A missing treasure... found!

Well, I guess "treasure" is not quite accurate.

You see, during the course of waiting for our house, we were asked 3 times to get an inspection for wood destroying pests. And all 3 times we came back with, no wood destroying insects were found, inactive (aka dead) ones were found... recommends seasonal spraying.

Well, today, we found the jewel. When the guy who is installing our new bathtub took down the old surround, down with it came a whole slew of carpenter ants!

Turns out the"inactive" carpenter ants were living under the plywood the the yucky bathtub was sitting on. Luckily by the grace of God, they were only destroying the plywood that was attached to the bathtub, and left the rest of the bathroom alone (or so it seems right now). It was odd, because there was also a large amount of concrete also helping support the nasty tub. Needless to say, we are trying to move past this, and head into the wonderfulness of a new bathtub... hopefully that project will be done by tomorrow.

Hammer Wielding Woman

Oh yes! I totally got to knock a wall out at our house. Here are the pictures! I am soo excited about how it all came out. There was even an amazing surprise... under the one wall, is also beautiful hardwood. Where we thought we'd have to have it "fixed"/patched actually looks great! So, it shouldn't be soo bad.

Personally, hammering out the drywall was so much fun. Any frustration or stress I had from this week or moving or whatnot... TOTALLY gone! I am also very pleased with our progress.This is my masterpiece

We recruited my cousin Andrew to take out the 1/2 wall
I think he may have even enjoyed it! (See video below)

My same wonderful cousin pulling out little tiny staples
that once held the carpet pad down to the floor.


We had some visitors come check us out.

Mine! Err... Ours!

This picture says it all! But alas! We are homeowners.... or as I say "mortages assumers."

Thank you to everyone who kept us in their thoughts and prayers over the last 3 months. It has been such a crazy ride. We are really excited about the adventure allowing us to embark on.

Furthermore... anyone want to help, we'll be having all sorts of priming parties, painting parties, moving parties etc. No experience necessary. We will feed anyone who comes to help. It will be loads of fun! The more the merrier!

Lets all go under the limbo stick....

So yeah, we're still in limbo waiting for all the paperwork to go through.

Guess, you'll have to continue to scroll down to see the pictures again. As an update goes, we did have our home inspection. The inspector found nothing new... or nothing that we didn't know about. The VA inspector from what I've been told, didn't stay very long, and asked only a few simple questions of our inspector. (Typically, the perspective buyers do NOT meet the VA inspector... they come when the buyers aren't there..) So, we're just waiting for the VA inspector's report to meet it to the bank... and allow for our closing. So, keep praying. God is moving (and hopefully so will we!)

I'll update when we hear anything.

We've fought the good fight, we've run/won the race....

I've been holding off for a while with posting pictures of the house. But... since I just found out that our bid was accepted... I thought it was safe to do so. Now, the next step is to get a home inspection. (So, put that to the top of your prayer list... the home inspection.)

Obviously, this is the outside.
This is the 1/2 bath.
This is the living room.This is the kitchen. It will need some updating, but
it's workable. :-)

Dining room off living room & kitchen

Bedroom #1

Bedroom #2

Bedroom #3
Bedroom #4
Like the graffiti?Full bath (really, there is a shower to the left.)Basement. There used to be a wood burning fireplace on that slab.
We saw it one day, then the next time... we didn't. It's MIA, so if
anyone sees it... would you kindly return it?m (I suspect the listing agent.)

So that's it. Please join with us and pray that the home inspection goes well. There is one area of concern. As the (angry) evicted residents left their home, they smashed the vanity in the half bath. They have to turn the water on, so we pray that it won't be all crazy, and ruin things. We're just trusting in God to lead us through this. At this point we're looking at moving the week before Christmas (good timing, huh? ), so if anyone wants to help, let me know. (I WILL FEED YOU!) And if anyone needs a place to stay starting in January 2010... let us know.

Have a good one!

~K~

Housing update....

There is really not a lot to be said about our housing update. It's more like a soap opera. I'll post a little update in as cheery attitude as possible.

