‘Overwhelmingly Grateful’: Jenny Marrs Celebrates Her Life, Family

Published: October 3, 2023

‘Overwhelmingly Grateful’: Jenny Marrs Celebrates Her Life, Family

By Movieguide® Contributor

Jenny Marrs just gave fans a sneak peek into her upcoming book “House + Love = Home,” reflecting on her family’s own home.

“When I wrote these words two winters ago, I had no way of knowing we would be reworking the spaces inside our home so soon,” the FIXER UPPER star wrote. “Yet, as I read them afresh today, I’m overwhelmingly grateful for the life we have built and continue to build right here in our little corner of the world…”

Marrs then shared an excerpt from the book.

“The life we have built here can be messy and is certainly a lot of work, but, gracious; it’s full of joy,” she wrote. “Our memories have seeped into the walls, and these floors echo with the thrill of first steps and kitchen dance parties. Just as the biting cold of winter will eventually give way to the gentle warmth of spring and the sticky heat of summer, our home will continue to grow and change and evolve with the seasons of life.”

She described some of the changes the Marrs’ family home has gone through over the years, from baby gates and “toy nooks” to “homework stations” and places for her children to read.

“As a family of seven in a 1903 farmhouse, we are busting at the seams,” Marrs laughed. “But I know the day will come—much sooner than my heart would like—when we will watch each of our babies step through the door to go and build a life of his or her own out in the world. Then, our home will be quiet, and we will once again rework the spaces inside.”

She continued, “From the first moment I set foot in this old house, I could feel the stories it held. On that day, years ago, Dave excitedly led me from room to room, and we started dreaming about restoring her former beauty and breathing life back into her walls. For over a hundred years, these walls have stood witness to celebrations and sorrows and first words and last breaths. That’s the beauty of a home: It stands steadfastly as the whirl of life inside unfolds.”

Marrs has been sharing passages from “House + Love = Home” over the past few months on Instagram. One recent post saw her reflecting on the importance of her family’s dinner table.

The HGTV star described a typical family dinner at her house, where they ask each other questions about their day and share the things they love about each other.

“This is exactly what the table is for: a place to expose our most honest self and, in return, receive the gift of being cared for in loving and meaningful ways,” she wrote.

Marrs also posted about the soon-to-be-published book, writing, “I am an emotional ball of gratitude and nerves and excitement knowing that this book will be in your hands in a few short months. I love this book and the message that I’ve spent a lifetime discerning. I pray you love it a fraction as much as I do.”

Movieguide® previously reported on Marrs’ upcoming books:

The post is an excerpt from Marrs’ upcoming book, “House + Home = Love,” which will be available November 14.

“I didn’t want to write a standard how-to guide for decorating or renovating your home,” she said about the book. “There are enough beautiful and well-written books on the subject out there already. And, honestly, I don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all guide that accounts for personal style and preference. Instead, I wanted to write a book to encourage you to be creative with your home.”

A description of “House + Home = Love” from Penguin Random House reads, “Alongside gorgeous photos of the Marrs’ restored farmhouse, their delightful kids, and many other spaces they’ve reimagined, Jenny and Dave share their personal journey of establishing their own home, an ever-growing family and a busy, sustainable business. Woven throughout are wonderful essays by Jenny about their lives on the Marrs farm and how they seek to live intentionally with a deep abiding faith and purpose.”