Go Time

This morning I woke up to the feeling I get when God spent the night assuring me of something. I opened my eyes, and I knew that today is the day! I don't even know if or how it will be possible, because it's not that easy with at least the need for one meeting with papers that need to be signed...

I spoke with Greg and he shared that he feels it is time also - that God is telling him that we need to move and stop being afraid of what might or might not happen.

And so today, we will be pushing "the go button".

I had plans that were set weeks ago to hang out with a girlfriend from 9am to 2pm today. But, in confirmation of God's leading, she messaged that she has to take a raincheck because she will need to fill in for someone at work last minute today. This gives me the whole day to tidy up loose ends and do what needs to be done at the house for us to be READY!

I'm so excited and nervous!

God, I will be repeating your promise to not be anxious about anything, but to give thanks, pray and ask You, so that Your indescribable peace will guard me from fear in Jesus. This is it God. It is Your timing. Have Your way.
In Jesus.
Amen.

all we know for sure is You

Our guys are done with their work at our house. They spent the past three days here, installing new gorgeous windows, repairing and replacing some of the bad siding and molding, running a new drain system to reroute water from the roof away from the house, replacing the soffits and fascia on the shop, installing a new door and frame work... all so kindly and thoroughly. I'm grateful that while we are leaving this house, we do not have to say goodbye to these guys who  have been with us here and done such amazing work on this place. We will definitely be inviting them to do plenty in the next. 

We are showing the house on Monday, and will have either listed or be listing it by then. Just days away! The number of homes coming on the market is growing each day as we're entering the Spring flood. We are hopeful and praying that God shows the way for each step of the process.

We knew what we wanted when we did this with our last house - we were dreaming and longing for this house and property. I was writing this address on papers like a teenager writes her boyfriends name, or a newly engaged woman pens her own first with her soon-to-be last name... 

Dear God, 
As we are in the process of moving, of course, You know every detail of our journey. But Greg and I have NO idea. We don't know anything that will happen! Where we will go, what it will be like, what it will cost, how short or fast it will happen, who we will sell to. All that we know is You. It's surely an adventure! One I wouldn't rather be on with anyone else. One I plan to look back at, full to the brim, in awe of You again. 
Take us there God - where we can have more of You and less of us. Where we can serve You and love Your people. Where we can wrap ourselves up and enjoy the next several years together in this little family You've made of us.
Have Your way.
In Jesus name.
Amen

Leaving This

It's so strange to sell a house we love. Nothing we've done has changed the feeling that we are ready to move on from here, but I do wonder what it will feel like when we're signing papers, or walking out the door for the final time. Leaving this. 

I've been looking and loving from the perspective that we are just visiting this beautiful place since the start. It's felt like a resort we borrowed or rented. The beautiful rooms, the views, the land. The peace and quiet. The wildlife, sunsets, and sunrises. All this space. It's hard to believe we are leaving this.

I'm taking it all in and enjoying even this season of striping down all that is specific to "us", and preparing it to hand it off to someone else. I'm enjoying the process and trying to work it through my own heart and mind to make for a smoother transition - leaving this. 

God, I pray that You lead us right to a place that has the same elements of appeal for us, in a new and different way. Prepare our hearts. As we delight ourselves in You, give us the desires of our heart. Put Your desires in our hearts. I thank You that You are in every step of this journey, leading and guiding us. Have Your way only! And please, God, help us never look back and long for this place or regret leaving this. 
In Jesus name. 
Amen

Yikes.

Ezekiel and I worked so hard last week, during our Spring Break from schooling, to get the house and property ready. He was an amazing help the entire time. I felt like I had a clone (which has been a secret dream of mine for years). 

Friday, we cleaned like never before. Deep cleaned, and staged every area of the house. The photographer, Pete, and realtor, Kimmer, came over at 3pm. The sun was shinning, the weather was warm, and all was prepared. Kimmer and I had a nice hour or so hanging out while Pete took 1000 pictures and recorded the property with his drone. 

It felt SO good to have it all finished. 

Then Saturday, Greg and I took 1300 pounds of garbage to the city dump. We made two trips, and just unloaded all the old construction stuff; wood, railroad ties, door frame, metal..., furniture; the little brown leather couch (our first couch), end table, coffee table..., and other things; toys, mini trampoline, and all junk just laying around in the shop and garage. 

That felt as good and productive as the whole week's worth of work did. And I was beat! 

On Sunday, after church, we went and looked at three open houses in our price range and preferred location. YIKES. They were rough. Between $110,000 (which was as expected and albeit not big enough for us, priced right and not too bad of a home) and $170,000 - we were in shock and awe at how much dumps in questionable neighborhoods cost. 

