Welcome.
I’m glad you’re here.
I’m not going to show y’all everything because, well… some stuff simply isn’t done yet. But I thought you might like to have a peek at some of what is ready for visitors.
This is my room.
It’s right off the entry way and is where I do all my stuff. At this desk is where I am sitting right now, in fact.
It was painted a pale yellow, but I wanted to try something bolder.
And bolder, I got. This is called Daffodil.
I wasn’t sure how the furniture was going to work out and worried that this room might get be a loser in the furniture lottery, but it ended up scoring many of my favorite pieces of furniture.
And my favorite horse pictures, too.
Always amazes me that the furniture we have just ends up working, somehow, in our new house. We haven’t bought a new piece of furniture (except for more beds for our kiddos) since 2002.
The living room. Doesn’t see a whole lot of action yet other than just passing through, but I know it will.
Especially when we can crank up that fireplace this winter.
It was originally the same pale yellow as the entry and the office, but we went for a super pale green called Stem Green.
I’m sorta undecided on how well I like it, but it’ll do for now.
Love the windows, love the built-ins.
LOVE the view out the window… tree tops and mountains.
The heart of the home – the kitchen.
We left this room as it was, red wallpaper with a super colorful border.
I don’t love it. But I don’t hate it. So it stays for now.
If I’ve learned anything from moving every 1 – 3 years, it’s that you’ve got to pick you battles.
What I love about it is it’s size.
It’s so big we were able to fit in a bunch of extra furniture that we aren’t normally able to use in here.
Like the bookshelf.
And the baker’s rack. Which has come in super handy to keep all the boys’ homeschool stuff.
Because there is a lot of stuff.
We spend most of our time in here doing homeschool, cooking, eating and just hanging out.
It’s where I sit in the morning to have my quiet time. Where the boys and I read the Bible.
Where the girls color in their ‘school’ books.
I foresee many, many happy memories being made in this kitchen.
All it lacks is a set of second-hand barstools.
If I can score those, we’ll all be able to eat in here. At the same time.
Then I just might love this room even more.
And here is our very unfinished dining room. Because I don’t have anything left.
Just keepin’ it real.
The walls might be bare but I love the color we chose, Seaweed Wrap. And we all enjoy being able to eat together in here nightly.
The previous owners gifted us with this big, beautiful table, having no idea how badly we needed a table that seats all of us. This one easily seats 12.
Now we just need to find a whole bunch of chairs that kinda sorta go together.
And there you go. That was the main floor of our house – minus the laundry room, the master bedroom and a few bathrooms.
Those aren’t quite ready for guests to see yet.
Planning on taking y’all on a tour of the upstairs and the downstairs sometime in the near future.
Oh, and out back, too.
Y’all have got to see what’s out back.
When you’re ready to play along, be sure to visit here for the full scoop.
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Happy Sunday, y’all.
Ruthie says
Love it! SO pretty
Lisa says
Love!!!!!! The windows are dreamy to say the least. Love the dining room moldings. Get 12 old wood chairs and paint them. Very Alice in Wonderland. I love vintage plates and had them hanging in my apartment in NY with some colored glass bottles of varying shape/size. May you have many sweet dreams in your permanent home
Jean says
I love it!! I looks like HOME to me!! You are a pro at this- way to go!
You said “BOYS” regarding homeschooling- do you have more than one at home schooling?
NiHaoYall says
Yes, Dalton – my 11 year old – began homeschooling with this move π And in the fall I’ll be homeschooling Vivienne, too. Never thought I’d say this but I’m actually really loving it!
Nancy says
It’s gorgeous! And I actually love the red in the kitchen. Looks like the perfect spot for all of you!!!
Kelleyn says
Looks Beautiful!
nancy says
It looks very much like home! And I am LOVIN’ all that natural light!
nancy
Jennifer says
Stefanie,
Things look great! I’m amazed and how much you’ve gotten done so quick. An idea I saw that would look great in the dining room is to buy unmatched chairs but paint them all the same color. It looks amazing. I’m doing it in mine. I saw it on Pinterest.
Have fun with the rest!
NiHaoYall says
Thanks Jennifer – what a fun idea. I’ll have to get my Pinterest on!
Pinkoddy says
What a gorgeous place to live. Love the colours.
Patrice says
What a great house – just beautiful!
inga says
Love your house. I think my fav. is the very first one with the color of daffodil. Absolutely love it!
kate hawk says
Wow!! Beautiful Home!! I love the colors you have chosen : ) All the wonderful natural light you have really makes those colors PoP!!!
Blessings over you all ~
Sue Mom of Two says
LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It is simply amazing all you have done in such a short amount of time. And with a bunch of
littles around. And homeschooling. WOW!
jody mcnatt says
stefanie … lovely photos! we move around a lot too…it’s an interesting kind of thing with a big family. just moved last week from a rental home on the lake to something more “normal.” (i’m diana rouse’s new minnesota friend come from the south). anyway, i posted a piece called “our temporary home(s)” on the blog…kind of sums up what God’s doing with us through these transitions. shifting. sorting. cleaning. considering. moves make a mess…but sometimes that mess moves us to see something we might have otherwise missed. God certainly has His ways… much love to y’all. i love the paint colors you’ve used. happy home.
emily says
ok– please tell me that small step ladder is a seat for one of the littles– because that is the best idea ever!!!! love!
and holy cow the green?!!!! (outside– as in tress) here in colorado we don’t see that much green- more of a brown with some snow and then maybe a little green π
Lee Ann Boyd says
Absolutely beautiful! So glad you are there and with Lifeline. We miss Alabama and our Lifeline family! God is so good! You are an amazing decorator!
