With over 2,300 posts under our belts, it’s becoming a Herculean task to read all the way back through our archives (although several of you deserve an “I survived the YHL archives and all I got was this lousy bumper sticker” bumper sticker). So we’re using our fifth blogiversary as an excuse to pull out some highlights from those 260 weeks of content. Sit back and enjoy this somewhat weird trip down memory lane full of firsts, favorites, and fun times.
First Makeover Reveal: Even before the kitchen reno that started this whole site, our first before and after was actually our laundry nook in November 2007 (since the kitchen was still very much a work in progress). And clearly we hadn’t gotten the before thing down yet, since it’s actually a mid-demo pic instead. That was a valuable lesson in remembering to photograph things before breaking out the sledgehammer…
Weirdest Wardrobe (both human and canine): In this December 2007 post about how long our first kitchen’s cabinet installation was taking, we included this photo to demonstrate how surprisingly cabinet-sized Sherry is… especially when wearing coordinating Christmas pajamas with a then 1-year-old Burger.
Most Ridiculous Styling: It was 2007. We were still finding our decorating groove. Sherry was only a year or so removed from her time in New York / New Jersey. So when we “revealed” these pictures of our guest bedroom (a room that later became Clara’s nursery) we managed to sneak fuzzy leopard slippers into it. Not sure what kind of guests we were expecting…
The Most Never Before Seen Video: Part of the prize from winning a blogging contest in 2007 was a video interview on Ask The Decorator. It was our first video interview so we were over-prepared (Sherry even wore non-black!) and were probably a bucket of nerves and stutters on camera. We’ll never know because the site went on hiatus shortly after the interview (for a few years actually!) and the footage never saw the light of day… which might have been for the best.
First Ikea Hack: Just as the calendar rolled around to 2008, we took on our first adaptation of Ikea furniture by creating the built-in closets around our bed with doorless wardrobes, some curtains, and a wood header to make it all look built-in.
First Burning Question: Anyone remember when we used to do these posts? Every Friday we’d pose a decor or home improvement related question like: “What’s your favorite countertop surface?” “What’s your ideal view from your house?” “To paint or not to paint your switch plates and wall registers?” – you know, heavy hitting stuff. But our first question in May 2008 was whether or not you should have your table perpetually set. It garnered a whopping 18 responses.
First Mood Board: Also around the time we started Burning Questions, we began offering design help by providing online mood boards. Our first one was for Manisha to help with her living room.
First Press Mention: Our local paper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch featured us in their new “I Did It Myself” section on May 15, 2008. What had we done? Made a pedestal table out of a thrift store base and a stock round top from the home improvement store. Our parents were so proud.
Favorite Little Craft: We’ve taken on a lot of little projects and crafts around here (hello “Dude Get On That Already” challenge) but one of our all-time faves is still the vacation memory jars that we did way back in the summer of 2008.
First House Crashing: Before we worked up the nerve to ask strangers if we could come over, we kept House Crashings in the family by photographing my sister’s recently constructed home here in Richmond. That was 2008 and she’s done lots of painting, decorating and landscaping, so a Re-House Crashing is actually on the agenda!
First Reader Redesign: In addition to busting out the House Crashings in 2008, we also featured our first Reader Redesign – which for some reason compelled me to make a Grey Poupon reference in the post title.
First Design Dilemma That Was Solved: Admittedly we made a lot more mood boards over the years than we ever received after photos for. So when we did, it was always a special treat. Our first person to provide them was Stacie, a local friend who sent us pics of her lovely bedroom that was based on a little YHL mood board that we whipped up for her. It actually ended up spawning a House Crashing… or two… or three.
First Wedding Week: It shouldn’t be any surprise that our first “Wedding Week” (a week dedicated to our wedding as well as lovey-dovey stuff in general) started on our first anniversary: July 7, 2008. And the content from that first week is pretty much what lives currently on the Wedding tab at the top of our page.
