Wow! It’s been a L-O-N-G 24 hours. Long, exhausting, and beautiful all wrapped up into one big day.
We started our trek to Tennessee at around 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon. We had planned to drive as long as we could stay alert… we both decided we’d stop and get a hotel whenever we were starting to feel really tired.
By around midnight, we were still going strong. So we kept driving. And driving. And driving.
15 hours later, we pulled into Nashville. We were very tired, but very thankful to be at the end of our journey and ready to start a new journey!
Today was a whirlwind of catching up on sleep and getting everything squared away for our rental house. We hadn’t seen the rental house in person, so we weren’t exactly sure what to expect.
Well, it far exceeded our expectations! In fact, the house is everything we were hoping for — and more! Best of all, it was a few hundred dollars less per month than we had budgeted.
My favorite part of all is the beautiful kitchen! Yes, I may be just a wee bit excited about all of the scrumptious food, freezer cooking, and laughter and love awaiting this beautiful space in the months to come! 🙂
We ended today with a pizza party with some dear friends here. It’s such a blessing to already have community here. Plus, my children were especially excited to meet some new friends and some of the neighbor children! Yay! {Thank you so much for your prayers for them — they are settling in well already and that warms this mama heart so very much!}
By the way, I really appreciated all your encouraging comments on this post last night. Your kind words blessed me a great deal.
And now, I’m off for some much-needed sleep before we start tackling all the unloading and as much of the unpacking as we possibly can tomorrow. 🙂
Caitlin says
I know I’m a little late with the welcome wagon but, I am glad you are here! Nashville is a great city! It seems you’ve got quite a following of Nashvillians so let us know if you need anything!
Robyn says
Welcome to Nashville. We live in Nashville too and are a homeschooling family. Let me know if I can help you find anything.
Sarah G. says
So glad to hear you arrived safely!
Tracie H says
Congratulations! I pray that you will be so happy there. I love your new kitchen!!!!
Su says
God’s richest blessings in your new home and in these new chapters of life.
<3
Kathryn M says
Welcome to Nashville! Jeff and I moved here back in 1988. Made this our home, and so thankful the Lord led us here.
You’ll soon feel right at home 🙂
Kath
Kara M says
Ok–I have a crazy question for you. Did your new neighbors jump up and down and say “I know you! I follow your blog!” when they saw you? Because I know I would have and would love to have you as a new neighbor.
Billene says
I just love your kitchen, it is so bright and cheerful, and look at all that space, truly wonderful. I can imagine your children thoroughly enjoying themselves sitting at the bar for mealtime.
susie says
Beautiful kitchen! I am sure you will like your new place!
Andy Traub says
Keeping up with you is definitely going to help me process our own journey to Nashville! Thanks for letting us in on it! We are getting our house ready to put on the market and hope to be there in August or September. Our trip the first week of April was incredibly emotional, but we ultimately decided to do it! (I completely bailed on the idea for about 48 hours)… Have a great first week of making it feel like home, sortof!
Andy Traub says
and this is SARA TRAUB by the way.
Lori Ewart says
Looks like this is a case of God doing “exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think… ” Blessings on you and your family.
Candice says
Welcome to Nashville !!! Glad everything is going well. You will love it here 🙂
Natasha says
In love with your kitchen! Good luck in your new journey!
Allyson @ All Our Days says
I’m so thrilled for you and your family arriving safely. Your new kitchen is BEAUTIFUL! I can’t wait to see all your kitchen creations. Those bar stools would also be a great place for the kiddos to get some independent school work done while you work in the kitchen 🙂
Jennifer says
Congratulations! Keep up the great work you do.
Dora Gillilan says
Lovely, lovely kitchen. So Bright
Katie Jo Hollis says
Just wanted to say welcome to nashville. I have lived here since 1995 and I love it! congrats on moving to a lovely home.
Katie Jo
teresa says
Hurray for Nashville! I’ve lived here all my life and love it.
Kalyn Brooke says
So glad you and your family made it safely! Enjoy turning your new house into a home. 🙂
Carol@simple_catholic says
Wow, is it okay it be a tiny bit jealous of that gorgeous kitchen? LOL!
Happy you made it safe and sound in Nashville and getting settled.
Emily Edwards says
Welcome to Nashville! You will love it here!!
