What Does Your Dream Home Look Like?

Recently I have seen a few bloggers posting what might be considered their dream home. I think everyone has a style in mind of what they want. Obtaining that look is sometimes a little more difficult than one might like. I have seen gorgeous homes on the web, in person, on TV - everywhere. Do you have your favorite style in mind? Maybe after looking at a few these you may feel differently.

If I was a better blogger, I would be able to rearrange the pictures like I want them. But, I'm not. So just bear with me and I hope that you get the gist of what I'm trying to say. I have always wanted a log cabin. Well, not so much a cabin but a luxury log home! I love the look of the wood inside and out. It's very homey and rustic to me and it creates an inviting atmosphere for all who happen by. But, on the other hand, I so strongly feel the need to live by the water. Going to the beach is my favorite vacation. I love to get up early in the morning and watch the sun come up and the waves come in. My family tries to take a vacation together every 2 years or so. Since there are 17 of us in just my immediate family, that's not always easy. We end up getting 2 condos, ocean front view of course. The kids have a ball at the beach (so do the adults really) and a genuine feeling of relaxation takes hold. My mom and I get up, sit on the balcony with our coffee and yes, our smokes and watch that glorious sun rise over the ocean. My father, husband and sons think we're nuts to get up that early on vacation. But by the end of the week, one by one, here they come. If you have never experienced a sunrise ocean vista, I strongly suggest that you do!

Maybe you're more of a Martha's Vineyard hopeful. And you've experienced this awesome feeling already. Now I have never been to MA. My husband, the weirdo that he is, read where you can take what's called a "Haunted Honeymoon." You travel through New England stopping at different supposedly haunted hotels ending up in of course Salem. No Thanks! I enjoy watching "Haunted Whatever" on tv. And I wouldn't rule out taking a trip like that some time, believe it or not. But I kindly explained to him that on my wedding night the only other person I wanted in my bed that night was him.

Are you a ski chalet enthusiast? I wouldn't mind staying in one. Nice cozy fire, beautiful snow-covered mountains, hot toddy. It all sounds lovely. Now, being that I can't walk on flat ground half of the time without falling, I do not, however, have any desire to go down a mountain standing up! Because I can guarantee, I wouldn't be upright for long. But the whole ski experience might be nice.

And it's nice to dream. We even make out wish-lists in this house. Just for fun. But, back to reality, are you happy with what you have? God doesn't always give us what we want but He does give us what we need. And sometimes it's hard to distinguish the two. I have always maintained that even if Kenny and I had to dig through the couch cushions for change in order to buy ramen noodles for dinner, there's no one else I'd rather dig with. So, my home may not be a luxury log cabin. It may not be situated perfectly on the Atlantic ocean. And it may have a few less bedrooms than I would prefer. But even if it was a shack among shacks - it's ours. It's home. It's where my kids have grown up. It's where we have experienced joys and sorrows. Triumphs and failures. It's filled with photos, personal touches and memories. And whether we stay in this house forever or move some day later, the essence of home will always be with us. Home is where you hang your hat, they say. But I say, Home is Where Your Heart Is. Make you house your dream home by filling it with family and friends. And when you look back and ponder Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday, family game night or even the neighborhood block party it won't really matter what your house looked like because your memories will be filled with love. And that's what makes a home! God Bless, everyone.

Love,