I’ve mentioned before that the previous renters of our house had dogs. These dogs obviously used the bathroom everywhere in the house, and Husband and I did everything we knew possible to clean it up. Apparently, it was a two-year-old mess because nothing helped. (We thought the vinegar had helped, but the pee smell came back a couple days later.) After this past weekend, though, we are now carpetless. (Well, until the end of this week/beginning of next.)

Saturday, after being completely fed up with the smell, we ripped up the carpet in the entire house. I’m not kidding you, it was horrible. Once we threw the stained carpet onto the front lawn, the house smelled so much better! We’re now ripping up staples before the carpet installers come to put our new, good-smelling carpet in. Once the new carpet is installed, we’ll be able to move everything in so that we can (finally!) settle down and relax.

With so many things going on with the house, Husband and I won’t be able to do anything too expensive for our anniversary (which is Wednesday). I think we’ll be going out Saturday, but we both agreed to wait a couple weeks before really celebrating our anniversary + moving into our own home.

I just feel like it’s one thing after another, and I really can’t wait for everything to be finished so that we can breathe.

Last night, I placed a double chocolate brownie (along with a napkin and a tall glass of milk) on the counter for Husband. As he hugged me and kissed my forehead (as a thank you), I think we were both reminded of our love for each other. (Not that we forgot, but as life passes by in a blur, it’s easy to not think of it momentarily.) 

We are now in our house–well, for the most part–and it feels so wonderful. Though we had our own apartment together before we got married, we haven’t lived alone since we got married. (And yes, I just realized how crazy that is!) We cooked dinner together last night in our very own kitchen. Husband grilled while I made French fries and baked the brownies for dessert. It was soothing, really. 

The past two mornings, since we’ve been in our house, I’ve been able to ready myself for work in peace. I’ve been able to walk around the house in my pajamas, my hair a complete mess, while the light began to peek through the windows. (Before, I made sure I was fully clothed before I stepped foot out of our bedroom [at my in-law's house], just in case my brother-in-law was in the hallway.) I feel lighter, happier; I can see that Husband does, too.