Yeah, I just quoted Miranda Lambert or Taylor Swifit or another one of those youngin country girls, so what?

Moving along…

Hey! and welcome to my happy home.  Before I show you around let’s start with a little bit of background because most of you all had no idea I existed a few short months ago.

Shortly after Craig and I were engaged, we started thinking about buying a house.  We looked at two and realized that buying a house that had what we wanted, in the town we lived in and within our price range was going to be near impossible.  The houses that we could afford would need a lot of work and, well, we’re not crafty or handy.  So, late one Friday night after a few beers, I suggested that we take his parents up on their offer to build on the lot next to theirs.  Yes we would be next door to my in-laws (bring your chins back up, folks) but we would also have a next door babysitter and landscaper.  We’re actually making out on the deal.

So we spent months agonizing over plans – elaborate houses with curved porches and suites, and then we met with builders who shattered our hopes and dreams with their estimates.  Finally, we landed on a house plan and an agreement to put in a pool.

Construction began on October 30, 2008.

On March 27, 2009 we moved into our new house.

I was three months pregnant and beyond thrilled that our construction days were behind us.  I was looking forward to slowly decorating.  Taking time to find the perfect pictures for the walls and color schemes for all the rooms.  Craig had other ideas.  He immediately set forth on working with contractors to pour our driveway, dig for the pool and put in the patio on the back.  Do you all have any idea how expensive concrete is?  Lemme give you a hint – it sent us back to the bank.

The summer of 2009 was spent finishing up all the “extra” house projects.  And, growing a human.  I spent so much time frustrated over the dirt that was always in our house.  Stressing about setting up the nursery (first paint color turned out rubber ducky yellow, I kid you not).  And wanting nothing more than to just not have to deal with it.

But like he often is, ahem, Craig was right.  See how pretty the outside is?  We didn’t get it done in time last year to host any big shindigs but I’m hoping to use it for get togethers and parties this summer.  And as a teacher/coach with summers off, Craig is under strict instructions not to call me during the day to tell me that he is floating in the pool while I am sitting in an office running my space heater.

Just a little over a year since we took occupancy of this house it has become a home.  Let me show you around…

Our dining room is maybe my favorite room and probably the least used.  We’re just not formal dining kind of people. I love the burgundy color, black furniture and silver accents.  Although I’m still looking for something to put on the table (and maybe a rug, do I need a rug), this room turned exactly like I imagined it.

Next up, the kitchen / breakfast nook and living room.  When we planned the kitchen and picked out the appliances I imagined myself using it a lot more, but as it turns out Craig is the one typically cooking dinner and meals are taken in the living room while the baby girl practices crawling over our legs.

excuse the coffee mug I left sitting out.  I try to be neat and all, but caffeine is a must.

Upstairs, my second favorite room in the house is C’s.  Thank the Lord that I had nine months to agonize over bedding, paint colors and accent pieces.  And for a husband who was willing to paint it not once, but twice after I changed my mind about how it should look.

Our bedroom is still a work in progress.  I love the space that we have and the openness, but the walls are still bare and other than a few photos and a plant, we have nothing in the way of decorations.  Any suggestions?  Next to the bedroom is our master bathroom with my very own big ass bathtub.  It’s the perfect spot to sneak away with a glass of wine and a good book after a long day.

There are a few other rooms in the house… a formal living room that we use for an office (like the dining room, we are not really formal living people), bedrooms that house a headboard-less bed and an old dresser and piles of old clothes and shoes and a basement where our old furniture went to die that we fondly refer to as Craig’s “man cave.”

Now, I can happily say that the construction part of our lives is over.  Would I ever build another house?  It wasn’t the scary experience that so many people talk about with fights over doorknobs and paint chips.  But there are an overwhelming about of decisions to make and arguing with contractors that take place.  And honestly, after spending every Sunday morning at Lowes for five months, I would be more than happy to never go there again!

Disclaimer:  My house only looks this tidy once every two weeks thanks to a fabulous woman who helps me clean.  Yes, I suck, but if I spent weekends cleaning instead of playing with my kid, that would suck more.

Twitter Home Tour / Twitter House Party

Once upon a time, @MomNom, @jennandtonica, @emmie_bee, @heirtoblair, and @ColeEmmett were talking about home decor on Twitter. We thought it would be so great to be able to see each other’s homes! A *bunch* of other tweeps joined in, @Alena29 put together a terrific button, and #twitterhometour (or #twitterhouseparty) was born! Feel free to join us – add a link to your home tour post (pictures, video, or both!) below.