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Our NEW home!

I think I’m finally ready to open up about the journey we’ve been on for the last few years. I haven’t really written about it because I honestly had no idea how it would end…or when it would end. But here goes nothing.

For the last 2 years and 3 months we’ve been living with my parents. On Thanksgiving day 2013, Luke and I left Birmingham and moved to Lexington with my mom. I was set to start my new job at WLEX on December 1st. The three of us (and Eden who was only a few months along) moved into a small apartment with minimal things. Two beds, a crib, some clothes, some kitchen items, and two (very uncomfortable) chairs. Jeff stayed behind until our house sold, my dad did the same.

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Moving Day (Birmingham)

Eventually, my parents’ Birmingham house sold and they purchased a new home in Lexington. Jeff still stayed behind. Our Birmingham house finally sold in April…and I was 7 months pregnant when Jeff was finally able to move up to Lexington and be with us again. He missed a lot, but we were so happy to be together as a family again.

Jeff and I decided to purchase a home 3 weeks before my due date. (A hormonal decision looking back.) It needed a TON of work…so we never moved in. I didn’t want to be living in a construction zone with a toddler and a newborn. Eden Marie was born in June and we decided to stay put at my parents place for the time being. Until…

Jeff was offered a job promotion in Savannah, GA. We couldn’t afford for him to turn it down, so he left. Eden was only a couple months old…Luke was barely talking…but he had to do what was best for our family. Since I was working the graveyard shift, and leaving for work at 2:30 am, I needed help with the children so I continued to live at my parents’ house.

Remember that home we purchased in Lexington that we renovated? We never spent one night there. When Jeff accepted the job in Savannah, I already knew I didn’t want to stay in news, full time. So, we put our Lexington home on the market and my parents did the same. They needed to get back to Columbus for their business.

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Our Savannah living room suite

I left my career on Easter Day, 2015 and the kids and I moved to Savannah with just a few things. The four of us lived in a one bedroom apartment and slept on air mattresses. We had a computer monitor set up to watch Netflix, and two beach chairs to sit on in the living room…and we were SO HAPPY! We spent our days exploring Savannah and going to the beach, things that were very cheap or free. We ate a lot of hot dogs and pizza at Sam’s Club and saved as much money as we could…and we were SO HAPPY! New business opportunities arose and within just a few months … we moved to Columbus, Ohio.

Meanwhile, my parents’ Lexington home sold and they moved back to Columbus. For 54 days (yes, I kept track) we lived in a hotel. 4 adults, 2 toddlers and 4 dogs. We did dishes in the sink and became regulars at the local laundromat. The kids LOVED the laundry adventures! My parents finally found the right home in the Columbus area and bought it. Since Jeff was starting a new job and I was launching a new business we decided to not rush into something (apartment or otherwise) so we lived with my parents again. Until Thanksgiving Day, 2015…

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Day 54 of living in a hotel

We found a home we LOVED. It was perfect and it had EVERYTHING. A “forever” home. We placed an offer and after some back and forth…we went under contract on Thanksgiving Day two years after we embarked on this crazy journey

I am sharing all of this with you because I am the happiest I have ever been! This is our second full week in our new home. I fell asleep in Luke’s room last night and woke up about an hour ago. I came downstairs to my new kitchen and made a bowl of cereal in my own cereal bowl. I then sat down in my new living room and started writing. I’ve now shared with you the most I have ever shared with anyone outside of my family in my entire life.

Hey, I realize what we’ve done isn’t completely out of the norm. I know there are thousands of people out there who would do the same given the circumstances. I’m beyond grateful we’ve had a warm, safe place to rest our heads for the last 2 years and 3 months. I am thankful we had the opportunity to pinch pennies and save as much as we could so we could get something we really wanted….and really, truly appreciated. A huge shout out to my parents for being so incredibly supportive, and a shout out to Jeff for living with his in-laws for so long. I understand there are others who are/have done the same thing, living with relatives…but let’s be honest: it ain’t always easy!

I remember writing a blog post two years ago about living within our means, living off less and saving money. Two years ago I never imagined where it would lead us. It’s been an incredible journey and one I can’t wait to share with our children when they are old enough to understand.

IMG_4114Can you believe I feel like I still have so much more to say on the subject? I can hear you screaming, enough already! You know, I think I finally may have my book idea: “How To Survive Living With Your Parents With a Husband, Two Toddlers, and Four Dogs For 2 Years and 3 Months” A best seller in the making.