Lynn Oyama says
Good luck to you and your family. You have been such an inspiration and this is just one more way in which you continue to inspire us!
Dee says
Congratulations on your move ! Lots of changes in the weeks to come.
Heather says
Yeah for new beginnings. It is so awesome to see the blessings that God has in store. Some of them better than the ones we hope and pray for. Enjoy the new journey. Have fun setting up your new house.
Cathy says
What a beautiful and cheerful space for cooking and making memories. Glad y’all arrived safely.
Lyla says
Congratulations on your move and good luck in your new home.
Angie O'Gieblyn says
So glad you made it safely to our beautiful city! Nashville welcomes you. I have fallen in love with this place, it’s people, and it’s culture. I hope you have the same experience. Speaking as a former mid-western Indiana girl, it took a little getting used to, but it is so worth it! I know you have probably had millions of people reach out to you already, but if there is any way those of us who live here can help or support, please let me/us know.
T2Nashville says
Crystal – I hope once you are settled in that we can plan an event / dinner with all of your Nashville followers, of which I am most definitely one! Welcome to our wonderful city – we love it here, and we think you will as well.
Tracey says
Welcome to Nashville. We love it here and I am looking forward to your “Nashville” deals and tricks. Nashville is a “small” big city so you will no everyone is just a short amount of time.
Sakura says
Congrats on your move! We love to visit Nashville every year during football season. Love your kitchen.
Kelli @ eatprayreadlove says
Wow so glad y’all made it safely! And what a beautiful home. Praying for you in the upcoming days!
Sheila says
Such a lovely kitchen! God is so amazing to take care of us and the little things we desire when we walk in obedience!
I’m so glad your kids are settling in. As a mom who has moved her kids from one state and back again in one year, I understand the concern for the kiddos. However, through our crazy circumstances I’ve learned that our kids are more resilient than we think & they’re watching us walk out our faith & that is far more important than a little discomfort in being “new” for them.
Happy unpacking!
Laurie @PassionatePennyPincher.com says
So glad your children have already started to find a few friends – what a huge blessing for you! Good luck these next few weeks as you all get settled 🙂
Victoria says
Amazing kitchen! So bright and open. I am glad to here the children are already meeting people their own age that makes a huge difference.
Tracey says
Such a beautiful kitchen!! Glad y’all made the trip safely – and happy unpacking!! 🙂
Tracy S. says
Welcome home! The best is yet to come. 🙂
Sandie says
What a lovely kitchen! New starts are so exciting. Enjoy.
Lana says
What a blessing to have such a beautiful kitchen! I am so glad to know you all have arrived safely. I am continuing to pray for you all. Allow yourself to rest as you get settled. I have a tendency to go 90 miles an hour until I crash and I think you are the same. 🙂
Robyn @ Living the Simple Life Now says
I remember you once saying you were “design challenged” and your sister helped you. Me, too! Anyone to help? Maybe your readers…lol.
I always error on the side of minimalism. Can’t wait to see what you do!!
The Royals are in Memphis today…you should swing by! 😉
Robyn says
Love that kitchen! I’m curious about your decision to rent instead of buy. Nashville has a fairly strong housing market, yes?
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
Yay! It’s beautiful! Glad you all made it safely!
Jodie says
Hi Crystal! Congratulations on your decision to take a leap of faith! We are in the pre-thinking (lol) stage of doing the exact same thing. I was wondering if you could give me the link to your post about how you guys came to the decision to move. Somehow I missed it:( I would love to be inspired. I love your blog and everything that you do! Thank you!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks for your encouragement! I shared a little about it here: https://moneysavingmom.com/2014/04/headed-nashville-changes-coming-blog.html
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
A beautiful kitchen that will soon be filled with laughter and love. Wishing you much happiness in your new home.
Ashley says
Glad you made it safely & that the kids are making friends already!
The kitchen looks amazing!
Lee Privette says
Glad traveling went so well! Praying for you all as you settle back to “real life,”especially since I’m sure the last month has been hectic anyway.
Jill says
Glad you arrived safely. Glad to hear the kids are settling in too.