The Biggest Turning Point: You’ve heard us say before that the main reason we decided to turn this hobby into something more was randomly and completely unexpectedly winning a contest that gave us a little let’s-keep-at-this confidence boost. We were barely two months into blogging, which may be why we celebrated the win by Photoshopping this pageant-esque image. I like my Queen Elizabeth wave.
Hardest Post For Sherry To Write: This is probably a tie between two more recent events – Clara’s birth in 2010 and the death of her Aunt Kay Kay this summer. Both were deeply personal, but almost equally therapeutic for her to write (even though it took nearly a full year for Sherry to muster the words to describe Clara’s entry into to the world).
Hardest Post For John To Write: While not nearly as emotional as Sherry’s picks, owning up to my failed deck inspection this summer was a tough one for me. The failure was a big blow to my confidence about the project as a whole, so it took just about all that I had to keep moving forward on it – let alone having to write about it for all to see.
Most Random: We definitely stray off topic every now and then around here… parenting, running, breastfeeding, haircuts. You know, the usual. But perhaps our most random, yet much commented tangent was this January 2011 post about what other names our parents considered for each of us when we were born.
Most Embarrassing: It should come as no surprise that the most blush-inducing post was Sherry’s admission earlier this year that back in high school she met Eminem… on MTV… and there’s a YouTube video to prove it. Not only does she freestyle rap and say the word “phat” during the episode, now that I’ve mentioned it again, she’s hiding under her desk.
Least Wordy: We don’t have an easy way of double-checking this, but we’re pretty sure this post about readying ourselves for some door widening (our 8th post ever) clocks in at our shortest. At just under 125 words, the entire thing can be viewed without ever touching your scroll bar. Three cheers for someday getting back to short & sweet posts like this among our chatty longer ones.
Most Wordy: Again, don’t quote us on this – but we know last year’s blogiversary post about how we make money and how we spend our time clocked in at nearly 4,000 words, which we believe is our longest. It could also take the cake for “most pie charts” (or should I say take the pie?).
Weirdest: The title of this “Purloined” post should be a clue that Sherry’s was in a weird mood – which she owns up to several times during the post itself. It just a quick little ditty about pillows, but it spawned a hilarious string of comments where people rallied around the phrase “No Ham, No Fowl.” You’ll just have to read it to understand… if it can be understood. (PS: Runner up for this award goes to this post about Sherry’s dream that involved elephant faucets).
Most Unusual Format: If you browse our early posts, you can tell we’re open to being experimental when it comes to their format, like this post that was written entirely as a dialogue between the two of us. We actually loved looking back at it, so here’s hoping more random convos like this pop up from time to time…
Biggest Dud: We like taking bets on who’s gonna win whatever reality TV show we’re watching. So we figured everyone would love joining in our guesses as to who would win 2008’s Top Design on Bravo (the one with Eddie Ross). Well, it wasn’t so hot of an idea. A whopping five people played along, and one of them didn’t event get the channel. Womp womp.
Biggest Reveal: Perhaps our biggest house-related revelation on the blog was the news that we were moving in 2010, but we decided to give this title to some other big news: Clara’s birth. Even though it was something everyone knew was coming, Clara’s early arrival (by about a week) and the fact that we didn’t miss a beat posting (she conveniently timed her arrival on a Friday night, and we had some pre-written posts ready for right after she came) made the casual Tuesday morning announcement a pretty big surprise.
Most Commented: Continuing the Clara’s birth theme, the non-giveaway post with the most comments goes to Sherry’s story of her labor and subsequent emergency C-section with Clara. It garnered over 2,200 words of comfort, congrats, and encouragement. You guys are the best.
Least Commented: This is actually a 14-way tie between several posts that got the big goose egg in the comments category. From this post about a wind storm that threw a tree on my sister’s rental house to this unfortunately titled post about a local white elephant sale, there are still more than a dozen opportunities for one of you to be the first commenter on one of our posts.
Most Active Comments Over Time: New comments on any given post usually dry up within a few weeks of it being posted. But the comments section on three posts in particular are still very much alive and kicking: this one about curtain-hanging 101, this one about picking the perfect paint color, and this one about painting furniture. They all went up around three years ago but tend to receive at least a few fresh comments each week or two.
