moving

I’m so excited because we’ve been praying for awhile now for a new rental home ~ and we found one! I LOVE it and am SO thankful to God for it.

I am still getting my new office ready, and we still have to buy some new furniture for our dining room and front entry room, but we are settling in. I wanted to show you how God has so graciously BLESSED us.

As you walk through the back door, there’s a utility room for coats and muddy or snowy shoes or boots.

The bright butterfly decorations, which Ray bought as a souvenir for me on one of his Haiti trips, brightens the walls.

Utility room

This room also has a little sink and cabinet for storage, where I’ve put Leah’s paint and drawing supplies and some of my office supplies on the shelves.

Utility room cabinet

The utility room also has a little closet for storage of a broom, a mop, and cleaning supplies, which I put on the top shelf this week. For a woman, storage like this is important!

Mop and broom storage closet

One reason I wanted this house so much was that it has a sunroom.

I first saw these in Florida when I was stationed there as a flight attendant. They are common there.

This one looks like the screened porches in the south, but has glass windows on the side. I immediately envisoned taking out the front window screens and replacing them with glass to let the sunlight stream in, retiling the floor, and adding fresh plants.

The sunroom is my “coffee with God” sanctuary room. I LOVE IT! The last couple of mornings, I’ve gone out there to pray and read my Bible. I’m planning to get new chairs for it soon, but right now I’m using my lounge chair. 🙂

Sunroom

Here’s a view of the beautiful yard, where I watch the birds and squirrels.

Sunroom view of yard

Here’s a pic of me with my feet up, in my slippers, relaxing in the sunroom.

Me in slippers in sunroom

The kitchen is bright and cheery with yellow paint, stone tile floors, new cabinets, pretty green and black counter tops, and several windows for plenty of sunlight.

One of the reasons I wanted this house was the beautiful Spanish arch doorways in the kitchen/dining room and front entry (living) room. I love the character and unique quality these arches add to the home.

Kitchen

The kitchen also has a breakfast bar, which I’ve always wanted for our kids! (We still have one at home.)  I found these cute, dark wood, saddle seat bar stools for the breakfast bar.

Kitchen breakfast bar

I’m in love with the Spanish arch doors and this painting of the red wine and the  wine glasses blesses my soul. I’m planning to decorate the kitchen in an Italian theme with paintings, decorative pepper bottles, etc.

Spanish arch doorway and wine painting

This is our dining room. I’m planning to buy a modern, new dinette and some Italian painting art to decorate the walls asap. I love all the light in this room.

Dining room

 This little arch and the shelf  in the dining room are another reason I wanted this house. It is so cute! Yes, I’m easily entertained.  It was for a phone to sit on. I’m going to shop at Kohl’s or Target for a little deco.

Little arch and shelf

This is the front entry, or living, room. The big windows allow plenty of light into the room.

Living room

The fireplace doesn’t work, but its pretty mantle makes a perfect shelf for my Willow Tree angels.  You can see from the picture that the walls aren’t your typical modern sheetrock. It’s a special material made in older homes.

The angel on the left is called “Blessings: Each day unexpected blessings.” Amen! Look for those unexpected blessings in your life each day!

Willow Tree angels

This couple angel’s name is called Promise. Hold onto God’s promises. They are “Yes and amen.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Promise angels

Here’s our upstairs hall.  The upstairs mostly has the hardwood floors. I can only clean these with vinegar and water.

Hall

This painting of a mother and her baby is one of my favorites that we’ve had since Leah was born. Its inscription, Jeremiah 29:11, ESV, says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

I like the NIV version which says, “plans to prosper you.” And I also love the CEV version says, “I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering.” God wants to bless you with success!

Jeremiah 29:11 painting

Here’s the main bathroom. I just know you are dying to see this! haha.

MaIn bathroom

I bought a new shower curtain for the bathroom – chocolate brown and teal, squares- and a chocolate brown rug. Yes, anything chocolate, please!

Chocolate brown-teal curtain and brown rug

Here’s Leah’s desk and computer with her graphic art tablet.

Leah’s desk, computer and graphic art tablet

Here’s Leah’s bed. The room was painted a pale blue, so we found a comfy, new, chocolate brown and pale blue striped comforter for her new room.

Leah’s bed

Leah saw a picture of trees with sunlight streaming through that she liked, so we bought that. I also hung up her picture that she drew with her graphic art tablet of the moon. We’re still hanging pics.

Leah’s moon

Above her dresser hang the pictures of Leah’s English riding horse show, where she won the blue ribbon first place. I was so proud of her that day!

Horseback riding blue ribbon show pictures

Here’s our bedroom. Our new comforter is a stark, black and white floral theme. Curtains for each room is on the to-do list.

Master bedroom

I’m still working on my office, but you can get a sneak peak at it here. This weekend I’ve been going through plastic tubs.

Tubs in my office

Here’s the stairs to the downstairs recreation room – a partially finished basement. The unfinished part of the basement is for our washer, dryer, and storage.

Stairs

When I first saw the recreation room, I thought it’d make a perfect man cave for Ray.

I used a pretty, cherry tree room divider to separate the “recreation” area from Ray’s office area. The recreation area is where our big screen t.v. is now, so he and Leah can enjoy watching Star Trek and other sci-fi movies.

Recreation room

Ray hates parting with anything and refused to get rid of a Victorian sofa we bought years ago. He also put his grandparents’ antique dining room furniture and other antiques there. I’m teasing him that the man cave looks more like a woman’s parlor right now. 🙂

If you know anyone who wants a Victorian sofa, email me at elizabethdjones@gmail.com. (Make an offer!)

Recreation room

Here’s Ray’s office area of the recreation room – his desk, his swords, and many of his plaques for his accomplishments.

Man cave

The rec room/ man cave also has a bar, for cold drinks.  I think this is cool.

Man cave bar

Here’s the downstairs bathroom.. Everything in the house has been completely remodeled.  I really like the blue stone tile in this bathroom.

Downstairs bath

Outside we have several bushes of pink peonies. Beautiful!

Pink peonies

Over our front door we have this sign:  Our commitment: We will serve the Lord.

We will serve the Lord.

This is our new, beautiful home! I’m SUPER excited to be here, and just walk through the house smiling.

It’s peaceful and beautiful here. We are SO grateful to God for this blessing! What do you think? Leave your comments below.