Almost there...

Housing update, almost done! I flew to Jackson week before last and looked at some houses. Jason had seen a house that was "the one", and I was excited to see it. And I agreed with him. It was great for us. The best part was that it was only a few houses down from the community pool and basketball court, perfect for our kids. We saw another house we loved too, but it was in another neighborhood without a community pool and amenities. And it cost more. So that made our decision easier. So we put our offer in on "the one" and waited. It was a "for sale by owner" and usually that means that the person knows enough about selling a house they can handle it themselves, but not in this case. She didn't know what she was doing or wanted for that matter. And after we waited 5 days, she finally let us know she decided she didn't want to even sell the house. Thanks for that. So we had to trust that God knew that five days wasn't going to harm our time frame and move on.

Jason went and looked at a few more houses and wanted me to come back and look at one more. So for the first time in my life, I booked a flight the day of. Craziness for this planner. Flew out on Tuesday, and flew back Wednesday night. I wasn't feeling it from the house he saw. So we went back to our 2nd choice for a third visit, and I still loved it! The owners are the builders, and decked it out for themselves. My favorite parts are the amazing kitchen, the huge laundry room and the great mud area when you come in from the garage. All those areas are necessary for raising boys. We are losing a bedroom and some living space, but its going to be perfect for us. So we put in an offer, and 24 hours later everything was done. 48 hours later, the inspections were done. That is fast! We are just waiting for the title company to give us a closing date! But it looks like we will only be "homeless" for a week. Amazing!

I went and visited the boys new school and got paperwork. I am so excited that for 5 months of my life, they will all three be in the same school. It will never happen again. The biggest changes are that the doors open at 7AM! And the tardy bell rings at 7:30. My kids don't even get up until 7:15 now. That's going to be an adjustment. And, the 4th and 5th graders are in classes with only their gender, so Cade will be in classes with only boys! They said when they instituted that years ago, test scores went way up. He doesn't seem to mind and I am all for it. And Coop was relieved to know that even though he has to go back to elementary school for a semester, they do have band for 6th graders. So we are all good! Now just to fill out this huge pile of paperwork.

We said our goodbyes to their schools yesterday. Lots of hugs from friends and teachers. I am so thankful that my boys had friends and teachers that they were sad to leave. Not everyone can say that. Very grateful and excited to make some new friends and meet new teachers that will have an impact on them in the future.

So we are going to have a somewhat relaxing Christmas here in Houston, and then get to moving! Trying my best to take one day at a time and enjoy each moment and celebrate Jesus. He has been so good to us!

Home vs House

Housing update: We have a contract on our house! Inspections are over, and after some more negotiations we close on Dec. 27th. It was on the market for 2 weeks. God is so good! Now just to find a place to live. We only have to find a house that is big enough for 3 growing boys, has a lay out that works for us, is move in ready (because we aren't fix it people), but doesn't have the new cookie cutter style. It has to be in a good neighborhood, have a fenced in back yard (again, 3 boys), and is not on a busy street. And we are hoping it is our forever home, at least until we retire to work at Disney World. And now that we have a move out date, has to be available pretty quickly. No biggie.

I have remembered how much I hate looking at houses. I don't mind the actual walking through them, but I detest the looking online part. Luckily I have a husband who loves that part. I have sat with him for many an hour the past month looking and after 30 minutes or so, my eyes glaze over and I am willing to move into a mobile home and park it behind the church. And looking online is almost pointless because you realize that just because you find a house online that looks perfect, you get there and realize the cute rooms you saw on your computer screen are in the craziest floor plan that would never work. Or when it says "backs up to a golf course" they really mean, open your back door and take two steps to the 14th tee box. Yes, heaven to my hubby, but again we have 3 boys who need a back yard.

But now I'm in the good phase where the timing has worked out that my hubby can spend the afternoon with the realtor driving around and narrowing down my choices for me. I am a preschooler in that sense. Just give me 3 houses to choose from. I get overwhelmed. So tomorrow I am flying to MS to look at the top 6 choices and hopefully I love one of them as much as he does and we can make a decision.

I had a meltdown over Thanksgiving about our house in Houston. I love this house. J couldn't grasp why I was upset. Its just a house. But to a mom and wife and emotional girl, it is a home that we have made for our family. We brought a baby home here and he doesn't know anything different. Everything fits just right. But the cool God thing is, after we got home from Thanksgiving, after being gone 8 days, when I walked in, some of that attachment was gone. It is just a house and having all of our personal belongings packed up in the garage, makes it lifeless and not our home anymore. We are just staying here until we move, and the house now almost belongs to someone else. And even though that is sad, its good. I know God already has the right house picked out for us just waiting. He has been so obvious in this part of our journey that we have no doubt He will help us finish this part. One of the Jesus Calling days a few weeks ago said, "Leave the outcomes to Me." And that has stuck with me. He will bring us the right house that will become our home. And I can't wait!

Strength for the Waiting

Today as my hubby starts his new job, I thought I would share some of the ways God gave me strength to get to this day. God has used this waiting time to teach me so much the past six months, so even though waiting stinks, I wouldn't trade it. He used people, songs, scripture, books, all kinds of things to tell me the same sweet reminders over and over... that He is faithful, good, sovereign, trustworthy, and bigger than my dreams and plans. So in case some of you are in the midst of struggles or waiting, I thought I would share some of the things that helped me get through.

1. The Bible
So many scriptures that I can't begin to put them all on here, but He really had me in the story of Moses and the Exodus (appropriate for moving). Over and over He used that story in different ways to remind me to wait on His timing, and to trust his deliverance. The two books below both focused on that story and even though I have read about Moses my whole life, so much came fresh and new.

2. Books
The Red Sea Rules, by Robert J. Morgan
Finding God's Will by Gregg Matte
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

3. Music
God has often used music in my life to speak to me, I have made many a mixed tape in my life! Now I can just make a playlist. Much faster! And when one of them really speaks to me, I print out the lyrics and tape them in my journal. So encouraging! When I went to type up this part for you, I realized none of you probably want to read a list of 30 songs. I wish there was a way to play them on my blog, I used to be able to. So here are just a few songs that have played over and over in my car, in my bedroom, in my kitchen as I clean. They speak truth and peace to me! But if you are in need of a long play list, just let me know.

"Not for a Moment", Meredith Andrews
"Faithful", Hawk Nelson
"Lift my Life Up", Unspoken
"Faithful", Chris Tomlin
"Oceans, Where Feet may Fail", Hillsong United (my current ring tone)
"Waiting Room", Jonny Diaz
"Never Once", Matt Redman
"The Lord our God", Kristian Stanfill, Passion
"Kneel" and "God of the Impossible" - Two off of the Pinelake worship CD (I highly recommend it)
And I think the main song was Sidewalk Prophet's "Help Me Find It". Many a tear was shed at the beginning as I cried out to God for answers, but now I smile, so thankful that we finally have His will clear to us. So thankful today!