1 month ago yesterday (September 17) we put a bid in on a house. We heard nothing until last Sunday evening. Last Sunday we were informed that (because the house is bank-owned, and the bank was not moving along at more than a snail's pace that) there was another bid put in on the house. We were less than thrilled. I think livid, is more accurate. We went back to the house on Monday with whole slew of people. We picked over the place with a fine toothed comb, if you will. We re-evaluated our current bid. We submitted another offer (not too far off our first offer), since the bank (which owns it) did pay to clean up the mold that was in the basement (long story, not a concern any more. The basement is dry... it was from the smashed vanity in the bathroom above.) Then we sat and waited some more. On Thursday, our bid was met with a verbal counter offer. (This time, not soo bad.) On Friday, we accepted the counter offer. Now, we're waiting for the official paperwork.

If you're thinking "How can I pray for them, now?" (If you're not, please think that... because we really would appreciate all the prayers we can get at this point.) Because the bank has been dragging their feet, we're pushing awfully close to the "first time homebuyer tax credit" deadline. We should have been fine with the deadline if they would have accepted our bid within the normal 2 week time frame. But now... we're not sure. It will be very, very close. We need to close before November 30. Please join with us in prayer, that we can accomplish this task. It will certainly help out in the future with some repairs we intend to make in the spring.

Other than that, we're still in limbo... waiting.

Thanks for the prayers!!

~K~

Funny observation....

So I just made a funny observation. I have more than 12,000 hits on this blog... yet only 1 follower.

Pam... do you check on me a lot? Sorry you are so often disappointed with no updates. Thanks for checking in on me! :-)

Quietness... and prayers....

It has been some time since I have blogged. Not because there wasn't something to say... I purposefully kept quiet out of fear. Fear of shear disappointment. Fear of saying too much, getting too many questions, getting attached, and then more disappointment.

The time has come to face reality.

We put a bid in on our 2nd house of the year. I am completely grateful for this opportunity. But now, that has put us in a predicament. No, no, no, we didn't over bid? We haven't been accepted, and now we're in an amazing bidding war.

I'm not going to say much about the house or the situation yet. But, I'd like to express the dire need for prayer. We need it now, more than ever, for this situation. We're exhausted. We're to the point of throwing in the housing towel (as it may be) for a year... or more. I know it's a "buyers market" but, honestly, it hasn't been too kind to us. It has more recently become very discouraging, and breaking.

So, if you are called by God to be a prayer warrior, please.... remember us in prayer. This is way more than we can handle on our own. The only reason we're still sticking with it, is completely by Faith in God. But, we are weak. So, very weak. Your prayers are needed, coveted, and appreciated.

I will update more... and give more details about our situation, in (probably) a few days.

I just thought I'd let you know we are alive!

K

Blessings and bloggings

Even though I am struggling with a few things right now... I'd like to make this an extremely positive blog. (No one likes a whiner, as I always say. So I won't do it in this post at least.)

I was sitting here tonight trying to find somethings that are wonderful in my life.... some things that are truly blessings to me. So, I'd like to share a few of them with you. We all need a reminder some times, right?

Here are some of the few things the Lord has blessed me with this past week.
1. He has blessed me with a healthy life, and abundant life through His eternal salvation.

2. He has given me, an extremely patient husband who continues to just keep quiet and listen. He never condemns, never criticizes, and never puts me down. He truly makes the unbearable, more bearable.

3. He has allowed us to put a bid on a house. During this bid, He impressed the importance on the bank to fix the mold that was in the basement. One thing that we won't have to do, if our bid gets accepted.

4. He has made me extremely busy. (While most of the time this is more of a curse than a blessing... actually all the time it seems to be more of a curse than a blessing... I've been able to appreciate such a fact this week.) I've been too busy to sit and fret or watch the clock while we wait the 2 days to 2 weeks to hear anything about our bid.

5. He has given me great family. Family who when asked gives really great advice, and most of the time when you don't solicit, you don't get it.

6. He has provided a roof over our head, food on our table, and a job (however painful it may be at times) to go to every day.

7. He has also given me one more day with which to praise Him.

8. He helped me find a book that I thought I had lost. I'm so relieved to have found it! That brought a smile to my weary face.

So, what has the Lord done for you? Where do your blessings reside?

I hope that I've been an encouragement to you in some way shape or form. God is good... I just need to stop and smell the roses... and appreciate Him for who He is!

~K~

Where were you 4 years ago?

Where were you 4 years ago today?

I know exactly where I was!

4 years ago, I was a very atypical cool, calm and collected bride. (No seriously, I was.... I got a good solid 8 hours of sleep. I didn't even wake up once during the night!)

