Restoring an 1890s Home: What a Year of Renovating Taught Us

Well, what a year 2024 has been. This time last year, we had just closed on our massive fixer-upper—a semi-abandoned 1890s home that hadn’t been lived in for 20 years. And now? We’re living in a section of it. It’s wild to think about how far we’ve come.

This year was all about sacrifice and trusting the process. Renovating a home is no joke, but doing it with two little kids? That’s a whole other level. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned to lean on my family and take things one step at a time.

The Intentions I Set for 2024

At the start of the year, I set three big intentions for myself:

  1. Simplify and declutter 85% of what I own.
  2. Establish better rhythms and routines.
  3. Renovate and move into our house.

These kept me grounded when things got overwhelming, and looking back, they really shaped how we tackled the year.

Simplifying and Decluttering

The first half of the year was all about planning and prep. I knew most of our stuff would end up in storage, so I worked hard to minimize and declutter. I got rid of almost half of what I owned, and now that we’re settling in, I know there’s still more to let go of.

Moving is such a great opportunity to confront your belongings. When you haven’t seen something in months, it’s so much easier to say, “Do I really need this?” After moving 9+ times in the last 5 years, I’ve gotten pretty good at knowing when it’s time to let something go.

Camper Life

In June, we moved into a camper on the property so we could be on-site and cut down on commuting time. At first, it felt kind of exciting. The kids spent hours playing outside—playing in the sandbox, picking raspberries, and a few beach days when Tyler wasn’t working. It felt like such a sweet, slow start to summer.

But by July, we were in full renovation mode, and camper life got old fast. Our main focus was making the house livable before winter, and there were moments when it felt like we were barely keeping up.

Trusting the Vision

When my husband first suggested this house, I was hesitant. It’s one thing to take on a renovation, but a house that hadn’t been lived in for 20 years? That’s a whole different story. Even his parents walked in and were shocked about the state of the home. I could see the trepidation.

But he had a vision, and I trusted him. It’s been a huge project—from fixing the foundation to moving walls and everything in between. And while this isn’t our forever home, we’ve always planned to turn it into a rental property with three units. It’s starting to feel like it’s all coming together, and that makes the hard days feel worth it.

Sweet Moments with the Kids

Amidst all the chaos, we’re in the sweetest season with our kids. They’re almost 4 and almost 2, and their little personalities are really shining. I just want to soak it all in.

I know this year has been hard on them—living in a camper, watching us juggle renovations—but now that we’re in one livable unit, I’m so thankful for little things like family dinners and bringing back the rhythms we had before.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Every year, I like to choose a word that feels right for the season ahead. For 2025, my word is restore.

I want to restore our home, of course, but also our family rhythms and our sense of ease. Winter feels like the perfect time to slow down and honor that rhythm—fewer projects, more intentional living.

I’m also turning 30 this year, which feels like a big milestone. There’s so much to reflect on, but mostly I’m just grateful for how far we’ve come and excited for what’s ahead.

Oh, and maybe—just maybe—we’ll add baby number three to the mix. But that’s all in God’s timing.

Here’s to 2025 being a year of restoration, slow living, and savoring these days.

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