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Not Completely Settled, But Feeling At Home

Updated: May 20


Four Weeks In: Building Home in the In-Between


It’s been four weeks since we moved to Florida.

Four weeks since we said goodbye to everything familiar and chose to start over — in a house that was empty, in a state that still felt like a dream.


And now… here we are.

Still a little off center. Still surrounded by baskets to go through.

But slowly, something is shifting.

This place is starting to feel like ours.


We’re Not Completely Settled — But We’re Landing


I wouldn’t say we’re fully settled yet.

There are still piles in the storage shed that we haven’t touched.

I still don’t remember what light switch does what.

And I swear some items will mysteriously disappear and reappear like we're playing some game.


But we’re getting there.


There’s a rhythm forming — one that doesn’t revolve around perfection or productivity, but around presence. Aidyn playing outside every day, experiencing our first rain storm, and kitchen dance parties in the evening light.


We don’t have a desk or a TV console yet.

But we have music, laughter, and plenty of good food.

And honestly? That’s more than enough right now.

Oh yeah, and we have the beach... can't complain there.



Firsts That Felt Like Milestones


Last weekend, we explored Historic Cocoa Village, a sweet little art fair in our neighborhood downtown. We didn’t go to spend money or “do” anything big. We just went to be out in our new community to walk slowly, see all the things, connect with friends, and just exist.


We also had our friends from Ohio visit! That alone made things feel more real, like this isn’t just a chapter we’re writing on our own. People are here, showing up, standing with us in the awkward middle, where the walls are still semi-bare but the heart of the home is already beating.


We’ve had lizard sightings, mysterious animal noises, and Aidyn yelling "LOOK” every two minutes on our neighborhood walks. It’s wild, chaotic, and hilarious. He’s thriving, which makes any hard moment worth it.



My Dad Came to Visit


And then, something really special happened.

My dad came to visit.


I didn’t know how much I needed that until he was here.

Seeing him walk through our front door, into our new place, was emotional in a way I didn’t expect. He’s always been a grounding presence in my life, and I was so grateful to have him here.


We didn’t do anything fancy.

We went to the beach.

Explored downtown.

Ate good food.

He played with Aidyn.

He helped hang our TV, which has become a tradition.


Something about having him here, present, curious, supportive, made this house feel more like home. We’re not just building something new for ourselves but creating space that others can be part of, too.


That was our goal all along.



Oh, and… I'm signing with a Publisher!


Tucked inside all of these little moments is something really big:

I'M SIGNING WITH A PUBLISHER!!!!


Yep, you read that right! After tons of research on self-publishing and beyond, I've decided this is the route to take.

I’ve been writing this book for years.

Not in a straight line, not in a pretty timeline, but in the quiet cracks where healing lives, in the middle of motherhood, grief, recovery, leadership, and real life.


The book is finally becoming real.

I’m not sharing the title just yet — not because I’m hiding it, but because it still feels tender.

And honestly? I kind of love letting it be mine for just a little longer.


But soon, I’ll share the name!!!

And the cover.

And the heart behind every single chapter.


And when I do, you’ll know it came from the deepest, truest part of me.



It’s the Little Things That Are Actually Big


We got a microwave.

We hung our TV.

Our friends came over.

My dad visited.

Aidyn hasn’t stopped exploring.

And I finally sat still long enough to feel the ground under my feet.


These are the moments that make a life.

Not the Pinterest-ready rooms or the perfectly finished closets.

But the conversations on the patio.

The sandy shoes by the front door.

The mess that says, we live here now.


We’re still becoming.

Still building.

Still breathing life into this new space, one slow exhale at a time.


And if you’re in a season of starting over, or maybe just slowing down, I hope this reminds you:

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

You just have to keep showing up.


Thanks for being here for the middle.

The in-between.

The part where it’s not perfect… but it’s real.


With love, and a home that’s slowly filling with heart

<3 Nadine



🎥 Watch the vlog that goes with this week:


📩 Want early access to my book updates + behind-the-scenes exclusives?

 
 
 

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