So happy Anniversary Jeremy! It's been amazing 4 years already. I can't wait to see how God blesses us for the next 4 and beyond! Love you!

Last night... oh the frustration....

So I think that the "situation" I'm in at school is just completely ROTTEN!

The year before I came on the teaching staff our school worked hard, and got their charter. Because of that, every so often we are "entitled" to some money. (I'm not sure how we get it, or even how much.) So last year my boss let us order a few things that we wanted for a classroom. I of course reached for the stars and ordered a SMART board. (Click that for an explanation). Needless to say the board is being installed some time in September.... so right now, all I have to use is a projector.... not that is not what had me irreversibly frustrated.

You see, as part of the "being allowed" to use the state funds, we cannot put anything religious. So, I had 24 amazing power point slides for my Earth Science class... and I had to delete 8 of them. Why? Because by mentioning that God is the creator of everything... that we are saved by grace through faith, and that through Jesus' redemption on the cross... we have a blessed hope.... is a direct violation of the "rules."

Now the part I don't understand is... why, if our parents and teachers at our school are paying taxes (and the affiliated church goers, do too, I'm guessing.) and we choose to educate with a Biblical worldview in mind... then why the heck can't we use the projector/SMART board/anything given to us by state funds... the way we want to? Or don't my tax dollars count?

I am getting just sick and tire of Christians being told that they can't do what we need or want to do! I am sooooo sick of being called narrow minded, and intolerable... when it seems to me that those who are behind things like the ACLU, or Freedom From Religion Foundation are the ones who truly are narrow minded. Who am I offending at our small private school?!

While I'm ranting, I might as well mention that there is a school in the NE Ohio area that is coming under fire for having "we value...." "belief in God..." in their mission statement. As most of us I'm sure are aware this is not the first time (nor will it be the last) when some nosy meddling organization wants God to be taken out of our school. The reporting newspaper said that the Freedom From Religion Foundation was hoping that talks would suffice and that legal action won't be neccessary. But the funny part (or not so funny part) is that if they decide to go for the legal action... then the FFRF needs a plaintiff. That's right! They don't even have anyone from the school complaining. They're just picking at this school for something... that apparently doesn't even bother their student body. I just think that this Wisconsin based foundation needs to BUTT out of our business, and quit tormenting people. That doesn't seem too tolerating of things, now does it?

Anyway, any one else got any thoughts on this issue? I've already written a letter to the FFRF relaying my disapproval. I refuse to be pushed around or bullied.. any further.

Let me know what you think!

A contest

I got this from a friend's blog... so I thought... why not. So.. here ya go.... a contest for you!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me, especially for you. I promise I’ll make it worth your while!

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I hope you will.

2- What I create will be just for you.

3-They say I have a year to get it to you. But I sure hope it won’t take that long!

4- You have no clue what it’s going to be. It’s a surprise to both of us at this point.

The catch? You must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.
So the first five people who post, and are willing to pass it along,will get a handmade gift in the mail from me. (It probably won't be something knit... because as of now... I do not have the slightest idea as to how to knit.)

One more reason I love my Valentine's Day present

So today I found yet another reason to appreciate the Valentine's Day present Jeremy got me... if you remember, I mentioned that he gave me a small light blue digital camera. I had wanted one for some time... one that I could keep in my purse and just randomly snap pictures when necessary. Today, I saw the fruit of my request... here's the picture I managed to capture.

I went to a grocery store on my way home from my grandparents' house. I was so excited to see this and actually take a pic to prove I wasn't making it up. Enjoy!



The light changed before I could snap a picture of the tent with the peace sign... but, I thought the hippie gothic clan was a fun sight to see. (Which I was already in an amazingly happy mood since I found out that they are almost done putting in a sonic out there too. More reasons to go see my grandparents, Which I am sure they will love.)

Cruisin on up..... (Please sing the Jefferson's theme song )

So I promised pictures from the cruise.... Here they are:

We left Cleveland about 8am on Monday, August 3. We drove, and drove and drove. Our destination? Elizabeth, New Jersey which is just outside NYC. Somewhere along the way my parents made a quick switch of drivers. A couple hours later we stopped at a rest stop. After we did our thing... I was sitting in the van waiting for everyone to get back in, and I noticed this sign straight ahead of us.



Let me zooooooom in a little closer so you can read it.

