We moved into our new place this week. The trash bags stuffed full of toys and blankets and shoes – are littered across our floors waiting to be unpacked. I’ve spent too much time looking for my glasses and not nearly enough time organizing.

We are finally home.

People have been stopping by to check out the new place. We haven’t seen visitors like this since the girls were born. All the food, gifts and short visits remind me of those days – although this time, we don’t have to worry about a screaming baby waking us up at two in the morning. We also aren’t too concerned about the place being clean. 

“Sorry about the mess,” I’ll say. “We haven’t had time to unpack.”

Wonder how long I can use that excuse. 

Most people stop in the kitchen. It’s really a beautiful area. I tell them how we were lucky enough to score granite countertops – even though our budget was set for laminate. 

“It was a mistake made by the company,” I tell them. “Plus, our builder really went to bat for us.” 

He did. Through all my worry and concern we ended up with a fabulous building company. They listened to all my requests and built us a beautiful home.

We’re lucky. I’m not thankful enough. 

I’ve talked about the self-proclaimed not good enough syndrome to you before. You might know the one. It usually happens at family gatherings on my side and goes something like this.

“Wow – these potatoes are really good,” I’ll say to the host. She’ll respond with, “Oh well, I tried. They are too lumpy and I don’t think I put enough butter in them.” 

You know the routine. Maybe you suffer from this syndrome too? I’ve experienced it with food but never with a new home – until now. 

The past few days as people stop by to check out our new digs, the not good enough syndrome has found its way into my life. “Your kitchen is gorgeous, Leslie” they’ll say. “I love your bathroom.”

I think so too. But then I’ll find myself saying things like, “we’ll really build our dream home in 10 years.”  Or, “it will be better once the basement is finished.”

What? Remember that v8 commercial. The one where the lady smacks the guy on the forehead because he should have had a v8? I need that; a good smack on the forehead. 

Last night as I tucked my three year old, Gracie into her new green room, I asked her what she thought about all of this. She’s been skeptical. Saying things like, “I miss the rental.”  Or, “the rental was just right.”  Comments that would make any mom’s heart melt. But last night – she switched gears. 

“I love it here,” she whispered to me. 

Someone smack me.

This home is something I’ve always dreamed of; with the dark wood floors and white trim. A black and white kitchen that truly looks like something from a magazine cover, a closet the size of my college dorm room. It’s beautiful. And I’m lucky. I need to be so thankful for this gift. I won’t let the syndrome get to me today.

If you come over to check it out – I’ll do my best to point out all its beauty. I won’t even mention that we need a kitchen table and 6 chairs, a couch without stains, a rug to cover the floors, a bed to replace the one Kyle’s had since high school, grass, a lawn mower to cut that grass, trees, a fence and a finished basement.

I won’t even mention it, because I’ve got a beautiful home. I’m lucky. I bet you are too. 

Read more from Leslie in the Kearney Hub

Psst:  I had really really good intentions to give you guys a fairly decent tour. But um, yeah. We’re still in trash bags. So – instead I’ll give you a sneak peek at what’s happening!

Here’s my Her View From Home office nook in my bedroom:

Why yes. I do have a large box of chocolate teddy grahams sitting on my desk. The box is now empty.

Soon I will hang this picture..

Kyle framed it for me last Mother’s Day. It’s a copy of a Kearney Hub interview we had last spring for HVFH’s one year anniversary. I love it.

More to come once I can find my sock bag. Seriously. I can’t find my socks.