Whiniest: We generally try to keep things upbeat around here (this is our happy place) but we do get our sourpuss on every now and then. Perhaps our finest moment of that would be in 2008’s dramatically titled “You Know What Sucks?” post that’s all about painting the grody ceiling in our first house’s den.
Biggest Budget Breakdown: Coming in at $17,500 – our most expensive project (by far!) to date was the one that kicked off this blog: our first kitchen remodel. Since that job was largely hired out, it was over ten grand more than our second kitchen reno.
Worst Photos: Looking through our archives reveals plenty of less-than-steller demonstrations of our photography skills, especially in our early days of uploading tiny photos taken with our little point-and-shoot. But Sherry and I both agreed that this post (about how our open shelves looked when they suddenly had to house items from our then-demolished kitchen) took the cake for ugliest. Please accept our heartfelt apology.
Favorite Punny Post Title: We’ll be the first to admit that our pun-tastic post titles are cheesy, but we’re oddly entertained by just how weird they can be. A few all time favorites are “Oh My Gourd” (about a gourd lamp purchase), “What’s The Commode-tion?” (about matters of the toilet kind), “Hosta La Vista” (about digging up some hostas in the yard), “There’s A New Chair-riff In Town” (about getting a new chair), and “What Up, Succa” (about repotting succulents).
Favorite Hip-Hop Title: We also have a tendency to let song lyrics – often of the hip hop variety – sneak into our post titles as well. So we have to give the gold to last November’s “Wanna Be A Baller, Shot Caller, Drywaller…” (about putting drywall around our new kitchen opening) and the silver to “I Like Big Globes And I Cannot Lie” (about hanging some globe pendants in the kitchen). Lil’ Troy and Sir Mix A Lot would be so proud.
Most Over-Used Post Title: This goes to “Light My Fire” which actually only appears on two posts – this one about a light fixture and this one about actually lighting a fire. Two may not seem like over-use, but note that these posts came within just weeks of each other back in October 2007. And to this day Sherry still has to fight the urge to break it out again (probably because I give her so much grief about running out of fire-related puns less than two months into blogging).
Sexiest Video: You know that moment when you finish a project and you’re so proud of it you just wanna make a sultry video of it? What? Just me? Well, that’s what we did in the midst of another weird mood following the completion of our living room console last year. Forgive us if this gets you all hot and bothered…
Favorite Video: It’s not decor related (though there is a stylish wedding about halfway in!), but Sherry and I still love watching this road trip video of our 41-hour drive to Texas back in 2009. It may be 17 minutes long, but it just makes us smile every time we play it. Oh to be able to take a road trip again and not have to worry about a certain restless toddler in the backseat…
John’s All-Time Favorite Project: It’s gotta be our hallway frame wall that we completed in 2011. It was right at the sweet spot of not-too-difficult, but not-too-simple and to this day we still love the impact and personality that it has. I dunno, it just feels like us. The only thing missing is a ceramic dog. Oops, my bad.
Sherry’s All-Time Favorite Project: That’s easy, it’s the time we painted the back of our built-ins a dark teal color (one of the first things we tackled after we moved in). It only took an evening and a quart of paint, and it was such a room-changer.
John’s All-Time Favorite Post: This is a weird answer, but this post about our first day in our current house has a special place in my heart. It was such an exciting moment for us – full of promise, ideas, and a little stress for good measure. It was even more thrilling to start from scratch knowing that we’d get to take you guys with us every step of the way. Not to mention how crazy it is to look back and realize how much has changed since then.
Sherry’s All-Time Favorite Post: Sherry’s answer is full of sentiment – and decor: it’s the reveal of Clara’s nursery in our old house. Of course we love the transformation that took place in the room, but we think it’s the much greater change in our lives that the post symbolizes which earns it the prize. Look how naive we look – especially in that before picture – so happily clueless about what was ahead.
