We are here!

I think yesterday was the hottest day of the week, and of course, we were moving! The sun was hot, but the Uhaul and storage unit was even hotter. Jamie almost overdid it (as usual). It was a long hard day for everybody concerned. Thanks a BUNCH to Pat and Glenn for not only putting up with 6 extra people in their home for 3 months but for the extra muscles. I don't know what we would have done without you (then and now).

But we are here and trying to gather a game plan of what to do first. It is a bit overwhelming to say the least. Not just the unpacking, but trying to decide how we are going to set things up until things get permanently set up since we'll be painting and doing all that crazy business soon. First things first though, we need the kitchen unpacked and clothes! That is the biggest problem. And, since our house was built in the 70's our dryer won't work, so that was a little kink. Now I have laundry hanging all over my house, because I didn't have any machines for 3 days! I told Jamie that we have to be on that Monday morning, because I really need that dryer! That part was frustrating, along with the "fragile" box that fell yesterday! The things inside are irreplaceable and I cried a bit, but I'm OK now. I think part of those tears were being hot, tired, frustrated, etc.

I really hate moving and find the whole process stressful. Jamie and I really don't have a "want" to move again in the future and we can finally put our feet down and plant them firm and enjoy for the first time ever. I guess since we are in our mid-30's, it is about time to feel that way, huh?

I can look back over the last 4 months and while there will always be a twinge of disappointment and hurt when I reflect back on this time, I know that God has taken care of us. We are forever changed. God saw us through one of the hardest blows and hurts of our lives, but we muddled through with his help and leaned on him. I've been depressed, but the past week or so, I can already feel that being lifted. Just the joy of moving forward has been enough to make me feel like we are finally getting our lives back. I can see where God has used this opportunity of Satan to bless us with our heart's desire (a home of our own), give Jamie a solid stable job, and move us back close to our families.

Thanks for everybody's continued prayers.

God, Thank You For Our Shelter!

Later this afternoon, I'm walking into my new house with my family. We are pretty excited! The kids have been counting down the days. Tonight we are moving our necessary items and sleeping on air mattresses, but it'll be so nice! I'll finally be HOME!

We originally were going to stay here through the painting process, but then decided that might take a while since we are all in full school mode. Everybody's time is limited, so the painting and fixing up will have to be done around our hectic schedules. It'll get done when it gets done. So if you come to visit us anytime soon, expect to step over drop cloths and paint cans.

We will be doing the "big" move on Saturday! I'm praying for clear skies, because we know from our experience a few months ago that moving in the rain is the PITS!

Jamie and I were talking last night until pretty late about the events of the past 4 months. I'll never understand it. Never! But what Satan means for his side, God will reclaim! We've been taken care of. Things have not always been comfortable, we've shared a lot of tears, battled depression/anxiety, but we know that God was carrying us through. He has blessed us with this house and we both know beyond a doubt that our name was stamped on that house the day he listed it (the exact day Jamie told me we were moving).

So tonight we will probably be having a carpet picnic (when you spread a blanket out on the floor in the house), sleeping on air mattresses, and living out of boxes some more (what else is new!), but we will finally be home and feeling more settled!

Yesterday Hannah was saying our morning prayer. She said, "God, thank you for our shelter" and it just made me melt! What a sweet child! She was so genuine in her prayer and really that is what it is about isn't it? Shelter! It isn't even really about the house at all!

So Many Changes!

I feel like my head might explode! Today I attended the kick-off meeting for the homeschool group in Murray. It was one of those awkward social situations where everybody seems to know everybody and you are the odd man out. I mean, I talked to a few moms and the kids loved their 'Literature Clubs' and I know that I'll get used to it and perhaps make some great friends, but it was still very uncomfortable for me. I'm chanting to myself in my head, "I'm doing this for my kids, I'm doing this for my kids...". I actually ended up chatting with one mom that had a son that is 11 and 2 little girls and we had a little on common. Her husband even works part time in Mayfield and is a bi-vocational minister. She told me about a P.E. class they offer there once a week (yay...more awkward conversations in my future).

We are also church looking . We have not been a "regular" church member in over 11 years and have not really church shopped since we first got married. It is weird! We've visited 2 so far. The first one just didn't fit us. There was nothing wrong with it, but it was just not what we were looking for and really not even what I expected. The 2nd church, we've gone to twice now and really like it a lot . It is about the right size and has a contemporary worship and a 'come as you are' atmosphere. There are plenty of kids and youth and the pastor is probably one of the best preachers I've ever heard actually (besides my dear husband, of course!).

It is just overwhelming thinking of all the changes from the last 4 months! I really resist and hate change of any kind, so all this stress has been a bit much to take in at times. I'm getting there one step at a time. We will be in our new home Wednesday night...probably on an air mattress, but still in our new home! That is a change that I'm certainly looking forward to!

9 Days and Counting!

The previous owner of the home we bought is in the process of moving. The original contract stated that he could take 14 days to give us the key. He called today and will be out either late Tuesday night or the wee hours of Wednesday morning next week. Either way, we are headed to our new home Wednesday! We are all very excited and ready to get back to normal again! I'm sure Jamie's parents are eager to say the same!

Who Said the #13 is Bad Luck?

It has always been a pretty good number for us. I don't really believe in luck at all, but we seem to fall into things with the number 13 often. We lived at 1313 Bazzell Cemetery Road for 9 years. I always thought the address would be appropriate for a Stephen King novel and I had many people look at me like I was crazy after asking for my address. It never bothered me. It was easy to remember and we made a ton of wonderful memories in that that little home.

