Pictures of the people who call our house home.
Once again, we are on the road looking for a house to call a home in our new city. I say “once again” because just a week and a half ago, we were up there for 3 days looking. In fact, I had hoped this post would be a post telling you we had found the perfect home.
Actually, we HAD found the perfect home. At least, that is what WE thought. However, the number of children in our household presented an issue and the quaint Craftsman bungalow in the historic district disintegrated before our eyes. (keep in mind, we rent…and like it that way)
But, I had been praying.
I had been praying all along that if God didn’t want us in that house, He would make it very clear. Even though everything about that house seemed perfect (except for the fact that the kitchen was even SMALLER than my current kitchen…I know, I know…I was willing to make it work…you should have seen this house!), for some reason this was not the house for us. And after a few tears, I accepted that.
Our search for a just-right home has left me pondering many things. I thought I’d share those random thoughts with you and possibly spark a bit of discussion…
*Many of the newer homes were lacking 2 things that are quite important to us: a front porch and a large enough dining room. Is it any coincidence our society is lacking the very things that require a front porch and a large dining room? I think not. We have very little sense of community and very little sense of family these days.
Front porches are an antiquated notion as no one sits out on the front porch anymore. No one calls across the street to their neighbor from their porch swing. No one hangs out in the front yard where they might be seen.
And the dining room is not the gathering place of family members. There is no need for a large dining room table with room for guests. In fact, there is no need for a table at all, as we have a wonderfully engaging TV to sit in front of. Bring on the tray tables!
*Many of the houses we looked at had no character. They were just rooms. Gone are the days of meticulous craftsmanship. Houses have become assembly-line cookie cutters. We drove through many neighborhoods that left us wondering if we would be able to find our home at night, as they all looked exactly alike. I realize it is much easier to churn out copycat homes and few people actually live in their homes (most just kind of crash there at night), but wouldn’t it be fun to bring back the days of uniquely crafted homes?
*Homes in the “good” school districts cost a lot more, whether I send my child to school there or not. Everyone wanted to tell us about the great school down the street. We politely told them it didn’t really matter to us since we homeschool. It left me wondering why they thought they could charge more just because the school was great. I’m thinking the great schools must only have students from well-to-do families because these houses were outrageously priced…in my ever so humble opinion. Seems, I dunno…discriminatory?
*The houses are bigger. The families are smaller. How much square footage do we really need? My grandmother had 4 children in a tiny house and didn’t allow anything under the beds so she could sweep. Our friends with 10 kids lived in a garage for 5 years while they built their very modest new home. Our friends with 6 kids live in a travel trailer. Yet, today’s family with 2 children NEEDS 2500 square feet or they feel cramped. Seriously? Yep, seriously. I even found myself rethinking what I thought I NEEDED.
Today, we have 2 houses lined up to look at. The rental market is tight and houses don’t last long there, but I do believe God has the right house for us somewhere up there. Until then, this is our home.
Megan's "home"
The stockings, hung by the couch with care.
The coat closet doorknob and peanut-butter Micah, peeking around the corner.
Clara says
Finding appropriate, affordably-priced, perfect sized homes on the rental market here is really difficult too. We started looking around for a new rental about 18 months ago. We’re still looking. I guess it wasn’t God’s time for us to move yet… so we keep waiting and praying and looking!!
I hope you can find the right one soon – I KNOW how disappointing it is when house after house just isn’t right.
Jenn says
We found the exact same thing…tiny dining rooms that were more for show than for feeding people, and almost no front porches EVER! Oh how my hubby wanted a front porch. But it is so hard to find. We ended up settling for a house without one. But we did find a big dining room (or we thought it was big…we had three kids then. Now with seven it is beginning to feel a little cramped).
Cherish says
Ive noticed the same thing about the neighborhoods surrounding “good” schools. I love the community we currently live in, but the local school doesn’t suit our needs. My children go to a public school where the district lines only include middle class neighborhoods. It’s also the only school in the city that offers french immersion, as if families who choose to live in other areas of the city shouldn’t be allowed the choice. Fortunately, Im able to drive my two school aged children to this “better” school, even though we dont live in the area for it. But what if I didn’t have a vehicle?
