Isn't it weird how God works sometimes? Here I am, finally feeling a bit of security in the knowledge that we have a house to rent for a few months before we have to make any big decisions regarding buying and I get a phone call on Tuesday that just threw me for a loop.
Our landlord (ReMax) called to inform us that the lady that owns this house is going to sell it (and all her other investment properties in AZ) and would like to give us first option. WHAT?!?!?!?! So, I call her back and find out that she is going to ask $305K for the house.....Yea, right! HA! I told her that we wouldn't be interested, but what would that do to our lease? She said that our lease would remain intact, and because it's a legally binding agreement, they will only sell to investors looking for rental property. This way we will still have our lease, just with a different investor.
Welll, I have to say that this makes me feel a bid unsettled. I'm not sure that I want to have to deal with someone new at the end of my lease trying to explain all the things that we went over with our current landlord at the beginning.
Here's the interesting part...I have found a house that I really like. It is in a older, established neighborhood and has been completely remodeled. They are asking $245K, but we think we might be able to get it for around $235K. I had found this home a while ago and just wishfully thinking said, "God, wouldn't it be great it they would let us our of our lease to buy this house?" ( I need to stop doing that, it always gets me into trouble!)
So, I talked to the landlord about it. She said that they would rather us move out, because it enables them to be able to sell it to anyone, not just investors. So, they will let us out of our lease with a 30 day notice.
Needless to say, I am more than a little freaked. The thought of packing up and moving again in a month's time is not appealing. However, the alternative is having to keep my house really picked up and clean to show to realtors (for which we will receive $100 of our rent each month until it sells). Not appealing either, as I have just begun to recover from three years of doing that! ARGH!
So, I guess I'm asking for prayer. We would actually like to buy this other house, but we are afraid we won't qualify because we haven't been in business long enough. Any thoughts, ideas, opinions or advice would be GREATLY appreciated! Anyway, that's my drama for the week - HA!
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
growing up
I hope my children
look back on today,
And see a mom who
had time to play.
There will be years
for cleaning and cooking,
For children grow up
while we're not looking.
I'm starting to feel like time is quickly passing me by. My kids are getting older and I know I am entering a new season of my life. While I am excited about this, I still miss the smell of a newborn, the fact that they take naps and don't whine, they don't talk back, and they are totally in love with you all the time.
Cais is getting so big. Last night she cuddled with me on the couch for an hour! I was so shocked! This is the child who NEVER wanted to be held or touched for very long. She is one of those kids who is in for the quick hug and then is off again. I just look at her and see so much of J and I in her. She looks like both of us, and has parts of both our personalities. She has lost three teeth in the last two weeks and is beginning to look like she did at a year old! HA! (See photo.)
Sam on the other hand used to be my cuddler. Now he only wants mommy, not daddy to kiss and hug him. He only wants mommy to call him "honey." Cause these are "girl" things to do and say. J is crushed. I just registered Sam for an eight week kindergarten preparation class and I also registered him this afternoon for kindergarten at Destiny. SNIFF! While he still looks like J, he defintely has a lot of my expressions and coloring. And I can imagine that he is a lot like J at this age. He is mellow and laid back. Not like the other two....unfortunately they take after their very high strung mommy...especially Wil.
If I had known that naming my son Wil would make him willful, I think I would've found a different name! This child is exactly like me at this age, according to my mom, in looks and personality. But where did all that blond hair come from? A mystery to be sure! This little guy is such a light in our household. His little voice and laugh are something you just don't want to miss! He is hilariously funny, mimics everything you say and really appreciates the finer points of talking back to mommy and daddy......willful....that's my baby!
Anyway, I'm feeling a little melancholy today so this is why this is a little sentimental. Hope you all are doing well and continuing to "grow" where you are planted!
look back on today,
And see a mom who
had time to play.
There will be years
for cleaning and cooking,
For children grow up
while we're not looking.
I'm starting to feel like time is quickly passing me by. My kids are getting older and I know I am entering a new season of my life. While I am excited about this, I still miss the smell of a newborn, the fact that they take naps and don't whine, they don't talk back, and they are totally in love with you all the time.
