for the last year and a half we have been renting, much to our gratitude, grant's sister's beautiful basement apartment. we were lucky enough to have three bedrooms, our own laundry and kitchen, plenty of dug out sunlight, and a lovely fireplace. we were also lucky enough to have the best, most understanding landlords and three awesome pretend siblings for cate.
it was meant to be very temporary. we were displaced quickly from our last home and we just had to find somewhere fast. little did we know that this was exactly the place we were supposed to be for so many reasons, and for longer than anticipated. while here we looked and looked but never felt good about any other place. just over the holidays we decided to stick to the alpine area and find an old cottagey home in the spring to move to.
then, as life usually has done, things just happened. randomly, we bought a couch just because we found the perfect old one online for so cheap (we got rid of our old one long ago) for when we were to eventually move. the next day grant found a place to live- not where we had planned at all- that we just felt so drawn to. we knew we were supposed to be there. even though it is the granitecountertop, darktanwalled newerconstruction evenwithaclubhouse kind of neighborhood, that's well, not "us". but we listen to our hearts. and we knew it was the right time and the right place.
we signed the papers last night, paid to get into it today, and beginning in two weeks will live there indefinitely while we save a down payment and decide where we want to settle. i have a lot of packing to do, which is a new huge to-do on top of a major project i'm working on that i'll talk about in a bit.
when it rains it pours. there is more difficult changes happening, too, for someone i love. you may have noticed little sister coco's presence on my blog and instagram feed a lot more. she has moved here to utah...alone. i've always struggled to not judge when people divorce and boy have i been given a major lesson to that end. never again. you just don't know the circumstances, you don't know others heartaches, and you don't know their answers to prayers or the Lord's plans for them. we have been doing all we can to buoy her up during this super hard time, but it's amazing how only human we all still are. emotions can run high- but you know nicole and me, it's nothing a will ferrell movie and caffeine can't cure.
so life is marching on. as if i haven't been neglecting the blog enough already, it may get worse, i'm afraid. i mean, i need time to cozy my girls when we're having a bad day, talk, cry, pack, unpack, get to the temple for extra needed help, oh and still be a mom...
and time to plan the next phase of our life with my handsome hubby. hey world: i really love him. he works so hard. so hard. he makes our life possible. we don't have a perfect marriage, of course, but our little life is happy. he supports me in every endeavor. and he has the courage and spirit of, like, a warrior. he will hate that sentence. but oh well, i super love him.
so, ch ch changes. i'll be around when i can. life is good. ps- a couple spiritual uplifts i want to recommend. watch what mara posted today, it is so comforting and wonderful. and read this message- it filled me with hope. i mean in a world where katy perry and russel brand can't make it work we need all the help we can get, haha.
I love you mccalebs! congrats on the house.. and that amazing couch. i can't wait to see pics of the house. gosh, i need to get to UT and pay you a visit. and i love seeing nicole's pretty face. i sure love her too.
Posted by: kristinecmetcalf@gmail.com | January 11, 2012 at 08:04 PM
I wish you and your family the very best :) p.s. I <3 Dottie
Posted by: Edith | January 11, 2012 at 08:15 PM
i love when your blog pops up on my reader.
i hope you know your faith has been a source of inspiration to me the past few months as i've come to find my own. thanks for being strong and open about it. and not making it seem like "the thing to do" if that makes sense.
i wish we were neighbors.
Posted by: natalie | January 11, 2012 at 08:28 PM
First, you and Nicole are so beautiful. second, I clicked the link to Mara's blog. Elder Busche, the man in the video, was my mom's mission president in Germany in the 70's. How cool is that? I sent the link to my mom. She loooves it and loves Elder Busche and all Reneer girls.
Posted by: corine bell | January 11, 2012 at 08:32 PM
Kristine- we'd just love to see your face back in Utah
Edith- thank u very much and I'll pass the word onto Dottie
Nat- we are neighbors! Just on the Internet :) thanks for the kind words
Corine- wow you worked fast! That is super cool and Reneer girls looove Bell girls more!
Posted by: Kelly McCaleb | January 11, 2012 at 08:36 PM
i just love you Kelly. had a nice little chat with grant tonight and he's the best too. love seeing nicole's face more even if it's for sad/happy reasons. i'd like to get cozy with you girls soooon please. congrats on the new place!
Posted by: jane | January 11, 2012 at 08:57 PM
We've been living in our little townhouse in Spanish Fork for three years now, and neither of us saw that one coming either. It is exactly what you'd expect from a Utah townhouse, and it's exactly where we need to me, even if it's not the craftsman bungalow of our dreams. We're so happy in our little house, and love it!
Best wishes to your sister! And how lucky she is to have family to help heal her heart.
Posted by: Tamsin | January 11, 2012 at 09:30 PM
Jane- I absolutely promise to hold cozy knitting nights when we are settled
Tamsin- that gives me hope, thank you!
Posted by: Kelly McCaleb | January 11, 2012 at 10:15 PM
I love hearing your life updates. :) A new space is always exciting and brings such an awesome, fresh perspective - congrats on yours! Your sis is lucky to have you for support (been there, done that) and this will be a chance for you both to grow.
Posted by: mary | January 12, 2012 at 06:07 AM
I rarely comment but have been reading for several years now. I think you are beautiful and I love your outlook on life/family. Good luck with your move and please give your sister lots of love. I have been through the same thing with family members (my parents and a brother) and I know from my own marriage that it's just hard. Love your blog!
Posted by: Sara | January 12, 2012 at 08:57 AM
We've tried to move three times out of our house. Each time we get the big "uh-uh" from upstairs. I LOVE that you wrote that you "listen" to your hearts. It's not a one time thing. It's just what you do...something we try to do. And as far as staying where we've tried to leave so many times, every once in a while we get a small glimpse of why. And it makes me so grateful.
