Back in December I wrote about our life out here in the sticks. I could reiterate what I wrote then, but you can read it for yourself. Except I just have to say that IT’S ONLY TEN MINUTES.
Lately, we have had cause to re-evaluate whether this is really where we want to be. Matthew’s parents have sold their house and are moving to the Coast. I KNOW. Why would anyone want to leave the Promise Land that is the Okanagan? They have their reasons, and we really do wish them the best. They’re quite looking forward to this new stage of their lives.
Since they announced that they are leaving, we have had many people ask if we are also moving to the Coast. Let me think about that one…
NOT ON YOUR LIFE!
I mean, we are always open to change, and if we felt like God was telling us to move, we would. But He’s not. And if He were to try to tell us to move, He’d have to put a big flashing neon sign in our yard so we knew for a fact that He was speaking. Even then I’d have a hard time believing it.
We’ve also had a few people say that once our kids are older and more involved in sports, etc. that we would probably want to be “closer to town.” We’ve given it some thought and even drove around our quaint little town to see if there was anywhere we’d rather live. It would be nice to live on the Lake, but unless someone wants to give us a million dollars that’s not about to happen. Besides, it’s only fifteen minutes to the lake from our house. Not bad, not bad.
Any other properties that would be similar to what we already have are also “out of town”, just in different directions. Would we want to move, just to shave off two or three minutes? Hardly. Never mind the fact that we’ve been renovating THIS house for six years now (read about it here), and all that’s left is to finish the laundry room. That’s it. Oh, and to put the railing on the deck off of our bedroom. Honey rocks.
I have had a renewed thankfulness this past little while for the place that we get to call Home. The kids have so. much. space! The boys wander outside all day long, picking up sticks and rocks, swinging on the swings, playing in the sandbox, picking up the chickens, riding their quads….I could go on and on. Now that it’s warmer we’re outside pretty much all day long.
The pictures in the renovation post I linked to above show the back of our house. The view from the deck to the North includes a shed, Honey’s workshop (3-car garage with 220 power), a circular driveway and those blasted chickens. Here’s another glimpse from the deck facing South:
That redneck truck belongs to our neighbour, and it’s parked on our property line. See Emily in the swing on the set that Daddy and Grandpa built? And the boys playing with their trucks? And the sandbox that Daddy and Grandpa also built? And the fort that Daddy and Grandpa are building? And the little red cars that the boys have been dragging up the hill and then “driving” down?
I hope I don’t sound boastful. That’s not my intent. We’ve just been reflecting lately on how blessed we are to have bought this when we did, and for what we bought it for. God is good.
I wouldn’t give this up for ten minutes of driving. I’d have to be crazy. Or crazier that I already am…and I don’t think that’s even possible.
Your place is quite beautiful, it seems. The drive is worth the room and the solitude.
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I think it’s great that your kids have so much space to explore, that is something we dont really have here … although we do have a HUGE reserve/park literally just over our back fence …
I can’t believe people who think 10 min is too far out of town. That’s nothing! I think you have the best of both worlds, really. You’ve got the space and privacy and wonderful environment where your house is, and you’ve got the lake and town and everything you need just a short drive away. Sounds pretty perfect to me!
And I completely understand not wanting to move after spending so much time doing renovations. Same with us, we spent years and lots of time and hard work and money and IDEAS on this place, we’d feel ripped off if we left, KWIM?
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You WOULD be crazy to give that up!!!
10 min is nothing!
Growing up my family lived on a big chunk of land and us kids LOVED it!
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Living in the Okanagan clouds one’s judgement. Penticton feels like it’s in another province, Kelowna another country. We are just spoiled and get used to having things so nearby. I think the 10 minute drive, looooong as it may be, is always worth it for a visit.
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I hear ya, Amanda! It’s nice to at least know someone who has lots of space — it’s great to visit!!
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Here in Vegas, they would slam 20 houses on that much property!
What a great place to raise your kids!
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I would have loved to have grown up in the country! I always loved visiting my Grandmother because I got to climb trees, explore the “woods”, etc. Your kids are blessed to spend their childhood there AND 10 minutes is nothing!!
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Robin and I would give our arms and our legs to have what you guys have, land, space, a house, room for our children to be free. Your children will LOVE growing up there!
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Solitude and land that kids can run freely on doesn’t come by easily anymore…I say, if it works for you then why not? The Okanagan is beautiful…
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it rains a lot here… stay put
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I am a city girl myself. But I could handle where you live. Looks like you guys have a nice place and the kids have it pretty darn good out there.
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Sounds like a little taste of heaven!
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It is a beautiful spot…almost reminds me of camping, minus the tent! I think ANY kid would be in second heaven having that much ‘safe’ space to run around and explore in.
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It’s so funny–for some people the ideal place is close to everything and everybody, and for others it’s being as far away as possible. It sounds like you guys have found the perfect balance for you. Plus, um, it would be INSANE to leave after you’ve done all that custom work!
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In a big city a 10 minute commute is a selling point
Your place is beautiful!
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Stop what you are doing, and don’t go anywhere.
It’s perfect.
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Having such a big space is so great for kids! I grew up in the country my whole life and for half of that we lived 30-45 minutes to town! Now that’s a long drive but 10 minutes is nothing! We spent so much time discovering outside, exploring, making our own forts- creativity and imagination were our toys! That’s great for your kids to grow up in!
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I just posted this morning about how blessed we are to be where we are. I love being out here kind of close to things, but still a bit secluded. A little bit of paradise. No one complains when Aidan stands outside and sings at the top of his lungs. No one cares that Aliah runs around the yard in her jammies outside first thing in the morning. It is a calm kind of solitude that I wouldnt give up either. The kids can ride their bikes whenever they want, wherever without me worrying if there are cars coming etc… We love it and agree with your love of being out in the “sticks”.
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That yard totally rocks. My two boys would never want to come inside, and that would be awesome. You definitely have a great place for them to grow up and you will all have so many great memories of that place and time in your lives.
Sorry that the grandparents have decided to move away…what are they thinking!!?
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