I always think it’s so obvious when I’m a little absent from social media. I’m typically posting every single day…so when I go MIA a week in a row, I convince myself everyone notices!!! I know that isn’t true…but when I’m hiding a secret like this from my readers and followers, I feel like I could burst at any moment with excitement! And time passes so slowly!! So, if you HAVE bene wondering why I’ve been a little bit mysterious these past few weeks…

I SIGNED ON MY VERY FIRST HOME!!!! AH!!!

Goodness I don’t even know where to begin!!! I am leasing (not buying just yet!) but fell in love with this adorable downtown home just two weeks ago. After months of believing I’d be moving to Richmond sometime in 2018 (and knowing now that God was laughing as I thought I knew His plan…), I began to feel unsettled. I just couldn’t pull the trigger on moving down to RVA, even when I found homes and spaces that I absolutely loved. Something felt a little “off” and, if I’ve learned anything since I made my decision to go full time with my business, it’s that you LISTEN to your gut when things begin to feel “off” (ahem – “off” = God speaking straight to your heart).

So, I sat down with my parents and had a chat. I had completely sworn off the idea of staying in the Fredericksburg area, because I somehow convinced myself that moving away from home is just “what you do” when you move away for the first time (my family has lived here for over 13 years now!). I’m not quite sure what made me believe that it’s what “everyone” does…but it’s what I thought! So, I never really fully considered the option of staying close to home when I thought about moving away from my family for the very first time. But, after chatting with my parents, I curiously searched for available homes in the historic downtown Fredericksburg area (about 35 minutes from my parents in Spotsylvania – the same area my studio spaces were in for 3 years!). After a little bit of scrolling…a soft blue front door caught my eye. I clicked on the link, and instantly fell in love with the adorable, cozy, historic home that couldn’t have been more perfectly “me”. So, typical me decided to book a tour for the next day. I mean, might as well…right?

Needless to say, the home was everything I could have ever wanted. At the end of the 15 minute tour (because that’s how long it took for my to fall head-over-heels in love), I told the realtor I wanted to apply for the home. Because I’m only 21 and have never applied to rent a home this size…I was so nervous. I swore up and down that I wasn’t going to get approved, and I barely told anyone about the house because I was SURE that they wouldn’t approve me. But, the next day, I got a text from the realtor…IT WAS ALL MINE!!!

If I’m being honest, it still hasn’t even sunk in that I have a HOME of my own. I think I have woken up every single morning and smiled ear to ear when I remember that I have a space to call my own. And I feel even more thankful for a God who speaks to my heart when I need it most and opens doors I never knew I wanted to see open. So, so unbelievably and eternally grateful.

So, what’s next!? Well, EXCITING THINGS!!! (Exiting is my new favorite word, apparently) Here’s what this means:

-This home will be my off-season project!!! I’ll be spending the next 3-4 months decorating, fixing, furnishing and moving in! If you want to follow along, head over to Instagram and follow @athomewithhope! The hashtag #athomewithhope is where you can find all of these posts 🙂

-I wasn’t able to offer any type of in-person coaching or mentoring in 2017 as I transitioned out of my studio space. That will be changing… 🙂

-I’ll be continuing living with my parents in the meantime, so I won’t be living here full time until March! I’ve learned it’s best to take these seasons slowly and ENJOY them, rather than rushing and adding stress when this process should be FUN! 🙂

To celebrate, my sweet friend Erika Lynn Photography took photos of me in the house!! AH!! The house is not decorated in any way, shape or form…it’s just full of some things from my old studio space to make it functional while I furnish it 🙂 It’s also now covered entirely in champagne…you’ll see.

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Seasons of Change and Transition | Goodbye to the Studio