Moving In

The time came when the month of dreaming and waiting came to an end, and we found ourselves standing inside our very first home.  It was the most surreal feeling...  We had so much amazing help over moving weekend.  Friends and family gave time, energy, and enthusiasm and got us not just in the door, but settled in.  On Friday, we caravanned through our new neighborhood with a station wagon, two trucks, and an SUV, up the hill to our blue duplex with white trim.  


Our awesome realtor, Niels, was waiting for us with the keys and an extravagant basket of goodies for us.  What a guy.  I was whisked across the threshold by my beloved husband, and we ran around our new place like giddy children, exploring every nook and cranny waiting to be filled with our own belongings.  




The previous owners had taken excellent care of the place.   I was grateful, as it really made the job of cleaning easier than it can be. They were the only owners before us, which was wonderful.  They left this note for us... I think there were many happy memories made in this house before we arrived, and that makes the atmosphere of the place very peaceful and welcoming.  You just get that good feeling here.

Everyone did so much.  They hauled our boxes from their random places of storage, got them in the door, and arranged and unpacked as much as they could.  Our friends, Ryan and Jason, teamed up with Dan for the moving, while Dad Holden began prep work for the painting.  We have some hard working family and friends. Wow.  Mum Holden and our friend Amy helped me clean and unpack the kitchen.  Such a thrilling experience!  

And they also helped me take a mandatory pregnant lady break.  It was lovely.  We made tea and sat in our living room next to the gas fireplace for awhile... 


We had a pizza party that night with our moving crew, and it was so wonderful to enjoy our first meal here with family and friends.  We hope and pray it will be a welcome place for those we love...



Saturday brought more painting and more moving and more wonderful help!  Our friend Ethan was here all day, with a constant, enthusiastic energy that amazed me.  Dan's parents came and made such a huge difference in getting us settled in.  Dad Holden handed over the painting to Auntie Louise and her boyfriend, Cyril, who painted our master bedroom.  Brother Adam and buddy Steve painted the other bedroom...the baby's room.  They look so awesome!  Amazing job!


We are blessed. Dan is in love with his new "man cave," our garage with the massive ceiling.  I am infatuated with the quiet washer and dryer and the open feel of the kitchen...not to mention our two and a half bathrooms! [To be read knowing there is a joke in the Holden clan that pokes fun at our "atrociously extravagant" home features!] 


We sit in our living room or kitchen of an evening, drinking in our new surroundings, in a state of quiet awe.  It feels too good to be true.  I feel as if I'll wake up one morning, and it will be time to leave, as if we were on vacation here.  We are in grateful shock at where God has lead us after a half a year or more of wondering where we would finally land.  Thank you, Jesus, for our dear family, our wonderful friends, and our darling new house.