepovers.


We've spent sleepless nights with newborns and sick babies in this house...


... and endless summer evenings out front of this house.


This house will forever hold some of our most precious memories and I am so thankful for such a wonderful place to create those memories.



I think I've pinpointed why this move has been so emotional for me... it's because I know that we're not just leaving behind the house, but it's what won't be coming with us to the new house... it's the high chair and the pack and play.  The teeny tiny baby laundry and the bottles in the sink.  The smell of Dreft and the baby coos.  Even though we haven't had a baby in this house for several years, a lot of our "baby" memories are here.  I feel like leaving this house puts an official end to the baby phase of our family life and it's been a hard pill to swallow.  

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but our wedding song was "What A Wonderful World" and while listening to it recently these lyrics made me lose it...

"I hear babies cry,
I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more,
Than I'll ever know.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.

I am so thankful for this blog - for the opportunity to welcome so many of y'all into our house and for the documentation of our family life in this home for the last 7 years. I've cried A LOT this past month... but I'm ready to move on (literally!) and create new memories and a new chapter with our family.  

I was looking for a picture of our whole family at home and this was the latest one I came across.  
It couldn't be more perfect.  Relaxed, casual, kind of a hot mess and thankful. 


52 comments :

  1. Eek!!!! You're about to make some amazing memories in the new house, Mama! I'm so excited for you McAnallys!

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  2. This is almost my story. Moving in two weeks, a few streets over, but my kiddos are 12 and 14. Sad to leave the home we brought our babies home to, but excited for new memories to be made. Good luck with your move and know you are alone in crying while you pack up your home!

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    1. Good luck with your move as well! It sucks, but it's going to be great! hahaha #wecandoit

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  3. Oh Andrea! It's so bittersweet. I am so unbelievably happy for you guys but I know how special your current house is. I still can't believe that I'll never eat dinner there again. Loved every special memory made with you in that house friend. Can't wait to make more in the new house.

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    1. Girl! I still get emotional when I walk by YOUR old house! hahaha I'm a MESS!!! Now I feel like we need a girls night with pulled pork sandwiches before I move! hahahaha

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  4. This post has made me tear up a little as well. It's so hard to leave the house you brought your babies home to. Thank you for sharing your life with us each day. Here's to making new memories in the new home!

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  5. So sweet!! I am so excited for y'all and your new adventure, friend!! Xoxo

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  6. When I moved out of my childhood home to my first apartment, I was incredibly emotional. To always keep my house with me, I took a picture from the day my family and I first moved in and found a website that makes glass cutting boards with photographs. It is one of my most special kitchen pieces now! Maybe you'd like to do that with the family picture in front of the front door?

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    1. Awww! What a sweet idea! I definitely think we're going to do a Christmas ornament!

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  7. Such precious memories! I lived in the house my parents built for the first 19 years of my life, so it was really hard on me when they sold it. I learned though that home is where Mom is because a mom can turn any house into a home! Cannot wait to see how you decorate your new home!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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    1. Your comment made me tear up!!! Such true words. Thanks, Sarah!

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  8. You just made me cry! Wonderful memories made! But I know y'all will make even better memories in the new house!
    You inspired me to create my own "herb garden" I shared it today on my blog www.myglitteryheart.blogspot.com

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  9. I definitely know it's hard but I'm hoping that as soon as you step foot across your new threshold that the idea of new memories can comfort you! Happy Trails to your beautiful home and I can't wait to see all of your new posts in your new one! :)

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  10. Well I just cried through this post. What special memories you've made and what fun memories you have to come!! Good luck with the move!

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  11. Beautiful post Andrea! It is hard walking out the door of a home with sweet memories made. Looking forward to hearing about this new home and the memories made in it!

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  12. Well, wasn't that one of the sweetest posts ever!!!! So excited for this next chapter for y'all!

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  13. It's always hard saying goodbye! Best of luck in your new home

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  14. Leaving our apartment was hard for me too, and it was just an apartment. It was where I brought my babies home and where the toddler took her first steps! I will always remember the memories but am glad for the new ones we can make in our new home! You have a beautiful family and it will be fun watching the new memories about to be made! So excited for you and your family!