We left fled the scene to have lunch and confirm that we should certainly consider asking more for our beautiful home, as well as that the plentiful Spring Market has not yet begun to flow. 

We will be patient but ready. 

God, only You know when, where, and how much. We rest in that assuredness and trust You alone. We will not lead this charge, no matter how impatient, anxious or restless we might become at times. We will wait on You. Open the doors to Your will only, in Your time. We are here. 
In Jesus name. 
Amen

smaller. prettier. less.

Ezekiel asked us yesterday if we can please buy a house that is smaller, prettier, and less functional. We found that quite amusing, but at the same time, understood exactly what he meant. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. 

That is what we want. 
A home with less. Less rooms to fill, clean, and maintain. Less space to live between us. Less cost and stuff, time and work. Less of all of that, and more time and space for love, laughter, learning, gathering, resting and resting. 

A prettier home. Each small space a reflection of us. Formed and created into the beautiful things we appreciate and enjoy looking at and living among...

A home not solely about form and function - not using the space because there's so much, but finding so much life in the space we have. A new place for building a new life with new memories. A frest start. Surely easier to afford, clean, and maintain.

Getting this home ready to hand off to the next owners has made me realize how easy it can be to target each room and area, making it just so - from trim and outlets, color and fixtures, style and function... With each room in this house I am getting more and more excited to get my hands on the next! 

Thank You God for all of these hopes and dreams. I can see how we can make anything into something beautiful and special to us. I am looking forward to sitting in each room with You - knowing You've known and have the foresight to guide in a way that we are unable to understand. I trust You. I love you. 

Amen. 

  

Acres of Fun

Today I did some more painting in the house - just repainting trim and molding to look fresh and nice for the next owners.

Zeek and I snuck out for another awesome Spanish class at Lisa's house. Then home for a quick lunch and out to the yard. We worked picking up fallen branches and burning them for three hours! That was twice the time I expected it to take. But it was lovely. Temps in the mid 50's, sun shining bright - I enjoyed every minute with him, and our property, fully aware this could be one of the last times we do this to this magnitude together. Certainly on this property anyway.  

Ezekiel was an amazing help! He pulled his own weight outside, lightening my workload. 

When we finished the big stuff we rewarded ourselves with a little trip to Culvers. Yuki joined us. We picked up gas for the leaf blower. Once home, Zeek put the wooden deck chairs on the deck from the shop for me and called it. 
I finished the yard with the leaf blower, including cleaning out the dog pen from the whole winter of doo-doo. It took me half the time I expected (about 1.5 hours) and it felt great to have it finished. 

I thought of them off and on today. The next people who get to stay here. Unlike the last house we sold, which I was kind of sorry for the buyers because of where we were moving to instead, this house and land is just such a beautiful blessing. Knowing what it feels like to wake up here everyday, to the views and wildlife, the peace and quiet, the luxuries and so much space - I'm excited for who ever ends up here. I can imagine how much they will love it, like we have. 

I want to do, fix, make and leave everything just right for them. 

God, whoever they are who gets to live in this place next, I pray that they are being prepared in the individually unique way that only You can orchestrate. I pray that You will make their journey hear easy and stress free. Bless them in all the same ways that you have blessed me here. To see You in ways I never knew You were here, and to hear you in the peace and stillness. 

Bless us with our own peaceful journey to the next home you have for us. Help us to stay the course with You and only You. Let the doors open leading to Your plans, and close tight the doors that lead away from what You have for us. 

We are so excited to see! It's so great to know that You already know it. 
Thank You God. It's all been amazing, and so will our future be. 
In Jesus name. 
Amen

Moving Right Along

The last time we did this I wasn't writing. I had taken a year off of blogging our life, and don't have anything about the journey kept anywhere but in my heart and memory. 

This time I'm compelled to keep something - 

So here we are, packing our belongings. Packing in hopes, with plans to move. 
We haven't quite listed this dreamy Partridge Lane resort on the market yet, but we are nearing that time. We are stretching and checking that we have what we'll need, that we'll be in the right position when the gun fires. Ready, set, go. 

So far we have been slowly letting go of any and everything we don't see placing in our next home. A LOT has been let go of. We gave almost all of your remaining toys to another homeschool family. Our Goodwill drop off location knows us all too well. We have also sold a lot of the bigger stuff that wasn't coming with us. It feels better to be free of it than it is sad to see it go. Maybe it feels like molting.

Yesterday, I painted the basement ceiling. We boxed up what you're taking with you from your old bedroom, down the hall from your current bedroom, across the hall from your other bedroom... so many rooms here. I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for your spaces in the next house. Will there be a large bedroom where all of your media and tech stuff can join your bed, books and clothes? Or will you have a sleeping room and a playing area again? 
Only God knows. And that's enough for me to be excited for whatever it is. 