Now that we’ve outlined our favorites, firsts, and a fair amount of general post-writing weirdness, what about you? Do you have a favorite entry on your own blog (or in your diary)? Was there a moment where you were particularly wacky and random? Or something that you look back on and cringe?
Psst- Speaking of posts about everything and anything, we’re over here chatting about color theory (who knew certain colors can supposedly raise IQ points and even help with digestion?).
Lauren says
Hi guys!
I came across your blog when i wanted to paint my cabinets…now I am addicted! Love what you guys are doing. Also, i was clicking through a few pages which brought me to Burger’s blog…today is his birthday? Hope he has a good one ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Wahooo! We’re having a dogiversary for him tonight!
xo
s
Ali says
I originally found your blog through reading Clara’s birth story. I had severe pre-eclampsia and placental abruption during the birth of my daughter 7 months ago. It all came on so suddenly and she was born 4 weeks early. Luckily, all turned out very well for mama and baby. When i read your story I feel like I could have written it. Like you, I so badly want to capture that night but am having a hard time finding the courage to put it into workds. Similarly, I am sad that my next pregnancy will come with a whole new set of fears. You seem so upbeat and positive, so I cant wait to see how your journey turns out when them time comes :) Thanks for sharing your story, it really helped when I was trying to make sense of the way things went. I love your blog!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Ali, you’re so sweet. I’m so glad everything worked out for you and your sweet daughter. I promise it gets easier. And talking about it/writing about it is really amazingly cathartic, even though it’s super hard to do!
xo
s
Britt @ Honest to Goodness Living says
All of your videos (random questions, road trip, console lovin’) have seriously been the highlights of my work week… Thanks for keeping me entertained (as always!) PS: I’m needing some MAJOR help solving a mini marital argument about whether or not we should paint a wall in our living room a feature color… If I e-mail you a photo, will you hate me for asking your opinion? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, post it on our facebook page so everyone can weigh in with us!
xo
s
Britt @ Honest to Goodness Living says
Good call! Will do! :)
Britt @ Honest to Goodness Living says
Sharing on Facebook…. Done :)
YoungHouseLove says
Wahooo!
xo
s
Riva says
I love that you pointed out 3 posts that are old yet still get new comments every week. The Curtains 101 post is how I found your blog 2 summers ago and it feels awesome that other people continue to find you the same way that I did. Without stumbling upon that first post/your blog/the world of DIY blogs I don’t think I would have had the confidence to do a lot of the things we have since done and made plans to do in the future for our house! Happy blogiversary Petersiks!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw you’re so sweet Riva!
xo
s
maribel says
I noticed in the before bedroom picture you had bright color pillows and the after neutral. Do you recall why it went the other way. Even the chair in the corner post had a bright color. Were you in the “closet” when it came to color…just curious
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, I think we definitely were just playing around to see what we liked. Our mood seems to change a lot with pillows, so they move all over the house!
xo
s
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
What a great way to show how far you have come!
caroline says
Loved the table setting video with KB! You’re both so sweet and I can just about see a solid friendship blooming there!
My favourite blog post is a recent one about some treasures I brought back from a recent trip to England to see my family: my Aunt gave me a baby photo of me with my Mum, and since there are very few of us two it’s extremely precious to me! I’m actually looking for a nice way of framing it now and putting it on my dressing table so I can see it every morning!
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8095986082855214481#editor/target=post;postID=4790189320101818020
Congrats on your lovely blog :)
Sophie says
I found an even shorter post! One entitled Young House Love: The Movie from November 5th 2007 has a mere 54 words. It looks very out of place because I’m used to you guys chatting away :D
YoungHouseLove says
Wahooo! I love that you found that. High fives!
xo
s
Kate says
I’m fairly certain that the slippers in your unfortunate staging are the exact same ones I currently have under my desk here at work… lol!
I also loved the nursery reveal, but I’m jealous of how big your bump was when you started the room… I’m 22 weeks and still in the questionable “is she pregnant?” phase!