Cais is getting so big. Last night she cuddled with me on the couch for an hour! I was so shocked! This is the child who NEVER wanted to be held or touched for very long. She is one of those kids who is in for the quick hug and then is off again. I just look at her and see so much of J and I in her. She looks like both of us, and has parts of both our personalities. She has lost three teeth in the last two weeks and is beginning to look like she did at a year old! HA! (See photo.)
Sam on the other hand used to be my cuddler. Now he only wants mommy, not daddy to kiss and hug him. He only wants mommy to call him "honey." Cause these are "girl" things to do and say. J is crushed. I just registered Sam for an eight week kindergarten preparation class and I also registered him this afternoon for kindergarten at Destiny. SNIFF! While he still looks like J, he defintely has a lot of my expressions and coloring. And I can imagine that he is a lot like J at this age. He is mellow and laid back. Not like the other two....unfortunately they take after their very high strung mommy...especially Wil.
If I had known that naming my son Wil would make him willful, I think I would've found a different name! This child is exactly like me at this age, according to my mom, in looks and personality. But where did all that blond hair come from? A mystery to be sure! This little guy is such a light in our household. His little voice and laugh are something you just don't want to miss! He is hilariously funny, mimics everything you say and really appreciates the finer points of talking back to mommy and daddy......willful....that's my baby!
Anyway, I'm feeling a little melancholy today so this is why this is a little sentimental. Hope you all are doing well and continuing to "grow" where you are planted!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
old friends
We have recently been visited by two of my dearest friends as well as a couple that we were in home group with back in Heber. It is still so amazing to me the friendships we made in Utah. I feel so blessed with the knowledge that there are so many people all around the U.S. that love us and consider us their friends. Do you have any idea what a gift from God that is? There are many people who cannot even count on one hand their friends, and yet here we are counting on our fingers AND toes!
God is good - ALL THE TIME. Even when we don't feel a part of things, even when we are crying out for something new, even when we are so lonely our heart aches, God is good and He is with us. Believe me, I have felt all of these things....still do a lot of the time. But, God is here and He has provided so much for me and J and our family. We have been able to make friends with two couples, just by being in the right place at the right time. Coincidence? I think not!
After reading everyone's blogs of late, I know that this is a common theme that is running between us. I just want to encourage all of you to reach out and trust the process that God is leading you through. I KNOW it's hard and I KNOW that it may not be where you want to be. But, God is always reaching out to you, waiting for you to trust Him enough to know that HE knows what is best for you. Trust enough to understand that even if it's not the answer you want, know that it's God's best for you. I have begun to pray "Your will Lord, not mine..." Difficult for me, as I am such a control freak it's scary! But, I have found that the times in my life that I feel the most fulfilled and happy are the times I have let go of what I wanted and let God do His thing.
I am praying this for each and every person who reads this blog, old friend or new. May we all have the faith to stand and grow where we are. We have a lot to offer this world - never forget that!
God is good - ALL THE TIME. Even when we don't feel a part of things, even when we are crying out for something new, even when we are so lonely our heart aches, God is good and He is with us. Believe me, I have felt all of these things....still do a lot of the time. But, God is here and He has provided so much for me and J and our family. We have been able to make friends with two couples, just by being in the right place at the right time. Coincidence? I think not!
After reading everyone's blogs of late, I know that this is a common theme that is running between us. I just want to encourage all of you to reach out and trust the process that God is leading you through. I KNOW it's hard and I KNOW that it may not be where you want to be. But, God is always reaching out to you, waiting for you to trust Him enough to know that HE knows what is best for you. Trust enough to understand that even if it's not the answer you want, know that it's God's best for you. I have begun to pray "Your will Lord, not mine..." Difficult for me, as I am such a control freak it's scary! But, I have found that the times in my life that I feel the most fulfilled and happy are the times I have let go of what I wanted and let God do His thing.
