Top 10 Memories at Farm Hill Cottage

A big change for us in 2020 was moving to our new home and leaving our home where we brought home both of our babies and learned all about remodeling a home. We had so many wonderful memories in our little cottage. It was super hard to narrow them down to just ten but I did my best! Here are my top 10 favorite memories at Farm Hill Cottage (in date order):

1: Baby’s & Brew Party

This was the first time we had friends over! It was a stretch to say our house was finished at this point but it was livable and ready enough to bring our first baby home to. I had a nursery! That’s all I wanted! Our friends hosted the sweetest housewarming party and diaper shower for us! Before everyone came, Daron, my parents and I ran around frantically trying to finish projects, decorate and pull the place together! We also noticed that our air conditioner (yay for Texas heat in May) wasn't keeping up because we hadn't insulated that attic or properly sealed up the windows yet. My dad went around frantically spray foaming EVERYTHING and then spray foam was seeping from every window and ceiling board in the house. You would be amazed at how it helped the temperature of the house though! We all just had to stop and laugh at the mess we were in. I was so embarrassed for people to come over to our unfinished house but looking back I wish I would have been proud of the progress. It was so much fun, spray foam coming out of our window seals and all! I'm also sadly disappointed in how few pictures I took of this celebration. I was so overwhelmed before it started and then once everyone got there I remember just soaking in the love of our friends and family.

2: Bringing Keller Home

Of course, bringing home our babies are our top two most special memories. When we pulled up to the driveway from the hospital with our tiny newborn, I was so happy to be home. I remember thinking for the first time that this house felt like home to me. It still wasn’t finished and it was far from perfect but it was a place we were making our own. It felt like the perfect, safe, cozy place for our little family of three to call home. Keller was the absolute best baby. He ate well, slept well, he was mild mannered. He was so easy. We spent so much time just snuggling and staring at his tiny, most perfect, sweet little features. After the storm we had been through with our remodel, God gave us the absolute best baby that we needed in that season of life.

3: Finally Finishing the Inside of the House

While I was on maternity leave with Keller we had a few different hired crews like painters and cabinet makers come in and finish the last few major things. It worked out great because I was available to be around whenever needed to let them in to work. It also forced me to get out of the house some, especially when the painters were there. It was so exciting to see all of the main projects finally wrap up. Our vision for this little farmhouse was finally coming to life. Keller wasn't a fan of the paint store then, now he likes to pick out his favorite colors!

4: Christmases at Home

I love decorating for Christmas! It’s one of my favorite things! One great thing about a little house is that decorations go a long ways and I was able to totally deck out the house! I had my friend Dixie come over and document it all for the past few years. One of the best decisions we made as a family was to be home at our house on Christmas Day. I'm so glad we started this tradition early because it's such a precious time to be together as a family. We try to schedule all of our other Christmas gatherings for the days leading up to Christmas and we always make sure the grandparents know they are welcome to come over on Christmas Day!

5: Kellers First Birthday

I have always dreamed of hosting backyard birthday parties and that’s just what we did for Kellers first! We had a Little Blue Truck birthday party because Keller loved (and still loves) that book and I loved the idea of classic blue gingham at our backyard party. I had so much fun putting everything together! We enjoyed celebrating with family and friends in our backyard. It’s a time a reflect back on often. It gives me the warm and fuzzies when I think about it. My talented friend, Dixie, documented this favorite moment too! I'm so glad she was there to capture everything so that I could soak in the day.

6: Evenings on the Patio

Our patio was a space where we would unwind after the kids were in bed, we talked about our dreams, shared design ideas, or sometimes just sat in silence and completely unwound and relaxed. It was the most relaxing spot and always had a breeze since our house sat up on a hill. It is one of our most missed spaces at Farm Hill Cottage. Keller would sometimes join us too! It was a fun spot to spend summer nights as a family. 

7: Bringing Lola Home

Like I said earlier, bringing our babies home are easily my top two memories. I was very anxious to get Lola home so that we could be united as a family of four. One thing I distinctly remember was coming home to see that my rugs had vacuum lines. All of my nesting dreams came true!! My vacuum broke a few weeks before I had Lola so I was sweeping my rugs to get us by until we fixed the vacuum. My dad fixed the vacuum while I was in the hospital and my mom vacuumed before we got home. It sounds silly, but it was the best feeling to walk into a deep cleaned house with a brand new baby. Keller absolutely adored her and she was so sweet and calm. My heart was and still is beyond full. Maternity leave with Lola was much more relaxing and enjoyable, than maternity leave with Keller as our house was finished and I was more confident as a mother. We spent so many hours rocking in her sweet little llama themed nursery.

8: Our Summer as a Family of Four

Summers are always fun and full of memories. For us, bedtime goes out the window and we enjoy almost every second of daylight together during the summer months. For the first two years of his life, Keller refused to let anyone mow without him! We did lots of yard work over the three we lived at FHC to get the yard in better shape and it has always been a fun family affair. Lola absolutely loves to swing. As long as she is swinging she is happy! 

9: Lola’s First Birthday Party

I really love kids parties and I love planning and decorating for parties. Lola's birthday is extra special because she shares it with Daron! They will always have a neat birthday connection. I had so much fun putting a bunny themed party together and inviting our family and friends over. I was a little nervous about our lack of space because her birthday falls during the winter and we aren't able to spread out outside. We mostly hosted people during the warmer months where we could spread out, so this was our first time having a large group over where all of the celebrating happened inside. It actually worked out just fine and there were no complaints about the lack of space. Everyone had a seat and we all enjoyed celebrating our birthday buddies! It goes to show that you can host people in your home no matter the size!

10: Countless Family Projects

We truly believe a house is never "finished". There are always things we want to do to continue improving our home - this goes for FHC and our new home. At least twice a year, we do a project rather it's landscaping, painting, building... we are always up to something! I think it is so important to get the kids involved in projects, especially when you live in a fixer upper. It helps them see what goes into making a house a home and it also shows them the importance of taking care of your belongings. Most recently we've let Keller experiment with a few tools and scrap pieces of wood and he thinks it's the best thing ever. When our kids were younger, even babies, we always kept them close by when working on a project so they could be part of the process and we could all enjoy our time together as a family even while working! Sometimes I worry our kids will get bored of the process, but right now they always get excited and are eager to help!