old houses and a dream

I've been taking the kids for long walks this summer. With the knee thing going on, running can sometimes be a problem but I don't have trouble walking - even while pushing the weight of a 4- and 3-yr old. They like getting outside and are usually pretty good in the stroller. Occasionally we have little squabbles like, say, when one of them thinks both sun canopies should be down and the other doesn't, or when someone's legs aren't on their side. But, generally speaking, we enjoy our time outdoors walking around Sandersville. When we go, I am seeking a good work-out so we go, hills and all, for 45 minutes to an hour or more.

I like to look at houses as I run or walk by. I examine them - good design choices and interesting ones - and consider what I might do if that particular house belonged to me (or dream it did belong to me). Sometimes it's as simple as a paint job, in other cases there's a whole laundry list of things that come to mind. It is a passion, even if just in my head for now.

Buying, restoring and renovating an old house is a dream of mine. When I say old, I'm not talking about 1970. I'm talking more like 1870 - or somewhere in the early 1900's. Joe and I own a small bungalow in Ardsley Park in Savannah, built in 1930. It was where Joe lived when we got married and our first nest. And that little two-bedroom, one-bath house with a screened porch has a special place in my heart, even if I did complain a bit about the infinitesimal closet space. I spent a lot of time on our front porch swing and making that house our first home together… But, I digress.

There is no shortage of old houses in this small southern town with great character. Recently I snapped some pictures with my phone while on a walk with Hannah and Joseph of a few on my route. A few I'd like to get my hands on…

I love that one above. There is an entrance on the side there with a little porch. The roofline, the wood siding, the huge original ornate front door… And here's another one:

Might not seem like anything to you, but that's the one I'd like to re-do the most. Cannot get enough of that porch!

This one was built in 1900 and is for sale and listed for $75,000:

The only thing I can think is that it's in real bad shape inside. Also for sale, over 100 years hold, and in need of a lot of TLC:

It's way too big for me, but has great potential. This one is in good shape, I just love it:

I'm not interested in flipping houses, but if there was someone here that would do that to some of these, I would love to watch! And with three of these fixer-uppers being on our main street, it would sure make the drive/walk that much more beautiful.

Maybe down the road I'll have my dream of restoring an old house. Or my dream of building a new low-country one. Or just my dream of having my own house to do whatever I want with! I have lots of dreams in the house department… But for now, I live vicariously through my family and friends building, renovating and decorating theirs. Not to lose sight of my blessings, I am grateful that our church here has a nice parsonage (way nicer than some of our peers' parsonages) for us to live in. Don't think I'm not thankful!

outdoor kids

My kids love to be outside. It may seem like a simple thing, but it is something I'm very thankful for. They are moving and getting some exercise, using their imaginations and exploring things…and keeping my house tidier by them not being in it. A win/win!

The weather has been mostly nice the last several weeks so we've spent hours playing in the backyard. The fun never ends; there's so much to do.

Hannah and I recently spent some time together in her clubhouse. I had my iPad and took a video of her talking to me. I couldn't stop looking at her. She looked so grown up and beautiful. The clubhouse is very much her space and she collects all sorts of things up there. I'm thinking she and I might decorate it a bit this summer…

I was reading on the back porch and had to stop to take a picture. I don't usually have my phone when we're playing outside, so most cute moments aren't photographed. But this time I did, and they were so sweet playing ring-around-the-rosey together.

At the end of April my dad and his wife came to visit us for a couple days. We spent most of our time outside…

And now that the days are warm and the pollen has gone, we are in the backyard every day after nap/quiet time.

The tractor and jeep are getting a lot of use. Sometimes they chase each other around the yard. They play in this fantastic imaginary world. I love to hear what they say - what they're doing and where they're going.

They've recently started riding the tractor together.

…I love that look he's giving her.

Weekend before last friends came to play. Joseph and Rue:

And Tuesday afternoon… I told them I was thinking about driving my car into the backyard and washing it.  You would've thought I announced they were going to eat pizza every night for the rest of the week. They were ecstatic. After that reaction, I didn't really have a choice; I had to follow through. And so, we washed cars and had a grand old time.

More fun memories on Evergreen Drive.

haircut, savannah (again), and palm sunday

This past weekend we were back in Savannah. But let me back up. Before that, Hannah Banana got a haircut (in case you missed the picture on Instagram).

Actually, Joseph was the one with the haircut appointment. But she wanted one, too, and begged Mrs. Tina to cut hers. See the rollers? That's our hair salon entertainment. I love this picture, but they do look so grown up:

That night, she helped me make dinner. That's right, you read that correctly. I made dinner.

I love the sass. We made chicken tortellini. And I appreciated the help from my little cutie pie.

Friday we went to Savannah, this time for about 30 hours. We had a great time out to dinner with my mom's side of the family, and then Saturday afternoon, enjoyed beautiful weather at Joe's parents' house on Moon River. While Joseph napped, we played on the dock.

We went to a cousin's wedding at Wormsloe Plantation. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful places and so home to me, so Savannah. The oak-covered drive is just gorgeous with the Spanish moss hanging from the trees. I had to take a picture through the windshield.

Unfortunately, because of that thick canopy, gnats can get pretty bad. But we had bug spray. And the kids were happy enough.

We got back home to Sandersville about midnight. Sunday, I dressed the kids in the same clothes, and we celebrated Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem by waving our palms at church.

spring break

We spent a few days in Savannah over spring break. As always, it was nice to be there for more than 36 hours. There was even a little downtime. We went to the beach, played in the park, jumped on the trampoline, ate yummy food, and enjoyed beautiful weather. It was great seeing family and friends.

Some of these pictures are from my phone, but I actually took my real camera, so I was a little trigger happy at times…

{In front of Meme's Easter tree.}

{Pit stop at Krispy Kreme before heading to the beach.}

{Hannah and our friend, Graci.}

{On the Tybee Pier.}

{Trampoline jumping with Uncle Will Will!}

{Fun in Forsyth Park. Joseph spent most of his time climbing up the slide 

and sliding down on his belly.}

{They both preferred the "big kid" playground.}

{"I wanna take your picture!"}

{My Monkey's first time across the monkey bars.}

{Meme showing the kids the bricks with the names of my brothers and me.}

{The amphitheater.}

{No question that this girl loves to perform.}

{Fiddlers for seafood! And all I can think about is how a glass of ice water got spilled 

down my back. Otherwise, an enjoyable meal.}

{Heading to a cousin's baby shower…in her new booster seat!}