Top Ten: If These Walls Could Talk
Oh, there have been some happy memories made on our street. It may not be as dramatic and saucy as Wisteria Lane, but it’s been a barrel full of monkeys. On Friday, we close on the new house and then we’ll bid adieu to this one on Monday. My, my, these past six years are a blur of happiness, growth, sadness, elation and sweet nostalgia. To the pfun life in Pflugerville!
TOP TEN: IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK
1. Our breakfast area has hosted more than 20 birthday parties and celebrations, for our kids and extended family. Many rounds of “Happy Birthday dear…” were sung ’round these parts.
2. The front entry has welcomed hundreds of visitors and perhaps a few thousand time-outs. It is the “naughty spot” as dear old Super Nanny would say. I don’t think it will take us long to break in the new house. I give it less than 5 minutes.
3. The fireplace. That place could host a conference on all the things it’s seen. Two in particular stand out. Just after John Paul turned two, he was horsing around (shocker) and landed square on the corner, busting his head open. A trip to the ER, a little dermabond and minor freak out from me and all was well again. And, about 9 months ago Anna-Laura was being her sassy self and not putting on her shoes. So, I hog tied her and put them on while my dad sat on the fireplace and laughed. When I asked what was so funny, he replied, “I just had a flashback from 30 years ago.” haha, funny, funny
4. The office. Just after Will turned 4, we awoke one morning to the sound of, “Daddy, I just fed the fish!” Um, for the next month? The whole jar of food got dumped in and he successfully put them all out of their misery.
5. The kitchen, really and truly, is the heart of our home. Scott has whipped up some mean batches of guacamole, savory steaks and capreze salads. The kids sit up at the bar every morning for breakfast – I think that’s the part I’m going to miss most. We’ve concocted special reindeer food for Santa’s crew, done art projects, dyed Easter eggs, baked cookies, made messes, spilled lots of milk and eaten some good meals in that kitchen.
6. It may be missed by most, but there is a steel-reinforced part to the wall, just behind the door that opens to the garage. It started out as a small hole when we first moved in and then turned into a gaping one with two active boys. Scott went to patch it and then realized we didn’t have the paint that matched. Three paints rooms later (the hallway, entry and dining room) and the job was complete. Little did Scott know that little patch job would be an entire redecorating effort. As Scott says, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
7. Some of you know we’re big do-it-yourselfers. Ok, correction. Scott is handy, I’m the idea gal. Our master bath had been bugging us for a while, so just before Clare was born we tranformed it and we love it. Guess we have another reno awaiting us in the new house 🙂
8. Just after my back surgery, I was laid up on the couch and heard the boys cracking themselves up. Thus, Lake Whitaker was born. Those two nutheads had taken water from the fridge and were pouring it all over the tile…laughing all the while. I, however, was not.
10. The nursery, now just a few steps away from our room, will be an entire floor away. I’m still processing that new set-up. I’ve enjoyed thousands of nursing sessions in that sweet space. The prayers during this time have been affirming and life giving, for both me and my babies. Every single one of our children has slept in that room. I think that’s going to be the toughest to say goodbye to, come Monday.
The daily reminders of all those sweet memories will be gone, but I assure you we take them with us. Packing up our things has reinforced that it’s all just stuff. I get to take my most important treasures with me, even if we were living in a van, down by the river…the kids and Scott. The rest is just, well, not that important.
Kathryn,
I need you…to be my decorator! Where did you find all of your neat stuff? I love, love the office, where or where can I get that desk?
I'll come up to Michigan anytime!! Repeat after me, Pottery Barn Outlet. That place has some good stuff. We got this from the real deal, but for about 25% less because it kept arriving damaged. I really need to get a part-time job there to support my addiction.
I've always loved your house. We even copied your bathroom, by giving us the motivation to redo our kitchen! Can't wait to see how you decorate the new one!