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  15. It is hard!! We moved 5 miles away, and that old house held so many great memories and firsts for our family too. It took me about 6 months (one set of holidays) to feel like I was "home" but it will come. Prayers for a smooth moving process for you!!

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    1. I'm thinking that putting the Christmas tree up will seal the deal this Fall :)

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  16. Precious memories! You're about to make even more in your new home! Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your life with all of us. Love your blog! :)

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    1. You are more than welcome! Thank you so much for following along!

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  17. Ok, so I may have shed tears reading this...I am going to miss that house, lol!!! I am so excited for you in the new house, it is going to be so wonderful!! I was pregnant with our third daughter when we built our home we are in now. I took a whole day to myself to clean the old one and cry through every room. I am so glad I did that, made the transition a little bit better:)

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  18. I can relate to this so much! Leaving the home we spent 7 years in and brought all 3 babies home to was so bittersweet. We were so thankful to be moving back to our hometown but the house we were leaving was so special to us and held so many memories for us it was emotional and tough. Praying this is a smooth transition for y'all!!

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  19. "Where we love is Home ~ home where are feet may leave , but not our Heart." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

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  20. I relate to these posts so much! My childhood home is going on the market June 1st and I think I'm going to eulogized my house because it's so unbelievably hard to say goodbye!! You have great things in store and many adventures to come!

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  21. Ok, that made me cry! What a special, bittersweet, time for your family. Hugs & prayers! I absolutely love your blog!! (And your new table courtesy of Snapchat)

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  22. That made me tear up....so many wonderful memories in that house and so many more wonderful ones to come in this new chapter of your lives! So very happy for you and your family and so grateful that you have allowed all of us to come along for the ride! Hugs to you!

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  23. This made me tear up too like all the other readers. I have love love loved this blog for the last year and I don't think I've ever seen the kitchen remodel. You did an AMAZING job! Wow! Can't wait to see how you transform this new house! Thanks again for taking the time to blog, I definitely enjoy it and your posts encourage me to do more with the kids!

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  24. I've never even been to your house and I am going to MISS it!
    I'll be praying for a smooth transition.
    Also, this post was exceptionally written...I think you should submit it someplace.
    Have a wonderful week!

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  25. This post made me tear up! I have loved seeing your family grow in this house but am looking forward to your new house too! We are still in our "babies came home here" house but I know someday we will move on and I'll be an emotional mess too!

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  26. This post is so sweet. Love it.

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  27. What sweet memories you have! Can't wait to see your new adventures in your new house!

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  28. I love this house and your family, but I am excited for you as God leads you on this new adventure! Your family will be prayed for this week as you make this sad, but exciting transition.

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  29. What a sweet tribute to your home and all the wonderful memories you have made there:)I want to thank YOU for inviting us into your home on a daily basis, you are quite the hostess;)I will be praying as you and your sweet family make this transition into the new house. I know it won't be long until your new "house" becomes a "home".

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  30. Beautiful! It is hard to leave but new adventures await. I can't wait to see your new home with your unique style. Love your blog!!!

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  31. I totally get what you're going through. I did it earlier this year. Such an exciting time-- but so hard too :-(

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  32. Love your blog,Andrea. I am not a mom heck not even married and your blogs are such an inspiration to me. I lost my mom when I was 6 and all I want is be a mom! Thanks for being such an inspiration. Goodluck with your new home.

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  33. This is going to be such an amazing move! I can't wait to follow it all on SnapChat!!

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  34. Goodness, this made me cry and it's not even my house! ha. But seriously, SO excited for you and your new house! You will have so many new memories to make there. It will be amazing!

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  35. Goodness gracious. I do not own a house or have kids but this post made me cry all the tears thinking about moving out of the house our kids were babies in hahah...such a special moment you will have documented here.

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  36. Love this blog one of my faves!! 💞💞.
    I remember the day I came upon your blog I actually went to your very first entry & spent a long weekend reading right from the beginning! Thank you for sharing your family with us & memories! 😍

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  37. Awww, so sweet! Congrats on selling it. I'm also so sad that we're moving on from the baby phase of our lives too, sniff, sniff.

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