Moving is beyond exhausting, and when in that weakened frame of mind, you arrive at the moment of saying goodbye to your home of thirteen years, it can be pretty tough. And so, the heart-wrenching moment had come.

As we explored the familiar spaces for the last time, our voices echoed through the now empty rooms.

Our minds went back to when we, so young and naive, first bought the old place, and the farmhouse adventure began. What a journey it had been. Renovations, repairs, more renovations, more repairs, tearing out, building up, little by little, bit by bit, month after month and year after year, until we eventually had a cozy and spacious nest on top of that windy hill.

That’s what we called her. Windy Hill.

On that July morning, we gathered in a circle in the living room, all of us more or less in tears. We shared our thoughts as we were able, and we prayed.

In that moment, a simple thought entered my mind. A simple thought, yes, but in a world such as this one, it bears repeating every now and then.

What was the *best* part of the thirteen years on Windy Hill?

Was it the gorgeous mountain views?
The big open farmhouse kitchen?
The cozy warm woodstove?
The wood floors and the spacious rooms?
The peaceful country setting?
The carefully selected paint colors?
The pretty farmhouse porch?

(Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of drawbacks too. In all honesty, living at Windy Hill was kind of a love-hate relationship. We learned many things the hard way. But God had faithfully provided for each need, and taught us so much along the way.)

We had poured ourselves into the place, and now, it was hard to break away. The rambling old place represented big things for Steve and I, and for our crew. God had been so, so good.

Now, back to answering that question.

The best part of Windy Hill? It was…

•Footsteps pattering down the steps each morning.
•Daddy coming home from work each evening.
•A chorus of excited little voices, “Daddy’s home! Daddy’s home!”
•Evening talks on the deck or the porch swing.
•Being at home each day for school with my dear ones.
•Older kids beginning to drive– “Bye Mom!” and then a few hours later, “Hello!”
•Joshua returning safely home from college.
•Katelyn trekking up and down the hill to the horse farm.
•Ethan making creative short films with his siblings.
•The five beautiful brand-new babies we brought home from the hospital.
•Laughter ringing out in the yard on a summer evening.
•Brightly colored winter hats bobbing up and down the snow-clad hill.
•Morning coffee and quiet time with Steve (occasionally it was quiet time, anyway.)
•A little face beaming at me from Daddy’s lap on the riding mower.
•Meals around the table– chatter, clamor, and general chaos.
•All this, and much, more more.

Those days, hours, and moments of living life together, had been the *best* part of the thirteen years at Windy Hill. And from there, it was time to head out together, to the new adventure ahead.

So, this is just a little reminder that it’s the people that truly matter. As you create your own cozy nest, remember that houses come and go, paint colors fade, wood floors get scratched, and decor trends will change next year.

Treasure your dear ones. Treasure the moments of being together. That’s what you’ll remember and that’s what they will remember and it’s all that will truly matter in the end.

And if you ever buy an old farmhouse, my best advice is…. actually I don’t have any advice. Just hang on for the ride!

I’ve missed Windy Hill these past few months, in some ways. This has been an emotional time. So allow me to share a few photos in memory of our farmhouse adventure, and in memory of all the precious moments there, with my crew.

Summer of 2006 (before we moved in):

 

Fast forward 13 years to Spring of 2019, when we put the house up for sale. (Don’t be fooled by the neatness. As I said, she was being put up for sale.)

Thanks for reading along!♥