Sunday, October 11, 2009

open doors

This week has been a whirlwind.. beautifully chaotic. A little back story. We moved to Winkler in 2006 and moved into a house my parents lovingly picked for us. It was a small, quaint, lovely home we brought our boys home too and lived in for about 19 months. It was small and having twins had us outgrow it quickly. We also had come from missions and being self employed. At that time in Winkler there was nothing to buy that was used and no completely abused or overpriced so we decided to build. It was the best bang for our buck. So with employment under our belt and a good selling market we put our house up for sale and built the house we live in now. We moved into it January 2008. It's a nice house. We poured ourselves into it picking out each thing. Knowing in our minds it was never our dream. I love old, vintage, unique and character. This house checks none of those boxes.
We have been happy here since we moved and could have been happy here till we were old. Until one day last week I was just mindlessly flipping through the Lifestyles magazine (local real estate mag) I set my eyes on the most beautiful house. Old 2 story house with a wrap around porch. I read the description (although it had me at wrap around porch) and felt goosebumps. It was in a village about 5 minutes south of Winkler. I wish I could describe to my non manitoban friends what a village is but I can't. You would never get it even if I tried. Anyways... I had to see this house. But we were happy here?? why look. I just had too.
I called up our Realtor friend and asked him to set something up for that Thursday. I had an appt south of town anyways.. it would do no harm to look right?
The night before we drove up to it just to look and it seriously took my breathe away.. did something emotionally in me. I couldn't wait to get inside.
It did not disappoint. I walked through each room and it gave me that feeling! Old farmhouse.. orginal hardwood floors, trim, radiator covers, old doors and knobs. Beautiful old wood stairs and staircase. Lots of windows. Updated kitchen and updated bathrooms - 2.5 of them :)
The house had been moved in 2003 onto a new basement with a walkout!! A WALKOUT! seriously... It's on an acre with woods and a creek as backdoor neighbors.
I tried to reign myself in knowing that Dave would most likely not feel the same way. We made another appt to look the next afternoon.
We had to take the boys this time. They took off exploring the minute we got out of the van. Dave had the feeling too... I remember being in the basement and him walking out the double french doors into the backyard.. there was something about his shoulders and the way he let out a breath.. I could tell he was also in love. It was as if you could just picture our boys growing up here and playing. Having freedoms they didn't have now. A sense of adventure.
To make a long story short. We waited till the following Tuesday when my dad came back from vacation to have him walk through it. His final stamp of approval went something like. "Village living is not for me. But if I was you with a young family I would move here!" Done. Thanks Dad.
The next few days we made offers, countered, sold our house and were approved at the bank. Papers were signed and we are now owners of this beautiful house!
Possession is this coming Friday and we have til Nov 1 to be out of our house. It's been a crazy week and the next few won't be easy.. but when a door opens you just sometimes got to run through it. This is the only pic I have right now. I am going there tomorrow and will take more pics. I'll update this post when I have them.

18 comments:

Tam said...

Whata great story! I'm so excited that you found your dream home! I can't wait to see the indside once you're all moved in.

carly smith said...

oh my goodness......so exciting! :) it looks beautiful, can't wait to see more pictures of it! :) hope you have a good week, even though it will be stressful

Gina said...

I am sooo excited for you guys, maybe because you are describing my dream as well. It always feels so much better when you have dad's approval.

kelly ens said...

WOW! no kidding that's a whirlwind! :)
VERY exciting...i LOVE the wrap-around porch.
happy moving - can't wait to see more pictures :)

RLE said...

O my goodness! Congratulations!! That house is awesome - I am so happy for you and your boys (all three of them).
I was reading some of your older posts and I too haven't really written anything this summer and don't think people follow my blog anymore and why bother, but know that when I do check on blogs, I always check yours, though I may not comment. I know we don't know each other Heather, but you always feel an affinity for another twin mom and I love the refreshing upfront and honest way you write and how you are totally real. You remind me of my friend Michelle in your tastes and creativeness.
Good luck with the packing and the move - and again congrats on the house. It is beautiful and from the little I know you from this blog I am going to enjoy seeing pictures of the way you decorate and make it yours.

Mel said...

What the hell? Are you kidding?! I'm so jealous...I mean happy for you. Congrats, Heather and welcome to 30! This house looks amazing!! Please show us more soon!

Rhonda Friesen said...

Can't wait to see it! Let me know what I can do to help.

Holly said...

could you use help moving?

The Nilsen's Journey said...

It is amazing the house! I cannot wait to see more pictures! And wow, quick sell & possession dates!

Justina said...

Love the house! I too am a sucker for a wraparound porch! How far away are you from Brainerd?...maybe you need help moving:) I always try to leave a comment, but never suceeded since I did not have a google account, but I created one just to write to you. I love reading your blogs, they are so real and refreshing. Miss you, and your giggles:)

Heather said...

oh justina.. so good to hear from you. we live about 7ish hours from Minneapolis. next time we go down (shopping) I will try to connect with you! thanks for the comment!

Stu Bish said...

That is beautiful. Congratulations. Maybee if we're in Pinawa next year Jacqui and myself will find a way to grab a coffee and a tour in person!

How about a photo tour for now??

Love you guys we miss you out here.
Stu and Jax.

Lydia Di Francesco said...

such a great story and so happy it's worked out. I know this week has been crazy, but you will make it through and be SO HAPPY with your new place! I look forward to the pictures :) Love you

Anonymous said...

congrats! sounds like you really found your very own dream and made i real!:)

valerie said...

So exciting. And Heather -- you know I'm reading your blog. Just don't always take the time to post :)

Marcy said...

so happy for you heather!!!!

Jen said...

The house is amazing. My friends parents lived in it. It will be wonderful for boys.
Congratulations!
p.s village living is the Best;)

Jamy said...

Wow, congrats Heather. I have a friend who looked at this house 3 times. She was also in love with it, but they ended up deciding not to buy it. Guess it was meant to be for you. I am excited to see how you're gonna add your personal touch to this house. And I can't wait to see some inside pics.
Oh, and as for country living...I wouldn't give it up for anything. Good choice.