Over the last 5 years or so, we have been browsing the housing market trying to find something that would allow for us to share a space with my parents. After many, many open houses and home tours and the support of an amazing friend and realtor (Terri Kaminski), we finally found a house that checked the boxes. In a huge leap of faith, my parents sold their home and moved forward with the sale. There were quite a few renovations that had to happen in order for my parents to have their own private space within the house but the rest was a perfect shared space for our families and also finished basement for us to use for our family. They now have a beautiful, quiet, “wing” of the house that is ADA compliant.

I have to admit, we all had our worries about how this would work out because anytime you blend two families under the same roof there can be tension. We are open with communication and have a solid relationship, so that’s helpful and we have made it work well! I’m happy I can make healthy meals and sit down for family dinner each night. Discussions get a bit overwhelming for my folks – welcome to my world and life with 3 teen boys. I’m truly taking in each morning coffee with my mom, especially on then weekends where we can just relax and chat. I could use a bit less Jeopardy and oldies music tv in my life, but there is plenty of room to go find something else to do. We introduced them to Ted Lasso and now Welcome to Wrexham and my mom is loving them both and my dad tolerates it. Seeing the kids interact with Nana and Papa and just having this time has truly been the best and I think it is such a gift. I remember our trips to visit grandparents in Tacoma about once a month, this will be an experience and connection our kids will never forget. I wish we could have done it earlier.

It’s not all perfection, don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of work also. Dee has been a rockstar and thankfully loves working out in the yard (there’s a LOT of it!). She also painted the entire exterior of the house this summer. For me, there is self-inflicted pressure to always have a plan for meals to be on time and be sure my folks everything they need. On top for working long hours and managing 4 kiddos, it’s just more. No complaints and wouldn’t change a thing, just more.

So that’s where we are at! New home, new housemates and a full heart.