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We have lived in our little house for almost 10 years now. When we found this house, we just knew it was the right one for us. We were expecting Allison and it was so fun to know THIS was the house we'd bring her back home to after our stay in the hospital.

After 10 years, it's time for us to move on. It's sad, really. We are excited about what is on the horizon for us. It will be wonderful to have more room. But, we are all preparing and processing this change in our own ways.

Lately I have been thinking about why it's hard to say bye to this house. It is, after all, just a house, right? But the more I thought about it, the more I began to think maybe it's true that the people in this house made it a home; but maybe the house gave us a place to create an atmosphere of "home." So, here are some thoughts that might sort of sum up what the five of us feel as we prepare to say good bye to our little house on the cul-de-sac.

They say home is where you hang your hat
And I’m inclined to agree with that.
It’s also where the heart is found,
Or where you and others share common ground.
Sometimes big, sometimes small
Who cares as long as it’s a safe place to fall?
Our house was just a house, at first.
But after ten years, we fear it might burst.
Though crowded and cramped,
though it’s showing its age,
How sad it would be to simply turn the page
Without remembering the things that changed this house
From a house, to a home, for me.
Our sidewalk led the way to the door
where we welcomed our first baby girl plus two more!
Sidewalk chalk scrawled a message when two lines I did see:
Allison would be a big sister before she turned three.
In our little back yard there was just one little tree,
It grew taller and bigger, protecting our three.
Plastic pools, sand toys, and the occasional tonka truck
Made for fun times creating memories in muck.
At Christmas the house had a life of its own
When Daddy worked all day on his multi-colored show.
He’d walk us outside and how I hope I never, ever forget
their little hands on their eyes while Daddy said,
“No peeking, not yet!”
Til just the right moment, when oohs and ahh’s,
even clapping and cheers
Gave way to another Christmas, another year.
Bedtime stories, movie nights,
Candy and popcorn and out with the lights.
Sickly sleepovers in mommy’s bed,
Reaching over to touch a feverish head,
Tylenol and motrin, breathing treatments and more
Grateful they’re comfortable enough to just snore.
Firsts, so many firsts; where to begin?
First steps, first falls, first teeth, first curls
First dress ups, first words, first dances and twirls
First birthday parties, first Bibles, first days of school
First egg hunts, first bike rides, first trips to the pool.
There were pony tails and scratch backs, dolls and ponies galore
Barbies, Kellies, American Girls, books of all kinds and more.
Sunday mornings getting ready for church
The devil worked overtime, as for the brush we searched.
‘Til finally it was found and each girl waited her turn-
Daddy brushes the best, he’s gentle; and mama won’t learn.
Maybe truth be told, she’s glad daddy’s the best,
Maybe, just maybe, she likes the simple fact
that her girls prefer daddy brushing their hair down their back.
Whatever the case, whatever the memory or story may be
It would not be the same, had it not taken place at 3503.
I dare not make too much of a house,
While it’s true it comes down to windows and doors-
For me, and for us, this house was much more.
You see, I think were it not for this house we might not be us.
Could it be we brought out the best in each other
– this house and us?
If these walls could talk, they’d have much to say
About love and life, what we did day to day.
Some good, and yes some mistakes;
But I’d do it all again, I’d go back, relive it all
Here in this house, though older and now small.
For when windows and doors are what others may see,
I know without doubt, it was all meant to be.
Happy or sad, during good times and bad,
This house was a home to me.


Thank you Lord, for this house and for making it a home.