It's Happening...

We are packing and moving... we have to be out by Saturday. So much going on in a small amount of time. Ahhhhh! Praying for blessings over this move and all that goes with it!

Still Waiting

Appraisal is back... offer amendment has been signed. Waiting to hear about closing on the townhouse while slowly moving everything into storage or my parents. Making lists of to-do's, such as changing my address with the post office, canceling the TV and internet, and all that fun stuff.

We'll need a meeting with the builder to finalize our plans, but they did bring some fill dirt over to the lot so at least something is being done pre-townhouse closing. It seems like its all coming together!

Waiting... Waiting... Waiting

Waiting on an appraisal. We had an offer on the house the day after it was put on the market, before the sign and website listing were even up. The inspection is done and went well. We are just waiting on the appraisal. They'd like to move in before the end of the month which is really cutting it close considering I have to go out of town for work the last week... Ugh! Cross your fingers!

Home is Where the Heart is

Home is where the heart is... Home sweet home.. there are a number of different sayings and I believe they are true. My heart is where every my kids are, my husband is. We are put on this earth go to through life together and wherever my family is where I will call home until my time here is done.

Speaking of homes... ours is for sale. Seven years ago I moved into a town home in a neighboring city from where I was with two little kids. My daughter was 7 and my son was 5. I had been divorced for a couple years by then... had a freshly broken heart from a failed relationship... had lost my job and found a new one, but decided my house was too big to do it on my own, so I sold it to build a townhouse. I spent about 6 months in my parents basement until we could move in and I remember how excited I was for this change and felt like I was starting over.

Little did I know that God was going to place an amazing man in my life about 9 months later because maybe my story of home ownership would have looked a little different; however it's all in His timing and this is how it worked out.

In my townhouse, I have someone to take care of the lawn, remove the snow, and even put up Christmas lights. It was the perfect home for a single mom with two little kids. As time has gone on and my kids are older and I added a husband and a bonus son, it's gotten a little tight. Only one big living area, so everyone stays to themselves in their rooms with the exception to eat if everyone doesn't agree on the show that's on TV or someone's playing video games or the husband is working from  home from the computer desk in the living room.

Last summer we decided to start looking at homes... just to get a feel for what there was and what it would take. We even met with a builder and after the experience with their lender, we got scared off and didn't think we'd ever get a new place if our townhouse was so upside down and couldn't afford two mortgages and we'd have to empty our 401k's for it. I want a house, but I don't to be house poor. We are pretty active people so I don't want to lose that ability to do fun things.

Earlier in my life we dealt with a broker/Realtor/builder to get into a house... worked out perfectly so I called the Realtor back and asked her what they had. At that time, nothing in an area we wanted to be...and we were OK with that, it gave time to pay things off and save some money.

A few weeks ago, after months had gone by, she called me again to tell me that they have a couple lots in a subdivision that would work for us. We met with everyone, found the perfect floor plan, and started the ball rolling. Met with the bank, approved. Met with the broker, approved. Everything will work out as long as the town house sells. Within a week of closing on that, they will start building.

My family went on a cleaning spree last weekend and we are moving some things to a storage shed tomorrow... Realtor came on Monday to sign some papers, photographer came on Wednesday to take pictures of the house, the listing went on the website on Thursday (without the pictures) and we had our first showing last night. We'll see how it all plays out.

My prayer all along is that God's Will be done... I want this to be God's plan and not mine. I want to know this is what we are supposed to do and where we are supposed to be. I told my husband that if things don't line up and fall into place, then I'm not going to push it because it's not the right timing or place. My trust is in God and I know He'll open doors that need to be open when the time is right.

Little Box of Goodness

The other day I received my little box of goodness in the mail... My partner was Becca at http://www.everydaylifes.com/  and she spoiled me! Thanks Becca!

Thanks also to the Chaotic Goddess ladies for putting on this swap, http://cgswaps.blogspot.com/.

Following Jesus

Five years ago today I made a decision to follow Jesus. I decided to let go of the traditions and man-made rules of religion, allow Jesus to the Lord and Savior of my life, and started this amazing journey with Him. I am thankful for those who I've met along the way who have helped me... Amazing pastors who preach from the bible in a way that makes sense, friends who drop everything to lift me up in prayer and just live life with me, and that I've found a church that my husband, kids, and I can call our home.

I am so blessed. Thank you Jesus!

Time To Ramble

I think for a long time, my goal in life was to keep the peace. To not ruffle feathers, to not stir the pot, to not ::: fill in the blank ::: to make people more comfortable.

Recently, I have some communication from people of my past and I just put on a smile and say "Oh, things are great... please stay in touch". When I really just want to say, "Our relationship was a chapter in my life that I've moved on from. Thanks for what you've taught me" and walk away.

I've had some hurtful situations in the last while... some people stabbed me in the back when I thought they were my friends, some people threw me under the bus when it was convenient for them. Turned stories around to make them look better when I had no idea what they were talking about. I've heard what a terrible person I am, that I am not trustworthy, and that I am two-faced and no one likes me. I have also been told that I am a fake Christian. Really?!

Let me tell you, those words shook me to the core although I just  accepted it at the time because I didn't want the confrontation I really wanted to give them a piece of my mind. I know I am not all those horrible things... I know (now) that the person who used all those words did it to better themselves in the eyes of someone influential. People do/say funny things when they are threatened or feel like they are forgotten. Do I approve of that behavior? No, but I kind of understand why it could be done. 

So to set the record straight... I am a hard worker. I am truthful and honest although I will not sugarcoat things to make a situation more tolerable. I do tend just not say anything and maybe I should stand up for myself more. I will not be over the top friendly to make people comfortable and if that comes across as being rude, then I am sorry. It's not my style to talk badly about someone behind their back, so if you hear something that I supposedly said, then ask me about it.  I will not change who I am to make you feel better about yourself. I will not lie to make me look better. If I make a mistake, I'll own up to it and give reasons why I did what I did. Yes, my love of Jesus is genuine... I do go on missions trips to serve the less fortunate... and I am an arm-raising-singing-at-the-top-of-my-voice person that you'll find at church usually three times a week. I may not be perfect, but I am loved by a perfect God!

I am glad that I have moved out of what turned into a toxic environment into something that I feel myself flourish in. My self-esteem is getting back to where it should be, my smile is real, I may not know everything and I am ok with that because I have people around me who are willing to take me under their wing and teach me. 

I thank God for opening doors to new opportunities. Even with closed doors, I am thankful for the situations of my past because I have learned much... but I am even more thankful to be out of certain situations and standing where I am today. 

These feelings have been coming at me for a little while now and writing it out for the blogging world does make me feel better. I hope that this is a way to free me from how I've been feeling so I can really feel like I've moved on with my life. 

Rambling complete. The End.