Home Is the Very Best Place to Be.

Seventeen weeks to the day since we arrived in Tennessee, our ridiculously long wait ended. We are finally in our new house!!! We’ve actually been here a whole week already, but things have been so hectic I haven’t had time to sit down with my thoughts yet. I’ve been wanting to get a new post written since day one- so here I am, making time for it in the midst of the chaos, or it’ll never happen.

Our initial move-in day was less than ideal. My husband ended up being on the road for work for several days in a row, and didn’t make it home until after midnight on moving day. So the whole first day was just me and the kids, emptying our stuff out of the Airbnb house and the camper, cleaning up at the Airbnb, cleaning/unpacking a bit at the new house, buying a new microwave and some groceries… oh and we picked up Odin from doggy school that day, too. It made for a REALLY. LONG. day. A couple friends very graciously helped me out at various points throughout the day, so I was able to at least get our mattresses out of the storage unit and into the house, and also get my husband’s truck from the Airbnb.

Day 2 of moving weekend was much more productive, but just as exhausting. We brought the camper over to our property, and managed to completely empty the storage unit. 

My husband had Monday off, so we went and got a washer, dryer, dining table, and chairs. (Side note: I had my last Barre class that morning, and am already planning on going again next month for another session. Never thought I’d ever do such a thing in my life, but I really enjoyed it.)

About the house. Oh, man. It felt so weird walking in here again for the final walk-through with our realtor. I hadn’t been in it since March, when we first put in our offer. Being here again, this time with the whole place being all empty and echoey, was a little overwhelming. The last time we moved was 4 years ago, so it’s been a while since I felt that “ok, this is where I live now” feeling.

It’s exciting, but also intimidating. Making a house into a home takes an awful lot of work, and I’m starting at square one again after doing a complete update of our last house in NY.

I am thankful to say that a huge dent in the unpacking process was made on Wednesday morning. I had invited a friend over for coffee and a playdate, and when I looked out the window to see if she was here, I saw this.

A bunch of moms from the mom group I’m in came to throw a surprise housewarming party. Everyone pitched in and started moving furniture, setting up beds, unpacking boxes, cleaning cupboards and closets… it was seriously one of the most humbling things that’s ever happened to me. That all these moms would take time out of their day to come together, buy gifts for, and help someone they’ve only known for a couple months blew me away. By the end of two hours, beds were made, the box-filled living room was cleared, and empty boxes were flattened and already in someone’s trunk to be taken to the recycling center. It was amazing. (Yes, I cried.) I am so grateful for all the southern hospitality, and hope I can be a part of it in the future by helping someone else.

The second half of the week was spent unpacking, looking for furniture, cleaning, emptying the camper (we fit an astonishing amount of STUFF in that thing), and exploring around the property. It is so good to be here. It’s been such a long road, but we made it. And it feels like we officially live in Tennessee now.