So, it's been a week in the new townhouse. And as it turns out... I think we really like it. We might even love it.
As I said in previous posts, it is small. God has provided for what we need, and there isn't an inch left for anything more than that. And there have already been some real neat surprises that we have been blessed with.
Here's a top 10.
10. The kids are learning to clean up more, because if they take out one thing, it's a mess already, so they have to put the first thing away to play with the next.
9. Bella is learning to use the internet and research places to play this summer and things to do, since we don't have a yard here, we're going to play in MN's backyard. So far on the list is Stillwater, Taylors Falls, Duluth, Mankato, Cannon Falls, and many state parks and local playgrounds.
8. The close quarters is beginning to show as the bickering with the girls has begun to increase. However, they are learning to get along, work through their differences, and pick their battles.
7. Cleaning this place is a snap. Outside of the all the boxes and furniture in the garage haunting me, I am actually finding that I have time for things like card games, baking cookies, reading stories, and taking walks. I think there's a word for this - Relaxing? Yeah, I think that's it.
6. Laundry! They have the washer and dryer in the closet right next to our rooms. We have no room for the laundry to pile up, so it gets done. And there's no space to leave baskets that tower with clean clothes to dig through. Things are actually going in the drawers! And as I put things away, I am discovering how much I will save this year on clothes, because now that they are all where they go... turns out they all have plenty of clothes!
5. We all "just fit". And it feels like it fits like a glove.
4. We have a gas fireplace that warms the whole place, the space, and our hearts as we read stories next to it before bed.
3. There's just enough space for the kids to shoot some baskets on our over the door basketball hoop upstairs. I am listening to them all laugh as I write this.
2. The master bath has a tub with jets, everyone loves it. Anthony calls it the "car wash" bath.
1. We are all interacting more!!! The kids are playing more together, Anthony is less isolated, and learning more social skills. The girls and I are having more little talks while I do laundry and they play in the hall with their legos, or horses, or whatever. shaun and I are also spending more time together, having breakfasts, lunches, and evenings holding hands on our little couch. He used to use a seperate bathroom to get ready in the morning, but I have to say, I love that we share one again. It's fun to talk and laugh together before the kids get up. Plus, I can tell him in the morning all those thoughts I used to keep him up with at night.
I know it helps to know that this arrangement is only temporary. It won't be forever. And right now, it's kind of exciting to think about choosing our next home. Location, yard, privacy and size. Our dream is a home in the woods, and now we hope that it's small too. Not this small, but small. Like that country song, "love grows best in small houses".
Boy, does it ever.
