Denver Phase 2: Moving in/Cleaning

We don't mean to be whiners, we've just been spoiled by always moving into freshly cleaned and empty spaces. Our new house is absolutely amazing, but had neither of those two initial qualities. The past tenants left tons and tons of their own and accumulated house stuff in every part of the house. Abby's room was the easiest and pretty empty so we were thankful to be able to set that up right away for her to sleep in our first night.

We tackled our room, the kitchen and bathroom next which took most of the week. Our living room space has been the hardest as we are tracking down furniture as well as the other cleaning stuff.

In each room the process is somewhat the same... sort out whose is what, box and put somewhere else. Then Clean years worth of dust, grime, etc. Then move our own stuff in and organize.

exhibit a... rolltop desk in our hallway that is still not cleaned out since i can just pull the cover down. But it gives you an idea what we mean by "stuff everywhere."

Hooray for clean and set up spaces. Each one feels like a huge victory.

Our room also feels like a beautiful and spacious safe haven for us now too. The windows make me feel like we are in a bed and breakfast every day and there is lots of room for Bebo's cosleeper and clothes/changing table when that time comes.

This is our cozy cottage kitchen. The whole house is filled with these interesting angles which we love. The door here is for a little deck overlooking our back yard to the right are cabinets galore. Plus our 1940s stove which we are just now getting used to lighting (the gas smell every morning takes me back to honduras too!)

I guess i haven't thought to take pics of our house in general yet... but we will get to the other floors when we finish ours. The bottom floor has matthews office, another kitchen and large dining and living rooms. The neighborhood association will be meeting in it this summer! Our retreats start up in September. The basement has some more bedrooms for the retreatants too. There is a legendary double booking where 50 people stayed/slept on these 2 levels!!!

Our upstairs is now empty with between 3-6 bedrooms depending on how you define bedroom! Two of them have beautiful windows and views and one more very tidily set up for a guest does not have a window. 2 "closets" (currently stuffed full by the previous occupant) could also easily fit a twin bed, dresser and desk.

We are praying for God to bring the right people to help us fill up this space, upstairs and down. For the meantime though we'll just keep working on our 2nd floor!!