Kristi Norhcutt says
We are very blessed to have a craftsman in our town…with a large front porch and a swing, and a large dining room. In fact, the largest room in the house is the kitchen/dining room…which we refer to as the “Great room.” Every day begins, ends and centers around this room. The fireplace is even in that room, rather than in the front room where the TV is, so that we can light a fire and sit next to it while we gather around the table. It’s a modest home, at about 1500 square feet, perfect for the 4 of us. When we moved here, we looked at what I feel like must have been HUNDREDS of houses…leaving our new home was going to be hard. None of them met our wants or needs…until this one, which was hugely out of our price range. We threw out an offer, what we could do, and they accepted. They wanted a family to love and care for their home, where they raised their family. God is so good. Stick to your list…the perfect house will find you!!
Stephanie says
What an encouraging post … we have 6 children and live in a 3 bedroom duplex/twin. We have finished our basement which now gives us about 2000-ish sq feet. I often find myself longing for more. I’d love a bigger house so all 4 boys don’t have to squeeze in one room and share one small walk in closet. I could never live w/out those under the bed boxes, either! But, that is just b/c I am spoiled and think we must save and have everything.
I am used to being around smaller families who think they need bigger houses and it often makes me feel like a crazy person. I try to focus on God’s word, remembering it is God’s treasures I am seeking.
It is so encouraging to hear about and meet others who share the same values. Helps me to know I am NOT so crazy … loving my family, enjoying my beautiful children and raising them, being willing to purge and do with less so we can live efficiently as possible, in half the space as many we know.
I am encouraged and motivated, thanks, Amy! And, I hope you find the perfect home, soon!
Grateful for Grace says
We noticed some of the same things when we were house (rent available) hunting. I remember one house I LOVEDlovedLOVED… when I took the kids to show them, and they filed out of the suburban (we only have six), the rentor’s jaw dropped. Suddenly the house was not as easy to rent. Sigh.
The square footage really gets me. People tell me all the time, “We just don’t have room.” Seriously?
Wendy says
I wonder sometimes if the square footage issue is driven by the desire for ever-increasing accumulations of “stuff”. Hmmm….
Our last rental had a dining room that was larger than the living room, and a screened-in front porch, but it was built in the 50s when people cared about such things. 😉
Tracy @ Hall of Fame Moms says
We live in a place that seems to keep expanding and yet there are buildings built with no renters (biz buildings). Restaurants that have come and gone and the buildings sit empty. And yet it seems our area keeps “building”.
There is this huge beautiful farm house (built apr 1899) in the middle of all this “progress”. Across the street from it was a field- until about 5 yrs ago, if that. I can’t help but wonder if the owners of the field that is now a plaza once lived in that house.
This farm house with its wonderful looking front porch with a culd-sac type sitting area sits there for sale. Now its being offered for “short sale” meaning the owners are willing to take a loss for it. Know how much they want for this property- if I understood…they are asking $499K. I somehow doubt it cost that much to built 100+ yrs ago. I can’t imagine how much $ they are losing.
hsmominmo says
What an exciting time for you! though it’s been over 10 years since we have played the ‘house hunting game’ I know it well. We moved on average once a year the first 15 years of our marriage, 3/4 of them were rentals.
Your attitude and desire to wait on the Lord, confident He will take care inspires us all!
I remember way back when we had ‘only’ 4 children, 1 dog. When moving to Colorado, we came across several rentals that told us we were allowed up to 3 children and 2 dogs. What?! They’d let me get another dog, but I’d have to give away a child?! Crazy way of thinking in my book.
Christmas Blessings to you, even during this crazy moving season!
