There is no place more delightful than one's own fireside. -Cicero

WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!!

Like a for real house. Really.

We have been searching for 10 months and have gone through a lot of bid wars, offers and let-downs. Above all that though, we triumphed and found ourselves a cute 3 bed/2.5 bath townhouse in our first choice neighborhood. Winning! Its a newer home built in 2006 with 2 stories and a 2 car garage, a beautiful open floor plan, kitchen island (love!) and granite counter tops.

Really, it was an incredible experience with this house. Seth and I were kind of at the end of our rope. We were running out of homes in this neighborhood because they were all being bought up (its an amazing neighborhood!) and we were losing one home after another in bid wars or short sale nightmares. My brother and his family were in town for a week and we double dated at the temple one night while they were there. Seth and I made it a point to ask for some light shed on the house issue because we were even to the point of wondering if we should just bag it all and try something else like move to a different city or travel some more before we settle down. Well, someone above had a different idea for us.

In the temple, both of us looked at eachother and didn't even need talk in complete sentences. I said, "We need to offer on that house" and he knew exactly what house I was talking about. We offered just a pinch over list price. The next business day we had the offer accepted and 6 weeks later we signed the papers. There aren't any more houses for sale in that neighborhood now! We were so blessed with this house and I'm grateful that the long home-buying road is over. Now we've taken the turnoff into home ownership and I haven't decided if its less stressful :)

There was some mold in the ceiling of the garage coming from the upstairs bathroom which was first on the list to be repaired. That's been remediated and the ceiling is half put back, but still being worked on. Seth and I with the help of a friend, ripped all the carpet, ceramic tile and floor boards out of the first floor. Its just awaiting the installation of beautiful 18x18 travertine tiles we picked out for the whole first floor. Luxury for less is my theme. I installed a new garbage disposal and my dad and I put in a new reverse osmosis system under the kitchen sink. I've learned more about plumbing this month than I've learned in all my life leading up to it. It crossed my mind to even get a tool belt, but I haven't seen one in zebra print yet.

I haven't picked the color for the walls yet, but I'm hoping the inspiration will come once the tile is installed and the outrageous red and brown have been primed over and I can see the colors of the cabinets and countertops better. Anybody up for a painting party?

I've decided that being a home owner is exciting and fabulous as well as stressful and expensive. We are excited to have our own little nest to set up home in and finally unpack every box and hang every frame.

Pictures to follow...