Before pictures of Tink's Cottage

So, here is a glimpse into our new {little} abode. "Location is everything" (in the Real Estate world) and I am experiencing it firsthand. The lot is amazing and the location ideal. The house feels like it should be on a lake and is cozy and soothing. I think God knew we needed this. We feel like we are on a long vacation and although we are painting and giving "Tink" some loving, we are not doing a full overhaul of the whole house which we have done to our past two...and we can't cause it is a rental and there is freedom in that.

I am thrilled about life here and the ease of things. People are out all the time, everything is so close, you go to the pool and there is no need to call friends because someone you know will be there. No more rushing about making the dreaded Hwy 280 drive to sit in carpool line and drop-off and back again for pick-up. We are 4 blocks from our elementary school. Can I get an AMEN! They say it is like a flood of children as everyone walks to school. Bring on the flood. I am so excited about not wasting my life in the car, and my children's time as well. We can walk to ballet, piano, food, ect. Can you hear my excitement?! Now onto before...

Living Room

Master bedroom (a far cry from my hardwoods, vaulted ceiling and antique chandelier).

Now we have carpet and ceiling fans.

Hello, ugly kitchen...and the mini dishwasher. NOW that is a sacrifice people. Thankfully, my husband is a helper and his pet peeve is dishes, so he will be very helpful in scrubbing or very annoyed of my lack of.... I loathe dishes.

"Cleaning" windows. This window is one of my favorite features of the house. I love it's size and shape. Thank goodness for lots of windows. It helps.

More windows that open. Can't wait for fall.

Memories, creating memories. I had to keep this in mind as we were racing the clock trying to get everything ready for our move. I loosened up though and they had a ball painting!

Meeting friends! Here is one, out of what feels like a hundred, kids on our block.

I managed at midnight one night to grab a pen and write this above the boys door before I painted. I wanted to do it to every door frame in our home, but forgot until the last room. At least I got one in.

It is Biblical. Deut 6

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.[a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.

We don't bind them on our foreheads though, but maybe we should. :)

Excitement about the bunk beds

I have made this statement so much I dreamt about it. "The bunk beds are not playground equipment. They are not to be jumped from, swung on, nor climbed on" but somehow no one SEEMS to remember me saying that. 

Taking a break

Surprise!!! Star Wars sheets, he must have thanked me 100 times. Typically I try to avoid these "types" of things dressing up our room, but I am getting over that. Plus, they are hidden most of the time.

All three banshee's laying in the bed...

Our sanctuary

"Tinks" After pictures coming soon....

Only 99 loads left at our old house. Got to go move. Praying for sanity.