A teeny glimpse at Christmas morning...

When you living room is trashed and your heart is full... 

 ...it was the merriest of days! After college quarantine and several virus tests, we were blessed to have our little foursome safely under one roof this year. "All I want for Christmas is you", indeed.  So thankful!  Happy Holidays, friends.🎄❤️

Nenonen Project Time: Geometric Accent Wall

We have always allowed our boys creative-control of their own bedrooms, and our youngest has been busy this week. 

Give a teenage boy quarantine orders, creative freedom, and three weeks to kill before he leaves for college and what do you get? 

A fun bedroom makeover! I love the funky freestyle geometric wall design that Reed created. He was going for visually-interesting without being too loud.  I think he nailed it and managed powerful visual impact without the commitment of wallpaper or bold colors.  Now on to final touch-ups, new baseboards, area rug, and furnishings✨

Base Color:  "Simply White" (OC- 117) by Benjamin Moore
Top Color:    "On The Rocks" (SW-7671) by Sherwin Williams

While the bulk of our ongoing home projects can be found on my Instagram (in stories and highlights), see a few of our other Casa de Nenonen projects HERE.

Under Contract and Goodbye High School!

Nothing says "Happy Friday" in Nenonen Quarantine like this...

and this...

An accepted contract on gorgeous Spyglass and my baby completed his last day of high school!  Whew, what a week!  I think it is safe to say that Spring 2020 has been an emotional rollercoaster for all, but in the wild ride, today was a definite peak!  As Reed is my real estate baby, it is all too appropriate?!  Ha ha.

A warm congratulations and thank you to the fabulous N duo for their friendship, business, and trust.  I look forward to your closing in a few short weeks.  Per my baby, my Reed, I am so proud of you.  While COVID-19 has robbed you of the typical graduation experience, it doesn't take from your incredible accomplishments.

I have been doing Back to School updates here on the blog for years.  I look forward to my post next August, as you venture off to Drake in Des Moines, Iowa!

Full heart, a terrific day.💓

Tuning in from Columbia...

I have admittedly been a little MIA this week, busy being a proud mama in Columbia...

Our youngest finished his Senior year wrestling season at the epic 2020 Missouri State Wrestling Championship after he qualified to compete among the best in Missouri. Exciting week, and the absolute COOLEST way to end his high school wrestling career. Bittersweet moment for his proud mom.❤️

Mom Moment, Back to School.

I blinked and the next thing I know...

...my youngest is a Senior. ❤️

*sigh*

Iowa College tours, historic estates!

College Tour Summer 2019 continues in Casa de Nenonen as our youngest nears closer to his Senior year.  Back to school in 2 weeks!

I have mentioned numerous times here on the blog over the years that I earned my real estate license while my youngest was in utero.  The older he gets?  There is no doubt that the love for historic architecture is in his blood! Hence, the perfect finale to his Iowa college tours? A tour of the lovely Salisbury Estate in Des Moines...

Built in 1923 by Carl Weeks, the inventor of foundation makeup, the estate was modeled after this beauty...

The handsome 14th century King's House in Salisbury, England. 

The original projected budget for the Week estate started at $150,000... but ended with the final cost of a whopping 3 million. It is a spectacular blend of architectural styles and interesting salvaged architectural goodies from all over the world.  I highly recommend a visit to the museum if ever in the Des Moines area.❤️

A teeny peek at our tour...

Learn more about the history of the estate here...

As far as my boy goes...

While it has been fun times exploring the country with him this summer in pursuit of his dream college, now the choice is up to him!  We shall see.

NITTY GRITTY:

Salisbury House and Gardens
4025 Tonawanda Drive
Des Moines, IA 50312
Phone:(515) 274-1777

Web: https://salisburyhouse.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salisburyhousedsm 

The Chicago Skyline by boat...

Excuse me while my Realtor heart pitter-patters❤️...

After a day of touring Loyola University and DePaul University with our youngest, we took a spectacular sunset architectural boat tour of Chicago. The only thing better than the cityscape by foot, is by water!

If in Chicago, I HIGHLY recommend an evening tour of the city with Seadog Cruises.  It was not only informative, but a lovely ride on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River!

On a personal note, I feel like we just finished this emotional process with my oldest.  I can't believe that my baby's turn is up...

Sigh. 

Here he is. 17, at the fabulous Chicago Shedd Aquarium, 6 weeks from his Senior year.

Seventeen

A little over 17 years ago, I sat across from my current broker at the Coldwell Banker Gundaker Corporate Centre office and told her that I was interested in earning my real estate license. She must have thought that I was certifiably crazy, as I was 9 months pregnant at the time with a toddler in tow. A former social worker, gone stay-at-home mom, I was ready for a new professional endeavor with the encouragement and guidance of my father (who was a real estate investor) and the support of my amazing husband.