Sharbel Dussault says
I hope you find the house you are looking for. I agree, the overall craftsmanship of homes today is pretty pathetic and majority of peoples priorities today seem a bit off. I am working on a side project this winter to develop an affordable house that is well insulated, generous in sq. footage and built very well. It is a hybrid design using my back ground in tent structures combined with some conventional building techniques. I will take your observations seriously when thinking about the floor plan in regards to dining room and porch.
My wife just gave birth to our third son. My wife is a 2006 XC ski Olympian and yet we live in a basement with two rooms. Over the summer we lived in a 5th wheel travel trailer and all worked on a farm raising chickens, sheep, goats and milking cows. Before that we lived in a small studio with two rooms and finally when my wife and I got married we lived in an insulated tent in the rocky mountains for 2 years. Why do I share all this? Because our priorities have never been to lock ourselves into a living situation that we can’t afford and also that locks us into both of us working full time. We value outdoor activity, farming, craftsmanship and flexibility with our living situation. We don’t have TV and we love inviting other families and friends over for gatherings and sharing life. My mom’s house has a big front porch that we hang out on during the summer mornings almost everyday. She also has a large dinning room table where her 9 bothers and sisters all ate at. Family and community are central to our lives. I don’t know how we could do it without it.
http://www.schoolofthefamily.com
http://www.dussaultskis.com
http://www.mtntents.com
Amy says
Thank you for sharing! Living in a tent sounds absolutely fascinating! I am honored you would take my opinions seriously. I read your comment to my husband and he says he would be interested to talk to you more about your background in tent structures. He works for the Boy Scouts. 😉
Jennifer says
Hi Amy! I have never commented here before. I looks like the current home you are living in is quite lovely. I am curious to know why you like renting? I know so called financial “people” tell you that is wasting your money but just wondering. We are going to be down-sizing and may possibly rent until we find the perfect home-although I know that doesn’t exist, but being content does!!!! What state are you moving to? Good Luck and God Bless!
Amy says
We rent for many reasons:
1. We are committed to living debt free.
2. My husband has a job that requires we move every 3 years or so with about a 30 day notice. We aren’t permanent.
3. We don’t have to sell a house when we do move.
4. Someone else takes care of maintenance.
God has continued to bless us time and again with wonderful landlords, great houses, and excellent communities. Many people think we are crazy for not buying a home, but for our particular situation, it just doesn’t make sense.
Candice says
Hope you find the perfect house soon! 🙂
jerilyn says
Hope you find it! We are closing on our first home next week. We’re excited! Honestly 3-4 bedrooms was a must simply because the baby needs his own room- we ALL sleep so much better. 🙂 That’s worth it to me! 😉
Gayle says
We are right there with you! We are in a teeny little apartment (that God provided rent-free) and we are faring very well despite the tight quarters.
We will be looking for a rental home in March, though, and already we know that we will probably go in the opposite direction of everyone else who is concerned with school districts. Another plus of homeschooling!
I’ll be praying as you look.. I know it can be stressful (especially at the Holidays when there is already stress).
Tracy says
I totally relate about the dining rooms and front porch!
We’ve been looking at houses for months and I’ve learned to think outside the box. And if we remain stuck in this place, the living room is going to become the dining room, the dining area will be the school nook, etc. Gotta re-think the spaces even if it is weird to others.
But, at least we do sit on our porch here, as does our neighbor across the street and our kids do play in the front yards together. Thanks for helping me see the blessing of that.
Liz C says
We also rent… mostly because even after 10 years in Idaho, I’m not sure we’re staying. 🙂 We have a fantastic landlady. When we were looking to rent, I knew it was the place for us even without seeing inside. She said her son was concerned that we had a larger family, but this is a small cottage–I reassured her that we have bunkbeds, and know how to use them. 🙂
I wish you all luck finding a new spot to land. One thing we learned with a house fire almost two years ago is that where our family is, there is home, even if that home is a 400 square foot hotel room for six weeks! Going from that to nearly 800 square feet was wonderful!! Now we look at houses that have 3000 square feet, and not nearly so nice a use of space as our little cottage, and wonder why anyone would want to live in one of those??