Widicks...Farmers?

To anyone that knows us well, they know that hubby has been desperately wanting to move for over a year. While I on the other hand have been perfectly content at our current small town location. Mark has consistently been looking at houses online and asking me to go look at ones he thinks would work. Nothing had caught my eye because I will admit it....I was being incredibly picky. I refused to move into another 'transition' house in town when the original end goal was to live in the country. This struggle between Mark and I has been stressful on both of us the past 1-2 years.

I honestly believed that if we were patient, the place we were meant to have would show up. There was talk of building on property that my parents own but that property was currently a corn field so no outbuildings for animals or trees. Adding the extra cost of getting water, electricity, etc. running to the potential property caused us to not pursue that avenue further.

Back to square one again of trying to make both of us happy. Mark wanted a larger house that was preferably in Jewell or Ellsworth. My requirement was a place in the country that fit into our price range. An attached garage and central air would be perks that would just add to my love of that 'perfect' house.

Well Mark found something that I really think both us will be happy with. I'm happy, excited, nervous and scared to tell you that we're moving! It is a 1915 two story farmhouse (no attached garage or central air....yet) on approximately 5 acres by Kamrar. Mark is happy because we are more than tripling square footage when taking the full basement & walk up attic into consideration. I'm happy because there is a lot of space for animals and I'm 10 minutes door-to-door from my parents. Not everyone would like to live that close to parents but I am ecstatic. My mom (and dad too) has been invaluable when it comes to helping watch the kids when they've been sick so Mark and I can work.

There's definitely some outside clean up to do.

Our new venture is going to be a long-haul work in progress. Most of the house is original or very dated. It's a good thing I don't mind messes or unfinished projects because this house will always have something being worked on.

All the excitement comes with a very heavy heart as well. I have come to truly enjoy the people and families I've come to know. I'm hoping we keep in touch and still see each other once and awhile. It'll only be approximately 35 minutes to McCallsburg so social trips back and forth won't kill anyone. The other thing that I'll really miss (kids too) is the daycare facility. Not many places have that type of set-up available...especially in such a small town! Daycare, preschool & school bus drop-off/pick-up 2 blocks from our house with a staff that loves my kids as their own is a tough thing to give up. Lane was supposed to start preschool in September and we've really talked up how exciting it will be. Unfortunately there isn't a 3 yr old preschool in close proximity to the new house so hopefully he won't notice that he's not attending preschool for another year. Maybe a few new animals at the house will help him forget!

Before I forget, Lane has said he will have (in his own words) deers, 2 giraffe, sheeps & kitties. Add to that my horse which will eventually join us plus the fainting goats that Mark just has to have. We'll have a full blown farm in no time! Some day Liz (the horse) will need a friend whether it be her having a baby (which I'd LOVE to do) or a miniature donkey that I've put a bug into Marks ear about.

Enough of my sappy, teary-eyed words. We've had the keys for less than a week and we've already had some changes. Mark and his parents have really put a lot of work in so far. The gem of a stove top/broiler/rotisserie is gone along with the master bedroom and living room/dining room carpet.  As with any renovations it seems to be 1 step forward with 3 steps back. Tearing up remaining carpet showed us the great condition hardwood underneath BUT also showed that there are 4 layers of flooring in the kitchen that need dealt with. We've also had to deal with theft so that has added to our set backs. Everyone involved is ready for pure progress without set backs but what type of moving/renovations have that happen? Uneventful ones obviously.

We were very relieved the hardwood underneath this was in such good condition!

We've also bought new appliances that will be installed in the next couple weeks. Take a look at the amazing stove-top that I told you about earlier. It doesn't scream potential child hazard at all.

One thing the kids have to do every time we go out to the 'farm' is pick mulberries off of the 2 trees that are on the property. Lane has already picked out his room and wasn't afraid to tell Evy to go back to her own room!

We hope to have a few bonfires in the near future as weather gets cooler along with a big house warming party. I'll be keeping you updated on our progress!