All in God's Timing

For the past week, we have been traveling across our state and into New Mexico (briefly albeit), Arizona, and Utah. It was a last minute decision last Sunday and we returned home on Friday.  It was an extremely eventful trip and I promise to update (with photos later this week!)  But the biggest shock came when the phone rang while walking around Las Vegas.  It was our realtor, Diana.  She had to leave a message as our cell phone service carrier has shotty coverage in the downtown Vegas area.  Much to our surprise, an offer came in.  It wasn't exactly what we were hoping for, but after one counter we signed the paperwork yesterday and sold our home at full asking price!  Wow.  With just two weeks left before we were to pull it off the market we actually sold our home.  A true testimony to allowing God to be in control.  I had to leave the state to stop thinking about the process.  As soon as I was relaxed and no longer thinking about it, we get an offer.  Praise God!  I can see him laughing at me as I write this, saying, "I was wondering when you were going to let Me take care of you!"

On a side note here is little something that is rather interesting:

• We put our house on the market 12.16
• We signed the contract to sell on 7.16
• Our closing is scheduled for 8.16
• Craig and I have been married for 16 years.
• We met when we were 16 years old.
• Yesterday we viewed our 16th property.  It wasn't the one, but there is one or two that could work out...one in particular, but only God's timing will let us know if it is the one or not!!  

I am not a numbers person, but I did find this to be kind of crazy!  A least a fun story to share with you all!

Summer Hockey League

 Caleb has been playing inline hockey since he was in first grade.  It is truly one his favorite things to do. In all of the games I have been to throughout the years, I have never been to one quite like this one. It was a hoot! It started 15 minutes late because over half of his team was on vacation.  In fact, in order for them to be able to play, they had to recruit players from a different team. This was the last game of the evening and while there is normally a pee wee league playing at the same time, tonight there wasn't.  This took me a little off guard because for the first time ever, the rink was actually quiet.  I must say it felt a bit awkward to even cheer the kids on.  Usually the place is filled with energy and excitement.  However, tonight was truly an exception.  By half time, all of the players were exhausted from not having any line changes.  But the best part of the game came when there was just 7 minutes left to play.  Coach Pete blew the whistle for an impromptu time out so that our team's goalie could use the bathroom!  When I looked up this is what I saw.










The players taking a rest on the rink--probably grateful for the break from playing the entire game.  In the end Caleb's team one 5-3.  This makes for an undefeated season!  Just 7 games left.  Good Luck Flyers!

Summer Blooms

Just about this time each year, my daisies bloom.  It's like clockwork. The reason I know this is because it happens right around the time I celebrate my birthday.  This year it was about a week after.  Last year it was about a week before.  I just love the freshness of these daisies.  I planted the bunch below the year we moved into our current home.  They have matured quite nicely.  The bunch above I transplanted last summer.  They are considerably smaller than the original bunch, but it reminds me the with all good things a little bit of time can do wonders!

 A few years back I planted these lovelies.  Can't remember exactly what they are.  Picked them up at the local Lowe's when I was feeling the need to fill in the planting bed under our favorite tree--a purple autumn ash.  They have filled in like crazy and I just love them.  In fact, I think my neighbor has an even better close up of them.  The best part about them is that they bloom all summer long.  While summer has never really been my favorite time of year, there are a few simple pleasures that I can appreciate--summer blooms being one of them!

Home Care

While our house is on the market until the end of this month, I am not convinced we are truly going to sell at this point, so I have decided to go ahead and start some projects.  For the past 7 months I--the project queen--have been in complete limbo waiting to find out if we are going to be moving or not.  Of course I do not have a crystal ball, but I just kept saying to myself, why put anymore effort into this home if I won't be living here.  What a horrible attitude.  In the event we do end up selling this home, wouldn't it be nice to leave the new home owners with a fresh coat of paint here or there?  I am sure they would appreciate it.  So, I woke up yesterday and adjusted my poor attitude!  I decided to pull out my trusty old paintbrushes and  my paint bucket (of course I didn't go and buy any new paint---yet!!!) and I proceeded to start a project--FINALLY!!

I am sure you are dying to know what I decided to paint first!  Well, don't get too excited.  Many people won't even notice, because after 9 years, I decided it was time to freshen up the trim and doors in this well loved home!  This time, I am definitely going with a semi-gloss.  While the satin is washable, the ground in dirt from the many children (and adults!) that pass through the doorways simply doesn't wash off very well. So, while the thrill of redoing a room still taps at my heart, I will just have to wait a little bit longer.

In the meantime, my crafty do-it-yourselfer mentality can be somewhat satisfied knowing that my OCD cleaner mentality will be happy today!

A Fresh Start

While I have been blogging for a while, I am recently coming back from a break. I was under the mindset that making regular posts was a bit time consuming. Yet, now that I have been away from it for a while, I am finding that it is really a great way to journal.  Not only for myself but for my family, we well.  So...

I am back!

In recent months I have been in a place of waiting...

• waiting to find out if our family will be making a move and if our home will sell
• waiting to start some home improvement projects
• waiting for some motivation to take better care of myself

But in all honestly,  I am really waiting to learn how to live my life with balance.

During this time of waiting, I have learned much about myself.  I am a control freak who lacks much patience.   I have never been a patient child.  In fact, I would say I am more like a toddler.  I want what I want, and I want it now!  However, my Father is growing me up in this area.  He is a great teacher that way!  Patient enough to wait for me to figure out what He wants for me next!  For this I am so thankful.  I don't deserve His love, but it is a gift that I will accept graciously! I do not yet know what changes are in store for our family, but I know that the Lord is good and that He will not give us more than we can handle.

Until next time...

Farewell

I guess my blogging days are winding down.  I have noticed that I am not as zealous about blogging as in past years.  Perhaps it is because the kids are getting older.  Perhaps it's because I am getting busier.  Perhaps it's because I am lacking motivation.  If I am honest with myself I believe it is because I am lazy and because I am not convinced anyone really gives a hoot about what is going on, so why am I spending my time updating a document only I look at.All very good reasons for me to avoid posting I guess!  For now, I think I will go back to the days of regular paper pencil journaling.  So, after I slurp last years content into blurb and create a book that my kids can enjoy for years to come, this blog will be gone forever.  If you are reading this and you aren't me (or my husband!), then I must say farewell.  I'll see you in real life!