We will always remember 2013 as the year we lived in the rent house . I say that affectionately…we really, really like it here…but it’s not our old home and it’s not our new home…it’s just the rent house. And until our new house is completed, the rent house will be home.
We had planned for a month to move on Wednesday, February 20. We had the movers lined up, my parents scheduled, Andrew was taking off work…we were all prepared. However, on the morning of Saturday, February 16, we woke up in our old home, we ate pancakes and then Andrew said, “let’s just move today”. At first, I thought he was crazy. The house wasn’t completely packed…we didn’t have movers…I hadn’t prepared…blah, blah, blah…but we did it.
It was back-breaking and grueling (no movers, just us, a U-Haul, my parents and brother)…but I’m so glad we did it. Because I didn’t know that the night before was our last night in our house, I wasn’t sad about it. I didn’t have time to make “our last dinner at our old house” or “say our prayers before bed one last time at our old house” because I didn’t know that was our last night.
So…here we are…all moved in to our new house for the rest of the year….
It’s funny how quickly it can feel like home. As long as I have my family, my dog, my coffee maker and my comfy bed…I’m home. It’s going to be a fun year at the rent house.
Welcome to our rent house :).
My office
Dining Room
Family Room
Kitchen (and yes, the slow cooker is going and a bundt cake is on the counter…the life of a foodie blogger.)
Guest bath
Play room…I didn’t even bother picking up and telling the kids to wait in the hall while I snapped a pic…this is them, being themselves in the play room.
Upstairs feels like home with my babies on the wall.
Master Bedroom
Smith’s room
Kensington’s room
Kids’ bathroom
Ok…a few things to point out. First and foremost, this house has been a HUGE blessing! When we sold our house on the first day, we were kind of panicked about where we would live for the next year (well, I was panicked and Andrew was his always cool, never phased by anything self). We started looking for rentals in our area but they were few and far between. After seeing five that were in really bad condition, we found this one. It had been a foreclosure that someone bought to rent out. The entire house was freshly painted, new flooring and all new appliances. It was an answered prayer. Plus, we’re backed up to a park and trails, so the kids are LOVING it!
Why, you ask did we move in like we’re staying for a while instead of just a year? Well, we wanted it to feel like home. This is where my kids will spend their summer, Kensington will have her birthday here, Halloween will come and maybe even Christmas…I want this to not feel like a transition…I want it to feel like home. Home…until next year, when we move again….
Tara G. says
You absolutely did the right thing by making it homey…live each day fully and fully alert because you have this time you will never get back! Rejoicing with you over God's provision!!
Christine says
I think I'd kill for your rent home! It's lovely and so much more spacious than what I've got. Hubby and I are in our starter home, but two kids have really caused us to outgrow it.
Shelby says
Absolutely beautiful, Shay!! I so enjoyed all the pictures!! I agree with making it homey even if for a year. You have inspired me to put all the toys in a separate room in my house. They have been over-running the family room now for awhile. With them being almost 2 & four it is time…thanks for the inspiration! I can't wait to have a clutter-free family room again!
Aubs says
i love that y'all just decided to move that day ~ so funny and makes for great memories!! Being a military wife i've definitely learned to make each house our home!! Love that you've made "the rent house" your home! What a blessing that God worked out the details and blessed you with a beautiful home for now!! =)
ps…SO excited for tonight!!!
Elaine~ Honey Pie Accessories says
I'm impressed with your rent house! My husband works in college football as a video coordinator, and we've only owned two houses. We've moved eight times though, so we are always in a "rent house". Some for a year, some for three years, but it is so important to make it feel like your own home and your own space. Your "rent house" is gorgeous, and I know you'll have many great memories there!
Beth says
Lovely! I would have unpacked everything too. It makes our homes feel like a safe & comfy haven for hubby & children! Also-you unpack FAST! 🙂
Karen At Home says
Your rent house is so cute Shay! Is it sad to say thy you have more hanging on your wall than our home we built 5 years ago? Ha! Have fun building your home, we loved building ours, best experience ever!
Beth says
Lovely! I would have unpacked too. It makes our homes feel like a safe & comfy haven for hubby & children! You unpack FAST!
Tabaitha says
You did a great job making it a home, even if it's just for a little while. We are a rental house right now as we wait to decide if we want to build or buy an existing house. It's a long process, but worth the wait.
Autumn says
What a blessing! We were unable to find somewhere to rent while having our house built in 2011, so we (my husband, pregnant me, and our two kids) lived in a friend's basement. Luckily it was only 3 months! And it was actually kind of fun. 🙂
Melissa F says
Wow! You got things looking like home very quickly! Kudos!
Enjoy your 'rent house'… before you know it, you will be in your new home and the rent house will be a fond memory.
Blessings!
Kimberly says
I know how you feel! We're renting this year too. We were saving for our house living with my in-laws when I got pregnant unexpectedly. I knew I needed my own space with a newborn so we moved into an apartment while we look for places to build.
Good job moving so quickly! I hate moving, but I love unpacking. 🙂
Angela Ellingson says
Love that you made it homey! 🙂 Moving is the worst! Glad you had family to help!
