Welcome Home...

I know you've been waiting...and waiting....and waiting for me to post an entry with some pictures of my new home.  So *drum roll please*

Note: These are some of my favorites!

What: Favorite book shelf

Where: Home office

Why is it one of my favorites? I finally have a place to store  ALL the books I have, and the many more I am going to buy in the future!  I'm obsessed with books.

What: Quaint lil' room for my guests

Where: Guest Room

Why is it one of my favorites? Because it came together in a very artsy-fartsy way!  I knew exactly what I wanted it to look like, and found the exact furniture that was in my "vision" for this room!  Wa-hoo!  

What: Counter Space

Where: Kitchen

Why is it one of my favorites? I love large open spaces with no clutter!  And just so you know, most of these cabinets are empty - I just don't have or buy that much food to occupy all this space!   Nevertheless, I appreciate the previous owners investing in new cabinets and countertops.  I can't wait to start baking! 

What: Vases from Crate and Barrel

Where: In the living room 

Why is it one of my favorites? Because I have a Crate and Barrel fetish right now!  And not to mention, they were incredibly cute and on sale.  Besides, who can say "no" to anything at Crate and Barrel?  

What: Come eat with me!

Where: Dining Room

Why is it one of my favorites? This can actually be a place where people gather to to socialize and enjoy a meal vs. a place where my work folders, textbooks, and laptops take over leaving little room for a plate and utensils.  Now I can actually cook things in the kitchen and serve them in a dining room like a normal person!                              

What: Welcome

Where: Foyer

Why is it one of my favorites? I like really like the chocolate brown color of the walls, my neat semi-circle table, and contrasting white orchid.  

I finally handed in my apartment keys last week, and oddly enough it was a little bitter sweet.  That apartment was my first home in Indianapolis.  When I moved here, I didn't know anyone, I had nothing to do (compared to my chaotic life now), I had no knowledge of the city or how to get around...but that little one-bedroom apartment still provided a home for me.  In some strange way, I felt like I abandoned it (it looked so sad without any furniture)!   

I've come to terms with it now and am realizing that this is a new chapter in my life.  I am growin' up!  This is my own home, and just like the apartment, I will quickly become attached to this place and start making memories.

The song "Welcome Home" by Shaun Groves was my theme song throughout this move and the lyrics have been rolling around in my head every now and then.  Have you heard the song?  It's very appropriate for the occasion.  Here are some lyrics:

"Welcome to this heart of mine
I've buried under prideful vines
Grown to hide the mess I've made 
Inside of me
Come decorate, Lord
Open up the creaking door
And walk upon the dusty floor
Scrape away the guilty stains
Until no sin or shame remain
Spread Your love upon the walls
And occupy the empty halls
Until the man I am has faded
No more doors are barricaded

[Chorus]
Come inside this heart of mine
It's not my own
Make it home
Come and take this heart and make it
All Your own
Welcome home"

~Shaun Groves, "Welcome Home"

Lovely, isn't it?  My heart has been resonating with these lyrics lately since I moved in 4 weeks ago.  Something about these lyrics, specifically, give me a very visual mental image of God literally coming into my heart and making himself a home here: decorating, cleaning, barricading doors, painting the walls with love.  I'm getting chills.   

One more final note: I can't wait to have visitors this summer!!!!!!!!