As I sit down to write this post, I can’t help but feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience. Is it really me writing this? Is this actually happening?
The news is still fresh as I share it with all of you, so it hasn’t completely sunk in yet; hence the strange feelings accompanying me as I click away at the keyboard.
My family is moving from the only home we’ve known.
We’re leaving our beloved home in Illinois to move to the Milwaukee area. My husband accepted a new position there and we’re going to be closer to some of our family, so it’s a positive change. 
But it’s really freaking sad, too.
Sorry, there’s just no other way to put it.
My husband and I bought this 92-year-old home back in 2009 when we were practically still babies. The day after we closed, we found out we were having a baby of our own. So much excitement at once, and the timing could not have been better.
The house had good bones, as they say, but was in really, really rough shape. (Did the double “really” drive it home enough?) Throughout the ten years we’ve been here, we’ve renovated, remodeled, and redone every single room – including the outdoor spaces and all of the mechanicals.
Living room before and after
We brought both of our babies home to this house, and our home became the setting for many special occasions and memories, like baptism parties, holiday gatherings, and most recently, a pre-party for my sister’s wedding.
Kitchen before and after
But the life that happened here on a regular basis is, perhaps, even more memorable. Watching the kids learn to ride their bikes on the driveway, blowing out candles on birthday cakes at the kitchen table, and reading stories before bedtime – that’s the good stuff.
Basement before and after
Along the way we made wonderful friends that are going to be so difficult to leave behind. Their friendship is part of the fabric of this home. Their laughter and presence within helped make it such a happy place.
Backyard before and after
My children are so upset – they can’t believe we’re making them leave their house and their school. (If any of you have tips on transitioning kids to a new school, especially in the middle of the year, please share them with me! Comment below or email me – [email protected]) Their sadness is making me have an even more difficult time coming to terms with all of this.
Hall bathroom before and after
In my heart, I really felt like we’d live here forever. At the risk of sounding like a total freak, I actually envisioned grandkids visiting me in this house a long, long time from now!
Dining room before and after
But, truthfully, nestled amongst all of those heavy feelings is a small seed of excitement for a change and some more projects. I can never sit still for long, so a new fixer upper is appealing to me and getting my mind thinking happy thoughts.
Master bathroom before and after
Of course we don’t have a house in Wisconsin yet, but I’ll be sure to keep you posted on where we land. Until then, please send good house selling vibes my way. It’s a really tough market right now and we need all the help we can get!
Plus . . . I really don’t want to have to clean my house every single day for the foreseeable future. 🙂
So, here’s to hoping that love brings us home to a new space that we can make our own, and that love brings a wonderful new family to the one we’ve worked so hard to fill with joy over the last ten.
-Bre
This is so beautiful, B. I was thinking how it will be so hard to leave this home you’ve put so much love into. Selfishly, I am so excited for this next chapter, but I am sending you a big hug as you leave this special place.
Happy thoughts on your new start are the children old enough to plan a revamp of the room they will be moving into you could work on new wall hangings or quilts for their new room When you find where you are moving check with the school for programs they run IF there is a park nearby you can help them meet new children there if weather permits our libraries run a read to a dog program so they can meet others there if they read if it snows let them play with neighbors and let them all come in… Read more »
I am so sorry you have to move and leave your beloved home. But Illinois is not that far from Milwaukee. Now. As an Oshkosh girl let’s talk Milwaukee. It has changed so very much. Be very careful where you look for a new wonderful home that needs your love. Really look carefully. And you get my guys the Green Bay Packers to root for. New houses are new experiences we get to look for. New rooms to go from oh no to now this works. You know God provides us with the chance to meet new friends. I think… Read more »
Oh Bre! You’re moving to the wrong side of the lake. Selfishly I wish you and your family were moving to Michigan instead of Wisconsin. I’m sure it’s nice on the “other side” too, but it would have been SO fun to have you in my area. I can totally see how this is a very exciting, frightening and sad change — bittersweet, for sure! You summed it up well with your Fresh Prince quote. Stay positive and your kids will follow along with your good attitude eventually. (Although we moved to Michigan from Pennsylvania when my older brother was… Read more »
So sorry you’re moving, and hope Milwaukee welcomes you and makes you feel at home very soon! My idea to help your kids adjust is to ask around in the school, church, community about clubs that your kids are interested in or maybe already belong to currently (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, athletics, etc). My experience with my own kids changing schools is to surround them with “like minded” kids…it makes it easier to adjust…hopefully! Speak positively about the change, and also allow the kids to know their feelings are normal! Good luck!
My daughter spent a summer in Milwaukee and loved it! There is so much to do there in the summer, lots of festivals. Wishing you a smooth move!