Well, this is it. The last time I’ll blog before we head off to Haiti! 😀
Y’all, I have some reeeeeeally exciting news to share with you today. It involves two more people moving in with us in a few months.
And when I say “moving in with us”, I mean, they’re building an addition that will be attached to our house!Â
And when I say “an addition”, I mean a barn! Like this:
And when I say “two more people”, I mean Kevin’s cute mom and dad!
This has been in the works for the past year or so, but now that Jim and Katie are ready to break ground next month, I figured it was time to share the good news!
I’m looking forward to blogging (and vlogging!) about the whole process as it comes together. And speaking of vlogging, here’s a little video we put together to show you exactly where the barn will sit, and to tell you a little more about it…
I forgot to mention that their barn will be one-story high, and 46′ feet long x 16′ wide. For perspective: our current house is 42′ long x 18′ wide, so they’ll be pretty similar in size with the exception of our second story.
And, yes, the barn will cover our entire backyard, but don’t worry, we have lots of room to roam around our little lakeside community, and Sweet P will have plenty of outdoor places to play…
(That’s our neighborhood in the upper right corner of that photo)
(Fall Festival on the Square)
(Lucas Point Community Pool and Beach)
(Community canoes and kayaks)
The neighborhood always puts really fun activities together for the kids all throughout the year, too. These are two of my favs:
Chalk on the Walk…
Secret: Every year I want to seal their drawings with polyurethane before they fade or wash away! 😀
Back To School Bash…
Think: whip cream “pies”, and LOTS of sprinklers- LOL! 😀
So, there ya have it! It’s going to be a busy few months around here, but I’m hoping Mama Katie is up for some “Katie’s Kitchen” vlog segments once she’s all settled in! Wouldn’t that be fun? 😀 (Say yes so I can tell her we ALL think it would be fun. 😉 (This Katie clip still cracks me up: plomp) 😀
Alright, y’all. Let’s connect in the comment section this weekend…and I’ll look forward to giving you an update on Sweet P from Haiti next week!
Karlene
We shared an 1892 Victorian farmhouse with my in laws, our daughter was raised in the multi generational house and loved it. There are challenges ( for you as well as your in laws ) but the rewards outweigh them! In looking back we have no regrets, Holly had such a great relationship with her grandparents, that she wouldn’t have had otherwise. (She is now PT and loves her elderly patients, we see a definite connection there!) We were there to help them as they aged and needs grew and we often were glad we didn’t have to commute to the house for medical, groceries trips, laundry / household needs, yard care etc. It will be a wonderful experience! I’m so happy for you and your growing family!!!
Jenny
I agree wholeheartedly with Karlene. Being a multi generational family was so good for my 3 early teenage girls. There were many challenges but many of those for us had to do with my m-in-laws high care needs, and consolidating 2 homes into one house. Be clear about everyones needs and expectations. A multi-gen lifestyle has so many benefits, I’m not surprised that more people are starting to do it again.
Donna Doble Brown
Layla, I CANNOT wait to see what you two have up your sleeves! How fun! And how lucky are you all? And U.S. Too because you’re taking us along for this wonderful ride! Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!
Travel safe . . .sending prayers and love X3! 🙂
Jenny Lynn
YEAH!! My grandparents were the best thing that ever Happened to me! And JESUS!!
Your Beautiful little Boy will have soo much LOVE!!
Blessings to Ya All!! Safe Travels!!
Kim
Hi Layla – first time I’ve ever commented on your blog! (Long time reader, first time commenter!) But I just wanted to say that the cute “plomp” video of your Mother-in-law is adorable, and her voice reminds me of the woman who played “Flo” on the old sitcom Alice! (“Kiss mah grits!”) I was compelled to mention it, it’s adorable!
Can’t wait to see how this design all works out! What’s the timeline of the project? When do you break ground/when is the projected completion date (hoped-for-date/realistic date). Looking forward to it!
