House Progress

Plumbing and cable lines done. The foundation is set to be poured early this week. After that the house will go up quickly.

This is a view of the back yard.

View from the front of the house.

View from master bedroom towards the street.

View from the front curb.

Thanksgiving 2010

This year we had Thanksgiving dinner at my brother Jerry's house. It is always lots of fun there. The kids disappear into Kaylie's room to play the Wii, dance, and be kids. The adults get to talk, laugh, and reconnect. Good times were had by all! We all shared what we were thankful for this year specifically... I am so thankful that I have a job and that we have found a wonderful church home and made so many new friends here in Texas. And, of course, the obvious goes without saying, I am always incredibly thankful for Gina! I am super thankful that our faith walk has been hugely strengthened this year.

Oh, and we fried our turkey this year! It was the BEST we've ever tasted - so juicy!!!! Yummo!

The Texas cousins minus Josh who stayed home with his dad this year because he was sick. There are also 12 California cousins not included in this pic!

Hasn't Sophia's face changed from baby to big girl?!

The three that dwell happily in our abode! Love 'em!

Gorgeous grandma and some of her grandbabies.

Zack serenades Aubrie!

Sophia's Optometrist Appointment

This was a trip the the optometrist for a second opinion. Now that we have good insurance, we want to move forward with a plan of action. We wanted to make sure we were headed in the right direction. Sophia has been referred to a specialist who will likely perform surgery on her left eye. Her next appointment is the first week of December. We anticipate scheduling a surgery date, and months of patching to help improve her sight in that eye. Her right eye is nearly perfect!

The eye drops drove her crazy! This last pic shows her trying to blink it away! LOL

House Progress

Forming, grading and trenching complete... Next step plumbing and cable lines.

Planting Roots

Yes, we did it! The Lord led us miraculously to the exact place He wants us to lay down roots for the next few years. We aren't ready to say forever because there are so many places to experience, but we ARE ready to say we are settling in for a long while here in these parts. And, we need the tax write off (hugely)! If I told you how this came about, you'd question my sanity, but suffice it to say that the Lord has planted the perfect home in our laps. Well, right now it is just dirt, but soon it'll be a free standing single family home that belongs to us.

Going without a job for so long has taught me much! I will never take my employment for granted nor will I look at those hunting for work and think to myself that they aren't looking hard enough. What I will think is that God is a Father of love, and He has something in store for those in tough situations. The tough spots are temporary, and even though the emotion and pain of being in that position is real, God will replace it with a testimony of his grace, mercy and provision.

I never in a million years thought we would buy a home after all of our ups and downs. As a matter of fact, we weren't even out there looking or applying. Even now, we pinch ourselves and think are we really doing this? It seems way too good to be true, and yet, aren't most of God's miraculous blessings too good?

Anyhow, our home is scheduled to be complete at the end of March which is right when our current lease ends, and even better than that, we'll go from our lease payment to a mortgage payment of just about the same amount! There is a very very small variance! We never thought we would be able to take advantage of the low interest rates available now days so we had hunkered into leasing, but as we have seen, we had options and good options - no teaser rates or loans like those available a few years back! A real legitimate fixed rate mortgage...

Anyhow, our home will have 5 bedrooms. The master bedroom and one other bedroom which will be the office are downstairs (YAY!). Upstairs will be 3 bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a family room. We will be moving 5 miles from where we live now and will be about 2 miles from my mom's house, 5 miles from my two youngest brothers and baby sis, and about 8 miles from my older brother and his family. Church and work are in Uptown and Downtown Dallas which is about 30 miles away but a nice drive nonetheless.

The kids won't be changing schools although can you believe that in one more year, Zack will finish elementary school and move on to intermediate??? Anyhow, Zack, Sophia and Kenny live with us and Josh lives with his dad about an hour away, but he visits on weekends. When Josh is at our place, he shares a room with Zack so weekends are party time for the boys and in the new house, the party will continue.

I'll update my post with pictures as the house is built for those who might want to follow the process. As you watch and read, I hope you'll thank God with us for His amazing provision.

Halloween 2010