Goodbye to The Riverhouse...

We sold our beloved Riverhouse.  It was such a blessing to us.  Three years ago when we purchased it we had some pretty clear guidance prompting us to buy this home.  We put our hearts, efforts, labor and money into transforming it.  So, why. Why on earth would we sell it!? We actually were asked that question quite often...and my response was always the same- we only would leave it if we felt there was something better for our family somewhere else! So we listed our house, had 7 showings in 9 days and received an offer. We moved out less than a month later.

 

 

We are now in a rental (which I will hopefully post more on later...) and eagerly greeting and awaiting the new adventures that lie ahead of us!

Three to One: Thoughts on Sharing a Room...

I try to be intentional with how I "mother." And so sometimes I do things and then wonder what I was thinking when I decided upon doing those things...follow?

Well, one of the cons when we were considering buying the Riverhouse was that there were only 2 bedrooms upstairs. This seemed like it was going to be a problem since we had 2 kids and knew we wanted to stay in this house for at least one more baby. (Yes...that is implying that we want lots of babies!!! Or at least a couple more:)

My kids didn't seem like they were old enough to go downstairs by themselves yet so putting the older ones down and keeping the baby up was not an option. Our kids aren't really the best sleepers and running down the stairs a couple times each night didn't sound too peachy to me.

Now- back to being intentional- we decided that sharing a room didn't have to be a con since it fit into one of our deliberate parenting theories...

Walker Family Parenting Theory #278 (or something):

If your children share a room, they are more likely to develop strong relationships with each other and less likely to be secretive.

Whether or not this theory is accurate is still up in the air but we decided it was worth a shot.

 

 

So here we are, three kids in one room. The room is pretty big so that makes it easier but we still had to get creative. Bunk beds for the older two and Jase sleeps in the closet...there were 2 and we converted one into a sort of "Dutch Cupboard Bed" thingy. It's kinda cute. And with an official name it doesn't sound quite as weird...right?

 

 

There are definitely some pluses to having them share- often times I have already been in the room attending to the needs of one child when another one will wake up needing something else...it is so much more convenient to be right there:)

They do wake each other up...mostly the boys. Which makes for earlier mornings...which I am not entirely over the moon about but it is quite cute to hear them talk to each other in the mornings.

And I think that after time it makes them more sound sleepers- they get used to each other making noises and learn to sleep through it. That is a plus for sure.

 

 

Probably the best part about sharing a room though is that after we have read scriptures and said prayers, I get to sit in the room with all of my children as they fall asleep. Every night. And even on those long days when bedtime couldn't come soon enough, I am so grateful to be the mom to these three perfectly amazing children. And as I hear their heavy breathing and occasionally rock one of them to sleep, I thank Heavenly Father that he has entrusted me with such a noble calling.

 

Perks of the River...

There are a lot of perks to living right on the river. The view and floating the river, just to name a couple.  We recently discovered another fun perk to the river...

Crawdads.

Being married to Cory can be pretty adventurous as far as I am concerned. He has introduced me to all kinds of outdoor recreation that I wasn't really exposed to (or super interested in) when I was younger.  Take our Whistle Pig experience for example. That was new for me. 

Anyhow, I digress- we heard that one could catch crawdads right behind our house.  So we gave it a go.

These two LOVED it!!! Boys...

 

 

 

 

Then we were really adventurous and tried to eat them.  I like seafood...but these were new. We were told how to cook them and then we all gathered around this slightly less than appetizing looking plate and dug in.  They weren't bad.  Cory kind of liked them. I didn't mind them but wasn't a huge fan. Brig thought they tasted disgusting and he would stick to catching them. And Ellie wouldn't even give them the time of day.

 

 

It was a really fun, really country:) experience though. So, if anyone really loves to munch on these cute little creatures...let us know. I know two boys who would love to bring you a bucket full!

 

Frozen...

Anyone who lives in our neck of the woods knows how cold it has been. Like record cold! But, man alive! It sure makes everything beautiful! The other day we walked out our back door, trompped down to the river and saw that about 8 feet of the water by the bank was frozen about 5 inches thick. (Sidenote: I was just put in cubscouts...that's a story for a different day...and I recently learned that as long as the ice is at least 3 inches thick- you can camp on it. It still took quite a bit of convincing from Cory for me to go out on it...even though the water was only about 8 inches deep below that 5 inch layer of ice!)

It was pretty fun to see such beauty right in our backyard!

We love the Riverhouse because of its potential for fun in the summer but we are learning that it has lots to offer us all year round:)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously, this is our backyard.

 

 

We consider ourselves blessed!

A Holly Jolly Time...

Christmas is almost here but we are already having a holly jolly time!

The Riverhouse {AFTER}...

Here it is...

The first few pictures are the before and after next to each other from pretty much the same view. In some pictures it is hard to believe that it is event the same house at all!

A couple things...we changed it from a split entry by moving the front door to where the top window was (the one by the chimney in the before picture). There is now a side entry and we built the ground up around it...and I use the term "we" loosely. This was all thanks to my hubby and some great friends and family! If you look closely in these pictures there will be things that you can tell haven't been completely finished yet...but we are living in it and are happy to be "home."

 

The kitchen had a pretty big change too...we moved some counters and cabinets and added a pantry, painted, changed hardware, changed appliances...oh and cleaned!!!

 This is where a huge change took place (above). We tore out the wall and changed all the windows so that you can actually see the river...hence the name "The Riverhouse."

 

 

See the window in the before picture, that was cut out to be the door that walks into the entryway...can you see it now?

 

 

Here are some more pictures of the house now...we love it so much and are so thankful to be living here!

 

 

 

 

This picture below is now the staircase landing...it was where the front door was. Right where that mirror was.

 

We are SOOO thankful for everyone who was so kind in helping in so many ways! Thanks a ton!!!!!

The Riverhouse {BEFORE}...

Ok...here is what we call "The Riverhouse." In ALL of its glory...

 

The color was a nice "hose green" as I called it. Split entry. That was this house's only major downfall main downfall.

 

 

The front door...and it's lovely sidelights. You walked in the door...and WHAM the wall was right there- you either go up or down.  

 

 

The kitchen, lots of cabinets, lots of orange cabinets...

 

 

...a little closer look...

 

 

...this is the living room. Take a close look at that fireplace, the window and the wall on the left. Big changes going on there. And check out that cutie in the corner.

 

 

...the is the back of that room above. It will also have a huge change. See the sun room through the glass door...remember that too. I might just have to do some side by side pictures because...seriously...this house looks completely different now!!!!

 

 

Mmmmm....gotta love the green.

 

 

Master bath...

 

 

The main bath...yes, we did get rid of that toilet seat. I know...bummer.

 

 

Now, here is the real shame. I didn't get many before pictures of the basement. It was bad. Real bad:) In fact, when we would come to look at the house before we even bought it or fixed it up at all I would tell Brig to put his hands in his pockets and not to touch ANYTHING!

 

 

Now...is your head just spinning with all of this house's potential? That is what happened when we saw it...just wait for the after!!!!

 

Crazy House...

Things have been a bit wild around here the last week.

Why?

 

A whole lotta this...

 

 

...zaSbecause we are getting ready to live here...

 

 

...and work "glubs" are definitely required! Here we go...ready or not!!!!