Ahh.. We're adults, and we can renovate a house??

Well, the time has come, we're adults. It's kind of scary.... Jordan and I decided several months ago back in November that we wanted to begin looking for a house that I could move into before we got married. Me, being the hard-headed independent lady that I am, has a dream of living on my own before I get married to my best friend! So, we began house hunting back in the late fall, somewhere in Westfield near our families. And crazy me completely overlooked the old family farmhouse that my mom inherited when my Granny, Papa passed away. This house is quirky. I mean some of the floors aren't level, lady bugs have built their home in the upstairs, there is a door under the staircase, and lots of 60s, 70s, and 80s charm that was added over the years while generations, upon generations of the Pell's lived there.

You see, this house was built around 1935- my Granny "Iva" grew up during her teenage years in the house because their original, massive farm house burned down. There are dormers on the house, a dining room, a den, a living room, and three bedrooms plus a bath. It's white, charming, and has a lot of potential. Luckily, Jordan was smart enough to say- hey- let's renovate that house. The land that the house sits on has been in my family since about the mid eighteenth century, so it was the perfect place to be, and begin our lives. (Next year it will be official when we decide on a date).

So, this will be our house, without all of the bushes, random trees, and such. You have to use your imagination, but there is going to be a huge porch on the front, an addition on the right side, and new siding put on the house! It will be the cute, quaint farmhouse that I always wanted, and it will be a great first home for Jordan and I. 

(This is a photo of the road that led to so many tobacco fields on the family farm. It is so important for us to remember the heritage of where we will be living).

So, renovations have begun. We have torn down wallpaper and paneling, and ripped up carpet among other things. Luckily! Underneath the horrible awful shag carpet lay a diamond in the ruff, original pine floors that were logged from the family farm when it was built. Some of them are slender pieces, and others are more thick, but, boy oh boy, will they be amazing when they are refinished!

Pre-carpet rip up! That horrid shag carpet.

We are lucky, both the den and the living room have fire places that we are going to re-do in rock! One of the many projects and DIY's that we will be conducting on this house! :)

Part of the kitchen--> imagine beautiful wood cabinets, either stained dark, or white- we haven't decided on colors yet!

More kitchen. This will be my favorite place- you see we are adding on a 12 foot addition, and the kitchen will be HUGE!

Jordan ripping down the awful paneling- it is a fun job :)

Our dining room will look gorgeous with the family's antique 100+year old handcrafted table we will be using! We are super excited about this room as well. 

Needless to say, Jordan and I are very blessed to be able to renovate, remodel, and make new a house at 24 years (soon to be 25 on Thursday for me) old. We are at a great place in our lives, and everything seems to be falling into place (especially after the engagement last weekend--> I still can't stop smiling, its that can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence world series kind of love, and life). Our families are being extremely supportive, and we know they are going to be there to help us out through the whole process. We are so very blessed, and know the "big man" and all of our guardian angels are guiding us in each step of our journey!