Closing. . . at last?

As of right now, this minute, this second, we are suppose to be closing on our house Friday! This could change, but for NOW it's only two days away. We want new carpet, the ducts cleaned and fireplace swept so we'll get that done Monday. The moving company is moving our things into the home on Tuesday. This is what the plan is for NOW, we'll see how it goes!?!?!?

It's been a great two weeks here with mom and dad and we are so blessed with the opportunity to stay somewhere so comfortable and with people that love us. It will be wonderful to get back to our routine and into our own home but the interim has been relaxing and fun.

We Are Texans-Again

Just a quick update on our family/moving/living/surviving situation.

We officially and tearfully left Des Moines on Friday-sniff, sniff. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!) in Kansas City, and had so much fun! Pictures will follow once I get my own computer up and running again. We made the L-O-N-G drive on into Amarillo Saturday-for the last time for a long time! We're staying with my gracious parents and were hoping to close on our house this Thursday, but the owner of the home is in China. Why am I surprised? We may have to wait to close for another week, but we're in the final stages and we're all together, what could be more important!?

*Side story: I have obviously been a little distracted with the move and everything involved. One afternoon, I was making the kids lunch and Benton was right at my legs whining and even crying around a little. I finally stopped making lunch, looked down at him and asked, "Benton, what do you want?", he tearfully looked into my eyes and said "YOU!". I chuckled as the realization of his honesty knocked a hole in my heart. Of course I sat down and held him until HE was ready to move on. Lunch can wait, Packing can wait, Laundry can wait, Everything can wait when my kids need ME! I had to think that our Heavenly Father must feel like doing that to us sometimes. Saying, "I just need YOU!". Remember to give your time to what matters most!

Is it the Perfect Fit?

It is the perfect house, but the driveway could double as a ski slope (In Amarillo, what??). Wonderful layout but the backyard is the size of a dog run. Great backyard but the add on is a little scary. The bedrooms would be cramped with a toddler bed in them. Does the word 'update' mean anything to you? Who wallpapers the ceiling? Carpet in the dining, really? If we could only knock out this wall . . . My concerns went on and on, house after house. I began to question if there was a house that would meet our needs/wants. Our list of what we preferred weren't extravagant but apparently the combination was not happening. We've all been there, right? We were suppose to go down to Texas and find that perfect house, place a contract, the contract be accepted, visit with friends and family and return home boasting about how wonderful life is and how we walk in such favor. NOPE!

After looking at 67 homes (yes, I physically went into 67 homes), two contracts that fell through, driving to Oklahoma City just to turn around and go back to Amarillo, cry, pray, regroup and continue looking, I found one that actually got better the further into it we tread. I got excited when I looked in the giant kitchen, the bedrooms were great for the kids, two full bath-including bath tubs in both (a rare find), sky lights, tile, fire place, storage, right price, YES, this could definitely WORK! Skidddd. . . will my husband even fit in that shower? If he couldn't comfortably shower in "our new home" I'd have to continue looking and possibly be in Amarillo yet another week. Well, only one way to find out, I called up my 6ft 7in brother-in-law and excitedly told him that we may have found "the one", politely asked him if he wanted to see it, and timidly included a quick "Will you see if YOU can fit into the shower for me?". He was so understanding of a tall man's needs he met us there-twelve people in all-to look it over and see if it might just be the right "fit".

As you can see, Lance fits nicely in the shower, shew. Our contract was accepted last night, shew. We are going to try to close on the house in two weeks, shew!! Thanks for any and all prayers made on our behalf, the battle is half won and we're still in for some rough times, but at least WE HAVE A HOUSE, and yes we walk in favor and grace everyday-still!

Still House Haunting . . .

Oops, did I say haunting? Yes, I did, and I mean it. This is not going according to plan and I am a stickler for plans. We have yet to find "the house" and so Greg returned solo to Des Moines while the children and I stay here and . . .
keep . . .
looking . . .
I am stressed, tired, confused and missing my husband. But hopeful, loved and looking at MORE homes tomorrow. If YOU think about it, will YOU pray for our family?

House Hunting

We will be house hunting Tuesday, September 22-Saturday, September 26! Pray that we find favor with a seller and find the perfect house (for us!).

BIG NEWS!

About nine weeks ago, Greg applied for a manager position in Amarillo, Texas. We did not tell anyone because of the location and the possibility of moving back so close to family. We felt like it would be better to only share if we actually got the offer-ya right! While mom and dad were here last week . . . we got the OFFER! We were all so excited and they just couldn't believe it since they didn't even know there was a job available in Amarillo. We are moving HOME!! I am so proud of Greg and all his hard work. He had a goal in moving us up here and he's now taking the next step. The fact that that step is in Amarillo is so awesome! We are so sad to say good-bye to all of our dear friends, sigh. However, we are extremely excited to be moving so close to family. We have been here three years and they have been blessed way beyond what we ever imagined! We have wonderful, faithful friends and an amazing, young church. I can not even begin to sum up all the growth and stretching we've done here in Des Moines. It's painful to feel the roots being pulled up but we're going to fields of outstretched arms! House hunting and moving dates have yet to be determined, but I'll keep this blog as updated as possible. Prayers for our move and new home would be appreciated-to God be the glory in all we do.

Our sweet Alea-when we moved here! 13 months old

Such a good helper-getting ready for her little brother.

Look how little she was when we moved!!

Our family THREE YEARS LATER . . .

More Pictures

Dad is still not too old to play in the sand!

Jester Park

Alea, Mom and Benton at Saylorville's Butterfly Garden.

Dad and Benton feeding the Koi fish at the zoo.

Eating at HuHot! Mmmm . . .