Last night we helped Greg pack his office up. It felt very real looking at the boxes with piled up with his name on them. I wondered about how he will feel leaving this house. He doesn't love change so much and he's still nostalgic about our last home. 

I on the other hand, have been moving out of this house for months in my head and heart. Saying good bye to the things I love, and even the few things I won't miss. I've palmed the trunks of my favorite trees, gave God praise for that fresh spring, lime green, curly, soft moss covering... everything. I will miss the moss. 

Ezekiel talked about being nervous to move. He shared how he has been here in this house for over half his life. It's natural to be a little anxious about such a move. 
But he also talked earlier of being a little bit lonely. And that is the truth. He doesn't even know how lonely and isolated he is out here. Beautiful, peaceful, and sacred as this place is, it does not lend itself to a daily dose of interaction, even with one another on account of the square footage. 

I think to the future and pray for our next house to be surrounded by people. I pray that God will continue to mold us and teach us how to love every one of them. I pray that the kids come to our house, and feel safe, and full. I pray that we can provide a warm and welcoming, open haven where souls come to rest and enjoy peace and God's ever-present love. 

I've heard that young growing-into-a-man of mine remember what it was like when we used to live like that. God don't let that have been the only season of our lives with so much life and love. 

God thank You for these four years of quite solitude. Thank You for making a way for all the reflection and growth. As we lean forward in trust with hearts to serve You, lead us right to the place You have for us - right where we can join your great commission - right where we can live the next season of our life as a family in honor to You and all You are. 
In Jesus name. 
Amen

Summer 2016

In looking back, the best parts of our summer for me were the trips you and I made. Bonding together, spending time with family, swimming, hanging out, riding horses, fishing, chasing kitties, eating Ian's and sleeping side by side...

It sucks that your Daddy couldn't join us this year, but his new vacation plan of taking Fridays off for long weekends since it's so hard to get away from work is so much better than the stress he used to have in going away for more than one day at a time. And having one-on-one time back in traveling with you was priceless.

I hope we do it more! :)

Summer Friend Time

This summer you spent a good amount of time with friends. 

Especially Zach, of course. 

The two of you have become the best of friends,

and we couldn't be happier for it.

You don't just gravitate toward any or everyone.

You are quite cautious and selective about who you will spend your time with.

I surely appreciate that!

You could win an award for picking this guy, though. 

I've been loving him since the day he was born.

He's a great person for you to grow up next to.

You're blessed to have each other. 

Another life long bestie of yours is Jaymee Glynn.

Don't even. I can NOT get over how grown you kids are getting!

They had us over for a few swimming days, 

and as usual, our time together was relaxing and enjoyable.

I love catching up and pigging out with them!

You didn't get to see Courtney as much as you do during the school year,

but you did get to fish and hang at your favorite park early on.

We will see them much more now that summer break is ending.

You had a ton of sleep overs at Aunt Pam's and Uncle Curt's. 

With and without the Cousin Clan. 

Pretty much anytime you two could get to scheming

a way to have a sleepover party, 

the more the merrier, 

you did. :)

And no one ever complained once for it. 

We're so grateful that this family has embraced us 

as their own, and they ours, from day one. 

Zach and Elijah came to our church a few times, 

and now it looks like Zach and Nick are going to 

join you at Catalyst on Wednesdays for the school year!

Zach came here a lot too this summer. A LOT. 

Well, he came a lot during the school year last year too, 

and I suspect it will not be any different this year. 

(Elijah even came one time)

And we had our picnics in the park on several Wednesdays

with Dax, Laken, Jack, Alyssa, and sometimes Payton. 

These are more my friends than yours, 

but you sure don't mind spending a little lunch and play time

catching up with them now and then. :) 

Horsey Auntie

We went to my Auntie Judy's in IL this week!

The drive was beautiful.

When we pulled up to her new house, your jaw dropped. 

It's a pretty spectacular place she's got! 

After a tour of the estate we loaded up her horses 

and were off to the park for a trail ride. 

(You were a little worried about riding again)

Auntie Judy got you all set up, 

gave you quick little reminder lesson, 

and we were off!

We really didn't know what to expect, 

since we've never been here before.

It was SO much fun!

You got comfy fast, and did a great job.

We rode for about four hours.

It was so cool for me to be riding for the first time

my with "Horsey Auntie". 

We had lots of good conversation and enjoyed the horses.

Back at the house we went swimming in the heated pool!

With Bandit, the dog!

You especially liked that part.

But more than anything you loved Mr. Nutter Butter. 

You even asked, no BEGGED, me to let you take him home. 

You also asked if I would buy you another horse.

lol

You're SO cute.