6 weeks later, I embarked upon a new real estate career and the brand new role as a mom of TWO at the exact same time...

Today is our youngest son's 17 birthday, which serendipitously also marks my 17th year in this amazing business.  I could have never predicted back then that I was setting out on one of the most enriching and challenging professional adventures of my life. My 1st mission after giving birth was to find the newly-formed "Nenonen Four" a larger home and the momentum picked up from there.  Here I sit almost 2 decades later, so grateful that I was courageous enough to take the plunge that day, as it has allowed me to help dozens upon dozens of people along the way.  

I adore my job and my little family.  The nature of this business has allowed me to flourish in both roles and for that I am eternally grateful. Each year when I celebrate my "baby's" birthday, I also like to pause and pay homage to years of personal and professional growth, enrichment, and fulfillment through an adventurous career!

I am so fortunate to have found a job that I am still passionate about even seventeen years later.  None of it would have been possible without the friendship, business, support, and referrals of my amazing friends and clients.  For that, I have a profound amount of gratitude. Thank you for seventeen wonderful years! 💗

In addition, a super Happy Birthday to my boy, who could probably tell you more about termite infestation, electrical code, sewer lateral repair, and contractual negotiation than any other 17 year old you know. A Realtor's child through and through! 😉 

Back to school, 'tis the season!

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you know that it has been hustle bustle, back to school week around here!  A welcomed return to routine and the slower pace of Fall, even though I will miss these faces.

Hello, Junior year in high school...

 Hello, Sophomore year in college...

The only one not-so-thrilled about this return to normalcy?

Needless to say, Miss Willow adores her gratuitous time with her boys.  So sad, isn't it? 💔

Sweet 16!

Each year when I wish this boy a very special birthday... 

...I also ironically nod to my licensure!  Thanks to his’s arrival, we outgrew our home and needed to make a move.  I threw caution to the wind and decided to get my real estate license on a whim when I was 8 months pregnant.  

Happy Sweet 16 to my youngest and here is to 16 wonderful years in an industry that I still love and adore as it has allowed me to “do it all”. 🚗💨1️⃣6️⃣

Bittersweet Back-To-School Moment in Casa de Nenonen...

I move people for a living, but this one was a tad more personal...  

My oldest officially became a Bradley Brave today!  Bittersweet though I am incredibly proud . ❤️

In other exciting Nenonen news, my youngest ventured in to his Sophomore year this week...

Sands through the hourglass, friends.  Sands through the hourglass.

Back to School and Farewell, Summer!

Last week, we recreated the morning of oldest's first day of Kindergarten as the boys ventured off to their first day of Senior and Freshman year.  *sigh*  I look back at posts like this, and can't believe that we are now here...

I know that I say this every year, but even though nothing beats the excitement of Spring Market in residential real estate, my summer hiatus from the blog felt too long. It is so nice to be back!  Each year when the boys head back to school (and the bulk of my Spring transactions have successfully drawn to a close), I like to personally reflect on the Summer that has just passed, above and beyond my work fun.

While our family enjoyed our typical summer fun-in-the-sun adventures,  if you follow me on Instagram, you saw a whole lot of this...

...intermingled with my typical summer posts, like this...

I never thought that the time would come, but my oldest has entered his Senior year which means a good percentage of our energy has shifted to pondering and exploring "What is next".  The process, without doubt, leaves Steve and I with mixed emotions.  Regardless, seven universities were visited, he has chosen his favorites, and now applications follow.

The tides seemed to have changed in Casa de Nenonen over Summer 2016.  As we venture into an exciting year of transition for our family, I hold one of my favorite quotes close to my heart...

Personal Mom Moment...

The boys were kind enough to indulge me in a few photos this week...

16 and almost 14. 

 *sigh*

Where has the time gone, even with Miss Willow?

A Personal Moment: Back to School and Farewell Summer

It has taken me a few days to catch my breathe with last week's busy closing schedule and getting the boys prepared, but my babes went back to school last week. Bittersweet.  While Summer 2015 was packed with fun, it is nice to get back to the "norm" around here.

I say it every year, though I feel like I am on a high speed train with these 2 boys, my babies. My oldest hopped in the car to drive himself to his first day of 11th grade, as our Fall calendar begins to fill with standardized test dates and college campus tours.  My "little guy", now a big 8th grader, had to bend down to give me a hug this AM as he is now taller than me. Heck, even Miss Willow (now 4-1/2 months) is almost unrecognizable after a summer of growth.  *sigh*

Like sands through the hourglass, friends.

Regardless, while Summer 2015 was a busy one, it was grand. A peek back at the fun, as we journey into beloved Fall...