before

So, when we landed in Omaha...this is where we set up shop.  Our new little house, soon to be made into a home.  Quite different from what we left - stone instead of siding, huge mature trees instead of poor little newly planted crepe myrtles, one acre instead of the roomy ten acres we were used to, grass instead of weeds for a yard, 85 year-old house instead of a 7 year-old one, deck instead of a porch, neigbors instead of horses and goats. 

(Back yard off of deck)
But there are many similarities too - stairs providing entertainment for my boys and legwork for me, 3 bedrooms, a tiny kitchen, a backyard that can easily be transformed into an ocean full of pirates by two little imaginations, sunny spots for both Professor and Pia to take naps, many projects to keep us busy, and tons of potential for filling it with special everyday memories with this crew of mine.

(view of the backyard from the back fence)
We bought it with the understanding that we would have tons to do on it to make it what we want.  But, also, it seems like house projects are our thing.  We have done it so many times, and it always makes us excited and energized about the possibilities.  The potential that no one has uncovered yet.  The future - our future.

(view from driveway up to deck off back of the house)
And this time was no exception.  We looked at all of the overgrowth, dirt, grease, grime, faded wallpaper and dingy carpet and knew this was it. 

With a gormet kitchen like this...wouldn't you be sold as well?!?!? And let me just go ahead and answer the question that must killing you: yes, that is actually all of the counter space.  I'm such a lucky little cook...

(Living room...opens up to the dining room on the right)
Stuff everywhere, sometimes it is hard to see the potential.  But it is there. 

(powder room half-bath on main floor)
Really...did you know there was a trend of putting carpet in bathrooms?  What's that you say?  You don't believe it?  I have some lovely mauve shag in two out of the three bathrooms in our house to prove it.  YUCK.

(Stairway going up middle of house)
And don't even get me started on the pomegranate wallpaper.  Seriously...I know Oprah made everyone aware that they are a super-food, but this just takes it a step too far.  And how bout the code that banister adheres to?  You can almost drive a truck through those openings. 

(master bedroom)
Speaking of wallpaper...it is everywhere.  The walls, under paint on walls, and if the ceilings aren't popcorn...yep, you guessed it, they are wallpapered. 

(Rex's bedroom)

(Roanin's bedroom)

But the boys don't seem to mind at all.  In fact, the move was quite seemless for them.  They got adjusted very quickly, and don't seem to mind the outdated conditions and endless construction projects we have going on. 

We even make them help.  It doesn't take much persuading.  Roanin loved pulling off wallpaper so much, I had to actually stop him from doing it in other places (like new neighbor's houses, whoops...)since we have been here. 

And whatever the big does, the little follows (sans pants, of course).

(Shawn pulling lavender (you heard it right) LAVENDER! carpet off the stairs in his go-to uniform)

So the plan is, to show you all this before, and slowly show you the afters as we get to them.  This will be a long, slow process, but one that we are not only up for...but so grateful to have.  This process is so good for me.  Because with each piece of wallpaper that rips off, every piece of carpet that comes up, every wall that comes down, and each dust pan full of dirt that is swept, I feel more like me.  And this house feels more like us.