the 'cottage' that will soon be ours....

It still feels surreal...

we signed a purchase agreement for a home in Portland, Oregon...

our hometown. The papers are signed and closing date set so I feel

comfortable sharing this exciting news with you!

I had given up hope of ever having the opportunity to move back.  Really. 

And when I think back on where we were a year ago...

not knowing if my hubby would keep his job..

the stress..

Not at all happy living in the midwest, let alone getting 'stuck' here without a job...

I was bitter and scared.  It was a new place for me and I did not like it.

I have always considered myself a spiritual person - not necessarily 'religious' per se

but I know God had a plan for our family.

I feel it and know it.

This journey has made me appreciate this blessing

in a way I probably would have not been

able to before.

Ok, enough of the sappy stuff...

let's talk about our new 'cottage'...

Obviously, it is newer home.....

and at first glance it had alot of things that were on my

"do not want" list....

{my realtor kindly reminded me of that}

like, light hardwood floors, a two story great room and 

maple kitchen cabinets. 

But it also has lots of things we wanted,

a first floor master, a huge kitchen island with high quality cabinetry, 

tons of storage, a formal living room, a first floor office,

an upstairs bonus room for our girls to hang out and a gorgeous backyard!

Don't worry,  I plan to change the things I don't like - refinishing the hardwood floors,

painting the kitchen cabinets and great room built-in's a creamy white.

{my hubby just rolls his eyes when I comment, "that will make

for a great blog post"}

'Cause you know I am going to share it all with you!

As for the current housing market....

well, I am here to tell you, it may not be as bad

as the media might have you believe.

Or maybe we just got 'lucky'.

Our cottage in Minnesota sold in two weeks. 

When we were in Portland, there were lots of buyers

out looking at homes.

The house we are purchasing had two offers on it

{including ours} in a week.  Another house we looked

at, and had considered, had three

offers written during the weekend we were there.

What I found was alot of homes on the market

but not alot of quality homes.

The wheels are definitely in motion.  We will be moving west in about six weeks!

So I have just one question, if this was my "Forever*Cottage" what will I call my new cottage?

I welcome your suggestions, and may even have a terrific prize for the winning name!

I'm just sayin'.....