Have you ever had an idea that constantly taps you on the shoulder? Months turn to years, and it hasn’t left you. That tapping has transformed into a dream. It becomes your crazy idea that wakes you up at night and makes your heart yearn from time to time. Finally, courageously, you voice it. In those moments you realize the tapping, the dream, that semi-crazy idea, has now manifested into a true possibility.

But now the question arises–are you prepared to take the leap of faith?

We found the perfect home nine years ago after a grueling 10 month daily search. Finally we found her. She was a gorgeous red cedar home, with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two solariums with giant windows streaming in natural light, a cul-de-sac location on over half an acre. “Pinch us, surely we’re dreaming,” we thought! We had searched for our perfect home–one that boasted character and had the perfect “bones” for what we wanted to make of it. This was it.

We spent months removing wallpaper and painting before moving in, and then life went on. The years went by faster than expected. We welcomed our fourth child upstairs in our bedroom. Our sweet neighbors rejoiced at the news. From this house I began my photography business. Many clients have entered through our door for meetings, sessions, or simply coffee. Wonderful traditions were started with friends. We were the home who hosted eight years of Friendsgiving each fall, and on the fourth of July, our backyard hill can be found sprinkled with children playing games, patiently waiting for darkness to fall. Our hill has some of the best views of the local fireworks. These memories have been priceless to us…

A few years ago it hit us–we are in a unique situation. We homeschool our children, Brett’s work can be done where there is wifi, and I can take photos anywhere in the world. We don’t have to look at local school systems or worry about daily commute. And we crave adventure. Our family loves the outdoors and exploring nature, food, and cultural experiences. While discussing our five year plan together last summer we realized, “Our years with our babies are passing fast. Our daughter may not even be around in five years! Let’s make the most of it. Let’s give them experience.” And that has been the anthem of my heart–less stuff, more experience. Last fall, after hearing me talk about it yet again, Brett looked at me and said, “Let’s do it,” and the wheels were set in motion. We decided to try it out and take the steps towards our next dream. And now, our home we love on the market.

Here’s the kicker…

We are not proclaiming “WE ARE MOVING.” People seemed baffled by this statement, but as God leads our family, we continually remind ourselves, “Is this what He wants? Are we seeking the Lord’s will above all else?” Our constant family prayer has been that He would guide us. We want to bring glory to our Lord. He knows our hearts and desires, better than ourselves. We prayed, as Paul, to remain content in all things.

Here we are, waiting on what may or may not lay ahead. We listed our house over the weekend and took a big gulp.

Now I am here to ask you–Do you know of anyone looking for a wonderful family home in Fairfield, Ohio? It is down the street from a gorgeous park, and sits behind a golf course. It has been loved, cared for, and has hospitably housed many wonderful folks. It has a full finished basement with a guest bedroom and full bathroom. It is the perfect haven for comfort, entertaining, and living a beautiful life. On a side note, nothing can beat the sunsets from up on this hill.

Please feel free to share this post with anyone looking for a perfect family home in the Cincinnati area and email me with any questions!

We LOVE our wood-burning stove. Remember those below zero days we just had? Our heat didn’t even have to kick on during the day. This thing is a powerhouse if you keep it going.

We gutted and expanded our kitchen, opening up walls, making the first floor flow beautifully. Professional appliances were added in: six burner Thermador cook-top, french door refrigerator, double Bosch ovens, and a matching Bosch dishwasher. We removed orange tile from the foyer, parquet from the dining room, and linoleum from the kitchen. We splurged on hickory hardwood flooring that brought a beautiful cohesiveness to our main living area.

Master bedroom with adjoining spa bathroom and balcony:

This BATH…we gutted the small 1980s bath “rooms” (the sink and toilet were divided by doors), and expanded into an empty storage room. This is now my favorite room in the house. Such a retreat after a long day. The barn wood around the tub and window is from a friend’s property. The shower has three heads and is a walk-in. It also has a huge skylight up above it!

The back deck and yard:

What’s our plan you may be asking? Well, if our red house on the hill sells, we plan to travel on wheels throughout the summer. Eventually, our goal is to find a good piece of land and make a new home. If our house doesn’t sell, well, that’s ok too. We’ll just throw a big “Our House Didn’t Sell” party and keep on trucking! Life is good. The Lord is good. He has been merciful and more gracious to us than we can imagine. We are truly at a place of resting in His will for us.

I don’t recall how it all started, but I think that as I sat shivering during the winter of 2013/14, I began combing through beach homes and places worthy of travel. Actually, I became a bit obsessed…staring at warm places for hours with a warm cup of coffee became my solace from the bitter cold.

Recently, I had noticed gorgeous photos from photographers of Tulum, Mexico, just south of Cancun. It seemed like a unique place that captured a perfect mix of nature and culture and had low tourism. We decided last spring to go for it the following year.

Booking this trip for February may have been the best decision of my year. Our flight left at 7:00am following what was the coldest night of the year in Cincy, with a low of -15 Fahrenheit. YIKES was that a cold trip to the airport, but we knew we were in for a temperature shift. Turns out, it was nearly 100 degrees of a shift! We managed to plan this trip so precisely, that we missed the giant snowfall that covered Cincinnati, our kids were safe at home with their grandma and Uncle J who was visiting, and we were off to paradise! (That sounded a little mean, didn’t it?)  ;)

Besides a killer migraine upon arrival and battling a chest cold (thank you winter) this trip was just perfection. We needed this escape. We slipped off our boots at the doorway of the villa rental, and there they just SAT. Lonely. For five days, they didn’t move an inch. The boots, the wool socks, and the layers…..G-O-O-D–B–Y—E.

And speaking of places to stay….we couldn’t have been more thrilled with our surroundings for those (short) five days.

It took me a good couple days for my bones to warm…I’m not even kidding.

We explored Mayan ruins and beach side cliffs. We photographed all the unique lizards for our son to post around his room. He loved them. :)

The beaches, the clear water, the colors at dusk….Ahhh.

One of the greatest aspects of Tulum is the ability to experience Mexican life and culture without being frustrated by excessive tourism. You were immersed in it. We loved driving around the town and exploring the back streets.

From our reading before the trip we knew we had to experience a cenote. They are EVERYWHERE. I was mildly panicked at the idea, but somehow convinced myself it was OK to get into the waters of an underground river cave. I actually (sort of) liked it. Maybe. Brett loved it.

We found a beach that was covered in coral…completely. I wanted to take it all home, but alas, I decided to photograph it instead. Some pieces were 3-4 feet in length! Check out the brain coral below…

We were clued in to a secret beach and restaurant. Unfortunately, we visited the second to last day, otherwise we may have never ventured out to see anything else, it was that good. The most picturesque beach, with people who come out with the best ceviche of your life.

One afternoon we raced to Coba, and literally ran up the Mayan pyramid before it closed!

By our last night, Brett looked like he fit right in and may never leave.

We got up and watched the sun rise on our last day before leaving. Our lives are so busy, rushed, and time alone at this point in our lives is rare. What a blessing it was to have this escape away together and reflect on God’s goodness.