Apparently Mom thinks we have a higher status than we really do. From the time I realized it, until we moved I was prayin that we wouldn't get ticketed... but I did think it would be a funny 1st ticket for my mom!

So, we drove, and drove and drove some more. We made it to Elizabeth without a problem.
On Tuesday, about noon, we ventured into "the City" to catch our ship. My father was the pilot, and I was the co-captain/resident Garmin reader. Amazingly, while enjoying the sights, we did NOT get lost!

This is the Verrazono Bridge headed into Staten Island(?). You don't have to pay to go on it, but it's $11 to go back out of Staten Island. Oddly enough when we put in the address to go home, it skipped this lovely bridge, and instead cost us $0.75! Now that's a deal!


I loved it that as we got closer to our ship, we could see glimpses of the Statue of Liberty. This is by far one of my favorite US landmarks. It's just a neat symbol of our freedom! If you look closely you can see it! (It was extremely hard to get a good picture of it between buildings driving at average pace on a heavily populated freeway.)


This was our view as we left the harbor. Kinda cool huh? I would highly recommend leaving out of NYC. It was also a neat way to come back to U.S. soil! Almost like a smile saying "Welcome Home!"

And what would a cruise be like without a show? Ironically, this was the only show we went to!

Our first stop was in Bermuda! This is probably one of my favorite ports of call. It was clean, and there really wasn't a lot of poverty evident. Oh I'm sure it's there, but... we sure didn't see it. While we were there my dad and I did one of the most fun excursions. We took a tour of the island on Segways! Oh my goodness are they soooooo much fun!

Below is my dad, getting our quick crash-course-"lesson" from our guide, Jordan.

They made us ride around in circles for the first 10 minutes. Something about letting novices out on the public roads, near water on a $5k+ machine. The only song that kept going through my mind was Weird Al's "White and Nerdy." (Thanks Jeremy for implanting that song in my head!)

Proof that we both were on it... beautiful beaches... beautiful island.... fun ride!

Two of my most favorite people. I had so much fun with them on this vacation. (Course I have a lot of fun with them on any vacation.... or any place for that matter. Amazing how fun they get when you grow up!)

This is she! Our BEAUTIFUL Caribbean Princess. I am a little sad, we booked for another one... and after 3 wonderful cruises on the same ship, we're gonna give her younger sister a try.
When we were in Puerto Rico, my mom and I decided last minute to take a bus tour around Old and New San Juan. This was our first stop... they let us out and this nearly paradise looking oasis!
This is a drive-by picture taking.... it came out kind of cool though.
Mom and I somewhere in the "new" San Juan, I think?
This is the only type of picture I got from St. Thomas. These little guys were EVERYWHERE. They freaked me out! (Not enough to deny myself the excitement of a helmet diving excursion, though.)


As you can probably tell, we had an amazing trip! It's probably my favorite cruise so far... beautiful ports, GREAT food, AMAZING service. It was yet another gold star of excellence for Princess Cruise Lines. Tomorrow (?) I will try to share a few stories... I will also give you a few reasons why I have fallen in L-O-V-E with Princess Cruise Lines.

Quick!

This will be a quick update.

I am home from the most wonderful vacation. I have some great pictures (from excursions we took, and this and that). So I will try to post them either tomorrow or at least by Friday.

The lack of post is because I am working diligently on getting everything I need ready for school to start. Today was our first day of inservice. (YIKES) If you're thinking of me, please keep me in your prayers. Next Monday is our 1st day of school. I'm excited, yet anxious. I've also been battling fatigue a little bit. It seems like lately I am exhausted.

With that said, I will need to go now, so I can go to bed early!!

Bon Voyage!!

On Monday I will be heading to NYC with my family! We will be going on a 9 day cruise. We're hitting Bermuda, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and Grand Turk.

So if anyone out there would like to check in on my handsome husband (make sure he eats). Feel free. He'll actually be staying at my parents' house watching their dog.

Maybe tomorrow I will have a more exciting post. But for now... this is all I've got for ya!

Have a good day!

I need a little cheese...

So I need a little outlet to whine. So pardon this post.

Does anyone ever take a step back and look at your "4 year plan" and go, "WHAT THE HECK?!" You look at it, and think that your 4-year plan is nothing like what you thought it would be. In fact, it is the total opposite. Right now, I just wonder... did I forget to give God the memo that this was my plan? Then I go, "Kellee, are you kidding? You're going to tell the God of the universe YOUR plan? I mean, talk about a way to make Him laugh."