Here I sit, today, on Friday the 13th waiting to go to the bank. Our house closing is this afternoon. We even got a little extra blessing with the closing costs being MUCH less than what they had originally estimated. So, we will officially be home owners this afternoon after 3:00, however we won't be moving for another 2 weeks. That part makes the closing a little less exciting, but it is at least a step in the forward direction instead of being stuck in the quicksand.

On another note, we had to attend a funeral visitation for a dear sweet lady that we used to go to church with. She died way too young and way too tragically to even comprehend. I can still see her standing up on the church stage singing out praises to our King and now I know she is sitting in heaven singing beautiful praises. I had to gulp back a lump in my throat last night when I hugged her mother and daughter and other family members and my favorite song she sang at church was playing over the intercom at that exact moment. She had made a CD for her mother of her singing and we stood in line about an hour listening to her lovely voice one more time. Sometimes we just don't understand this world!

1 Week down and Still Waiting!

We just completed our first week of homeschooling for 2010-2011. It went well. Not without any bumps, which I suppose is to be expected. I really like all the curriculum overall. I think I would have chosen something else for 1 particular subject, but we are tweaking it to meet our needs and we'll do something else next year. It is not a "make or break" subject either, so not a big deal! It is nice to have something "normal" right now and Chloe got up this morning wanting to do school (Saturday).

But, we are still waiting on our home closing. I am so frustrated with the whole thing and told Jamie that I'm never moving again! I'm just so beyond tired and weary. I feel my anxiety on the rise and I know that Jamie and I both are dealing with some mild depression. We just have the case of the "blahs" and so ready to put the past 4 months behind us, have our own home again, and move forward in life instead of looking backward.

We were told a few days ago that we would close Friday or Monday, but there was a "bump" in the process and the loan officer is now saying next week again. Ok, I admit, I had a major meltdown, I called Jamie at work frantic, and bawled like a baby after hearing that news. A few days is really nothing in the grand scheme of life, but right now they are precious. I was excited about closing being "early" but I guess it is back to the original date (or around about). The loan lady apologized and she is now not allowed to push it faster again. So we are merely another number in line with the processor and that is where we stand at the moment. Just more waiting!

I can't help, but think that whatever lesson God had in store for me, I may have just failed miserably. I cry behind closed doors a lot and question why things had to have been this way. I appreciate the family that has reached out to us and prayed for us and cared for us during this valley in life.

We are trying out a new church tomorrow too. It has been over 12 years since we have gotten to choose our own church, so I'm a bit excited and nervous at the same time. We desire a church with a solid children and youth program, so that our children can make some connections and grow in their faith. Jamie and I want to make some friends too since we had to leave our "hang-out" buddies behind in Owensboro. It has been nice attending church with family the past couple of months, but it is time to move forward with this process. I realize more and more though how little the denominational label means on the sign outside. I've felt this way for a good long while. So, who knows where we'll end up.

God has some special things in store for us around the corner. Being patient has been hard and dealing with the hurt that brought us here has been the hardest thing we've ever had to go through. I know that we are trudging out of the valley though even if it does seem slow at the moment. I think in a few weeks, I'll at least be shedding some tears of joy instead!

First Day of School and New Do's

It was a big day around here for the kids and I. First of all, it was the first day of school, which is exciting. Our first full homeschooling year. The kids got up very early this morning all a buzz about beginning their day. We started our day with caramel rolls for breakfast and reading the Bible together. What a great way to start a week! It is going to take a few days for us to adjust to the new schedule, but overall it was a great first day.

The new curriculum is going to really put an exciting spin on our school year. Micah even commented on how he liked it so far. Ok, so it has only been one day, but we are excited about the change from last year.

Here are a few pictures from our day. I'm going to make them a "yearbook" to represent each school year with pictures I take here and there through the year. I know they'll appreciate that one day. Next on the list is to get t-shirts made for Hughes Christian Academy! That may seem a bit funny to some, but I don't want my kids to feel like they "missed out" except on things I want them to miss out on:-)

Chloe's first day of Preschool:

Hannah's first day of 2nd grade:
Abbi's first day of 3rd grade:

Micah's first day of 5th grade (trying not to laugh, and yes, I forgot to rotate the picture):

Sitting on the couch after reading our science lesson together:
They insisted on getting a picture made outside:

Then, this afternoon we headed to town to get the girls hair cut. They were itching to get their hair bobbed back off, so I just went ahead and made them appointment when I was there last week. I love their hair in a cute little bob. Sometimes I miss being able to put it up, but their hair always looks so much thicker and more "styled" with the bob. So, the girls and I pretty much all have matching Do's. They look way too old in the new hair too!

Micah as "Charlie"

I sat on the second row last night with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes as I watched Micah perform on stage. I'm really not sure what it is about being a mother that turns you into a blubbering idiot, but it does. He just beams with excitement when he is on stage and has so much God given talent that I just can't help, but bubble over on the inside. He did such a good job and it was a very cute show. It was his first big lead part and we were so proud. I know he didn't get his stage presence from me.

He did bobble on one line at the very end and he beat himself up over it for over 30 minutes last night. He cried and cried and cried about that one bobble. It was like he didn't care about all the other parts he did right, but that one negative thing took over his emotions. I hated seeing him like that. I'm sorry to say that he DID get that part of his personality from me. Maybe we can 'fix' that in time! Poor guy!

Jamie is at his second performance right now and I'm going again Tuesday evening. So, I've sat here nervous for an hour just praying that he doesn't "bobble" and he won't have a reason to beat himself up! Bless his heart!

On another note, August is here and we are excited about August for a couple of reasons. First of all, we are starting school tomorrow. Secondly, we should be in our house by the end of the month at least. I'm hoping that we get a call at at moment telling us that our closing has been pushed up. It is in the lawyers hands for the title search...help us all!