Nicole says
Haha, I feel so cheesy over here because I started the whole, “No ham, no fowl” thing, as well as “keep it animal”. I think Sherry’s weird mood passed on to everyone that day, because I don’t usually say things that are that goofy ;)
YoungHouseLove says
I love that. Love it.
xo
s
heather says
So maybe this is what lunch time looks like.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e349/dncektn/Untitled-1-1.png
YoungHouseLove says
Bwahahahahahaha!!!
xo,
s
Courtney says
Sherry – I (still) have those same Christmas pajama pants! (This is assuming I’m correctly identifying them from the pic – are they from Old Navy?) I didn’t realize they were that old. Oops. Also, I wear them year round. Oops again.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! Old Navy!
xo
s
Erin says
I love all the links to old posts/blasts from the past. Funny to think there are many with less than 30 comments. Although, I am sure 30 comments seemed huge back then:)
Clara’s birth story still sends chills up my spine and is a good reminder that miracles do happen.
I can’t wait for your book tour! Please tell me the list of cities will be out soon!
Nora says
Oddly those slippers make me happy. I thought you guys walked around barefoot all the time. Walking in a house barefoot brings back terrible memories of hearing my dad walk all over the house without his slippers or socks, just his dragon feet. Kind of a shuffley, scrapey noise. Blech. Man needs some lotion. Why am I telling you this? Uhhh…happy anniversary!
Joules (from Pocketful of Joules) says
I don’t know how you did it, picking a favorite post is like picking a favorite child for me.
I guess I’d have to go with two recent-ish posts — one about the crazy search terms that bring people to my website (which makes me laugh to this day because anyone searching for wild horse sex (??) gets my post on how gross they are). I also posted yesterday a silly post about the missing marshmallows in my house that makes me giggle. =)
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says
What a fun post and on so many things I’ve missed since I wasn’t following all those years back. I know you guys must get a little misty-eyed writing these. I feel misty-eyed just reading them. A beautiful life, well lived!
Erin says
My husband and I just bought our first house in Plymouth, MA and we are convinced it is so old pilgrims lived here. It needs a lot of love and we enjoy looking at you guys did in all of your fixing projects. Thanks for all of the ideas and inspiration! My current project is the clothespin light in the laundry room. While Eric has “borrowed” your first IKea hack idea. Thank you and keep them coming!
Danielle says
I’ve been here since just after the wedding, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that you share your lives, remodels, and giddy Bower visits with us. It seems like you’re my neighbors!
I especially love it when you share things that don’t go very well (the spraypainted chairs, the failed inspection) because it’s not only very real… but it reminds me that everyone goes through it!
Barbara says
First, I am amazed that I’ve followed you for much longer than I thought. I was there at your first reveal. And I remember going through your pregnancy with you, and being disappointed that you missed having her on my birthday by two days and then feeling horrible a year later when you revealed the circumstances. (Personally, I don’t think I could have another after that, so go YOU!).
I remember being disappointed that you sold the other house after all that work and marveling at what you’ve done to this one (and wishing you’d come to my house and crash it). I’ve adored Burger, can’t believe I’ve watched Clara turn into a two year old and have enjoyed myself the whole way.
But I have to add, the biggest reason I enjoy your blog is that you don’t take yourselves seriously. I’ve watched other blogs devolve into money/fame driven drivel and so appreciate your “we take no freebies” attitude. It’s refreshing to know you’re doing it like everyone else. I’m actually looking forward to your book! I feel like a proud parent.
So congratulations on five years. I can’t wait to be here for Clara’s seventh birthday!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Barbara, you’re so sweet.
xo
s
Jo says
I got married July 7th this summer. We share an anniversary! :) Before I ever met my husband I had read about your wedding and fell in love with the lemons and lime in a vase as center pieces. In fact I made those center pieces for my mom and dad’s 50th & 55th birthday party. But guess what our center pieces were for our wedding this summer? Lemons and lime in a vase. Yep. Thanks for the inspiration, guys!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! I love that.
xo
s
Brenda says
Had fun watching your road trip video with my 4 year old, I love how kid’s minds work.