Anonymous says
You did such a nice job of making it feel like home! I'm so impressed! Also VERY impressed that you guys did the move without movers!!! WHOA. We are planning a move to Texas from the PNW this year and are trying to figure out if it's something we could do without hiring a moving company. Maybe just hire guys on either end to help us load and unload a truck. Are we crazy? We just don't want to pay 7-10k to move. Yikes! I'd love your thoughts!
The Lovely One says
I think it's awesome that you really moved in! You don't want to be living out of boxes for the next year, and it definitely looks like home! I have lived in my new house for a year now and I still haven't hung pictures on the wall! It's one of my goals to do it this year!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
I can vouch for the fact that the Monday after they moved in it looked like they had been there for years. YEARS! 🙂
Candi says
Both gorgeous homes!!!!
Narci D says
The rent house looks GREAT! 🙂
Stephanie says
Shay, your "rent" house is nicer/larger than most people's "forever home". It's gorgeous. Can't wait to see your newly built home next year!
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
You have worked really hard to get the house looking so good already!! What a blessing to find it, and to have your house sell so fast!!
Jenna {Real Simple Girl} says
It looks beautiful! You have such a knack for decorating! Andrew had a great idea of moving before your scheduled move-in day. I lived in the same house all my life (stayed in it after my parents moved), and knew I would have the hardest time leaving. But I had a situation that forced me to leave unexpectedly, so I never had to deal with the sadness of spending my last days there. Makes it so much easier!
Kristin says
Can I just add that that is the nicest rent house I've ever seen?! Can't even tell that you haven't been there forever. Our house on the other hand is a messy mess and makes my house that I've been in for 6 going on 7 years like a rent house! Time to leave work and go make my house a better home, for today anyway, 4 kids will change that in less than an hour 😉
RCallander says
I have to ask as a Boston girl (and die hard Sox fan) to another Sox fan, how does Smith have a Yankees pillow?! 🙂
Love Love Love your blog! I have been following for about a year and am loving all of your recipes!!
Gayle says
You succeeded!! The house is homey BUT your poor poor son. A power cat?!?!??! I know I know … Uncle Sean played at KState. I can't wait to see who is going to be your sil. 🙂 Enjoy your 'rent home'.
A Jayhawk fan who lives 1/2 way between Lawrence and Manhattan.
MorganizewithMe says
Beautiful home! So impressed by how quickly made it your "home."
Missy McDaniel says
Oh you're GOOD! We lived in a rental house- "the rental" as we affectionately refer to it-for 6 months a couple of years ago while we built our house and I didn't put a thing on the wall or even unpack all the way! I was lazy I guess! You should get an award! It's fun looking back on our little adventure a couple of years ago! It's so true that home is wherever your people are!!!!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am a Red Sox fan…and my hubby is a Yankee. We are a house divided :). That's why Smith has a Yankee Pillow on his bed (below his Fenway Park sign). And as for the Power Cat on the wall, Andrew played football at K-State too…so we bleed purple through and through!
Type A's Nightmare says
LOVE the canvases of the K&S and I LOVE that you're making it home. 🙂 Looks perfect!
Aubrey says
As a gal who has lived in "temporary" houses for the last six years, I understand the importance of making that house homey for your kiddos. Ella and Kate had a really hard time leaving our house in Germany…maybe we did TOO good a job making it feel like home! Interestingly, I think they feel quite detached from our house in England. It feels more like home for me than any house I've ever lived in (except my parents' house where I lived for 22 years), but the girls are already guarding their hearts because they know we will eventually move again. 🙁
Lisa Jones says
Love the rent house! Can't wait to see it tonight!
Erin @Axell's Kitchen says
Love how you wanted it to feel like a home and not just a rental, such a good momma!
Mrs.M says
Just a Wildcat fan who spotted the awesome powercat in the playroom. 🙂 I bet your hubby went to K-state the same time I did. How fun! Love the house and can't wait to see your newly built house! Enjoy the process…we built last year and it was the best experience!
Jen A @ Love, the Arthurs says
What a cute rent house! I love those huge prints of your kids upstairs and that you are making it home. I think that is so important for kids (and maybe us "adults" too).
Demetria Iman says
I know that it’s not easy to move and live in a new place — a rent house — especially if it looks very much different from your home. I must agree that adding personal touches will surely make you and your family feel at home or comfortable in this rent house. I hope you’ll have wonderful time here.
Von Madison says
Your rented house feels so homey. You did a great job in making it feel like your own home. I bet the rent payment here is quite pricey. But that’s okay, as long as you’ll have a place to live in while you’re waiting for your real home to be finished. ->Von Madison
Genny says
Your new house looks totally gorgeous, Shay! I can't blame you for feeling at home so quickly. Though this is just a temporary home for you and your family, it's still good to see that you didn't treat it that way.
Genny Stutesman
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The Cantelmo Family says
Love your rental too! It was SOOO hard for us to find a nice rental when we moved from Arizona. We finally found one that was actually decent in a good school district but have to squish all of our kids into this small house! It is a blessing but not easy from moving to a big house to a small house. You have such a good attitude. I really need to feel more settled here! We sold our house in Arizona and now have to figure out where exactly we want to live in DFW. Not easy! So glad you got a nice rental 🙂
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