When Tim proposed nearly 13 years ago, he lived in his Great Aunt Adeline's basement which he updated to fit his needs. He thoroughly enjoyed his time living with his great aunt, but after so many garbage bags being washed and hung out to dry he decided it best we find a place of our own to start our lives together. That's when the house search started…
{ Uncle Randy and Tim with first round renovations. }
After a quick and impulsive search, we found our first "home sweet home" on the Kok Road behind the fair grounds which was perfect but again, in need of making it ours. Tim started by sanding the rainbow swirl off the walls and re-texturing along with some hallway work of removing old pine paneling. It was a simple house with a HUGE kitchen, large backyard and basement that had potential.
Once our "I do's" were exchanged and the honeymoon was over, we remodeled our kitchen by adding color, wall paper and updating the cupboards. I would do things differently now, but in the moment, a lemon kitchen was just right and perfectly cheerful.
{ Circus came to town…you think cow poop smells? Try elephant poo. }
{ Circus came to town…you think cow poop smells? Try elephant poo. }
Living right by the road with pasture besides you, brought some entertainment as well. We had horses run free down the street early in the morning, cows mooing next door, elephants across the street and plenty of fair entertainment. Addison made three as we brought our oldest home from the hospital and started our little family. Two weeks later, the beginning of our "revolving door" opened as we welcomed a friend and his two year old daughter to live with us for six months. There was certainly ups and downs with this new arrangement, but we felt God protecting us and providing for the immediate needs.
{ Tim soothing Baby Addison with Olivia on his back providing entertainment. }
Life in the yellow house was easy. It was simple. There came many changes in those first 2.5 years in our first home. I will never forget when we came home from our Scandinavia trip reaching in a kitchen drawer to grab a towel and instead having a black mouse run across my hand! Tim was sleeping off jet lag as I screamed bloody murder and jumped to the table. He came bolting into the kitchen and joined me up high after he threw the drawer outside and tightly securing the door shut. Or the moments of sitting in the kiddy pool close to the house on the back deck 8 months pregnant to cool off.
And then there was the time when I heard Tim pull into the driveway followed by a Lynden Police Officer who sternly told Tim to get back in the vehicle as I peaked through the bedroom blinds laughing hysterically. Tim's thought was he was so close to home why not just go all the way and try to talk his way out of a ticket..turns out it was the wrong approach! I also had a moment in the driveway weeks after Addi was born as mom reminded me she was parked behind me. Without thought or hesitation, I put the Tahoe into reverse and crushed moms headlight. I blame it on lack of sleep and hormones. Then there was the morning I stood by the kitchen sink as my mom called asking if Tim was home yet while at the same time my somber looking husband walked through the door. I collapsed after he shared that Grandpa VanDyken had passed suddenly that morning from a heart attack.
And then there was the time when I heard Tim pull into the driveway followed by a Lynden Police Officer who sternly told Tim to get back in the vehicle as I peaked through the bedroom blinds laughing hysterically. Tim's thought was he was so close to home why not just go all the way and try to talk his way out of a ticket..turns out it was the wrong approach! I also had a moment in the driveway weeks after Addi was born as mom reminded me she was parked behind me. Without thought or hesitation, I put the Tahoe into reverse and crushed moms headlight. I blame it on lack of sleep and hormones. Then there was the morning I stood by the kitchen sink as my mom called asking if Tim was home yet while at the same time my somber looking husband walked through the door. I collapsed after he shared that Grandpa VanDyken had passed suddenly that morning from a heart attack.
There was good and there was some bad.
The "yellow house" symbolized new beginnings. It was the beginning of a marriage filled with dreams, hopes and leading the charge was two ambitious kids running a mile a minute. We should have taken the color seriously and slowed down with caution as we made huge decisions, gave way to career changes and took on large endeavors. A little more {pause} could have prevented disaster years later.
With chaos stirring, Tim and I sold the house to our friend and found ourselves packing. At that point in our lives, I was ready to move forward and find new perspectives. Little did I know the agony that was abiding in our home…nor did I have reason to look.
I will never forget the lessons of the "yellow house." Looking back, I can now see how some of our decisions would alter our future today. Would I want to change my yesterday's for new today's? Absolutely not. God never wants to harm you. He is the Great Teacher and will provide moments of growth when needed. Tim and I grew through every situation, every massive decision and ultimately the move to a new home.
We now drive by the old house, now painted red, and I see God's Hand over our first home as Addi reminds me,
"Look Mom, it's the yellow house!"
{ Our first winter in our humble abode. }
{ Our first winter in our humble abode. }