Lindsy says
What s beautiful home! So Poppy not only makes your bed, she also folds the laundry?!
Lisa@Advent's Adventures says
Oh! Wow! I love it! and welcome back to the deeper South. We are almost neighbors.
Tiaras & Tantrums says
your new home is beautiful – I’m so happy to hear you are all settling in!
Kristy, Life-n-Reflection says
Beautiful Stephanie, I love the daffodil yellow!
erica @ expatria, baby says
lovely! as a fellow all to frequent mover, i hear you on picking you battles. you can’t have everything, and no home is perfect. and is it strange that i kind of like the empty diningroom? the white chairs look great against that soft green. it’s simple and calm and uncluttered (or maybe it’s just the kids doing laundry that’s fooling me into thinking it’s amazing??!)
i haven’t linked up for a while, but glad did this week!!
Campbell says
Wow!! You have done such a wonderful job. Clearly you have an expert hand in the decorating department too. Your house looks straight out of Southern Living! I love it. I’m so happy for y’all. What a beautiful home. God is good.
DITA says
Complete and utter AWESOMENESS! Thanks for having me in for a cup of tea…visiting you is always SUCH a pleasure!
Hugs,
DITA
Hilary says
Looks great!
Stacy says
Awww Stef! It looks fabulous and inviting and HOME! God has truly given you a gift for quickly making each of your moves into a HOME! I love how you’ve made it all work and how the furniture pieces are not “sets” and matching! Oh how I wish I had that ability to mix and match! It’s beautiful and I can’t wait to hear your posts and see photos of your big ole family building memories in your new home!!! Congratulations!!! Love all your new paint colors!!!
Stacy says
And one more thing…. Seamus!!!! I just heart that dog!
Annie says
Stef, it is AWESOME! I love, love the colors you chose! I don’t normally like yellow but I really like THAT yellow! Great job!!
Leslie says
I’ve always wanted a reason to buy 12 (or 8 in our case :)) different chairs at second-hand stores and paint them all the same color or different colors! Maybe you could do that?
I know what you mean about OLD furniture. Or rather “vintage”. π We have these vintage recliner couches complete with pen marks and some other stains (not sure what?). They are moving with us; just too comfy and too functional not to LOL!
As for your home, I’m impressed! Can you come help me move?! π You are a pro at this! I start packing boxes and get overwhelmed and quit. sigh. π not good! I tend to work well under pressure and I guess 25 days isn’t enough pressure yet LOL!
Love the pic of Seamus too. And seriously, will Vivienne be old enough for Kindergarten in the fall?! Get out! That doesn’t seem possible! They grow up so fast. Sniff.
Aus says
Beautiful work Stef – and Seamus – thanks for being the tour guide!!
hugs – aus and co.
Tina Michelle says
OMG I love this! I love little tours of homes. It just warms my heart to see how others decorate and place their things. I am so excited to see the kids’ rooms. I want to see how you have the kids arranged, who shares which rooms, etc. We are moving soon and this gets me all excited to get my place all fixed up!
Andrea says
I love the colors you picked, and the wainscoting, and the built ins and windows. Moving from Kentucky to Seattle last year, I have a whole new appreciate for just how important natural light is in a home!
You also have THE cutest dog. Seriously love him.
Deborah says
WOW! So far, so good! I love ALL the colors, especially the red kitchen area. I have red in my kitchen, too, and it’s just cheerful. Your home is lovely, as is your family. Love the outside, too, what you’ve shown so far. You are quite fortunate to have found such a suitable place. Congrats. π Oh, and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that dog! He is THE most perfect model for photo shoots, no?
ELSIEY says
DEAR STEFANIE,
INCIDENTLY I BUMP INTO YOUR BLOG AND STARTED READ UR JOURNEY TO ADOPT 7 CHILDREN. IT’S SO BREATH TAKING AND INSPIRING. I AM NOW JUST FINISHED READING SHEPHERD AND WILL CONTINUE TO VIVIENE. GOD REALLY LOVES YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND SO HE GIVEN YOU A LOT OF CHANCE TO SHARE HIS LOVE TO ADOPTED CHILE FROM CHINA.
I AM THINKING, IF I WAS MOVED TO ADOPT A BABY GIRL, I AM NOT SURE I HAVE A HEART TO LOVE HER. XIXIII…
PRAISE THE LORD AND I AM SO THRILL FINDING YOUR BLOG AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR EACH HAPPINESS WITH US.
XOXO
LC
Carrie McKean says
I live in the desert (and not really the pretty kind… more of the dirt + mesquite variety), so I have MAJOR backyard envy. π I’m so glad your house is feeling like a home…
Tanya Thom says
What a fun tour!! I didn’t even realize you had moved. Not gonna lie …it’s been AGES since I’ve made the blog tours, and I have to say, I miss it SO much! It feels good to pay a visit to some of my favorite fellow adoptive mamas. I always enjoy reading about your family and seeing what’s new. Which clearly is quite a bit, since I last visited.
Homes and decorating are right up my alley, so these types of posts always draw me in! Can’t wait to see the ‘rest’ of your spaces and that backyard you were teasing us with!!
Hope all is well with you and yours. Maybe one of these days I will get back into blogging again myself. It’s been over a year. I think I stay away, because it’s hard to visit so many adoption blogs, when my own hearts desire is to go back, but the finances simply don’t allow right now. I know, I know… I’m always telling other people not to let that part hold them back. But we are talking about it again and making some plans for our future, so maybe I don’t have to distract myself and stay away too much longer. My oldest graduates in 2 days… so needless to say, parties, yard work and projects galore have been taking most of our time these days. But so fun to stop in and see your lovely crew! My how they have grown!! π
God bless you, Stef!!
oxo,
Tanya