I often look around and just wanna stomp my feet like a little child and say "My turn! My turn, My turn!" Because it seems like when things go all out for me, and it gets sooo close to "the plan"... the plan falls through, and someone else close in your life goes "oh by the way..." and suddenly they have YOUR plan! So you stomp around a little bit more... my plan, my plan, my plan!

All for what? God to grow you? I know that during the course of "my plan" I have seen God do amazing things. He has taken my plan and completely shaken them up. Oh sure, I long for that plan oh so much... but I know that if my plan is as good as it gets, and is not happening... then God's plan must be 10 times better.

So for now, I just cling to that hope... I try not to whine... and I simply pour my heart out to the God of the universe that has the power and control to fulfill all my dreams, and even knock my socks off. His ways are higher than mine... His plan is far greater than mine can or will ever be.

So... has anyone felt like this in the past, or lately? Because I give you a little cheese to go with my whine if you want... partay!

Stay strong!

Seis maravilloso años!

Yes! Today marks 6 wonderful years since our first date! Woohoo!

Part of me says "That's it? Seems like longer." I just feel like Jeremy has been a part of my whole life, not 23.5% of my life. The other part says, wow time sure has flown by... since we've been having so much fun. I often ponder and go, really? "X number of years?" I replay our story both the ups and the downs. Then I marvel at, and give Him the praise, for all that God has brought us through.

So today, I want to celebrate with my husband 6 wonderful years! Stay tuned... over the next month and a half we have several other "special dates" that I remember. So... check back again.

Much love!

P.S. Does everyone enjoy the oldest picture I have of the two of us on my computer? We look much different... and I think better too!

Ponder this....

I recently heard this quote... and I'd enjoy some feedback/discussion.

It originally was in reference to adverse situations that come in our life.

"Resignation is not the same as acceptance."

How does that fit in with situations that you may find yourself in? I looked up the definition of "resignation" online, and found in one word i meant "submission". I then looked up acceptance which means "approval". So, we can submit to the fact that our situation is, what it is... but we don't have to approve of it. We just need to deal.

I've also found that a reliance on God will truly help. During a period of time when I was angry at God for my circumstances, I was reminded that it's ok to be mad. It's ok, to tell God how we feel. "He's got big shoulders. He can take it." I think it's all about being real with yourself, and God.

Anyway, what do you think?

Truly deep

It can't be denied, I am not getting any younger. As the days go by, I know that I am nearing the next phase of our life. (No, folks, this is not an announcement, but rather more the ponderings of my mind at 2:15 AM.) I know that one day in the next few years we will begin to embark on a new journey called parenthood. I know it will be an exciting, fun, scary, interesting, exhausting, bewildering, fast, amazing time in our lives all wrapped up in one. I look to the future with a lot of hope, and anticipation.

The one thing I was pondering this evening is bad habits. Truth be told, married couples have heard it time and time again... "The qualities that most attracted us, have now become most annoying." I was sitting hear thinking about some of my own weaknesses, and envisioning our future offspring.

I wonder how my own current bad habits will effect them? (Or is it affect? I always confuse the two, and rarely remember that there is an "affect".) I look at myself and see a carbon-copy of my own parents. I look at my husband and see a carbon copy of his parents.

Then I can't help but wonder, do parents realize they have these "bad habits"? Do they see them only when their child is failing in their mid-life? Do they feel responsible, or not? When does responsibility come, and when does it go? How old is your child before you don't feel guilty of their bad habits that they no doubt learned from you.

This post may seem crazy since we don't even have children. But, I often wonder.

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be a mom. In fact, I remember as a matter-of-fact, saying in pre-marriage counseling, there is no higher calling but to be a mom. For the last few years, I can just feel it in me starting to blossom... but as the days are approaching when this could be reality in the next few years... I tense up! Me? A Mom? Oh gosh! Where do I even begin? My head starts spinning, and I start a mini-freak out. I'll be in charge of a life? Are you CRAZY?? I'm too yo....ung..... and then it dawns on me... I'm not too young... there are sooo many more people out there with even mulitple children. I mean, so much is out there... so much could go wrong... there is so much shaping, molding, and just overall responsibility... and that will be placed on me?? What in the world am I thinking?

Eventually, I come down out of my freak-out and I begin envinsioning little girls in cute little floral dresses with cardigan sweaters... little boys with button-down shirts, argyle sweater vests, and coduroys ... laughing, playing... and influencing them.