Turns out we live right next to a clubhouse neighborhood...how happy if it turns out we're neighbors??
Here's to hoping. And listening...and sisters too :)
Posted by: Callie C. | January 12, 2012 at 10:48 AM
wait this may be the wrong initial reaction but katy perry and russel broke up!!!??? oh and i love u both buttloads and ur post made my eyes watery
Posted by: shauna | January 12, 2012 at 01:02 PM
hugs to coco, and you :) from the midwest. gah thats still weird. yeah ch ch changes.
Posted by: vanessa | January 12, 2012 at 01:15 PM
Kelly, thank you for your real-ness. I love it, I crave it, I admire it. You are + always will be one of the best!!!
To coco, I'm so sorry. Divorce is hard. Unfortunately, our family is dealing with it as well with the nasty divorce of my husband's parents. My advice is to cling to those who love you unconditionally and to your Savior. Remember that you are a beautiful daughter of God full of worth.
Lots of love, from WA state,
Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn | January 12, 2012 at 02:13 PM
This post has brightened my day immensely. Thanks for your upbeat spirit, and for your honesty. I don't know Coco, but hugs to her during this difficult time.
Posted by: Casee | January 12, 2012 at 02:58 PM
Sara and Mary- I'm sorry that you've had to experience divorce situations in your fams, but it comforts me that others have made it through and are thriving, thanks!
Callie- I would be over joyed if we were in the same ward again! Fingers crossed :)
V- hope all is well, that really is weird u live so far!
Shauna- my favorite comment ever. Love u!
Marilyn- thank u always for supporting and building me up! I'm glad you're a blogger I've gotten to meet, and I hope to lunch with u again someday!
Posted by: Kelly McCaleb | January 12, 2012 at 09:18 PM
Casee- thank you! What a sweet comment!
Posted by: Kelly McCaleb | January 12, 2012 at 09:25 PM
great couch find. cool. you better email me details on this new house.
Posted by: heather | January 13, 2012 at 02:16 AM
oh, and i bet mandee is super sad.
Posted by: heather | January 13, 2012 at 02:17 AM
I am happy that you found a place - home planning/decorating/starting fresh is the best.
I adore you guys and so wish I could be your sister. I would make a pretty fun addition. What do you think? ;)
Coco - hang in there - when God closes a door, he opens a window. Okay Maria?
Posted by: tara | January 13, 2012 at 09:29 AM
if your sister is as warm and fun and kind as you (pretty sure she is), then she deserves all the best in the world. i'm wishing it for her!
Posted by: abby | January 13, 2012 at 03:41 PM
oh and should we start calling grant sheng? you know from mulan.
Posted by: heather | January 13, 2012 at 06:23 PM
Oh, this made me cry for Coco. You both ar so beautiful and my heart goes out to her.. I am so glad she has a wonderful sister to lean on. I, too, am getting divorced and I have to admit that I always had preconceived notions about people who divorced. It was always something that happened to other people. Well, I have learned so much in this horrible process. The experiences that led up to my divorce have made me a stronger, more compassionate, more Christlike person. The same is happening to Coco I am sure. I know how much my family (and Mandee) loved and supported me through tne hardest time of my life and it meant everything to me.
Lots of love,
Brooke
Posted by: Brooke harkness | January 13, 2012 at 08:32 PM
tara- i love you and that you quoted maria. quoting maria makes us sisters.
abby- i am none of those things, but thanks and she does deserve it. it's been rough.
brooke- i have prayed for you! life is so hard. but it's meant to do just what you said, refine us. i know you have a good family too, it does make all the diff, doesn't it?
Posted by: kelly mccaleb | January 14, 2012 at 11:44 AM
wow, changes for you too?!? Wish I was there to help pack and move
Posted by: glor | January 14, 2012 at 08:32 PM
loves. xxx
Posted by: em | January 14, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Love this post!
p.s. you look super cute in all your pics :)
Posted by: rachie | January 15, 2012 at 05:08 PM
congrats on the house. changes are terrifying but so good in the end.
your sister is beautiful and seems as awesome as you are, so hopefully really great things are in store for her.
Posted by: angela hardison | January 16, 2012 at 05:30 PM
You know I've been following you for a few years now...for lots of reasons we both get. Thank you for the awesome update on you and your sister. I teared up for lots of reasons. I don't know if she will remember talking me that day she did my hair, but please give her a little squeeze.
My best as you move into your new house. I hope to see you again on my next Utah excursion. Hugs.
Posted by: Marie | January 17, 2012 at 06:37 PM
Tell Heather that I am super sad ... so sad, I actually cried about it, and you're only moving 3 miles down the road. And I also just have to say that I love Brooke, and Coco, and know that good things are on the horizon for both of them.
And lastly- I am really excited for you guys. You have been a blessing to our family in so many ways. You will never know the depth of my gratitude and love.
Posted by: Mandee | January 18, 2012 at 10:10 AM
OMGosh, Nicole!!! I am so behind & out of the loop on our dear Mccalebs/Reneers! Please come live w/ us in Hawaii, you gorgeous, amazing, way-too-good-for-that CoCo!!! Good luck w/ the move...no matter how often we do it I never get over my 'move freak out' meltdowns. Kelly, you're looking more beautiful & skinny & awesome than ever! Please give lots of love to sweet Cate--Kennedy will never forget her first bestie!
love, Trace & all the Gibsons
P.S. can I please have a sis-in-law like yours?
Posted by: Trace | January 23, 2012 at 10:53 AM