The house that built me

"Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to."

Its funny how time changes your way of thinking. During my high school years I always dreamt about moving away to sacramento and working as a secretary! Funny how it actually did happen...well minus the marble wall with the company logo behind me (haha for those of you who don't know-that is what I wrote in my homecoming speech of what I wanted to do with my life).

As I think back on my childhood and teenage years, I am very grateful to my parents for providing a home filled with love, support, encouragement, and stability. I grew up in the same house from the age of 4 until I got married! So I'm sure you can imagine, the house is filled with many memories! From my handprints in the cement patio to buried pets in the yard, there are just so many memories every where you look. I love going "home" and reliving some of those memories. Its always fun to talk with my parents and play the "remember when" game.

Now having become a homeowner myself and a mother, I find myself wondering if Wesley will have these same memories. I want to provide a loving home for him just like I had growing up.

There is a song that Miranda Lambert sings called "The House that Built Me." I cannot listen to it without thinking of my house growing up. Parts of it don't really apply to me, but some parts do...it goes like this:


I know they say you can't go home again
I just had to come back one last time
Ma'am I know you don't know me from Adam
But these handprints on the front steps are mine

Up those stairs in that little back bedroom
Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar
I bet you didn't know under that live oak
My favorite dog is buried in the yard

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here its like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself

If I could just come in I swear I'll leave
Won't take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years
From Better Homes and Gardens magazine
Plans were drawn and concrete poured
Nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama's dream

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here its like I'm someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself

If I could just come in I swear I'll leave
Won't take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can

I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am

My silly parents and the house that built me