*sigh*

So, I just needed to blog about this.... now... I am done.

To all the parents out there... please know that you are highly honored, and respected in my book. You have one of the most amazing jobs in the world! I hope you feel God's blessings all around you.

Spam! And I'm not talking canned ham!

All I have to say, is WHO SPAMS a blog! I just got notice that my blog had 6 comments.... and to my surprise I was like "oh wow! 6 Comments." When I read them it was some evil spammer that was leaving comments unrelated to my blog, but about how they liked the fact that my blog talked about "family finances, and here's a list of part time jobs in my area." What the heck?

Anyway, I'm off to have some fun today! Pictures later!

Friday Night Date Night!

More recently it seems that Friday nights have become Date Night!

I will note complain one bit. I am totally in love with dating my husband.

This past Friday we went to Zapatelli's in Mentor, Ohio. Now, I will tell you when you first go in there it seems like a very hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Do not be deceived! It is a true Lake County Gem! If you haven't been do yourself a favor, and go! I must warn you, though, at first glance the price for a meal of veal seems a bit steep. But, don't lose heart! It is well worth the price! The portions are mammoth!

Here's a picture of Jeremy with his prized veal! This was taken when he was done! It's hard to tell, but I'm sure that the "side of pasta" had to be at least a pound! CRAZY wonderful! He will definitely make 4 meals out of this night-out-leftovers.

He's happy and full!You can hardly tell that he ate some it.
Mmmmmm it's soo good!

Door shut....

As off this afternoon, about 3pm the door on the house bid was officially shut. We can take the hint from God. In fact, shortly after putting in the bid, we got a few signs here and there that maybe we shouldn't get this house. The straw that broke the camel's back was the 18 page counteroffer that we were given. It left us very little choice but to abandon the house. But, in the long run, it will probably be better for the Flatt household. So, we're still back to square one... looking at house after house.

Please continue to pray with us about where God would have us live. We're getting close to the deadline to either extend our lease for a year, go month to month at a premium, or move out. So... there are many decisions that need to happen in the next two weeks.

Until then! Stay tuned for more household updates!

The door that is almost closed

So, last evening around 7:30 we got a phone call from our realtor. Our bid on the home was not accepted, and a counter-offer was given. We did not accept the counter offer. (It was garbage.) So, we're pretty sure that this is God telling us that this is not our home, and that a better one out there awaits. We are still praying about this, as there is still a slight "door ajar" light... but.... we're nearly certain it won't go through. I thought I'd just give a little update. Those of you prayer warriors, please keep praying.

In light of the possible no go, Jeremy and I also have a few decisions to make. Large decisions. One of which will deal with if we should go month to month for a few months, or if we should just go ahead and sign for another year, and just see what God has for us this time next year.

So, those are the prayer request updates. Thank you all for your intercession. Jeremy and I appreciate it!

I will keep everyone up to date as things progress.

To clarify...this is our prayer

I just wanted to clarify to my readership (as few as they may be), that while we are waiting on God and His timing, yes, we have asked you to pray. But, we (Jeremy and I), don't want you to pray "Dear Lord, please allow them to get the house" but rather pray more like "Lord, if this is your will, show it to them clearly. If you want them to have it, then let it be so." A lot has happened in the last few days. I won't go into detail. Not much has happened that has changed this waiting game, but now more than ever, we just need some clarification, and wisdom that only God can give. So if you think of us this week, and the next several, please pray with us, that God's will be done!

Thank you! Have a wonderful evening!

K

Waiting on God

I was debating on whether or not to post this. But then I figured, I should. After all the title says it all.

As most of you know, Jeremy and I have been looking at buying a house now for almost a year and a half. Well last week we found a house we really like. Yesterday we put a bid on it. Now, it's not as simple as that (of course it's not), there are other bidders out against us. So.... we're just waiting, and praying. Waiting on the Lord.

We know that with God all things are possible. We know that He knows what is best for us. We are confident that if God truly wants us to have this house, that we will get it. God's ways are higher than ours. We also rest in the hope that if we don't get this house, that He must have a better more wonderful house out there waiting for us.

So, until then, please join with us in prayer. We need some things to fall into place. We need to see God's will revealed. It's hard to wait... and I pretty much just sit and stare at the phone... hoping to hear one way or the other. So... I'm also learning a great deal of patience.