4 yr: Ooo, who’s that?
Me: John and Sherry
4 yr: Why don’t they have any kids?
Me: Well they do now
4 yr: Do I know Chawn and Jerry?
Me: (Laughing)No
4 yr: Oh are they in real life?
Me: Yes
4 yr: Do they know me?
Me: No, they live far away
4 yr: Are they on the radio or tv?
Me: Well they have been on tv
4 yr: Ahh, no fair, I want to be on tv
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahah! Hilarious!
xo
s
Jessica @ The Desert Abode says
You guys are such an inspiration! Keep it up! :-)
My favorite post on my blog has got to be the one I wrote this week announcing my pregnancy!!! So excited!
http://www.thedesertabode.com/2012/09/25/bun-in-the-oven/
YoungHouseLove says
Wahooo! Congrats Jessica!
xo
s
Betsy says
Sexy video is hy.sterical.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, so glad!
xo
s
Jennifer says
Love this wrap up!
My favorite posts are probably any that involve my birthing story. It’s not anything earth shattering, but delivering babies is an amazing process, even via c-section like my last 2. I don’t even write much bc I like to save the mushy stuff in a letter to them. But reading them brings a little tear to my eye. I enjoy watching how fast they grow, what amazing little people they turn into and praying over them secretly after they have fallen asleep telling them all my hopes and dreams for them.
Did you notice the tent is up over at the Decorators Outlet?! Yup! Saturday!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! So excited!
xo
s
Whitney J says
I’ve been reading for a long time so maybe I don’t remember all of the posts I’ve loved, but I have to say that one of my favorites was when you revealed your grandma’s bathroom. I think that made lots of people smile. I wouldn’t mind seeing you guys do a few more remodels for others.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, that was so much fun! We’d love to!
xo
s
Lindsay McGowan says
So, I have read it before, but I just re-read your birth story and I am in tears (again) with a massive ache in my chest. I can feel the fear you had. I gave birth to my premature twins, and I remember the silence in the room after each baby was born. The waiting for cries, the silent but quick movements of the people in scrubs. The whispers and quiet phone calls. Like you, our miracle babies are perfect and healthy, and we will be celebrating their 2nd Birthday in December! But, reading your birth story again makes me ache for the pain you must have felt, and makes me feel that for myself all over again.
And, I must say, you two are such fantastic parents, it is no wonder you were blessed with such a sweet miracle!
Congrats on 5 years!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh Lindsay you’re so sweet. I had goosebumps when you described the birth of your twins because it sounds just like Clara’s birth day. So glad everything worked out!
xo
s
Amy says
Great post. Love John’s sister’s house and can’t wait to see the re-crash! Seeing their barn door made me wonder why you don’t have one in your room to separate out that sink area. Is that on your Get on it Already list? : )
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve definitely thought about it, although we’re not sure we want to block the light that comes in from that window with a sliding door. Will keep you posted if we ever make a decision! Haha.
xo
s
Jenny says
Nothing like breastfeeding a newborn to give you time to get through blog archives. That’s when I earned my bumper sticker. Thank goodness for iPhones.
Also, looking back at John’s favorite post, it’s funny to see just how far you have come… except in the basement and playroom! I think those are two rooms where you wouldn’t mind going back to the Day One look.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so true!
xo
s
Amy says
I’m new to your site so I’m loving all your trips down memory lane. Had to watch the Eminem video. Has anyone ever mentioned that John looks a little like Eminem? LOL ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah! Except he’s about a foot taller ;)
xo
s
Karen T says
You did it again…thanks a lot. I always tell myself “oh I’ll just peek at today’s post, and really read it later”, and instead I get sucked into your world and links to other posts I haven’t read yet…and before you know it, time has definitely passed by. :-) But I love it. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration, and happy blogiversary!
Now….must stop. Step away from the computer….