Carrie Storey says
I love your new kitchen! Can’t wait to see what you’ll be cooking up in there! Glad y’all made it safely
Maria says
Cheers!!! Here’s To creating beautiful memories and filling up the rafters with love, laughter and the smell of food…. xoxo
Kim says
I love your bright yellow kitchen! The layout is awesome!! Mine is yellow with white cupboards too. I wanted it bright to energize me & make more productive in the kitchen. You’ll get a lot done in there!
Melissa says
What a beautiful kitchen! Looking forward to glimpses of what will cooked/baked there and the love shared!
Happy Unpacking!
Denise says
Love the kitchen! Especially the yellow! My favorite color! So glad the kids are already making friends!!!
Cher says
So happy for you! God smile upon you and be gracious to you!
Stacy says
What a beautiful kitchen! You’re going to have fun in there!
Hope the unpacking goes smoothly tomorrow.
Stephanie says
You picked a good day to come! You missed the nasty weather!
Kim McCord says
Welcome to Mid TN!!!!
Luba says
Congratulations, Crystal! You and your husband are amazing to drive that far without stopping. God bless you on your new adventure in Tennessee. {Hugs}
Jen says
How exciting- and love your kitchen too! I’ve been a daily reader since well before your son was even born- love following along with your life. 🙂 We are moving from Co to Ga in June and looking forward to our new adventure. This will be our 7th move in 10 years (military) so even though we are experienced, some parts are still tough. Praying your kids (and mine) adjust well and get settled quickly. 🙂
Dawn says
Jen, we are just across the Ga border into SC. Will you be moving near Savannah by chance?
Jen says
Hi Dawn, we’ll actually be on the other side- right on the AL border. 🙂 At Ft Benning- just for a about 6 months and then we move again! But we are really looking forward to visiting Savannah! 🙂
Aimee Ackley says
The new rental looks great and I love that the kids have made some friends… best news for mom’s….. get your well deserved rest and BEST WISHES on the next part of the journey. My family and I are also relocating from Miami to Phoenix at the end of the month…. prayers for all…..
Whitney Morris says
Welcome to Nashville!!! Hope you get settled in real soon. 🙂
Diane says
Your new kitchen is beautiful. Looking forward to reading your blog on a regular basis. I was led to your site by a friend but hadn’t really taken time to look around. Looking forward to reading it on more regular basis now.
Cara Hicks says
Welcome to Tennessee! So excited to have you just “up the road” from us in Chattanooga! Feel free to stop in for a visit sometime!
Christy says
Yay! It’s gorgeous! So happy for you guys.
Mitzi says
Welcome to Tennessee! I grew up in Knoxville and we have been in Cleveland (north of Chattanooga) for 22 years! I read your blog every day and love it!
Ai @ Less to More says
God is so good to provide you with a home and friends in a new place … exceeding abundantly beyond what you could ask or think. I look forward to more posts from you. I know it must be a lot to balance everything, but I truly appreciate the efforts you have put forth in this blog. There are many coupon sites that I can go to, but I’ve stayed with MSM, not just for the coupons and deals, but because of the encouragement that you give to your readers. Keep it up!
KS says
Wow- I love your kitchen!! Bright and cheery! We just bought our first house- and I might just have to copy those colors in my kitchen:-) love the white cabinets with the yellow paint!! So happy for you all!
Jeff says
So excited for you all. What an amazing journey you are on!
Jacki says
That kitchen will be the heart of your home!
Allyson Henley says
Wow! I LOVE that kitchen!
Carla says
Welcome to the area! I’ve grown up here most of my life and now live here with my husband and our two kiddos. There’s lots of neat, fun things for you to explore once you get settled in a bit!
Jen D says
Beautiful kitchen. Best of luck with unpacking and getting settled. So glad the kids are already making neighborhood friends! As a military family I know that moving is hard but always exciting!
Beth says
Beautiful! Praying blessings on your family and home 🙂
CJ says
Again, congrats on your move! It must feel like a big weight off your shoulders having the move over and now being able to begin settling in and starting a new chapter in your family’s life. Oh, and I love your new kitchen too. Very warm and cozy looking (I love white cabinets in a kitchen)!
Lauren @ Mommy's Getting Strong says
Good luck unpacking! I know it is never a fun job, but making a new house into a home is so rewarding!
Crystal Paine says
I so agree! But I sort of wish I could wave a magic wand and have everything unpacked and in its place. 🙂