Wendy Front Porch Mercantile
Lucky Sweet P! Lucky you! I grew up in a duplex with my nan and pop living downstairs, my earliest memories are of Saturday mornings downstairs making bread with my nan (and in hindsight my parents were then given time to sleep in) 🙂 We were close my whole life, my nan is now 95 and we still hang out! Enjoy it, and I can’t wait to see this BARN! 🙂
Sandi
Looking foreword to everything! Safe travels.
Denise Cosgrove
Layla, what a blessing this will be for your life! I love how it took twenty years for your dream to come to fruition, which proves to always, always dream big and keep believing. Wishing for y’all many blessings with this endeavor! I am so excited to see all of the design plans and already know that it will be over-the-top fabulous! Happy
Thanksgiving and safe travels to visit your Sweet P. XoXo Denise Cosgrove
Kristen
This is so exciting! I can’t wait to follow along on this building adventure. You and Kevin just seem to have such big hearts, and it’s really lovely to follow your life. Enjoy your time with Sweet P!
P.S. I’m also LOVING the vlogs!
Susan Hughes
Safe travels. Have a blast with your little Sweet Pea!
Nancy
Exciting times for your whole family! Can’t wait to see the ongoing process. I am a bit surprised to see that you are allowed to build on that much of your lot though; I guess building density isn’t as much of an issue in your community. I know that in a lot of other jurisdictions that buildings are only allowed to cover a certain percentage of your property. Have a great time in Haiti. It won’t be long now!
kim-in-the-cove
This is awesome! So excited that you’re headed to HAITI!!!!!!!!!! And so happy for Sweet Pea and his grandparents to be living together – what a blessing!! My parents moved around the corner from us and I LOVE IT!!!
Safe travels! 🙂
Millie
Layla, how exciting !!! I have to comment because my in laws have been living with us
for almost 4 years and has been a blessing, we have a little ” aparment” upstairs and we
are able to keep each others privacy. I can’t tell you what a piece of mind to have our kids with their grandparents, they love to care for the kids, keeps them busy !
I think you will be ok they are really are not sharing any of your space. I share my kitchen and I am alive 🙂 you choose what is most important for you and your family.
Safe travels.
Kel
That is awesome! They will be a part of sweet p’s daily life. Although I do recall the updated porch you all did for Kevin’s parents – I am sure they will miss that!
KAM
Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness. “Hallelujahs” are the language of heaven and they can become the language of your heart. ? Hugs & kisses for Sweet “P”, blessings & safe travels for you and Kevin, congratulations & delight for Jim & Katie. Can’t wait for some of her deliciousness 🙂
Donette
Not sure how I missed this post originally, but AWESOME!!! 3 years ago we converted our lower level (that is fully exposed on one side) to be an apartment for my parents. Having a separate kitchen definitely saved our sanity, but overall it has been amazing. My kids have been able to know and love their grandparents DAILY. About a year ago my father passed away, and it’s been hard to have that empty hole right in our house, but I’m so glad my mom is here with us as she makes the transition to widowhood. I wouldn’t change a thing, only wish we had done it sooner! I can’t wait to follow your blog as you get this started! I’m sure you will inspire me with some amazing ideas.
Amy
Fabulously inspiring and touching! It will be fun to watch during the winter months…how wonderful you all have this opportunity!
Jenny B.
So excited to see it all come together! I missed this post when it first went up, but dug a little and found it after your barn red video today! 🙂 Sweet P will come home to such an awesome family.
Susan Friedland-Smith
You had me at “barn/house!” I’m a new visitor to your blog and I’m a horse girl, so I’ve often dreamed of doing just that–living in a barn. I’m going to follow along because my husband and I are contemplating adding on–a guest house attached to our garage. I don’t live with my parents or in-laws, but my best friend/former roommate that I lived with for 9 years before I got married just moved in with us temporarily. We’d love to build a space that could be just hers and if/when she moves on, it could be a “mother-in-law” suite or rental (or AirBnb). It’s easy to ramble off the ideas, but we’ll see if it comes to fruition. Meanwhile I’ll enjoy your journey.
Iryna | RedBarberry.com
Wow, your neighborhood looks so awesome!
Sunny
Your life overfloweth ? and the neighborhood is awesome…have a great trip!