KT
YoungHouseLove says
Hah! Thanks KT!
xo
s
Anna says
Your blog has a special place in my morning… I get to work, make coffee, check my email and read your blog. It makes me happy=) haha. Plus, I moved from Richmond to California 4 years ago and it’s nice to have a slice of “home.” Keep it up, you guys are far and above amazing!
Chrissy Sparks (Brush Dance) says
I think this post is a great reminder that we all have to start somewhere… Finding what you love to do and doing it is the thing that is important!Thanks for sharing your journey & I look forward to checking out more of your posts (I’m still new around here!). :)
Jenn says
I love love love your blog and have to say that blogiversary is my absolute favorite! I started following your blog last year and read through all of the archives as fast as i could. You guys gave me some amazing ideas during a full rennovation of my condo…and even helped me expand from the beige and tan I would usually pick for the walls…hello grey and blue!
Cassidy says
I think the most amazing post and “project” you two completed was Clara’s birth. I had a fairly emergent C-section myself (though pales in comparison) and the sweet picture of the three of you in the operating room proves how it’s all worth it. I died laughing – after wiping away tears – bc we have the same picture of my little family and my husband is also wearing the mask inside out. Maybe you have to be an operating room nurse – I am – to see the humor but I remember looking back on our pictures and finding humor in the “sweat strip” being on the outside of my husband’s mask when he probably could have used it to function appropriately!
Best wishes to you and yours!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s so funny!
xo
s
Jen@The Decor Scene says
wow I have been following you since 2007 I think. Maybe right around the time you guys got married. That is when we bought our first home. It’s been a great 5 years with you guys. I’ve learned so much. WOW I remember you first mood board. Time flies but it’s been a great ride. Can’t wait for the next 5 years with you guys.
On my blog the post I love the most {and it’s one of my most popular posts} is when I did the big reveal for our Family Room. It was such an accomplishment for me and my hubby. It took us around 1 year on weekends to do that room from studs to fulling decorated. A lot of my designing came from your first house. Thanks for that. It’s still our favorite room in our home. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that room sounds amazing!
xo,
s
cc says
Don’t change a thing about your blog– humor comes through when it’s coupled with honesty. And I think everyone loves puns, maybe because you know you’re not supposed to. :)
OK, now I see that I have lied to you– I would change one thing about your blog, so this is me politely suggesting (begging?) that there be a way to scroll the old posts more easily. Maybe a box to type in an approximate page number of where reading left off? I’d explain it better, but I’m sure it at least involves html, and that’s where my mind begins to swim.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, see at the bottom of the page there’s a last button? That’s the best way to get to the end. Then the URL will change to show a page number, so to get back to, say page 55 of our blog, just click last and then put in the page number you’d like up in the URl field. Hope that makes sense!
xo,
s
Liz R. says
My blog is a work in progress. I only recently started writing posts again and it needs some design work. But my favorite so far is this one because it captures how absurd and twisted my husband and I are:
http://www.grownuppretenders.com/2012/09/24/why-chances-are-low-may-will-be-normal/
Just warning you I have a cursing problem in most of my posts. I think its terminal.
YoungHouseLove says
Off to check it out…
xo,
s
Nicole Y. says
I still remember when you announced that you were moving. My eyes got really big, but since I was at work I couldn’t say or do anything crazy. So I ended up emailing my husband, saying “YHL IS MOVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I think he just rolled his eyes and replied, “congrats to them.” hahahah
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha!!
xo
s
Jaime @ Queen of the Creek says
Fantastic post… You guys did an awesome job summing up the last few years! It’s been so fun riding on the tandem beach cruiser with you. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw you’re sweet!
xo,
s
Kati says
I love all your posts, but the one about Clara’s birth gets me every time! I read through your entire blog to catch up, probably 2 years worth of posts but that was awhile back before you even moved into your new house! I’ve been a faithful follower ever since! Thanks for all you do!
