This time last year, we moved into our house. So much has changed since then, I can hardly believe it. The day we moved in, I cried… and they weren’t happy tears. I was in such a bad place from my miscarriage, that the thought of moving into the house that we ultimately had bought because I was pregnant was almost too much for me to handle.
On move-in day, I remember sobbing to my husband, telling him that I couldn’t do it. I have no idea how I did, but I’m pretty sure it was because of him and his unwavering support. A few weeks later I miscarried again and I was convince the house was cursed. I wanted out so badly and had grand plans to sell it and run away to California.
I was working constantly during the days at my day job and at nights and weekends on the blog, and coming home after work to a cold, empty, and dark house. For those of you not from New England, it gets dark around 4:30 or 5 in the winter and yes, it’s as awful as it sounds! I remember feeling so scared to be alone in the house in the dark without any furniture.
At that time I also didn’t have many friends because I didn’t have the time to cultivate friendships the way I do now.
Fast forward to today, one year later, and I’m so so happy in what once was a house and now is our home. We added Boots to the family (PS see his pictures of his growth here) and he immediately brought endless joy and unconditional love to our lives, plus he keeps me company if Anel is working late and it’s dark out. I’m not gonna lie though, that first few months with a puppy was rough. So glad he’s finally over the puppy stage.
I’m also in a much better mental state after months and months of hard work with acupuncture, meditation, and many long conversations with Anel. Only when I started feeling better on the inside, was I able to fully appreciate our home.
So far, some of my favorite memories in the house include Anel’s nightly “dance” with the dog (I’ll have to Snapchat it sometime, it’s so cute!), our weeknight candlelight dinners (every night, unless we’re out), hosting our some fun dinner parties, overnights with my sister, BBQs in the backyard with friends over the summer, and having our first trick-or-treaters earlier this week.
My not-so-favorite memories were decorating for Christmas last year (It was supposed to be so happy but I was so sad), dozens of negative pregnancy tests, and the time Boots got really sick with Pneumonia. I’m happy to say that we’re making more good memories than bad and those are quickly starting to fade into the distant past.
I’m hoping that the next year brings a baby and of course a fabulous nursery, but if it doesn’t, I know that we’ll be ok!
Tour our home
Formal Living Room
Home Office
Guest Room
Sun Room
Master Bedroom
Laundry Room
My Bathroom
Man Cave/TV room in the basement
Patio
What we’re still working on
The dining room
Anel’s bathroom
The entryway staircase
Our kitchen
And here are a few of my favorite photos taken around the house. Enjoy!
Living room before
Living room after
Your house is so beautifully curated and completely a HOME. Thank you for sharing because as gorgeous and sunny as your posts normally are, it’s so important to remember that we are all humans with so many downs but SO many ups as well.
x0x0 Caroline http://thecarolove.com/
Thank you for saying that, Caroline. I agree, it is important to remember that we’re all human… it’s easy to forget that reading our favorite blogs sometimes!
Such a lovely look into your beautiful home. Wishing you much luck in your place for the next year! PS, I can sympathize with not feeling comfortable on your own. I don’t know what I would do without my 130 pound Bernese mountain dog. I’d probably never turn out a light without him! xx Rox-Anne, Celebratingthislife.ca
OMG I’m the same exact way! Being in a house is so different than an apartment. So many nooks and crannies 🙂
Hi Julia, I was very touched by your post. Although I don’t know you personally and I have only been following you for a few months, I thought this post was very moving and honest. What you’ve experienced is very tough both for the mind and the body. Sometimes, experiencing very difficult situation makes you appreciate even more more simple joys. In my student years, I got really sick and I felt that 3 years of my life were robbed from me, years when people normally don’t tend to have a care in the world, party, travel, laugh…but I could not do that as I was so unwell. After I recovered something clicked in my mind, never again would I want to feel so low and not make the most of what life offers me. I still can’t believe how good I feel these days and what I have been through but I am now a really happy mum of 3. My life is far from perfect but I am so grateful for what I have got and wish you lots of happiness in the years to come and hopefully the little ones(s) you and Anel are so ready to welcome. In the meantime, keep your positive spirit and live life to the full, you have got a gorgeous home (love the deco!) and a wonderful husband & family! Lots of love from London, Julie xx
http://www.jafinthebox.wordpress.com
Thank you so much, Julie. I agree that going through the rough times make me appreciate the good ones just that much more. It’s amazing that people like you can take a bad situation and see the good in it. Keep on doing what you do!
Your home is so beautiful, thank you for sharing! I just moved across country so I understand what it is like to cultivate new friendships and make a house a home…it looks like you have done a great job! I am sure in another year you will look back and enjoy even more changes 🙂 Also, Boots is adorable!!
XO Lauren
http://www.loveandlauren.com
The house looks gorgeous!! It’s been quite a year, and I hope that you realize how strong you are for getting through it. I’m so glad you have the support of your husband and friends, and that unconditional puppy love (which I totally understand!) I always appreciate how honest you are in these posts, and I give you major props for putting yourself out there. Here’s hoping for many happy memories in the years to come!
xx
Sam
What a great post! Your house is beautiful. My son will be seven in February and our road to parenthood was not easy. We ended up getting a puppy when I thought all hope was lost. She is one year older. It’s good “training”. My thoughts are with you and enjoy this couple time.
JAE
http://www.thenavyleopard.com
Your house is gorgeous. What a lovely home you have build. Wishing you and your husband all of the best. You will get your baby!
Thank you, Sarah! That means a lot.
I’m so happy that you’ve been able to create a warm, comforting home with your husband! Dogs really make a home (in my opinion), I’m currently trying to convince my fiance we should get one after our wedding! Decorating our apartment together has been so much fun, I can’t wait to have a house together! Loved this post!
xoxo
I totally agree that dogs make a home! I never knew that before Boots, but so glad that I figured it out 🙂
Thank you so much for being honest about all of this. It can be tempting to gloss over the harder parts of life online, but you’ve been so open and I hope you know what a gift that is to your readers. I love that Boots has brought so much joy to your household and I’m so glad that your family is in a better place now. Your home is beautiful and I hope that it continues to feel more and more like a place of comfort for you!
Julia, your home is beautiful and so is your outlook on life! Very inspiring, even if we are not sharing the same battles.
Also, I loves Boots’ bed! Where did you find it?
Xx
Beautiful home! Glad you’re making happy memories. Thank you for being open about your losses.
Absolutely beautiful!
Thanks for sharing pictures of your lovely home and I agree a pet makes a house feel warm and inviting!
Your house is SO gorgeous Julia, I have been loving all of your home reveals over the past year and can’t wait for more in the future!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Katie! More to come soon, I promise.
Gorgeous! I’m genuinely looking forward to your post-baby “Our Home: Before and After” post. I hope and pray that we’ll all soon get to see what fantastic fabric you choose to reupholster that pretty white sofa, how you manage to incorporate “Everyone Poops” into your book stacks and what alternatives you’ll find for your ginger jars when you’re forced to clear tables of breakables. Thank you for reminding us that, despite appearances, there’s no such thing as the “perfect” life. The best we can do is create a space where we are cozy, focused and surrounded by our favorite people, pets and treasures. The rest falls into place eventually. xo
Haha I know! It’s going to have to change a lot but for now I’m going to enjoy it the way it is 🙂
Your home is beautiful. Do you mind sharing where you got your bistro chairs and how they’re holding up?
Yes, they are from Serena and Lily and two years later, they’re in perfect condition!