Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Home is Where the Air Force Sends You

And after much moaning and complaining, and even a bitter tear or two, we have cable! I am so excited to catch up on every one's summer goings-on. I have lots to share from our move to the beautiful Inland Northwest, but tonight I wanted to post some pictures of our new home for my mom...she's been as anxious as I to get up and running!


After weighing our options very carefully, we decided to take an offered 4 bedroom home on base. Now, base living has its benefits. It also has some pretty stinky realities. Like they're small (about half the square footage of our home in Nebraska). And ugly (okay, not ugly, but pretty austere and functional). And air-conditioning-less (you will notice the box and ceiling fans in all the rooms. Luckily, the worst of the summer heat is likely over and we have stayed very comfortable). But we are determined to make this a comfortable home and I have spent the last two weeks stretching my creative energies to the maximum to make a government house a home.

This is our living and dining room. It is very large and open and I am pleased with the way it turned out. It will be a fun place to entertain and easy to keep straight because the kids play in the basement for the most part.

From the living/dining room , you enter the kitchen. I was surprised how large it is with lots of counter space and new appliances. And I love the way it opens up into a teeny tiny little family room where we keep the family TV and where we hang out in the evenings.

Anna's room. It is about the size of a closet, but she loves it. We even got around to FINALLY changing the horrible old knobs on her dresser and it looks so much cuter now.

The boys' room. This is a great room with two big windows and a view of the backyard. Sam is already plotting for bunk beds and I fear it will be time before I know it.

Hall bathroom. I was going to change the ducks, but the kids love them so much I think I'll have to wait until the next move.

The guest bedroom...all made up and ready!! One of the benefits of living here is that we will get to see much more of our families. We have ALL the grandparents coming to visit in September so this room will be getting a lot of use.

And just wanted to share my new table centerpiece. I have never been 100% happy with what has been on the table in the past...I have always wanted something a little bigger and more substantial. So when I found this old antique caddy at my favorite antique haunt in Nebraska right before the move, I snatched it up, but didn't know what I would but in it exactly. When I found these natural balls, I bought them out and I love the way it looks.

Thanks for being so patient and for sticking with my silly little blog, even though I have been mostly absent this summer. I look forward to getting back into a good routine and catching up with all my friends!

Until tomorrow...

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Goody, goody! You are back! I loved seeing pictures of your new
home. You have arranged and decorated it beautifully.

(Is Anna's room yellow already, or is it the light?)

the mom xoxoxo

Jenni said...

Hi Amber,
It looks so good in your new home! I love how you have decorated it! It is so warm and cozy! (And very, very clean!) :) I am very impressed by how quickly you put it all together! Love it! :)

MooreInterest said...

Too, too cute! You have a lovely way of making things look wonderful!!! I glad you are a bit more settled! Can't wait to hear more!

Our Complete Family said...

Ah, base housing... ups and downs, you're right!
I have really fun memories of how much fun Jeni and I had making our teeny tiny apartments in Germany into homes. You have done that same thing there and it looks GREAT Amber!
I'll be in your moving shoes in a few months. Jason just got orders last week to Charleston AFB, SC. He gets home from his six months in 2 weeks and will hit the ground running so we can get the house on the market by August 31st.
Have you met your neigbors yet?
Happy new home hugs, Les

Jeni said...

I LOVE your new home! It looks like the same style Janet Carver lived in...did you know her last time? Well now it's home not that you have internet. I saw that special 'HoME' dec you made hanging on the wall. I so love that basket hanging on the wall near your kitchen.

I am so glad to have you back in blogland! I missed you and you are here just in time for autumn too.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

You've done a great job! Glad you are back.

Montserrat said...

Glad you arrived safe and sound to your new place and have made it feel more like home.

Walker said...

Welcome back Amber! I have missed you, thank goodness for blogging. Glad to see that you made it and that you are getting settled in your new home. The house looks very beautiful.

Loralee and the gang... said...

Thanks for the comment - and yes, you could probably see my house from there if you knew which one it was! So nice to have bloggy friends in my neck of the woods. Maybe there're be enough someday to do one of those cool luncheons that I am always reading about . . . somethng to think about . . .
and cute house! you have it looking really nice for just moving in. But that's probably one of the 'perks' of being military - you KNOW how to move...
Hope you love Spokane!
:~D

Cara said...

Wow, you pulled it together so fast and so well! Good work! I wish our time here in Nebraska overlapped more. Bummer. Maybe you'll come back some day. :)

Jenn said...

You truly know how to make a house a home. It is beautiful. So glad you have cable and can keep in touch. We miss you!

Kathleen said...

welcome back to the blogging world! your new house actually looks really cute! (sadly, i think the base housing is actually bigger than our current house! ha!) you have done a wondeful job with it. emily tells me how much she misses anna and maybe she and i will have to come and visit sometime before #3 comes along...i can dream, can't i???

Holly Ogden said...

You have done a great job making your government home beautiful! You certainly have a talent for that. I love the centerpiece.

The Brough Family said...

Amber... it really looks amazing. i think you could make a garage look beautiful, i could really use your help over here. our house is coming together very very very slowly. So glad you're back up and running. We're still pawning internet from the neighbors so i've got another week before we're 100%,hopefully my house will be ready for pictures by then!

becky said...

glad you are feeling settled. hope you love your new digs. it looks very homey and inviting.

Kristi said...

You were sorely missed, friend!!! I'm so glad you shared pictures of the new place- I always love seeing the magic you can work! The huge tree in the front is awesome! Can you email me your contact info- I have a few little goodies to send your way. You've been in my thoughts since you left- so it is great to hear your doing well!

Eloise said...

Your new home looks great! The Air Force should hire you to spiff up all of their base housing!

Loved seeing the kids rooms. And your new centerpiece is fabulous.

Hope you're starting to feel settled.

Nicole said...

Thanks for sharing pictures! I enjoyed looking at them. You do a great job decorating your home.

How long do you plan to be there?

Rosanne said...

Cute home! Glad you are settled and back online! I missed your blog for a while there. ;)

Lisa said...

Everything looks great and so welcoming! You always have that knack for decorating! This looks like the Oldham's home. Where on base are you guys located? Hope all is well! : )