P.S. In side news I just found out that they are building an IKEA only 2 hours from where I live now!!! I couldn’t be more excited! Fall 2014 can’t come soon enough!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo!
xo
s
Koliti says
Enjoyed the views and laughs from the dashboard in your Texas Road Trip video! You both are quite charismatic – You guys are the STARS of the show! Keeping it fun & quirky!
I hope that you will be capturing moments when you’re on your book tour – especially for those of us who can’t actually be part of the up close and personal action, it would be a treat to see you in one of your fun videos.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes we’d love to do one of those videos from the tour!
xo,
s
Anya says
So I don’t comment often (aka never) but I feel moved to finally tell you that your are the best blog I have EVER ever ever read. And the reason for that is not your taste in furniture and whatnot (although I DO think you have great style) but because you KEEP.IT.REAL. I’ve never heard a pretentious, played-up, or “smile just for the blog” photo/word/post etc on here. I have stopped reading countless blogs cus they felt forced or fake in some small way I can never put my finger on, and I never get that from yours. Thank you so much for sharing your life (and ups and the downs and the embarrasing parts) honestly!! Xoxo
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Anya! You’re so sweet.
xo,
s
Kyla says
Perfect timing! Literally just last night I finished reading your archives to the point where I started following you (August 2011). It took me a few weeks, mind you – but I guess that’s appropriate given how many posts there are!
Thanks for the inspiration to be brave and take on projects that make our house our own. After 5 years in our place, we took on some larger projects over the summer, and it finally feels like “ours”. I’m finally in love with our home :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that’s so sweet Kyla!
xo,
s
Cherrisse Cobb says
I have two favorite post. My first favorite is your wedding post. I love everything: the colors, the location, the dress, the photo booth, the food. Sometimes I think I was there haha. I have read it a few times because our wedding is next year. Y’all can come if you want! It will be in Kentucky not too far!! My second favorite is the Eminem post I was just informed of it. I love it because $herdog is so surprised of Slim Shady’s skin color and she related to it. Another reason I love this post is because Sherry is so smart, the questions that were asked are really kind of deep and I like that she had Eminem on his toes.
I also enjoy your post titles!
Cherrisse
Michelle says
I have so many posts to go back and read now I’m going to be busy all afternoon!!! :-)
Julia @ Calm Cradle says
I’m really enjoying this week’s blogiversary posts! I love your honesty, creativity, work ethic and ability to take criticism–all of which come through in each post. Thanks for the continued inspiration!
Lara V says
I loved this post!!! So many fun things to look back on. You guys have the best jobs!!! Doing something you love full time!!! I had never read your post about Clara’s birth story before. What a miracle she is!!! Children are the most amazing blessings!!! Have a great day and keep on keeping on!! I’ll keep reading!!
Rachel says
I found your blog back in 2009 when we bought our first house and have been hooked ever since. I am constantly saying to my husband that we need to so try out DIY ideas that I saw on ‘YHL’. I can’t wait to see what ideas you have this year :)
Amy Endler says
Aww I loved this post. I first found your blog looking for a vaccuum cleaner (?!) and found a post from your old house on cleaning and buying a vaccum. I loved that post and have been a reader ever since, about 3 years! Congrats on another anniversary! To many more fun posts!! :) PS. do you still have that same vaccum? I am considering going for a Dyson because the vaccum I bought then is on it’s last legs…
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, still have it!
xo,
s
Louise says
What an excellent post! Thanks Gina & Lars lol! oh god, I’m so glad I was a girl – the boy names destined for me were Kevin (not too bad) or Trevor!?! parent’s eh :) anyway, it’s been a great post for me to have a nosey at as I haven’t had a chance to look back yet. I also have to say – neither of you have changed one bit! no double chins or muffin tops! you’re doing something right – i have both haha!
Heather says
Your video yesterday ruined how I see John. Now, when I watched the road trip video, my brain was all PAVELAKAAA! *shakes fist at sky* I don’t even think he looks like him, but now it’s all up in my brain and I can’t get it out.
On another note, Sherry you’re super good looking. I knew you were pretty but the video made me like “woah, good job Pavelka”.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha you’re cracking me up!
xo,
s