It's been a year already since we moved here to South Carolina from Hawaii! I still cannot believe how fast time flies. This has been a wonderful year for our family, we've made so many new friends, memories and had many wonderful adventures together. The biggest one has probably been, living in a tiny log cabin. It is about six-seven hundred square feet, two bedroom and two bath.
We have loved living here! The first few months we all bunked in the same room, it was so much fun, it felt like a very long camping trip (more or less because we all slept on air beds haha). We had lots of story telling, snuggles and of coarse shadow puppets. Since then we have rearranged and moved into our own bedroom and bought the kids bunk beds.
Kids room! The ladder on the left you can see in the corner, leads up to a loft area where we kept all their toys (or at least we tried to ;).
This is the master bedroom. Can you see our bed on the floor behind the couch?? :)
And this is the other side of the master, the closet and the bathroom are directly on the right side of this picture.
Living/dinning room. The door leads into the master bedroom.
This is the kitchen :) the door straight ahead leads into the kids bedroom and the door on the left is the bathroom/laundry room. (It's too tight to get a good picture in there)
Growing up my dad always used to quote Philippians 4:12-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry ,whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
I'm so thankful that my parents have taught me to live that way and to be content. But even though I was taught that I still had to learn true contentment for myself after I moved out and got married.
My parents also taught me not to worry and to find joy in all things and above all to keep peace. As a child I used to think "yeah, yeah dad ok, I know" but after growing up and going through times of moving, living in a tent or even in a tiny home, I can apply those things they have taught me and truly learn to live that way.
Living here has been cozy and fun but it does get tight having people over. We had to get creative with storage and cooking simply. As well as thinking thoroughly before any and every purchase because everything needs a place, in order for us to have any living space. I will admit the kids toys did get to me every now and then, a few things out of place already makes it feel like the whole house is in disarray. But those are all great opportunities for exercising patience and discipline and being on top of things. Oh and I forgot to mention, we also had a cat and a dog that stayed inside with us when it was freezing outside. (Haha I don't know how I survived).
The time spent here and the memories made will be cherished in our hearts forever. I already like to look back to those memories of our school days, that would turn into giggles and snuggles. The kids did their school work on the mattress that's on the floor in our room and we just couldn’t resist but have fun. There is something about being on the floor that brings everyone together in a doggie pile and having a mattress underneath is even better. I told my husband that even after we get a "real bed" I always want a mattress on the floor somewhere in the house for it to be the place where we come together and just have fun as a family.
We have about one and a half acres of land around us and that has been the cherry on top of this whole cabin living experience. When we first got here the weather was similar to what we were used to in Hawaii, I had the hardest time getting the kids to come inside for anything. They were outside ninety percent of the day playing and walking around every inch of this property all up until it would be too dark to see. In Hawaii you are not allowed to have a campfire in your backyard, so when we got here we went all out haha! Wehad campfires just about every other night, it was perfect for the fall season.
Peaceful front yard.
Where the bees buzz happily :)
Back of the cabin...Excuse the things everywhere haha it's real life.
Although I loved Hawaii and was absolutely content there, the Lord brought us here and I am absolutely happy and content here. I want to clarify that I am not trying to make this place or this state or my life seem like something "more than" it really is. I am just sharing my experience with you and a few of the memories that our little family has made here. It's a personal entry for me as well to remember our first year in South Carolina and this little home. I feel like I can finally say like that verse in Philippians 4:12 that I have learned to be content in all seasons of my life. I am not perfect, I get impatient sometimes and wish for a bigger place, a real bed and this or that. I have even caught myself looking back and missing our home in Hawaii and the comfort we had there but in those moments I remind myself, that I have all that I need right in front of me. I begin to count my blessings and try to find joy and peace in what I do have instead of what I may want. So my dear friend if you learn to do that too then you will be happy absolutely anywhere. But I hope you already are!
The Lord provided this cabin for us when we decided to move here, without having any idea about what housing or work would look like. Full story here. It's been a huge blessing! And we will be forever be grateful for it. Although living in my last house I always said I want a tiny home, after living in a tiny home for a year I am ready for my bigger home! Haha I love that life comes in seasons! Speaking of which, it’s finally fall and the weather seems to be catching up, yay!
How are you enjoying fall where you live??