Anyway, when we hear something I will update more. I'm not going to post pictures of the house, unless we know something one way or the other. I'm trying not to get emotionally attached to it.

Thanks for praying!!

Blog Worlds Collide in Charlotte!

On our way back from the beach Jeremy and I were able to stop over in Charlotte for the evening. We had an amazing opportunity to visit with our friends the Renstroms. We had so much fun! (Thanks guys!) As always, I took very little pictures. But, really, I'd like to focus on the fact that I did remember to take pictures at all. I do find it interesting that I have more pictures of the people/kids who were only there a short time... in comparison to the children who there there the whole time we were. Hmm.....

This is Eden. I love her precious smile.
I'm guessing it's a good one, because I'm not a guy.
Jeremy made her cry a few times. Hehehe

Bennett (Eden's older sister) wasn't so sure about me taking her picture
so I conned Danielle into taking one with her. I was close to a smile.


There were two other sweet children there Greta & Will. However, I didn't get many pictures of them. :-( Sorry Nat! At first I was totally bummed, that the picture below was the only one I got of Greta... but then I found it rather fitting. Greta is a climber! She climbed I didn't even know could be climbed on. So.... this is her picture that I got of her. She was climbing over the couch.

Renstrom family, thank you so much for the wonderful evening. It was such a pleasure to get to hang out with you on our way back home. Thanks for making time for us. The Charlotte symphony was wonderful! It was a great time to catch up. (Sorry you didn't get to hear so much of it... )

Greta, Jeremy says hi! He had a lot of fun playing with you.

I will leave you with this little story as I end this blog entry. Jeremy and Greta became good buds over the 19 hours we were there. (Jeremy just is wonderful with children.) On Monday morning, Jeremy was eating his breakfast of pancakes and bacon... and he shared a bite with Greta. It was sweet. Well apparently this caught her attention, and it was love. As we were leaving, we were giving our hugs. I squatted down to give Greta a hug... and she was accomodating... and then Jeremy said "Can I have a hug?" She went running up to him... gave him a big ol' bear hug.... and then he set her down. Without prompting her she said "I wuv you Jeremy" . It was sooo precious! Nat, be thankful that we didn't scoop her up and steal her right then and there! We talked about it all the way home!

Thanks for the fun time!

Retirment + Part-time Job= Dad?

Recently my father has been considering the possibilities of retiring in the fall. As it happens, I keep throwing out possible jobs that he could do in his retirement. Here's one I found while we were in Myrtle Beach.
This man stood at the door opening it and directing guests in at "The Original Benjamin's Seafood Buffet". I instantaneously pictured my father dressed up as a pirate, ushering guests into their meal. I'm guessing he'd be a good fit, especially if they gave him free food when he was done!

Hehehe... anyone else have a good job idea?

Myrtle Beach

On June 8th Jer and I left Ohio behind. We were bound for Myrtle Beach. We had a lot of fun. Unfortunately (as is typical of me) I did not take a lot of pictures. :-( We were too busy on the beach, and I didn't feel comfortable leaving my camera anywhere and everywhere. So, there are just a few pictures that I can share.

These are the views we had from our balcony.
If I looked straight down, this is what I saw.

We enjoyed our time with Jeremy's family. It was wonderful having his sister and her family, his brother, his two aunts and their families, and his uncle and wife. Some of them live out of town, so it was good to see them and spend a bit of time with them.

Most of the time we'd sleep in. Eat breakfast, chill out... have lunch... and then head to the beach. After our beach time, we usually got ready to go out to dinner. In the evening sometimes we played games, other times we just hung out, watched movies, talked, played putt-putt or whatnot. We ate and two very good seafood buffets. Boy were they good.

My biggest pride of the trip is an odd one. I am proud to say that after a lot of OCD applications of sunscreen neither Jeremy nor I got sunburnt! So.... someone should be proud of us! 70+ SPF did a great job! Go coppertone!

Goodbye to my 8th Graders!

Well, since school is over, I'd like to say a formal "goodbye" to my beloved 8th graders.

It was a fun year. I was glad to have a small 8th grade class this year. After last year, it was like a breath of fresh air. Sure, I'm guessing there were multiple times that each one took a bit of hatred towards me, but I hoping and praying that those times were few and far between.

All in all. I think I had I good year with them, and I will certainly miss them next year!