One Year Later

We moved into our dream home last year. We were extremely fortunate and found a flat lot and a single-story house in the hills of Austin with plenty of live oak tres and even a bit of a view. It needed nothing done to it and hit just about everything on our checklist. I did say we were extremely fortunate! 

Moving is never easy. We've moved overseas and back - once with a 9-month-old. But this one was the hardest yet! With two active and not yet fully independent boys under the age of 5 it was flat out exhausting. Yet so many of my friends seem to be in this phase. Everyone seems to be trying to find just a bit more space or get into this or that school district before Kindergarten starts and some people are just finally putting down roots and buying their first family home now that they feel more settled as a family. But boy is it hard to pack and then unpack all the stuff (kids have so much stuff!). We're coming up on the one year anniversary of our home and I think we may still have two boxes that haven't been dealt with. So, okay, we probably don't need whatever is in those boxes. But who has time to open them and find out?

I believe a home is never "done". You'll always have something on the "want" or "need" lists, but I'm feeling pretty content these days. Although…I have been getting a landscaping itch.

Have you moved with babies or toddlers? How did you survive? 

George, our Cavalier, keeping an ever-steady watch under the table.

I keep filling this room with more and more plants. Eventually it will be my own little urban jungle.

Our marble fireplace almost always has a few garlands on it whether it's a test run for the shop or just because we like to celebrate for just about any reason.

We are unashamedly Texans. I have a hard time keeping the "Texan" decor to a minimum. 

I love this room and love this planter from West Elm. The burnt orange couch is the first piece of furniture my husband and I picked out together. We had only just started dating, but he had moved and needed some furniture advice. It needs to be recovered and refreshed, but we just can't bear to let go. I curl up on it weekend mornings before the boys are awake and read in this cozy corner snuggled up with my giraffe pillow. This room used to have my favorite Target rug ever in it, until my dogs just wouldn't leave it alone and it was destroyed. I'm currently on the hunt for a perfect replacement.

The real reason we purchased this house was the oak tree-filled backyard. We spend most of our time here inventing all sorts of games or just blowing bubbles. 

We have a tiny view in the back and from the fire pit patio we can sit and watch the sunset every night. If I ever get the boys to bed before sunset this is where you will find me.