Hi friends– I’ve been a bit out of it lately as you can probably tell from the lack of blogging. To be honest I’ve been in a funk where I don’t want to cook, like. at. all. so we’ve been eating out a good bit.
Last week I was in jury duty for 2 days and also found out that we have to move out of the house that we love. We are renting and our lease is up at the end of April and we cannot renew because the landlord’s family is moving in. Talk about bummed when we heard the news.
We’ve made this little community our home and we were not quite ready to find a new place. It’s in one of the prime spots in College Park with cobblestone streets and really good neighbors all around who have pumpkin carving parties, holiday get togethers, and decorate the light posts during Christmas.
We live in a 2/1 colonial style house with so much historic charm, all hardwood floors, and a gorgeous mature back yard with privacy fence and fruit trees. Not everything is updated, but it’s fresh and clean and the kitchen is white and airy. Check out our house tour here.
Over the past week since we’ve found out that we have to move, I’ve had ups and downs of happiness for a new chapter and the possibly of finding bigger house with some modern amenities and maybe more than one bathroom, and at the same time lots of sadness knowing that we won’t be living here 5 weeks from now and this will no longer be home. It’s our first house since we’ve been married because we lived in a garage apartment for the first 2.5 years. We have lots of memories here and we just aren’t ready to leave.
I remember the effort it took to find this place, countless months of looking on craigslist, trulia, zillow, hot pads, local reality websites, and driving around looking for “for rent” signs like a mad woman. It’s exhausting and with a hard deadline of a move out date coupled with the “we don’t want to move” and “this place is going to be hard to beat” attitude, this time around it’s even more of a challenge.
We’ve toured a few homes and mostly they just don’t live up to their online pictures (hello, photoshop?) or they are in a rough part of town where you can’t just walk out your front door to go on a nice stroll in the evening. Major requirement for us.
We love to host and entertain and we’ve had many dinner parties and nights with friends and family over the past 2.5 years that hold special memories. This weekend we are having a birthday party for my friend Rachel’s little girl in the same spot we celebrated Rachel’s tea party baby shower. It’s really hard to believe this will likely be our last get together here. We sure will miss this place.
On a happy note, I’m thankful that Rachel captured these photos in this house. We did a styled shoot a while back and I just have been so out of it, I haven’t shared these pics on the site yet but she did such a great job with them. Oh and go check out her blog and read my “day in the life” post on her site.
Until next time friends.
Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, registered dietitian and millennial mom of two active and hungry boys. Here on Love & Zest, you’ll find (mostly) healthy recipes to fuel the whole family and real life stories of modern motherhood. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.
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Lovely photos! The house looks gorgeous! Congrats! 🙂
Thanks!!
Congratulations! This is wonderful news! Wish you all the best!
It is very exciting that you are moving! I hope that you’ve finally found your perfect home! Good luck! Stay positive and everything will be great! Greetings, Man Van Ltd.
Thanks Jayleen!
You are so beautiful! I would love to learn more about nutrition and healthy meals.
Looks like we’re on the same boat. Tim and I’ve been made the decision to downsize and have been searching hi and low for a house as well. Not fun at all.
Not to mention all the emotional distress that comes with trying to replace a place that has been so so good to us over the years..6 years to be exact. We had this place custom-built so from the doorknobs to wood flooring, window treatments…I mean this is our baby…BUT we do know that God has something wonderful planned for us (although every day I say things like “I think God really wants us to stay here. If He wanted us out, then we would’ve already found a place.” haha).
You guys are in our prayers. Keep us posted!!
Moving is hard, but moving on such short notice is awful! I had to move on short notice once, and just trying to find a place that I was okay with, let alone loved, was difficult. Plus, you’ve got to have a big bright kitchen for your blogging!
I wish you the best as you search for the next place to make your own.
My BF and I toured over 50 homes last year. Just when I was starting to feel absolutely hopeless, the most PERFECT house popped on the market. I couldn’t even believe it. Stay positive that something better is out there. I know you’ll find it! 🙂
I look forward to hearing about the next chapter. Closing the page on this one I am sure is bittersweet though. Lots of hugs to you two.
Enjoyed your recent blog, especially the house tour. I sympathize with having to move out of your rental without having a chance to buy….been there done that! The recipes look scrumptious, especially the smoothies. And, why not have one brownie occasionally. (My fave!) I’m looking forward to the next installment. See ya and best wishes.
I’m glad you are enjoying my blogs 🙂 Makes me super happy to hear. Thanks for commenting and leaving your feedback too. Have a wonderful day!!
Praying for a miracle for you sweet girl. Your blog is a blessing.
Thank you! Humbles me to hear that.
Good luck with the move! Your home looks gorgeous. We also have to move this summer after 3 years and I’m not looking forward to it. I’m in Celebration and I’m intending to stay here but finding a rental isn’t easy!
Ugh, it’s such a tough process for sure! Glad you’re loving your place. Celebration is so nice.
Moving can be tough, especially when it’s unexpected. I hope you guys find a new place you love soon and have a smooth transition. The photos look great and what a wonderful memory to have in a house you loved so fondly. 🙂
You are right. It’s just that we were not ready. I appreciate your kind words and pray that they come true.
Oh, I can relate! I’ve moved SO MUCH in the last dozen years (more than a dozen times)and when you find that ONE place, it’s so hard to leave, right? Hope you can quickly find a new place that feels like home. 🙂
Thank you Gina! I cannot imagine what moving like so much feels like. WOW.
Having just gone through the moving process, I know exactly how you feel. Imagine trying to find a place when you live on the other side of the country! But hey– it worked out for us and it will work out for you. The good ones are out there, they just take a little digging to find. I’ll keep an eye out for you in the Thornton Park area!
Thanks for keeping your eyes open! My hubs is so patient so he keeps me in check, but it can be so frustrating at the same time.
I’m so sorry and I get it. But know Jesus is leading you on to bigger and better things for a reason. Sending you tons of love.
Robin, I know you are right. Trusting that is the hard part.. thanks for stopping by today and offering your words. Brought tears to my eyes this morning.