first photo of our house

last photo on our porch

These days, most life updates make it to Instagram, but when they feel heavy, I come here to write. And like a journal to a teenage girl, you all are faithfully there.

If you’ve scrolled throughout the years, you’ve seen so many corners of our home. It’s my little jewelry box of light fixtures, wallpaper, and crushed-up cereal from tiny feet running down the hall. And now… I’m packing it all up.

We’re moving. Honestly, that sounds awfully dramatic. It’s not. We are moving a few minutes down the road to a home that gives our family a little more breathing room.

When Hunt was born, Paul gave up his home office for a nursery. He’s sacrificed the most- taking international calls in his truck at all hours of the night and morning, to not wake a sleeping baby or mom. We’d start dinner, and he’d head out to his truck for calls with Asia, and I’d bathe the kids to put them to bed. Our children have woken up each morning thinking you have to eat breakfast in silence, because Daddy has already been talking to Manchester all morning. And honestly, we were fine with that for a season- but as in all things, God decided the timing. There was an off-market offer on our home that kind of got the ball rolling and made me think, maybe it’s time.

And I’m excited to share this new chapter with you all. The layout of our next house is one I have prayed for since I was pregnant with Hunt. We’d scroll Zillow or go to open houses, and I’d turn to Paul and say, “Why doesn’t this layout exist? It exists in my mind.” Funny enough, I called it an Oklahoma house simply because my mom grew up in Oklahoma, and she was one of four daughters. I pictured this layout when I envisioned a cozy house that still had defined spaces. I didn’t want Jack and Jill bathrooms, and Maxi having to share a bathroom with Hunt down the road. I had little preferences here and there for our birth order and children with tiny pictures that existed in my mind, down to the beams on the ceiling. Paul had gone and looked at this house without me one day and texted me, “I think this is the grandparent Oklahoma house you talk about.“

My wheels are spinning (and I’m a little overwhelmed) at all the little touches we will add to make it ours. So much conversation online centers around dream homes. People say, “If you could pick your dream kitchen,” or “Which wallpaper are you the most sad to leave behind?” And honestly, the house I’m packing up feels like my dream home, but it has nothing to do with the textile choices or lighting. We grew our dream family here. This house exceeded my expectations in every single aspect, because God answered my prayers here.

I walked into this house with a two-year-old girl on my hip, and I’m walking out with a 9-year-old girl, a 6-year-old boy, and a two-year-old baby brother. When I’m 80, I’ll think back to the days within these walls. The front porch picture says so much without even showing the house.

I’m leaving the home that grew our family and moving into the home where they will grow up. The frivolous side of me can’t wait to chat about where my style is leaning for the next house- I keep telling my friends, “It’s collected Texas mom, but she has two boys, and she loves antiques, but nothing you tiptoe around. Richer hues, softer silhouettes.” And they nod, knowing I mean 14 different things at once. Just like I know you all will nod and laugh that I packed the kitchen by check. Seriously. Courtly in one box. Butterfly Garden in another. This kitchen has more of a violet-grey undertone (not as creamy as my house, and I think I’m going to lean into it first), and I’m picturing lots of Courtly Check to keep it classic. The house tells you what it wants. Not the other way around. There is an area that you can store appliances and your coffee maker, and I may go punchier there. I’ll share it all with you, because there’s nothing I love more than lamenting over a wallpaper choice with a friend.

Can you see it? If you squint and turn to the left, maybe! Maxi’s room will stay very Laura Ashley. The boys claim they want to share, so we will see how that goes! And I’m going to try to layer old and new with what we have.

But as I’ve packed boxes and sorted through serving pieces, I’ve thought, “If I had to start over with my kitchen collection tomorrow- what would I buy?” Sorting each item has given me a fresh perspective on sharing the Barn Sale with you this year. Nothing makes you realize what you reach for daily, like living in a home with three children, where the kitchen is packed up.

So let’s play a little game of “If you’ve purchased this, what’s next?” while I rank my top 5 recommendations!

1. Tea Kettle– It’s iconic for a reason. I always say it’s kitchen jewelry, but more specifically, it is the wedding ring of the kitchen. It guides the way you style the heart of the home. I always say 2-quart for an apartment or galley-sized kitchen. and 3 quart for standard size.
2. Paper Towel Holder or Mat– If I were starting my collection over, once I’d added jewelry to my kitchen with a kettle, I’d want to go practical and pretty! Your kitchen is used the most often, so your collection needs to be as well. My second buy would be either the paper towel holder or Gelpro Comfort Mat. I’ve had my MC paper towel holder since post-grad, and my children use it a dozen times a day. And NOTHING is quite like the mat! We had one and adored it, then when we replaced our kitchen floors this year, that was the first thing I repurchased. I didn’t want to go a day without it.
3. Sweet Stand– Courtly Check always has a sentimental connection to hosting. We might remember a check our grandmother serves on Thanksgiving, or our child’s first birthday party. This is where I say you order a sweet stand! It doesn’t matter if you want Two-tier. Three-tier. Fluted. I’ve had mine for 9 (maybe 10?!) years- I’ve used it for every single birthday party or hosting opportunity. You can run to Trader Joe’s, get some cookies in a tin, and serve them on a sweet stand-it always looks incredible.
4. Cake Carrier– This is my favorite buy for pretending you have your act together. The cake carrier keeps cakes fresh and easy to transport. At this stage of life, I know I have a meal to deliver at least once a month- sometimes twice. While I have a few favorites to bring to a family, the reality is that sometimes it’s a porch drop from their favorite restaurant or takeout. But I always know I have time to make them my favorite cake and keep it fresh for them with my cake carrier. It just makes it a little extra special- and when they return it, they always comment that it’s such a convenient product. My go-to cakes for bringing to a friend are my Nana’s carrot cake and Smith Lake Cake. The cake carrier is also multi-purpose for your own home because it comes with a serving platter for the base. If you can put this cake dome over to serve pastries, it has a wide enough base. Plus- it’s the best way to store a counter cake during the week.
5. Canisters– A Barn Sale buy I can’t live without in my kitchen? MacKenzie-Childs Kitchen Canisters! The seal is amazing for keeping toddlers out and freshness in. I use the large for my pantry and laundry room, and the medium under my kitchen sink.

Most Popular MC Buys

And since half the fun of a find is seeing what friends are eying and buying, I pulled analytics to see your favorite Barn Sale Buys over the past year. I always think this is a good indicator of products that not only make wonderful gifts, but also delightful additions to your own collection.

1. Pet Bowls
2. 7-Cup Measuring Cup– Top gift last year! Here is how I wrap it.
3. Nativity Set
4. Trick-or-Treat Train
5. This for your gift closet– frame a photo of your friend and her children in black and white!
6. Beware Pumpkins

And as always, here are a few of my top MC blog posts to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

• Holiday Q&A
• Christmas
• Gifts Under $100
• Halloween Decor
• Fall Porch

With love and lots of packing tape,

Katey