I am praying this for each and every person who reads this blog, old friend or new. May we all have the faith to stand and grow where we are. We have a lot to offer this world - never forget that!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
in a nutshell
Just a brief post to tell you about the events of the last few days:
Sunday we went to "the gathering," an alternative evening service at the Word of Grace church in Mesa. We had a really terrific time and felt quite comfortable. I don't know if that will be where we attend regularly, but it was great just gettting back into church and being able to worship. They have about 45 min. of worship - which is SO great.
I feel somewhat compelled to give the Gilbert Vineyard another chance. We let others feelings and opinions affect our opinion of this church, and I don't know if we really gave it a fair chance. I have met (through Jason's blog) a couple who attend this church. We are meeting at some point for coffee and a movie and I hope to be able to talk with them about what happened and get their point of view on the subject. I don't know, but I feel as if this meeting is God ordained so that we can get perspective and clarity.
But, in any event, we need to find a church soon! Our kids can't be shuffled from one church to another much longer. It isn't fair to them.
Valentine's Day was great. J was his typical wonderful self and bought me a dozen roses and some really cool candlesticks. We got take out from Applebee's (not recommended unless you like cold, badly presented food) and the kids actually stayed upstairs for 45 min. while we ate and talked. It was great!
I find that I don't give my husband enough credit sometimes. He loves me so much and always goes above and beyond to make sure that I am happy and taken care of. I feel almost apologetic at times to friends whose husbands don't do as much. But, no more! J is so thoughful and I want everyone to know that! I feel very blessed and honored to be the one for him!
And in other news of the day.....my kids are sick again...doctor's appt. at 10:30....not feeling so great myself....probably all the crap I ate last night....still continuing to lose weight....154.5 at yesterday's weigh-in.....
So that's it...in a nutshell! Have a blessed day!
Sunday we went to "the gathering," an alternative evening service at the Word of Grace church in Mesa. We had a really terrific time and felt quite comfortable. I don't know if that will be where we attend regularly, but it was great just gettting back into church and being able to worship. They have about 45 min. of worship - which is SO great.
I feel somewhat compelled to give the Gilbert Vineyard another chance. We let others feelings and opinions affect our opinion of this church, and I don't know if we really gave it a fair chance. I have met (through Jason's blog) a couple who attend this church. We are meeting at some point for coffee and a movie and I hope to be able to talk with them about what happened and get their point of view on the subject. I don't know, but I feel as if this meeting is God ordained so that we can get perspective and clarity.
But, in any event, we need to find a church soon! Our kids can't be shuffled from one church to another much longer. It isn't fair to them.
Valentine's Day was great. J was his typical wonderful self and bought me a dozen roses and some really cool candlesticks. We got take out from Applebee's (not recommended unless you like cold, badly presented food) and the kids actually stayed upstairs for 45 min. while we ate and talked. It was great!
I find that I don't give my husband enough credit sometimes. He loves me so much and always goes above and beyond to make sure that I am happy and taken care of. I feel almost apologetic at times to friends whose husbands don't do as much. But, no more! J is so thoughful and I want everyone to know that! I feel very blessed and honored to be the one for him!
And in other news of the day.....my kids are sick again...doctor's appt. at 10:30....not feeling so great myself....probably all the crap I ate last night....still continuing to lose weight....154.5 at yesterday's weigh-in.....
So that's it...in a nutshell! Have a blessed day!
Sunday, February 12, 2006
a time to laugh
I, like Jenell, am recovering from my girl's weekend. We had a wonderful time and it was sad to see both Jenell and Alyson return home. I have slept a LOT since their departure due to the intense 2 am gab sessions and laughing my butt off all weekend...too bad that doesn't really work physically - HA!
We all need a time to laugh. A time to see what's around us and appreciate all that God has done for us. I realized that I am in love with the sunshine and am so happy that it's 80 degrees in February. Not everyone's cup of tea, I know, but for me this is paradise. I know that the 115's are coming just around the corner, but I'd rather that than the 20's.
This weekend, I laughed and I cried, but even more than that it made me feel at peace with our decision to move here. This is where I belong.
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